The Point News

To commemorate the centennial anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, on Sunday, May 26 th , the Embassy of Italy and Ateneo de Manila University, in partnership with the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, organized a captivating concert titled “The Young Puccini.” This event highlighted the music of the composer of Tosca and Turandot, featuring pieces that had never before been performed in the Philippines and possibly in the entire ASEAN region. Held at the Hyundai Hall, Arete’, Ateneo de Manila University, the concert presented Puccini’s early works demonstrating his emerging artistic self-confidence despite his young age. Under the expert direction of Maestro Marlon Chen, the Manila Symphony Orchestra delivered an enthralling exploration of Puccini’s complex and mesmerizing music. The first part of the concert featured two of Puccini’s early instrumental works: the  Preludio sinfonico  (1882) and the  Capriccio sinfonico  (1883). These pieces are n...

MANILA, Philippines — State gaming regulator and operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has issued a total of 40 licenses to so-called offshore gaming operators – previously referred to as Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs – which it has now termed as internet gaming licensees (IGL). In the listing issued last week, PAGCOR bared that it has also issued nine provincial licenses to offshore gaming operators. As of May 15, PAGCOR has 40 regular IGLs and nine provisional IGLs. Last August, PAGCOR announced that all POGOs will be required to reapply for licenses that will involve having to comply with revised regulations for offshore gaming operators. The revised regulations referred to was the “Internet Gaming Licensing Regulations” which had taken effect on July 12, 2023. At the time, POGOs had persistently drawn controversy for reported violations committed by the different operators, especially concerning the hiring of foreign workers. In October...

QUEZON CITY -- Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson on Sunday (Feb. 25) urged transport groups to acquire electric jeepneys due to bureaucratic red tape and the funds unavailability. During the Kapihan sa QC hosted by Angelo Almonte at Mangan-Tila Restaurant, Singson of the LCS Group of Companies, said that at least 500 units of e-modern jeepneys are expected to arrive in March from South Korea, while plans are being finalized for the establishment of charging stations. He added that there are plans to set up a local factory in the country to bolster domestic production and provide job opportunities for Filipinos. "We will offer financing for jeepney operators through local government units. This will be funded with no required downpayments, zero percent interest, and manageable amortization," Singson said. Several transport groups hailed Singson's initiative to provide financing for the acquisition of modern jeepneys. Singson assured that he will should...

The Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) is launching four new variants of its Ready-to-Drink (RTD) native chocolate product line.  Developed by the Institute’s Food Processing Division (FPD), these shelf-stable drinks will be introduced during a product press launch on 22 February 2024 in Bicutan, Taguig City. The four variants are developed from the Philippine tablea (pronounced as tableya) or tablea de batirol, sikwate or tablea-eh, a native Filipino tsokolate drink traditionally prepared in a pot over medium fire and stirred using a batirol to produce a frothy drink. (A batirol is a  wooden tool used to mix the drink before serving to prevent bits of tablea from sinking to the bottom of the pot.) These are made from three basic ingredients: pure, finely ground cacao beans that is molded into a ball called tablea, water, and sugar.   The use of pure tablea gives the drink a rich, dark, and bitter chocolate flavor.  The followin...

The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines , under the leadership of His Excellency, Amb. Marco Clemente, in collaboration with the Manila City government led by Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, spearheaded a press conference on Thursday, November 16 at the Bulwagang Villegas of the Manila City Hall for the upcoming Italian Street Food Festival in Tondo on November 18, 2023, 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM The initiative, dubbed “Fiesta con Gusto” aims to raise awareness about Italian cuisine and at the same time, help underprivileged kids in Tondo who are suffering from hunger. Roughly 500 children, including their families, are expected to benefit from the cause, according to Amb. Clemente. During the press conference, Mayor Lacuna-Pangan underscored the significance of holding the food festival in Tondo. “If there is one place to hold a festival for our palates, it should be where people have hearty appetites. A place where love for food is not only for nourishing one’s stomach but likewise ...

Binuksan noong 6 Nobyembre 2023 ang Eksibit sa Nanganganib na Wika sa Senado ng Pilipinas, Lungsod Pasay na pinangunahan ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino at Opisina ni Senador Loren Legarda.  Tampok sa naturang eksibit ang mga wikang nanganganib na Arta, Alta, at Ayta Magbukun.   Arta ang tawag sa wika ng mga katutubong Arta na matatagpuan sa Nagtipunan, Quirino. Mula sa unang talâ ni Lawrence A. Reid noong 1989 hinggil sa bílang ng mga tagapagsalita ng Arta, aabot sa 20–35 na pamilya ang nagsasalita ng wikang ito.Ngunit sa kasalukuyan, sampu (10) na lámang ang natitiráng tagapagsalita ng Arta at tanging matatandang Arta na lámang ito. Wikang Álta ang tawag sa katutubong wika ng mga Álta na naninirahan sa lalawigan ng Aurora. Ang wikang Álta ay kabílang sa wikang Austronesyano. Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon na lamang 53 sambahayan ang gumamit ng wikang Alta*.    Ayta Magbukún ang katutubong wika ng pangkat ng Ayta Magbukún. Sinasalita ito sa labindalaw...

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) have unveiled the logo for the 2023 AFI Global Policy Forum (GPF) which they will jointly host from 12 to 15 September in Manila. The Forum theme is “Stability, Sustainability, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity.” The theme emphasizes the transformational impact of technology on financial inclusion and sustainable development in the monetary and financial stability mandates of AFI members. AFI is a global network of central banks, financial regulators, and other stakeholders from 76 countries working together to promote and develop policy solutions and regulation that improve lives of the poor through financial inclusion. BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla said: “We are all set for a gathering of financial inclusion champions and advocates ready to push the financial inclusion agenda forward. This year’s forum is an opportunity to leverage recent gains and strengthen our joint commitment tow...