Up with People

Long before Glee, American Idol and High School Musical, Up with People created the genre of high-energy entertainment performed by an ensemble of talented young people from around the world. The show is an international collaboration of music, dance, and genuine energy with a message of hope and goodwill across nations. This electrifying stage show moves one’s feet, stirs one’s soul, and touches one’s heart.

Up with People, best known for high-energy, upbeat, family-friendly entertainment, will be coming to the Philippines next week. It will be in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Oct. 15-22, performing on Oct. 19 at the City Coliseum, and in Manila, Oct. 22-29 and performing on Oct. 27. Manila will be the last stop in the Asian portion of the World Premier tour of VOICES.

Up with People is made up of a cast of 100 participants, representing 20 countries who have chosen to participate in UWP’s international global education program for young adults. For over 45 years, the cast of Up with People have toured the globe and performed for millions, and four unprecedented Super Bowl halftime shows. On Jan. 1, 2011, Up with People performed, for the second time in three years, for the opening celebration of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, which was seen by an estimated television audience of more than 50 million.

VOICES, UWP’s latest production, is a performance featuring both original and popular music and is a dynamic blend of featured soloists, full cast production numbers, fast-moving choreography and colorful costumes. VOICES is inspired and motivated by recent worldwide events and features medleys of popular music, international music and of course, original Up with People music. The aim is to leave the audience feeling empowered to connect, communicate and create positive change in their communities, to ‘...rise above the noises, and listen to the voices of the world.’ Throughout the show, international cast members will provide the audience with a glimpse of their own national traditions and cultures through music and dance.

Up with People is an independent nonprofit organization without any religious or political affiliations. It provides young adults an international and intercultural experience that teaches service leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world. Up with People exists today to spark people to action in meeting the needs of their communities, countries and the world while building bridges of understanding as a foundation for world peace.

Up with People promotion representatives are now recruiting families to host the international cast members for their one-week stay in Manila. The sharing goes both ways… while families share their traditions and local attractions, the cast members share their experiences and cultures. By the end of their five-month world tour, the cast will have visited dozens of communities and stayed with many host families throughout the United States, Asia, and Mexico.

Families interested in hosting participants may contact Ashley Wright, Manila Promotion Rep, at 0926-67122159, or log on to www.upwithpeople.org.

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Among the new faces that I’d like to see in the next Congress — is Benigno “Bam” Aquino, who at 35, is the youngest senatorial candidate for the 2013 elections representing the “facebook generation.” He is a thinker, he speaks well, is bereft of pretentions, is friendly, and concerned with making a difference.

“Majority of our votes are coming from the youth, so it’s just right that they have a voice in the Senate,” Aquino told reporters.

Bam became the youngest chairperson of the National Youth Commission from 2003 to 2006. He also hosted several youth-oriented television programs, such as Breakfast and YSpeak on Studio 23.

Of the balikSenado hopefuls and new aspirants for the Senate, Bam is clearly an asset, never mind his being related to P-Noy. Bam can stand on his own credentials. Harvard-trained, he has his feet on the ground, his efforts focused on helping the poor. He is recognized for his work in uplifting the lives of poor nanays through the social enterprise Hapinoy. Since its inception in 2007, Hapinoy has helped turn thousands of women intro micro-entrepreneurs, thanks to innovations in micro-finance, micro-entrepreneurship, and the sari-sari store concept. Hapinoy won the United Nations Project Inspire Award last year.

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In line with Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes’ commitment to document and propagate the culinary heritage of the Philippines, Marigold Manufacturing Corporation is sponsoring a nationwide “Mama Sita’s Pamanang Sarap” essay contest Marigold’s president, and daughter of the culinary legend Mama Sita Reyes, says the contest is open to all ages “to share authentic, one-of-a-kind and little known stories on Filipino cuisine and cooking.”

Contestants are invited to think about their best-kept culinary tradition and share them in different ways — essay writing, visual essay, or audio-visual essays. “One may choose to create more than one story,” says Clarita.

The entries may be written in English or Filipino.  The grand prize is P20,000 cash, a Mama Sita medal, or a scholarship to a culinary course worth P20,000 and Mama Sita gift packs. Runners-up will receive P10,000 and P5,000 cash prizes and other packages.

 Judging will be on Jan. 13, 2013.

Entries should be submitted to Mga Kuwentong Pagkain, Marigold Manufacturing Corporation, 538 North South Compound, Jenny’s Venue, Maybunga, Pasig City. Or email to [email protected]. Judging will be on January 13, 2013.

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 The Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID) celebrates its 35th year of training interpreters for the hearing-impaired with a whole-day program on the theme, “Two Hands, One Heart: 35 Years of Service” on Saturday, October 13 at the PRID offices and adjacent court of the Philippine School for the Deaf on Harrison St., Pasay City. 

PRID was founded in 1977 by a group of volunteer professionals who used interpreting in sign language as their main instrument for the empowerment of the Filipino Deaf. Its mission is to be an effective agency in providing communication access to the hearing-impaired, and provide appropriate and faithful sign language interpreting services in all settings. It shall extend transliterating/interpreting services to the Deaf in any possible way; and attend to endeavors such as further development of the sign language, publication of information bulletin on sign language and aspects of interpreting services, and periodic distribution of a directory of accredited interpreters.

The PRID board of trustees is chaired by Marita S. Capadocia, with Purita O. Cajiuat, vice-chair; Ma. Corazon S. Tensuan, secretary and executive director, and Aurora B. Ramirez, treasurer. Members are Nellie L. Mercado, Domini M.Torrevillas, Godha B. Abichandani, Dr. Antonia B. Blanca, Atty. Jessica S. Magbanua, Dr. Yolanda T. Capulong, and Dr. Cindy Dollente Ang. The PRID offices are located at 2620 F.B. Harrison St, Pasay City, with telephone number 8316431.

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My e-mail: [email protected]