You may recognize Julia Michaels from her breakout single “Issues,” which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, or the rock-tinged “Uh Huh,” another track included on her 2017 debut “mini-album” Nervous System. But chances are, you’ve been listening to the 26-year-old’s catchy, emotive, and often tongue-in-cheek lyricism for longer than you think.
Michaels began her music career as a songwriter, penning hits for the likes of Fifth Harmony, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. And her co-writing catalog spans a range of diverse artists and genres, from pop radio material to rugged acoustic sounds and rock.
Billboard has rounded up 12 songs you probably didn’t realize are co-written by Michaels.
1. Selena Gomez – “Bad Liar”
Michaels contributed her writing chops to Gomez’s chart-climbing “Bad Liar,” a minimal, Talking Heads-lifting track in the vein of her own single “Issues.” It wouldn’t be the first time they’d join forces in the studio — Michaels co-wrote six songs off Gomez’s Revival, including “Good For You” and “Hands To Myself,” alongside songwriting veteran Justin Tranter, as well as three cuts on Gomez’s 2020 album Rare, but more on that later.
2. Justin Bieber – “Sorry”
Yep, if you’ve ever jammed out to Bieber’s absurdly catchy Purpose smash hit “Sorry,” Michaels is the one to thank. “We thought the chances of getting on Justin’s album were so slim but we were just like ‘F–k it, let’s do it,'” writes Michaels in the track’s official annotated lyrics on Genius. “We were just trying to capture that moment in a relationship, or a particular moment in your life, where you realize you made a mistake and you’re finally ready to admit it and apologize.” It worked — “Sorry” is one of Michaels’ most successful songwriting credits to date, notching 42 weeks on the Hot 100 and peaking at No. 1.
3. Ed Sheeran – “Dive”
Michaels joined Benny Blanco to pen this rugged, guitar-led track off Ed Sheeran‘s Divide album, and her influence is clear in the track’s vulnerable, witty lyricism, as Sheeran croons about an indecisive lover.
4. Linkin Park – “Heavy”
On the rock front, Michaels had a hand in Linkin Park‘s “Heavy,” released prior to frontman Chester Bennington‘s shocking suicide in July 2017. The Kiiara-featuring track, released in February 2017, reached No. 2 on the Hot Rock Songs chart. But Michaels told Billboard she has a “hard time listening” to the track after Bennington’s passing. “He came in and was really funny and really warm, and had the biggest smile on his face,” Michaels recalled of working on “Heavy” with the cherished singer-songwriter. “He was just cracking jokes and having the best time.”
5. Gwen Stefani – “Used To Love You”
Michaels played a major role in Gwen Stefani‘s third studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, co-writing a whopping 10 of the album’s 12 total songs. Among them was the album’s first official single, the emotional break-up track “Used To Love You,” which Michaels told Genius she put together after scanning Stefani’s diary for inspiration. Michaels also wrote the pop gem “Misery” for the album which, despite its title, is a bright, bubbly jam that muses on the beginnings of new love.
6. Fifth Harmony – “Miss Movin’ On”
Fifth Harmony’s debut single? Yep, Michaels’ fingerprints are all over that, too. The track, which Michaels wrote in collaboration with longtime songwriting partner Lindy Robbins, broke the Billboard Hot 100 and brought listeners some characteristically cheeky Michaels lyrics (“shake it off like an etch-a-sketch” being one). In 2016, Michaels also helped pen the group’s Fetty Wap-featuring track “All In My Head.”
7. Britney Spears feat. Tinashe – “Slumber Party”
Writing lyrics for an artist as iconic as Britney Spears is likely a bucket list item for any songwriter. Michaels checked it off with “Slumber Party,” a track she co-wrote for Spears and R&B singer-songwriter Tinashe, who is featured on the track. Released as a single off Spears’ ninth studio album Glory in 2016, the track peaked at No. 1 on the Dance Club Songs charts.
8. Kelly Clarkson – “War Paint”
Back in 2015, Michaels linked up with Kelly Clarkson to co-write her Piece By Piece track “War Paint.” And while a country-pop star might seem to stick out among the other artists in Michaels’ catalog, the track about opening up to a significant other has all the depth and pop charm of a Michaels song –– “Face to face, but miles away / Building trenches out of empty spaces / Lay here, next to me / And close the distance in between,” runs the emotive first verse.
9. Nick Jonas feat. Tove Lo – “Close”
Another of Michaels’ most successful co-writes, Nick Jonas‘ deeply personal duet “Close” with Swedish singer Tove Lo notched No. 14 on the Hot 100. Michaels also offered lyrical assistance on Jonas’ “Chainsaw,” off the same album, 2016’s Last Year Was Complicated.
10. Demi Lovato – “Fire Starter”
Let’s throw it back to the 2013 Demi track “Fire Starter.” This empowering song was one of the first songs Michaels co-wrote with notable songwriter Lindy Robbins, who helped kick-star Michaels’ career by introducing her to others in the industry. Never mind that Michaels was barely 20 years old at the time.
11. Selena Gomez – “Lose You To Love Me”
By the time Gomez released her third solo studio album Rare, she and Michaels were good friends — and frequent collaborators. Michaels boasts three co-writing credits on the Billboard 200-topping album: for “Fun,” “Look at Her Now” and the single “Lose You to Love Me” — which just so happened to become Gomez’s first Hot 100 No. 1!
12. Dua Lipa – “Pretty Please”
Once again, Michaels was recruited by a pop superstar to contribute her expertise. Co-written with Dua Lipa, Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick, “Pretty Please” appears on Lipa’s almost universally-beloved second studio album Future Nostalgia.
Manila’s busiest commercial districts are clear reminders of the city’s modernity. Anyone who frequents these places would always expect to see towering skyscrapers, condominiums, and posh boutiques.
In January 2011, the crew of Manila Water discovered a tunnel during one of their digging operations at the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA)-Guadalupe area. Although few details have been revealed about the said man-made tunnel, it is reportedly located 3.5 meters below the street level and is wide enough to fit several dump trucks.
The Fort Bonifacio Tunnel, on the other hand, has a more interesting history to share. Located near Megaworld, the tunnel is about 2.24 km long and 4 meters wide. It is equipped with 32 built-in chambers, a 6-meter-deep well, and 2 exits leading to Brgy. East Rembo and Brgy. Pembo in Makati City.
There are four entrances to the tunnel that currently exist: The first is across C5 (near Market! Market!) while the other one is found on East Rembo.
The third entrance can be found at Amapola Street, although it has been closed to give way to the construction of a new house. The fourth entrance is open and is found on Morning Glory Street.
Although some say that the tunnel was built under the order of General Douglas MacArthur in 1942, historical accounts show that it was constructed much earlier. Retired Brig. Gen. Restituto Aguilar, also the former director of the Philippine Army Museum, said that the construction of the tunnel started in the early 1900s through the efforts of the Igorot miners from the Cordillera.
The tunnel was initially used as an “underground highway” which helped transport food, medicines, and other military supplies to Fort McKinley (now Fort Bonifacio). It was then expanded in 1936 to serve as Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters and storage room for military supplies.
When the WWII broke out, the Japanese destroyed Fort McKinley and renamed it “Sakura Heiei”. The tunnel, on the other hand, served as a temporary shelter of high-ranking Japanese military officials, including Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita.
After the war, the tunnel was turned over to the Philippine government. Fort McKinley was renamed Fort Andres Bonifacio and became a Central Business District in 1994. The underground tunnel was eventually closed in 1995 and since then, most Filipinos have forgotten that such historical treasure exists.
In 2012, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) disclosed their plans of developing the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel into a historic site to help protect its legacy.
2. The height of Quezon Memorial Shrine’s three vertical pylons was based on President Quezon’s age when he died
The Quezon Memorial Circle houses the museum, shrine, and the remains of former President Manuel L. Quezon as well as First Lady Aurora Quezon.
Modeled after Napoleon Bonaparte’s catafalque in Les Invalides, France, the Quezon Memorial Shrine was the brainchild of Federico Ilustre, an architect who bested other finalists to create the monument’s final design.
The monument has three vertical pylons symbolizing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. They measure 66 meters in height, based on President Quezon’s age when he died on August 1, 1944. There are also three angels holding Sampaguita wreaths on top which were created by Italian sculptor Monti.
Construction of the Quezon Memorial Shrine started in the 1950s but was only completed in 1978 due to several factors like lack of funds and the difficulty of importing Carrara marble which came in blocks and was carved on site.
On August 19, 1979, President Quezon’s remains were transferred from Manila North Cemetery to the Quezon Memorial Circle. In the same year, President Ferdinand Marcos declared the site as a National Shrine.
3. General Douglas MacArthur served as Manila Hotel’s “General Manager.”
Established on July 4, 1912, the Manila Hotel witnessed several landmark events and became home to some of the most important people in Philippine history–including Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
In 1935, MacArthur was commissioned by President Quezon to help build the Philippine army and serve as Military Advisor of the Commonwealth. From 1935 to 1941, MacArthur stayed in the Manila Hotel together with his wife Jean and son Arthur.
Before they arrived in the Philippines, President Quezon hired architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of famous painter Juan Luna, to build a seven-room penthouse in Manila Hotel. MacArthur lived a life of luxury and fully enjoyed his favorite food at the hotel: Native lapu-lapu wrapped in banana leaves.
The cost of MacArthur’s suite eventually drained the hotel’s budget and Quezon, upon receiving the bill, called Mayor Jorge Vargas to settle the problem.
To handle the cost, it was decided to give MacArthur the honorary title of “General Manager”. Although he was considered a figurehead, MacArthur ignored his status and still took charge of hotel management.
4. Harrison Plaza and other areas in Manila used to be cemeteries
Thanks to modernization, some sacred burial grounds had to be wiped out to give way to commercial buildings. Such is the case with an old cemetery located southwest of an area once known as Fort San Antonio Abad in Malate, Manila. The area is now occupied by the Harrison Plaza, also known as the country’s first modern mall.
But Harrison Plaza is not the only one that lies above former burial grounds. Another area in Malate, the Remedios Circle, was actually one of Manila’s earliest cemeteries. However, it closed down after WWII, and all the remains were transferred to the South Cemetery.
The incident happened after the Catholic Church agreed to surrender the cemetery to the government in exchange of a road leading to a new church across the Manila Zoo.
Another former cemetery is the Espiritu Santo Parish Church in Sta. Cruz, Manila. It is known as the first church in the country dedicated to the Holy Spirit. It used to be a simple place of worship in the middle of Sta. Cruz Cemetery.
The area around the cemetery was eventually converted into the Parish of Espiritu Santo by the La Liga del Espiritu Santo led by Florentino Torres, Supreme Court’s first associate justice. The small chapel within the cemetery, on the other hand, was built into a bigger church in 1926.
5. Tomas Claudio Boulevard in Malate was named after the ONLY Filipino casualty of the First World War
Born on May 7, 1892, Tomas Mateo Claudio was originally from Morong Rizal. He was hired by the Bureau of Prisons as a guard but was fired shortly after he was caught sleeping during working hours. He then moved to the US where he got a job at a sugar plantation in Hawaii, and later as a salmon canner at Alaska.
Eventually, he got a chance to study commerce at a college in Nevada. After graduation, Claudio worked at a local Post Office as a clerk.
Claudio, already a Filipino-American, then decided to enlist himself in the U.S. Army. He was one of the members of the American Expeditionary Force to France who was sent to fight against the Germans during World War I.
Unfortunately, he died in the battle on June 29, 1918, making him the first Fil-Am war hero and also the only Filipino casualty of WWI.
To honor his bravery, the Pvt. Tomas Claudio Post 1063 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. was established in 1923 by a group of Fil-Am veterans of WWI. A college, a street, and a bridge in the Philippines were also named after him to honor his contributions.
6. Felix R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo was once considered “the most beautiful street in Manila.”
Named after the famous 19th-century Filipino painter, Felix R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila is known for connecting two churches: the San Sebastian Basilica and the Basilica of Quiapo.
Although it is now filled with illegal settlers, dilapidated houses, and commercial establishments, R. Hidalgo Street was not like this centuries ago. In fact, it was called “the most beautiful street in Manila” in 1817, mainly because of the grand mansions that once stood in the area.
Formerly known as San Sebastian Street, the R. Hidalgo Street was once home to upper and middle-class families during the Spanish era. According to Dr. Fernando Nakpil Zialcita, an anthropology professor who studied Manila’s historical streets, the thoroughfare was a preferred location because it was near schools, churches, the Malacañang, and several recreational centers on Rizal Avenue.
Unfortunately, the once celebrated street started to decline during the 1960s.
7. The British invaded and ruled Manila for two years (1762-1764)
The two-year British invasion of Manila was one of the consequences of the Seven Years War (1756-1763) which pitted the British against France and its allies—including Spain.
Although the war was mainly fought in Europe, it also reached the colonies of the involved countries. At that time, the British had already established the East India Company which saw the conflict as an opportune time to invade the Philippines.
The British army arrived in the Philippine Archipelago on September 23, 1762, with 15 ships and more than 6,000 troops led by Brigadier General William Draper and Rear-Admiral Samuel Cornish.
The news about the invasion already reached Archbishop Miguel Rojo, then acting Governor-General, the day before. As a result, Manila was put in state of defense. However, the British fleet successfully arrived in Manila Bay and plans of a widespread attack in Manila were made afterward.
The British army eventually captured the fort of Polverista, but the subsequent murder of their soldiers by the Spaniards forced Brig. Gen. Draper to send a threatening letter to Archbishop Rojo. The latter responded with a letter of apology along with a request to release Antonio Tagle, the Archbishop’s nephew who had been captured.
The British agreed to free Tagle, but he was murdered, along with British Lieutenant Fryar, upon arrival.
The incident infuriated the British even more, and they started to destroy Intramuros the following day. The bombardment continued until 6th of October when the Spanish finally surrendered the city to the invaders.
The British occupation would last for two years, but their power would not extend beyond Manila and Cavite—thanks to Governor Simon de Anda y Salazar who moved to Bacolor, Pampanga and continued to fight for more than a year and a half. The British officially left the Philippines after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1764.
8. In the 16th century Manila, the Muslims were the ruling class while the Tagalogs were considered inferior. Okay
During the 16th century, Manila, known then as Kota Salurong (or Seludong), was under Muslim control. It all started when Sultan Bulkeaiah (Nakhoda Ragam) of Brunei conquered the Kingdom of Tondo and established Kota Salurong as an outpost of his sultanate. Soon, the Muslims became the ruling class and fully controlled the wealth, trade, and the seat of government in the old Manila.
The Tagalogs, on the other hand, were considered second-class citizens who wore long hairs, carried weapons such as daggers, and rarely traveled by land. Under the Muslim rule, the Tagalog learned to adopt the culture of their conquerors. They started to use Muslim names, wore turbans, read the Quran, and even refused to eat pork.
9. Dwight D. Eisenhower almost became Quezon City’s first chief of police
In October 1939, President Manuel L. Quezon started to discuss his plans of establishing a new city with General Douglas MacArthur, his military adviser at that time. The late president valued the latter’s opinions due to his “keen, analytical mind.” After he decided that he would take over the mayorship, Quezon asked MacArthur if he knew someone who could be an effective chief of police for the new city.
MacArthur immediately scanned the room and pointed to one of his assistants. The young man, as it turned out, was then Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower, a future U.S. president.
Of course, Eisenhower was qualified for the position as he had some police training in the States. But when Quezon was about to appoint him, the young Eisenhower refused and explained that he already made a promise to his wife to go back home after his tour of duty is over.
10. Escolta boasts of many firsts in the Philippines
You probably already know that Clarke’s Ice Cream Parlor on the west side of present-day Jones Bridge was the first ice cream store in the country. This soda fountain and restaurant was brought to the country by an American entrepreneur named M.A. “Met” Clarke.
But this ice cream parlor was just one of Escolta’s trailblazers.
There’s also Salon de Pertierra which opened in 1896 and became the first movie house in the country. It was designed to show Pertierra’s first movie in Manila which was finally shown in January 1897. The first four movies were silent French films with subtitles and accompanied by an orchestra.
Escolta, known by pre-war Filipinos as the shopping strip for the upper- and middle-class, was also home to the country’s first electric cable car (Tranvia), the first American-style department store (Beck’s), and first elevator (at the Burke Building).
11. Manila Day (June 24) marks the foundation of Intramuros, not the Manila we know today
Unknown to many, Manila Day, which is held every 24th of June, commemorates the foundation of Spanish Manila.
The term Spanish Manila, however, was only limited to the areas contained within the walls, hence Intramuros. In other words, Manila Day celebrates the foundation of Intramuros, not the Metro Manila we know today which were actually suburbs or arrabales outside the walls.
12. Manila City Hall is shaped like a coffin with a cross on it when viewed from the top
Scary as it may sound, the Manila City Hall actually looks like a coffin when viewed from the top, as proven by several aerial shots proliferating on the Internet.
However, the shape is not actually a casket or coffin. Manila City Hall was intentionally designed to resemble a shield of the Knights Templar when viewed from an aerial standpoint. This symbolizes the fact that the country is under the strong influence of the Roman Catholic Church.
Chiz Escudero (former Sorsogon Governor, former Senator) 20,271,458 votes
Mark Villar (first-time member of the Upper House, former DPWH Secretary in the Duterte Administration, former Las Piñas Representative) 19,475,592 votes
Alan Peter Cayetano (former House Speaker, former Senator) 19,295,314 votes
Miguel Zubiri (Reelectionist senatorial candidate) 18,734,336 votes
Joel Villanueva (Reelectionist senatorial candidate) 18,486,034 votes
JV Ejercito (former Senator) 15,841,858 votes
Risa Hontiveros (Reelectionist senatorial candidate, lone opposition winner) 15,420,807 votes
Jinggoy Estrada (former Senator) 15,108,220 votes
Meanwhile, the new Party-List Groups are:
ACT-CIS - Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support Partylist
1-Rider - Ang Buklod ng mga Motorista ng Pilipinas (lit.'Union of Motorists of the Philippines'). 1-Rider Partylist intends to represent motorists and their rights in the Congress. The organization's platform includes improving road safety and protecting motorists from abusive traffic enforcers.
Tingog - Tingog Sinirangan (lit. 'Voice of the East'), also known as the Tingog Party List. Tingog was established in October 2, 2012 as Tingog Leytehon, a provincial political party based in Leyte province. The Tingog Party List aims to represent the interest of Eastern Visayans. Although it bills itself as an organization which provides a "regional perspective on national issues". It focuses on issues affecting the countryside or rural areas in general. "Tingog" came from the Waray word for "voice".
4Ps - The Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (lit.'Strenghten and Grow the Filipino Livelihood'), also known as the 4Ps Party-list. The organization's key platform include the amendment of the 4Ps Law (Republic Act No. 11310) to enhance the program for beneficiaries.
Ako Bicol - Ako Bicol Political Party (AKB) represents the Bicol Region and the Bicolano people. AKB started as a non-government organization under the name "SOS Bicol," which provided rescue aid to residents in the Bicol region after Typhoon Reming (Durian) hit; it also sponsored livelihood programs for residents affected by the 2009 eruption of the Mayon Volcano.
Sagip - a partylist that represents the urban poor.
And, the new President and Vice-President of the Philippines are:
Kevin Ramas - Fermin Alberto Ramas, better known as Kevin Ramas is a former PBA player for more than twelve years. He has played for Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, San Miguel Beermen, Pepsi Mega and Alaska Milkmen. Ramas played for the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA where he was part of the senior's championship conquest in 1990. Born: October 30, 1967, in Manila, Philippines. College: Mapúa University Intramuros.
Joel Dualan - Joel Dualan is a Filipino former player and coach who previously coaching PCU Dolphins in the NCAA. He is formerly played for Shell Turbo Chargers in the PBA and for Olongapo Volunteers in the MetroBall. He was nicknamed The Refrigerator and El Aparador due to being compared to a cabinet because he’s that big. Born: August 23, 1972, in Quezon City, Philippines. College: University of Manila.
Wilmer Ong - HE wasn't as popular as, say, Bal David or Noli Locsin or Vince Hizon. But to die-hard Ginebra fans, Wilmer Ong best represents the Ginebra players of the Robert Jaworski era because, like the team’s charismatic leader, he never once backed down from battle. Ong was also the quintessential Ginebra bruiser - the last in a long line of Ginebra tough guys that also included Rudy Distrito, Dante Gonzalgo, Sonny Cabatu, Chito Loyzaga, Terry Saldana, the late Rey Cuenco, and, of course, Jaworski himself. It’s his kind that, most Ginebra fans feel, this modern-day Kings obviously lack – Dave Marcelo comes to mind, but he doesn't really come close. Although if you ask these bruisers, they'll tell you they played tough but not rough, physical but not dirty. Born: September 20, 1970, in Cadiz, Negros Occidental, Philippines. College: University of St. La Salle.
Cris Bolado - Bolado played for the National University Bulldogs during his college years. He was selected by Alaska in the second round of the 1994 PBA draft. Listed at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), Bolado tied Dong Polistico of the San Miguel Beermen as the second tallest player in the league at that time. He became part of the Alaska Milkmen's 1996 Grand Slam team and in terms of finals stints, Bolado was one of the most successful in the PBA, making it to the championship series for ten straight times - from Alaska, Purefoods, and Gordon's Gin. In 1999, he was in his fourth PBA team with Pop Cola and then was traded to San Miguel Beermen where he became a member of two more championships. Bolado won a total of 11 titles in the league and retired in 2003. Bolado moved to Cambodia with his wife in 2013. There he worked as a basketball coach in an international school in Phnom Penh. He also managed Inasal Nation, a Filipino restaurant. He died in a motorcycle accident on September 17, 2017, at age 47 in Phnom Penh. Born: October 25, 1969, in Lucban, Quezon, Philippines. College: National University.
Ken Bono - Karl Kenneth Odani Bono is a Filipino basketball player who last played for the TNT KaTropa of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).He played collegiate basketball for the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) from 2003 to 2006 and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in his final season before being selected sixth overall by the Alaska Aces in the 2007 PBA draft. In the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), Bono played for Montaña Pawnshop and Cebuana Lhuillier. In his last conference in the PBL, he was the MVP frontrunner but lost the award to Jayson Castro of Harbour Centre due to lack of media votes. He also played for the Bangkok Cobras in the ASEAN Basketball League. Born: June 19, 1984, in Iloilo City, Philippines. College: Adamson University.
Bonel Balingit - Bonel P. Balingit (born November 30, 1967), also known as The Gentle Giant and Man-Mountain, is a Filipino retired professional basketball player who played as a center. The hulking Bonel played for the University of the Visayas and then joined Magnolia Ice Cream in the PBL. He turn pro in 1992 and was drafted in the second round and 11th overall by the Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdogs in the 1992 PBA draft. Easily one of the most popular cager on the Swift roster who can draw cheers from the fans, Balingit spent all of his first seven PBA seasons with the RFM franchise and was handled by coaches Yeng Guiao, Derrick Pumaren and Norman Black. He was part of the ballclub's four championships from 1992-1995 and won Most Improved Player honors in the 1995 PBA season. Balingit moved to the Metropolitan Basketball Association beginning the 1999 season and played for the San Juan Knights. He returned to the PBA in 2001, playing for Tanduay Rhum Masters and have suited up for Purefoods TJ Hotdogs in his final playing career. Born: November 30, 1967, in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. College: University of the Visayas.
JR Quinahan - Joseph Ronald "J. R." Quiñahan is a Filipino professional basketball player for the NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Dubbed "Baby Shaq" in the Philippine Basketball League where he played for the Granny Goose team because of his physical resemblance to the former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal. He was drafted in the first round of the 2007 PBA Draft by the Alaska Aces. He was then traded to the Air21 Express before the 2008–2009 season started. He had a short stint with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters before finding his way back again to Air21. He played college basketball for the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, winning the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball title in each of his 5 years with UV, as well as winning two MVP awards in 2003 and 2004. Born: May 8, 1984, in Cebu City, Philippines. College: University of the Visayas.
Beau Belga - Beau Michael Vincent Esparrago Belga is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is also an assistant coach for the UST Growling Tigers of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). He was the seventh overall draft pick by Purefoods in 2008 before being traded to Burger King. He found his niche as a basketball player while playing for coach Yeng Guiao's Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, where he was known as one of the league's toughest players. While with Rain or Shine, he also became teammates with J.R. Quiñahan, and together they formed a duo in the low block, called the Extra Rice, Inc., owing to their weight and huge appetite. Born: November 30, 1986, in Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines. College: Philippine Christian University.
Noli Locsin - Luis Manuel B. Locsin, better known as Noli Locsin, is a Filipino retired professional basketball player. Dubbed as "The Tank", he is best known for his playing years with the Ginebra San Miguel franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association. Locsin played for the RP Youth team in 1990 before suiting up for back-to-back UAAP titlist De La Salle Green Archers. He had a brief stint with Triple-V Foodmasters in the Philippine Basketball League prior to its disbandment and then played for Nikon Electric Fan which completed a cinderella finish in the PBL. When 6-9 Marlou Aquino, the most sought-after rookie, was out of the picture in the 1994 PBA draft, Ginebra, now renamed Tondeña 65, and the team that will pick first in the amateur draft, went for the next best option in Noli Locsin, a burly 6-3 power forward who can barrel his way into the toughest walls of the defenders. He showed the Tondeña ballclub that it made the right choice when he emerged as the team's leading scorer and the league's leading local rebounder with his rookie season averages of 18.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists in 34.9 minutes. His stats are not enough through as Tondeña's struggles continued, winning just 12 of their 32 games in the 1994 season. Playing for player-coach Robert Jaworski's "never-say-die" system, he flourished playing power forward while being undersized at only 6-3 without being able to develop outside shooting. A consistent low post threat, Locsin closed the size gap with his strength and skill although he began to fade out as soon as he parted ways with Jaworski. Before the arrival of Fil-Ams in the PBA, Locsin was considered one of the top bruisers of his time in a time when it was rare for a Filipino player with his bulk to move as quick and leap as he did. Locsin was then traded to Pop Cola in the mid-season in 1999 for Vergel Meneses. He drifted to other PBA teams such as Tanduay and Red Bull before retiring. Born: October 19, 1971, in Bacolod, Philippines. College: De La Salle University.
Bong Hawkins - Rene "Bong" Hawkins Jr. is a Filipino retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the son of character actor Rene Hawkins, Sr. A power forward with the good sense of timing inside the shaded area, Bong was drafted as the second overall pick in the 1991 PBA draft. The former Perpetual Help cager was chosen by Presto coach Jimmy Mariano when the Tivolis traded Manny Victorino to Pepsi. Hawkins twisted his knee during practice and was forced to sit out in the entire first conference. He finally debut in Tivoli Milk uniform at the All-Filipino Conference and asserted his might. In 1993, he was absorbed by newcomer Sta. Lucia Realtors, which took over the disbanded Presto franchise. Bong played one conference as a Realtor before being traded to Alaska Milkmen for Paul Alvarez beginning the 1993 PBA Commissioner's Cup. After the 2005-06 PBA season, he retired and worked for Tim Cone as one of his assistant coaches. During the 25th Anniversary of Alaska last September 27, 2010, his number 16 was retired along with Johnny's number 14. He is currently on the coaching staff for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons Men's Basketball Team. Born: November 6, 1967, in Manila, Philippines. College: University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Chito Loyzaga - Joaquín "Chito" Cuerva Loyzaga is a Filipino former professional basketball player and basketball commissioner. He is currently the Athletics Director of the NU Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. He played for the San Beda College in the NCAA before going on to play in the Philippine Basketball Association. In the PBA, Loyzaga played one game for YCO-Tanduay, then migrated to Australia for two years. He came back to play for Toyota in 1983. After Toyota disbanded, Loyzaga moved to Great Taste, where he became part of the team's dynasty of four straight championships. In 1986, he was shipped to Ginebra San Miguel, where he spent all of his last eight seasons in the PBA, winning three championships. A seven-time recipient of the Philippine Basketball Association All-Defensive Team award from 1985 to 1992, Loyzaga made a name for himself as a straight-up defensive stopper, using his heft and quick hands to guard the league's best big men, including the great Ramon Fernandez, and later, Alvin Patrimonio. He retired from basketball after the 1993 PBA season. Loyzaga also played for the Philippines men's national basketball team in the 1990 Asian Games where he distinguished himself by helping limit North Korean center Ri Myung Hun despite a height discrepancy of over a foot and a half between them. Loyzaga is the son of Philippine basketball great Carlos Loyzaga and Vicky Cuerva. He and brother Joey Loyzaga became one of the few siblings to have played in the PBA, eventually playing together with Ginebra San Miguel. Loyzaga is married to Maritoni Yulo, with whom he has three children, namely: Celina, Jose Joaquin, and Cecilia. In 2002, Loyzaga became the fourth commissioner of the Metropolitan Basketball Association. He was also a commissioner and executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission from 2010 to 2012. Born: August 28, 1958, in Manila, Philippines. College: San Beda College.
Nelson Asaytono - Nelson Asaytono is a Filipino retired professional basketball player who played for Purefoods, Swift/Sunkist/Pop Cola, San Miguel Beer, and Red Bull in the PBA during his 17-year career. Asaytono's second stint Pop Cola was a forgettable one, as he started to slow down as he was still at the bench. He spent his last four seasons with the Red Bull Barako until the 2005-06 season. On April 7, 2005, he passed Crispa great Philip Cezar for the fifth spot all-time scoring list after tallying with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Currently, he is fifth in the PBA all-time scoring list with 12,268 total points in 796 career games, behind only Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Alvin Patrimonio and Atoy Co. Born: January 25, 1967, in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. College: University of Manila.
Source: Video Message on PH Independence Day 2021 6/12/2021
Philippine independence was declared several times—each one different. - Some of the more notable instances include Andres Bonifacio's declaration on April 12, 1895, and another by Emilio Aguinaldo on October 31, 1896.
Filipinos formed a secret society to rebel against Spain. - This secret society was formed in Manila in 1892. Emilio Aguinaldo joined the group in 1894 and became the leader. As the society’s numbers began to grow, the Spanish discovered their plans forcing them to act sooner than originally planned.
The proclamation of Philippine independence took place on a Sunday. - According to Julian Felipe, Philippine independence was proclaimed on a Sunday afternoon, between 4 to 5 PM.
Spain and the U.S. did not recognize Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence. - Although Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, this was not recognized by Spain and the U.S. because Spain sold the Philippines to the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris on Dec. 10, 1898.
Philippine Independence Day used to be celebrated on July 4. - The United States granted the Philippines its independence on July 4. This date is now considered Filipino-American Friendship Day. In the early 1960s, the Philippine Historical Association lobbied for June 12 to be the official Independence Day once again. In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued a proclamation recognizing such change. He reportedly told journalist Stanley Karnow: "When I was in the diplomatic corps, I noticed that nobody came to our receptions on the Fourth of July, but went to the American Embassy instead. So, to compete, I decided we needed a different holiday." It was in 1964 when the country began celebrating Independence Day on June 12 again.
Emilio Aguinaldo himself designed the Philippine flag. - Aguinaldo then visited Marcela Agoncillo in her Hong Kong home and asked her to make the flag. With the help of her daughter Lorenza and Jose Rizal’s niece Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, Agoncillo hand-sewed the Philippine flag which took 5 days to complete. The stars, sun and the triangle were made with fine satin.
The three stars in the flag originally stand for Luzon, Panay and Mindanao. - While most Filipinos today know that the three stars represent the three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Back then, Panay was referred to as one of the archipelago's three principal islands.
The flag’s colors (red, white and blue) were a salute to the American flag. - This little bit of trivia was mentioned in the Declaration of Independence which was written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. However, in Emilio Aguinaldo’s succeeding speeches, he stated that the color red stood for Filipino bravery, blue represented how Filipinos would rather die than surrender to the enemy and lastly, the color white symbolized the Filipino people’s love for peace.
The colors of the Philippine flag can be used as signals. - One thing that makes the Philippine flag unique is that its colors not only symbolize things, they are also used to indicate the nation’s current state. In peaceful times, the flag is raised with the blue strip on top. On the other hand, if the country is in a state of war, the flag will be flown with the red strip on top.
There was an earlier version of the National Anthem but Emilio Aguinaldo preferred something different. - A Filipino in Hong Kong composed the earlier version of the National Anthem which Aguinaldo brought home. However, he wanted something with a marching beat. He then asked Julian Felipe to make some changes. Felipe’s composition featured elements from the Spanish Royal March. Aguinaldo approved the revision.
The first Philippine anthem was commissioned by Andres Bonifacio. - Not many Filipinos may know that there was a Philippine anthem, the very first one, before the National Anthem we now know as Lupang Hinirang. It had the title “Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan” and was composed by Julio Nakpil upon the request of Andres Bonifacio.
The original copy of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence is kept in the National Library. - The document was one of the many revolutionary papers that were stolen from the National Library. Fortunately, it was returned in 1994 by Milagros Guerrero, a professor at the University of the Philippines.
Nick Szabo is a legal scholar, computer scientist, and cryptography expert that coined the term Smart Contracts which means "a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract"
These are just some of the good things when Smart Contracts were introduced:
Digital Identity - it can let individuals own and control their digital identities.
Records - it can automate recording renewals as well as releases without compromising private data.
Securities - it can simplify financial technology matters such as dividend payments, stock splits, and liability management issues.
Trade Finance - it can facilitate transfers of streamlined international goods with higher asset liquidity.
Derivatives - it can enforce a standard transactional set of rules regarding derivatives which are securities with an asset-dependent price.
Financial Data Recording - it can serve as an enterprise-grade accounting ledger for accurate recording of financial data for transparency purposes.
Mortgages - it can automate the process of getting a mortgage.
Land Title Recording - it can facilitate transfers of property with less fraud and disputes.
Supply Chain - it can provide greater visibility on each level of a supply chain in coordination with an Internet of Things (IoT) devices that track assets and products from factories until the point-of-sale (POS) target.
Auto Insurance - it can automate insurance claims in the auto industry including verification and payment.
Clinical Trials - it can be a mechanism in the field of medical research and clinical trials by improving data sharing between institutions since it involves sensitive agreements for the privacy of data for participants.
Cancer Research - it can largely help in facilitating the data power in the field of cancer research while maintaining a privacy of data for patients.
Atari hired Allan Alcorn as their first engineer who designed Pong which was a test game, at first.
Pong was Atari's first shipped product which began on 30 November 1972 at a price of $1095.
The first in-house graphic designer of Atari was George Opperman who designed the Atari logo which was known as "Fuji" for its resemblance to the Japanese mountain, although the design's origins are unrelated to it.
Atari created its own competitor, Kee Games, in 1973 to break deals with exclusive distributors and released its first game title Tank.
It was in January 1980 that Space Invaders which was the first licensed title for the 2600 game console was released.
It was in July1981 that Atari Centipede became the first coin-op to be Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Approved.
The game Yars' Revenge was released on Atari 2600 in May 1982 which was named by the programming by reversing the first name of Ray Kassar who was the CEO of Atari that time.
It was in July 1982 that "Atari Adventure Center" became the first arcade amusement center of Atari at California's Marriot Great America theme park.
"The Graduate" which was also known as "My First Computer" was announced on February 1983 which was an enhancement to the Atari 2600 game console that turned it into a basic computer system by adding a computer keyboard on top of the console.
The first home version of Galaga and Xevious was included in the 12 launching titles of Atari when it introduced their Atari 7800 Prosystem gaming console on 21 May 1984 giving the company its much-needed gaming console industry boost.
Atari launched on April 1985, their first update to the Atari 65XE which is an 8-bit computer.
A refugee is a person escaping his or her country because of the forced effects of persecution, war, or natural disaster.
The year 2000 was the year that the United Nations declared 20 June at the celebration for World Refugee Day.
The first wave of refugees that came to the Philippines was the so-called "White Russians" of which 800 was a part of a fleet of almost 8,000 refugees that fled the persecution from the "Red Russians" or those who supported the 1917 Socialist Revolution. 250 worked in abaca plantations which were then a booming industry in Mindanao.
The second wave of refugees were the 1,200 European Jews that escaped the World War II Nazi persecution. These refugees were accepted by former President Manuel L. Quezon by issuing the Proclamation No. 173 on 21 August 1937 which later became the basis of Commonwealth Act 613 now known as Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. By this act, a Filipino can see Quezon monument in Tel Aviv, Israel, inscribed with his words of welcome for refugees, that: “the people of the Philippines will have in the future every reason to be glad that when the time of need came, their country was willing to extend a hand of welcome.”
The third wave of refugees to the Philippines was the Spanish Republicans who fled the Falange Española of General Francisco Franco from 1936 to 1939. It was due to the absolute neutrality being implemented by President Quezon during those time of the Spanish Civil War that these refugees were accepted in the Philippines.
The fourth wave of refugees was the Chinese immigrants that came because of the Chinese Civil War. It was in 1940 that the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 was enacted and 30,000 Kuomintang Chinese group were welcomed. It was also the time the Philippines became a sovereign country and the foreigners were allowed to become naturalized Filipinos as stated in the Philippine Constitution.
The fifth wave of refugees was the second wave of White Russians, 6,000 of which were welcomed by former President Elpidio Quirino in 1948. These Russians left their community in Shanghai, China due to the impending communist forces and only the Philippines replied to their request for refugee status. This was also the time that the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 was amended.
The sixth wave of refugees to the Philippines came during the years of 1975 to 1992 wherein 2,700 Vietnamese "boat people" escaped the fallen South Vietnam Government and was allowed to stay in the country.
The seventh wave of refugees that arrived in the Philippines were Iranian refugees in the latter part of the 1970s during the Iranian Revolution.
The eighth wave of refugees came in 1980 to the Philippines which were made up of Indo-Chinese refugees including citizens from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It was during this time that the Philippine Refugee Processing Center in Morong, Bataan was opened to accommodate and facilitate around 400,000 refugees from 1980 to 1994.
The ninth wave of refugees was East Timorese during the time that the Timor was struggling for independence from Indonesia in 2000. Former President Joseph Estrada supported this action and was able to raise local funds to support these refugees.
In November 2016, due to the crisis in Syria, President Duterte announced that he is welcoming Syrian refugees to the Philippines.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Became the first North Korean leader to visit South Korea after 65 years.
South Korean President For Moon Jae-in helped during the last summit between the two countries since he was a former chief of staff of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
The summit took place in the Peace House in the village of Panmunjom which was located in the heart of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea.
The Panmunjom declaration commits to having a complete denuclearisation for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.
Kim Jong Un wore his trademark black Mao suit and President Moon wore a navy jacket and hold hands when they walked side-by-side across the demarcation line inside the truce village of Panmunjom at the start of the summit.
The two leaders also announced for a three-way talk involving United States President Trump or a four-way talk that includes President Xi of China that will convert the armistice into a peace treaty which will create a permanent peace on the Korean peninsula.
There was also an agreement in providing a permanent communication office in the North Korean town of Kaesong.
It was also agreed to have a resumption of temporary reunions between relatives separated by the Korean War.
Expanding civilian exchanges was also agreed upon.
Pursuing of joint sports and cultural events were included in the agreement.
A mango mousse decorated with a blue map that symbolizes a Unified Korean Peninsulas was served.
There have been two meetings prior to this third summit that happened in 2000 (with former South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung) and 2007 (with former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun) wherein Kim Jong Il (the late father of Kim Jong Un) hosted the summits in Pyongyang or P'yŏngyang which is the capital and largest city of North Korea.
Abdul Sattar Edhi founded the world's largest volunteer ambulance network in Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation.
Unlike wealthy individuals that fund charities in their names, Edhi dedicated his life to the poor from the age of 20, when he himself was penniless in Karachi.
Edhi was born before partition in Bantva, Gujarat, India on February 28, 1928.
He is also well-known for the aphorism: “People have become educated... but have yet to become human.”
Edhi was born into Islam but never allowed faith to interfere in his humanitarian endeavors. Once asked why he helped non-Muslims, he answered simply: “Because my ambulance is more Muslim than you.”
In light of the new US President’s “Muslim travel ban”, it is worth remembering another of Edhi’s remarks, after being detained and interrogated by immigration officials at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport in January 2008 under Bush administration terror laws. Questioned by reporters as to the reason for his detention, the philanthropist wryly offered: “The only explanation I can think of is my beard and my dress.”
Abdul Sattar Edhi died of kidney failure, leaving behind his wife of 52 years, Bilquis, a former nurse, and four offspring. By the time of his death on July 8th 2016, Edhi was registered as a parent or guardian of nearly 20,000 children.
The Edhi Foundation's slogan is: "Live and help live".
With more than 1,800 ambulances stationed across Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation is Pakistan's largest welfare organization.
In 1997, the foundation entered the Guinness World Records as the "largest volunteer ambulance organization" (operating 1,500 vehicles) and Edhi ambulances are welcomed as friendly neighbors throughout Pakistan. If you call 115 in the South Asian nation, the Edhi Foundation will answer.
After the nominations in 2014, the hashtag #NobelPrizeforEdhi was created; many said he should have been recognized instead of Malala Yousafzai, who is also from Pakistan. In an interview with the Express Tribune newspaper, Edhi said: "I don't care about it. The Nobel Prize doesn't mean anything to me. I want these people, I want humanity."
It was announced that the State Bank of Pakistan would issue a commemorative coin of 50 rupees (38p) in memory of Edhi as a small token of appreciation for his selfless services for the country.
Mary Joy tabal giving the Philippines its first gold medal in the 2017 SEA Games even though she had some previous conflicts prior to joining the Philippine Team.
Eumir Marcial and John Marvin winning boxing with the former having an injured left hand and the latter winning on the fastest win in boxing which was winning in 21 seconds.
Filipino triathletes, Niko Huelgas and John Chicano taking home the gold medal and the silver medal which also happened in the distaff or the women's division, Kim Mangrobang winning the gold medal and Claire Adorna taking home the silver medal.
Mariya Takahashi, a 16-year old teenager upsetting Surattana Thongsri of Thailand who was the undefeated champion in the women's division under -70 kilogram category. Mariya Takahashi ended the reign of Surattana Thongsri by taking home the gold medal from winning by ippon in 48 seconds.
The Mighty Ducks is the name of the Philippine Ice Hockey Team and they won in their SEA Games debut since this was the first time that ice hockey was included in the Southeast Asian Games. They scored 5-4 against Thailand winning the first place and they were just formed two years ago to become the pioneer ice hockey team for the Philippines.
Trenton Beram contributing not just one but TWO gold medals for Team Philippines making him the only double-gold medal winner in Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games. He won his first medal when he finished the 200-metre dash in the men's division in 20.84 seconds. He was assigned on a strange lane, lane number 7 which was a difficult lane, assignment the following day after he won and struggled with cramps and still won the men's division of the the 400-metre race and finished in 46.39 seconds.
Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit, female players for the billiards, winning the gold medal and silver medal in the 9-ball billiards championship match.
Kaitlin De Guzman, a 17-year old female gymnast, winning the gold medal in the same event where her mother won in the 1995 Chiang Mai Games. She brought home the gold medal in the uneven bars event and also won a silver medal in the floor exercise and a bronze medal in the balance beam event.
Gilas Pilipinas proving their basketball expertise by winning the 18th gold medal for the Philippines with a score of 94-55 against Team Indonesia.
John Colin Syquia, an unknown 46-year old equestrian rider, winning the gold medal in the individual showjumping competition at the 3Q Equestrian Center in Rawang, Malaysia. He won together with his mount named "Adventure E" surviving a 36-hour travel from Florida to New York to Amsterdam to Baku giving the Philippines its 23rd gold medal which was also the first gold medal in equestrian event since the 2011 Palembang Biennial. It was his first time to compete in the Southeast Asian Games.
Eric Cray, a Fil-Am track and field athlete, giving the Philippines its 8th gold medal by winning the gold medal in the 400-metre hurdles event of the men's division with a time of 50.03 seconds and also winning the silver medal with a time of 10.43 seconds in the 100-metre finals of the men's division an hour after his gold medal win.
The trio of Taekwondo jins, Dustin Mella, Rafael Mella, and Rodolfo Reyes, Jr. winning the men's division of the team poomsae event in the Taekwondo competition held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. They won with a score of 8.40 and their victory was the third victory in the same event for the Taekwondo Team Philippines since winning in the 2013 SEA Games. It was also the trio's second straight win and the third win for the Mella brothers.
Research shows that high heels can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In the middle of the second millennium BC, Egyptians began to frequently use sandals. Retention was obtained generally by the Egyptians by a T or V thong passing through the sole. Egyptian butchers also wore heeled shoes for practical purposes, that is, in order to keep their feet clean of any blood while slaughtering animals.
Things started to change when during the European renaissance, the high heel became a status symbol worn by both male and females from the higher social statuses.
Catherine de Medici a Franco/Italian noblewomen pioneered the use of heels as a fashion statement. Catherine de Medici is believed to have worn them to impress the French court when she wed the Duke of Orleans, the future king. It is believed to be the first instance when heels were worn however, this reference may be apocryphal, as the development of heels did not begin to come about until the late 1580s, based on iconographic evidence and extant pieces. Two hundred years later King Louis XIV of France decreed that only nobility could wear heels, and that only members of his specific court could wear red ones. Seventeenth-century portraits of King Louis XIV depict the various intricate heels worn by the king and they were often decorated with miniature battle scenes.
In terms of design, high heels can be seen with plain construction or with embellishment. Depending on the design concept, embellishment materials include leather, wood, metal chain, plastic appliqués, lace, and others. The majority of embellishments are for aesthetic purposes. The rest are for functional support.
High heels have caused significant controversy in the medical field lately, with many podiatrists seeing patients whose severe foot problems have been caused almost exclusively by high-heel wear.
Cuban heels were first widely popularized by Beatle boots (variant of the Chelsea boot), as worn by the English rock group the Beatles during their introduction to the United States.
Mongolian horsemen were among the first to use heels as means to keep their feet from sliding out of their stirrups. Actors playing tragic roles in ancient Greek drama wore the buskin, a boot with a platform sole, designed to give them greater height over other actors.
American cowboy boots, first developed in the 19th century and still popular today in some parts of the United States, have high underslung heels to keep a rider's foot from sliding through the stirrup. High-heeled platform shoes were a widely popular form of men's footwear during the 1970s.
High-heeled shoes slant the foot forward and down while bending the toes up. The more the feet are forced into this position, the more it may cause the gastrocnemius muscle (part of the calf muscle) to shorten. This may cause problems when the wearer chooses lower heels or flat-soled shoes. When the foot slants forward, a much greater weight is transferred to the ball of the foot and the toes, increasing the likelihood of damage to the underlying soft tissue that supports the foot. In many shoes, style dictates function, either compressing the toes or forcing them together, possibly resulting in blisters, corns, hammer toes, bunions (hallux valgus), Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis and many other medical conditions, most of which are permanent and require surgery to alleviate the pain.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed the department order on Friday, 25 August 2017, following a call from a labor union against the dress code that puts at risk the occupational safety of working women.
Philippines is the first country in Asia to ban the mandatory wearing of high heels in the workplace.
Types of heels found on high-heeled footwear include:
Cone - A round heel that is broad where it meets the sole of the shoe and noticeably narrower at the point of contact with the ground. It is closed on the front back and sides.
Kitten - A short, slim heel with maximum height under 2 inches (5 cm) and diameter of no more than 0.4 inch (1 cm) at the point of contact with the ground.
Prism - Three flat sides that form a triangle at the point of contact with the ground.
Puppy - Thick square block heel with approximately 2 inches (5 cm) length in all dimensions.
Spool or Louis - Broad where it meets the sole and at the point of contact with the ground; noticeably narrower at the midpoint between the two.
Stiletto - A tall, slim heel with minimum height of 2 inches (5 cm) and diameter of no more than 0.4 inch (1 cm) at the point of contact with the ground.
Wedge - Occupies the entire space under the arch and heel portions of the foot.
Viennese - The heel is longer than the shoe itself and is impossible to walk on, only found on fetish shoes, just for sitting or lying down.
Uber Technologies Inc. is an American technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States, operating in 633 cities worldwide.
It develops, markets and operates the Uber car transportation and food delivery mobile apps.
Uber drivers use their own cars, although drivers can rent a car to drive with Uber.
The name "Uber" is a reference to the common (and somewhat slangy) word "uber", meaning "topmost" or "super", and having its origins in the German word über, meaning "above".
Uber has been a pioneer in the sharing economy and the changes in industries as a result of the sharing economy have been referred to as "Uberification" or "Uberisation".
Uber fares are based on a dynamic pricing model, in which fares are higher during periods of high demand for rides.
In February 2010, Ryan Graves became the first Uber employee, getting the job by responding to a tweet from Kalanick announcing the job opening, and receiving 5-10% of the company. Graves started out as general manager and shortly after the launch was named as CEO.[72] After ten months Kalanick succeeded Graves as CEO in December 2010.[68][69][73][74] Graves stepped down to become the company's COO.
In 2011, the company changed its name from UberCab to Uber.
Uber was founded in 2009 as UberCab by Garrett Camp, the cofounder of StumbleUpon, and Travis Kalanick, who had sold his Red Swoosh startup for $19 million in 2007.
On September 14, 2016, Uber launched its first self-driving car services to select customers in Pittsburgh, including Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto using a fleet of Ford Fusion cars each equipped with 20 cameras, seven lasers, GPS, lidar and radar equipment that enables the car to create a three-dimensional map utilizing landmarks and other contextual information to keep track of its position.
The Philippine government meted Uber a one-month suspension on August 14 following a tussle over driver permits, sparking public outrage as some 66,000 vehicles were forced off the streets.
But late Friday, August 25 the government's transport agency said it would lift the ban following an Uber appeal. It ordered the US firm to pay a fine of P190 million ($3.7 million) and give its drivers financial aid for lost earnings.
Ike Lozada was born on 13 August 1940 in Iloilo City, Philippines.
His full name is Enrique Lozada and is also known as "Big Ike", "Kuya Ike", and "Iking".
He is also known as "Dambuhalang DJ"
Ike Lozada started acting at the age of 11 on the movie Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan with the younger Susan Roces.
He was an associate producer on the 1995 movie "Hatulan Bilibid Boys 2".
He was a choreographer on the 1969 movie "Fiesta extravaganza"
He appeared as himself in the 1975 documentary "Memories of Our Love"
"Apat na Sikat” of Channel 9 in the 70s was borne out of the imagination of the late Ike Lozada which were composed of Arnold and Maribel “Lala” Aunor, Winnie Santos and Dondon Nakar.
He was 54 years old when he died and his remains were laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.
Ike Lozada died on 8 March 1995 at around 8:25 PM, specifically he "died of secondary to massive biocardiac arrest" according to Dr. Carlos Lagman
He had 180 credited movie appearances during his lifetime.
His television shows included :
Big Ike's Happening (Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation, 1973–1984)
Iza Calzado was born on 12 August 1982 in Quezon City, Philippines.
Her birth name is Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado.
Her father is the reknowned choreographer and TV director, Lito Calzado and her mother was the late Mary Ann "Antonia" Ussher who was a Spanish-Filipina ancestry. Her father married her stepmother Myrna after the latter passed away.
She has a brother named Dash who is a member of a Filipino rap group, Legit Misfitz.
Iza Calzado spent her elementary days at School of the Holy Spirit; her high school years in Miriam College; and took up an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas.
Iza Calzado was a voice dubber for the Venezuelan telenovela, "Mis 3 Hermanas" known as "All My Love" in the Philippines, before she became known in the movie industry.
Iza Calzado starred in her first soap opera, "Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man" with Argentinean actor, Segundo Cernadas, as her partner.
In 2010, Iza Calzado made her first two-piece bikini TV appearance in the TV series, "Beauty Queen" with TJ Trinidad as her leading man.
Her first TV comedy show was in GMA's "I Heart You, Pare!" and her last appearance in GMA was in the TV sitcom, "Andres de Saya". She was in GMA from 2001 to 2011.
She appeared in her first TV drama series in ABS-CBN's "Kahit Puso'y Masugatan". She is currently an ABS-CBN contract star which started on 2012.
She won her first "Best Supporting Actress" award from the 28th Gawad Urian Awards in 2004 for her role in the movie "Milan" with a total of 11 wins and 13 nominations showing her prowess as an actress.
The 2017 movie "Bliss" was her first ever X-rated film as reviewed by the MTRCB.
