Showing posts with label Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awards. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon UP bags top recognition in an international computer programming tilt

11/26/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


For solving 10 out of 10 computer problems, the team “Mga Sogo ni E.T.) from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City bagged the 2009 ACM International Colle giate Programming Contest held at the Ateneo de Manila.

“The ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) traces its roots to a competition held at Texas A&M in 1970 hosted by the Alpha Chapter of the UPE Computer Science Honor Society. The idea quickly gained popularity within the United States and Canada as an innovative initiative to assist in the development of top students in the emerging computer science.

The ACM ICPC is a team competition consisting of three collegiate students and a coach. Each team is given a set of programming tasks (from 8 to 10 problems) to be solved in 5 hours using a standard computer and programming languages such as C, C++, and Java.”---- Manila Bulletin.(11/25/09, Calimag, M.)

Coached Eric Tambasacan, the UP team was represented by computer science students Kevin Charles Atienza and Marte Raphael Soliza, and computer engineering student John Eddie Ayson.

There were 55 teams from four countries and 23 schools joined the the ACM ICPC Manila regional contest on October 22-23, 2009. Trailing the UP students for the second place was team “Passion” from Ho Chi Minh City University of Science, in Vietnam whose members were Pham Tuan Vu, rinh Tran Dang Khoa, and Le Do Hoan Nam. Their coach was Dang Ngueyen Tien.

The third place went to team “NUSSOC1” from the National University of Singapore. Mentored by Steven Halim, the Sinngaporean team were composed of Victor Loh Bo Huai, Adhiraj Somani, and Doon Hanh Hung.

The winning of UP students indicates the talent and potential of Filipinos in the realm of programming and computer science. This is a beacon of hope for our young students to pursue challenging careers in computes. (Photo Credit; Napolinario) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon CNN chooses Efren Penaflorida as "2009 Hero of the Year"

11/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


In an acceptance speech at the Kodak Theatre in Holliywood, teacher Efren Penaflorida spoke of serving others above oneself to be happy. He was tops in a field of 10 finalists honored by “CNN’s Heroes: An All Star Tribute,,” an annual recognition of international news organizations of people doing selfless acts for the benefit of humanity.

The first Filipino to receive such an award, 29 year-old Penaflorida was selected and voted by 14 judges out of 10 nominees chosen from 9,000 candidates worldwide this year. Among the judges were Gen. Colin Powell, movie actress and TV personality Whoopie Goldberg, and singer Elton John.

A son of a tricycle driver and a laundress, Efren was given the tribute for his work in “Kariton Klasrum,” a teaching program on pushcart that brought the learning of math, science and English into the street for impoverished children in Cavite.

The young mentor who almost dropped out of school because of poverty received a $100,000 prize for his work in the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC,) a volunteer youth organization which conducts the learning program.

In its inception, the DTC relied on the sale of discarded bottles and newpapers to support the pushcart classroom which had inspired others to do the same. Youth groups approached the organization so they can implement the same program to their communities. With the new direction of DTC, Peñaflorida said he will continue to give weekly lessons to the poor using the money in his winning. He encouraged others to contribute time and assist those in need. (Photo Credit: Mike Alquinto/ AP/ CNN) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Anthony Matthew Martires wins in Southern California Ballroom Competition

11/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


A young Phil-Am has brought pride and honor at the Southern California Ballroom Competition held at Castaways in Burbank this year.

Anthony Matthew Martires (center), 11 years old, bagged the Top Male Performer during the competition. In a dazzling performance, he won 1st Places for all 4 entries of dancing including the Tango, Waltz, Cha-cha and Rumba with dance teacher Hadas Fisher (right). Also with the young dance champ in the picture is competition judge Dmitry Chaplin (left) of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing With The Stars” TV shows. (Photo Credit: Bicol Mail)

"More than 50 male and female students from 5 dance studios in Southern California; Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties participated in the said contest. Matthew was the youngest contestant...

"The 7th grader from St. Ignatius de Loyola School in Pasadena not only joins dance competitions, he also gets invited to perform in community ballroom blitzes like the one in Alex Theater in Glendale which was a production of Christian Perry, renowned choreographer for “Dancing with the Stars” and in December ’08 Matthew was part of the dance ensemble that performed in the opening act of “Dancing with the Stars on Tour” at the Staples Center [home of the LA Lakers] in Los Angeles." ---Bicol Mail (11/05/09, Imperial, S.)

The talented son of Tony and Yeye Martires of Baao, Camarines Sur and California started dancing lessons with his mom Yeye at Arthur Murray Dance School in Pasadena at age 9. Matthew had been thinking of returning to Bicol and take his high school at the Ateneo de Naga University, in Naga City Philippines. (Photo Credit: Bicol Mail) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Supreme Court steps in the National Artist controversy

8/26/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post




A lifetime recognition like being a National Artist carries prestige. People work hard to be worthy of such a coveted honor. Yet, for this year’s selection, sharp objections to 4 out of 7 nominees incite a firestorm of protests that has reached the Supreme Court (SC). The highest court in Manila temporarily put a hold order in the conferment of the award to thresh out a controversy.

The search for nominees of the prestigious recognition this year was undertaken by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCAA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) boards. A short list after a careful search of awardees was submitted for approval of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo. But in an overextended exercise of power, it is alleged, the president dropped fpir (4) nominees namely Lazaro Francisco (posthumous) for literature), Dr. Ramon Santos (music), Manuel Conde (posthumous) for film and broadcast, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (visual arts, painting, sculpture, and mixed media).

Gloria instead chose Cecile Guidote Alvarez (theater), Magno Jose Carlo Caparas (visual arts and film), Jose 'Pitoy' Moreno (fashion design), and Francisco 'Bobby' Mañosa (architecture). The resultant controversy distracted the public from the parallel embarrassment brought by the extravagant dinners reported during Gloira's travel in the USA.

The president’s action on the nominees led to angry protests from at least four past Natioanl Artist awardees, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, community groups and private citizens. Airing their grievances in rallies, they who did not agree with GMA. The national artists insisted her choices were less worthy than those that were originally chosen by the selection body. They petitioned the SC to intervene and rule on the case.

It’s amazing how the wholesome and inspiring cultural exercise like choosing our National Artists can be corrupted. Though winners may receive the honor, recognition, and the monetary benefits that the award carries, it is extremely shameful, if true, that the list of nominees have been tampered by the president.

Inured to power abuse and corruption, Malacanang Palace tends to shrug off this new allegtion---another gross assault to our cultural pride. With dismay, we don't want the chief executive to trivialize the National Artist Award. We don't favor her whims and her brand of politics. (Photo Credits: Sheltercrow; Sneakyzoo) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon New National Artists Named for 2009

8/01/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post



Recognizing outstanding Filipino men and women in various fields of artistic pursuits, Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo named the following as national artists of the Philippines:

1. Manual Urbano (Manuel Conde)---Film and Broadcast
2. Lazaro Francisco---Literature
3. Federico Aguilar Acuaz---Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media)
4. Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez---Theatre
5. Magno Jose Carlo Caparas---Visual Arts and Film
6. Francisco Manosa---Architecture
7. Jose Pitoy Moreno----Fashion Design

Executive Sec. Eduardo Ermita announced the selection of the 7 outstanding individuals who will get the highest award for their exemplary contribution in their line of endeavor. They will receive cash reward, life insurance and monthly pension as part of their recognition. (Photo Credit: Photobunny)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Filipino film director Dante Mendoza bags the Cannes Best Director Award

5/25/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post
It’s with a sense of pride that Filipinos learned of Brillante (Dante) Mendoza, an upcoming film director who won the prestigious Best Director Award in the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in France. His socially charged movie Kinatay received mixed reviews during the 2009 international film festival, but nonetheless got the best director prize.

“The coveted Palme d’Or went to Austrian director Michael Haneke for his austere but powerful The White Ribbon, which addresses repression and cruelty among a small Protestant community in northern Germany in the months before the first World War. “----IrishTimes.com (05/25/09, Dwyer, M)

French director Jacques Audiard was bestowed the Grand Prix du Jury Award for his film “A Prophet” which portrays the failure of the French penal system as a place of rehabilitation for criminals.

Mendoza's Kinatay (Slaughter) depicted the life a young rookie Manila policeman in a world of sordid violence. It showed the gruesome abduction, torture, rape, and killing of a prostitute by corrupt men of the police force. The severed body parts of the woman were disposed of in various places of Manila.

The first Filipino to ever been awarded the Best Director prize in Cannes, Mendoza shares the honor of past respected movie makers who won the coveted prize. Counted among them are Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, Francois Truffaut, Luis Buñuel, Robert Bresson, Costa Gavras, and Werner Herzog---Inquirer (05/25/09, Nepales, R.)

Winners of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival

MAIN CATEGORIES

PALME D’OR - The White Ribbon , directed by Austrian Michael Haneke. A small village is rocked by a series of mysterious and cruel crimes. A group of young children are among the suspects.

GRAND PRIX (runner-up) - A Prophet directed by France’s Jacques Audiard.

SPECIAL CAREER PRIZE - Veteran French director Alain Resnais. This year he presented Wild Grass .

BEST ACTOR - Austrian Christoph Waltz for his role as a Nazi officer in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds .

BEST ACTRESS - Charlotte Gainsbourg for Antichrist, directed by Denmark’s Lars Von Trier.

BEST DIRECTOR - Kinatay , directed by Filipino Brillante Mendoza. Peping, a criminology student, joins his friend on a mission to earn some cash but regrets his decision as events turn sour.

BEST SCREENPLAY - Mei Feng for his script on Spring Fever, directed by China’s Lou Ye.

JURY PRIZE (shared) - Fish Tank directed by Britain’s Andrea Arnold, and Thirst directed by South Korean Park Chan-Wook.

CAMERA D’OR (for debut film) - Samson and Delilah directed by Australia’s Warwick Thornton.

BEST SHORT FILM - Arena directed by Portuguese director Joao Salaviza. – (Reuters) Photo Credit: Paolo Feliciano) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon UP Ibalon congratulates Drs. Chris & Vicvic Bernido

3/13/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


UP Ibalon-Bicol congratulates Dr. Christopher and Dr. Maria Victoria (Vicvic) Carpio-Bernido for winning the 3rd Gawad Haydee Yorac* Award, an outstanding distinction which gives tribute to Filipinos who have demonstrated exemplary public service. On its third year, the prestigious award is given annually by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) in collaboration with UP and the Yorac family.

We have no doubt Chris and Vicvic who are both accomplished physicists are more than worthy to win the sterling award. They left the headship of the UP Diliman’s National Institute of Physics in the 1990’s to start the Research Center for Theoretical Physics in Jagna, a secluded seaside town in the Visayan province of Bohol, two hours by car from the capital city of Tagbilaran. In a rural community setting, the couple boldly introduced the novel teaching of physics, math, science, and other hard subjects to high school students with outstanding results.

The prestigious award honors what the husband and wife team patiently worked for since they opened the private school 10 years ago:

“The Bernidos addressed a grassroots issue, and had the courage to blaze new science trails in their home province of Bohol, in isolated and marginalized communities, demonstrating that there are no constraints or limits to achieving the lofty vision of building a nation when courage, commitment and intellectual experience are applied to the task.”--- Philippine Daily Inquirer (03/08/2009, Yap, DJ) (Photo Credits: http://www.meralco.com.ph/gawadhaydeeyorac/)

Vicvic is the sister of our fellow Ibalonians---Alfonso “Popon” Carpio and Constancia “Connie” Carpio. Graduating on top of her class at Colegio de Sta Isabel (CSI) in Naga City, Vicvic is one among the many talented children of former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Atty. Antonio Carpio.

* Haydee Yorac was an outstanding UP alumna. She was the legal counsel of Meralco. Before she died on September 13, 2005, she served as the director general of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, headed the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Commission on Elections.
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PostHeaderIcon Francis B. Pena, Singapore Airlines’ 2009 Awardee for Customer Service

3/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


It’s with unabashed pride and gladness that UP Ibalon-Bicol congratulates Francis B. Pena for being chosen as Singapore Airlines’ 2009 CEO TCS Awardee for outstanding customer service.

A friend of Ibalonians, Pena who hails from Naga City, Philippines is an alumnus of Ateneo de Naga HS Class’73 and the University of Nueva Caceres BSN ’78. For his exemplary work, outstanding company contributions, and admirable 25-year dedication to the core values of the organization, he will be feted in an evening celebratory reception at 6:30 at the Raffles Town Club in Singapore, on 22 April 2009. His selection to the prestigious distinction is announced by Patricia Ow, Customer Affairs Manager of the Singapore Airlines. =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Slumdog Millionaire wins 8 Oscars

2/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


On Febrary 22, 2009, the drama movie "Slumdog Millionaire" carted away the most number of recognitions in the Oscars awards---8 winnings including the Best Movie award from the academy.

Held at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre for the 7th year, the glittery event of tinseltown attended by movie stars and celebrities, honored the visibly elated British director Daniel Doyle and the cast of his winning film which included Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Anil Kapoor, all first-time actor-nominees in the Oscar. Other actors in the movie were children plucked from the dirt-poor slums in Mumbai, India to be among the cast-members brought to Hollywood for the awarding ceremony

Of the 10 nominations the movie dominated the awards by garnering prizes in eight categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.

During the screening on August 2008 at Telluride Film Festival, Slumdog Millionaire generated interest and appreciation from those who first saw the film. It was well-received by viewers at the Toronto International Film Festival. With popularity rising, on January 2009, the movie was screened nationwide in the United States. According to reports, as of February 18, 2009, the film has raked in a bonanza of $89,316,895 at box office in the North America.

Timely as the reality of the current global economic meltdown, the film depicts the race of impoverished people to win in India’s rags to riches version of “Who wants to be a millionaire.” Though well-acclaimed by movie enthusiasts and scribes, the film has drawn criticisms and protests for propagating the Western stereotype of poverty and the negativities that go with the depiction of slums in a poor country. (Photo Credit: Mirchiaish; AP/ Matt Sayles) =0=



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