MEDIA ARTS AND PRODUCTION
Knowledge and understanding are best shared in various media. With Jinky's vast skills and prolific experience in many fields, she felt that advancing media and technology play a vital role in effectively expressing oneself and passing on the knowledge and understanding on key concepts. Jinky is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Media Arts and Production at the University of Technology Sydney. This course teaches the art of moving image, sound, digital media and interaction. Jinky hopes to articulate oral health education and promotion, Filipino heritage, cultural geography and general life concepts as personally experienced and learned through the interplay and production of the aforementioned media arts forms. She is continually being inspired by her two fast growing sons and family.
In January 2015, Jinky became a contributor (Storytelling segment) to community radio Triple H 100.1FM Radio Tagumpay then late 2015 became one of its presenters. In 2018, Jinky assumed the role of the program's co-media producer as she creates audio files, edits recorded materials and prepares music on system to assist panelist during air time. Jinky also updates the program's AMRAP page regularly. Jinky moderates the reading session of young local guests during school holidays who are part of the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge. She also trains and supervises the program's local junior media contributors. "Tagumpay" is the Filipino word for success. Radio Tagumpay goes with the philosophy that success is not just about what one has accomplished but also what one inspires others to achieve. Radio Tagumpay airs on Mondays from 2pm to 4pm.
Jinky is also a freelance writer for the online publication, The Filipino Australian.
Jinky is also a freelance writer for the online publication, The Filipino Australian.
Go to www.triplehfm.com.au/program-guide.html then click Tagumpay program.
Audio Recording
1. INSPIRING THE FILIPINO CHILD Legacy CD1
This audio CD was inspired by Jinky's two growing children. It was released in August 2018 and was designed for children who were born or grew up outside the Philippines who are not familiar with the Tagalog language. It is recommended to have this audio CD played while on a medium to long drive or before bedtime. It is also encourages other non-Filipino speaking nationals everywhere to learn and appreciate Filipino culture. This audio CD features a set of Filipino legend, fable, folktale, proverb and tradition with emphases on respective moral values encompassing each narration. It also included two Filipino nursery rhymes and a song track entitled Ang Bata (A Child), a 1985 composition of Ferdinand Dimaano. For more details simply go to SHOP menu or click the link SHOP.
2. The Flying Dragon and the Giant Pig
A sample audio recording with foley sounds and music.
Publications
1. thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/filipino-beauty-queen-kylie-verzosa-miss-international-2016/
Filipino beauty queen Kylie Verzosa, Miss International 2016
by Jinky Marsh, 31st Oct 2016
Twenty-four year old Kylie Verzosa has sustained the Philippines’ impressive track record in the international beauty competition by her her win on 27th October win in the 56th Miss International Beauty Pageant held at Tokyo Dome City Hall. The title follows Kylie’s winning 2016 Binibining Pilipinas International. Kylie is the sixth Filipino winner of the Miss International pageant following Bea Rose Santiago (2013), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Melanie Marquez (1979), Aurora Pijuan (1970) and Gemma Cruz (1963). Promoting intercultural relations is the main motto of the Miss International pageant. Being in the top 15 of the Miss international 2016, it was Kylie’s speech that gave her the edge over the 68 other aspirants for the most coveted crown.
Kylie said: “Three things come to mind when i think of Miss International: culture, education and international understanding. These three work together to make the brand of a Miss International beauty pageant relevant to the global community into our time. If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding, because I believe that it is with developing in each one sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference[s] and appreciate diversity. All of these enable us to achieve international understanding.”
RADIO TAGUMPAY INTERVIEW
This writer had the pleasure of interviewing Kylie for Triple H 100.1FM Radio Tagumpay in April this year after she won the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas International crown. Now, we join the countless Filipinos from all over the world in celebrating her triumph in the recently concluded 2016 Miss International Beauty Pageant. We are delighted to share the interview which offers insights and glimpses of Kylie’s journey through life towards being a recognised Filipino beauty queen with a purpose.
Who influenced you in joining the beauty pageant?
“My mum was in Binibining Pilipinas top 15 in 1964. She influenced me a bit but never encouraged me, never pushed me so I can say all the decisions I made were by my own choices. I was in the fashion industry and I said – why not try it”.
What are your goals and purposes after winning the Binibining Pilipinas crown?
“I want to help as much as I can especially now that I have been given an opportunity to help people more. I’ve been given a stronger voice now that my voice is being heard. It is being recognised and I can use this so much more to talk what I truly care about, mental health awareness and things that are relevant in our society today.”
What are your preparations for your upcoming Miss International Pageant in Japan?
“…We are doing now media tours..I dieted a lot. I work hard for it. I practice. I practice even without my mentors. I also prepared my mind for it. I want people to know that these things don’t come naturally. Our bodies don’t come naturally. You have to work hard for it. Everything comes from hard work and the value of hard work is what I learned from this pageant. It truly does pay off.”
What has changed in you apart from having the crown?
“My personality and my attitude. I can say I have matured a lot. I have matured exponentially. I can do more greater things in the future.”
What is ‘tagumpay’ for you Kylie?
“Success is how hard you strive for the things you want in life and eventually success comes when you are ready for it, when you have worked hard for it and when you deserve it. But ultimately, I believe that success is when you are truly happy.”
What is your message to Filipinos in Australia?
“Thank you so much for all your support and for all the fans in Australia, I commend you for being so strong, for being able to leave the country. Thank you for representing the Philippines and for making us proud and for all sacrifices you’ve made. So, thank you so much for all your support.”
ABOUT KYLIE VERZOSA
Kylie Verzosa, who was born and brought up in Baguio City, is a 2013 graduate of Ateneo de Manila University holding a Bachelor of Arts major in Business Management with minor in Marketing. She initially worked for companies such as Smart and Preschool International as a pre-school teacher. She was also a part of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation whose mission is to promote the awareness and understanding of Depression as a medical condition. She later worked as a print, ramp and commercial model in the Philippines for two to three years and eventually continued on, three months each, in Singapore and Hong Kong. It was in the fashion industry where her Binibining Pilipinas journey started.
Kylie won the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas International crown after her first try-out in 2015 in the same pageant which landed her in the semi-finals. She persevered and gladly said: “The second time, I worked hard for it. I learned from my first time. I learned from my experiences.”
Apart from winning the Binibining Pilipinas, Kylie also won The Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic), Reader’s Choice and Jag She’s Got the Look special awards.
2. http://thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/fil-aussie-soprano-sarah-ampil-shines-with-triple-wins-in-singing-competitions/
Philippine Champion Team Competes in 2016 Robotics Competition
by Jinky Marsh, 31st Oct 2016
All-girls Ubuntu Imagineers of Dr Yanga’s Colleges Inc. which won over 20 teams in the 2016 Philippine Robotics competition, returned to Sydney to represent the Philippines in the 2016 FIRST Lego League (FLL). The team’s robot entries for 2016 were designed to produce papers and pencils from recycled materials. The design responded to the need of these basic school supplies in Bulacan where Ubuntu Imagineers reside. The team earned the 2015 Inspiration Award with the robotic Lego Ludwig hand which plays the piano and composes music to aid upper extremities amputees.
FIRST which stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” is an international youth organisation that conducts various international competitions including the FLL Open Championships. FIRST Lego League Open Championships are competitions in robotics held and managed by FLL partners to bring FLL teams from various states, regions and countries together to compete in host cities worldwide. FLL Asia Pacific Open Championship Australia was organised in 2013 with Macquarie University as host. Each participating country holds its own national competition to choose its representative/s in any FLL international competitions.
The Philippines started joining the FLL World Festival in the USA in 2012 and the FLL Asia Pacific Open in 2013. DYCI Ubuntu Imagineers also represented the Philippines in 2015 and won the Inspiration Award. Another DYCI team, the All-boys Blue Ocean 10, also represented the Philippines and won the Research Award in the 2016 FLL World Festival in Boston, Massachusetts. The Philippines has also won the Best Project Presentation Awards in two FLL World Festival events in 2012 and 2014, the Judges Award in the FLL Asia Pacific Open 2013 and the Best Mentor Award for their coach, Mr Beryl Cruz, in the 2015 World Lego Festival.
Mr Yanga’s inspiring words about the team members of UBUNTU Imagineers were:
“As I always say to them – they are winners in my eyes not only they because they are competing here but they make robots to make a difference in the society. If they win, it will just be a bonus. Being here is already a victory for me and I know that they represnt the Philippines very well. Ang tagumpay ay pagtulong sa kapwa, pagtaas at pag-akyat ng anta ng ibang buhay ng iba sa pamagitaan ng pagtulong natin sa kanila.”
2016 Robotics Competition
This year’s competition was opened with a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House Main Concert Hall on the 3rd July whilst exhibit and presentation of winners were held at the Macquarie University on the 4th to 5th July. The event was participated by 44 teams from 21 countries. There were 14 awards presented which included the 3 Judges Awards, 3 Core Values Awards and the Championship Award. The Closing Ceremony Speaker, Macquarie University Dean Michael Heimlich highlighted that FLL believes in the youth who will be the ones who will change our world. The competition encourages problem solving, teamwork and innovation.
The 2016 FLL Championship Award went to Samurai 7 (Japan) which embodied the FLL design, performance and core values. Samurai’s 7’s entry tested solution to reduce tons of waste. The team’s performance on opening and discussion with the judges were of excellent, coherent and compelling.
All 3 Judges awards went to Brazil teams : The Positive Award (Insabots), Out of Box Award ( Rosminiter) and Less is More Award ( Robuscus). The FLL Core Values Awards were won by the Polymono of Hongkong (Teamwork Award), Project Bucephalus of Australia (Inspiration Award) and Intersecting Spino of Turkey (Gracious Professionalism Award).
Other awardees were as follows: Referees of New Zealand (Mechanical Design Award), Robo Knight United of Australia (Programming Award), Hefei 8 Middle School of China (Strategy and Innovation Award), Transformers of Australia (Robot Performance Award), Dream Up of South Korea (Research Award), Cura of Hongkong (Innovative Solution Award) and Bintulu Hawks of Malaysia (Presentation Award).
About the Philippine Ubuntu Team
The Philippine team’s name Ubuntu was derived from a Swahili word made famous by the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, which means “I am because we are”. Hence Ubuntu Imagineers team encompasses the team’s vision of unity and togetherness among its team members. All the members of the UBUNTU Imagineers are students of Dr Yanga’s Colleges Inc. from Bocaue, Bulacan. The team was briefly accompanied by Mr Michael Yanga, Vice-President for Basic Education of DYCI. Dr Yanga was his father who was a distinguished medical doctor, inventor, music lover and philanthropist.
The selection of the Philippine team representative was organised by Felta Multi-Media Inc. Chief Operating Officer Mylene Abiva. Ms Abiva was also the 2014 ASEAN Business Leader (Women Category), the 2015 ASEAN Woman Entrepreneur Awardee, 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Woman Entrepreneur) and 2009 Gawad Lider in Science and Technology.
3. http://thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/fil-aussie-soprano-sarah-ampil-shines-with-triple-wins-in-singing-competitions/
Fil-Aussie Soprano Sarah Ampil Shines with Triple Wins in Singing Competitions
By Jinky Marsh, 11th July 2016
Twenty-four year old Fil-Aussie Soprano Sarah Ampil from Sydney recently earned a triple win in prestigious singing competitions. In the 2016 International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) Australian Singing Competition (ASC) Semi-Finals Concert held on 3 July 2016, Ampil received the Lana Woolf Prize which entitles her to training in the French language courtesy of senior French teacher Lana Woolf. She also won 1st Place in the two sections of the 2016 Sydney Eisteddfod, namely the Operatic Aria and Oratorio held 9 and 16 July respectively at the Shore School North Sydney.
IFAC ASC which was launched in 1982 is Australasia’s richest competition for young opera and classical singers providing generous cash prizes, awards, career development opportunities both locally and overseas. It evolved from the Marianne Mathy Scholarship established through the bequest made by Marianne Mathy-Frisdane, a notable teacher of opera and classical singing. The semi-finals concert was held at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney.
There were nine semi-finalists aged 22 to 25 years from New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. The 10th semi-finalist was Fleuranne Brockway, a Filipino-Australian mezzo-soprano from Western Australia who withdrew from the competition due to conflict of schedule. The semi-finalists articulated each their song interpretations with evocative storytelling. Songs selected included pieces from the Three Pastoral Songs, The Medium, La Travaviata, Tolomeo, Cosi Fan Tutte and Carmen. Ampil, the first contestant, gave her soaring renditions of Heimliches Lieben (Secret Love) by Franz Schubert (Op.106 No.1) and Je suis encor tout etourdie (“I am still completely dazed.”) from opera comique Manon by Jules Massenet which earned her the Lana Woolf Prize.
The Sydney Eisteddfod, on the other hand, which was established in 1933 is an independent, registered charity and cultural organisation that runs a competitive performing arts festival from May to September annually. It event attracts around 35,000 entrants with a program of under 350 contemporary and classical events that provide performance opportunities for singers, dancers, actors, musicians, composers, bands, choirs and orchestras in various venues across Sydney.
The Operatic Aria section of the Eisteddfod was sponsored by Andrea Ward and Ian Diamond. Bach & Vivaldi cantatas were permissible in the Oratorio section and Da Capo sections were required to be sung. Ampil’s Eisteddfod win qualified her for the Senior Vocal Scholarship (Joan Sutherland Memorial Award) which will be held in the same venue on 14 July 2016. More information on this competition can be viewed at https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/sydney-eisteddfod-joan-sutherland-memorial-senior-vocal-scholarship-21-25-years/
Ampil holds a Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera Performance) and Master of Music Studies (Performance) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. She was named a Pacific Opera Young Artist and one of only three recipients of the 2015 Sydney Opera House Opera Award. The latter granted her the opportunity to participate in the Renee Fleming Masterclass.
Also in 2015, Ampil was a runner up of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria Competition and the winner of the Lieder section at the Hawkesbury Eistedfodd. Ampil aims to audition for Young Artist Programmes in United States of America and Europe whilst continuing her training in the key European languages.
4. thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/filipino-west-end-star-joanna-ampil-wows-sydney-in-defying-gravity-concert-the-songs-of-stephen-schwartz-from-godspell-to-wicked/
Filipino West-End Star Joanna Ampil Wows Sydney in “Defying Gravity Concert: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz From ‘Godspell’ to ‘Wicked'”
By Jinky Marsh, 18th Feb 2016
Global Filipino artist Joanna Ampil wowed the audiences of the three shows of the DEFYING GRAVITY CONCERT featuring the songs of the charismatic composer Stephen Schwartz. The concert was held at the Theatre Royal in Sydney on the 12th to 13th February 2016. Schwartz is the composer of record-breaking GODSPELL and PIPPIN. These were followed by Oscar-winning Disney musicals POCAHONTAS, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and ENCHANTED and most recently and currently running on Broadway, the WICKED. The concert used narrations and video clips to bring the audience in the 45year journey of Schwartz straight from university at the age of 23 with the bible-inspired GODSPELL to the sensational WICKED. His evocative and insightful compositions were magnified in the compelling renditions of the stellar cast.
Ampil mesmerised the concert audience with her heartfelt and impressive interpretations of The Lion Tamer (THE MAGIC SHOW), Colours of the Wind (POCAHONTAS), Toxic People (from the album UNCHARTED TERRITORY with Callimore, Harris and Tveirt), The Wizard and I (WICKED) on the first act and That’s How You Know (ENCHANTED with Harris) on the second act. Ampil’s articulation, warmth and soaring voice mixed with her poise and elegance on stage show why she is one of the most sought-after musical theatre artists.
Ampil played the lead role Kim in the original MISS SAIGON Australian production in 1996 and was nominated for Mo Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Ampil’s other theatre credits included the most coveted theatre roles in West End – Kim (MISS SAIGON), Mary Magdalene (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), Eponine/ Fantine (LES MIS), Shiela Franklin (HAIR), Heidi (I SING), Mimi (RENT), Christmas Eve (AVENUE Q) and Grizabella (CATS). Philippine roles included Maria (WEST SIDE STORY), Maria (THE SOUND OF MUSIC), Nellie Forbush (SOUTH PACIFIC), Dina/Jaya (CHUVA CHOO CHOO) and Francesca (THE BRIDGES ON MADISON COUNTY).
Singapore and US roles included Blue Fairy (PINOCCHIO) and Thanh (THE REAL LOVE MUSICAL), respectively. Ampil also recorded the MISS SAIGON’S COMPLETE INTERNATIONAL SYMPHONIC Recording as Kim, Mary Magdalene in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’s 1996 revival, Beatriz in THE POSTMAN AND THE POET, REACH FOR THE STARS CD Single and Self-titled Albums under JAY RECORDS and VIVA PHILIPPINES. Television, film, radio and concerts among others included WEST END WOMEN UK National tour, ENTENTE CORDIAL-LES MISERABLES’ SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY including her majesty the Queen, President Jacques Chirac and former Prime Minister Tony blair at the Windsor Palace, THE PHILIPPINE-VIETNAM FRIENDSHIP CONCERT (Hanoi Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City), featured in films ONE DAY (Lone Scherfig as director) and LARAWAN (A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO, Loy Arcenas as director).
In DEFYING GRAVITY, Ampil was joined by some of Broadway’s and Australian’s greats: two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes), American theatre, television and film actor Aaron Tveit (Danny in Fox’s Grease Live & Enjolras in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Miserables), Australian artist Helen Dallimore (Glinda in UK Wicked opposite Idina Menzel, UK Into the Woods and Blood Brothers and Australian productions of Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening and the Republic of Myopia) and another Australia’s own David Harris (Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, Miss Saigon, Wicked and Children of Eden among others). The concert had the legendary Voice of Broadway and Tony Award winner Betty Buckley as its special guest.
Prior to the concert Buckley praised Ampil’s singing aptitude and character while on a TV appearance on STUDIO TEN. Schwartz hailed the casts and all actors in the highly-competitive professional musical theatre as they have ‘defied gravity’. In a Skype interview with TRIPLE H 100.1FM RADIO TAGUMPAY team (Ms Violi Calvert and the writer, with Ms Pin Montemayor as recording support) Ampil spoke about what keeps the ‘fire burning’ for her.
She commented:
“I guess it’s also from the people who support me who keep coming to the shows that I do and there are people like that. They always message me. They send me an email saying Oh I would like for you to do this. I love watching you in that etc etc. You know, sometimes you hear that and it makes..warms your heart. And there’s this passion that I do it for myself more than anything.”
DEFYING GRAVITY Concert: The Songs of Schwartz was produced by Enda Markey who brought the SIDE by SIDE BY SONDHEIM in 2012 and DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING in 2013. The latter toured from Shanghai to Taipei and Manila. The AU$710,000 proceeds of the Manila concert were used to assist in the rebuilding of homes ruined by typhoon Yolanda through the HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PHILIPPINES. DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING will continually tour until at least in 2017 including Australia.
Filipino beauty queen Kylie Verzosa, Miss International 2016
by Jinky Marsh, 31st Oct 2016
Twenty-four year old Kylie Verzosa has sustained the Philippines’ impressive track record in the international beauty competition by her her win on 27th October win in the 56th Miss International Beauty Pageant held at Tokyo Dome City Hall. The title follows Kylie’s winning 2016 Binibining Pilipinas International. Kylie is the sixth Filipino winner of the Miss International pageant following Bea Rose Santiago (2013), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Melanie Marquez (1979), Aurora Pijuan (1970) and Gemma Cruz (1963). Promoting intercultural relations is the main motto of the Miss International pageant. Being in the top 15 of the Miss international 2016, it was Kylie’s speech that gave her the edge over the 68 other aspirants for the most coveted crown.
Kylie said: “Three things come to mind when i think of Miss International: culture, education and international understanding. These three work together to make the brand of a Miss International beauty pageant relevant to the global community into our time. If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding, because I believe that it is with developing in each one sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference[s] and appreciate diversity. All of these enable us to achieve international understanding.”
RADIO TAGUMPAY INTERVIEW
This writer had the pleasure of interviewing Kylie for Triple H 100.1FM Radio Tagumpay in April this year after she won the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas International crown. Now, we join the countless Filipinos from all over the world in celebrating her triumph in the recently concluded 2016 Miss International Beauty Pageant. We are delighted to share the interview which offers insights and glimpses of Kylie’s journey through life towards being a recognised Filipino beauty queen with a purpose.
Who influenced you in joining the beauty pageant?
“My mum was in Binibining Pilipinas top 15 in 1964. She influenced me a bit but never encouraged me, never pushed me so I can say all the decisions I made were by my own choices. I was in the fashion industry and I said – why not try it”.
What are your goals and purposes after winning the Binibining Pilipinas crown?
“I want to help as much as I can especially now that I have been given an opportunity to help people more. I’ve been given a stronger voice now that my voice is being heard. It is being recognised and I can use this so much more to talk what I truly care about, mental health awareness and things that are relevant in our society today.”
What are your preparations for your upcoming Miss International Pageant in Japan?
“…We are doing now media tours..I dieted a lot. I work hard for it. I practice. I practice even without my mentors. I also prepared my mind for it. I want people to know that these things don’t come naturally. Our bodies don’t come naturally. You have to work hard for it. Everything comes from hard work and the value of hard work is what I learned from this pageant. It truly does pay off.”
What has changed in you apart from having the crown?
“My personality and my attitude. I can say I have matured a lot. I have matured exponentially. I can do more greater things in the future.”
What is ‘tagumpay’ for you Kylie?
“Success is how hard you strive for the things you want in life and eventually success comes when you are ready for it, when you have worked hard for it and when you deserve it. But ultimately, I believe that success is when you are truly happy.”
What is your message to Filipinos in Australia?
“Thank you so much for all your support and for all the fans in Australia, I commend you for being so strong, for being able to leave the country. Thank you for representing the Philippines and for making us proud and for all sacrifices you’ve made. So, thank you so much for all your support.”
ABOUT KYLIE VERZOSA
Kylie Verzosa, who was born and brought up in Baguio City, is a 2013 graduate of Ateneo de Manila University holding a Bachelor of Arts major in Business Management with minor in Marketing. She initially worked for companies such as Smart and Preschool International as a pre-school teacher. She was also a part of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation whose mission is to promote the awareness and understanding of Depression as a medical condition. She later worked as a print, ramp and commercial model in the Philippines for two to three years and eventually continued on, three months each, in Singapore and Hong Kong. It was in the fashion industry where her Binibining Pilipinas journey started.
Kylie won the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas International crown after her first try-out in 2015 in the same pageant which landed her in the semi-finals. She persevered and gladly said: “The second time, I worked hard for it. I learned from my first time. I learned from my experiences.”
Apart from winning the Binibining Pilipinas, Kylie also won The Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic), Reader’s Choice and Jag She’s Got the Look special awards.
2. http://thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/fil-aussie-soprano-sarah-ampil-shines-with-triple-wins-in-singing-competitions/
Philippine Champion Team Competes in 2016 Robotics Competition
by Jinky Marsh, 31st Oct 2016
All-girls Ubuntu Imagineers of Dr Yanga’s Colleges Inc. which won over 20 teams in the 2016 Philippine Robotics competition, returned to Sydney to represent the Philippines in the 2016 FIRST Lego League (FLL). The team’s robot entries for 2016 were designed to produce papers and pencils from recycled materials. The design responded to the need of these basic school supplies in Bulacan where Ubuntu Imagineers reside. The team earned the 2015 Inspiration Award with the robotic Lego Ludwig hand which plays the piano and composes music to aid upper extremities amputees.
FIRST which stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” is an international youth organisation that conducts various international competitions including the FLL Open Championships. FIRST Lego League Open Championships are competitions in robotics held and managed by FLL partners to bring FLL teams from various states, regions and countries together to compete in host cities worldwide. FLL Asia Pacific Open Championship Australia was organised in 2013 with Macquarie University as host. Each participating country holds its own national competition to choose its representative/s in any FLL international competitions.
The Philippines started joining the FLL World Festival in the USA in 2012 and the FLL Asia Pacific Open in 2013. DYCI Ubuntu Imagineers also represented the Philippines in 2015 and won the Inspiration Award. Another DYCI team, the All-boys Blue Ocean 10, also represented the Philippines and won the Research Award in the 2016 FLL World Festival in Boston, Massachusetts. The Philippines has also won the Best Project Presentation Awards in two FLL World Festival events in 2012 and 2014, the Judges Award in the FLL Asia Pacific Open 2013 and the Best Mentor Award for their coach, Mr Beryl Cruz, in the 2015 World Lego Festival.
Mr Yanga’s inspiring words about the team members of UBUNTU Imagineers were:
“As I always say to them – they are winners in my eyes not only they because they are competing here but they make robots to make a difference in the society. If they win, it will just be a bonus. Being here is already a victory for me and I know that they represnt the Philippines very well. Ang tagumpay ay pagtulong sa kapwa, pagtaas at pag-akyat ng anta ng ibang buhay ng iba sa pamagitaan ng pagtulong natin sa kanila.”
2016 Robotics Competition
This year’s competition was opened with a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House Main Concert Hall on the 3rd July whilst exhibit and presentation of winners were held at the Macquarie University on the 4th to 5th July. The event was participated by 44 teams from 21 countries. There were 14 awards presented which included the 3 Judges Awards, 3 Core Values Awards and the Championship Award. The Closing Ceremony Speaker, Macquarie University Dean Michael Heimlich highlighted that FLL believes in the youth who will be the ones who will change our world. The competition encourages problem solving, teamwork and innovation.
The 2016 FLL Championship Award went to Samurai 7 (Japan) which embodied the FLL design, performance and core values. Samurai’s 7’s entry tested solution to reduce tons of waste. The team’s performance on opening and discussion with the judges were of excellent, coherent and compelling.
All 3 Judges awards went to Brazil teams : The Positive Award (Insabots), Out of Box Award ( Rosminiter) and Less is More Award ( Robuscus). The FLL Core Values Awards were won by the Polymono of Hongkong (Teamwork Award), Project Bucephalus of Australia (Inspiration Award) and Intersecting Spino of Turkey (Gracious Professionalism Award).
Other awardees were as follows: Referees of New Zealand (Mechanical Design Award), Robo Knight United of Australia (Programming Award), Hefei 8 Middle School of China (Strategy and Innovation Award), Transformers of Australia (Robot Performance Award), Dream Up of South Korea (Research Award), Cura of Hongkong (Innovative Solution Award) and Bintulu Hawks of Malaysia (Presentation Award).
About the Philippine Ubuntu Team
The Philippine team’s name Ubuntu was derived from a Swahili word made famous by the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, which means “I am because we are”. Hence Ubuntu Imagineers team encompasses the team’s vision of unity and togetherness among its team members. All the members of the UBUNTU Imagineers are students of Dr Yanga’s Colleges Inc. from Bocaue, Bulacan. The team was briefly accompanied by Mr Michael Yanga, Vice-President for Basic Education of DYCI. Dr Yanga was his father who was a distinguished medical doctor, inventor, music lover and philanthropist.
The selection of the Philippine team representative was organised by Felta Multi-Media Inc. Chief Operating Officer Mylene Abiva. Ms Abiva was also the 2014 ASEAN Business Leader (Women Category), the 2015 ASEAN Woman Entrepreneur Awardee, 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Woman Entrepreneur) and 2009 Gawad Lider in Science and Technology.
3. http://thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/fil-aussie-soprano-sarah-ampil-shines-with-triple-wins-in-singing-competitions/
Fil-Aussie Soprano Sarah Ampil Shines with Triple Wins in Singing Competitions
By Jinky Marsh, 11th July 2016
Twenty-four year old Fil-Aussie Soprano Sarah Ampil from Sydney recently earned a triple win in prestigious singing competitions. In the 2016 International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) Australian Singing Competition (ASC) Semi-Finals Concert held on 3 July 2016, Ampil received the Lana Woolf Prize which entitles her to training in the French language courtesy of senior French teacher Lana Woolf. She also won 1st Place in the two sections of the 2016 Sydney Eisteddfod, namely the Operatic Aria and Oratorio held 9 and 16 July respectively at the Shore School North Sydney.
IFAC ASC which was launched in 1982 is Australasia’s richest competition for young opera and classical singers providing generous cash prizes, awards, career development opportunities both locally and overseas. It evolved from the Marianne Mathy Scholarship established through the bequest made by Marianne Mathy-Frisdane, a notable teacher of opera and classical singing. The semi-finals concert was held at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney.
There were nine semi-finalists aged 22 to 25 years from New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. The 10th semi-finalist was Fleuranne Brockway, a Filipino-Australian mezzo-soprano from Western Australia who withdrew from the competition due to conflict of schedule. The semi-finalists articulated each their song interpretations with evocative storytelling. Songs selected included pieces from the Three Pastoral Songs, The Medium, La Travaviata, Tolomeo, Cosi Fan Tutte and Carmen. Ampil, the first contestant, gave her soaring renditions of Heimliches Lieben (Secret Love) by Franz Schubert (Op.106 No.1) and Je suis encor tout etourdie (“I am still completely dazed.”) from opera comique Manon by Jules Massenet which earned her the Lana Woolf Prize.
The Sydney Eisteddfod, on the other hand, which was established in 1933 is an independent, registered charity and cultural organisation that runs a competitive performing arts festival from May to September annually. It event attracts around 35,000 entrants with a program of under 350 contemporary and classical events that provide performance opportunities for singers, dancers, actors, musicians, composers, bands, choirs and orchestras in various venues across Sydney.
The Operatic Aria section of the Eisteddfod was sponsored by Andrea Ward and Ian Diamond. Bach & Vivaldi cantatas were permissible in the Oratorio section and Da Capo sections were required to be sung. Ampil’s Eisteddfod win qualified her for the Senior Vocal Scholarship (Joan Sutherland Memorial Award) which will be held in the same venue on 14 July 2016. More information on this competition can be viewed at https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/sydney-eisteddfod-joan-sutherland-memorial-senior-vocal-scholarship-21-25-years/
Ampil holds a Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera Performance) and Master of Music Studies (Performance) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. She was named a Pacific Opera Young Artist and one of only three recipients of the 2015 Sydney Opera House Opera Award. The latter granted her the opportunity to participate in the Renee Fleming Masterclass.
Also in 2015, Ampil was a runner up of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria Competition and the winner of the Lieder section at the Hawkesbury Eistedfodd. Ampil aims to audition for Young Artist Programmes in United States of America and Europe whilst continuing her training in the key European languages.
4. thefilipinoaustralian.com/blogs/filipino-west-end-star-joanna-ampil-wows-sydney-in-defying-gravity-concert-the-songs-of-stephen-schwartz-from-godspell-to-wicked/
Filipino West-End Star Joanna Ampil Wows Sydney in “Defying Gravity Concert: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz From ‘Godspell’ to ‘Wicked'”
By Jinky Marsh, 18th Feb 2016
Global Filipino artist Joanna Ampil wowed the audiences of the three shows of the DEFYING GRAVITY CONCERT featuring the songs of the charismatic composer Stephen Schwartz. The concert was held at the Theatre Royal in Sydney on the 12th to 13th February 2016. Schwartz is the composer of record-breaking GODSPELL and PIPPIN. These were followed by Oscar-winning Disney musicals POCAHONTAS, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and ENCHANTED and most recently and currently running on Broadway, the WICKED. The concert used narrations and video clips to bring the audience in the 45year journey of Schwartz straight from university at the age of 23 with the bible-inspired GODSPELL to the sensational WICKED. His evocative and insightful compositions were magnified in the compelling renditions of the stellar cast.
Ampil mesmerised the concert audience with her heartfelt and impressive interpretations of The Lion Tamer (THE MAGIC SHOW), Colours of the Wind (POCAHONTAS), Toxic People (from the album UNCHARTED TERRITORY with Callimore, Harris and Tveirt), The Wizard and I (WICKED) on the first act and That’s How You Know (ENCHANTED with Harris) on the second act. Ampil’s articulation, warmth and soaring voice mixed with her poise and elegance on stage show why she is one of the most sought-after musical theatre artists.
Ampil played the lead role Kim in the original MISS SAIGON Australian production in 1996 and was nominated for Mo Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Ampil’s other theatre credits included the most coveted theatre roles in West End – Kim (MISS SAIGON), Mary Magdalene (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), Eponine/ Fantine (LES MIS), Shiela Franklin (HAIR), Heidi (I SING), Mimi (RENT), Christmas Eve (AVENUE Q) and Grizabella (CATS). Philippine roles included Maria (WEST SIDE STORY), Maria (THE SOUND OF MUSIC), Nellie Forbush (SOUTH PACIFIC), Dina/Jaya (CHUVA CHOO CHOO) and Francesca (THE BRIDGES ON MADISON COUNTY).
Singapore and US roles included Blue Fairy (PINOCCHIO) and Thanh (THE REAL LOVE MUSICAL), respectively. Ampil also recorded the MISS SAIGON’S COMPLETE INTERNATIONAL SYMPHONIC Recording as Kim, Mary Magdalene in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’s 1996 revival, Beatriz in THE POSTMAN AND THE POET, REACH FOR THE STARS CD Single and Self-titled Albums under JAY RECORDS and VIVA PHILIPPINES. Television, film, radio and concerts among others included WEST END WOMEN UK National tour, ENTENTE CORDIAL-LES MISERABLES’ SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY including her majesty the Queen, President Jacques Chirac and former Prime Minister Tony blair at the Windsor Palace, THE PHILIPPINE-VIETNAM FRIENDSHIP CONCERT (Hanoi Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City), featured in films ONE DAY (Lone Scherfig as director) and LARAWAN (A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO, Loy Arcenas as director).
In DEFYING GRAVITY, Ampil was joined by some of Broadway’s and Australian’s greats: two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes), American theatre, television and film actor Aaron Tveit (Danny in Fox’s Grease Live & Enjolras in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Miserables), Australian artist Helen Dallimore (Glinda in UK Wicked opposite Idina Menzel, UK Into the Woods and Blood Brothers and Australian productions of Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening and the Republic of Myopia) and another Australia’s own David Harris (Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, Miss Saigon, Wicked and Children of Eden among others). The concert had the legendary Voice of Broadway and Tony Award winner Betty Buckley as its special guest.
Prior to the concert Buckley praised Ampil’s singing aptitude and character while on a TV appearance on STUDIO TEN. Schwartz hailed the casts and all actors in the highly-competitive professional musical theatre as they have ‘defied gravity’. In a Skype interview with TRIPLE H 100.1FM RADIO TAGUMPAY team (Ms Violi Calvert and the writer, with Ms Pin Montemayor as recording support) Ampil spoke about what keeps the ‘fire burning’ for her.
She commented:
“I guess it’s also from the people who support me who keep coming to the shows that I do and there are people like that. They always message me. They send me an email saying Oh I would like for you to do this. I love watching you in that etc etc. You know, sometimes you hear that and it makes..warms your heart. And there’s this passion that I do it for myself more than anything.”
DEFYING GRAVITY Concert: The Songs of Schwartz was produced by Enda Markey who brought the SIDE by SIDE BY SONDHEIM in 2012 and DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING in 2013. The latter toured from Shanghai to Taipei and Manila. The AU$710,000 proceeds of the Manila concert were used to assist in the rebuilding of homes ruined by typhoon Yolanda through the HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PHILIPPINES. DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING will continually tour until at least in 2017 including Australia.
Cultural Geography in the Live Recording of Santorini
in Yanni LIVE in Acropolis Music Video
(J. Marsh - UTS MAP Autumn 2017 Sound & Interaction)
ABSTRACT
Musical composers and lyricists often choose words and sounds which symbolize geographical features and contents. Byklum in his article entitled Geography and Music: Making the Connection explored the relation that existed between geography and popular music. Popular music can serve as a valuable source for geographers to further understand human culture (Byklum, 1994). Santorini is the opening number in the live music video of Yanni Live in Acropolis. The composition was created by a famous Greek composer and self-taught pianist Yanni Chrysomallis. Santorini is inspired by a famous volcano in Greece. This makes the composition and sound recording symbolic and iconic.
It is a blend of jazz, classical, soft rock and world music including Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. With a full scale orchestra, the music is combined with electronic music synthesisers. Exotic instruments are incorporated in the music to produce a vibrant sound for the theatre arena audience.
Musical composers and lyricists often choose words and sounds which symbolize geographical features and contents. Byklum in his article entitled Geography and Music: Making the Connection explored the relation that existed between geography and popular music. Popular music can serve as a valuable source for geographers to further understand human culture (Byklum, 1994). Santorini is the opening number in the live music video of Yanni Live in Acropolis. The composition was created by a famous Greek composer and self-taught pianist Yanni Chrysomallis. Santorini is inspired by a famous volcano in Greece. This makes the composition and sound recording symbolic and iconic.
It is a blend of jazz, classical, soft rock and world music including Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. With a full scale orchestra, the music is combined with electronic music synthesisers. Exotic instruments are incorporated in the music to produce a vibrant sound for the theatre arena audience.
INTRODUCTION
Murray Schafer noted in his book Audio Culture that there are two basic natures of music which are illustrated in two Greek myths, namely Pindar’s twelfth Pythian Ode and Homeric hymn to Hermes. The former suggests that music originates from a subjective emotion while the latter comes with the discovery of universal elements that are in peaceful harmony with each other (Schafer, 2004). As time progresses, music is created from the subjective expression of the romanticist in terms of rhythm, dynamics and tonal mix. Relatively, Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, a famous German novelist, dramatist and philosopher noted that the mind can conceive the work of art through the communion with the heart (New World Encyclopedia 2015). The principles of the French Revolution paved the way to the era of Romantic music. It arose from the revolt against the period of enlightenment prior to the nineteenth century which ran roughly from 1815 to 1910. It gave freedom from the classical notions of art forms. During this period, music was no longer considered of divine origin but rather of simple subjective collaboration accessible to humanity. Public performances became more prevalent as opposed to private events sponsored by the elite and aristocrats. Romanticism evokes imagination and expresses strong emotion in a soft dreamy atmosphere. The artistic style of the Romantic movement has lasting appeal than the intellect and the will as human emotion runs stronger and deeper to the core of one’s being. Two of the top known Romantic composers who used traditional structures, nationalistic elements and tonality in music were Russian Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky and German Johannes Brahms (Halse 2015). Another Romantic composer who also used music as distinct expression for one’s own nation was Czech Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884). Smetana, known for being his country’s first nationalist composer, incorporated Czech folk songs and dances written in operas. One of his famous opera, Brandenburgers in Bohemia with a libretto by Karel Sabina, described as a Bohemian rebellion against the Teutonic invaders. This musical art work was strongly Wagnerian combined with Bohemian folk songs and dances (New World Encyclopedia 2016). In this day and age, Yanni’s music whose genres are world music, new age, instrumental and contemporary, relatively reflects his subjective emotions, personal encounters with various cultures and his passion and longing for unified world through music. He incorporates performing artists and musicians, ethnic instruments from various parts of the globe, drama, dynamics and romanticism into his concerts. SIGNIFICANCE Santorini, being the opening number in the live music video of Yanni Live in Acropolis, sets the mood and atmosphere of music as a universal language. It is a blend of jazz, classical, soft rock and world music including Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The harmony that each instrument makes intimately communicates to the listener. Music is a language and a wonderful expression in sound. The dynamics of the sound significantly feature the sounds of the instruments using equalization, pitch and modulation, in a solo performance or in full scale orchestra, to bring the listener to reflective state and enjoyment. His music is observed to be ethereal, delicate, soothing, delicate, romantic and yearning. Yanni LIVE in Acropolis was Yanni’s first successful concert which became the second best selling music video of all time, with Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the first. Following this success and recognition, Yanni has performed in concerts held in 7 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites : The Taj Mahal, The Forbidden City, El Morro, Carthage, The Kremlin, Byblos and Giza Pyramids. This continually achieves his personal philosophy of “one world, one people”. His audience of different backgrounds and origins become united with the music and sounds. Yanni’s music was stapled in the Chinese educational system. He is also the first artist to be given the honour to adopt a Chinese giant panda cub, reserved almost exclusively for nations. He named his cub Santorini. ANALYSIS Yanni incorporates various instruments in his music and performance played by musicians different countries including England, Germany, Venezuela, Paraguay, China, Canada, USA, Russia, Armenia and Greece. Following are the instruments included in his full scale orchestra.
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IMPACTS Yanni’s Santorini and other compositions are well acknowledged in China and composed a ten episode history of the Northern Silk Road trading route, The Hexi corridor, the most important trading route to Central Asia. Many of his supporters claim healing in their lives emotionally and physically. His music inspired 4 Televised Sporting Events, namely: The US Open Tennis Championships, The World Series (Masters) and Olympic Games and Tour De France: Yanni has also composed the theme for the ABC TV nightly news World New Now. He collaborated with Malcolm McLaren on the award winning commercial for the Bristish Airways. Following this was scoring music for a US government film biography of our Pope John Paul II. His music has sold 20million records and garnered 35 gold and platinum awards. This proves that music can impact lives of people. Music is language that effectively communicates. CONCLUSION Yanni’s Santorini composition in particular epitomises the balance and unity of culture with the incorporation of various instruments from all over the world. The dynamics and drama it involves give him a relative description of a romantic composer of today in the sense of using his subjective expression of emotions and traditional structures, nationalistic elements and tonality in music. Furthermore, Yanni’s philosophy of “one world, one people” built in his music relates to Schaffer’s two origin of music: one coming from personal affective function and the other from the discovery of universal elements that are in peaceful harmony with each other. Yanni’s discovery of the unique value of every culture found in music leads to the need to integrate each discovery to one creation. The sound of the brass instruments that seems to create chaotic experience is equalized with the simply expressive piano, being the highlight instrument. The participation of ethnic and exotic instruments in the full scale orchestra gives freedom of expression and music accessibility from the classical notions of musical art forms. The new age music of Yanni is a valuable source for geographers to further the understanding of human culture. The collaboration of performing artists and musicians in this piece Santorini evokes harmony and unity amongst listeners. Being the opening number of the concert Yanni LIVE in Acropolis, Santorini primarily invites and engages locals and Greek nationals to their culture and scenic spot, the Santorini. REFERENCES: 1. Byklum, D. 1994, ‘Geography and music: Making the connection’, Journal of Geography, vol 93, no.6, pp274-278. 2. Halse, J. 2015, Top 10 romantic composers, Gramophone, viewed 8 June 2017, <https://gramophone.co.uk/feature/top-10-romantic-composers> 3. New World Encyclopedia 2016, Bedrich Smetana, viewed 8 June 2017, <http://newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Bed%C5%99ich_Smetana&oldid=9 9612> 4. New World Encyclopedia 2015, Romantic music, viewed 9 June 2017, <http://newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Romantic_music&oldid=989486> 5. Olsen, J. 2014. Yanni Interview. New Age Music World. Viewed 8th June 2017 <http://www.newagemusicworld.com/tag/yanni/> 6. Schafer, M. 2004. Audio culture: readings in modern music. Eds Cox, C & Warner, D. New York: Continuum. 7. Weiner Elementary School, Featured musician of the week: Yanni, viewed 7 June 2017, <http://www.weinerelementary.org/yanni.html> 8. Yanni Orchestra, viewed 8 June 2017, <http://www.yanni.com/orchestra> 9. Yanni Tribute – Santorini. Viewed 8 June 2017 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbfQvfQ6g0> 10. Yanni Use of World Music Instrument. Viewed 7 June 2017, <https://prezi.com/- h0iqqib4xbc/yannis-use-of-world-music-instruments/> |