Category Archives: Arts

Arts, Entertainment, Film and TV, Local News, Politics

Will The Real Lucy Please Step Forward?

August 15, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

CELORON, New York (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – A statue of Lucille Ball was erected last year in her hometown of Celoron, New York. Immediately, it was mocked by many, especially the loyal fans because it looked nowhere like the American television’s iconic comedian.

Over the weekend, it was finally replaced with a statue designed by Carolyn Palmer, unveiled before adoring Lucy fans.

But in a surprising turn of events this week, the new statue was again replaced, this time with the image of Melania Trump.

The Adobo Chronicles learned that the Trump Organization purchased the new statue and paid the local government an undisclosed amount as part of Donald Trump’s campaign strategy in his home state of New York.

“We are very confident that New Yorkers love Melania and even more confident that she will become the next First Lady,” a Trump spokesperson said. “So we saw it fit to erect a statue in her honor. Plus, we think it is a prime real estate acquisition.”

Residents of Celoron are planning a massive protest rally at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park on Friday.

Arts, Fashion, Government

Filipino Designers Frown At President Duterte’s Fashion Style

July 9, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Two men in a barong tagalog: President Duterte, left, and Prime Minister Trudeau, right

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The barong tagalog is the Filipino equivalent of the black tie or tuxedo — the male formal attire that comes with strict rules on how to wear it.

It is no secret that Filipino designers frown at President Rodrigo Duterte’s rogue style of wearing the barong which might just give birth to a new, unconventional fashion sense.

When wearing the barong, the rules are clear: button up all the way to the collar, cuffs neatly pressed against each other and secured by metal or bejewelled links, well-pressed black or dark plants, plain black socks and shiny black shoes — exactly the way Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore his during the most recent Asia Pacific Economic (APEC) Summit meeting in Manila.

But who dares dictate how Duterte should wear his barong? His preference is unbuttoned up to three levels down the collar, rolled up sleeves (ready to go to work), blue denim pants and brown shoes.

Former President NoyNoy Aquino had his own fashion style — bright yellow t-shirts or yellow ribbon pinned to his suit or barong. Nobody complained.

So why would anyone complain about Duterte’s style? After all, he has said in the past that the barong tagalog is worn at funerals, so give the man some slack.

Arts, Beauty, Government, Tourism

Mayor Estrada Wants To Convert Manila’s Slums Into Colorful Murals

June 21, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Metro Manila slums, left, and the mural project in La Trinidad, Benguet, right

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – If you can’t lick ’em, join ’em. This seems to be the stance of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada as his administration tries to find a solution to the growing slum problem in his city.

Slum areas abound in the city, and while they are a testament to the reality of Manila’s overcrowding and poverty, they are also an inevitable eye sore that have put a dent on the government’s efforts to promote tourism.

So, Estrada is proposing to convert all slum areas into colorful murals, an idea that he is copying from a mural project in La Trinidad, the capital of Benguet province.

The La Trinidad mural involves the painting of houses located at Stonehill above the Balili river. A total of 170 houses have been colorized to simulate giant flowers with multicolored petals. It has been a work of volunteers, including residents on the hill.

The La Trinidad mural approximates that of the famed favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In announcing his plan, Estrada said that the city government will provide free paint to slum residents who will color their abode with carefully coordinated designs by professional artists.

The Adobo Chronicles learned that some slum areas will look like hills blooming with sunflowers while others will look like extensions of Manila Bay, where even the polluted water of the Pasig River will be painted blue to simulate the ocean. There will no longer be a need to “hide” Manila’s street children during international events since they will look like happy kids playing at white sand beaches which will also be part of the mural.

Estrada hopes that once the city-wide project is completed, Manila will once again become a favorite destination of tourists and be chosen as the site for many international gatherings including the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, the World Cup, the Olympics and perhaps even the Cannes Film Festival.