ANDREW KUYKENDALL SHOOT FOR BMM MAGAZINE - VIDEO BY JEAN - PIERRE CANER

Andrew Kuykendall @ Larapixie

Andrew Kuykendall Photography from Jean-Pierre Caner on Vimeo.

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SURVIVAL OR FLIGHT OF FANTASY - MORE MUSINGS ON LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND IDENTITY

Thinking over dinner, it occurred to me that perhaps language might be as interchangeable as our personalities. It might be argued that we have more than one identity, and in just the same way that a chameleon changes colour to suit its environment in order to survive, perhaps homo sapiens changes his/her identity to do the same. I wonder about people who become insane. Do they stop interchanging identities? Is there a mechanism in their brain that finally says, 'That's it... this is just too much trouble and slip into the murkiness of madness!' Human beings are fragile, sensitive and easily hurt, and quite often more than they like to admit to themselves or others. There has to be some kind of in-built, mental protection system.

If we have a box of identities, in which to dip and don, then perhaps there is also a box of matching languages comprising: love, reason, disappointment, anger, frustration, sensible, nurturing etc. etc.

It would seem that there is a basic language of survival that we use in our everyday living, buying houses, insurance, cars, shopping, teaching our children right from wrong ...etc.

Then perhaps there is a language of transportation; a 'flight of fancy' vehicle that can take us anywhere we dare to go; the language of our imaginations, poetry, prose, music and art. If we were locked in the basic everyday language of living, perhaps we would go insane, or at least become indifferent to the simple joys of life. In that case then, perhaps this could also be called a language of survival... Mk II

There is no doubt that I have moved on considerably from my starting point of earlier today, when I spoke about removing conventional language from the exercises involved in my youngsters' work in action yesterday. There is no doubt in my mind, that certain words can trap us into a stifling uniformity of reactionary behaviour. The responses of these children to their partners who spoke nonsensical 'gobbledegook' were spontaneous reactions to physical gestures and vocalized intention and intonation, rather than a verbalized language. Within a play, unless there are specific stage directions as in Samuel Becketts' plays, (The Beckett foundation are totalitarian in their approach to performance. Every stage direction has to be strictly adhered to.) the interpretation of the written word is up for grabs, with much depending upon director and actors. However, within the drama of REAL life and the modern times in which we live, electronic communications, such as emails and texts, with their obvious absence of vocalized intent and intonation, are by their nature open to serious mis-interpretation!

Ciao for now!

ps. My apolgies once more for untidiness of lay-out. Can't change position of photos, paragraphs etc. Gadget widget has disappeared too. Haven't been able to publish comments either. Will try to organize from another computer! Please be patient with me. Think its to do with browsers etc.!?!?

THE ART OF COMMUNICATION

As a drama teacher and director, it is my job is to help to ease the performer into a place, whereby they can achieve a more convincing multi-dimensional portrayal of a character within a given context. Most aspiring performers are bound and gagged by an inner voice, known in drama circles as ' the Cop in the Head', a phrase coined by Argentinian practitioner, Augusto Boal.

Yesterday, as some of my students were missing because of the Easter break, I put away the rehearsal schedule for up and coming production of 'Annie' to work on this age-old problem and affliction, with an exercise that was introduced to me at UCC. It has been my experience that children are able to comprehend much more than we 'adults' give them credit for.

I have two groups 5-10 yr olds and 11- 16yr olds and quite often exercises vary accordingly.

I decided that this particular exercise might be applicable for both age groups, and dividing them into pairs, I threw them into the space with no suggestions of time, place, or character and stripped away conventional language. They could only use 'gobbledegook'... probably more akin to the language of our neanderthal forefathers. Miriam, my assistant, (who is hoping to get onto the drama/theatre studies course in UCC this coming September) and myself threw ourselves into the space to show them what was expected of this exercise. There are always one or two extremely quiet youngsters in the group, as there are always one or two, who constantly talk when they should be listening. I was amazed that once the conventional language tool of their existence was removed, a more direct and honest communication seemed to surface. The quieter ones of the groups seemed to be more at ease liberated and likewise the attention seekers within the group were more relaxed and centred.

It is said that verbal language developed to enhance co-operation amongst the hunters, which led to the migration and success of human societies throughout the world, as people needed to eat and proliferate. Trading systems sprang from this and cuneiform writing developed in West Asia c.3000BCE as a means to record commercial transactions and inventories. The hyoid bone found in the neck, between the larynx and pharynx, which is required for speech to occur, is believed to have developed in Homo heidebergensis about 400,000 years ago. It wasn't until 100,000 years later as the base of the skull evolved, that articulate speech could develop. There is an on-going debate about whether neanderthal man was capable of fully articulate speech, because of the position of the larynx etc. Some anthropologists say they had the communication skills of modern infants. (That's interesting! Methinks I'll return to this point later!) It is commonly acknowledged that the language we know today would have been recognizable around 40,000 years ago, during the time known as 'The Great Leap Forward'.

I find myself in a constant debate with myself about the whole nature of language, and I know I tend to over-simplify things. It would seem that the spoken language was a tool that developed in order for the human species to survive... to exist. I'm back, I suppose to my soap-box again, because now I believe that the spoken language that once aided development and survival, is often being mis-used and manipulated by governments, multi-million dollar drug industries, the advertising media, religious bodies..etc..etc. Does our general acceptance of this behaviour reflect a further evolution within homo sapiens? Of course the whole notion of the word 'survival' has changed, and in particular, the Western World. At one time 'survival' was to do with having a roof over ones head and enough food to eat. Now, in many cases, its about what car you drive, what handbag you buy, whether you can have one holiday a year or two!

Wouldn't it make sense then that the nature and conscience of language has changed to suit, perhaps without even our knowing. If we want to pretend that we haven't regressed into greedy, self-serving barbarians, then we can manipulate our highly sophisticated language to suit. Some would say we were always barbarians ... just dressed differently! Did language ever have a conscience? Does the spoken language coommunicate emotions effectively? Was the spoken language developed from a metaphysical or scientific base or both? It would seem to me that words rarely convey the true nature of our feelings, without being cliched or somehow trite. How do you describe disaster? Do photographs capture that more readily? Have we become immune to those too, following years of witnessing images of the holocaust, starving children of Biafra and Ethiopia etc. So what was different about the recent Tsunami around Thailand and environs? Did the images, that caused an unprecedented amount of financial aid contribution from millions of individual citizens globally, strike so much more of a chord, because we watched the images of destruction and devastation unfold before our very eyes on our own TV screens!This is a debate that could go on ... and on.

There are those who have real problems connecting to their hearts, feelings and emotions, and thereby a direct and truthful communication is difficult. This calls for patience and understanding. Then, of course, there are those, who deliberately set out to mislead. Some are addicted to the taste of words on their palates as others are to Swiss or Belgian chocolate, and while both are capable of stimulating the release of happy endorphins, they lack real substance! There is an honesty between a poet and his words, a composer and his notes, an artist with his paints that speaks volumes to me. Somehow, they haven't been interrupted by the head and its workings.

Because of the nature of my job, and because I am a political animal, I find myself more and more interested in the way people use words. During my time in UCC, it was sometimes painfully obvious that some lecturers were 'talking at you' as opposed to 'talking to you'. It seemed that it was not really their intention to share their knowledge with you, their main concern was to support themselves in further research. There appeared to be a concerted effort on the part of some to shroud things in academic, quite often empty rhetorical jargon as if communicating knowledge was part and parcel of some kind of exclusive club or secret society like the Free Masons or Knights of St. Templar. I have so much admiration for people who actually enjoy sharing their knowledge with others, and if they don't succeed following one tack, will try another, because receiving and learning is dependent on the individual.

Back to Neanderthal man and their connection to the language of wee ones. Small children don't engage with their heads too much in their communications, they speak from their hearts. I'm not a regular church-goer... I like churches when they're empty ... just me and Jesus, but there is one occasion that sticks out in my mind like the Spike in Dublin. I'd had quite a large operation performed in Galway some years ago, and decided to visit the little chapel within the hospital to give thanks for coming out of the anaesthetic at least... I was alive! The priest was humble, a good speaker and spoke about this very subject. He said we were all too busy 'thinking' instead of 'feeling'. I found myself in floods of tears and even spoke out during the ceremony. This holy man just made so much sense to me! Yes one might say I would be inclined to weepiness following surgery, but his words of communication were just so direct and heartfelt... that's what touched me so deeply.

On a less abstract note, I would like to congratulate Tom Hayes Fine Gael TD South Tipperary for circulating, 'Know Where You Stand', a guide to entitlements. I am not aligned to any particular political party at present, but would have socialist leanings. I have lived in Ireland now for 34 years, and I believe this is the most important piece of political literature to come through my letter box. This is an honest, direct, well-meaning 'communication'. I am not certain whether this is part of the Fine Gael party initiative, or part of Tom's personal agenda, but it is hugely welcome. There are people who know absolutely everything there is to know about the system and make it work to the tax-payers disavantage at times, but there are also many, and in particular, older citizens, who have no idea whatsoever of their entitlements. So well done Tom! This comes at a time when cynism is rife. We have lost faith in our government, the financial and religious institutions of this state. Isn't it more important than ever to open a direct and honest discourse that encourages an involvement of the heart and 'feeling' alongside the head and 'thinking.' I know I will be poo-pooed as a dreamer, living in a fantasy world etc. etc. Why not give it a chance I say ... the other ways have failed miserably!

If activators of language don't use words conscientiously; or if words have ceased to mean what has been assigned to them semiotically, over decades and centuries... then what?

I appeal to the neanderthal that lurks in all of us!

Ciao for now!

Photos taken by Maureen Walsh of students from 'Class Act Theatre Productions'

Further Information: History: The Definitive Visual Guide. Hart-Davis Adam. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. London 2007

CLAUDIA BEHNKE FOR INFASHION MAGAZINE

Photography: Nicholas Routzen
Styling: Claudia Behnke @ Larapixie
Make up: Sandra Cooke
Hair: Hiroshi Matsushita
Styling Assistance: Irene Manicone and Mateusz Marczynski
Model: Shea Pruger@Select

2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj Dethroned

In less than one month after nyang makoronahan bilang Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, nakatakdang bawiin ng Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) ang korona ng half-Indian, half-Filipina na si Maria Venus Bayonito Raj dahil sa issue ng kanyang nationality.

Ayon kay Jenny Inocencio-Marcial, Corporate Affairs and PR Manager ng BPCI, nakita ng BPCI na may inconsistencies sa statements ni Venus at ng kanyang ina, at sa legal documents na isinumite nina Venus sa mga abugado ng BPCI bilang patunay ng kanyang nasyunalidad.

"We found inconsistencies in their statements. Both Venus and her mother said she was born in Doha, Qatar, while yung na-submit nilang legal documents say she was born in the Philippines," pahayag ni Ms. Marcial.

At sa official statement ng BPCI, sinabi nito na tuluyan na ngang tinanggal ang korona sa dalaga, "Today March 29, 2010, Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. decided, with a heavy heart, to let Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj go, after the organization discovered inconsistencies contained in her birth records, in contrast to her personal account of her birth."

Dahil sa mga pangyayari, ang 2nd runner-up na si Helen Nicolette Mercado Henson ang siyang magsusuot ng korona at magre-represent sa Pilipinas sa darating na 59th Miss Universe Pageant in August.

Matatandaang ang pagkuwestiyon din sa nasyunalidad ang naging dahilan ng pagkakabawi ng korona kina Anjanette Abayari (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1991), Tisha Silang (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1998), at Janelle Bautista (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1999). Ipinanganak at lumaki sa U.S. sina Anjanette at Janelle, habang sa Canada naman si Tisha.

Sharon Cuneta Opens Her Wack-Wack Doors in YES! Magazine April 2010 Issue

When the cameras stop rolling, Megastar Sharon Cuneta heads home to Wack-Wack, where she becomes just like any other wife and mother that tends to her family's needs. YES! magazine captures the Megastar at home this April, as Sharon opens the doors to her Wack-Wack home for the first time ever.

The Wack-Wack residence has a warm and cozy feel. The living rooms showcase souvenirs from Sharon's travels and various paintings by esteemed artists like Juan Luna and Mauro "Malang" Santos. Photos of daughters Frankie, Miel, and KC are also prominently displayed in the living room. As Sharon tells YES!, "You know, my smiles that are really from my heart of hearts, they're the ones reserved for my kids, 'cause they're the only ones that can bring them out."

Her smile gets even brighter at the mention of the latest addition to her family—her adopted three-month-old son Miguel. Sharon shares, "After my three girls, parang I was thinking how nice it would be to adopt a boy."

When the opportunity finally presented itself, Sharon just knew in her heart that Miguel was meant for her. But first, she had Frankie and Miel to worry about. "Kinausap namin, because that was one of the concerns, parang baka magselos," she says. "But you know what, oddly enough, I think it will balance out the rivalry between the two. Because there's rivalry whether they admit it or not, e, di ba? Actually that's what happened. Miguel balanced it out."

A self-confessed homebody, Sharon also talks about cooking with her kids and teaching them her specialties, as YES! features her home in more than 70 photos.

A 10th Anniversary Special, the April issue also features the red carpet photos of the star-studded YES! 10th Anniversary Party.

YES! Magazine April 2010 issue is available in newsstands, bookstores, and supermarkets nationwide.

MICHAEL TINTIUC AND LIRFON´S : SOUL CLOVER SHOES

Michael T and LIRFON´S are introducing their first unisex " SOUL CLOVER " shoe model. Made out of genuine leather, having and inlaid heel, stainless findings, removable tongue add-on riveted in form of a clover and ,as always, 100% handmade. Sizes range from 35 to 45 (EU sizes) and are priced at 350 euros (shipping not included).
For all further details please contact Lirfon´s at: info@lirfons.com

- made out of genuine leather
- inlaid heel
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PR:Larapixie

BARBARA I GONGINI COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK AW 2010 BACKSTAGE AND SHOW

BARBARA I GONGINI A/W 2010
photos by : CILLE VEERASAWMY

TV5, The Kapatid Network - List of Shows

If the two giant networks ABS-CBN and GMA-7 are widely known as Kapuso and Kapamilya, TV5, the Novaliches-based station positioned itself under the brand ID "Kapatid."

The Kapatid Network has officially launched its claim as the third wheel in local TV landscape in a very explosive and extravagant trade launch was staged last March 25, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.



Here is TV5’s current roster of programs presented during the trade launch:

Pidol’s Wonderland - family event show starring Dolphy airing Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

My Darling Aswang - Vic Sotto’s hit comedy-horror movie gets a TV spin with Daiana Menezes as the aswang every Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

House or Not - a new game show every Tuesday at 8 p.m. hosted by Joey de Leon.

Face To Face - first "Talak-serye" on Philippine TV with Amy Perez doing a la Jerry Springer.

Juicy - daily morning showbiz oriented talk show with Cristy Fermin joining Alex Gonzaga and IC Mendoza as main host.

5 Star Specials - primetime Monday drama anthology program featuring Maricel Soriano, Ruffa Gutierrez, etc.

Midnight DJ - a horror/suspense series where Oyo Boy Sotto plays a disc jockey who tries to find solution to paranormal stories of his listeners.

Moomoo & Me - TV sitcom starring John Prats, Yayo Aguila, William Martinez and BJ Forbes.

BFGF (Boyfriend, Girlfriend) - teen oriented show starring Chris Cayzer, Kean Cipriano of Callalily, Alex Gonzaga, Angelo Patrimonio, Zyrus “Poknat" Desamparado, JR de Guzman, Nico Ibaviosa, Asistio Sisters, Louise delos Reyes, Dianne Medina, John Manalo, Tuesday Vargas and Ramon Christopher. The show which will start airing on April 4 at 4 p.m. will be under the direction of Joyce Bernal.

Lokomoko U - Wednesday night weekly gag show starring Alex Gonzaga, Pauleen Luna and JC de Vera. Directed by Al Tantay.

Talentadong Pinoy - Pinoy talent-search program hosted by Ryan Agoncillo.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Saturday night game show hosted by Vic Sotto.

Everybody Hapi - weekly comedy show starring John Estrada, Alex Gonzaga and Nova Villa.

P.O.5 - Sunday noontime variety show hosted by Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ryan Agoncillo, John Estrada, JC de Vera, and Alex Gonzaga.

Paparazzi - Sunday showbiz talk/news show with Ruffa Gutierrez, Cristy Fermin, Jon Santos, and Dolly Anne Carvajal as the hosts.

Totoo TV - comedy reality program featuring the comical tandem of Ariel and Maverick.

The comeback of children show Batibot.

The News and Information set-up has also gone stronger with new shows and new faces on board. Among them are Cheryl Cosim, Erwin Tulfo, Shawn Yao, Chris Tiu, Ariel and Maverick and head for News and Information Luchi Cruz-Valdez. They now join familiar TV5 faces that include Paolo Bediones, Martin Andanar, Cheri Mercado, Jove Francisco, Lourd de Veyra, and others. Some of the new "News and Information" shows are:

Ako Mismo - hosted by Chris Tiu which will tell some of the inspiring stories of modern Filipino icons.

Aksyon - the station's primetime newscast anchored by Paolo Bediones and Cheryl Cosim, airs weeknights at 9 p.m.

Sapul! - features hot off the grill news, strong commentary, ang programang walang sinisino. Hosted by Erwin Tulfo, Martin Andanar, Lourd de Veyra and Shawn Yao. Sapul premieres on Monday, April 5, at 5:30 in the morning.

USI (Under Special Investigation) - anchored by Paolo Bediones, this new current affairs program which airs every Sunday at 5 p.m. , takes an in-depth look into controversial personalities and the latest hot-button political issues.

Tutok Tulfo - investigative program by Erwin Tulfo.

Timbangan - another public affairs program.

Dokumentado, Lupet - a new documentary program.

In just a matter of months and weeks, the Kapatid Network was able to convince stars like Maricel Soriano, Paolo Bediones, Ruffa Gutierrez, JC de Vera, John Prats, Rainier Castillo, and Comedy King Dolphy to sign up with them. The new recruits will complement the station's previous batch of stars led by Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon, Lucy Torres-Gomez, and Ryan Agoncillo.

Other Kapatid roster of talents are John Estrada, Oyo Sotto, Pauleen Luna, Alex Gonzaga, Amy Perez, Vandolph, Daiana Menezes, Jeffery Quizon, Erwin Tulfo, poet and writer Lourd de Veyra, Ariel & Maverick, Tuesday Vargas, Mr. Fu, Valeen Montenegro, William Martinez, Yayo Aguila, Jon Avila, Nova Villa, Eric Quizon, IC Mendoza, Cristy Fermin, Carla Humpries, Jenny Miller, Apple Chiu, Jan Nieto, Chris Cayzer, and Edgar Allan Guzman.

TV5 has now the advantages in financial resources. The third placer network has now the capability of producing more shows and improve its content.

In the Ad Congress, Mr. Manny Pangilinan, the network's Chairman, laid out the following plans and goals for TV5:

* Use high-def production equipment, tapeless digital system, and improve their transmission through more powerful transmitters nationwide.

* Beef up their news department five times bigger than it is now, and not only come out with new shows.

* Develop their own talents.

* Put up their own film division and produce more movies than the combined output of the two leading networks now.

TV5 is now powered by MediaQuest, the investee company of PLDT's Beneficial Trust Fund that first launched mobile TV in the country with MyTV, as well as PLDT's Watchpad and Smart's Sandbox. It also owns Cignal, the first digital direct to home satellite service with high definition nationwide.

The TV5 team is now headed by President-CEO Ray Espinosa and EVP and COO Roberto V. Barreiro.

Will this new leadership beat ABS-CBN 2 and GMA-7 from the top slot they both claim or continue to settle for the third spot where TV5 is now?

Let's see...

Carl Guevara Covers Men's Health Philippines April 2010 Issue

Carl Guevara is Men's Health Philippines guy this month April 2010.

According to Carl, "I focus on working out kasi hindi ko pwedeng pabayaan ang sarili ko." That must be the reason why the new Kapuso actor enrolled himself in a surfing lesson this summer.


Also in this issue of Men's Health Magazine are "Amazing new workout to sculpt your abs," "10 fast food fixes," "12-minute muscle plan," "MHP special report titled 'How Safe is our Water'," and many more.

Men's Health Philippines April 2010 issue is now available at all magazine stands nationwide.