Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Artists, environmentalists urge Congress to pass ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal

The Concerned Artists of the Philippines, an organization of local artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and cultural workers in the country, has expressed support for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“We support the call for the immediate renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which is set to expire in March 2020,” said the group in a statement recently posted on Facebook.

The group also called their members, allies, and fellow media workers to sign the one million signatures for ABS-CBN franchise renewal petition initiated by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) on change.org.

“We urge actors, actresses, directors, writers, producers, and other media workers, whether in ABS-CBN or other networks, to wield their influence for the common good and encourage more Filipinos to rally against what NUJP describes as a “rape of democracy,’” according the group’s statement.
The organization also called on Congress to consider the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise as a threat to the future of its employees and their families and on the freedom of the press.

“Our representatives must understand that the threat to ABS-CBN’s future is not only a threat to the future of its thousands of employees and talents but also a threat to our democracy and freedom that they are bound to safeguard,” as stated in their official statement.

Celebrities, including Vice Ganda, Lea Salonga, Anne Curtis, Robi Domingo, Sunshine Cruz, Liza Soberano, Karla Estrada, Ria Atayde, Gretchen Ho, Agot Isidro, Marvin Agustin, Jolina Magdangal, Iza Calzado, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez have also vented their support for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal as they shared the petition on social media, calling on their followers to sign the NUJP-initiated petition.

A nationwide alliance of environment groups, Green Thumb Coalition (GTC), has also showed its support for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN for the network’s efforts in communicating the value of the environment through its various platforms, producing educational shows and providing relevant public service programs.

In a statement, GTC said that the TV network “provides wide and strong platforms to communicate the importance of the environment, including the realities that have caused environmental destruction.”

The 40-group coalition hailed the network’s news department for giving “voice” to nature.

“By raising red flags on the disastrous consequence of large-scale mining, dirty and harmful energy such as coal plants, massive land conversion and deforestation by way of news reporting, ABS-CBN mainstreams the silent testimonies of the forests, seas and the skies; giving them the ‘voice’.”

The coalition also said, “Filipinos clearly benefit from the positive impacts of its educational shows like ‘Sine Skwela,’ ‘Hiraya Manawari,’ ‘Bayani,’ among others and public service programs such as ‘Bantay Bata 163,’ ‘Sagip Kapamilya,’ ‘Bantay Kalikasan,’ to name a few.”

“GTC is reminded of the critical persistence and dedication of the late Gina Lopez, who had been instrumental in shaping much of the public service programs of ABS-CBN that continue to this day. These programs have been embraced by the people as emblematic of the Filipino culture and traditions,” according to the coalition.

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), another alliance of over 100 organizations representing various sectors in the country, also stands with GTC in their statement on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

“ABS-CBN is one of the broadcasting stations that have been consistent when it comes to informing the public about the environment, its impact on our lives, and more importantly, how we can do our part in preserving our natural resources and help battle climate change,” said PMCJ in a Facebook post.

“In our world today, it is paramount that the people are well-informed about developments on our planet's climate and become empowered to act accordingly,” the group added.

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/01/28/1988462/artists-environmentalists-urge-congress-pass-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal

SM Mall of Asia Expansion

December 17, 2019




The old skylight is gone (2006-2019) 




New Escalators! 





At the 3rd Floor 








East Quadrant is ready for expansion 



January 26, 2020


Possible bridgeway between South Parking Building (SPB) and IKEA? 





Northwest Bridgeway



Valet area has been spruced up


 Entertainment Mall


South Entertainment Mall


New Tiles Spotted




Bridgeway to North Parking Building (NPB)?




From Hans Sy:

- Expansion will still be completed by 2022
- 24/7 Construction work suggested to him, but declined due to quality reasons

February 13, 2020

The new South Entertainment Mall Sports & Active Zone - Go Sport, Palladium, Speedo, Fila, etc will open soon.







MoA FOOD HALL





More tenants opening soon at the GL Atrium (Muji, Champion, Monki)


South Main Mall L3 on-going construction








February 28, 2020

° Main entrance (facing South Parking) is now boarded up in preparation for vertical expansion.


Inside and MOA Food Hall





The newly enclosed South Entertainment Mall


Commune Hall feels. Like a more restrained but refined version of Commune Hall with less visual clutter.

I wonder though, if Megamall can house both a Food Hall and a Food Court, why not MoA? Does anyone think (or know for sure if) a food court for plebeians will open elsewhere in the mall, one where tenants also offer dining choices at two-digit prices? Does Taste Asia food hall at the North Entertainment Mall counts? I think that they can put the Food Court brand at the Entertainment Mall near the music hall.

Does this mean, it will be enclosed? Certainly feels like it

February 15, 2020

Other updates:

Surplus will be relocated to a new location on Feb. 17, at the former site of Director's Club Cinema in the South Main Mall L2.
Fish & Co. and Italianni's have closed at the South Entertainment Mall to give way for the expansion works at that side (Burger King, SMDC and Cabalen are still open)
Din Tai Fung and Krispy Kreme will open at the new indoor section of the South Entertainment Mall, at the Ground Level.
BBX (Bad Bird), Frankie's, Sushi Nori, Easy Tiger, Dynasty Noodle Bar (Paradise Dynasty) will open soon at MoA Food Hall
Charriol will be opening soon at the 2F North Main Mall.
Doughnut, Malongo and Motoworld are opening soon at the L2 South Entertainment Mall.
> Another Penshoppe (since there's a new store?) will open at the 2nd Floor, North Main Mall, near Aldo.
> Ben's Cookies will open at the Ground Level West Atrium (south stairs)
> Pretzelmaker will open at the indoor section of the South Entertainment Mall (hilera ng Adidas at Nike)
> Forever 21 now has a tarp
> Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will open at Level 2 West Atrium.