Latest news with #AACA
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
GMA welcomes Asian Academy of Creative Awards in courtesy visit
GMA Network proudly welcomed the Asian Academy of Creative Awards (AACA) through its President Mr. Michael McKay and CEO Ms. Fiona McKay during a special courtesy visit on Wednesday, June 18. The brief but fruitful gathering looks to strengthen GMA's commitment to supporting the region's creative industry and fostering connections with like-minded media entities. The meeting also recognized the recent appointment of Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara as the Philippine Ambassador to AACA for 2025. In a meaningful exchange of ideas and goals– attended by Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development, Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Program Support Regie C. Bautista, and Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso– they reaffirmed their commitment to championing creative excellence and building stronger collaborations across the Asian content landscape. Also present were key GMA leaders: Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, Officer-in-Charge and Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, and Officer-in-Charge for Program Management Mildred G. Garcia.
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
AACA Ambassador for the Philippines Gigi Santiago-Lara says 'media is connection'
The Asian Academy Creative Arts (AACA) brought together the best names in journalism and film for an industry roundtable at the Wynwood Hotel in Pasig City on Thursday. AACA Ambassador for the Philippines and GMA Network Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions for Entertainment Group Gigi Santiago-Lara gave the opening and closing remarks. Santiago-Lara said the event is 'more than just a dialogue' between creatives, storytellers, and producers, but also 'a platform to explore production and co-production, opportunities and trends that are reshaping the global media industry while also placing a well-deserved spotlight on Philippine journalism.' 'As Philippines' ambassador, I'm proud to represent the nation that deeply values collaboration, creativity, and cultural exchange,' she said. With the media industry constantly changing in platforms, content, and the like, events like the roundtable do not just provide networking opportunities, but 'also for enriching content, culture, and innovation,' she added. Following the roundtable discussion, Santiago-Lara concluded, 'We hope this gathering has reminded us that media is more than just content, it's connection, it's community.' She thanked the broadcasters who attended for the reminder that there is 'heart and courage behind every headline.' 'To all our media professionals, creatives, and visionaries here, may the conversations we started today continue beyond this room, and may they grow into partnerships that uplift the Philippines, empower communities, and ignite change.' The roundtable event was also attended by GMA executives including Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Executive Vice President for GMA Pictures Nessa Valdellon and Officer-in-Charge for Entertainment Group Cheryl Ching-Sy. Award-winning journalists and presenters, GMA Network's Jessica Soho and Atom Araullo, were present and spoke about their purpose as journalists and the importance of telling the stories of underprivileged and marginalized communities. More speakers include Chairperson & CEO of the Film Development Council Of The Philippines Jose Javier Reyes; Head of Content of Viu Philippines Garlic Garcia; President of The Ideafirst Company Perci Intalan; award-winning director and screenwriter Irene Villamor; and Gallagher Divisional Director Bernard Tan. They spoke about the current state of television and film, and their hopes for the industry. Kapuso stars Kyline Alcantara and Christian Bautista also attended the roundtable. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
GMA Network's Gigi Santiago-Lara honored to be first PH Ambassador for Asian Academy of Creative Arts
GMA Network Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions for Entertainment Group Gigi Santiago-Lara expressed her delight after being named as the first Asian Academy of Creative Arts (AACA) Ambassador from the Philippines. Following Lara's appointment, AACA President Michael McKay and Chief Executive Officer Fiona McKay paid a visit to the GMA Network headquarters in Quezon City on Wednesday. 'Natutuwa kami, natutuwa tayong lahat dahil it's their first time to come to GMA, and we're happy to welcome them kasi it's the first time din that we have an ambassador from the Philippines, from GMA,' Lara said. 'Excited din kami kasi tomorrow we will have a conference about production,' she added. 'Napakagandang topic ito and very timely, so natutuwa tayo na nandito sila ngayon.' Other GMA Network executives were also present during the gathering to welcome the special guests, including Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News and GMA Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso and Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier Cruz. Also in attendance were Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development and Concurrent Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Program Support, GMA Network, Inc. President and COO, GMA Ventures Regie C. Bautista; Officer-in-Charge for Entertainment Group and Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; and Officer-in-Charge for Program Management Mildred G. Garcia. President McKay emphasized the support given by GMA Network to AACA, highlighting the network's role as an ambassador and successful company, especially at the national level. 'We think that there's more to come from the Philippines, and we think there's more success. We see the Philippines as a really important market, really important nation, and with a lot to contribute. So again, thank you for having us today,' he said. He also congratulated the network on its 75th anniversary, calling it a 'fantastic achievement' and expressing admiration for the creativity and thought processes in content coming from GMA Network and the Philippines. 'We love to see the thought processes that come from the content. We like to see the way you approach things, whether it's news, you know, you're in amongst it all,' he said. 'It's really tremendous and it's been great to watch GMA's work over the years.' As Philippine Ambassador, Lara will serve as a Member of Jury for the AACA Awards and support the Academy in its skills development programs. Lara joins esteemed media executive Ambassadors from Australia, Thailand, Chinese Mainland, Malaysia, India, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar as part of Asia-Pacific's prestigious award-giving body for creative excellence. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
Car and Driver
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
1959 Lincoln Continental on Bring a Trailer Is Full On '50s Exuberence
Here's a late-'50s land yacht with all kinds of angle-eyed, pointy-finned, chrome-plated charisma. It's crammed with features including ultra-cool, reverse-canted, power rear glass for summer breezes. Expensively restored, it's a former AACA winner. The 1950s was a decade that saw the widespread adoption of television, the building boom of America's suburbs and the Interstate highway system, and the physical expansion of the United States with Alaska and Hawaii's admission to the union, all set against a backdrop of a rising standard of living for most people. It was a time to dream big—and to drive big. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer The cars reached their zenith in size and outlandish style at the decade's end, as epitomized by the offerings of America's three luxury-car brands. Cars like this 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV four-door hardtop, up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). This is a sedan so big it should probably have "SS" painted on its bow. Spectacular in Cameo Rose, it glitters with chrome and mid-century optimism in equal measure, just shy of nineteen feet of opulence. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer This example was refurbished in the early 1990s, going on to win a national prize with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). The restoration looks to have been thoroughly comprehensive, more than $60,000 worth of ground-up work—and that's in 1990s money. After earning 100 points in judging, it then spent two decades in long-term storage, surfacing in 2016. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer If you think this car's big on the outside, check the interior. There's enough legroom for an NBA forward, two sofa-sized bench seats, and a voluminous trunk that gets the seal of approval from the Springfield Legitimate Businessman's Social Club. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer There's also a surfeit of options including six power side windows and the power-retracting "breezeway" rear glass, a power seat, central vacuum door locks, and an automatic headlight dimmer. Everything works, and the air-conditioning has been overhauled and blows cold. Although you'd probably want to keep all the windows down when summer cruising in this majestic land yacht, especially with that opening rear glass. Under the hood is a huge 430-cubic-inc V-8 that put out 350 horsepower and an unstressed 490 pound-feet of torque when new. That elephantine torque and three-speed automatic should make this Continental an effortless tourer. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer Lincoln threw everything it had into this generation Continental in a desperate attempt to outdo Cadillac, and it shows. But the effort failed to break Cadillac's lock on the luxury-car market. So, while the similarly outrageous '59 Caddy has become a visual shorthand for the decade that spawned it, the lesser-known, less-often seen, but every bit as exuberant '59 Lincoln arguably carries a bigger visual wallop today. Courtesy: Bring a Trailer The auction ends on May 29. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New strategic alliance to boost Arab and African healthcare
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing health awareness and expanding access to healthcare services across the Arab world and Africa, the Arab African Council for Awareness (AACA) and the Arab Hospitals Federation (AHF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to unify efforts in health education, capacity building, and sustainable development in the healthcare sector. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both parties to improving community health through impactful initiatives and meaningful partnerships. The agreement outlines plans for organizing joint health awareness campaigns, launching training programs, and advocating for equitable access to quality healthcare services—especially in remote and underserved areas. Dr. Ossama Shaheen, President of the Arab African Council for Awareness, stated: 'We firmly believe that health awareness is a cornerstone of sustainable development. This partnership with the Arab Hospitals Federation is a significant step toward unifying efforts for more informed and healthier communities.' Mr. Fady Alameh, President of the Arab Hospitals Federation, added: 'This alliance underscores the importance of institutional collaboration in supporting Arab and African health systems. By working together, we can advance awareness, empower professionals, and address healthcare challenges more effectively.' The parties have agreed to implement a series of joint initiatives in the coming period, including scientific forums, professional training workshops, and both digital and field-based awareness campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing emerging health challenges. This partnership sets a model for institutional collaboration in serving communities and achieving sustainable health development across the Arab and African regions—particularly as healthcare systems continue to evolve and require stronger alignment between civil society and formal health institutions.
