Premier Magazine PH Vol. 1.4 Ocean Nation Issue

Pr emier SAPERE AUDE

Vol. 1

APRIL 2021 OCEAN NATION ISSUE

About the Cover The Whale, located in Norway, is our featured cover for April. We are keen on highlighting nature and innovative concepts known to man, a specialization only a few brilliant minds can deliver. One such example is Dorte Mandrup, a multi-awarded group of designers from Copenhagen; they specialize in irreplaceable places, enhance what is there and create new relevance. They are a team of die-hard overachievers designing architecture from an artistic starting point.

Striving towards the ultimate synthesis, they "combine a firm grasp on reality with a knack for dreaming out loud." One of their dreams that turned to concrete reality can be found 300 km North of the Arctic Circle, on the tip of the island Andøya lies Andenes. A small town located amid dramatic landscapes ? both above and below the ocean?s surface. Just a few sea miles from shore, a deep-sea valley unfolds. It is frequently visited by migrating whales, making Andenes one of the world's best places to see this fabled animal up-close. The new Arctic attraction, The Whale, tells the story of the big inhabitants of this underwater world, rising like a soft hill on the rocky shore? as if a giant had lifted a thin layer of the crust of the earth and created a cavity underneath.

Renderings by Mir, Bergen All images used are by Dorte Mandrup

The W HALE MUSEUM OPENS in

2023

Rugged mountain tops, lowland marshes, and peats characterize Andøya, but compared to many other places this far North, the gulf stream makes for a welcoming climate for numerous migrating whales. This pit-stop has made Andenes one of the best places in the world to spot whales and is the reason the attraction will be built there; on the edge of this magnificent underwater world.

Sh aped by t h e Su r r ou n din gs The landscape surrounding The Whale is essential for the shape of the building. The form of the roof is defined by three high points on the site, and the foundation is influenced by the landscape beneath it. The surface of the roof is covered with natural, unworked stones from the area, and large windows opening towards the archipelago underline the connection between landscape and building.

The curved roof becomes a new viewpoint that visitors and locals are invited to walk on. From here you can overlook the archipelago, marvel at the midnight sun?s reflection in the ocean or the northern lights dancing over the sky.

A single curved concrete shell makes up the roof of The Whale. By using this parabolic form, the structure effectively transmits the forces to three support points in the corners of the building.

This makes it possible to create a large, inner column-free room. As a result of this curvature, one can achieve relatively long spans while minimizing material use, resulting in an economical and sustainable design. At the same time, the shape of the building provides a minimal surface area, compared to floor area and volume, which is favorable for both material and energy consumption. The shape is aerodynamic, meaning that no negative turbulence effects will occur, and snow build-up will be minimized.

The whale tail is often found in their culture as a symbol of strength due to the tail's power over the whale. It symbolizes speed and agility: Whales can navigate the vast ocean waters with ease, thanks to their tails. Their tails are the source of their speed.

En t er in g Th e Wh ale Inside The Whale, a large space opens naturally towards the mountains and the sea. A long horizontal view of the mountains and archipelago creates a direct visual connection between the surroundings and the exhibition underlined by the rocks entering the building in multiple places. The exhibition will curate a meeting between whales and humans, nature, and culture. Through art and science, a visit to The Whale will be a poetic exploration of different universes ? below and above water ? inspired by the whales' journey around the globe. A journey where boundaries are not defined by nationality or drawn by culture.

The building will house exhibition spaces, offices, a café, and a store, and around the attraction, a carefully planned web of paths, platforms, and viewpoints highlight the landscape. A tidepool, a campfire, and stepping-stones invite visitors to explore the surroundings in-depth and underline the connection between the building and the surrounding nature.

With an ambitious goal to combine architecture and a mission to protect marine life, The Whale will strengthen Northern Norway as a travel destination and create a positive ripple effect on other businesses in the north.

A single curved concrete shell makes up the roof of The Whale. This parabolic form effectively transmits the forces to three support points in the building's corners, creating a large, inner column-free room.

Norway Pavilion A journey inspired by the need for clean and healthy oceans

Norw ay, t he first count ry to finish building t he Nat ional Pavilion As t he first part icipat ing count ry, t he Norw ay Pavilion w as issued t he BCC-building complet ion cert ificate on Sunday, Oct 11t h, 2020. The Pavillion has been built by Expomobilia and w as designed by t he Oslo/ Bodø based architect firm ?Rint ala Eggert sson Architect s.? The Norw ay Pavilion w ill allow you to explore t he deep blue sea and learn about Norw ay?s pioneering sust ainable ocean solut ions ? all w it hout changing into a wet suit .

NORWAY Opportunity District Theme: Norway as a world-leading ocean nation Architects:Rintala Eggertsson Architects/Expomobilia/ FiveCurrents About: The exterior of this pavilion was modeled on the shape of a ship and features aluminum and glass panels, while the interior boasts an underwater topography, encouraging visitors to explore the deep sea and learn about the importance of ocean conservation. Digitally guided tours will provide an insight into an often-hidden world, with fishing and Norway?s rich maritime culture being brought to life both physically and with augmented reality. At the same time, there will also be the chance to control an underwater robot.

Streaming on HBO Max 05.01.21

Norway, every filmma

aker's dream location.

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

One of the locations in the film is Norway?s capital Oslo. More precisely, it is one of the most impressive architectural pieces in Oslo: The Opera House. In the scene in which John David Washington and Robert Pattinson in the role of Neil are talking about an airplane accident, they are standing on the opera roof.

Tenet stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh; the film is about a secret agent tasked with preventing World War III through time manipulation.

?It?s like Inception but complicated.?? Nilo Otero, Tenet's first assistant director From director Christopher Nolan, comes a mind-blowing espionage thriller so unique that audiences will puzzle over its intricacies for years to come. The Secrets of Tenet takes readers on an exclusive journey into Nolan?s time-bending masterpiece, offering rare insights into all aspects of its creation.

Learn from Christopher Nolan himself, as he and a range of other key collaborators? including producer Emma Thomas and production designer Nathan Crowley? give you an essential masterclass that lays bare the director?s process and his singular creative vision.

Discover exclusive art and never-before-seen photos. Illustrated with candid behind-the-scenes imagery and compelling conceptual art, this is the ultimate exploration of a film guaranteed to linger in the imagination long into the future? and perhaps the past.

John David Washington and Kenneth Branagh share their personal perspectives on working with Christopher Nolan in the book?s foreword and backword.

A prestige volume for your home library. This large-format, the deluxe book is the perfect addition to your bookshelf or coffee table? a must-have memento for Christopher Nolan fans. - Amazon

No Time To Die World Premiere 10.08.21

The iconic Aston Martin DB5 The Aston Martin DB5 is the car that started it all when it debuted in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. The car made such an impression that it has since appeared in six more Bond films: Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall, and Spectre. Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have all been seen at the wheel of the unmistakable 1960?s sports car.

The DBS Superleggera The DBS is driven by new 00 agent Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch. The Flagship of the Aston Martin range, the DBS Superleggera makes quite the entrance in the film.

The Aston Martin Valhalla supercar

Valhalla - Aston Martin?s revolutionary mid-engined sportscar - will also make a special cameo appearance in No Time To Die.

The Aston Martin V8 Saloon

No Time To Die will also feature an Aston Martin V8 Saloon, similar to the one first seen in 1987?s The Living Daylights.

Launched a decade before Timothy Dalton?s Bond debut, the V8 Saloon was both the fastest four-seat production car of its day and Britain?s first true ?supercar.

The Prince of Wales met James Bond himself? Daniel Craig? during the tour.Photo: Niklas Halle'n - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Images courtesy of James Bond Lifestyle, Aston Martin, MGM and Universal.

Only 50 On Her Majesty?s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition cars were sold, all painted Olive Green to match the original1969 Aston Martin DBS driven by James Bond in the movie.

In celebration of over 40 years of partnership as the Official Champagne of 007 and the upcoming film No Time To Die (2020), Champagne Bollinger has produced a limited edition gift box that brings together three icons: Bollinger 's signature Special Cuvée, the Aston Martin DB5 and the legendary British secret agent, James Bond.

Honouring the most perfect of partnerships, the limited edition gift box features the silhouette of James Bond alongside his Aston Martin DB5. The colourway of the gift box echoes the silver birch finish of the DB5. The Bollinger lettering and logos are depicted in gold and the iconic Special Cuvée bottle has been adapted to feature a black and gold neck collar with a 007 blazon.

The Bollinger Special Cuvée 007 Limited Edition is available for £46.50 at The Finest Bubble(UK) or £44.95 atThe Whisky Exchange(UK/Europe + USA).

The No Time To Die poster shows Daniel Craig in his Tom Ford tuxedo sporting his titanium Omega Seamaster 300M and carrying a Walther PPK.

No Time To Die filmed in the epic one-lane tunnels on the Faroe Islands (an archipelago situated between Iceland and Norway). The islands (18 to be exact) are a majestic set of green rolling hills and a hiker?s paradise past the one-way tunnels. If you find yourself on the island of Kalsoy, everyone will tell you to hike up to Kallur Lighthouse. It?s mostly to see the Atlantic's exquisite panoramas and the other islands in the distance, but it?s worth every minute of the climb up the rugged cliffs..

The newly opened Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands, located in the capital city of Torshavn will be the first international hotel in the northern archipelago. Boasting uninterrupted sea views, the hotel will be an ideal setting for those seeking extraordinary Bond-esque adventures.

Images courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn, Faroe Islands.

Images courtesy of A Working Title Films Production

The Snowman Michael Fassbender (X-Men series), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible? Rogue Nation), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Independence Day: Resurgence), and Academy Award® winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) star in The Snowman, a terrifying thriller from director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), based on Jo Nesbø?s global bestseller.

When an elite crime squad?s lead detective (Fassbender) investigates a victim's disappearance on the first snow of winter, he fears an elusive serial killer may be active again. With the help of a brilliant recruit (Ferguson), the cop must connect decades-old cold cases to the brutal new one if he hopes to outwit this unthinkable evil before the next snowfall.

The Snowman is produced by Working Title?s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (The Theory of Everything, Les Misérables), as well as Robyn Slovo (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Piodor Gustafsson (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

A Working Title Films Production? in association with Another Park Film? the thriller is executive produced by Nesbø, Niclas Salomonsson, Martin Scorsese, Alfredson, Liza Chasin and, Amelia Granger.

The capital of Norway, Oslo, is where the majority of the shooting took place. This is extremely befitting, given that Jo Nesbo?s tale is also set in the Norwegian city. Oslo is integral to the story and almost functions as another character.

Filming for the movie began in January 2016. A party scene was also shot in Oslo City Hall. This scene made use of over 300 extras and was particularly challenging to shoot.

The production team also shot scenes in the city?s tram in the Barcode area. This must have been quite a logistical challenge too. On most occasions, scenes set in a public transport vehicle are filmed in studios with animation to fill in the background for the sake of convenience.

Furthermore, one of the places that the protagonist, Hole, frequents in Nesbo?s book is Restaurant Schroder. What is interesting is that the restaurant actually exists at St. Hanshaugen in Oslo. As a nod to the book, the movie had several scenes which were filmed there.

Apart from Oslo, several other places in Norway were used to depict the characteristic Norwegian landscape. For instance, a sizable chunk of the movie was filmed in the town, Rjukan. The town has become a touristic hotspot for its skiing-apt terrain.

The filming also took place in the city of Bergen.

Several scenes were filmed on the Ulriken mountain, the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site Bryggen and, the Skansen fire station.

Other than that, filming also took place in the city of Drammen. Plus, the Atlantic Ocean Road had also been made use of for the movie?s filming.

DUNE World Premiere 10.01.21

In one of the first photos published of the film, we see Timothée Chalamet as the protagonist Paul Atreides walking on a beach on his home planet Caladan before he goes to Arrakis.

The beautiful beach with the green hills in the background has a touch of Hawaii, but it is actually in Norway. It can be found on the west coast of the peninsula Stadlandet in the northwestern part of Nordfjord.

3. Wadi Rum/Arrakis desert scenes The otherworldly Wadi Rum in Jordan ? also known as the Valley of the Moon ? is a prevalent filming location for desert scenes. Before serving as the remote desert regions of the planet Arrakis, aka Dune, this beautiful landscape first came to fame as a major filming location for Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Since then, Wadi Rum has played a starring role in Hollywood blockbuster movies like Prometheus (2012), The Martian (2015), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), to name a few.

This is where Paul Atreides and his Bene Gesserit mother, Lady Jessica, land after escaping the Harkonnen attack on House Atreides.

4. Abu Dhabi's Empty Quarter / Arrakis The Empty Quarter (Rub?al Khali) is the world?s biggest sand desert and the perfect filming location for the endless dunes of the desert planet Arrakis. Located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, it covers Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

During filming in Abu Dhabi, the film cast stayed at the 5-star Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in the Fatwa Oasis near the southern border of the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Silverscreen

DUNE Filming Locations 1. Stadlandet/Caladan - Stadlandet in western Norway must have been an easy choice as the filming location for Caladan, the native planet of House Atreides, for 26 generations before taking over Arrakis. In Dune, Frank Herbert describes Caladan as an ocean world, and the filmmakers found plenty of that around the peninsula Stadlandet, surrounded by fjords and located between the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea. 2. Origo Studios - Most of the interior scenes of Dune were shot in Origo Studios in Budapest, one of the largest film studios in Europe. The studio opened in 2010 and has already made its mark with blockbusters like Inferno (2016), Atomic Blonde (2017), and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), which Dune director Denis Villeneuve also directed.

The Cast: Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides. Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica. Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides. Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban. Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat. Zendaya as Chani. David Dastmalchian as Piter De Vries.Chang Chen as Dr. Wellington Yueh. Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Dr. Liet-Kynes. Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam. Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho. Javier Bardem as Stilgar.

Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a young noble from the planet Caladan whose family is just one of several big "houses" clashing over the control of Arrakis, better known as "Dune." Arrakis is a unique planet because it's the only place you can get a drug called ?spice melange." Spice is a catchall sci-fi plot device. It lets you see the future, travel across space, and even extends life.

Paul?s inheritance includes the planet of Arrakis, which brings him into conflict with the planet?s former ruler, House Harkonnen. It?s also believed Paul is the Kwisatz Haderach, a messianic character who will unite ? and destroy ? the universe. Paul soon discovers his duties and loyalties are not what he thought they once were as he is thrust into conflict over the future of Arrakis.

Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will bring Frank Herbert?s legendary sci-fi novel to life with not one but two epic films: ?I would not agree to make this adaptation of the book with one single movie.?

Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1covers the first part of the epic sci-fi novel. Frank Herbert?s son Brian Herbert adapted the book for the graphic novel along with Kevin J. Anderson. Then Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín provided the luscious interior illustrations. And if you?d like a peek inside the graphic novel, you?re in luck. Check out nerdist.com for more updates.

The cover art, by none other than legendary artist Bill Sienkiewicz, pulls you in. The palette practically makes Arrakis?blazing heat and desolation jump off the page. And that only continues as we dig into the interiors.

They match Dune?s rich story. The pages we have for you come at a crucial point near the beginning of the story. House Atreides is leaving Caladan, a lush green world, for Arrakis, which is basically the exact opposite of that.

Philadelphia, New York: Chilton1965.First Edition. Winner of the Hugo Award in 1966 and the Nebula Award in 1965, Dune is a high spot of modern science fiction sought by collectors. Surprisingly available in the original cloth (and at one time remaindered by Chilton due to poor sales at their inhouse tent sales), this copy has been stunningly rebound with a custom design by Matt Jones at Green Dragon Bindery. With multicolored dunes and a moon in the night sky, gold gilt lettering 'DUNE' on the spine with Frank Herbert's name at the base, and endpapers that match the book's spirit, it is an exceptional job all around. All edges gold gilt. A superior gift for the right person. The design has evoked a strong emotional response both in us and others who have read the book. Images on request. Fine. Hard Cover Check out kuenzigbooks.com for more collector items.

The hotel was planned by the Norwegian architects Jensen & Skodvin. They also designed the hotel?s spa area, where most of the scenes were shot. On the small terrace in front of the spa, Caleb meets Nathan for the very first time. From the whirlpool of this very spa, guests enjoy a direct view of the river and the impressive mountain scenery.

In the science-fiction thriller ?Ex Machina," programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a stay in the private refuge of the super-rich company boss Nathan (Oscar Isaac). He is supposed to evaluate the artificial intelligence of robot girl Ava (Alicia Vikander). Almost the entire plot of the film takes place on a high-tech property in the heart of Alaska. But the mysterious setting in the middle of the untouched wilderness is, in fact, the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal, north of the Norddalsfjord. The hotel is embedded in a breathtaking landscape with a fantastic view from the modern and individually designed chalets.

EX MACHINA Streaming on your favorite platforms

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures, the Juvet Landscape Hotel and Jensen and Skodvin Architects.

The Norwegian teen fantasy series puts a modern twist on Norse mythology. The show is set in the small town of Edda, a city that legends claim was the battleground between the gods and the giants long ago. But nowadays, the effects of climate change are upending the otherwise tranquil town, causing the seasons to be out of whack and glaciers to melt. When a pair of brothers, Magne and Laurits, arrives in town, a cabal of elders become fixated on them. Why? Well, Magne apparently has super strength and some connection to the weather. And about those giants, where?d they go? Are they real? Are gods real? And could climate change be a sign that an apocalyptic rematch between the gods and giants is fast approaching?

From left to right , Herman Tømmeraas(NRK?sSkam) plays bad boy Fjor, a popular teen assigned to watch over the new kid Magne. Ylva Bjørkaas Thedin(HBO Nordic?sBeforeigners) plays Isolde, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø(Skam) plays Saxa, and Emma Bones(NRK?sHome Ground) plays Gry. Jonas Strand Gravli(Netflix?s22 July) plays Magne?s brother Laurits. David Stakston(Skam) plays hero-in-the-making Magne, a teen with emerging abilities that seem to veer into godlike territory.

Odda doubles as Edda, Norway. The city's environment is a bit like theHome for Christmas series town, also surrounded by waterfalls, emerald fjords, incredible mountains, and lush valleys. There are two national parks in the area, the Buerbreen glacier, and Trolltunga, the instagramable troll tongue rock formation where Vidar (Gísli Örn Garðarsson) exposes himself au naturel. The white church, the grocery shop Spar, and almost everything else are located here.

The location of the house is actually occupied in real Odda by the Trolltunga apartments Viking Haug. This accommodation consists of fully furnished and equipped apartments for rent with fantastic views. The design of the Jutulheim house is inspired by the Norwegian Dragon Style architecture, featuring Viking and Norse motifs, serpents, and dragons. TheDragestilwas very popular between 1880 and 1910. If you'd like to visit a real house constructed in this style, a good example is 1907' Villa Balderslund in Balestrand.

Source/ Photo Credits: Norway Travels and Netflix Norway

The Jutul Industries complex featured in the series was filmed in the Boliden Odda factory, located in a peninsula just out of town, next to Sorfjorden. This is major zinc and sulphuric acid producer.

Publisher 's Summary Hear the original tales of Thor, Odin, and Loki, as the Vikings heard them long ago.

Enjoy these ancient tales of tragedy, death, glory, and love, with all the gory and mystic details left out of the Hollywood versions. The Prose Edda was the first time the Viking myths were assembled and written down in plain prose (before then, they existed only as oral poems). That makes this book one of the closest sources we have to these tales, as the Vikings actually told them, not filtered through a modern lens. This abridged edition has only removed sections dealing with technical rules for writing poetry in the Viking style but has included all the myths and legends. Many print editions do the same. This edition also features a new foreword, introducing the work to a modern audience.

Music provided by Royalty-Free Music: youtube.com/royaltyfreezone Music used (edited): "For You King" by Ender Güney youtube.com/c/NCMEpicMusic (Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0) "Warrior Women" by Ender Güney youtube.com/c/NCMEpicMusic (Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0) Music used: "Odin" by Evan King soundcloud.com/evan-king/odin (Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0) ©2019 Ayrton Parham (P)2019 Ayrton Parham

The Prose Edda (Annotated) The Myths of the Vikings with a New Foreword By: Snorri Sturluson Narrated by: Ayrton Parham Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics 4.4 out of 5 stars 4.4 (91 ratings) on Audible

The Poetic Edda is the modern name for an untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous poems, distinct from the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson. Several versions exist, all primarily of text from the Icelandic medieval manuscript known as the Codex Regius, which contains 31 poems.

The Norway and Filipino Connection is all about the passion for the arts.

Did you know that the global blockbuster FROZEN was based in Norway?

While developing the story, Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck drew influence from several sources. They said the film's biggest influence was the country of Norway, when the art department visited the country, drawing inspiration from the country's culture and environment.

Lisa Keene (Co-Production Designer), David Womersley (Art Director Environments), and Sean Jenkins (Head of Environments) as seen during the Frozen II Long Lead Press Day at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Photo by Mark Von Holden.

Let It Go

Songwriting duo?Filipino American?Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez created Let It Go. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won both an Academy Award and Grammy Award in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

This exciting yet sorrowful concept of letting go resonates with all types of individuals and maintains infectious energy. This allows each listener to adopt ?Let It Go? as an anthem for their own unique struggles.

They shared this story of the song with American Songwriter: For example, the Frozen production staff responded strongly to the song. Lee says, ?half of us were crying? . I was just like, I?m going to go lie down for a couple of minutes. But it was the best thing. We knew we had the movie.?

Creatively, the Lopezes found inspiration for ?Let It Go? by looking at the world through Elsa?s eyes. Lee says, ?And we just said, ?Let?s talk about who [Elsa] is. What would it feel like??And Bobby and Kristen said they were walking in Prospect Park, and they just started talking about what would it feel like.?

After identifying Elsa?s tumultuous journey, the inspiration for ?Let It Go? flowed freely. Kristen Anderson-Lopez divulged that this technique led to the quick completion of the song, and they ?wrote the song in a day.? On the production end, Jennifer Lee says, ?They came in with the demo of ?Let it Go,? and it?s exactly word-by-word the exact song.? ?Let It Go? is sung by Idina Menzel and later Demi Lovato in a pop version of the original song. The impact of this song set the stage for Frozen II and continues to influence many creative industries.

Photo credit: LA Times

The photos and notes taken during the trip were then relayed to the environment modeling team to start building. And to create a masterpiece based on another's vision takes an over-the-top imagination to succeed .

Beyond the characters themselves, the backdrops of ?Frozen 2? are equally as spirited and intricate, in part thanks to the work of an environment modeling team that includes?Fil-Am?John Aquino. Here's a portion of his Asian Journal interview.

Aquin o served as a sen ior en viron m en t m odeler on ?Frozen 2,? w hich en t ailed b uildin g t he st ory locat ion s, w het her it ?s t he kin gdom of Aren delle or w herever t he st orylin e t akes t he charact ers, such as t he en chan t ed f orest an d dark seas.??

While t he en viron m en t of ?Frozen ? w as m ost ly cool hues, sn ow an d, ice, ?Frozen 2? p resen t s an en chan t ed f orest durin g t he aut um n season , so t here are t rees w it h leaves chan gin g colors an d f allin g t o t he groun d lush hills. St ill, t his f all p ort rayal is un derrat ed an d cool, w it h oran ge an d red hues t hat align w it h t he ?Frozen ? p alet t e. ?This t im e, An n a an d Elsa?s adven t ures t ake t hem out side t he b orders of Aren delle, so I w as resp on sib le f or b uildin g all of t he t rees, t he p rop s, t he cast le, t he clif f s t hat you see in t he m ovie, hut s or houses in t he village,? Aquin o t old t he?Asian Journ al?in a recen t in t erview ahead of t he f ilm ?s release.?

Product ion design er Michael Giaim o, alon g w it h direct ors Chris Buck an d Jen n if er Lee, t ook a t rip t o Norw ay, Fin lan d, an d I celan d t o st udy lan dscap es, p eop le an d, cult ures t hat w ould in sp ire t he st ory an d en viron m en t s f oun d in t he f ilm .?

The p hot os an d n ot es t hey t ook durin g t he t rip w ere t hen relayed t o t he en viron m en t m odelin g t eam t o st art b uildin g. ?I w an t t he audien ce t o b e en chan t ed an d en am ored b y t he b eaut y of t he w orld An n a an d Elsa live in an d have t hem f eel like t his is a real p lace. Wit h cap t urin g t hat m agical, m yst ical asp ect , it ?s som et hin g t hat st ill reson at es on ce you leave t he t heat er,? he said.

Born in Man ila an d raised in Sout hern Calif orn ia, Aquin o set his sight s on b ecom in g a com ic b ook art ist b ut w as en t hralled w it h t he w orld of f ilm an im at ion . He cam e t o Walt Disn ey An im at ion St udios in 1996 as an ap p ren t ice af t er f in ishin g a?Bachelor of ?Art s degree in grap hic art s f rom Poin t Lom a College in San Diego.?

His early w ork at t he st udio in cludes servin g as an ef f ect s an im at or on ?Hercules,? ?Fan t asia 20 0 0 ,? an d ?The Em p eror?s New Groove.? He t hen cam e in t o his curren t role as a m odeler, havin g a han d in f ilm s like ?Tan gled,? ?Wreck- I t Ralp h,? ?Frozen ,? ?Big Hero 6,? ?Zoot op ia,? an d ?Moan a? b ef ore t he m ost recen t ?Frozen 2?.?

Virgilio John Aquino, The Filipino with the Coolest Imagination

Walt Disney Animation Studios environment modeler John Aquino, worked on films from ?Frozen 2? to ?Moana.? Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

In ?Frozen 2,? Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and, Sven journey far beyond the gates of Arendelle in search of answers.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

Angel In LALA LAND

Angelo "Angel" Marcelo's story of a musician who started his love affair with his guitar at a very young age is the same story that happened to many adolescents worldwide. Still, only a few continued their passion and turned it into a lifetime career. The narrative changes when the music becomes the "nourishment" and changes the future self 's shape.

He is one of the very few who kept his passion for music alive for decades. We say this because, in a country such as the Philippines, the true art form is a privilege accorded to a few. We asked Angel to share his story with us as he has been traveling for music over the years and had the opportunity to meet people from foreign countries who are as dedicated to their music and at the same time inspired by their families and loved ones to keep the music playing.

For now, Angel waits for the pandemic restrictions to be lifted soon so he can continue exploring more places and provide for his family's needs. We thank him for sharing his personal photos from the places he's been and his personal LALA land.

Hello. Sorry f or t he lat e rep ly.

PM: How ' s lif e lat ely?

Aw f ul b ecause of t he p an dem ic.

PM: As a Filip in o m usician w ho t ravels t o f oreign coun t ries, how an d w hen did your journ ey st art ?

I st art ed in 20 0 0 w it h a lan d- b ased job ab road as a m usician up un t il 20 10 . Traveled aroun d Asia, t he m iddle east an d, t he sout h p acif ic w it h dif f eren t b an ds. Som et im es, I w orked solo.

I n 20 11, I got a job in a Jap an ese cruise ship , w orked t here f or 4 years, an d n ow , I ' m w orkin g in a 3rd cruise ship com p an y.

PM: Which coun t ry is your go- t o p lace w hen it com es t o p erf orm in g, an d w hat ' s t he reason b ehin d t he p ref eren ce?

I en joyed m ost of m y lan d- b ased gigs. But w hen I st art ed t o w ork on a Jap an ese cruise ship , I en joyed it . I m ean , I love w orkin g w it h t he Jap an ese. Their w ork et hic is t he b est ?t he cult ure, everyt hin g ab out t hem .

But w hen I visit ed Europ e, it w as som et hin g. Also, I had exp erien ces t here. The p laces I t hought I could n ever go t o.

PM: I f n ot p layin g t he guit ar, w hat could b e your alt ern at ive career?

I have n o idea w hat t o do n ow , really.

I t ' s alm ost a year of n o job , st ill t hin kin g.

PM: Our t hem e is all ab out Norw ay; how did you get t here? What ' s your st ory?

I w orked in a Port uguese cruise ship , an d on e of our it in eraries w as Norw ay.

PM: When you arrived t here, you m et ot her f oreign m usician s, p layed w it h a dif f eren t group an d f or a dif f eren t audien ce.

I saw on e b ar t here, b ut I n ever did see t hem p erf orm . I have a lot of f oreign m usician f rien ds I m et on - b oard. Brazilian s, I t alian s, Asian s.

PM: Share w it h us your exp erien ce com p ared t o our local Filip in o audien ce.

Our local audien ce is harder t o p lease; t hat ' s all I can say.

PM: You w ere in I celan d w here t he gigan t ic m elt dow n hap p en ed a coup le of years ago; w hat exact ly hap p en ed?

I really don ' t kn ow w hat hap p en ed. But I kn ow clim at e chan ge is real. I w it n essed m elt in g ice; I can ' t say if it w as t hat b ad or w hat .

PM: How w ere you t reat ed t here?

As a m usician / crew , t hey t reat ed us as t ourist s.

PM: You were in Iceland when the gigantic meltdown happened; what exactly happened?

I really don't know what happened. But I know climate change is real. I witnessed melting ice; I can't say if it was bad or what.

PM: How were you treated there?

As a musician/crew, they treated us as tourists.

PM: Will you return to travel for music?

Hopefully yes.

PM: Eddie Van Halen passed away. Care to comment?

I already knew that Eddie had cancer; I thought he was cured or something. All I can say is that we're so lucky to witness a guitar god in our lifetime.

PM: What has changed if you'll compare the music and listeners from way back and now?

I'm old school; I enjoy listening to classics. But as a musician, I need to appreciate new stuff too.

From old to new, a million miles apart. With respect to Taylor Swift for winning 3 Album of the year awards, she ain't Stevie Wonder. Harsh.

PM: You have kids who also love your art. Will you encourage them to play?

No. Hehe. Seriously, I let them play music.

But for them to be musicians, find something else. It's tough to find musician jobs.

On my part, I can say that I'm just lucky.

With shipping magnate Mario Ferreira making the cruise business running soon, it looks like our very own musician will be back to explore the world once again!

PM: When and where are you planning to travel for music.

"When" is a hard thing to answer now, but "where" is Asia, maybe. I asked my agency to line me up to Asia cruise.

So, let's see.

PM: Is Norway a rock music-loving country? Tips for musicians who travel abroad I really have no idea what they like. But I experienced in Iceland; they played acoustic just like here in The The Philippines. And there was a piano bar where we just jammed and played our music.

PM: What do you particularly like in Norway?

A Safe Place.

Reykjavik Iceland, 2019

Qaqortoq,Grenland, 2019

In Stavanger, Norway, 2019

With Caca Velloso in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

All the images used are Angel Marcelo's personal photos.

The Mystical Journey Continues World Explorer launched in 2019 and sails as part of Quark Expeditions?fleet The shipping titan is back with a better fleet, this time bringing in smaller and intimate ships, carefully designed and planned to ensure maximum comfort in the most remote and unique landscapes of our world.

Mr. Mario Ferreira, the European cruising magnate boast of his investments in developing new eco-friendly technologies, such as hydro-jet propulsion system that show their commitment to building a sustainable cruise fleet with the minimum environmental impact on the regions they visit. The hydro-jet propulsion system debuted on World Explorer and allowed Ferreira?s ships to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high performance. It?s done via jets of water that propel the ship when undertaking short maneuvers such as cruising along a fjord. It can also help maintain a dynamic position without using the main engines or propellers, reducing fuel and emissions.

?The system is almost noiseless,? Ferreira says. ?It also does not cause any disturbances to marine life, so with this electric model, we cruise silently. This is important in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, where there are several endangered and rare species. It is a perfect system for the whales since they rely on echolocation systems for communication.?

While Ferreira?s company has done exceptionally well to maintain its current plans during Covid-19, it?s also crucial to recognize that the crisis will impact the cruise experience when guests do begin returning.

Only time will tell whether guests will enjoy a luxury holiday in the same way when waiters in personal protective equipment are serving them.

The dining room of t he new World Navigator ship, work developed by t he ??

Eight in Ponto ??company of Art ur Miranda and Jacques Bec.

Today seeing the final details on our Voyager here in Viana before departure, will begin cruises with Germans on the 10th of April with special permission from the Canary Islands who have a special corridor open to German tourists as long as they board and land on their islands... The photos are from a very talented Portuguese lady, Lídia Magalh hães. - Mario Ferreira's post on his public FB Page.

Mystic Invest ? the company behind Nicko and DouroAzul ? now has another name on its books: Atlas Ocean Voyages. The USA-based expedition cruise line will operate five ships from a fleet of expedition cruise ships that Ferreira is currently building (World Navigator in 2021, World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022, and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023). World Explorer, the first ship in the series, launched last year and is currently sailing for Quark Expeditions, while Nicko will get its own expedition ship when World Voyager launches next year. However, with Covid-19 playing havoc with the cruise industry, have Ferreira?s plans for a fleet of expedition ships been derailed? ?No, we maintained our expansion plans as they were before the pandemic,? he explains. ?World Voyager is almost ready to be delivered, and we are already fast at work with World Navigator, which we?ll launch in 2021. While the majority of the operators in the industry halted their plans, we were able to take all the necessary precautions and continue with our plans for both our ocean fleet and the expansion of our Douro river cruises fleet, as we?ve already received delivery of our newest ship, São Gabriel.?

Source: Sam Ballard - Cruise & Ferry; Photo credits: Mystic Invest https://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/how-mystic-invest-is-maintaining-course-1

The cold never bothered them anyway The Philippines is a tropical country. Perhaps the dream of walking on ice sounds like fun for most of us but to have Filipinos compete in the international arena for skating and winning at the same time is a thousand times worth more Gold in the Olympics ... and it's not a figure of speech either.

M ich ael Ch r ist ian M ar t in ez (born November 4, 1996) is a Filipino Olympic figure skater. He is the 2015 Asian Figure Skating Trophy champion, a two-time Triglav Trophy champion and, has won one ISU Challenger Series medal, silver at the 2014 Warsaw Cup. Martinez is the first skater from Southeast Asia and a tropical country to qualify for the Olympics. It was the only athlete to represent the Philippines at the 2014 Winter Olympics and was one of only two to represent the Philippines at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Michael Martinez Skates to an Olympian?s Tune A little odd Olympic trivia. Michael Martinez of the Philippines is skating to a work by the violinist Vanessa Mae, who is herself a former Winter Olympian. - NY Times Photo Credit : Chang W. Lee, NY Times

An n e Lin e Gjer sem (born 6 January 1994) is a Norwegian retired figure skater.

She is the 2015 Nordic silver medalist, the 2015 Denkova-Staviski Cup bronze medalist, and a three-time Norwegian national champion. She represented Norway at the 2014 Winter Olympics and has reached the free skate at six ISU Championships.

Photo Credits : The Adobo Chronicles and Robin Ritoss

CTTO

Zh air a Cost in ian o (born November 30, 1995, in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino figure skater. She qualified for the free skate at the 2012 Four Continents Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is the 2009 junior ladies Philippine national champion and the 2010 senior ladies Philippine national champion. NW Asian Weekly named Costiniano among the top ten Asian-American sports figures in 2010.

Costiniano became the youngest lady to win the Philippine senior ladies title at age 15. She is also the first lady to win the Philippine junior and senior national titles in consecutive years. Costiniano represented the Philippines at the Junior World Championship in 2010 and 2011. She was the Philippines' flag bearer at the 2011 Asian Winter Games held in Kazakhstan and placed 7th at the event.

Kat h r yn Vict or y M agn o (born March 18, 1990) is an American-born Filipina short track speed skater and former figure skater. Magno is the first person to win a medal in speed skating for the Philippines in an international competition outside the country.

Magno started her sporting career as a figure skater representing the Philippines. She was first introduced to the sport when she was five years old. Among the competitions she entered is the 2009 Coupe Internationale de Nice.

She switched to short track speed skating in 2014, coming from a two-year break to focus on her studies. She remarked that the scoring in figure skating is subjective and liked short track speed skating more since a definite winner is determined by a race and for its "social vibes." She entered the 2014 and 2015 Asian Short Track Speed Skating Trophies; both hosted in the Philippines. She won three bronze medals in the 2014 edition at the women's 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m events. She was the sole skater competing for the Philippines at the 2014 edition.

Alisson Kr yst le Per t ich et o (born 18 September 1997) is a Swiss-Filipino figure skater who currently represents the Philippines. She is the 2017 Egna Spring Trophy champion, 2015 Skate Helena silver medalist, and 2014 Philippines national champion. She has competed in the free skate at three ISU Championships, placing 18th at 2013 Junior Worlds in Milan, Italy; 17th at 2014 Four Continents in Taipei, Taiwan; and 16th at 2015 Four Continents in Seoul, South Korea.

She's bound for Sweden this March but decided later not to compete in the ISU 2021 World Figure Skating Championships last Mar. 24 at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, after suffering an injury on her last day of practice. Alisson suffered bad shin splints on both her legs, making it very painful for her to perform or train now.

Photo Credits to Ph Skating Union and Sports Bytes Ph

M er icien Ven zon (born August 22, 1991) from Hayward, California, United States, is a figure skater representing the Philippines. She qualified for the free skate at the 2011 Four Continents Championships. She was the senior women's champion at the 2009 Philippine Figure Skating Championships.

An MD/Ph.D. Candidate, Rudin Medical Humanities Fellow in New York.

She has a passion for immunology and innovates new treatment strategies by applying ecological and evolutionary principles to studying the disease.

Her Interests include immunology, vaccinology, Filipinx health disparities, & supporting/increasing diversity in the academic sciences

You could say Mericien Venzon has a foot in both worlds ? and one foot is wearing an ice skate. She?s a successful figure skater. But she?s no stranger to the world of science, either: as a UCLA student, she pursued a major in biology and a minor in evolutionary medicine. An undergraduate researcher in Prof. Michael Alfaro?s lab, Venzon, was designated a Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Scholar. Still, she managed to become a founding member of UCLA?s first competitive figure skating team ? and a clinical research assistant on the elite Student Stroke Team working with UCLA emergency medicine.UCLASource: UCLA Profiles

Photo Credit to dailybruin.com

Ju les Alpe was the champion of the Junior Men category of the 2014 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships.

At the Elite Junior Men category of the 2016-17 SEA Figure Skating Challenge in Bangkok, Alpe finished first place, placing ahead of Chadwick Tse-Fung Wang of Singapore, the only competitor.

He placed second at the Junior Men Category of the 2017 Jégvirág Cup. Alpes competed at the 2017 Asian Winter Games, where he placed 17th in the short program, free skate, and overall.

Ch r ist oph er Calu za (born July 3, 1990) is a Filipino-American figure skater. He is the 2013 Lombardia Trophy silver medalist, 2012 Bavarian Open bronze medalist, and the 2012 Philippines national champion.

Photo by Zimbio

Edr ian Pau l Celest in o (born April 7, 1998) is a Filipino-Canadian figure skater. He is the 2019 Philippine national champion and qualified to skate at the 2020 Four Continents Championships. For Canada, he is the 2016 Autumn Classic International junior champion and a two-time Canadian junior national medalist (2015?16).

Photo by Journal Metro, Saint Laurent

Dik k i Joh n M ar t in ez (born October 6, 1991, in Quezon City) is a Filipino figure skater. He was the 2009 Men's Senior Champion of the Philippine National Figure Skating Championship and Mericien Venzon, who won the Ladies' Division and the Philippines' Junior Champion from 2006 to 2008. Martinez was born in Quezon City, Philippines. He then moved to Las Pinas City with his mother and older sister. He has Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino ancestry. He graduated from high school in 2008 and graduated from college in October 2011 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at Lyceum of the Philippines University. He currently owns a travel agency along with his sister.

Source: Who Is Popular Today

M ich ael Novales (born April 13, 1985) is a Filipino figure skater. At the 2006 Four Continents Championships, where he placed 14th, he became the first skater to represent the Philippines in an ISU Championship. Novales competed at the U.S. Championships as a novice in 2002 and 2003, placing ninth and seventh, respectively.

Novales began representing the Philippines internationally in 2005. He placed 14th at the 2006 Four Continents Championships and 35th at the 2006 World Championships. He arrived in Changchun, China, for the 2007 Asian Winter Games in sub-zero weather with serious flu. He finished eighth despite chest congestion and coughing. John Nicks and Russ Scott coached Novales.

In 2005, Novales appeared alongside a large international cast in Spherical, a show choreographed by David Liu for the Grand Opening of the World Ice Arena in Shenzhen, China. In late 2008 and early 2009, he performed for Rand Productions in a three-month show at Ocean Park in Hong Kong. He also skated on board the cruise liners Freedom of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.

Novales teaches at the rink where he trained, Aliso Viejo Ice Palace in Orange County.

Photo Courtesy of internationalskating.com

Publisher's Summary The brand-new novel from the Sunday Times best-selling author of The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew- a gorgeous listen full of warmth and heartfelt emotion.

Laurie and Pete should never have met. But fate has pushed them together for a reason.

Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners.

Struggling to manage the grief, they join the same counseling group - and meet each other.

From their sadness, Pete and Laurie find happiness growing, and they sense a fresh new beginning.

Except, the more they talk, the more Laurie begins to spot the strange parallels in their stories. Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything.

But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart.

My One True North is a story of friendship and what love means, of secrets uncovered, tea-shops on corners and the northern lights. ©2020 Milly Johnson (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, UK Milly Johnson was born in Barnsley, raised in Barnsley, and still lives in Barnsley - although she did a study in Exeter for four years and emigrated to Haworth in West Yorkshire 1980s where she lived for many years, all on the strength of her love for the Brontes.

She trained as an actress, teacher, accountant, a Customer Services and Suggestion Scheme Manager and worked in various administrative posts for companies dealing with anything from antique furniture to plastic injection molded poop scoops. Eventually, she found a happy existence writing poems and jokes for the greetings card world - helping to kick off the hugely successful Purple Ronnie project. She is still a professional joke writer and after dinner/motivational speaker, which she enjoys writing novels.

The Sociocultural Differences Between Norway and the Philippines There are very few Filipinos in Norway compared to other European countries. Despite that, we found Conozco Pablo's blog and requested to share this fascinating piece about Norway and the Philippines' cultural differences from a Filipino immigrant's perspective. We discovered later on that Conozco Pablo (which means I Know Pablo in Spanish) is the personal blog site of Paul Jamero, a nurse in Oslo. It is worth mentioning that his site has been visited more than 2.2 million times since 2016. Here's the insightful and downright honest blog article from 2019.

by Conozco Pablo Soon, I would mark my sixth year of living in Norway. It isn't easy to sum up, the past six years in few words? many things I have experienced and many people I have encountered. At least, I could say I have learned a lot during this period. However, what makes it more challenging for me as an immigrant in Norway is the contrast in cultures and social norms between my home country, the Philippines and Norway. Both countries were ranked high in a different survey of happiness, depending on how happiness is defined on these surveys. And this concept of happiness is reflected in the norms in both countries. In this blog post, I would enumerate ten of these cultural differences.

1. Love for nature I could say that both the Philippines and Norway have been blessed with beautiful landscapes.

The Philippines is known for its beaches, while Norway has fjords giving way to beautiful, unique sceneries not found in other countries. However, there is a big difference between how nature is used. The Philippines also has forests, but it is not a popular place to go to.

Private individuals and companies can hinder access to the beach. Still, there is a universal right to pass by someone?s property in Norway, whether it is located in the forest or along the coastline. One could say no one owns the beach. This is a motivating factor for people to go for a walk in nature in Norway. Residents in Norway are accustomed to using their free time, perhaps on the weekends, for this. It is a popular social activity for both family and friends.

2. Focus on climate change Norway is located near the Arctic region, while the Philippines lies near the equator. Both regions feel the effects of a warming planet. Norway has never experienced hot summers and relatively less snow in the winter. New plant species have also come to Norway due to the warming temperate climate. The Philippines, on the other hand, has experienced very powerful typhoons the world has never seen. Some animal and plant species are threatened to be extinct in the coming years. However, policies on climate are taken more seriously in Norway. There are improvements in the level of environmental awareness in recent years in the Philippines, but there is a long way to go before it would be comparable to Norway's.

3. Religion Norway has a state church. When a Norwegian is born, they are automatically members of the church until they opt-out or stay. However, participation in religious activities is significantly low in the Scandinavian country. More and more people identify themselves as atheists or non-religious.

It would seem not a problem, though, as Norwegian culture is heavily based on mutual understanding and kindness. So one could say people in Norway are not religious but are generally kind. On the other hand, the power of the Church in the Philippines is overwhelming. It has affected all aspects of the lives of people, their beliefs, and even decision-making. The Philippines is becoming less conservative in recent years, but it would take decades to achieve the same level of liberalism in Norway.

4. The Concept of Family Family is more personal and close-knit in the Philippines. The head of the family has the responsibility to take care of the family and decide on matters involving members. Prestige is something all Filipino families aim to have. Filipino parents send their children to school to lift the socio-economic status of the family. There is a collective effort to achieve such a goal. Moreover, family members spend time together very often, primarily during mealtime. It is actually almost the same with food and family in Norway but to a lesser extent. Eating is more frequent in the Philippines.

Moreover, the family seems more emphasized in the Filipino society rather than the individual. A family member could be compromised for the benefit of the whole family. This is the primary reason why a lot of Filipinos migrate to other countries to support their family. The head of the family needs to be consulted every time there is an important decision, even personally. It is also expected for children to give back and support the whole family after they have finished school and gained work. This is based on the belief that it is the children?s parents who sacrificed most to send their children to school. This is a rare phenomenon in Norway.

In Norway, the government seems to have more control over family matters. Parents are obliged by law to spend time with their children, especially right after delivering a baby. The government somehow has encroached on how things are to be done at home.

When is it possible to leave a child alone at home, when is parental control is too much or not enough the government decides these. The government takes an active role in filling the need for care, especially when a child's rights are compromised or when there is a need for more care and services for family members, for example, the elderly. In the Philippines, if the parents can not fulfill their duties, other family members in the extended family are somehow obliged to take over this role. At least someone would assume the family's responsibility, and the government is not expected to help directly in any way.

5. Learning system.

Philippine education is not fully recognized in Norway. It is surprising to know this. The Norwegian government's main reason is that Philippine education lacks the number of years of basic education. 12 or more in Norway, and just 10 in the Philippines. This is contentious for the Norwegian government to push for this statement. Norway also expounds that cheating is rampant in the Philippines, such that one could buy professional degrees without going to school. This is a generalization based on rumors or may be true to just a few.

Yes. That is possible in the Philippines or perhaps in some other countries too. However, most professional degrees require a licensure examination. Results are published online, so it is transparent. Those who get the highest marks also are known nationwide for their corresponding grades. We are talking about competing among thousands of new graduates each year. That is a tough thing. This stems from the competition-driven education system.

Students from 5 years old are ranked regularly in school, sometimes every 3 months, based on their academic performance and even curricular activities. Should one not excel, he or she is considered inferior. That stigma lasts for a lifetime.

Furthermore, when a subject has a time allotment of 1 hour weekly, it does not mean students spend only one hour on it. That means the teacher would be expected to conduct lecture discussions in one hour, and the students would do the rest. We are talking of multiple teachers doing so. There is no document showing how much effort a student has for a single subject, so concluding Philippine education lacks quality is baseless and immature. Also, teachers do not accept just mediocre work. They lash out at students for not giving their best. It is not enough to be recognized as good. The aim is to be the best. Hence, some teachers would expect one to memorize textbooks word-for-word and text students word-for-word just after an overnight preparation for it. This is something I myself have experienced.

This is only Part 1 of the blog; the remaining half may be read through Conozco Pablo's website www.conozcopablo.com.

Photo Credit : John Denner

The Last Gui tar God

by Fermin Villegas

On October 6th, 2020, the world of music ? or more specifically, rock and roll ? was shaken by the death of Edward Van Halen, guitarist for the American rock band that bears his surname, Van Halen. The band was one of the biggest, loudest, and arguably most entertaining groups to come onto the hard rock scene in the late 1970s.

Eddie, as he was more known, joined by his brother Alex Van Halen on drums, Michael Anthony on bass, and flamboyant frontman ?Diamond? David Lee Roth, gave the world some of the most recognizable hits to ever feature loud drums, guitars, and screaming vocals. Subsequent incarnations of the band would have Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone (of Extreme, more known for the mellow hit ?More than Words?) as lead singers and Eddie?s son Wolfgang Van Halen on bass.

Photo Credit : VHND

?Ain?t Talkin??Bout Love,? ?Runnin?with the Devil,? ?Jamie?s Cryin?,? ?Dance the Night Away,? ?Dreams,? ?Why Can?t This Be Love,? ?Panama,? ?Hot for Teacher ? and the No. 1 hit ?Jump? are just some of the most recognizable songs from a storied career that included 12 multi-platinum albums in a span of over 35 years.

But it was the guitar instrumental ?Eruption,? taken from their debut album Van Halen (1978), that announced and immediately established Eddie Van Halen as a musical innovator and virtuoso on par with rock legends Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page. On ?Eruption,? Eddie Van Halen unleashed his fiery, two-handed, ?six-fingered? tapping and hammer-on technique, where he vertically hits and releases the guitar strings as a piano player would, creating strange new sounds that were completely unheard of. His unified bending of all six strings with a tremolo or ?whammy? bar attached to the guitar bridge helped to create swooping wails and sonic bombast that evoked aerial assaults by warplanes. These so-called ?fire-bombs? would be one of many signature guitar sounds perfected by Eddie and imitated by countless guitarists ever since. The recognizable, muscular tone he gets out of his guitars (known as the ?brown sound?) also comes from his penchant for disassembling parts found on other guitars and putting them together ? electronics, wood, design, and all ? with deconstructed amplifiers and effects. One of his many famous guitars is one called ?Frankenstrat? simply because it?s made from the salvaged parts of several old and worn Fender Strats or Stratocasters.

At the November 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute in his honor, latter-day guitar greats such as Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Slash (Guns ?n?Roses/Velvet Revolver), and Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave), called him a ?tremendously gifted musician? who seemed to have come ?from a different planet,? with the kind of once-in-a-century talent that makes him the ?Mozart of our generation.?

Eddie and Alex Van Halen were born to Jan van Halen, a traveling jazz clarinetist from the Netherlands, and Eugenia van Beers from the East Indies' Dutch colony (now Indonesia). After getting married and settling in the Netherlands, Jan and Eugenia, along with a young Alex and Eddie Van Halen, made the bold choice of moving to America, traversing the long journey by boat, eventually settling in Pasadena California.

In later interviews, Eddie would say they only had ?$50 and a piano? to their name during that journey to seek ?the American Dream.? On the boat, Jan would play with the jazz band to earn a little money. Sometimes Alex and Eddie, exhibiting musical abilities even then, would even join the band for some performances.

In California, Eddie and Alex began taking classical piano lessons, with Eddie, in particular, showing a lot of promise, winning piano competitions through the ages of 9 to 12. But when the brothers discovered rock and roll, they got tired of the piano and took up guitar and drums ? but with Alex on guitar and Eddie on drums.

Photo Credits: Abby Gibbard / Rich Fuscia

But when Alex began playing with Eddie?s drum kit and showed a higher degree of proficiency, both brothers decided they should switch instruments. For the next few years, the Van Halen brothers practiced and gigged with a revolving set of members, backyard gigs, and band names, until finally settling with the classic lineup featuring Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth, who then had the idea of christening the band after the musical siblings.

Years of club gigs and songwriting followed, with the band finally signing to a record label and releasing their debut album in 1978. That album has since gone on to sell more than 10 million copies.

The classic Van Halen lineup's success culminated in1984 (spelled MCMLXXXIV on the album cover), released the same year and led by the surprisingly synthesizer-driven hit single ?Jump.? Eddie also played the frenetic and melodic guitar solo on the song ?Beat It? by Michael Jackson from the 1982 album Thriller, which would become the biggest-selling album of all time. ?Beat It? would start a tradition of sorts for Jackson, who would feature a rock song with a flashy lead guitarist on his subsequent albums ? Steve Stevens of Billy Idol?s band on ?Dirty Diana? from 1987?s Bad; and Slash of Guns ?n?Roses on the live performances of ?Black or White? from 1991?s Dangerous. Later years would see feuding, aborted reunions, rumors, ill-fated tours, drug and alcohol problems, surgeries, and health issues within the Van Halen camp. But fans rejoiced when Eddie reunited with original lead singer David Lee Roth for Van Halen?s 2012 album Different Kind of Truth, which saw Eddie?s then-15-year-old son Wolfgang Van Halen on bass.

Subsequent world and US tours would prove successful and bring the band back to the spotlight. But after their last tour in 2015, rumors of Eddie?s second and unsuccessful bout with cancer began circulating, being confirmed a few months before his death. Eddie Van Halen was only 65.

Tributes began pouring in as soon as the news went public, confirming what many of his fans already knew ? Eddie Van Halen was one of the most talented musicians who ever lived and one who might be the last guitar god to walk this earth.

Karin came along our paths like a breath of fresh air. It is challenging to look for the right persona for our monthly round-up of who's going to be featured every month since we put together themed elements that bind and create a seamless segue of stories that are both unique but carefully put together.

As mentioned in our previous stories, if there would be any shared passions and interests between Filipinos and Norwegians, music would be one of them.

Rapper, Producer, and Multi-Instrumentalist Karin Melón is our newfound Filipino / Norwegian treasure.

PM : Give u s a br ief back gr ou n d abou t you r self . How w as it gr ow in g u p in Nor w ay?

I grew up in a small town on the west coast of Norway called Haugesund. It was only my mom and me, but we would often travel to the Philippines to visit family. I'm glad I grew up in Norway as it is safe, but I always loved spending time with my family on our trips. Being half Norwegian and half Filipino was often confusing, as there are some differences between the cultures. Most notably, Norwegians are more reserved, less religious, and more individualists.

PM : How did it all st ar t f or you ? You r m u sic car eer ?

I started when my mom enrolled me in clarinet lessons when I was 6 years old. She wanted me to make music, and clarinet classes were what she found in the area. I took classes for about 10 years along with various other instruments like the guitar and the piano. I remember I really wanted to play the drums, and when I was about 11 years old, I was able to join the school band to learn the drums. Later, I also did a Bachelor 's Degree in music with a major in the drums and the piano. Hip-hop and R&B have always been something I loved. When I was 22 years old, I have had a few different bands and projects after moving to Oslo. It wasn?t until recently I started getting more serious with my current artist name Karin Melón.

PM : We've list en ed t o you r m u sic, an d w e loved it ! Wh at h ave you been u p t o lat ely? We ar e st u ck in ou r h om es; do w e sh ar e t h e sam e sen t im en t ?

It has been an exceptional year indeed. My heart goes out to everyone who has had a hard time. For me, I have had a really productive year with the music. I am working on my second album, where I have been working with features with a ton of other Filipinos abroad in Canada, Germany, California, Nevada, among other places. I can?t tell you more yet, but stay tuned :) I guess being stuck at home has given me a boost in productivity. I also think our dog has loved having us so much at home. With all the restrictions in place, we have at least been able to spend a lot of time in the forest with no covid in sight.

PM : We love t h e vibe of A Dr eam ; w h at 's t h e st or y beh in d t h e son g? In som n ia?

A Dream is really about following your dream. Many people are afraid to follow their dreams and hold themselves back with negative thinking and a lack of confidence. Nothing happens if you don?t take action.

Shoutout to OVO, who joined me on the track!

I actually have another song called Insomnia. I have major issues with falling asleep at night. I?ve always been like that since I was a kid, and I tried EVERYTHING. My biological clock says: go to sleep at 3 AM and wake up at 10 AM. Obviously, society isn't built that way. Hahaha. Sleep is essential, and it can ruin your mood and even relationships.

PM : Sh ar e w it h u s t h e m u sic pr ef er en ce of Nor w egian s com par ed t o Filipin os.

Norway is really famous in the heavy metal music community. However, it is not that common for people to listen to. I guess Norwegians listen to all kinds of genres and popular music. Music with great (but not too fancy!) melody tends to do better than music with rhythm in focus. Genres like R&B, soul, and old school ballads are seldom on hit lists in Norway. Haha. Mainstream-rap is still a big deal here, though. The OPM sound is not something you would hear here. My impression is also that Filipino music is often more focused on romance and feelings.

PM : You 've collabor at ed w it h ot h er ar t ist s. Do you see you r self doin g m or e collabor at ion s in t h e f u t u r e?

Oh yes! I love working with other artists. Like mentioned, I have an album in the making with lots of fellow Filipinos. I am AMAZED at how many talented Filipinos there are worldwide. Working with others is more fun, and you learn a lot.

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PM : An y m u sician s/ per f or m er s you lik e? An y Filipin os?

Som e of m y f avor it e ar t ist s at t h e m om en t are Lizzo and Chika. I alsoidoliseFilipino-American producer !llmind. I loved Jo Koy's latest Netflix Special when he went to the Philippines with !llmind and other artists.

PM : Car e t o sh ar e a f ew son gs f r om you r playlist ?

These songs are on my playlist right now: Pretty - Col3trane Balance - Chika Heatcheck - Francis Arevalo (Filipino) February Bank

No One Understands Me - February Bank (Filipino) PM : Fu t u r e plan s.

This year I have planned multiple releases under my artist name Karin Melón. However, because of the covid situation, I have not set the specific dates yet. I also want to focus more on producing for other artists under my producer name Mellow Melón and Missy Melón. I hope to connect more with artists and fans on SoMe. Francis Arevalo

PM : Wh at ar e you r pan dem ic lif e m u st -h aves (t h in gs you can't do w it h ou t )?

Our sweet dog and my husband ?

PM : How w as you r exper ien ce back in M an ila?

Great! I must admit I like Dumaguete better, though. It?s more relaxing, and that?s where most of my family lives. Manila is more high paced and modern. That?s the place to be when doing creative work with other people.

PM : If you h ave a bu ck et list , w h at ar e t h e f ir st t h r ee?

Covid 19 has changed everyone's perspective, so I guess my bucket list is more meaningful than it used to be. It?s not like I need to buy a fancy car to make me happy. I?ve always wished to live a year in Los Angeles and make a living of music. I also want to provide for my mom and family in the Philippines and have a family of my own I also hope to start a business in the Philippines someday.

L L O K Here are some random shots of Karin and some important events and people in her life; 1. Her digital media photo of the song Insomnia; 2. American record producer Illmind 3. Karin at the studio with her band 4. One of her video docs. 5. Karin and her mom!

Check out Karin's Official FB Page and stay updated! : https://www.facebook.com/kkarinmelon

E G A L L O

Parting message to Filipinos: "Plese stay safe and remember better times are coming soon.

Also, you can support me nd check my music on your preferred streaming platform. More music coming soon!"

- Karin Melon

O B C

Pr emier SAPERE AUDE

Vol. 1

APRIL 2021 OCEAN NATION ISSUE

A ll A bout N orway