Voltes V Live-Action Adaptation

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Voltes V is a classic anime series that first aired in Japan in 1977. Created by Tadao Nagahama and produced by Toei Animation, the show quickly became a global sensation due to its exciting storyline, colorful characters, and iconic mecha designs. In the Philippines, Voltes V gained a massive following during the 80s and 90s, becoming a cultural touchstone for an entire generation of fans. In 2020, GMA Network, one of the country's biggest television networks, announced that they would be producing a live-action adaptation of Voltes V, much to the excitement of fans around the world.

The story of Voltes V follows a group of five young pilots who must band together to fight against an evil alien race that has invaded Earth. The pilots, who are siblings, are the children of a renowned scientist who created the titular mecha, a giant robot that can transform into five separate vehicles. With the help of their loyal robot assistant, they must use their unique skills and abilities to defeat the invaders and save humanity from destruction.

The anime series became a massive hit in the Philippines during the 80s and 90s, becoming a cultural phenomenon that spawned countless merchandise, comic books, and even a hit theme song that is still widely recognized today. The show's popularity in the country is due in part to its themes of heroism, family, and unity, which resonated deeply with Filipino audiences.

In 2020, GMA Network announced that they would be producing a live-action adaptation of Voltes V, which would be directed by Mark Reyes and written by Suzette Doctolero. The series, which was tentatively titled "Voltes V: Legacy," would be a retelling of the original story, with some updates and changes to make it more relevant to modern audiences.

The announcement was met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom were excited to see their beloved childhood show brought to life on the small screen, while others were skeptical of the network's ability to do justice to the original series. Despite the concerns, production on the show began in late 2020, with casting announcements being made in early 2021.

The main cast of the series includes Radson Flores as Steve Armstrong (the pilot of the Voltes V head), Miguel Tanfelix as Mark Gordon (the pilot of the right arm), Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson (the pilot of the left arm), and Matt Lozano as Big Bert Armstrong (the pilot of the torso). The series also stars Sophie Albert as Dr. Smith (the children's mentor and the designer of Voltes V), and Martin del Rosario as Prince Zardoz (the leader of the invading alien race).

The show's production values are impressive, with the mecha designs and special effects being a particular standout. The mecha itself is a faithful recreation of the original design, with some minor tweaks to make it more modern and realistic. The special effects used to bring the mecha and the alien invaders to life are also impressive, with the battles between the two being some of the most exciting and visually stunning moments of the series.

The series also makes some changes to the original story to make it more relevant to modern audiences. For example, the characters of Mark and Jamie are given more prominent roles, with their relationship being explored in more depth. The show also touches on themes of identity, belonging, and prejudice, with the alien race being portrayed as a group of refugees who are seeking a new home after their planet was destroyed.

Filipino learners bag 148 gold medals at International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition

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The Department of Education (DepEd) lauded Filipino learners from private and public schools in the country after garnering a total of 1,310 medals, including 148 gold medals, in the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition (IKMC) held virtually last March 18.

Representatives from the Philippines were also able to collect 358 silver medals and 804 bronze medals for showcasing exceptional problem-solving skills and mathematical ability throughout the course of the competition.

Among the schools that participated, MGC New Life Christian Academy pocketed the most gold medals with 9, followed by Saint Jude Catholic School with 8, and Grace Christian College with 7.

Taguig Integrated School of DepEd NCR and Tanauan City Integrated High School of DepEd Region IV-A likewise won two apiece.

Described as "particularly competitive," this year's edition tests participants' math skills against the best and brightest from other countries. The competition was likewise regarded as a true celebration of the power of mathematics to inspire and challenge young minds.

Moreover, the event organizers praised all participants for their hard work, dedication, and passion for mathematics. They also congratulated the winners for their remarkable achievements and wished them all the best in their future endeavors.

With the successful conduct of 2023 IKMC, young mathematicians around the world are expected to be inspired to continue pursuing their passion for mathematics and strive for excellence.

Established in 1991, the IKMC is widely considered one of the most prestigious international correspondence mathematics competitions, with its goal of promoting interest and excellence in the subject among the youth.

See the complete list of winners here: https://bit.ly/2023-IKMC-PH-results.

Filipino Artist and LGBTQIA+ Advocate Paul Jatayna to speak at Liverpool Sound City Conference

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The British Council supports Jatayna as part of the panel on gender balance and inclusivity

Paul Jatayna, one of the lead organisers of the Philippines' queer rave community ‘Elephant’, has been chosen as an international delegate for the Sound City Conference, happening on 28 April in Liverpool, England. Supported by the British Council, Jatayna is set to speak on the panel about ‘Gender Balance and Inclusivity in International Territories’.

Sound City is the UK’s independent music conference and Association of Independent Music (AIM) UK’s ‘Conference in The North’. For over 15 years, they have remained at the forefront of the global music conference circuit and welcomed leading industry figures, emerging artists and aspiring music business professionals from across the world to Liverpool for a full-day programme of educational panels, in-conversations and networking parties.

"We are honoured to be working alongside the British Council to bring an outstanding group of speakers from around the world to Sound City 2023. With a shared passion for creating new business opportunities, advancing gender equality, and shaping a brighter future for generations to come, we are confident that their insights and expertise will leave an indelible mark on the music industry and inspire positive change for years to come," said Jo Whitty, Sound City COO.

This delegation will open opportunities for Jatayna to talk about the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community and to share the core values of Elephant: enabling a safe place for all and promoting platforms for marginalized artists in the drag and music scene.

"It is important to me that I get to represent the queer community that I belong to and to raise awareness of the achievements and learning curves that we face –especially on the political and economic influence on queer nightlife psychology. I am also very keen to learn from other queer communities from other parts of the world and to understand how they customise and create their own safe space,” Jatayna shares.

"We are thrilled to have Paul Jatayna represent the Philippines and the Filipino queer community as a speaker at Liverpool Sound City. Equality, diversity and inclusion have always been part of the British Council's values, and it's fantastic that Paul will have the opportunity to share the stories of our LGBTIQIA+ community to the rest of the world," says Mich Dulce, British Council in the Philippines' Head of Arts.

The conference will happen alongside the 3-day Sound City Liverpool festivities, from 28 - 30 April 2023, featuring local, national, and international emerging talents. To know more: https://www.soundcity.uk.com/