Crescendo and Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre Present: 'The Nutcracker' ASEAN Tour in Singapore

 

Following the tremendous success of their "Swan Lake" production in Malaysia and Singapore earlier this year, Crescendo is set to captivate audiences once again by partnering with the Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre to bring "The Nutcracker" to life as part of their ASEAN tour. Scheduled for 8 December 2024 at The Theatre at Mediacorp in Singapore, this performance marks a continuation of Crescendo’s commitment to delivering world-class ballet experiences. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, "The Nutcracker" promises to enchant with its timeless story, stunning choreography, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic music. Building on the momentum of "Swan Lake," Crescendo aims to offer Singaporean audiences yet another unforgettable cultural event. Tickets are available at sistic.com.

Singapore, 21 August – Following the resounding success of Crescendo’s production of "Swan Lake" in Malaysia and Singapore this past May, Crescendo is proud to collaborate once again with the renowned Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre to bring yet another beloved classic to life—"The Nutcracker" by P.I. Tchaikovsky. As part of their highly anticipated ASEAN tour, "The Nutcracker" will be performed in Singapore on 8 December 2024 at The Theatre at Mediacorp.

Celebrating 35 years of captivating audiences worldwide, "The Nutcracker" has become more than just a ballet; it’s a magical experience that transcends borders and generations. The story, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, weaves a tale of holiday wonder, with elaborate costumes, dazzling choreography, and a timeless narrative that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Crescendo is thrilled to build on the momentum of their recent successes, offering Singaporean audiences an opportunity to experience this fairy-tale ballet in a world-class setting. "The Nutcracker" is renowned for its ability to unite people through the universal language of dance, delivering a performance that is both enchanting and unforgettable.

“After the overwhelming reception of 'Swan Lake,' we knew we wanted to bring something just as special back to Singapore,” said Marco Rios, CEO at Crescendo. “'The Nutcracker' is a perfect choice, with its universal appeal and the Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre’s exceptional artistry. We’re excited to continue our partnership and bring this holiday classic to life for the Singapore audience.”

The Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre’s artists and soloists are internationally acclaimed for their grace and technical prowess, promising a performance that will leave audiences spellbound. The production’s intricate set designs, combined with the beautiful melodies of Tchaikovsky, create an immersive experience that transports the audience into a world of magic and joy.

• Event: The Nutcracker by Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre

• Venue: The Theatre at Mediacorp, Singapore

• Date: 8 December 2024 (2 shows, afternoon & evening)

• Tickets: Available at sistic.com

About Crescendo: Crescendo is a leading name in performing arts, dedicated to bringing world-class ballet and cultural performances to Southeast Asia. With a commitment to artistic excellence, Crescendo collaborates with top international companies to present ballets that resonate with both traditional and modern audiences.

JPLT Online Japanese School Offers the Chance to Learn from a Professional Native Teacher For Only 900 pesos a month!

JPLT Online Japanese School, DialogPlus Japan, and DialogPlus PH, featuring native Japanese instructor Mayuko Sensei.

A special offer for beginners to learn Japanese from a native instructor for only 900 pesos per month.

Classes start in September 2024, with weekday and weekend options available.

Online via JPLT’s platform, including the JPLT Metaverse Campus.

To provide accessible, high-quality Japanese language education at an unprecedented price, allowing learners to gain authentic pronunciation and cultural insights from a native speaker.

Enroll through JPLT’s website, choose your preferred schedule, and join classes with a mix of native Japanese and Filipino instructors. Recorded lessons are available for missed classes.

JPLT Online Japanese School Offers the Chance to Learn from a Professional Native Teacher For Only 900 pesos a month!

[DialogPlus Japan and DialogPlus PH] – [August 21, 2024] – JPLT (Japanese Language Training Online School) offers an unbeatable opportunity: learn from a native Japanese Instructor at an incredibly affordable price! 

For the first time, even those who are complete beginners with no prior knowledge of Japanese can join the Beginner Batch and participate in interactive, online lessons with a native Japanese instructor for just 900 pesos per month (USD: $15 | JPY: 2,520).

Website: https://jplt-dialogplus.com/

Introducing Mayuko-sensei

Our new addition to the JPLT team is Mayuko-sensei, a highly experienced Japanese language educator with over a decade of teaching experience in Australian secondary schools. With a Master’s degree in Education from an Australian public university, she now brings her expertise to online classes, providing quality education at a fraction of the usual cost—an opportunity unlike any other.

Imagine learning Japanese from a native speaker who can charge thousands of pesos per hour for one-on-one lessons, and is now made accessible at a very low price. This offering stands out as a unique chance for learners.

Special September Batch Offer:

Conversation Course for Beginners (N5/A1)

Weekdays: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PHT / 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST (previous day)

Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM PHT / 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM EST (same day)

Weekend Classes: Continue Japanese practice online with skilled Filipino instructors.

Missed a class? No problem—recorded lessons ensure easy access to catch up at any time.

Why This is a Great Opportunity:

Unbeatable Prices: Quality Japanese lessons at a price that’s never been seen before.

Native Japanese Teacher: Learn authentic pronunciation and cultural insights directly from a native speaker.

Experienced Instructors: Get the best of both worlds with guidance from Filipino and Japanese educators.

Flexible Schedule: Choose from weekday and weekend classes to fit your lifestyle. 

Comprehensive Curriculum: A solid foundation covering JLPT N5 or CEFR A1 levels.

This unique opportunity is designed to cater to beginner Japanese language learners, offering an exciting path to mastering the language.

About JPLT Online School

JPLT (Japanese Language Training Online School) aims to be an inclusive and sustainable online school, fostering a collaborative learning community where learners can support one another. Free Japanese learning opportunities are also available.

JPLT Metaverse Campus

The JPLT Metaverse Campus offers group classes, one-on-one lessons, and free, fun activities in a cutting-edge virtual space. This platform connects Japanese learners worldwide, providing opportunities to practice speaking with avatars and learn naturally in a supportive environment. Experience the future of Japanese language education at the JPLT Metaverse Campus.

Start the Japanese language journey today by enrolling through the following links:

Enroll now

The contents of this news release are accurate at the time of the announcement. Please note that details may change over time.

About Dialog Plus Philippines Corporation

Contact Information:

Dialog Plus Corporation

Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Representative: Toshimitsu Tanaka

Phone: +81-45-577-9777 (10:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00, excluding Wednesdays and holidays)

Email: info@dialogplus.co.jp

Website: Dialog Plus Japan

Dialog Plus Philippines Corporation

Office Location: 49, 20th Street, East Bajac-bajac, Olongapo City, Zambales, Region III, 2200

Email: admin@dialogplus.co.jp

Phone: +81-047-222-5070

Website: https://dialogplus.ph/

For further details, please visit the website:

https://jplt-dialogplus.com/

Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines Disinformation Web

This is the first part of the four-part series on Media and Information Literacy in the Disinformation Web. In this piece, it will discuss how the spread of fake news and misinformation is eroding trust in media and threatening democracy in the Philippines. Explore the impact of political propaganda, COVID-19 misinformation, and the fight for truth.

In the Philippines, the fine line between facts and fiction is increasingly blurred. Due to the proliferation of fake news, campaign propaganda, and state-sponsored trolling, Filipinos have difficulty fact-checking and assessing the content that they consume. Moreover, these contents tend to satisfy people’s biases and world view which is why they tend to accept the facts at face value even if they were factually erroneous to begin with.

This article will highlight different examples of how bad actors spread fake news. It will also highlight the dire consequences of the mass spreading of misinformation. Lastly, how can the community fight against them?

Case Study 1: Political Propaganda as Weaponization of Lies

Political propaganda is a potent tool in the Philippines. This is rampant during elections. During that season, false narratives and manipulated stories have become common on social media. Social media is the predominant source of campaign propaganda among Filipinos; after all, the Philippines is the social media capital of the world. This propaganda is exacerbated by state-sponsored trolling, which further amplifies these messages. This creates an echo chamber that stifles dissent.

For example, studies on the last 2022 presidential campaign have shown a surge in misleading information. Usually, the content of the campaign favors certain candidates while harming others. This is particularly detrimental to democracy because people ground their discretion on lies in order to vote for particular candidates. 

In this scenario, it harms the electorate the most because they are fed with lies in order to vote for certain candidates that have self-serving agendas. 

Case Study 2: Clickbait, PR and Coordinated Campaigns Contribute to the Fake News Epidemics

Aside from skewing public opinion, disinformation is handy in generating profits for businesses. Remember, attention is the new currency of the digital economy so enterprises come up with lots of strategies to attract people’s attention. For example, clickbait websites and PR firms contribute to the fake news epidemic. They churn out emotionally charged but misleading stories for profit. 

They do this through coordinated disinformation campaigns. The said campaigns flood social media with fabricated content that creates an illusion of widespread support for specific narratives. For example, they greenwash oil companies in order to blind-sight the public that they are environmentally responsible.

These tactics erode trust in media and foster as cloud of scepticism among institutions. If people are to rely on credible media sources, the media companies must hold themselves ethically responsible otherwise it will be a PR nightmare for them or a lawsuit waiting for telling fabricated stories.

Case Study 3: COVID-19 Misinformation That Worsened A Public Health Emergency

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a proven disaster due to misinformation. False claims about treatments and vaccines have led to dangerous health behaviors and vaccine hesitancy. These harmful narratives have prolonged the pandemic and put lives at risk.

Fighting Back: Media Literacy and Collective Action

To combat disinformation, it requires a multi-pronged approach. It requires the efforts of major key players.

• Government agencies – pass laws that incentivize media companies to integrate responsible publications in their platforms such as fact-checking.

•  Independent fact-checkers and civil society organizations should educate the public and expose false narratives.

• Promotion of Media and information literacy education is essential so individuals can critically evaluate information. Understand that the reason bad actors exploit the consumers is due to a lack of MIL among users.

As a Media Consumer, What Can You Do?

• Be Skeptical: Don't believe everything you read online.

• Check Sources: Verify information from reliable sources.

• Support Fact-Checkers: Follow and share the work of reputable fact-checking organizations.

• Demand Accountability: Hold media outlets and politicians accountable for spreading misinformation.

Balancing Regulation and Freedom of Speech

Everyone agrees that fighting disinformation is essential, but protecting freedom of speech is equally important. This is where things could get murky if we highly regulate speech in the name of fact-checking. 

The solution could be to find the right balance in regulations to ensure that legitimate discourse and criticism are not stifled. 

The Fight for Truth: A Shared Responsibility

The fight against disinformation is a shared responsibility. When people become more media literate and demand accountability, they can create a more informed and resilient society. The future of Philippine democracy may well depend on the ability of Filipinos to filter out the web of misinformation and uphold the truth.