OBRA
SUB ROSA invites new readers on Hanihara’s Poetry Collection
MARIA LINDA FELIPE HANIHARA
Posted on Nov. 25, 3:00 p.m.
SUB ROSA: The Crucifix of a Poet and other Poems is a collection of written works by Maria Linda Hanihara, an award-winning creative writer, editor, lawyer, wife and a devoted mother to her special child, Mina Ellen.
Launched recently via online, the poetry book is the author’s open vault containing a compilation of her thoughts, feelings and experiences about her personal life, and more importantly, her journey with her daughter.
First printed in May 2014, Sub Rosa features poems she has written over a span of several years that the poet had kept to herself. For Linda then, writing was more of a hobby while she pursued other fields of study, but her brilliance with the pen shined through even without the grind.
“Writing has always been her life’s passion. She would write poems everywhere she goes, especially when she’s travelling,” according to Milagros F. Viernes, Linda’s sister.
But admittedly, she was “on a mission to undermine her gift” and never got around to compiling her works to the least- of the many poems scribbled on the pages of her notebooks, pad papers, diaries and others, much less to have it published as a collection. It was only through her sister Milagros F. Viernes’ encouragement that made her come up with a book.
The poetry book offers 125 poems, including the masterpieces that first appeared in Focus magazine, 1976, 1980; Literary Apprentice, 1981-82; Inspirations in Ink, 1992, and Caracoa III, 1983.
“The collection gives a picture of a woman who is intelligent, very emotional and passionate, and very hurt. Frailty and strength mix in her like soda and gin, though her strength is usually a front and takes more force with each betrayal and searing disappointments in her love affairs, whether romantic or otherwise… (Sub Rosa) is interesting for the stuff in it,” wrote Filipino poet Ricardo de Ungria.
Assistant Professor Rosella Torrecampo, one of Linda’s friends, has this to say, “National Artist Francisco Arcellana always said that we can only write about what we know. That is material. But what it is we do to what we know, to turn it into narratives, poetry, drama or any other discourse so far removed from what it is, so these can be what is possible or can be imagined, that is where the magic, akin to omnipotent power that gave rise to creation, gets to be wielded and perfected. Such is the writer’s craft. Such was Linda’s work.”
“SUB ROSA is my offering to appease the past and inspire the future. I recognize the certainties only divine intervention can change. I now embrace tomorrow and accept all the little surprises God has in store for me. I am beginning to really live,” shares Linda and she did live life to the fullest. The second printing of Sub Rosa in June 2017 was dedicated to her passing after she succumbed to breast cancer in 2016.
At a time when social media has become the source of daily buzz and everywhere hype, soulful and poetic people tend to crave for some literary pieces that would speak their minds and feed their inner being; some kind of literary pieces, with old charm just like that of Edgar Allan Poe’s.
For readers with discerning tastes, the poet has a compilation of unique and classical pieces of poems based on her life’s musings; poems that fire up readers to think deeply of her pains and the angst, and to join in the revelry of her triumphs.
As readers would decipher from her pieces, Linda’s success in life is one wherein the author depicts her loneliness and yearning while caring for her special child. Amidst that, she carried on with her life in gratitude and in God’s grace. Mina Ellen Felipe-Hanihara was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1994. A special child who can not speak or talk, she had her first solo exhibition entitled “LET US BLEND AND BREW, THREE IN ONE FOR KALIKASAN in 2017, sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. Featured were 13 beautiful paintings of trees, mountains, flowers and the environment among others. In 2019, she had her 2nd solo exhibition dubbed “September to Remember” again at the DENR where a total of 13 acrylic painting on canvass were displayed at the Biodiversity Management Bureau, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife under the leadership of Ms. Julie Gorospe-Ibuan, Chief of the Stakeholders Management and Conflict Resolution Division. Mina’s paintings were also exhibited at the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. The exhibition was titled Art Beyond the Spectrum of a Girl with Autism.
In between chapters, readers will also find some of the artworks of accomplished painter and the poet’s daughter, Mina Ellen.
SUB ROSA is available only in Amazon. Please click https://www.amazon.com/Sub-Rosa-Crucifix-Other-Poems-ebook/dp/B09K37YHXW
About the Author:
Maria Linda Felipe-Hanihara finished her Bachelor of Arts, major in English (Cum Laude) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She has an M.A. in International Relations, major in International Politics, from the University of Japan. She attended both the UP Summer Writers Workshop and the Silliman University Writers Workshop in the late 70s. After a brief stint at the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Office of the Solicitor General, she was based abroad and worked for The Japan Times, a major English daily, as an International Desk and People Page editor and writer/contributor.
Maria Linda Felipe contributed poems to the October 1983 Edition of Caracoa III, the poetry journal of the Philippines Literary Arts Council.
She was awarded an Accomplishment of Merit for the outstanding literary piece “Flowers” in the book, Inspirations in Ink.
OBRA
Glowing reviews for Nathan Studios’ co-produced film ‘Renoir’ in Cannes
10:57 p.m. May 20, 2025
International collaboration gives hope to the Philippine film industry in its efforts to enter the world market.
This was true again after Japanese art film “Renoir”, co-produced by Nathan Studios, officially became a part of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 17.
“Renoir” is a collaboration among Japan’s Happinet Studios, France’s Ici et Là Productions, Singapore’s Akanga Film Asia, Indonesia’s Kawan Kawan Media, and the Philippines’ Daluyong Studio and Nathan Studios. The international sales are being handled by Goodfellas.
Filipino actress and producer Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde, the chief executive of Nathan Studios, said she is grateful for having co-produced the film as it led to the company getting a chance to foster international partnerships and broaden its international market, aside from achieving another red-carpet appearance in the Cannes Film Festival at the city of Cannes, France.
“This international collaboration creates a massive positive impact to the Filipino film industry, it also gives a lot of hope to Filipino film producers to go to the global market, especially here in Cannes,” Sanchez-Atayde said.
“Malaking impact ito, the mere fact na three years pa lang kami nagpupunta sa Cannes as a producer, isa na kami sa nakapag-partnership sa international productions at nakapag-red carpet muli dito sa Cannes,” she added. “I am hoping for more Filipino film producers to enter the global stage whether it is solo or collaborations, with other foreign producers.”
Two of Nathan Studios’ earlier movies — the psychological thriller Cattleya Killer in 2022 and action flick Topakk in 2023 — also premiered in the Cannes Film Festivals, starred both by veteran actor and Quezon City first district reelected Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde. The movies gained the attention of international film buyers, film aficionados, and distributors for the last three years.
Sanchez-Atayde, who celebrated her birthday in the European country, also said she is “ecstatic” that the “Renoir” film is part of the main competition in Cannes.
“I’m still in disbelief and absolutely ecstatic that Renoir (directed by Chie Hayakawa, and co-produced with Eiko Mizuno Gray and Jason Gray, Christophe Bruncher, Yulia Evina Bhara, and Alemberg Ang) was selected as part of the 2025 Cannes’ competition slate,” Sanchez explained.
“When we were starting out with Nathan Studios, this was only something we dreamt of and aimed for—and now, it is finally here. All the hard work, determination, belief, and prayers finally bore fruit!” she added.
“Renoir” is a coming-of-age drama that depicts a daughter coping with the illness of her father is making waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and has the potential of winning the highly coveted Palme d’Or or grand prize.
“Renoir,” directed by noted Japanese auteur Chie Hayakawa (Plan 75), tells the story of Fuki, whose father is fighting a terminal illness, and mother is stressed out from caring for him. She later becomes fascinated with telepathy and leads herself into her own fantasy world.
The film, which will be released in Japan on June 20, stars newcomer Yui Suzuki as the 11-year-old Fuki, alongside Hikari Ishida and Lily Franky.
‘Glowing reviews’
Reviews for the film are glowing, with Deadline’s Stephanie Bunbury noting that while the film is scattered, it does not “detract from the film’s beauty or the strength of the performances,”
“If this story doesn’t coalesce as seamlessly as her first film does, it still has the power to touch and then to haunt us. It does not take a fortune teller to predict that Chie Hayakawa soon will make her masterpiece,” Bunbury noted in her review.
Writing for Variety, Jessica Kiang said that Hayakawa’s film is a “slender but appealingly impressionistic story of an inquisitive young girl’s summer of life, death and amateur parapsychology,”
““Renoir” is a more diffused yet in some ways more interesting sophomore feature, that follows where its lovely, mercurial central character leads and, taking a cue from the painter of the (rather tangential) title, lets the brushstrokes show to deliver a firsthand impression of growing up in 1980s Japan,” Kiang added.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye, on the other hand, said the movie is a “poetic meditation” on a crucial summer of Fuki as she navigated her father’s battle with cancer, her mother’s ambient stress and persistent loneliness.
“Part of the reason Renoir, despite its modesty, hits emotionally of Suzuki’s compelling performance. The newcomer has a wide-eyed, penetrating stare that at once communicates the reality of Fuki’s innocence and the depth of her curiosity. In the actress’ hands, the character becomes someone you come to feel deeply protective of, ” Gyarkye noted.
OBRA
Captured with Magic? Photos shot by renowned photographers using HONOR Magic7 Pro
5:39 p.m. May 8, 2025
Experience Professional-Grade Imaging in the Palm of Your Hand
HONOR Philippines proudly unveils the HONOR Magic7 Pro, a groundbreaking flagship smartphone engineered to redefine mobile photography.
Designed with creators and photography enthusiasts in mind, the HONOR Magic7 Pro combines cutting-edge technology, exceptional design, and user-friendly features to deliver professional-grade images and videos effortlessly.
Boasting an industry-leading quad-camera system, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is more than just a smartphone, but a creative tool that empowers users to capture life’s finest details with precision and artistry.
“With the HONOR Magic7 Pro, we’re not just introducing a smartphone; we’re giving our users a chance to push their creative boundaries. This device reflects our commitment to innovation, empowering users to create stunning visuals and experience photography like never before.” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.
A New Era of Mobile Photography
To showcase the revolutionary camera system of the HONOR Magic7 Pro, some of the most talented photographers in the industry were invited to test its capabilities. The results speak for themselves:
- Sherard Yu delivered striking portrait shots that reveal the device’s expertise in capturing subtle lighting nuances and intricate details.
- Dookie Ducay showcased vibrant color reproduction and remarkable sharpness in his fashion-forward imagery. See more here.
- Rainier Gonzales leveraged the ultra-wide camera for expansive landscapes, demonstrating its ability to encapsulate breathtaking vistas.
- Ryan Tasic pushed the boundaries of low-light photography with the Night Vision Pro feature, capturing atmospheric and detailed images even in dim environments.
Unmatched Camera Features for Every Shot
The HONOR Magic7 Pro delivers unparalleled versatility with its sophisticated quad-camera system:
- 200 MP Ultra HD Main Camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Ensures sharp and dynamic shots with extraordinary resolution.
- 50 MP Ultra-Wide Lens with a 120° field of view: Perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots.
- 64 MP Periscope Telephoto Camera with 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom: Enables high-clarity close-ups, even from a distance.
- 12 MP Macro Lens: Focuses on intricate details, capturing subjects as close as 2.5 cm.
The camera system is further enhanced by next-generation imaging technologies such as:
- AI Ultra-Clarity Mode: Merges multiple frames into one image for unmatched detail and color vibrancy.
- Night Vision Pro: Ensures brilliant low-light performance, producing stunning shots even in the darkest settings.
- 8K Cinematic Video Recording: Offers HDR10+ support for videos with exceptional sharpness, vividness, and dynamic range.
- Super Stable Video Mode: Guarantees smooth, jitter-free recordings, even during fast-moving scenes.
Discover More About the HONOR Magic7 Pro
Available in Lunar Shadow Grey and Black, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is now officially available nationwide for only Php 59,999! Order now at any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or online via Lazada https://bit.ly/Laz_M7Pro_PR, Shopee https://bit.ly/M7ProLaunch_PR, and TiktokShop https://bit.ly/TikTok_M7Pro_PR.
For more affordable offers, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is also available at Home Credit for as low as Php 2,484/month with 0% interest and payable up to 18 months.
To know more about HONOR Magic7 Pro, head on to: https://bit.ly/Web_M7Pro_PR. For more exciting announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram(Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
OBRA
Globe celebrates Alex Eala’s inspiring run at Miami Open
10:10 p.m. March 28, 2025
Filipina tennis sensation and Globe ambassador Alex Eala once again made the nation proud with her stellar performance at the Miami Open, where she showcased remarkable skill and determination against some of the biggest names in the sport.
The 19-year-old wildcard and world no. 140 delivered a breathtaking run in the tourney, defeating three Grand Slam champions— world no. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, world no. 5 Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek— before bowing out in a hard-fought semifinal match against American Jessica Pegula on Friday.
Despite an early lead and a valiant comeback in the second set, Eala ultimately bowed out, missing a finals berth but drawing rousing applause from the crowd following a remarkable run.
Alex was the first Filipina to make it as a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 Semifinalist and the first in the Open Era to beat top-10 players. She is expected to reach her career-best ranking of 75 in the WTA when the rankings get published on Monday, becoming the first Filipina in history to debut in the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
“Alex has once again demonstrated the heart and fighting spirit of the Filipino. Her Miami Open journey is a testament to her relentless drive and unwavering dedication to the sport,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. “We are incredibly proud of her achievements and will continue to support her as she inspires young athletes across the country.”
Eala, who has been a Globe ambassador since she was eight, has continuously raised the bar for Philippine tennis, showing that Filipino talent can shine among the world’s best. Her Miami Open campaign cements her status as a rising star in professional tennis and a beacon of inspiration for future generations.
Globe remains committed to continue supporting Eala as she continues her journey on the global tennis stage.
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