MANILA, Philippines - Buhay Party List Congressman Irwin Tieng reinforces his support to the government’s ongoing anti-piracy campaign by penalizing even the landlords, who knowingly lease their premises for manufacture, distribution or sale of pirated discs.

Cong. Irwin filed House Bill 3823 otherwise known as “Landlords and Building Owners Liability on Piracy Act,” which intends to punish the owner of a facility, house, building or any establishment that allows and tolerates the proliferation of illegal discs.

Imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than three years or a fine of not less than P20,000 will be meted on the law-breakers.

“Piracy creates a big dent in the profits of music and motion picture industries,” reasons out Cong. Irwin. “Pirated CDs and DVDs have become a major player in the black market. It does not only hurt the country’s international image to do business, but it also greatly affects local performers and manufacturers.”

Cong. Irwin authored the bill with his fellow lawmaker, Cong. Michael Velarde. Together, they also seek for the assistance of the Optical Media Board (OMB), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies to formulate and develop implementing rules and regulations for the proper execution of the provisions of the law.

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Hair Asia holds 21st Hairstyling, Make-up Competition in March

After its highly successful Hair Asia Salon Spectacular 2010 last year, Hair Asia is now set to hold its 21st National Open Championship for Hairstyling and Make-up Competition to be held on March 28 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

In partnership with INOA and Matrix of L’Oréal Professionnel, Procter & Gamble’s Clairol Professional, and GiGi Wax by Beauty Lane Philippines, Hair Asia Salon Spectacular 2010 was yet another astounding event delivered by Hair Asia, organizer of the most prestigious hair and makeup competitions in the country today. There was as much action at the satellite stage as endless demonstrations, instructionals and hair shows were given by local and international experts.

Holding the global front were Clairol Professional’s Artistic Director for North America, Danny LaPointe of Canada, Clairol Professional Lead Color Master Anita Gutierrez of the USA, and Asia Clairol Professional Education Leader Dila Rasiti of the Toni&Guy Academy, Singapore.

Not to be outdone is an assembly of our very own homegrown experts led by Emphasis Salon’s Head Stylist, Danny Katalbas, who wowed the audience as he re-created, live, his flamboyant, gravity-defying hair design. Francis Lee of Bridges Salon, Cebu, and Master Colorist Cherry Manding of the Jesi Mendez Salon also joined Katalbas on stage as Institutional Artists for L’Oréal Professionnel’s INOA.

Hans Olivar won in the Ladies’ Cut and Colour category while relative newbie Elvin Atud took the top spot for Gents’ Cut and Colour. Both winning designs demonstrated clean, precise short cuts in shades of black and midnight blue. Meanwhile, Venus fever dominated the Progressive Evening Hairstyle and Make-up category as judges clearly showed partiality to entries with morena beauties as canvass. The observation prompted the judges to explain that it is actually much more difficult to blend colors for darker skin rather than fair skin types. It was Anthony Erlano who, with his statuesque morena muse by his side, was declared the category winner.

For more details, e-mail hairasia@hotmail.com.

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Mr. and Miss Eco Tourism

An innovative beauty pageant has just been launched by the Galaxy Entertainment and Management headed by Filipino-Chinese young businessman Paolo Zhuang.

The beauty pageant is called Mr. and Miss Eco Tourism.

The objective of the beauty pageant is to educate people to take care of the environment.

Mr. Zhuang said, “Though I am a Chinese I love very much Filipino values culture and traditions.” By producing shows like Mr. and Miss Eco Tourism, I earnestly hope I can help enrich and promote Filipino values.

Mr. Zhuang also expressed admiration for Filipino talents, and he would like to produce shows featuring them.
He has already acquired state of the art equipment for production purposes.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 22, go to Ms. Lea Salonga, former Rep. Jorge Banal, Manila Councilor John Nieto (a.k.a. Yul Servo), Dr. Jorge Neri, Margot Gallardo, Lito Anzures, Johann Patrick Graham, Doris Garcia Parungao, Maribel Diga Amaya, Lulu Miraflores, Dading C. Clemente, Lourdes Teves, Prof. Mutsuhiko Miki, Willie Baun, Jimmy Panesa Jr., Mrs. Rosa Aguinaldo vda. De Romualdez, Jamaal Williams and California-based Gabrielle Lara, daughter of former actress Leila Hermosa…