Vibal Foundation Launches Colección Iberoasia Imprint with Dolors Floch’s Martín de Rada

About Martín de Rada (1533–1578): Book Highlights

In this first volume of VFI’s Colección Iberoasia imprint, sinologist and professor Dolors Folch recreates the ideals, life, times, and works of Fray Martín de Rada, both a man of science and a man of the cloth, who arrived in the Philippines in 1565 with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s expedition that established a Spanish colony in the islands.

An expert in astronomy and mathematics, indispensable for the invading Spanish missionaries and conquistadors, he was not just a witness to the first two decades of colonial rule in the Philippines, he was also the first to describe China to Spanish readers.

Although Fray Martín’s only surviving portrait depicts him as the quintessential scientist, he was, for his more than twelve years in the Philippines, also an author, a critical observer of the plight of native Filipinos, a missionary, and, most importantly, an ambassador to China in 1575.

Martín de Rada (1533–1578): Scientist, Missionary, and Spanish Philippine Diplomat to China explores the milestones in the man’s life that made him one of the most important players in Spain–China relations. It chronicles his early years as an Augustinian missionary in New Spain (Mexico) who was commended for his administrative talent, as well as his mathematical and scientific mastery, leading to his selection as part of the royal expedition to the Philippines under the command of Miguel López de Legazpi.

De Rada’s stay in the Philippines, as recounted in the book, proved crucial to the evolution of his beliefs about the real situation of the native population at the hands of the Spaniards who, as he reported to the Mexican viceroy, abused and left them impoverished.

The book also gives an account of his evangelization of the natives as he carried this experience to accompany a delegation to Ming-era China, a country that left an indelible impression on the Augustinian. He shared his experience of the country in his renowned Relación, which succeeding scholars would use as a primary reference on China.

About the author

Dolors Folch, professor emerita of the Department of Humanities of Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, was dean of the Faculty of Humanities from 1992 to 1999 and director of the School of East Asian Studies.

Aside from supervising the groundbreaking research La China de España Elaboración de un corpus digitalizado de documentos españoles sobre China de 1555 a 1900, she also curated the landmark 2007 exhibit Els grans viatges de Zheng He at the Museu Marítim de Barcelona.

Folch is the author of Els grans viatges de Zheng He (Angle, 2008), La Construcción de China (Península, 2002), La Fundació de l'imperi xinès (Empúries, 1991), and Wang Wei, Vell País Natal (Empúries, 1986).

About Vibal Foundation

Founded in 2007, Vibal Foundation is Vibal Group’s philanthropic arm. Its vision is to engage Filipinos in intellectual discussion of Philippine history, culture, and the arts by providing beautiful and insightful print and digital materials.

Its institutional partners are the Ateneo Art Gallery, Biblioteca Historica, Galleria Duemila, Gallery Genesis, International Rice Research Institute, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Museum of the Philippines, Philippine Departments of Labor and Education, Premio Zóbel, San Agustín Museum, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, and the UP Jorge B Vargas Museum.

Colección Iberoasia is Vibal Foundation’s first global publishing imprint offering digital and printed titles available on Amazon.

Martín de Rada (1533–1578): Scientist, Missionary, and Spanish Philippine Diplomat to China will be available in major bookstores, Shopee, Lazada, and Vibal Shop in May. Please follow Vibal’s FB page for announcements: www.facebook.com/vibalgroup

Shopee buyer wins XTREME Holiday Makeover and a vivo X70 phone

Manila, Philippines, April 4, 2022 - “Sobrang saya na hindi expected kasi hindi naman talaga ako nananalo sa mga raffle..”, says Louis Jan Havana, grand raffle prize winner of home office appliances and 1 vivo X70 phone, from the XTREME Home Office Makeover Raffle Promo. Mr. Havana says that his win came at the right time as they are currently building their dream home for their family.

“Tuwang-tuwa ako kasi sakto may bahay kaming pinapagawa. Sabi ko meron ng aircon, meron ng lahat ng appliances. Hindi na kami bibili [kasi] sobrang thankful at blessed talaga kami.” Mr. Havana happily claims. The XTREME Home Office Makeover Raffle Promo ran from November 11, 2021 until November 30, 2021. In an effort to give back to loyal Shopee customers and recognize the hard work they have put into making their work-from-home scenario to maximum productivity in a time of the global pandemic, XTREME Appliances in partnership with vivo and Shopee launched the raffle promo.

With the presence of a DTI representative, the raffle prize winners were drawn last December 15, 2021. Mr. Havana, being the Grand Prize winner, has won jaw-dropping prizes simply by checking out XTREME Appliances products during Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. The list includes:

•  32” XTREME LED TV

• 1.0HP XTREME Cool Split Type Aircon

•  20L XTREME Home Manual Microwave Oven

•  XTREME Home Coffee Machine

• XTREME Home Personal Blender

Back to Back Surprises 

Mr. Havana admitted that he didn’t intentionally join the raffle promo. He was simply buying a decent gift to surprise his wife for her birthday. “Wala talaga akong [ano], basta ang iniisip ko lang ‘nun bibili ako gawa ng November ‘nun, sabi ko 11.11 isasabay ko sa birthday ng asawa ko, gawa ng November 16 birthday niya.. Wala talaga akong inaasahan, hindi ko talaga alam na merong raffle, basta bumili lang talaga ako.”, he explained.

To make sure that the surprise was a success, he even made his friend an accomplice and asked him to buy the item on his behalf so his wife won’t have a clue. “Yung friend ko [na] nag-suggest na ito [50cm XTREME X-Series Gas Range Pro] yung bilhin ko. Sabi ko kapag in-order ko kasi to sa Shopee na gamit account ko, makikita niya. Sabi ko ikaw muna mag order, tapos bayaran ko na lang sayo. Sabi ko check mo nga kung anong date. Sakto naman, sakto sa birthday niya. Check natin kung ano, kung masusurprise siya. Edi ayun nung dumating, tanong siya ng tanong ano yan? Sabi ko, ‘yan yung regalo ko sayo check mo na lang kung maganda.”,He added.

Work-from-Home Ready

According to Mr. Havana, the raffle prizes will be put to good use especially that he’s one of the many Filipinos who have transitioned to work remotely at home. “Yung phone [vivo X70] siguradong makakatulong ‘yan kasi work from home, meron akong laptop pero kapag may meeting ako meron akong extrang phone pang meeting na may magandang camera. Tapos yung other appliances na napalanunan ko siguradong magagamit namin sa lilipatan namin bahay.” He added further. No words can explain how grateful he is for the raffle prizes he has won.

Aside from Mr. Havana, two loyal Shopee customers of XTREME Appliances have also won consolation prizes namely— Jenalyn Calilit who won a 50cm XTREMEHome  Gas Range and Menchie Peña who won a 10L XTREME Home Portable Air Cooler.

The series of lockdowns are tough for many Filipino employees and XTREME Appliances is all about giving solutions and convenience to help them achieve their day-to-day tasks. The brand will continue to market products with innovation, functionality, and valuable worth. In line with XTREME Appliances bringing cost-effective products to customers, the brand is also joining the 4.4 Shopee Big Brands Sale starting April 4 where select items are discounted up to 37%. FREE Shipping vouchers, cashback coins, and additional shop vouchers will also be given away during the said promo duration.

Get updated and know more about the latest news and happenings about the brand by visiting XTREME Appliances: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. For the full list of products, please visit XTREME on Website and Shopee e-commerce.

Watch the full interview below:

https://bit.ly/xtreme-holiday-makeover-winner

PH Leg of 2022 UCI Gravel World Series ends on a Triumphant Note

With some of the most inspired riding and trying tracks in a race this year, the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series Philippines is in the books, literally in the history books, as being the starting point of the first-ever race series of its kind under the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). 

The multi-nation, multiple-leg race series kicked off last April 3, 2022 in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, a picturesque municipality that has become a favorite destination within the global biking community for the past few years.

After enduring the dirt road with a flat tire near the finish line, Butuan native Riemon Lapaza emerged as the top placer of the Philippine leg in all categories, clocking in 3:06:46.7. The champion of the men’s 35-39 years old category was trailed behind by Netherlands Rick Nobel, who placed first in the men’s 19-34 category. 

Mellisa Jane Jaroda topped the women’s 19-34 category, and ranked first among female racers with 3:39:00.639.

Close to 400 riders were in attendance, all vying for the chance to finish the 85-km race. Each qualifier was awarded with a finisher medal, and 25% of each rider category earned a UCI qualifying medal and automatically made it to the UCI World Championships.

Participants from the Philippines and the rest of the world powered through all the ascents, river crossings, water features, and everything else that Bongabon’s legendary terrain put in front of them. As Vic Narciso, one of the riders, described the journey as he crosses the finish line, “it was the most challenging and violent race I’ve ever done, but I can’t stop smiling.” 

Ann Aleonar, who has been racing since 2010, shared that she was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I took a 5-year break from racing, and anyone who’s raced knows that it isn’t easy to come back – especially up to racing level,” Aleonar said. “And then the pandemic happened, it really wasn’t easy. When I actually finished and qualified, the first feeling I felt was gratefulness.” 

The Philippine leg attracted competitors from Europe and Asia, who not only found victory here in the country, but a biking scene that welcomed them with open arms. Tokyo’s Junro Nagashima of cycling team Roppongi Express, said that he was not surprised at how friendly the Filipino riders were, but that he was surprised at how comfortable they all made him and his teammate feel. Rick Nobel from the Netherlands, who placed first in the 19-34 Male category, was also seen smiling from ear-to-ear, in the midst of his newfound friends within the local riding community. Jared Hui, a rider from Singapore, wrote a long testimony on Facebook about how local MTB legend Bans Mendoza lent him his personal bike after he realized that his own two-wheeler wasn’t the right setup for the race. 

Bongabon Mayor Allan Gamilla also made an appearance and expressed gratitude to the organizers for tapping Bongabon, Nueva Ecija as the first and only Asian leg in the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series. “This is a big boost for Bongabon as a destination for sports tourism. We hope to make use of the municipality’s potential to help promote the country, and further establish it as major global hub for gravel riding.”

These were just a few of the stories of how an amazing sporting event brings all kinds of people together, with everyone leaving the venue with full hearts already asking about the next race. Clearly, in more ways than one, UGWSPH made its mark.

For the full results of the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series Philippines

visit www.wjctiming.com/main-result

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www.facebook.com/ugwsph

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