It’s been a busy year for singer Sarah Geronimo, and there is no sign of her slowing down as it draws to a close. The 26-year-old Filipino singer and actress aims to end the year on a high with her Perfect 10 tour, which arrives in Dubai on Monday, December 1, 2014.
She was named as the Best Southeast Asian Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards this month, an award that capped a prolific year that also included a blockbuster film, Maybe This Time, a new studio album, Perfectly Imperfect, and a role as one of the judges on the reality-TV singing competition, The Voice Kids.
Geronimo also appeared on the cover of a leading Philippine entertainment magazine, which named her as the country’s Most Beautiful celebrity this year. The music-streaming service Spotify named her as one of the most streamed artists in the Philippines, while a contributor for the entertainment website BuzzFeed included her in a list of 20 Filipino Music Artists You Need to Listen to Right Now. We caught up with the singer ahead of her show at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
You are one of the few young singers who constantly perform both in the Philippines and abroad. What is it about live music that excites you the most?
The lights, the cheer and the applause, the adrenalin rush, and the amazing connection and energy that I get from the audience.
You performed in Abu Dhabi in April. What brings you back, and this time to Dubai?
I will never forget how responsive and appreciative the audience was. It is always a joy staging a concert in the UAE.
Your latest album, Perfectly Imperfect, was released in October. In terms of music and quality, how would you differentiate this latest effort from the previous 10 albums?
The new album is a blend of current pop music, R&B and ballads. I had so much fun recording the songs and got really excited to finally release it. With this album, my reinvention as an artist was carefully, creatively and, hopefully, effectively made.
Do you see yourself writing and recording more of your own songs in the future?
Performing your own written song is something magical and very fulfilling. You get to express the song freely and sincerely. So, yes, hopefully I’ll be able to write more songs in the future.
How about an album made up entirely of your own written material?
Wow! I wish I could do that. That’s too ambitious though at this stage. But yeah, maybe some day I’ll be able to do that.
What was your reaction to winning the award for Best Southeast Asian Act at the MTV EMAs?
It was something unexpected. I already felt like a winner when I learnt about my nomination, so winning it was surreal. For that, I will forever be grateful to each one who voted for me.
Winning the award made you eligible to compete for the MTV Worldwide Act award. Were you disappointed on not winning?
No. Being nominated was more than enough. Representing my own country was truly an honour for me.
What do you think is the secret of your longevity and appeal?
Hard work and sincerity.
• Sarah Geronimo performs at the Dubai World Trade Centre on December 1, 2014. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets, from Dh110, are available from www.platinumlist.net and www.tickets.virginmegastore.me
artslife@thenational.ae
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Stan%20Lee
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
SPECS
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Jawan
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