WELLNESS IN ARTS: As the country’s main agency for the arts and culture, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), headed by its chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., leads in celebrating National Arts Month with the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF) in February. Spearheaded by the NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts, PAF comprises mainly the flagship projects of the seven committees of the sub-commission — architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theater and the visual arts. It aims to highlight the artistic talent and brilliance of the Filipinos. PAF activities will be held all over the country. For 2014, PAF has taken the theme “Art on the Edge: Arts for Healing, Arts for All,” highlighting the advancements achieved in different art forms, the innovations, the modern evolution of art and the artistic creations in the peripheries. - NCCA set to open Philippine Arts Festival 2014 for National Arts Month | Arts and Culture, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star | philstar.com

CLICK LINK TO READ MORE> NCCA set to open Philippine Arts Festival 2014 for National Arts Month | Arts and Culture, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star | philstar.com: "For details, contact PAF media director and NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head, Rene Sanchez Napeñas at 527-2192 or 0928-5081057, visit www.ncca.gov.ph or e-mail ncca.paio@gmail.com."

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WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: Hydroelectric power remains the most attractive renewable energy investment in the Philippines as eight new mini hydro projects gain approval for construction this year. Hydrotec Renewables, the developer of the eight projects, which champions the use of low-impact hydropower construction said this week the company is investing US$53 million to US$62 million on the combined 25-30-MW projects, eyed for completion by 2016. The projects are located in nearby provinces outside Metro Manila, with three in Rodriguez City (Sitio Wawa, San Isidro and San Jose), one in San Mateo, two in Marikina City (Tumana and Nangka 4) and two in Antipolo City (Hinulugang Taktak and Nangka 1).- Hydro, wind power booms in Philippines in 2014 | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific

CLINK LINK TO READ > Hydro, wind power booms in Philippines in 2014 | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific: "The company applies a ‘sustainable small hydro approach’, where it incorporates data gathered from hydrological, topological and metrological research in the construction process, including project site attributes to avoid the need to cut trees and inflict environmental disruption to the flora and fauna and existing communities, its website said."

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WELLNESS IN ARTS: A FILIPINA BREAKS THE STEREOTYPE! Competing in Israel's X-Factor, Rose Fostanes, 47, swept the judges off their feet with a tear-jerking rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" on Tuesday night's live final. Her victory came as a surprise in Israel, where about 20,000 Filipinos work mostly as caregivers and cleaners. In the run-up to the final, Fostanes said she hoped her popularity on the show would shine a spotlight on Israel's low-paid foreign workers. "I didn't expect that I will win," Fostanes told reporters in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, speaking in English. "Because I'm not Israeli and I don't have residence here and I'm only a worker," she said. For many Israelis, the word "Filipino" has become synonymous with caregiver, and Fostanes' appearance and success on X-Factor could help break the stereotype. - Filipina caregiver wins Israel's X-Factor song contest - Yahoo News Philippines

Filipina caregiver wins Israel's X-Factor song contest - Yahoo News Philippines: "Fostanes, who came to Israel several years ago, has been working for about 20 years across the Middle East, and currently cares for an ailing woman in Tel Aviv. She has been compared to the Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 52, who shot to fame in 2009 after appearing on the TV show "Britain's Got Talent" and performing "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables". Boyle's rise from unknown to multi-million-selling recording artist has been made into a musical."

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