106-year-old tattoo artist taking the world by storm

Apr 2 2023

Vogue Philippines has made a historic move in their latest issue by featuring the oldest person ever to grace the cover of the fashion magazine.

The cover star for the April edition is none other than the legendary Apo Whang-Od, a 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines.

Apo Whang-Od has spent her entire life perfecting the art of hand-shaping tattoos, a traditional method known as “batok.” She learned the craft from her father when she was a teenager and has since become a revered figure in her community and the wider world.

In her hometown of Buscalan in Kalinga province, Whang-Od has become a symbol of strength, beauty, and tradition.

She has passed on her skills to younger generations, ensuring that the art of batok continues to thrive. Her works have been showcased in museums and galleries around the world.

In an interview with Vogue Philippines, Whang-Od talked about her life and her art.

She expressed her pride in being a tattoo artist and how it has allowed her to connect with people from all over the world. “I feel very happy when I see people come to Buscalan to get a tattoo. I feel like I am sharing our culture with them,” she said.

The decision to feature Whang-Od on the cover of Vogue Philippines is a significant move for the fashion industry.

It shows that age is not a barrier to beauty and that traditional art forms should be celebrated and appreciated. It also highlights the importance of representation and diversity in fashion.

In recent years, the fashion industry has made strides towards inclusivity, with models of different races, sizes, and ages gracing the covers of major magazines.

Whang-Od’s feature in Vogue Philippines is not only a celebration of her life and art but also a recognition of the cultural heritage of the Philippines.

Apo Whang-Od’s cover feature in Vogue Philippines is a reminder that age, culture, and tradition are beautiful and worthy of recognition.

#MaltaDaily

EU Parliament adopts new rules to tackle gender pay gap and promote pay transparency

Apr 2 2023

The European Parliament has adopted new rules that aim to address the gender pay gap across the European Union.

On average, women in the EU earn 13% less than men for doing the same job, which has persisted for years despite legal provisions for equal pay.

Under the new rules, companies will be required to disclose information that makes it easier for employees to compare salaries and to expose existing gender pay gaps.

Companies that have a gender pay gap of over 5% will have to take action to address it, and employers that do not comply with the rules will face dissuasive penalties, including fines.

The new legislation will also require pay structures to be based on gender-neutral criteria and recruitment processes led in a non-discriminatory manner.

Pay secrecy will be banned, and workers and workers’ representatives will have the right to receive clear and complete information on individual and average pay levels, broken down by gender.

The burden of proof on pay-related issues will shift from the worker to the employer, meaning that the employer will have to prove that there has been no discrimination if a worker feels that the principle of equal pay has not been applied and takes the case to court.

The new rules also include intersectional discrimination and the rights of non-binary persons, making it the first time that such issues have been included in European legislation.

The rapporteurs of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee and the Employment and Social Affairs Committee both expressed their satisfaction with the new rules.

The Council will have to approve the agreement before the text is signed into law and published in the EU Official Journal.

The new rules will come into force twenty days after their publication.

The adoption of these new rules is a significant step towards addressing the gender pay gap in the EU and ensuring that all workers are treated equally, regardless of gender or any other factor.

#MaltaDaily

Autistic Maltese author celebrates International Autism Acceptance Day with his 4th publication

Apr 2 2023

On April 2nd we celebrate the International Autism Acceptance Day.

In view of this celebration, 11-year-old Beppe, published his 4th book to continue to celebrate the potential of autistics.

The Maltese boy who falls on the autism spectrum is limited in speaking but with a great passion for writing.

His latest book, written in Maltese “Jien Fekruna tal-Baħar” is a lovely story inspired by his friendship with Kayne.

The story is about how sincere friendship helps you to understand yourself and identify your true potential.

It also teaches children about the significant role of sea turtles in the ecosystem.

The book is aimed to be read by children up to 7 years and it will be available in public libraries.

The book was published thanks to the support of The National Literacy Agency.

The publishers are BDL and the illustrator is Nasim Dardouri, a very talented illustrator who has already worked on Beppe’s first book.

#MaltaDaily

This July: Malta will host the UEFA European U19 Championship

Apr 2 2023

The Malta FA will host the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship from 3 to 16 July, the biggest football tournament to be staged in our country to date.

Malta, who qualify automatically as hosts, will be joined by seven other U-19 national teams, namely Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Spain, who have advanced to the finals after topping their respective elite round groups.

The draw for the final tournament will take place on 19th April, 2023 at the Manoel Theatre, commencing at 13.00hrs.

The Malta FA previously staged the 2014 U17 EURO, won by England who defeated Netherlands on penalties in the final at the National Stadium. That was the only previous occasion on which a team from Malta played at a UEFA final tournament.

The hosting of a top international football event represents one of the Goals of the Malta FA Strategy 2020-24.

The 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship ambassadors are Michael Mifsud and Joseph Mbong.

Michael Mifsud is a Maltese football legend – he is the country’s most capped player with a total of 143 appearances and all-time top scorer for the national team with 42 goals.

Joseph Mbong, who plays for Ħamrun Spartans, is a current Malta international player with 46 appearances for the national team to date. He was also a member of the Malta Under-17 team that featured in the 2014 U17 EURO.

#MaltaDaily