Oct 14, 2026
“Knowing that many people don’t even know where Estonia is — that is an important task for us.” Paavo Järvi, 63, one of the world’s busiest conductors, is passionate about introducing his homeland, Estonia, to the world. He is music director of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and artistic director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Beginning with the 2028-29 season, he will also serve as principal conductor and artistic adviser of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Despite conducting some of the world’s leading orchestras, Järvi has a special attachment to the Estonian Festival Orchestra (EFO), which he founded. Ahead of the ensemble’s concerts at Art Center Incheon on Oct. 18 and Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 20, he spoke to the Hankook Ilbo in a recent video interview. Reaching him in Paris, where he was staying for performances with the Orchestre National de France, Järvi said, “Anyone who comes from a somewhat smaller culture and becomes international is, in a way, an ambassador for that culture. I’m not just introducing Estonian music; through music, I’m in
Pianist Hayato Sumino, who will give a recital at Lotte Concert Hall on Oct. 29, holds a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Tokyo. He advanced to the semifinal round of the 2021 Chopin International Piano Competition while still an engineering student at the university. During the competition, he livestreamed his practice sessions and interacted with viewers using YouTube’s live chat. His second-round performance drew as many as 45,000 viewers. At the time, the classical music world largely regarded him as an eccentric who happened to enjoy playing the piano. Sumino was a top student who attended Kaisei Junior and Senior High School, one of Japan’s most prestigious schools. From an early age, he was immersed in music video games. Even while preparing for university entrance exams, he competed in gaming tournaments. While a student at the University of Tokyo, he researched music information processing at the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music in Paris. In a crowded field, his unconventional activities initially seemed like a gimmick desi
MANILA, Philippines — As the water sector prepares for the anticipated strong El Niño, which may extend to the first half of 2027, Manila Water continues to fortify its portfolio of additional raw water sources through major infrastructure investments designed to enhance supply reliability and reduce dependence on traditional water sources. These initiatives form part of
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Two high-value drug suspects were arrested after yielding around 500 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3.4 million in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Lunzuran, Zamboanga City, on Tuesday afternoon, October 13. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Region 9 (PDEA-9) identified the suspects through their aliases as “Abdurahman,”
TACLOBAN CITY — Amid concerns over rising electricity bills in the country, a bill filed by Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez seeks to prevent power consumers from paying for losses caused by electricity theft, illegal connections, faulty meters and inefficiencies of distribution utilities. House Bill No. 11675, filed on Oct. 12, proposes to limit system-loss charges
TACLOBAN CITY — Police arrested Eastern Visayas’ No. 1 drug suspect, two other high-value individuals, and five others in separate anti-drug operations on Oct. 12 and 13. The Police Regional Office 8 said the operations yielded suspected shabu worth P1,035,844, based on Dangerous Drugs Board valuations, along with firearms and ammunition, as part of the
VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — A solemn blessing and candle-lighting ceremony in Barangay Guinoyoran marked the 35th death anniversary of Rev. Fr. Neri Lito Satur on Wednesday. The priest being honored was slain due to his fierce defense of Bukidnon’s environmental preservation. Fr. Teting Tumapon of the Guinoyoran Parish Church led the blessing of the spot
ILOILO CITY — Police operatives arrested a high-value individual and seized about 140 grams of suspected illegal drugs valued at P952,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cogon, Panitan, Capiz, on Tuesday night, Oct. 13. The suspect was identified by authorities through the alias “Boss,” 30, a resident of Panitan. According to police reports, the
BACOLOD CITY — Tiny shrimps have turned the beachfront in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, pink for four days now. The shrimps have blanketed about half a kilometer of shoreline, from Barangay 2 to Barangay 5, every morning since Sunday, with the largest volume seen on Wednesday, Oct. 14, said Dionilo Bogtae, coordinator of the Sipalay
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A total of 28 firearms were surrendered to various police units across Caraga (Region 13), as authorities ramped up operations against unregistered weapons. Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon, Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) director, reported that 21 loose guns were voluntarily surrendered, while seven others with expired licenses were
MANILA, Philippines —San Juan City, in cooperation with the Caring Keri Foundation, launched its Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebration on Oct. 5 at the Makabagong San Juan Theater inside the Makabagong San Juan National Government Center. The event, with the theme “Wellness and Wisdom: A Journey of Strength and Survivorship,” brought together 236 breast cancer
KORONADAL CITY — Farmers in upland communities in Tupi, South Cotabato, are finding it easier to travel and bring their agricultural products to market following improvements along the P3.9-billion Banga-Tupi-Malungon Road. The road project, which connects parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces, has improved access to farming communities where residents previously had to walk
