#Outstanding Consistency Award

[trapangeles]

Celebrating Black Excellence: The 5th Annual Cocoa Awards

In a dazzling display of talent, community spirit, and outstanding achievement, the fifth annual Cocoa Awards, an acronym for "Celebrating Our Culture & Outstanding Achievements," lived up to its reputation as a beacon of Black excellence. Since its inception in 2019, this event has continued to grow, shining a spotlight on exceptional Black entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact in their communities.

This year's star-studded award ceremony, hosted by the charismatic Neeko, was an unforgettable affair. Neeko not only presented each award but also kept the audience entertained with her infectious energy and wit.

Honoring Excellence: A Recap of the Awards

Outstanding Performing Arts Award: Storm Debarge

Storm Debarge, a true luminary in the world of performing arts, took home the Outstanding Performing Arts Award. Her remarkable talent and dedication to her craft have earned her this well-deserved recognition.

Outstanding Community Service Award: Enjonette

Enjonette was celebrated for her exceptional contributions to the community. Her tireless efforts in making a positive impact on the lives of many earned her The Outstanding Community Service Award.

Outstanding Influence Award: Josh

Josh's influence extends far and wide, and it was only fitting that he received The Outstanding Influence Award. His ability to inspire and effect change in others is truly remarkable.

Outstanding Consistency Award: Shintara

Shintara's dedication and unwavering commitment were acknowledged with The Outstanding Consistency Award. Her ability to maintain excellence over time is an inspiration to all.

Outstanding Growth Award: Walter Tindal

Walter Tindal's journey of growth and self-improvement was recognized with an award for Outstanding Growth. His story is a testament to the power of determination and resilience.

Outstanding Creators of Space Award: Creators Campus

Creators Campus, a hub of innovation and creativity, was honored with The Outstanding Creators of Space Award. Their role in fostering a space for artists and creators is truly commendable.

Outstanding Apparel Award: Jean Deauxx

The Outstanding Apparel Award was presented to Jean Deauxx for their outstanding contributions to the world of fashion. Their innovative designs and fashion-forward creations have left an indelible mark.

A Night of Celebration and Inspiration

The Cocoa Awards not only celebrated the accomplishments of these remarkable individuals and organizations but also served as an inspiration for all. It showcased the immense talent and dedication within the Black community and demonstrated the importance of recognizing and celebrating excellence.

As the fifth annual Cocoa Awards drew to a close, it left everyone in attendance with a sense of pride and optimism. The legacy of this event continues to grow, and it will undoubtedly inspire future generations to reach new heights of achievement.

The Cocoa Awards have once again proven that excellence knows no boundaries and that by celebrating our culture and outstanding achievements, we can uplift and empower our communities. Here's to many more years of honoring Black excellence!

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[carlocarrasco]

Muntinlupa City wins prestigious nutrition awards

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa won prestigious awards during the 2024 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony which took place in Quezon City, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface… The Muntinlupa City government bagged awards at the 2024 Regional Nutrition…

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Aaliyah - Are You That Somebody? 1998

"Are You That Somebody?" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Aaliyah for the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack. It was written by Static Major and Timbaland, with the latter producing it, in addition to performing a guest rap. It is an R&B, pop, soul, and avant-funk song with hip hop influences. Its production also incorporates other instrumentals such as staccato guitars, beatboxing, and drum and bass. The Dr. Dolittle soundtrack was released on June 16, 1998 and consisted of a blend of hip hop and contemporary R&B. The soundtrack was a huge success, peaking at 4 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and was certified 2× Multi-Platinum on October 20 the same year.

Upon its release, "Are You That Somebody?" received critical acclaim from music critics, with them praising its off-beat innovative production. In 1999, Aaliyah earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the song. Initially, it was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 because it was an airplay single not commercially released to retail stores but in December 1998, Billboard changed its policy to allow airplay-only songs to chart, and the song eventually peaked at number 21. Internationally, the song achieved even greater commercial success, peaking at number one in New Zealand and number three in the Netherlands. It also peaked at number 11 in Canada and the UK.

An accompanying music video for "Are You That Somebody?" was directed by Mark Gerard with choreography orchestrated by Fatima Robinson. It received acclaim from the music industry, receiving Best R&B Video and Best Video from a Film nominations at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. The video also earned a nomination for Outstanding Music Video at the NAACP Image Awards. Throughout the years, critics have praised the video for its choreography, with many highlighting the flamenco routine depicted in the final scene.

"Are You That Somebody?" received a total of 68,8% yes votes! Previous Aaliyah polls: #217 "Try Again".

[yapihapi]

You’ve been the perfect student ever since kindergarten. The school has been blessed to have you—student leader, consistent top achiever, and the school’s pride in academic competitions. Medals, awards—you’ve brought home so many. You’ve always been outstanding.

But then Nagi transferred to your school. Suddenly, everything changed.

It felt like you were perpetually in second place, and no matter what you achieved, there was always this gnawing feeling of inadequacy.

Even when the list came out, showing that you scored higher than him, it didn’t feel like a win. He always did it so effortlessly.

You sat in the front row, dedicated, writing notes and reviewing endlessly. But when you glanced at Nagi in the back, you’d always catch him sleeping at his desk, oblivious to the world. It frustrated you to no end.

During quizzes and exams, he’d still get high marks, but his carefree attitude made it seem unfair. While you sacrificed sleep and poured every ounce of energy into studying, he simply coasted. Yet he remained unbothered, like he wasn’t trying at all.

You were jealous.

Nagi noticed your furrowed brows whenever your eyes met, but he didn’t understand why. You’d never even spoken to each other. To him, you were the model student—perfect, composed, and untouchable. But he was just that guy in the back of the class, minding his own business.

When midterms came, the pressure was unbearable. You spent endless hours reviewing and juggling your responsibilities. The weight of expectations, the relentless need to prove yourself—it consumed you.

Then came the exam day. You answered the test quickly, confident in your preparation. But as you handed in your paper, you noticed Nagi did the same, just minutes after you. You glanced at him in disbelief. Was he really that gifted, or was it luck?

As the class emptied, you stayed behind to pack your things. Nagi lingered too, his feet propped up on a chair, phone in hand, looking as relaxed as ever.

Then it happened—a sudden, warm sensation in your nose.

“Huh?” you muttered as you touched your upper lip. Blood.

Nagi furrowed his brows when he glanced at you. He put down his phone, grabbed tissues from his bag, and rushed to your side.

“Here,” he said softly, handing you the tissues.

You stared at him, startled by his uncharacteristic concern. He didn’t stop there. Gently, he guided you to the clinic, one hand lightly supporting your arm.

At the clinic, the nurse tended to you, cleaning you up and ensuring you were fine. Once everything was settled, you stepped out, adjusting your bag and ready to head home.

You stopped in your tracks when you saw him. Nagi was leaning against the wall just outside the clinic, a lollipop in his mouth. He wasn’t looking at you, his gaze lost somewhere on the ceiling, deep in thought.

You tried to walk past him, hoping to avoid an awkward interaction, but after a few steps, he spoke.

“Why do you despise me so much?”

You froze, his question hanging in the air. Slowly, you turned around, meeting his confused gaze.

“I don’t hate you,” you said coldly, though your voice wavered. “I’m… jealous of you.”

His confusion deepened. “Jealous?”

You sighed, the weight of your feelings spilling out. “You’re so good at academics, but you barely try. I work myself to exhaustion, and I still feel like it’s not enough. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat—I have to push myself because of the standards I’ve set. Then you come along, doing the bare minimum, and it makes me feel… small. Like I’m stupid.”

He blinked, stunned into silence.

“I just wanted to feel like I was enough,” you continued, voice trembling. “But when you showed up, it felt like I had to work even harder just to keep up. I’ve never felt this way before.”

Nagi scratched the back of his neck, unsure of what to say. “I… I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be,” you replied quickly. “This is childish. I shouldn’t even feel this way.”

You turned to leave, but his hand caught your wrist.

“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. Honestly, I kind of disliked you too at first. I thought you were just a spoiled rich girl who had everything handed to her. But I didn’t realize…” He trailed off, exhaling deeply. “You really do deserve the top spot. I don’t even care about ranks—” He paused, muttering to himself. “Why am I even explaining this?”

You gave a small nod, avoiding his gaze. “I see,” you said quietly, the bitterness still lingering in your voice as you turned away.

The rest of the school year didn’t go as you expected. Somehow, you and Nagi became close. He wasn’t as infuriating as you’d thought—laid-back, yes, but also oddly insightful in his own way. The tension between you hadn’t completely disappeared, but it had softened into something more tolerable, almost unspoken.

One afternoon, you found yourself sitting beside him on a bridge, both of your feet dangling over the edge.

“Do you always come here?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah,” you replied, staring at the horizon. “It helps me clear my mind.”

The golden sunlight bathed your face, softening your usually sharp features. For the first time, Nagi saw you relaxed—genuinely at peace.

He watched you, noticing details he’d overlooked before. The way your hair caught the sunlight, the faint curve of your lips when you smiled. It struck him.

“You know,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper, “I think you’re amazing. Not because of your grades or your accomplishments. Just… you.” He hesitated, his gaze softening. “But you should take care of yourself more. You push yourself so hard, and you don’t deserve to burn out trying to meet everyone else’s expectations.”

You turned to him, startled by his sincerity. His words lingered in the air, disarming you. For once, the competition didn’t matter. Sitting there with him, bathed in the warmth of the setting sun, you felt a sense of calm settle over you—a feeling you hadn’t experienced in a long time. It was strange, but for the first time, you didn’t feel the need to prove anything.

And maybe, just maybe, the one-sided rivalry had finally come to an end. It wasn’t about winning or losing anymore, but about understanding. You realized that chasing perfection wasn’t the only way to prove your worth, and perhaps Nagi wasn’t the antagonist you made him out to be. Instead, he was someone who challenged the way you saw yourself—someone who, without meaning to, helped you see things differently.

[respectthepetty]

Reading the (Visual) Rainbow Awards 2024

2023 was the first time I gave these awards, so I'm excited to deliver my 2024 version to the QLs that gave the best visual narratives this past year. In order to be considered for these awards, the series 1) had to air during 2024, and 2) had to finish airing by December 31, so out of the 114 QLs I watched this year, 13 are still ongoing and cannot be considered for these awards. Out of the remaining 94 QLs, 69 had some degree of consistent color coding

*For reference, in 2023, I watched 108 QLs, 14 were still ongoing, and 67 had consistent color coding.

Now for the ceremony to begin!

Petty Award: Last Twilight, Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo, and Spare Me Your Mercy

This award goes to a show or shows that had great visual narratives but I refuse to write about it because I'm petty, and these shows know what they did to me!

I've aired my grievances with these shows plenty, so now they can officially join last year's winners, Only Friends and I Feel You Linger in the Air, plus several other series in my Grudge Garden. May beauty bloom from the cruel love you gave me.

Stats Awards [These awards are based solely on numbers]

Most Popular: Black Brooder

This award goes to the color that was most popular in a pair, number-wise.

The stats: A Black Brooder was part of a color-coded pair 27 times in 2024. 2023’s was a Blue Boy with 26. The next color-coded boy in 2024 was a Blue Boy who was part of 21 pairs. 2023's was a Black Brooder who was part of 15 pairs.

The Best Black Brooder was Happy of the End’s Haoran. The show explicitly stated he was mysterious, secretive, and seductive which are all key characteristics of a Black Brooder. He had a dark past that haunted him and the narrative the entire show, so the black color appropriately emphasized the darkness within him. Even at the very end, he was lighter in his life, but it did not take away from what he went through to get that little bit of happiness and color. Haoran is the epitome of a Black Brooder, and that’s why he deserves the title of "Best Color-Coded Character of the Year."

Most Popular Pair: Light x Dark

This award goes to the color-coded pair who were used the most in the year, number-wise.

The stats: The Black x White dynamic won in 2023 with 12 couples, but in 2024 this dynamic almost doubled by being used 22 times. No other color-coded pair came close.

The Best Light x Dark Couple: Myung Ha x Yeo Woon from Love for Love’s Sake perfectly represent why this dynamic is needed, yet it wasn’t clear why until midway through the series. Black Brooder Myung Ha was sent into a game to save Heavenly Human Yeo Woon, but as the story unfolded, we realized that Myung Ha was the one who needed to be saved by his Heavenly Human and for a very good reason which adds to his dark color. The colors were there the entire time, yet the reveal of why those were the colors still shocks me almost a year later.

The Outlier: Wandee Goodday

This award goes to a series that delivered a colored-coded pair that no other series did.

When this show was first announced, I was elated that I was getting a Yellow Yal x Purple Person pairing which had yet to be done, and my excitement only grew throughout its airing. Even though I didn’t get the proper color exchange I dreamed of at the end, the show had outstanding visual rhetoric (bunny x tiger, anyone?), and it gave me a pair comprised of complementary colors, so it deserves this award for doing something different, and doing it well.

Visual Rhetoric Awards

Honorable Mention - Peaceful Property

This award goes to a series that had a great visual narrative but could not be considered for these awards because it wasn't marketed as a QL (even though it's canon to me).

The show’s “Cok Long” sign alone would have received a visual rhetoric award, but the characters were also color coded and gay af. The dance pose for love. The steak in the shape of a heart. The food in general! Home dreaming of Peach in bed to comfort him. The tears and strings in the hospital tying them together. The stories about Thansai x Ride and Vicha x Phoom!!!! The color exchanges! This show used all the visuals to bury the lead, literally and figuratively, and dealt with people facing the ghosts who haunt them in an unexpected and tender way, so it was a show with a lot of heart and the visuals to back it up.  

Best Boundary/Barrier/Bars - My Stand-In

This award goes to a series that best displayed an internal conflict with a physical barrier between the two leads.

This show’s visual rhetoric skills were vicious. I was personally attacked every time Joe’s back was only shown. I was shaking in rage each time Joe and Ming were shown behind bars, with barriers between them, and with Joe being lower than Ming. But nothing hurt more than when Joe 2.0 finally gave into Ming, and we visually saw Joe’s body split in two. Previous to that moment, they were each standing on opposite sides of the line, then slowly, Ming pushed Joe against the glass leaving Joe exposed to the world, so he could focus on Joe’s back, and the line was right there to show us that nobody was fully in that moment. They were both in their bodies, yet out of them. They were in the present, but also in the past. They wanted this, and simultaneously were disgusted. They were conflicted, and that line cut right through them. And me.

Best Balance - Jack & Joker

This award goes to a series that best used the scene to outline the balanced dynamic between the leads.

In a hospital room, standing in between the light and dark curtains, next to the red couch and the blue bed, two color-coded boys hashed it out and showed the audience why balance is always needed in a relationship. Jack became darker because he shouldered everyone’s burdens, yet there was Joke begging Jack to let him carry some of his sorrow and relieve him of his darkness. Then, the black and white colors and those dual smiling/frowning faces were right there to reinforce what Joke was saying — We need Yin & War Yang.

Best Background (Noise) - Marahuyo Project

This award goes to a series that best used the background details to strongly reinforce the ongoing plot.

It was a story about sea creatures that beautifully connected to the overall queer theme of the story, and King (of the sea) wore several sea-themed items. The show also focused on trans acceptance and solidarity with all characters wearing the trans flag colors at one point in the show, and the use of butterflies to signify the harsh yet necessary transformation we must experience to become better versions of ourselves. Oh, and the religious icons! Basically, this show did not waste one moment of its screen time, and it’s a feast for the eyes because of it.

Best Use of Clothing - 7 Days Before Valentine

This award goes to the series that made the best use of clothing to show the evolving dynamic between the leads.

Sun, the main character, was 🎶The Worst🎶 when this story began. The show looked the audience in the face and said that man was the devil with his horns and black and red outfits. Then, an actual demon showed up, in white! After that, this demon took on more of Sun’s darkness as an act of salvation while the demon’s clothing transitioned from white to gray then black. In the end, the demon was actually an angel who needed to see that redemption was possible for his own sake. It was a story about how nobody is really good or bad and how people deserve a second chance, which was a consistent theme in most QLs this year, and beautifully highlighted in this show.

Colors Awards

Best Color Exchange - My Love Mix-Up (Thailand)

This award goes to a series where the leads were color coded and switching their colors demonstrated more than their love being mutual.

The original Japanese version of this show is one of the best color-coded BLs and features the best color exchange EVER in the form of a well-lit kiss, so I was watching the Thai version with a critical eye. The Thai show had the pink = love moments and other subtle visual rhetoric, plus it included the traditional color merge of Kongthap’s blue with Atom’s developing yellow into green which they both wore for their first kiss. The show was following all the normal steps, but at the very last moment, after the boys decided their love was worth the fight and came out to their parents in teary confessions, they met in the place it all began merging Kongthap’s blue and Atom’s strong orange into a couple’s brown and kissed, and I have never been happier seeing the color brown as a symbol of love.

Best Kiss - Only Boo!

This award goes to the series that best used a kiss to support the color narrative of the story.

This show had no competition in this category. Its only competition was itself. Every kiss either was color-coded, included the Blinding Light of Love, created a color exchange, formed a color merge, or was lit with the Pink = Love lighting. Every. Single. Kiss! So this award isn’t for just one kiss, but all the kisses in the series, but the grand kiss in the finale had the boys in their respective colors, kissing under a pink light, while their colors were part of the background decorations as everyone cheered around them, and It. Healed. Me.

Best Red (Thread of Destiny) - Unknown

This award goes to the series that best used the color red to symbolize two characters being connected by fate.

Century of Love, a story of lovers meeting again a century after tragically parting, gave Unknown good competition in this category, but ultimately the story of two kids finding family in each other and building a life together is the winner, and it’s all because of that damn red railing! The red was there when Qian fed Yuan on the street, and the moment Qian wrapped Yuan’s hands in the red boxing tape, he secured the bond between them. However, the scene where Yuan stood at the bottom of the stairs before leaving the house felt like the connection was severed as he walked out the door leaving a dark room behind only for the camera to slowly move up the red railing to reveal Qian standing at the top of the stairs looking at Yuan’s room. They were still connected, and I’m still emotional about it.

Best Pink - Bad Guy, My Boss

This award goes to the series that best used the color pink to demonstrate the love between two characters.

This was the most competitive category in 2024, and Deep Night with its pink poly dream held the top spot for most of the year until this ridiculous Wattpad BL entered the group chat and crushed everyone with this single shot. In the show, Run was basically being manipulated into a relationship with Fei Long for ~evil reasons~ that included an incarcerated brother, a ploy to gain more power, and an ex-boyfriend, yet the pink kept showing up around Run until it surrounded both of them. And it was the softest pink. It was slightly surprising that they did both genuinely love each despite the circumstances, but it was even more shocking just how kind that love actually was. They might have been crazy for that, but they were also crazy in love!

Best Rainbow - 1,000 Years Old

This award goes to the series with the best use of a rainbow.

Pun was a dark-color coded vampire, and Yo was the colorful human he fell in love with, yet Yo thought that Pun brought color to his life. Before Pun showed up, Yo was lost in the world chasing aliens with his friends, but once Yo encountered Pun at a pork blood soup stand, both their lives became filled with adventures that were revealed to be centuries in the making, and Pun’s rainbow umbrella symbolized the whimsical nature of their relationship. Both brought color to the other’s life. In every life.

Best Heart - 4 Minutes

This award goes to a series that best represented love by using a tangible item to symbolize a heart.

Color-coded boys in love deserve color-coded plushies to represent their love. Great was white-color coded, and Tyme was black-color coded, so when they went on their adorable arcade date, the color-coded cat plushies with hearts on their sides were the perfect prize to celebrate the guys’ developing feelings for each other. However, the date never really happened and instead was part of Great’s redo timeline as his heart was dying after being shot. And somehow, that made it even better! In his last moments, all Great wanted was for Tyme to keep winning his heart over and over again, and Great would have given it to him, again and again. In another life, he’d enjoy just playing a claw game with Tyme.

Best Accessory - Addicted Heroin (Thailand)

This award goes to a series that best used a color-coded accessory to support the ongoing plot.

Everything in this show was color coded from the cotton swabs to the nail clippers, but the series wins this award for The Audacity™. In any version of this story, Hero’s character is going to be batshit bananas, but in the Thai remake, the show decided to include color coding in the craziness. When Hero had Pop(py) kidnapped, Hero tied him up with color-coded green rope because even as Hero had taken his boyfriend hostage in the dumbest turn of event, he needed to prove he knew Pop’s color was green. But not only did Hero do that in the show, the folks behind the show, who seemed determined to be wilder than the show itself, started selling figurines of the moment! It’s meta, but like really bad, which means I LOVE IT!

Best Blinding Light (of Love) - Deep Night

This award goes to the series that best used a blinding light to emphasize the overwhelming feeling of being in love.

Deep Night had several amazing moments using the Blinding Light of Love, but Wela and Khem had liked each other since the first episode, so this moment visually presented what it felt like for them to realize it actually might be something more. They were nestled between the pink of the club lights with the window bathing them in the streetlight; then, the light from outside became blinding as Khem admitted to being jealous and wanting to be something more with Wela. It truly was the point Khem realized he was deeper than he thought, and for Wela to see that his feelings were real. It was a moment of lustful escape that turned into a moment of genuine love.

Best Lighting - The On1y One

This award goes to the series that best used lighting to support the story's narrative.

Using dark, cool lighting for the moon and bright, warm lighting for the sun are not new techniques, but the way The On1y One used those lighting treatments for its characters was a reminder that the professionals behind the scenes are truly experts in their field. In the first episode, Jiang Tian, the moon, emerged from the darkness of the street, and the warmth of Sheng Wang’s light cupped his face as he stood outside the gate. As they interacted, each retained their respective lighting, but slowly, slivers of the other’s lighting began to merge with their own until the audience could no longer tell where their individual light ended and the other’s began. And neither could the boys.

Best Cinematographer: Jim Picharn - I Saw You in My Dream, Jack & Joker

This award goes to the cinematographer who best supported the story through visuals without distracting from the ongoing plot.

In 2023, Jim of Dee Hup House was on the shortlist for this award due to him being the cinematographer for Thai BLs Step by Step, Hidden Agenda, and I Feel You Linger in the Air, and in 2024, he was back with I Saw You in My Dream and Jack & Joker. The reason he is getting this award now is because both his 2024 offerings looked completely different. Jim has a certain hazy and dreamy style to his cinematography which fit perfectly in I Saw You in My Dream’s narrative, but his style shifted to something harsher and a little bit grittier in Jack & Joker. There were still specific Jim elements in both pieces, but it was clearer how his style served the narratives in each story differently. Not only was it interesting to see, but it was also a beautiful addition to the stories being told in both shows, so I’m looking forward to what new visuals he will be gifting us with in 2025.

Best Surprise - The Trainee

This award serves as a catch-all for a series that delivered a color-coded surprise while still incorporating it well within the plot.

I am not egoistical enough to believe the folks behind these QLs are reading my little ol’ Tumblr blog, but I’m also not humble enough to rule it out as a possibility. Normally, I have to watch behind-the-scene specials, find translated interviews, or follow cinematographers’ and directors’ social media to get confirmation about colors, but in 2024, several shows simply posted the information on main! Two Worlds, Love is a Poison, Peaceful Property, and a few other shows openly stated how the colors were being used in the show, but The Trainee did the most and made graphics to announce the color coding of its characters and posted them on Twitter and Instagram! The graphics also featured key aspects of the characters’ personalities which aligned to their color. For eight weeks, I had been determined to prove that Jane was a loyal Blue Boy and Tae was a wise Brown Boy, and, magically, the show just looked at me one day and said I was right. I will never forget that rush, so in case someone who does work behind the scenes on these QL is reading my posts, thanks for the best present 2024 could have given me!

Best Group Effort - Pit Babe

This award goes to the series that best color coded a majority of its characters.

I watched this show with no sound, no subtitles, and no idea what the hell was happening. And yet the colors got me through! I might not have any clue who is the Alpha, Beta, or Santa Maria in this show, but I know who is red, blue, and royally evil because the colors were coloring the entire time! I cannot write more about this show because I still don’t really understand what it was about, but I am super excited to watch the second season the same exact way I watched the first — with the colors guiding me the whole way.

Best Consistent Color Coding - Chaser Game W

This award goes to the series that had the most consistent color coding throughout its run.

Two celestial maidens in a video game. Two penguins in a book. Two women in a toxic workplace romance. No matter what form the leads took in the show, they were color-coded in every version of their characters. They were part of the reason the Light x Dark pairing was the most popular in 2024, and in the first season, they exemplified that dynamic with kind Heavenly Human Itsuki being stuck working for her demanding Black Brooder ex-girlfriend Fuyu. Then, the second season gave us the women swapping clothes and colors as they became a more established couple. Even their daughter took part in the color-coded hijinks, and in the end, Itsuki and Fuyu found the balance in their work and their love life, together.  

Best Overall - Idol Factory

This award goes to the series that did it like nobody else to claim the ultimate prize.

I refuse to pit two bad bitches against each other, so that’s why both The Sign and The Loyal Pin get this award. And I’ll even throw the Factory’s third offering, My Marvellous Dream is You, into the mix because regardless of which show I write this about, Idol Factory gave me rainbows of colors every single time!

I didn’t just get the pink = 💕love💕lighting. I got the pink lighting getting more intense as the love between the two characters intensified.

I didn’t just get color-coded clothing. I got the patterns of the clothing showing each character’s personality, so when they started to swap patterns, it was obvious they were in love.

I didn’t just get color exchanges. I got color events with blinding lights of love, color exchanges, and color merges.

Basically, I got everything I wanted and more, so even though Idol Factory has only produced five shows, all of them have excelled in the colors and visual rhetoric department, and I’ll be patiently waiting for its 2025 (and 2026) shows to air because I know they will be visually stunning, as always.

Congrats, winners!

[laiqualaurelote]

I do not usually have Thoughts on matters like awards but what is up with the Emmy nominations this year. I'm glad Ted Lasso got some noms but it was for the wrong things?! how does Jason Sudeikis get a nom despite phoning in half the season, but no recognition for Nick Mohammed or Toheeb Jimoh? Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple both somehow in the Best Supporting Actress category? Writing nom for So Long, Farewell but not Sunflowers? Bizarre. But the most egregious omission...

...WHERE IS THE ENGLISH?! Where are the nominations for this, the finest limited series of 2022? Where is Chaske Spencer's Best Actor Award? Why is Episode 5: The Buffalo Gun not being showered with Best Writing, Best Directing, Outstanding Cinematography for the 49 minutes of unrelenting excellence it brought to our screens? Why, for the love of all that is holy, is this show so consistently underrated? This is a travesty and I and the 20 other people in this fandom will be mad about it forever.

[franniewhat]

Top Student of Your School, Academic Affirmations

1. I am a genius, and my academic success comes effortlessly.

2. I am always at the top of my class.

3. Perfect grades are my natural state.

4. I am the valedictorian of my school.

5. Every subject I study becomes crystal clear to me.

6. I absorb information quickly and easily.

7. My teachers and professors recognize my brilliance.

8. I am highly respected for my intelligence.

9. I achieve perfect scores on all my exams.

10. My study sessions are productive and efficient.

11. I understand everything I learn immediately.

12. Academic success flows to me with ease.

13. I am always fully prepared for any test or exam.

14. My memory is sharp and reliable.

15. I am admired for my academic excellence.

16. Learning is fun, easy, and enjoyable for me.

17. I am confident in all academic settings.

18. I thrive in every subject I study.

19. I am consistently achieving my academic goals.

20. I am the most accomplished student in my school.

21. Opportunities for academic recognition find me effortlessly.

22. I am always ahead in my studies.

23. I am proud of my incredible academic achievements.

24. My work is always of the highest quality.

25. I am known for my dedication and success in academics.

26. My grades reflect my extraordinary intelligence.

27. I consistently exceed expectations in every class.

28. I am naturally disciplined and focused.

29. I am a role model for other students.

30. My teachers and peers admire my work ethic.

31. I am destined for greatness in my academic journey.

32. Success is inevitable for me in all academic pursuits.

33. I excel in group projects and individual assignments.

34. My academic record is flawless and impressive.

35. I always know the answers to test questions.

36. I am confident in my ability to succeed academically.

37. Every assignment I submit is excellent.

38. I am grateful for my outstanding academic performance.

39. My study habits are effective and enjoyable.

40. I am the most intelligent and capable student in my school.

41. I am an academic inspiration to others.

42. Success in school is my default reality.

43. I manifest perfect grades effortlessly.

44. I am celebrated for my academic achievements.

45. I attract awards and recognition for my hard work.

46. My academic path is perfectly aligned with my goals.

47. I achieve everything I set my mind to in school.

48. I have the full support of my teachers and classmates.

49. I am unstoppable in my academic pursuits.

50. My name is synonymous with academic excellence.

[jugeullae]

I had very high expectations for Light Shop and it did not disappoint! It was great! It was written and created by webtoon artist, Kang Full, also the creator of Moving. I love Moving so much! It was an excellent drama and a tough act to follow. It won so many awards including Baeksang and Blue Dragon Daesang. Light Shop was also directed by rookie director Kim Hee Won, who also starred in Moving. It really is a multiverse. Moving nation, go check it out! There are Easter eggs at the last 15 minutes of episode 8. Moving Season 2 here we go!

It started out as horror but as the story unfolds it seemed more of a melodrama exploring human relationships. It's a journey of the human soul: denial, acceptance and finally transition. It's very interesting and unique concept with a refreshing way to tell a story. It definitely piqued my curiosity. Everyone is theorizing who is actually alive, who is dead, where and when and how. The cast boasts an ensemble group of talented actors. The cinematography is gorgeous and the CGI is good. The set design is well-crafted and extremely detailed. Wonyoung's shop is just exquisite! It looked like it came right out of a Studio Ghibli movie.

I don't really have any criticism towards the drama but it would have been nice if some actors got a little more screen time. I think it would have been great to see Ju Ji Hoon and Park Bo Young at least in one frame together. Having said, that the cast gave an outstanding performance in all their scenes. Lee Jung Eun gave one heck of a performance with the limited minutes she had and worthy of an Oscar. Although technically she is an Oscar winner. I understand that the original webtoon is actually just very short. The cast is huge but the drama only has 8 episodes. They definitely made the best out of it. Adding fillers would have probably just made the drama dragging and lose sight of focus. That is why it was crucial that Disney brought Kang Full on board to be part of the drama's creative process and to ensure consistency. Looking forward to their future collaboration(s).

Kudos to the directorial debut of Kim Hee Won. I think he did a fantastic job! He had his hands full for the past few years. Acting in Moving, directing Light Shop, and also acting in the movie Project Silence alongside the late Lee Sun Kyun. Ahjusshi, you are missed. I hope you found the light. 💡

[ilaw-at-panitik]

The Finalists of the 41st National Book Awards

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) announce the finalists of the 41st National Book Awards, an annual prize honoring the most outstanding book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.

For this cycle of the National Book Awards, a total of 235 titles were submitted across 34 categories consisting of 7 languages: Filipino, English, Bikol, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Tausug, and Waray. Following the awarding of winners during the 40th cycle in May 2023, the 41st iteration of the awards is slated to take place in February 2024.

See the full list here.

[carlocarrasco]

Muntinlupa City Government wins CROWN award

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that it won the prestigious Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award and a cash incentive of half-a-million Pesos during the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the…

[agentfascinateur]

Hollywood call for withdrawing Bisan Owda's Emmy Nomination - DENIED

Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel nonprofit organization, called for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to rescind an Emmy nomination for Bisan Atef Owda, a Palestinian journalist. Owda was nominated by NATAS in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form category, for the series “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive.” They allege that Owda has documented ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a United States-designated terrorist organization. The letter, was signed by More than 150 entertainment industry leaders, including the likes of Debra Messing, Selma Blair, Sherry Lansing, Rick Rosen, Haim Saban, and Michael Rotenberg, among others.

Thank you for your letter of August 19, 2024, concerning the nomination of “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive” for a 2024 News & Documentary Emmy Award. The News & Documentary Emmys have recognized excellence in television journalism for nearly half a century. The honored programs and reports have taken viewers to the front lines of every world conflict, probed political and cultural divides, and sought to illuminate even the darkest circumstances. Some of these works have been controversial, giving a platform to voices that certain viewers may find objectionable or even abhorrent. But all have been in the service of the journalistic mission to capture every facet of the story. In every case, submissions to the News & Documentary Emmys are judged by experienced journalists from across multiple news organizations, serving in an independent, volunteer capacity. NATAS does not intervene in or countermand the judgment of these journalists except when competition rules have been violated, nor does NATAS determine the eligibility or ineligibility of news reporting based on the political views represented. “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive” was reviewed by two successive panels of independent judges, including senior editorial leadership from each significant U.S. broadcast news network. It was selected for nomination from among more than 50 submissions in one of the year’s most competitive categories. The piece was also recognized for journalistic achievement by the Peabody Awards and the Edward R. Murrow Awards, each administered by processes and organizations wholly separate from and independent of NATAS and the News & Documentary Emmys. NATAS is aware of reports, cited in your letter and initially surfaced by a communications consultant in the region, that appear to show a then-teenaged Bisan Owda speaking at various PFLP-associated events between six and nine years ago.  NATAS has been unable to corroborate these reports, nor has it been able, to date, to surface any evidence of more contemporary or active involvement by Owda with the PFLP organization. Most critically, the content submitted for award consideration was consistent with competition rules and NATAS policies. Accordingly, NATAS has found no grounds, to date, upon which to overturn the editorial judgment of the independent journalists who reviewed the material. Thank you. I appreciate your courtesy in sharing our response with your cosigners. Sincerely, Adam Sharp, NATAS President & CEO

[flock-keeper]

Major and Regional Tournaments:

High-profile tournaments often award more points compared to smaller, regional tournaments. These tournaments attract top-tier competitors and offer greater rewards for performance.

Regional Tournaments: Smaller regional tournaments award fewer points, but they still provide valuable opportunities for trainers to accumulate points and gain experience.

Placement-Based Points:

Winner (1st Place): The champion of the tournament earns the highest number of points, reflecting their outstanding performance.

Runners-Up (2nd Place): The second-place finisher receives a significant number of points, but slightly less than the winner.

Third Place: The third-place finisher is also awarded a notable number of points.

Other Placements: Points are typically awarded to participants based on their final standings, with higher placements earning more points. This can include points for making it to the quarterfinals, semifinals, or other notable rounds. These points are used for trainers ranking, and if they get enough points they can be promoted to a higher ranking if they are A Class and under.

Bonus Points: Trainers can earn bonus points for special achievements, such as consecutive wins, defeating high-ranked opponents, or demonstrating exceptional strategies.

Relegation Process:

Point Threshold: Each class has a minimum point threshold that trainers need to maintain to stay in their current class. Falling below this threshold increases the risk of relegation.

Performance Review: League or tournament organizers periodically review trainers' performance and point standings. Trainers consistently underperforming are at risk of being moved to a lower class.

Relegation: Trainers who do not meet the required point threshold for their class are relegated to the lower class. This ensures that each class maintains a high level of competition and that trainers are matched with opponents of similar skill levels.

[kitseddie]

This Must Be The Place

Chapter 5: Change

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Part 6

(Eddie Munson x GN!Reader)

Summary: You and Eddie hang out, just like you did when you were kids.

W/C: 2K+

Warnings: tooth rooting fluff! >:)

A/N: This is a short filler to add some backstories to help with elements of the story that I wanna include! But it’s always just cute Eddie fluff hehe

You were awoken by an obnoxiously loud knock on your door, your right eye squinting open to check the time. When the red digits revealed a time that was ten whole minutes before your alarm was set, you flopped on your other side and groaned. Without any warning your mom rushed into your bedroom, as awake and as cheery as ever.

“You know, walking in kind of defeats the whole purpose of knocking.” She tutted, perching on the side of your bed and rolling you to face her. “Do you want your kid to be completely sleep deprived? Is that something you want, as a mother?”. Your theatrics were lost on her, as she pulled something from behind her back and placed it on top of the covers.

Your eyebrow cocked, slowly sitting up and rubbing the sleep from your eyes before noticing a small velvet box on your lap. The gesture was always sweet, but with the way you were raised, you felt a strong sense of guilt whenever you were awarded expensive things.

Like the beautiful silver chain that you'd just uncovered from inside the box. She beamed, her excitement outshining yours as you brought her into your arms and whispered a thank you. It was a small apple with a single leaf which upon further inspection was white gold. And it would hang from your neck until further notice.

After peeling yourself from your covers, you started picking out a business casual outfit. After all, it was your first day at your new job.

“Oh honey, I'm so excited for you! Let me know how it goes! Drive safe!”. She kissed the crown of your head before you rolled up the window and waved her off, heading towards your new workplace.

And just like that, the strong and unsettling feeling of deja vu clung to your bones as you headed down the same twists and turns that your dad would take you down as a kid. It was earlier than it would have been back then, but the dread and excitement still made your heart race a mile a minute. When you pulled into the staff parking lot, you already began to notice what would be your future colleagues piling into the building. With a deep breath and a tight grip on your bag, you wandered inside.

“Ah, you must be our new addition! Welcome to Hawkins!”. You shook the woman’s hand and followed her into the staff lounge. After showing you where they made their lunch and coffee, she took you on a brief tour of the building before taking you into a room with some other people who looked a little older than you.

You were in training, with being so young and starting a career it took time to climb the ranks. Thanks to a good education, some scholarships and some outstanding grades you landed yourself in this place. After being introduced to everyone, the rest of the day consisted of going through a whole training seminar. And it was boring. So when the bell rang for the end of the day, you got excited knowing the real work was about to begin.

You were escorted to the room you'd spend the next few hours working in and you sat patiently at your desk. To say this was your first day, they had a lot of trust in leaving you to run your session alone. Every now and then somebody would come and check in to see how everything was going, but so far it was going better than you could have hoped. It was less than an hour before the end of your shift when you heard a knock at your door, you grunted thinking about how you would probably be leaving a little later than you had anticipated.

“I’m here for the-”. You froze, eyes the size of planets and your hand glued to the door handle.

“Eddie?”. His eyes were somehow wider than yours, his jaw hung open as he was struggling to speak.

“Sweetheart, what the hell are you doing at Hawkins High?”. You finally removed your hand and awkwardly crossed your arms against your chest, you weren't keeping it a secret or anything but you weren’t exactly telling everyone.

“I work here, did I…had I not mentioned that?.” He huffed out a laugh and shook his head, his dark curls bouncing as he did.

“Hmm, must have slipped your mind”. You smiled awkwardly, in all honestly you were just nervous about it all. You didn’t want to jinx your chances of success. And it also just didn’t really come up.

“What are you doing here?”. He should have graduated the same year as you, in 1984.

“Me? Oh, I just like the scenery.” You rolled your eyes and chuckled, it was obvious he wasn’t up for explaining yourself and you didn’t want to push him. “I’m here for the tutoring sessions, actually Robin, you remember Robin right?”.

“The girl who ate shit at the movie theatre?”. You chuckled to yourself, remembering her shocked face by your feet.

“Ah, that’s the one. Well, she thought a good tutor would help me in my classes and I could graduate this year.” Graduate this year. So he was held back…more than once. “So if you're not like, super busy with people who actually deserve your time-”.

“Eddie. Of course you deserve my time, if it was up to me you'd be my number one student”. His confidence deflated slightly at the use of the word if, he took a small breath before glancing up from the ground. “There are rules, if I know you and I tutor you, that can be seen as favouritism and that's kind of a big no-no in the teaching department.”

“Okay, so I'm screwed basically?”. You sighed, he was really laying his heart out on the line here. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to help, it was just out of your hands. Unless…

“Not necessarily.” He quirked a brow and scrunched his forehead. “What if I didn’t know you? What if we hid the fact that we’re friends and I just treated you like any other student? There’s no way of them finding out, that way I can help you”.

“Gotta have some smarts up there to get you here, huh?”. His hand gripped the top of your head and shook it with a smug grin before staring back at you. “So, may I?…”. He gestured to the seat placed next to your desk as you nodded and he shuffled behind the desk.

Without a second thought, you dragged the chair from behind your desk and placed it on the other end of his. His eyes widened slightly, not yet accustomed to the newfound closeness. But you were completely oblivious, pulling papers out of your bag and placing them in front of him before double-checking what classes he was struggling in. He just watched you with a smile, so focused on the task at hand.

“Okay, so what subject should we start with?”. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling, fiddling with his rings.

“Judas Priest songs? 70’s horror movies? Dungeons and dragons?”. You shoved him playfully and chuckled. His soft brown eyes shone when he realised he got a smile out of you. “I’m failing a lot of my classes, but I think I suck the most at math”.

“Well, aren’t you lucky? Because I was a mathlete.” Eddie rested his chin on his hand and moved a little closer.

“A mathlete? Wow, that is really cool.” He deadpans trying not to smirk, as you roll your eyes at his cockiness.

“You’re an asshole, Munson.” You groan as he grins mischievously before looking back down at the papers you’d given him.

After about an hour and a half, you’d managed to figure out equations and touched on some algebra. He wasn’t super confident yet but he seemed to understand it way easier when you explained it. The door opened as you both snapped your heads to look over at the teacher that stood in the hallway.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were still working in here. Your shift ended about twenty minutes ago, any work you and Mr Munson have can wait until tomorrow.” With a small nod, you both packed up all your stuff and started to head out of the classroom. Eddie gestured for you to walk ahead of him and you gladly obliged.

“Eddie.” You called, trying to stick to your plan and stay professional. “If you could attend your session on time tomorrow it would be gladly appreciated, we can go over your other subjects then.” He just nodded, not confident that if he opened his mouth he wouldn’t say something incriminating. You both wandered into the parking lot, not acknowledging the other until you noticed you were out of earshot of your colleague.

“Do you wanna stay for dinner?”. You whispered, as he looked around and took a second to consider the offer. He almost seemed to come around to the idea before he pulled back, patting your back gently.

“Gotta help Wayne with some stuff, I’ll see you tomorrow.” That was all he said before giving you a weak smile and gassing up his van. Did he just blow you off?

—

The next few days were fine, some of your sessions had been monitored by another teacher and the ones that weren’t were more work based. Sometimes you’d get a little playfulness from Eddie if you caught him in the right mood. But after that first session, he was so distant. You were happy to see him studying, of course you were, it just felt like he was using it as an excuse to avoid you. You only had a few sessions during the week, not wanting to overwhelm him and making sure you had enough time to see your other students.

And now it was Friday. You didn’t think about how you’d be seeing Eddie again at the end of the day, or about how you wanted to ask him what he thought of the new Metallica album. Or if he’d seen Highlander yet. Or if he had weekend plans and wanted to hang out and listen to Metallica and watch Highlander.

The school bell rang and pulled you out of your thoughts, you had thrown yourself into your work so much that you didn’t even notice the time pass by. You sighed, resting your head over your folded arms and staring at the door from your desk. Maybe he wasn’t gonna show this time. Maybe he finally gave up and found another tutor. Before you could wallow in your self-pity any longer, he knocked while opening the door and you sat up straight.

“Hey listen, we got some guys coming over to the trailer to fix our AC. So I gotta rain check on today, is that cool?”. With a deep sigh, you stared back at him as he waited for an answer.

“No.” His eyes widened, trying to process what you just said.

“What?”. You stood up from your desk, walking around it until you stood face to face.

“I said, no. It’s not cool.” He was confused and honestly so were you. You felt completely out of your element right now but this train was not stopping. Without saying another word, you began packing your bag and writing a note for your superior. “We’re gonna study at the trailer.”

“Sweetheart I don’t tha-“. Your finger pressed against his lips as you shushed him, his eyes staring down at your hand.

“You got your books?.” He just nodded, your hand slowly moving from his face. A warm smile graced your lips and you nodded. “Great! I’ll follow behind you. Let’s go”. There was little room to argue as he ran after you, climbing into his van and watching you twinkle your fingers from the side view mirror’s reflection.

When you both pulled up, you swung your bag over your shoulder not used to the weight. Without hesitation Eddie took it from you, throwing it over his shoulder as he unlocked the door and held it open for you. With a small curtsy, you wandered inside and headed straight to his room, kicking open the door and flopping yourself onto his mattress. He chuckled, his hands on his hips as he shook his head. With a small glance and a bite of his lower lip, he flopped next to you as you giggled and shoved him a little. You turned on your side and smirked back at him. This was the Eddie you’d been missing.

“We should probably get to studying”. He muttered, his smile fading as he sat up and started pulling out his textbooks. What the hell was his problem? You pulled yourself up and placed a hand on his, stopping him in his tracks.

“Eds, come on since when were you such a workaholic? It’s Friday night, we got all night to study. Let loose a little, would ya?”. Before he could protest you got up off the bed and made your way over to his record collection, you flicked through the selection and chuckled to yourself. “Neil Diamond? Really?.” He scuttled towards you and gripped it out your hand, muttering to himself.

“It’s probably one Wayne’s he left lying around…” He mumbled, placing it on the cabinet next to his bed. You continued to scour his inventory, struggling to find what you were looking for. “Do you mind, snoopy mcsnooperson?”. You chucked, looking back at him.

“Clever.”

“I thought so.” It didn’t stop you, as he groaned in protest and came at you with his grabby hands.

Just as he reached out for you, you let out a startling “AHA!” and slipped the record from its sleeve. Gently you placed it in the player, dropping the needle and closing the top. There was a small crackle before the speakers started playing the intro guitar riff to Judas Priest’s Sinner. You climbed up onto the bed and rose to your feet, shredding your best air guitar as Eddie shook his head and started chuckling.

When the song kicked in you serenaded him, shaking your hips and your head attempting your best Rob Halford impression. He tried not to smile, but it was impossible with the way you were giving him such a show. You held out your hand and you knew he wanted to refuse, but when he caught that gleam in your eye he just couldn’t say no. Before you knew it, you were both jumping on top of his bed and screaming the lyrics at the top of your lungs, just like you did in middle school.

When the near seven-minute song ended, you both collapsed on the mattress and tried to catch your breath. Damn being a frontman was hard. Did Eddie feel like this after every gig? You looked back at him and chuckled, noticing the way his hair stuck to his forehead. Without a second thought, your fingers reached out and shifted it back in place as he stared back at you.

“Uh, thanks.” He muttered almost under his breath, as you just smiled and nodded. You both stared up at the ceiling and let the faint sound of the Sin After Sin album run its course. “Haven’t listened to that one since middle school.”

“Eddie, you like hanging out with me, right?.” He sat up, a look that could almost be interpreted as offence clinging to his face.

“Sweetheart, I fucking love hanging out with you. Why would you even ask that?”. Before you could answer there was a knock at the door, so the AC wasn’t an excuse. He headed to answer it, letting the handyman in as you leaned against his door frame, bag in him. “Oh, he won’t be here long, we can study after-“.

“Consider it a break. We’ve got plenty of time to catch up, thanks for letting me come over”. He just nodded awkwardly, shoving his hands in his ripped jeans and you wrapped your arms around his waist and pressed your face into his chest. “I’ll see you around.” You muttered before breaking away and noticing his puzzled face.

“Drive safe.” That was all he said before you hopped into your car and made your way home. This was going to be harder than you thought.

Tag List: @honey-eyed-munson

[usadailynews24]

Hiroyuki Sanada of ‘Shogun’ and Takashi Yamazaki of ‘Godzilla Minus One’ to Receive Honors from Visual Effects Society

Takashi Yamazaki and Hiroyuki Sanada to Be Honored at the 23rd Annual Visual Effects Society Awards

Takashi Yamazaki, director and VFX supervisor of Godzilla Minus One, and Hiroyuki Sanada, a two-time Emmy-winning actor and producer, will receive prestigious honors at the 23rd annual Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards. The ceremony will take place on February 11 at The Beverly Hilton. Yamazaki will be presented with the VES Visionary Award, while Sanada will receive the VES Award for Creative Excellence.

Takashi Yamazaki: Visionary Filmmaker and VFX Pioneer

Recognized as one of Japan's leading filmmakers, Takashi Yamazaki wrote, directed, and supervised visual effects for Godzilla Minus One. His groundbreaking work on the film made him the first director since Stanley Kubrick to win an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The movie has become the third highest-grossing foreign-language film in U.S. box office history, earning $56 million.

Yamazaki’s extensive filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as Always: Sunset on Third Street, The Eternal Zero, and Stand by Me Doraemon. The Visionary Award honors individuals who consistently push the boundaries of visual effects to inspire and ignite artistic and technological innovations.

VES Chair Kim Davidson praised Yamazaki’s contributions, stating, “Takashi Yamazaki is a renowned talent in Japanese cinema who reinvigorated a legendary kaiju franchise and has been at the forefront of using visual effects to tell remarkable stories that captivate audiences.”

Yamazaki is preparing for his Hollywood debut with Grandgear, a collaboration with Bad Robot and Sony Pictures. In addition to writing and directing, he will produce the film alongside J.J. Abrams and Glen Zipper.

Hiroyuki Sanada: A Global Icon of Cinematic Storytelling

Hiroyuki Sanada, celebrated for his work in Japanese and international cinema for over five decades, will be honored with the VES Award for Creative Excellence. This award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the art and science of visual effects and cinematic entertainment.

Sanada’s illustrious career includes more than 70 films, such as The Twilight Samurai (an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film), John Wick: Chapter 4, The Last Samurai, and Avengers: Endgame. Most recently, he starred in and produced FX’s Shōgun, a groundbreaking drama series that earned him Emmy Awards for both Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama and Outstanding Drama Series. The series holds the record for the most Emmy wins in a single year.

VES Chair Kim Davidson highlighted Sanada’s impact, stating, “Hiroyuki Sanada has been at the center of cinematic stories that use visual effects to enhance unforgettable storytelling for decades. From ensuring authentic depictions of Japanese history in Hollywood films to spearheading the critically acclaimed Shōgun, his work has left an indelible mark on the global cultural landscape.”

As a cultural ambassador for Japan, Sanada has played a pivotal role in bridging Eastern and Western cinema, bringing authentic portrayals of Japanese history and culture to global audiences.

Looking Ahead

The VES Awards will celebrate these two legends for their extraordinary contributions to visual storytelling. Yamazaki and Sanada’s careers exemplify the transformative power of blending art, culture, and cutting-edge technology to create memorable cinematic experiences. Fans and industry professionals alike eagerly anticipate their future projects, including Yamazaki’s Hollywood debut and Sanada’s continued work in groundbreaking films and series.

Stay tuned for updates on this landmark event honoring two giants of cinema.

[smallcollegebasketball]

Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List + Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2025 Media Contact: Matt Ankenbrandt Sports Information Director │ Small College Basketball 616.780.1335 www.smallcollegebasketball.com

2025 Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List Announced

Kansas City, MO – The Nationals Awards Committee and Small College Basketball are very happy to announce the Trevor Hudgins Top 25 Watch List for the 2024-25 season. On a yearly basis, the Trevor Hudgins Award is presented to the senior who has had the best overall four-year (or 5-year) career within Small College Basketball. John McCarthy had this to say about the Top 25 list:

"Congratulations to the 25 players that have made the Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List. Each of these players are in the final year of their remarkable college careers, playing their entire career at the small college level. Of all of the players in the country that have played their entire careers at the small college level, this is a very elite group. I am grateful to the members of our National Awards Committee for their insight and information about many players under consideration for this list."

The award is named in honor of Northwest Missouri State’s Trevor Hudgins, who had a historic career with the Bearcats. He led the Bearcats to three consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships. During his career, Hudgins started in every game and never missed one. He also never lost an NCAA Tournament game, leading the Bearcats to a remarkable 17-0 record in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Hudgins was named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022. He holds both the NWMSU scoring and assists records and finished his career with 2,829 points, which ranks first all time in the 110 year history of the MIAA.

The 2025 season marks the second time that the Trevor Hudgins Award will be awarded. In 2024 KJ Jones of Emannuel College was named the inaugural winner. On March 1 st , the list will be reduced to 15 players. The video of the finalists will be released on Saturday April 5 th , and the award winner will be announced through a video presentation on Monday April 7 th , at halftime of the NCAA Division I National Championship Game.

Considerations for the Trevor Hudgins Award are overall career statistics and achievements, team achievements, awards, and personal character. The player must have played his entire career at the small college level. This is the highest award given to a four-year (or five-year) player within Small College Basketball. The overall intent of the Trevor Hudgins Award is two-fold: 1) To keep the collegiate legacy of Trevor Hudgins alive and continue to tell his story to the next generation, and 2) To provide a national platform to honor outstanding players – and ultimately one player – within small college basketball on an annual basis. The Trevor Hudgins Award is sponsored by Northwest Missouri State University and the Scribner Family Foundation Fund.

The Small College Basketball National Awards Committee consists of the following coaches: Gary Stewart – Stevenson(Md.), Chris Briggs - Georgetown (Ky.), Bill Dreikosen - Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Mark Berokoff –Oklahoma City, Mike Donnelly – Florida Southern, Sam Hargraves – Olivet (Mich.), Richard Westerlund – Northwestern (OH), Chase Tiechmann – Florida College, Aaron Siebenthall – Ottawa (Kan.), Mark Vanderslice – USC – Aiken, Matt O’Brien – Southwestern (KS), Chris Wright – Langston (OK), Ben Thompson – Emory & Henry, Justin Leslie – Midwestern State, Raul Placeres – Maryville College (TN), Chris Martin – Loras (IA), John Lamanna – Whitman (WA), Brian Miller – MSOE, Justin Downer – Point Loma Nazarene.

For more information on the Trevor Hudgins Award or Small College Basketball, please head to smallcollegebasketball.com.

2024-25 Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List

Tray Alexander 5’10” Pace Adam Brazil 5’10” Hampden-Sydney Octavio Brito 6’4” Keene State Ryan Broeckel 6’6” Wisconsin Lutheran Luke Burnett 6’2” Alabama-Huntsville Ryker Cisarik 6’9” Nova Southeastern Kaleb Hammeke 6’0” Fort Hays State Jahn Hines 6’4” Christopher Newport M.J. Iraldi 6’6” Nova Southeastern Deonte Jackson 5’9” LeTourneau Cameron Kahn 6’6” Dallas Baptist Charlie Katona 6’7” MN Duluth Jaden Lietzke 6’7” OK Wesleyan Kaleb Lowery 6’8” The Master’s Lakeem McAiley 6’6” East Stroudsburg Jordan Oates 6’5” Salisbury Christian Parker 6’6” Mount Union Collin Parker 6’8” Columbia (MO) Logan Pearson 6’4” Wisconsin-Platteville Noah Schutte 6’4” Concordia (NE) Ian Scott 6’7” Grace Joey Skoff 6’3” Morningside Tristan Smith 6’5” Concordia (NE) Joshua Van Gorp 6’10” Central (IA) Kyreese Willingham 6’5” MN State

[kiwitaskmaster]

Kicking this off:

Episode review of Taskmaster New Zealand, Season 1, Epsiode 1:

— Needless to say, this WILL contain heavy spoilers! —

> ‘Banter Here.’ he says in the most deadpan way possible PAULL I LOVE YOU

> Kicks right off with Jeremy consistently just being mildly annoyed with Paul the whole season lmao i lovee them

> ‘Fun sibling rivalry dynamic or merely a reminder that NZ has about 8 people in it’

> Angella bringing in her anti-anxiety medication is criminally underappreciated by Jeremy like she knew what was up

> AWW I forgot Brynley brought in her partner for the prize task

> ‘Is this just an elaborate way to break up with someone.’ (Jeremy to Brynley)

> ‘Congratulations to Guy on being the first person in taskmaster history to start his own applause’

> That electric guitar is SICK i want it

> THE SHIRT BUTTON FLOSS BIT IS FANTASTIC I FORGOT ABOUT THAT

> Brynley got the well-deserved 5 points there but ANGELLA LAST?? JEREMY.

> I kinda get the vibe that he has no idea what to do with her energy so she gets downgraded because of that

> ‘People champ is here!’ (Guy Williams) if you say so!

> ‘The first thing that comes to my mind is dick... Which is funny bc I'm married to a woman.’ MADELEINE I LOVE YOU LMAO

> ‘I'm quite concerned your sculpture doesn't have a head’ IT'S CALLED TINAS TORSE JEREMY.

> ‘Make-shift pole’ ‘musical tambourine’ ‘musical guitar’ ‘musical headphones’ ‘ musical xylophone’ ‘makeshift music stand’ ‘da Vinci didn't keep fiddling with Mona Lisa every morning did he’ (Leigh Hart) Outstanding performance.

> Sriracha the squirrel <3 adorable squirrel and disagreeing with Jeremy again that's a FANTASTIC name for a squirrel

> ANOTHER 5 POINTS FOR BRYNLEY WOOOO

> Guy I fear you are not the people's champ </3

> ‘I've made a lot of shit TV in my time and most of it's been with you.’ (Leigh Hart to Jeremy)

> RAW rabbit meat.. in a COCKTAIL Poor paul LMAO

> ‘I've never drunk piss.’ (Paul) ‘I have!’ (Angella) ‘I need to ask you about the time you drank urine’ (Jeremy) ‘I haven't drunk piss?’ (Angella) ANGELLA LMAO YOU CANNOT DENY THAT YOU JUST SAID U DID

> ‘I've drunk piss!’ ‘Salty and gross and warm’ (Guy) did NOT need a description of how piss tastes tbh

> ‘Congrats on being the first contestant to award yourself five stars!’ (Paul to Guy)

> LEAF BLOWING THE DRINK INTO PAULS MOUTH/ FACE genius

> Rare occasion I’m agreeing with Jeremy bc a cocktail 100% needs alcohol and somehow ⅗ of the cast forgot that fact

> Touching the bread before you've read the task.. Rookie mistake..

> ‘I can't help but touch the bread when I see it’ (Leigh Hart) PREACH! Fucking love bread

> Now I do think that Leigh Hart did just hit the grape with the racquet so I think it should be invalid personally, audibly heard the grape hitting the racquet, definitely not the bread

> But then again, Jeremys marking is kind of batshit throughout so, par for the course!

> 22.5 kg is SO good Angella absolutely nailed that

> FIVE POINTS TO ANGELLA WOO

> Winner: Brynly Stent!! Very very good epsiode for her (and gets to keep her boyfriend)