Nominations are now open for the Listeners Choice Song of the Year for 2021 for the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards 2023 that will take place on the 17th of June at the Lamana Gold Club Arena. The nominations opened as of this Monday the 22nd of May and will go on for a week. The YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards for this year will recognize and feature the work of local artists over the last two years 2021-2022. Yumi FM Content Director Tuluan Vitz told PNG HAUSBUNG that listeners and fans can vote for your favourite song that was released in the year 2021 and the music artists with the most voted song, wins that award. The YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards consist of ten categories including the Listeners Choice Song of the Year and listeners have been encouraged to put their votes in before the week ends. “Nominations will close this Sunday the 28th of May at 11:59 PM, so make sure to put in your vote for your favourite song played in 2021.” Tuluan further clarified that, once the nominations for the year 2021 closes on Sunday, then the nominations for the Listeners Choice Song of the Year for 2022 will then open next week Monday the 29th of May. Nominations for the year 2022 will also be open for a week and will close on Sunday the 4th of June, same time. Meanwhile, tickets for the YUMI FM PNG MUSIK Awards are currently on sale at the PNGFM Office via EFTPOs payments only. Nominations can be made via the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards Facebook Page or can call on 325 7512 or WhatsApp on 72939393. The Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards comes to you with support of Platinum Sponsor, Coca Cola and Gold Sponsor, Vodafone, NAU FM, Legend FM, PNG HAUSBUNG and Magic Factory and is managed by the Total Events Company

“Honestly, I’m in shock. I thought that I was receiving one nomination but I’m just finding it out now that I was nominated twice. It’s a good surprise that’s for sure.” This were the words of one ambitious singer and song writer who was all smiles upon receiving not one, but two nominations for the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards for this year. Danielle Morgan, who also goes by her stage name Danielle, couldn’t explain the feeling of being nominated especially for the first time for the Musik Awards. The awards night will highlight and recognize the efforts of local music artists over the last two years; 2021-2022. Danielle received two nominations under the category Female Artist of the Year for the years 2021 and 2022. The enthusiastic artist has been portraying determination and eagerness throughout her music career and has certainly earned herself a name both locally and internationally as well. “This is definitely the first nomination for me. I’ve always been like I’m going to get nominated one day for the Musik Awards so this nomination is enough for me. That’s an achievement in itself and I’m excited for this.” Upon her music journey, Danielle shared with PNGHAUSBUNG how far she’s come along whilst enduring challenges and achievements and has also shared some of her recent biggest highlights in her music career. “It’s crazy how this year’s been. There’s a lot of things that’s happened for me in the music industry that I’ve been working for a very long time so this is amazing.” “I think one of my biggest highlight so far would be winning the Pacific Break in 2022 because that has opened up a lot of opportunities internationally as an artist so that would definitely top the list” The Pacific Break is an ABC music competition for unsigned artists across the region and much to her surprise definitely rewarded her for her great music. PNG was among fifteen other pacific nations who took part in this event. In addition to this, Danielle also got the opportunity to perform at one of Australia’s Biggest World Music Festival early this year in Adelaide called WOMADelaide. “Performing in Adelaide was honestly just something else. I never performed like that or had that kind of audience I had in Adelaide and also got to meet other internationally artists as well.” Being a song writer and singer, Danielle draws most of her inspirations based on her journey and how far she’s come. “I draw inspiration from things that are happening around us as a society whether it’s my family, the country as a whole or in the Pacific. I can’t pinpoint a particular thing but I will say that what keeps me going is basically the journey that I’ve had from when I started until now.” “Looking back on my journey and how I started is something worth creating. Don’t minimize your progress! I think that’s what keeps me going because sometimes I do get overwhelmed causing me to not want to do music anymore but then looking back on how far I’ve come, I can’t give up now.” Meanwhile, Danielle is currently working on an Extended Play (EP) which is now in the works. The EP she states is Contemporary and is focused on issues that the country is currently facing such as Sorcery Related Violence, Domestic Violence and so forth. “These are issues where we are still experiencing now in the 21st century where it is also something that we shouldn’t really be seeing or experiencing it as a normal part of our society so I’m hoping that this EP will target that as a form of awareness.” Also in the pipeline of her future career, Danielle is also creating what she calls ‘silly songs’ that is also in the works. Danielle described this as something good to sort of have fun with without having to always be serious or creating music based on pressing issues.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently handed over much needed essential equipment to the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) to support early detection and management of chronic diseases in NCD. NCD is recorded to have the country’s highest rate of inpatient deaths from non-communicable diseases in the country such as Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Diabetes, Cancers, and Hypertension. Officer in Charge of WHO PNG, Dr. Mollent Okech said non-communicable diseases epidemic was a serious threat to life, health, and development in PNG. “With 56% of all deaths in PNG are premature mortality which are caused by risky health behaviors such as tobacco smoking, obesity and raised blood pressure, high salt Intake, and alcohol”. “Let’s do as much as we can, I hope this equipment will go a long way in supporting the NCD PHA to manage these diseases.” Meanwhile, NCD PHA Director Public Health, Dr. Amos Nano, added that lifestyle diseases have taken over from all others and have been struggling to manage. “Such support from partners will really help to build their capacity in order to cater to improving the health of the large NCD population.” The equipment will be distributed to the six urban Clinics in NCD including glucometers, BSL strips, HBA1C machines and insulin to detect and treat diabetes. ECG machine, IV hydralazine, nitroglycerin to detect heart disease and hypertension as well as general items such as Digital and manual BP machines, adult scale, adult ruler, Stethoscopes, patellar hammers and tuning fork.

It’s been seven days since the SP PNG Hunters last took the field in the QRL Hostplus Cup competition and they get a chance this afternoon to respond to the loss last weekend when they take on the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval at 3pm. The Hunters have endured a tough week’s preparation following a disappointing loss to the Townsville Blackhawks in Round nine’s match. The Blackhawks were far too strong for the visiting Hunters in that game, dominating in yardage to slowly pile on the points. The Hunters showed glimpses of their attacking potential but didn’t win enough of the little contests to put themselves in a position for a comeback. A 60th minute try to speedster Solo Wane highlighted the attacking prowess of the Hunters as they made a break down their left edge in yardage before shifting smoothly through the backline to Wane in the right-hand corner. The combination of Wesser Tenza, Sakias Komati, Jamie Mavoko and Morea Morea has been a highlight of the Hunters 2023 campaign and all four spine players will need to be at their best again when they play this afternoon. How the Hunters respond to last week’s loss in Round 10 against Wynnum-Manly will be a good test of character for the PNG-based club, given the Seagulls currently sit above the Hunters in 9th place on the QRL ladder. A win against Wynnum-Manly would put PNG within touching distance of the Top Eight. The Seagulls come into this afternoon’s fixture fresh off the bye and will field a strong contingent of NRL-contracted players. Deine Mariner, Delouise Hoeter and Tyson Smoothy are among the first-grade representatives that will line up for Wynnum-Manly in QRL Round 10 and how the Hunters contain their impact will go a long way to deciding the result. A powerful line runner and bruising defender, Laka will surely receive plenty of attention from his former teammates when he takes the field for the home side this afternoon.

Finally, after four long years since its last public event, the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards 2023 will have seven music artists who will perform live come 14th of June at the Lamana Gold Club Arena. The Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards this year recognizes the efforts of local music artists over the last two years; 2021-2022. Performing artists include the likes of Kronos, Jnr Vigi, Kande Dwayne, BeeJoh, Danielle, Jarahn and Daniel Bilip, will be performing some of their hit songs on the night of the awards. The event has certainly created excitement among the artists, as most described how thrilled they were given the opportunity to perform for a big event such as the Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards. For young music artist, Jarahn, he has expressed nothing but what a pleasure and honour it was to be performing on the night. This will be his first time to take part in the Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards as both a performing artist and a nominee. “This is an honour and an exciting time for me as I get to be the performing artist and also a nominee for the awards night so I’m keen and looking forward to it.” “I will also be performing three of my songs on the night so if you want to know, make sure to be there on the night.” Another performing artist of the night, the group Jnr Vigi, also expressed excitement as a group who are also looking forward for the night. Jnr Vigi are also first time nominees for the Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards and first time performing artists. Speaking on behalf of the trio group was singer, Drian, who said the group is now getting ready, rehearsing, and preparing themselves for the night. The trio group will also be performing three songs. “Being first time nominees and performing artist at the same time is exciting. We’re just overjoyed, and we are also humbled and thankful that we have been given this opportunity.” Preparations and rehearsals are already underway as for performing artists.

Famous for their songs, Onetox from Solomon Islands has created many fans among many Papua New Guineans. For the second time around, Onetox yet again put on a successful show as they performed in Papua New Guinea on their Wantok Island Reggae Tour. This time only featuring Onetox and Small Jam whereas the first tour which was the Solwara Reggae Tour included DMP. The group who performed in Port Moresby and Lae over the weekend, has certainly given most fans satisfaction in performing live especially for those who missed the first show which was held some time back in March. Speaking on behalf of the group, Kaye aka Kofi Bwoy, shared with PNGHAUSBUNG an insight of some of their hit songs performed during those nights including songs titled, Stress, High Grade, Heart of Mine and from Small Jam was the song titled, December. “Most of these songs we performed were songs we did not sing during our first tour so for our second tour, we did so.” Onetox along with Small Jam decided to do a second tour due to the demand from fans. Kofi said many of their fans had missed out on their first tour, so they decided to make sure that everyone had a chance to see them perform. The second tour also included a special dedication to one of their first band members, Samuel Aitorea also known as Sasa Bwoy. He was a great musician whose legacy will continue to live on in music. According to Kofi, the band dedicated this to him and to show others that music lives on. In addition to this, Kofi shared some of the highlights of how Onetox came to be as a group and how it all started for them especially making a name for themselves at an international level. “It started back in 2005, that some of the boys including Taina Gee, Dehvande and Mossa had just founded the group.” “It started off as friends who knew each other and through their potential as singers, got a chance to record songs together and naming the group, Onetox.” It was then that their first song titled “Ramukanji” was a hit especially in the Pacific back in 2008. “This was the first song that made us Onetox, and it was then that people realized that we had potential.” Kofi said that although everyone is now doing their own individual projects and creating own singles and albums, they are still committed to the group Onetox to carry on the name.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to support the Eye health care program in PNG and this time through the handing over of vital equipment to the Port Moresby General Hospital Ophthalmology Department to help improve eye health care. The Assistive Technologies and equipment include non-mydriatic fundus camera (with software and laptop), indirect and direct ophthalmoscope, vision charts as well as pinhole occludes. Chief Ophthalmologist at PMGH, Dr. Simon Melenges, said diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and in PNG and is very difficult to treat as people come to the clinic when they are already blind. “It’s a privilege to receive this very expensive equipment, like the non-mydriatic fundus camera.” “With it we can screen in patients to find early detection of changes in the retina to be able to treat and prevent blindness”. He further thanked WHO for the ongoing support in eye health care in PNG, adding that the National Prevention of Blindness Committee (PBL) of PNG is the strongest in the Western Pacific region and is well ahead of progress in eye health in the Pacific.

Nominated again for the Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards, the group Stagajah has now received not one, but four nominations for this year's awards. The awards night will highlight and recognize the efforts of local music artists over the last two years; 2021-2022. Stagajah received four nominations under the categories: 1. Artist of the Year 2021, 2. Song of the Year 2021- Go Back, 3. Duo/ Group of the Year 2021 and, 4. Duo/ Group of the Year 2022. "It's an exciting time for us again to be nominated and we are now looking forward for this year's event." This according to one of the members, Jay Ray, who expressed excitement on behalf of the group said they were thrilled about being part of the Musik Awards, because hard work pays off. Jay Ray shared with PNGHAUSBUNG some of the challenges they endured during the two years, 2021 and 2022, whilst producing their songs. "In those two years, we mostly depended on gigs, but at the same time learnt how to market our songs online whilst trying to make an income from home." Jay Ray claimed that it was the online streaming that kept the group intact where they continued making music. In addition, the group continue their career whilst being inspired by famous and well-known international groups such Backstreet Boys and others who have had an impact on the local group. "It's the creativity in music from those groups especially those from the 80s, 90s and even early 2000s, that have inspired us as a group to sing and create music." Meanwhile, the group will be releasing more of their songs this year and have made mention to their fans to keep a look out for that. Furthermore, Stagajah has reached out to fans thanking them for their support towards their music and hope to continue in maintaining that bond through their music. "Big thanks to our fans for their support over the years since we started in 2014. Your support means so much to us."

The 76th Cannes Film Festival began Tuesday with the premiere of Johnny Depp’s Louis XV period drama, “Jeanne du Barry.” The project is the actor’s first movie since his highly publicized defamation trial last year with his former wife, Amber Heard. Depp, who plays Depp Louis XV in the film, walked the red carpet at the premiere, stopping along the way to speak with fans and pose for photos. The festival will run for the next 12 days, amid protests in France and an entertainment writers’ strike. Also screening at Cannes is “Indiana Jones and the Dial of the Destiny” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Natalie Portman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Sean Penn, Alicia Vikander, the Weeknd and Scarlett Johansson are all scheduled to appear at the festival. Michael Douglas will receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the event.

Canadian pop star The Weeknd has reverted to his birth name Abel Tesfaye on his social media accounts. The singer, known for his catchy pop tunes like Blinding Lights, asked his fans on Twitter in April if he should make the change. "ABEL formally known as The Weeknd?" he asked his fans in a tweet that received over one hundred thousand likes. The name change comes after the award winning artist revealed he wanted to "kill The Weeknd" to W Magazine. "I'm going through a cathartic path right now" he said. "It's getting to a place and time where I'm getting ready to close The Weeknd chapter." The artist has previously said his name came about after he dropped out of school and took his mattress "leaving one weekend and never coming home", the Daily Mail reported. But he told W Magazine: "As the Weeknd, I've said everything I can say." He added that his next album would probably be his "last hurrah" under that name. Born in Toronto to Ethiopian immigrants, Tesfaye rose to fame after he uploaded his first songs to YouTube in 2010, showcasing a dark, explicit strand of R&B that delved into drug use, casual sex and alienation. Canadian rapper Drake then posted those early demos to his personal blog; allowing Tesfaye to produce a nine-song mixtape, House of Balloons, which he released as a free download. During his music career he has won four Grammy awards, had more than 45 platinum singles and albums and broken many music records. In March 2023, the Guinness World Records declared him the most popular artist in the world due to the number of monthly listeners he had on Spotify. As of March 2023, the 33-year-old had 111.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and was the first artist to have 100 million monthly listeners on the streaming app. "The Weeknd currently has almost 30 million more monthly listeners than second-placed Miley Cyrus (82.4 million)" they wrote in a press release. Source: BBC

As Papua New Guinea celebrates Mother’s Day, the country’s leading superannuation provider National Superannuation Fund Ltd or Nasfund announced a new initiative to benefit its female employees. The Fund introduced the payment of superannuation on unpaid maternity for its female staff – a first for the industry, and for the country. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rajeev Sharma, said as a responsible employer, Nasfund is committed to promoting gender equality and bridging the gap that exists with the disparities faced by women at the point of retirement. “On average, for example, a female contributor may miss out on superannuation contributions of up to K500 due to unpaid maternity leave. This then affects her final superannuation balance in the long run by as much as K2, 895.00 at the age of 60 (assuming a 5% annual return). This happens due to the impact of cumulative interest. This is why continuing savings during early years of life is important. This new initiative ensures that all female employees of Nasfund who take unpaid maternity leave will continue to receive their employer contributions during their absence from work, providing them with financial security during a crucial period in their lives and ensuring that they don't miss out on the benefits of superannuation. “We are proud to introduce this initiative on Mother's Day, which is a symbolic celebration of motherhood. In line with our corporate values, we operate as a responsible employer and recognize the challenges that working mothers face and the impact it can have on their financial independence and security at retirement.” “Staying true to our values, we hope to inspire others through what we do today for a better tomorrow." Furthermore, the new initiative is part of Nasfund’s ongoing efforts to provide a healthy working environment for the staff who work as a team in delivering innovative and impactful services to its members. It demonstrates the organization's commitment to their members and dedication in promoting gender equality and social responsibility. By Law, employer contributions are capped at 15%. Nasfund currently contributes an additional 1.6% to the mandatory 8.4% employer contributions component for all Nasfund staff as well as allowing for paid paternity leave for male employees.

Nominations for The Justin Kili Awards are now open as of Monday the 8th of May 2023 for the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards 2023 that will take place on the 17th of June at the Gold Club Arena. During this time all listeners can come forward to nominate music artists who have contributed greatly in the music industry. Senior Radio Personality of YUMI FM, Turner Arifeae better known by his radio name Kasty, said that music artists nominated for this particular award can either be singers or producers who have made a name for themselves in the music industry and country. “As we speak, many nominations are now coming through and we are happy that we have so far seen big name artists especially those who have started their music career as far back to the 70s.” Kasty told PNGHAUSBUNG that this is a big initiative that they have come up with in recognition of the contributions that the ‘MUSIC GURU’ himself, the Late Justin Kili gave to music artists during his time as a broadcaster. Over the years, during the time he was broadcasting, he has helped many music artists in the country. “Although he has passed on, we still honour what he has done for the artists especially through The Weekly PNG Top 20 countdown (The National Weekly Hit Parade) he initiated where he hosted in other radio stations that he worked for previously until he joined PNGFM in 1997.” “The Top 20 countdown was then introduced on our radio station where it was aired." "It was then in 2005 that we decided it’s time we do something for our local artists and that it was where the YUMI FM PNG MusiK Awards came to be.” Three years later, YUMI FM then introduced a new category to the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards and named it the Justin Kili Awards. Kasty shared the experience of when he first asked the late JK if a category were included in his name to recognize the local artists, where he says the late JK accepted and approved. “The whole purpose of this YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards is to give thank you and appreciation to our local artists for having their songs air played on YUMI FM.” “Nominations can be made on the YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards Facebook Page or you can come over to the PNGFM office at Ahuia Street at Gordons to drop your nominations or call on 73738819 or 3257512.” Nominations will close on the 21st of this month at 11:59pm.