Daily Dose: 03/12/08

> AsianWeek Market Report
> Tibetans Chant ‘Olympics in China, Torture in Tibet’
> Asian Art Museum Appoints Jay Xu as Director
> Chiu Named to Small Business Commission
> Charo Santos-Concio Named ABS-CBN President
> Chinese TV to Make Local Version of ‘Ugly Betty’

AsianWeek Market Report

BAY:

Tibetans Chant ‘Olympics in China, Torture in Tibet’

SAN FRANCISCO — Tibetan immigrants protesting Chinese control of the Himalayan region vowed on March 10 to make San Francisco, the only U.S. city to host the Olympic torch relay, the focal point of American demonstrations against the Beijing Games.

The protesters chanting “Olympics in China, Torture in Tibet” and “Truth is our only weapon,” and some wiping away tears while singing the Tibet national anthem, also called on Mayor Gavin Newsom to reject the April 9 torch run and urged city officials to pass a resolution calling on China to improve conditions for Tibetans in their homeland.

Newsom’s spokesman, Nathan Ballard, said the mayor was deeply concerned about human rights in Tibet, but believed the Olympics was not the forum to address political issues.
“It’s important to remember that the Olympic spirit is one of international harmony and goodwill, and it transcends politics,” Ballard said. “In this spirit, San Francisco is proud to be the only North American city to host the Olympic torch relay.”

— Associated Press

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Asian Art Museum Appoints Jay Xu as Director

SAN FRANCISCO — The Asian Art Museum announced on March 12 the appointment of Jay Jie Xu as the museum’s new director starting June 15.

A dedicated scholar of Chinese antiquities and a curator committed to sharing his extensive knowledge of Asian art with a wide audience, Xu, 45, brings a variety of international museum experience to the Asian Art Museum.

“His enthusiasm, vision and energetic leadership skills will serve us well as we strive to elevate the museum’s prominence locally, nationally and internationally, with a special emphasis on Asia,” said Dixon Doll, the chairman of the museum.

“I have a profound respect and appreciation for the museum’s acclaimed collection, its exhibitions and public programs. I will strive to build upon the museum’s strength in showcasing the best of Asian art and culture, and to bring this outstanding institution to another level of excellence,” Xu said.

COMMERCE:

Chiu Named to Small Business Commission

SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the new appointment of Darlene Chiu to the Small Business Commission on March 10.

Chiu is the communications manager for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, where she oversees areas including system-wide public affairs issues, crisis communications and local press coverage. Chiu grew up working in her family’s retail businesses in Chinatown. Her previous work experience includes chief deputy communications director for Mayor Newsom, public affairs consultant, assistant investigator for the San Francisco district attorney, legal assistant for the Law Office of Ronald Chun and senior property manager at the Realty Group.

Chiu’s civic involvement includes serving as board member for the Chinese Culture Foundation, Community Youth Center and the Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition. Chiu received her bachelor’s degrees from the University of San Francisco in accounting and marketing.

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Charo Santos-Concio Named ABS-CBN President

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, the Philippines’ largest entertainment and broadcasting company, announced the appointment of Charo Santos-Concio as the company’s new president effective March 2008. Santos-Concio is the fifth president, and the first woman, to head the network.

Santos-Concio, who started in the show-business industry as an actress, joined ABS-CBN as a consultant in June 1987 and moved up to director of programs in 1989, VP of production operations in 1991 and senior vice president of TV production in 1996. When she took on the full responsibility of overseeing all the entertainment content of ABS-CBN in 1998, she was promoted to executive vice president.

ABS-CBN Global, based in Redwood City, Calif., was created 15 years ago and became the first and most successful Filipino broadcaster in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, money remittance and cargo services, online audio and video streaming, along with philanthropic support for Filipinos and their communities.

GLOBAL:

Chinese TV to Make Local Version of ‘Ugly Betty’

HONG KONG — Ugly Betty is learning to speak Chinese.
A Chinese TV station says it plans to make a Chinese version of the Colombian series about a plain woman trying to fit in at a fashion company that will be called Invincible Ugly Woman in Chinese.

Hunan Satellite TV said in a statement that a woman with no prior acting experience had been cast as the female lead, while the male lead had not been decided.

The station said it was planning 400 episodes of the show over five seasons, with shooting to start in April at a new studio in the central city Changsha, where the broadcaster is based.

The Colombian telenovela Betty la fea, or Ugly Betty, has been dubbed into several languages and has spawned numerous adaptations, including a U.S. version.

—    Associated Press

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Compiled by Irene Aranya