Mikasister Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Previous thread of 2022: https://www.mikafanclub.com/topic/35896-mika-twitter-instagram-tiktok-website-updates-2022/ Mika IG story 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikasister Posted January 1, 2023 Author Share Posted January 1, 2023 twitter 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kumazzz Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Twitter Happpppy new year everyone! This morning during my morning reading, I came across this amazing article and story. A perfect thing to share on the first day of the new year. Check it out it’s worth it via @BBCNews https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63995293 How a secret message in a Colombian song gave hostages hope By Phoebe Hopson and Lucy Wallis BBC News With its catchy chorus and powerful lyrics, the pop song Better Days hit the airwaves in Colombia in the summer of 2010. But the song contained a hidden message that its creators could only reveal once the top-secret files about its true meaning were declassified. "Malaria was an issue. Ticks were everywhere. When you sat down or tried to sleep ants would be crawling on you," says retired Maj Gen Luis Herlindo Mendieta Ovalle, who was held captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) from 1998-2010. "Then there was the fungus," he says, "because of the humidity, fungus would grow on your intimate parts, and we had no medications to treat it." During Colombia's 50-year bitter armed conflict, atrocities were committed on both sides. In the early 2000s kidnapping had become a key strategy for the Farc to fund itself. Colombia's transitional justice tribunal estimates that 21,396 people were kidnapped during the conflict. Army soldiers and police officers were often the main targets. Chained in secret camps in the Colombian jungle, the conditions endured by the hostages were enough to make any person lose hope. Rescue missions were dangerous due to the mountainous terrain and, like Gen Mendieta, some security forces hostages had spent several years in captivity. At the time, Col José Espejo, then a Colombian army communications officer, knew how important morale among troops was to the success of a rescue operation. "We desperately wanted to give the military hostages something that they could hold on to, a message of hope that would maintain their spirit and strength, so they could consider the possibility of escape if the opportunity presented itself," he says. In order to deliver this message he decided to throw out the rule book and instead turned to Juan Carlos Ortíz, the CEO of an advertising agency. Mr Ortíz's government-funded anti-drug campaign had won an award for innovation, but had also attracted the attention of the Farc, for whom the cocaine trade was a lucrative source of income. Mr Ortíz received death threats from the guerrillas and had to flee to the US with his family to begin a new life there. But he and his team decided to take up the challenge to come up with a way of getting a message of hope to the hostages. A meeting with army representatives sparked an idea. "They told us that Colombian soldiers in their basic training are trained [in] Morse code," he says. "We thought, 'Right, how can we communicate with them via Morse code?' It was a true light bulb moment." With hostages kept deep in the jungle and communication from the outside world near impossible, creative director, Alfonso Díaz, says they realised they would only be able to get through to them via radio. "During this era, a journalist called Herbin Hoyos - who did a lot for all of the hostages - created a programme called 'Voices of the Kidnapped'," he says, "to help reduce their feelings of isolation by broadcasting messages from their loved ones to those in captivity." Mr Hoyos, who had also been a former hostage of the Farc, died of coronavirus in 2021. His programme was a lifeline for many during the years it aired and seemed like the perfect place to first broadcast the message. Mr Díaz says they thought about including the Morse code in a joke, with the beeps apparently covering up swear words, but this didn't seem appropriate. Then he had the idea for a song. Audio producer Carlos Portela says they initially thought of using "a cheerful vallenato or a salsa", but realised this might cause "the listener's mind to wander". So they decided instead on a sentimental song with emotional lyrics to help the hostages make the link between the song and the Morse code hidden within it. "The lyrics to Better Days speak of the heart, of the resilience and the strength that the hostages must possess to be able to move forward and not to despair when they are alone," says Mr Díaz, who co-wrote the lyrics with Mr Portela. They enlisted the help of rock singer Angelo, who had come up through the ranks of Colombia's version of the X Factor, and singer and actor Natalia Gutiérrez. Mr Portela, along with composer, producer and sound engineer Amaury Hernández, carried out a lot of research into Morse Code, including how many words per minute a person could decipher. They decided to use a synthesizer in the track to help camouflage the message. The code was inserted in three different places within the song and the team decided to transmit one simple message: "19 people rescued. You're next. Don't lose hope." After eight months, the song was ready for its first broadcast in 2010 on Mr Hoyos's programme and by-passed the commercial stations to play on more than 130 rural stations across Colombia. "There are many millions of people who have listened to the song Better Days, but that wasn't our goal," says Mr Ortíz. "Success for us was to be found in small, specific numbers. It was in the chosen few hearing it and understanding it." Gen Mendieta, who had been rescued in the same year, helped the mission by appearing on live TV and asking the rebels to give the hostages access to the radio for company. "Someone once said, 'Whoever has a book is not alone," he says, "and in our case, it was, 'Whoever has a radio is not alone.'" But with airplay also came the risk that the Farc would decode the hidden message. "When you consider that the hostages were faced with the possibility of dying in the jungle, far from their families, to take a risk in the area of communications was both valid and important," says Col Espejo. It was not until hostages started to be released over the next few months and years that intelligence about the success of the song came back. Col Espejo says one rescued hostage spoke of hearing the Morse code message in his psychological evaluation and had passed on its meaning to his fellow captives. "When the news arrived that the song had worked, I walked down the street with such a feeling of joy that I couldn't stop myself from smiling," says Mr Portela. Many of the production team kept their involvement in the song quiet until very recently. "Can you believe that my family didn't know?" says Ms Gutiérrez. " I never said anything to them for years about it because of the confidentiality clause." The song also won its creative team a prestigious design award: The Golden Lion from Cannes. The political landscape has significantly changed in Colombia since Better Days received its first radio play. In 2016, the Farc signed a landmark peace deal with the Colombian government and thousands of former rebels have demilitarised. But the country still grapples with violence from other armed groups and widespread drug trafficking. Colombia still has a long way to go to face many of the atrocities committed during the armed conflict, including those by the army. So the song for Col Espejo, now retired, is bittersweet. Better Days, though rooted in the past, remains an anthem for the future too. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kumazzz Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 FACEBOOK MIKA https://www.facebook.com/mikasounds/posts/pfbid0trqBxFkTzuNyARnCMvZRUiHw9cJ1tmmRsLBjzc6tHi72G7sPZ2FUiP8EQLeVD6QZl Sono felice di annunciare due nuove date in Italia al Perugia Umbria Jazz Festival e al Sonic Parc Matera! I biglietti saranno disponibili tramite il mio sito e su tutte le piattaforme online dal 4 gennaio. Per chi ancora non avesse ancora richiesto il rimborso delle date del Magic Piano tour, c’è tempo fino al 15 gennaio, facendo richiesta presso i circuiti di vendita sui quali sono stati acquistati. Umbria Jazz Sonic Park Matera Friends and Partners - Concerti ed eventi 1 hour ago, Mikasister said: Mika IG story 1 hour ago, Mikasister said: twitter 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanT Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, Mikasister said: Mika IG story I can't believe it! Hurray! Matera is about an hour and 15 minutes from Bari by bus. Edited January 1, 2023 by SusanT 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellody Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 As we've talked about it a few weeks ago, I changed the title of this new 2023 thread to "Mika's social media & official website updates", so it's clearer that it's not about anything that gets posted about him on social media, but only the things he (& his team) posts himself. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanT Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 The announcement that it is still possible to request a refund for the Magic Piano Tour by Jan 15 needs to be translated into English because there were fans from other countries who bought tickets for the Italian gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prisca Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 1 hour ago, SusanT said: The announcement that it is still possible to request a refund for the Magic Piano Tour by Jan 15 needs to be translated into English because there were fans from other countries who bought tickets for the Italian gigs. I think most people have applied for the refund by now, at least people that have contact with the MFC... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellody Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 3 hours ago, SusanT said: The announcement that it is still possible to request a refund for the Magic Piano Tour by Jan 15 needs to be translated into English because there were fans from other countries who bought tickets for the Italian gigs. I suppose most fans would use the translation function on Twitter, if they don't understand Mika's post - especially if they see "Magic Piano" mentioned there. But you're right, we could translate his tweets on here as well. Anyway it's great that Mika posted about this - late as always, most fans had to find out themselves about these things when the tour was cancelled. But maybe he was too stressed and had other things on his mind back then, and it's very sweet of him to think of it now that he finished the soundtrack and has space in his head again for helping his fans with this. It's the thought that counts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hero Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) Insta story. On a plane to... somewhere... mikainstagram3006881759577841947_179779999.mp4 Edited January 2, 2023 by Hero 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikasister Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, Hero said: Insta story. On a plane to... somewhere... mikainstagram3006881759577841947_179779999.mp4 1.2 MB · 0 downloads He's bored 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellody Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 32 minutes ago, Mikasister said: He's bored Or he wants to say Hi. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prisca Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Mikasister said: He's bored 1 hour ago, mellody said: Or he wants to say Hi. Or both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Ko Kolkowska Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 So even Mika doesn't know where he is IG story YouCut_20230102_205546231.mp4 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikasister Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said: So even Mika doesn't know where he is IG story YouCut_20230102_205546231.mp4 No. Its a riddle for us. He read Fun theories thread and he wants to test us. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanT Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 9 minutes ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said: So even Mika doesn't know where he is IG story YouCut_20230102_205546231.mp4 Anybody recognize the tall buildings in the background? 😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellody Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Just now, Mikasister said: No. Its a riddle for us. He read Fun theories thread and he wants to test us. Ok, we're up to the challenge! So, he is about 6 hours by plane from Europe, according to the timing of his stories. But not in the US, because it's not dark there yet. 🤓 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Ko Kolkowska Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Just now, mellody said: Ok, we're up to the challenge! So, he is about 6 hours by plane from Europe, according to the timing of his stories. But not in the US, because it's not dark there yet. 🤓 Dubai? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanT Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 4 minutes ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said: Dubai? Filmworks produced "Zodi and Tehu" and it's headquartered in Dubai. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellody Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 3 minutes ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said: Dubai? That's well possible. 6 hours flight, and that needle tower in the middle. AND it makes sense with Mika's "where to...?", because he might fly to Australia/NZ/some tropical island from there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellody Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 4 minutes ago, SusanT said: Filmworks produced "Zodi and Tehu" and it's headquartered in Dubai. Hmm, ok, then "where to...?" is not that easy to answer. Maybe he'll finally meet the camel he wrote the soundtrack for? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prisca Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 15 minutes ago, Mikasister said: No. Its a riddle for us. He read Fun theories thread and he wants to test us. I thought the same. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikasister Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 16 minutes ago, mellody said: Hmm, ok, then "where to...?" is not that easy to answer. Maybe he'll finally meet the camel he wrote the soundtrack for? Sure 323358349_581984033757227_6409326093753643646_n.mp4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Ko Kolkowska Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 5 minutes ago, Mikasister said: Sure 323358349_581984033757227_6409326093753643646_n.mp4 We have to check when the camels competition starts in Dubai 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hero Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said: We have to check when the camels competition starts in Dubai Maybe check there are no entries from Chester Zoo too... Oh god. If you're reading this Mika, NO that is not a good idea... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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