Saturday, April 16, 2022

Benildeans haul 6 awards in UP filmfest


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde film students recently took home six prizes from Piling Obrang Vidyo (POV), an intercollegiate film competition managed by the University of the Philippines Cinema, a student film organization based at the UP College of Mass Communication in Diliman.

DLS-CSB film sophomore CM Bautista, whose works “vary from issues tackling personal struggles, social abuses, and political commentary,” received the Jury Prize and Best Screenplay for his short film “Pig’s Game” while actor James Ramada was awarded Best Performance for the same film.

Benilde Culture and Arts Unit scholar David Edric Collado won Best Editing and Best Sound Design for his film “Salamin” while fellow Benilde film student Xyron Parapara’s “Taya” got the Viewers’ Choice award.

In “Pig’s Game,” Al San Miguel (Ramada) is a run-of-the-mill theater actor who got involved in a deliberately planned audition for a government propaganda campaign. A director and his crew lead the audition in a conventional manner while a famous figure seems to be watching it.

Bautista, who collaborated with co-writer and director of photography Tristan Aguilar and assistant director and sound recordist Warren Clarianes, shared that their film revolves around an organized black propaganda involving murder and it reflects the extent of a person's greed when it comes to politics.





“Pig’s Game” earned the approval of the POV jury, composed of filmmakers Carla Pulido Ocampo and Ligaya Villablanca, actress Therese Malvar, and film critic Jason Tan Liwag, “for its deceptively simple form that turns an otherwise innocent Yes Room into a crime scene, in which viewers themselves take part, buoyed by a strong on-cam performance with seamless transitions between fakery and rawness.”

In “Salamin,” a girl (Kirsten Collado) only has a mirror to keep her company as she lives in darkness. Her life changes when a burst of light emerges. She considers it the only way to escape from the surrounding voices that torment her. Despite the uncertainty of what is beyond the light, she peeks and sees a world better than what she has. Even if she wants to stay, she is unsafe from the voices hounding her.

Working with batchmate and musical scorer Carlo Barredo, Collado experiments and challenges himself to “create imaginative experiences and deliver a story that is deeply personal to him and the viewer.”

“I want to share my art as a sort of release for me personally, as I am not a very talkative person who can simply say what one has in mind. Thus, creating films has become my way of culminating stories and ideas for others to experience and relate to, and for me to continue finding peace,” Collado revealed.

“Taya” tells the story of Leo (Paolo Gratuito), a teenager who has been used to his father Ron’s (Rommel Rubina) frequent absence, as he gets by each day through the care of his mother Anne (Abby Luanzon) and his friends in their neighborhood. Ron is usually jobless, comes home drunk, and hurts Anne.

Parapara used parallelism to show “the childish games and insults would never be the same for Leo” as he chases his friends, after witnessing his father slap his mother and leave. The young filmmaker teamed up with production manager Andrea Salio, cinematographer Jan Christian Dijan, and editor Tyrone Luanzon in “Taya,” which won the viewers’ nod “for significantly evoking connection with the audience.”

Apart from Bautista, Collado, Parapara, and their production team members, fellow Benilde film majors Aki Red and Sef Tafalla also made the cut as finalists to POV XVIII for their films “Kung Alam Ko Lang na Walang Katapusan ang Katapusan” and “Isang Araw Kasama ang Aking Kaluluwa,” respectively.

FEU student films go international


Wazzup Pilipinas!

 

Two short films made by student filmmakers from the Far Eastern University Department of Communication were officially selected to international film festivals in Argentina and India.

Patrick Pangan’s “We Were Never Really Strangers” got selected to the Romance category of the 23rd Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival (BAFICI), while Jessa Doydora’s “Eklipse” made it to the One Earth Awards 2022 in Bengaluru (Bangalore), the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state.

Both Pangan and Doydora are currently enrolled at FEU’s Communication program under the Digital Cinema track. They are also members of the FEU Film Society, the university’s only film organization.

“We Were Never Really Strangers” focuses on Gio (AJ Sison) and Manuel (Philip Altejos), two strangers who feel a strong connection after a chance encounter outside a church in Pampanga. They find in each other a means of escape from the person they are and who they want to be.

“We are always looking for connections with people, whether we know them or not. But sometimes these people just pass through our lives. It will leave a void or weight that will remain and be carried until it is no longer as big as when it was first felt. They say, these are the people who leave a lesson in our lives. Not easy to let go, to forget,” Pangan conveyed in his director’s statement.

Pangan collaborated with executive producer Francis Tavas, cinematographer and editor Aldrin de la Paz, production manager Lily Gomes, production and sound designer Joyce Macalia, musical scorer Niño Inton, and assistant director Kurt Santos.



Meanwhile, “Eklipse” was inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Ang Pagong at ang Matsing” (The Turtle and the Monkey). It was initially submitted by Doydora and her Pelikulahar production team as a requirement for their FEU film class.

Doydora also worked with Tavas as producer along with co-writer and director of photography Qi Perez, sound director Karlo Magboo, camera operator Sophie Casasola, production designer and actor Migo Morales, and Morales’ co-actor Glenn Villapando.




The Pelikulahar team has been overwhelmed by their film’s recognitions “but above it, we are happy to have that platform to voice out our advocacy,” Doydora shared.

“Eklipse” previously won Best Narrative at Piling Obrang Vidyo XVI of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cinema student film organization and Realifilm Golden Award, Special Jury Award, and Best Director at Realifilm 2020 of Silip@Lente at Adamson University. It was also a finalist at the 32nd Gawad Cultural Center of the Philppines (CCP) Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or Gawad Alternatibo.

“We Were Never Really Strangers” also made the cut of the SineDisipulo X Film Festival organized by CINEMATA at University of San Carlos in Cebu.

BAFICI is managed by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Buenos Aires and runs until May 1. One Earth Awards, on the other hand, was formerly called Film Bengaluru and was founded in 2017. 

Friday, April 15, 2022

5 Most Effective Websites to Make Cash Online


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Making money online is a dream come true for many people. The internet offers various opportunities to make money, and it can be hard to know where to start.

This blog post will show five of the best websites for making money online. These websites are legitimate and offer a variety of ways to make money. We hope you find this information helpful!

1. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is an insights platform that rewards you for taking surveys. It's free to join, and you can start earning money right away.

You'll gain points for each survey you complete, which you can redeem for cash or gift cards.

Over $1 million has been paid out to Survey Junkie members monthly so far.

Completing just three surveys a day can earn you as much as $40 a month.

Besides, Trustpilot rates it 4.5/5, resulting from more than 30,000 reviews. And the best part is that members can cash out beginning at $5, the industry's lowest redemption threshold.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is an online marketplace for services. Services offered on Fiverr include writing, graphic design, programming, and more.

If you're searching for legitimate options to make money online, Fiverr is a great option. It's easy to get started, and you can earn money right away.

Just create your profile for the job that you want to apply for. After it, you can apply for corresponding gigs and get paid for your services.

3. Upwork

Upwork is a legitimate freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate remotely.

If you're searching for legitimate methods to make extra money from home, Upwork is a great option. It offers a variety of opportunities for freelancers, from writing to web development.

To get started, create a profile and start applying for jobs. You can set your rates, and Upwork will take a percentage of your earnings.

For example, if you are a middle-level programmer, you can charge $20 hourly. You can also charge per project or milestone.

4. Guru

Guru is a freelancing platform similar to Upwork. It offers a variety of opportunities for freelancers, from writing to web development.

To get started, create a profile and start applying for jobs. You can set your rates, and Guru will take a percentage of your earnings.

It has 800,000 employers worldwide. $250 million has been paid to freelancers so far.

5. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a freelancing platform similar to Upwork and Guru. It offers a variety of opportunities for freelancers, from writing to web design.

To get started, create a profile and start applying for jobs. You can set your rates, and PeoplePerHour will take a percentage of your earnings.

It has over 100,000 employers worldwide. $15 million has been paid to freelancers so far.

Start making money today!

So, if you are looking for ways to make some extra cash online, give some of these websites a try. You may be surprised at how practical it is to start making money from the comfort of your own home.

And who knows, with a little hard work and perseverance, you may be able to turn one of these side hustles into a full-time career.

 

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Gear up for a Spacestastic Easter at Sheraton Manila Bay


Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Gear up for an intergalactic adventure on Easter Sunday as Sheraton Manila Bay hosts a “Spacestastic Easter Celebration” on April 17, 2022, from 11:30am to 2:00 pm at its famed top-floor restaurant, Pacific Lounge.



Families, friends, children, and kids-at-heart will be treated to a sumptuous brunch buffet prepared by the hotel’s culinary team, arts and crafts activities, parlor games, and kiddie Easter egg hunt for only Php 1,200++ per person. Kids 5 years old and below will get to dine for free while children aged 6 to 11 are entitled to 50% discount (Php 600++ per child). Easter egg hunters will also take home a special goodies bag filled with exciting giveaways from our Oishi, Tulip, Orion, Evian, Evian Brumisateur, Salonpas, and Bye Bye Fever.
 
Pacific Lounge is located at the 21st floor, Pan Pacific Manila, M. Adriatico cor. Gen Malvar Sts. Malate, Manila. For reservation please call +632 5318 0788 or email reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay. For more information, please visit our website at www.sheratonmanilabay.com.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

DLS-CSB film majors rule AdU filmfest


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Three film students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde recently hauled most of the awards at the annual Realifilm competition of Silip@Lente, a student film organization based at Adamson University.

Award-winning filmmakers Vahn Leinard Pascual and Andre Joachim “Aki” Red useled the 1-2 punch of Benilde as sophomore Caitlin Macaraig joined them in the Realifilm “Liwanag sa Dilim” winning circle. They are all taking up Bachelor of Arts in Digital Filmmaking at the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts.

Pascual’s “Silang Mga Naligaw sa Limot” (They Who Were Lost in Oblivion) bagged the Realifilm Gold Award and Best Director prize, while “Safety Shots” of Anakpula Productions brought home the Realifilm Silver Award, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor for Red.

In addition, “Ihi sa Bote,” written and directed by Macaraig of Kiken Films, secured the Realifilm Award of Virtue, Best in Production Design, and Best Actress for her cousin Mary Grace Macaraig as Elise.





In “Silang mga Naligaw sa Limot,” a girl (Joy Romero Arsola) wakes up after a typhoon surge, recalls the disastrous event that had happened, and later sees a lifeless body lying by the seashore.

Pascual shared that they want to tell the narrative of people who were victimized by typhoons and abused by those who are in the government. “The concept just popped out in my mind when my family decided to go on a beach trip for three days. And with no screenplay and limited equipment – just a tripod, a small camera with kit lens, and my friend as an actress, we decided to make my vision happen.”

In “Safety Shots,” Red focuses on a filmmaker’s attempts to create a film out of unused takes from his previous works, at the height of a creative block brought about by the repetitiveness of pandemic living.

Red, who also acted in the film, shared that he faced a “severe creative burnout” during the pandemic. “Everything around remained just as restrictive and repetitive. Days become harder to differentiate from each other. Frustration was a primary motivator in the creation of this film; frustration from having no control of the inevitable death of passion brought about by an inefficient pandemic response.”

Meanwhile, “Ihi sa Bote” recalls Elise’s childhood trauma as she catches up with her parents and boyfriend one afternoon. As her father brings up her peculiar habit of peeing in bottles when she was younger, everyone laughs at her. However, she feels uncomfortable about it.

Macaraig hopes that matters like this would be given more attention. “This is just a step in creating a world that is far from any form of trauma and it’s about time we initiate healthier conversations. Because to feel is to be human, and no child should feel any different from anyone else,” she stressed.

Pascual was recently cited as Film Ambassador by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and awarded the Ani ng Dangal by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. This after his film got a special mention from the jury of the 14th Tbilisi Sunrise International Youth Film Festival in Georgia.

On the other hand, Red won the top prize at the 19-21 age category of the third Manila Student Film Festival for “Lilipad na si Birdie,” the Bronze Award for the same film at Realifilm in 2019, and the Best Sound Design for “Signal Notice” at the 8th Nabunturan Film Exhibition or NABIFILMEX in Davao de Oro.

Screenwriter Gilliann Ebreo and filmmakers Mike Sandejas and Joselito “Jay” Altarejos made up the jury of the Realifilm competition this year, with the theme “Go Overboard: Withstand Obstacles of Disarray.”


Monday, April 11, 2022

SCAP reiterates support for Leni-Kiko tandem, expresses support to Hontiveros and Akbayan


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), the largest formation of student councils, student organizations, student political parties, and student leaders in the country, reiterates its support for Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan for the presidency and vice presidency. Alongside the Leni-Kiko tandem, the Alliance expresses its support to Senator Risa Hontiveros and 146 Akbayan Partylist for the 2022 National Elections.

“Importante para sa mga estudyante at kabataan na mayroong kasamang kampeon sa estado na ipaglalaban ang karapatan ng bawat mag-aaral at kapwa kabataan sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan,” SCAP said in its statement.

“Kaakbay ni SCAP ang Akbayan Partylist at si Senator Risa Hontiveros sa iba't-ibang kampanya at sa pag sulong ng mga progresibong batas at lehislatura na naipasa sa Kongreso tulad ng Reproductive Health (RH) Law, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Law, Mental Health Act, Safe Spaces Act, at iba pa. Patuloy rin ipinaglalaban at isinusulong ng Akbayan Partylist ang Students Rights and Welfare Bill para mabigyan ng seguridad ang mga kabataan at estudyante,” SCAP further explained.

Senator Hontiveros also passed Resolution No. 901 calling for the declaration of an education crisis and rolling out of an education emergency plan in support of the campaign of SCAP and more than 100 student and youth organization signatories last September 2021.####

Read the full statement here:

tinyurl.com/SCAP4AkbayanRisa

DOST-SEI study: Pinay scientists on the rise


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields in the Philippines have become appealing to more and more Filipino women.

Researchers from the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) recently found that there is significant increase in the number of females in the field of STEM. The study entitled “Women in Science” focused on the state of Filipino women and girls pursuing careers in STEM and was launched last March 31, as part of DOST-SEI's celebration of women’s month.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for the years 1990 to 2015 show that females account for nearly half of the country’s total science and technology (S&T) workforce. The top S&T occupation with the highest number of female workers were Nursing and Midwifery and other health-related professions, as well as Engineering and other technology-related professions.


Some key insights include:


From 1990 to 2015


the number of females in science and technology careers is increasing;


most prominent S&T core occupations of women are generally in the Health Practitioners field;


there is an increasing number of female S&T employed in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, and ICT related fields;



most female with careers in S&T are concentrated in some areas in Luzon, specifically in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and CALABARZON.


In 2015


out of 10 million Bachelor’s Degree holders in the country, over 3.7 million have S&T degrees, composed roughly of 45% females;


approximately, there are 434 thousand (48.1%) females who are S&T Bachelor’s degree holders and employed in S&T occupations;


there are more females (54.3%) working in the S&T fields who are Postbaccalaureate degree holders;



female S&T workers are younger (30 years old) than the male group (34 years old) based on their median age.


There are, however, still some gaps and inequalities that still need to be addressed. Among which is that most female S&T professionals are concentrated in the National Capital, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON regions. Also, there remains a high gender disparity in important professions such as Engineering and Architecture.


“While we have made great strides in empowering Filipinas in STEM, there is much work that still needs to be done not just in terms of gender equality but also towards further improving access to education and employment opportunities,” said DOST-SEI Director Josette T. Biyo. “This inclusivity is essential to our nation’s development and eventual achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”


DOST-SEI affirms its focus in inviting more women in STEM as it regularly celebrates outstanding Filipina scientists and scholar-graduates.


“Without naming names, there is a great number of Filipinas who are impact-players in their fields. We hope to continue to inspire our young girls for we know the caliber that our women scientists and engineers can be,” Biyo added.


A full copy of the DOST-SEI’s “Women in Science” report can be accessed for free from DOST-SEI's website, www.sei.dost.gov.ph.

NorthPine Land appoints Colliers to manage Pampanga projects


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Colliers’ Real Estate Management Services is the exclusive property management service provider of more than 90 buildings and facilities across the Philippines



Leading diversified professional services and investment management firm Colliers (NASDAQ and TSX: CIGI) was recently appointed by NorthPine Land Inc. as exclusive Village Manager of its two Pampanga developments: Montana Strands and Montana Views. These premium middle-income housing developments, both located in San Fernando, are NorthPine’s flagship projects in Central Luzon, currently one of the most exciting housing markets in the Philippines according to Colliers data.



Montana Strands, NorthPine Land’s newest project, is a six-hectare housing development that boasts a line-up of Retro Modern homes. Its amenities include a kids’ playground, swimming pools, a sport plaza, and a fitness park. Montana Views, on the other hand, is an 8.2-hectare housing development that features modern American country-style homes. Like Montana Strands, this housing enclave has complete amenities, including a basketball court, swimming pool, and children’s park.



NorthPine Land is formerly Jardine Land, with Hongkong Land, Metrobank, BDO, and San Miguel Properties as its investors. Formed in 1996, it sets itself apart from other property developers by focusing on strategic land-banking and the development of premium middle-income housing in the Philippines. Through the years, the company has built a reputation for developing high-quality, value-for-money residential projects.



Currently, NorthPine Land has eight horizontal residential projects in varying stages of developments: Forest Ridge in Antipolo; Greenwoods Village, Kohana Grove, Kahaya Place, and Wind Crest in Cavite; South Hampton in Laguna; the aforementioned Montana Views and Montana Strands in Pampanga; and Lexington in Pasig. The company also has commercial developments in its portfolio.



Colliers’ expertise in Real Estate Management Services (REMS) encompasses a wide range of property types, from high-end condos, premium and Grade A office buildings, and gated communities, to industrial facilities, leisure complexes, and data centers. As of 2022, the company manages more than 90 buildings and facilities across the Philippines with a gross floor space of more than 5 million square meters. The company’s REMS expertise includes property management, facilities management, administrative and soft services, and engineering operation and maintenance services.



This year, the company successfully passed recertification audit towards an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Certification. The surveillance audit, conducted by TÜV Rheinland, tested Colliers’ management controls and processes, and found positive findings on business continuity plans, preventive maintenance, billing and collection risk management, and business development areas.



According to Jet Ilaga, Colliers Executive Director and Head of REMS: this recent appointment exemplifies Colliers’ diverse and esteemed expertise in property management. “We have built a solid reputation over the years for effectively managing a diverse set of properties, and our systems and processes are well equipped to handle almost any type of asset.”







Caption



Seated (from left to right): Michael Escamilla, Senior Manager, Real Estate Management Services (REMS), Colliers; Anthony Parungao, Director, REMS, Colliers; Jet Ilaga, Executive Director and Head, REMS, Colliers; Ferdinand Macabanti, General Manager, NorthPine Land Inc. (NLI); Benigno Tatunay, Vice-President for Finance/CFO, NLI; Wilma C. De Ere, Vice-President for Corporate Services, NLI.



Standing (from left to right): Adonis Honor, Estate Engineer, NLI; Ian Joy Arbiol, Estate Supervisor, NLI; Hope Villanueva, Recruitment Manager, Colliers; Elisah Costales, Business Development Manager, Colliers; Richard Cruz, Head – Estate Management Department, NLI; Zosimo Edilberto Badeo, Assistant Manager for Estate Management Department, NLI; and Amytis Mahal S. Banaag, Assistant Vice-President for HRODA, NLI.



-END-



Media Contact:

Rodel Ambas Jr.

Associate Director, Marketing and Communications

rodel.ambas@colliers.com

+63 968 634 8984



About Colliers

Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 65 countries, our more than 15,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert advice to real estate occupiers, owners and investors. For more than 26 years, our experienced leadership with significant insider ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of almost 20% for shareholders. With annualized revenues of $3.6 billion ($4.0 billion including affiliates) and $46 billion of assets under management, we maximize the potential of property and accelerate the success of our clients and our people. Learn more at corporate.colliers.com, Twitter @Colliers or LinkedIn.

DLS-CSB film majors shine in 2nd Klima filmfest


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Student filmmakers from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde secured a total of five awards from the Klima Film Festival, a competition which aims to spotlight the effects of climate change using short films written and produced by young Filipinos nationwide.

“Tanaw” directed by Kaila Ysavl Bergonio of Playback Multimedia brought home four trophies along with 30,000 pesos for winning second runner-up, 15,000 pesos for Best Screenplay, 15,000 pesos for Best Performance (Andrea Marie Bool), and 5,000 pesos for snaring the Gender-Responsive Award.

On the other hand, “Modern Stray” by Rayshelle Lozada of Trianggulo Productions won the Audience Choice trophy and 5,000 pesos and an additional 15,000 pesos for being one of the four KFF finalists. The KFF trophies are made from recycled materials.





KFF, a joint initiative of the Climate Change Commission and the Oscar M. Lopez Center, with the support of its official media partner iWantTFC and GIZ Philippines, aims “to mobilize the youth in amplifying the importance of local climate solutions to further increase their influence on local climate policy-making and generate local climate adaptation stories as viewed by young Filipino filmmakers by providing venue for the production and promotion of climate science-based short films.”

In “Tanaw,” Aira Mendoza (Bool) is a teenage student raised by her mother, a retired barangay captain and environmental activist. A school requirement brings her onsite in a quarry for a research project.

Bergonio’s debut film was made in collaboration with another Benilde film major, Allynna Santiago, and people they met through Cine Sundays, an online film community formed by director Dan Villegas. “Despite the pressure of a first timer joining a film festival like the KFF, we knew we wanted it to be a story that makes one think, a story that disrupted social views and shed new light on societal issues such as climate justice. Given the opportunity, ‘Tanaw’ is a film set to be a story that can make a difference.”

Meanwhile, in “Modern Stray,” Sunny De Vera (Fern Santos) has been called ill-mannered and materialistic. She devises a plan to showcase her roots in Batangas as she creates new content for her YouTube channel. In her province, she retraces her past with childhood friend Nanoy (Justine Jay Daanoy). Sunny’s realizations and reflections push her to a new path as an environmental advocate.

Lozada remembers how often she obsessed with how time works, recalling how her mother also used to say that her type of stories is about time travel. “What inspires me to conceptualize the film ‘Modern Stray’ is about the idea of your past selves merging into this future self you wanted to portray. Like we’re basically our real selves as a child but as time progresses, we learn to fabricate our own truths.”





Aside from Santos and Daanoy, Lozada collaborated with co-writer Jhun Monterde, production designer, sound designer, and production manager Sophia Repuyan, co-production manager Darlene Cantos, cinematographers Terrence Santiago (who also edited the film) and Michael Musni (who also served as colorist), musical scorer Clio Gonzales, and voice actor Gabriel Buenabajo as Sunny’s father and reporter.

The short films were judged by science, gender, and film experts Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes, Dr. Rodel Lasco, Dr. Rolando Tolentino, Liza Diño-Seguerra, Honey Castro, and Sari Dalena for their cinematic attributes and technical execution, story and content, impact, as well as gender considerations.

The finalists of the KFF’s past two editions may be viewed via iWantTFC until March 2023.