Icon Manila 2014: Makes Me Wish I Followed My Dreams

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I am a frustrated artist. I loved to draw during my younger years. I even had my own line of characters similar to the popular groups back when I was still studying. Name all the cartoons and I had my own version patterned after them. My own superhero team, my own transforming robots, my own creations with their distinct personalities, costumes and personal backgrounds.

I could have been a Fine Arts student, but my parents said there was no future in the arts. They were implying, but obviously stating, that there's no financial assurance in drawing, sketching, painting, or whatever form it may be.

I ended up taking an Engineering course from one of the reputable colleges in Manila. But even until now after graduation and several employments with top-notch multi-national corporations and organizations, I somehow still feel incomplete and empty. I keep longing for opportunities to apply my artistry and creativity. Some could probably see it in my past works - I was always appointed as the presentation master since I was great at Powerpoint,, the one who draws for the assignments or homeworks of my cousins, and the one who prepares announcement posters for the company. They chose me because they can see that I know how to match colors that will look good. I have an eye for beauty as I lay-out posters and ads, - in other words - the desire to be creative always shines out in almost everything that I do.

Attending the Icon Manila 2014 event made me realize that these guest artists share a common story with me. Not all of them intended to be an artist. Most of them ended up at their work because the passion was there. It seems noone really can be stopped if there is passion inside still burning and yearning to get out. No amount of opportunity will be reason enough if there was no passion. For them, when the opportunity came, they grabbed it. Some may have worked for it all of their life, but it would have not lasts if there was no passion.

NBA 3X Philippines: DeMar DeRozan, Wesley Johnson, Raptors Dance Pak and Slamson the Lion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Basketball fanatics had another awesome NBA experience with the return of the NBA 3X here in the Philippines. Presented by Sprite, boys and girls of all skill levels - with an open division for men and women - were able to participate and vie for top honors and bragging rights at the SM Mall of Asia and Philippine International Convention Center from July 4 to 6, 2014.

At a press conference held at the NBA Cafe of SM Aura located in Bonifacio Global City, members of the media had the opportunity to interview popular personalities like Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan, Los Angeles Lakers' Wesley Johnson, the Raptors Dance Pak, and Sacramento Kings' Slamson the Lion.

Coco-Cola executive Adel Tamano was there to represent Sprite, and joined the organizers from NBA Philippines in a photo ops, along with the celebrity guests.

Aside from the competitive 3x3 tournaments, the NBA 3X Philippines 2014 celebrates basketball and the NBA with many free fan activities like a slam dunk contest, basketball clinics, 3-point shoot-outs, skill challenges, autograph sessions, live bands and DJs,  NBA merchandize giveaways, and appearances of local celebrities at a celebrity division 3x3 tournament.

International Film Expo 2014: Opportunities for Partnership and Growth for Filmmakers

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The International Film Expo 2014 with a theme of  "Your Film Corridor to Asia" was held at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City last June 27 to 29, 2014. The event is one of the premier film expositions that brought together the world’s most prominent players in the film industry and showcased the best and the latest trends surrounding the global film market.

The expo features several exhibitors from all over the world and a series of symposia covering a wide array of topics about the state, challenges, and opportunities surrounding the film industry worldwide. The conference brought together international stakeholders in film that discussed critical issues affecting the film industry worldwide, present technological advances and promote education as a tool towards a future-ready film industry.

Primarily brought to us by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the expo aims to make the Philippines a central hub for international film providers eying the Asian market through co-productions, partnerships, and other mutually beneficial arrangements. The expo featured reputable local and international production companies, film schools, film equipment suppliers, and other organizations like RSVP Film Studios, Black Magic Design, Array’s Technology, Inc., CMB Film Services, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation from South Korea, just to name few. The FDCP hopes to continue developing more opportunities for partnership and growth for local and international filmmakers.