UK Crooner CALUM SCOTT's Only Human Asia Tour Happening in Manila!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

AEG Presents and Ovation Productions are thrilled to confirm that UK croonerCalum Scott , the man behind one of the world’s most recognizable and loved renditions of Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’ , will play his first ever Philippine show on October 30 at the Kia Theatre as part of the ‘Only Human Asia Tour’.

Scott’s heartwarming appearance onBritain’s Got Talent in 2015 shot him to instant global stardom, and when he officially released his audition song‘Dancing On My Own’ as the lead single from his debut album Only Human, it took the world by storm. The track quickly accumulated more than 6.5 million worldwide sales, reached 5x Platinum in Australia and saw the former recruitment officer from Hull nominated for the Brit Award for British Single Of The Year. Upon its release, his album resonated strongly with Australian audiences, peaking at #5 on the ARIA chart.

Only Human is the result of a long, cathartic songwriting journey. Filled with deeply personal material, Scott’s ability to transform pain into beauty is undeniable, whether he is addressing coming out to his father, unrequited longing, adolescent isolation, or the gratitude he feels toward his sister Jade, who pushed him to sing on stage for the first time and auditioned alongside him on Britain’s Got Talent .

Scott’s elegantly sculpted pop centres on his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, exemplified in gently uplifting single‘You Are The Reason’ aching piano ballad ‘Hotel Room’ and hit single‘Rhythm Inside’ . The singer’s ability to consistently build on his gift for poignant, emotionally charged performances is a sure sign of the lasting impact the Englishman will continue to have on all who hear his voice. Truly an experience not to be missed.

2018 has certainly been a significant year for the 29 year old as he takes his upbeat yet deceptively anguished balladry on the road for his first headline tour across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia after having toured the UK and Europe in May.  

Filipinos are in for a treat!

‘Scott’s stunningly pure voice is affecting enough in itself, but his lyrics on every one of the (album’s) tracks are vulnerable and raw.’ - Billboard

 ‘With Only Human , (Calum Scott) makes an impressive splash... a compelling debut album.’ - Huffington Post

‘[‘No Matter What’] left concert goers captivated as Scott’s voice radiated throughout a silent crowd. Upon finishing the song, Scott couldn’t hold his emotions back and walked to the back of the stage to dry his eyes as he received one of the biggest ovations of the night.’ – The Courier Online

(Calum Scott’s Only Human Asia Tour live in Manila is presented AEG Presents and Ovation Productions. Tickets prices are P 5810, P 4760, P 3700, P 2640 and will go on sale starting June 23, 2018 through www.ticketnet.com.ph. For inquiries call 911-5555 or 532-8883)

Benildean Filmmakers Bag INPFF Award

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A short documentary made by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Digital Filmmaking students won Best Direction at the Istorya ng Pag-asa (Stories of Hope) Film Festival gala night and awarding ceremony held last June 12 at Glorietta, Makati City.

Winning the award for their documentary "Pamilyang Bernardo" are Anna Mikaela Quizon, Alda Dalisay and Jocelyn Frago. Two members of the Bernardo family from Looc, Romblon are suffering from ectrodactyly, a condition which causes malformation of their limbs and makes life difficult for them. Despite this, they find strength in their own home.

Florence Rosini's "Ang Biyahe ni Marlon," an inspiring tale of an Uber driver with Tourette Syndrome, which manifests through involuntary movements, got the INPFF Best Film trophy, a cash prize of 50,000 pesos, a DSLR camera and a Samsung S8 cellphone.

First runner-up winner Margaret Serranilla brought home 30,000 pesos for her entry "Tago," which tells the story of Nelson Gonzales, drummer and owner of Tago Jazz Café , a small jazz joint in Cubao that serves as a place for budding musicians to hone their craft.

Kelsy Lua's "Gawilan," about a disadvantaged Filipino swimmer named Ernie Gawilan who faced hardships that forced him to battle his insecurities before making it to the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, won second runner-up and 20,000 pesos.

Aunell Ross Angcos' "The Climbing Puppeteer," about a BPO employee-cum-ventriloquist who climbs mountains to help local villagers, won Best Cinematography, while Demy Cruz, Jr.'s "Ang Gahum Sang Daku Nga Handum," about a member of an indigenous tribe who has to face challenges to selflessly pursue her dream, got the Best Script award.

Aside from her documentary with Quizon and Dalisay, Frago has another entry which made it to INPFF's list of 15 finalists, "Liham Pagmamahal Para sa Kasalukuyan" (Love Letter to the Present). It tells the story of Lola Lita Vinuya and how she, and other members of Malaya Lolas, an organization composed of former "comfort women" or victims of sexual slavery, survived the cruelty of the Japanese imperial army during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This serves as their voice and a love letter to the present.

Their fellow DLS-CSB film majors Matthew Pelayo and Gian Arre were also selected as INPFF finalists from among 73 submissions all over the country.

Pelayo's "Overdrive" follows the life of Mel Majadas, a female Uber driver, as it shows what it is like for Mel, a mother who works hard for her family, to drive around Metro Manila.

On the other hand, Arre's "Mclaine" is based on the life of Mclaine Buatis, a student confronting complaints for his disruptive behavior. When his high school teacher warns him that he might get expelled from school, Mclaine reveals his innate desire to graduate and pleads for one last chance.

The other short film finalists are "Alkansiya" by Sandra Fajardo, "Ngiti" by Rhycie Anne Custodio, "Dealing with Healing" by Alyssa Bernardino, "Liwanag" by Kimberly Ilaya, "Dibuho" by Erri Rojo and "Person with This Ability" by Tala Reyes.

Acclaimed screenwriter Clodualdo "Doy" del Mundo, Jr., Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson Liza Diño, award-winning filmmakers Quark Henares and Dan Villegas, and veteran actress Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino served as INPFF judges. Actor Dingdong Dantes hosted the event.

Vice President Leni Robredo, whose office organized the nationwide film competition together with Ayala Foundation, described the entries as “extraordinary stories of ordinary people, and we are very, very proud of them. We wish that there are more that we can discover, and we vow to continue looking for them.” 

The INPFF was held to celebrate the first year of Istorya ng Pag-asa, an initiative that aims to inspire and empower the nation through extraordinary stories of the Filipino people. It seeks to promote hope and inspiration on a wider scale, with positive real-life stories that feature the triumph of ordinary Filipinos over life's adversities.

The winning short films are currently being screened at Ayala Malls Cinemas until June 30.

https://youtu.be/YeBGKfn93Hw

DOE Pushes for PH Natgas Dev't in Japan High-Level Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) led by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi are in Tokyo this week as part of the country’s delegation to the fifth regular meeting of the Philippines-Japan High-Level Committee on Infrastructure and Economic Cooperation.

The DOE delegation will reinforce discussions on the Philippine energy industry with potential Japanese investors, while the other leaders of President Duterte’s economic team continue their high-level dialogues with the Japanese Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), on the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program.

Secretary Cusi will focus on encouraging natural gas companies in Japan to invest in the Philippines’ liquefied natural gas (LNG) Hub Terminal project in anticipation of the Malampaya Gas Field’s depletion by 2022.

Cusi said, “The strategic location of the Philippines, as well as the fair and competitive playing field policy for natgas would entice investors to engage in the LNG terminal project.”

Currently, major Japanese gas companies such as Tokyo Gas are among those in serious talks for the project.

“In addition to discussions on LNG investments, our top officials and staff are undergoing extensive training to effectively monitor, regulate and supervise the upcoming Philippine LNG industry,” Cusi added.

DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos and two ranking technical staff began an extensive training program on LNG value chains in Japan last Monday. They are expected to complete the course by the end of the month.

To date, natural gas from the Malampaya gas field off the coast of Palawan provides the fuel requirements of five gas-fired power plants, all located in the province of Batangas, with a combined capacity of 3,211 megawatts (MW).

“The construction of strategic natural gas facilities, which includes LNG receiving terminals and distribution pipelines, are necessary to ensure the security and diversity of the energy supply in the Philippines. It also provides the option of expanding the use of natural gas in the Philippines,” Cusi concluded.