Benilde Films Compete in Viddsee Online Tilt

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Three capstone projects from the Digital Filmmaking program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts have been officially selected as finalists to the second Viddsee Juree Philippines. This is part of the Singapore-based online video platform's initiative to celebrate and support filmmakers and film communities in Asia.

The Lessons of the Night ("Ang Mga Turo ng Gabi") by Christian Rae Villanueva, As Time Flows By ("Sa Pag-agos ng Panahon") by Annika Yañez, and Stand Up ("Tayo") by Ron Dulatre and Elaiza Rivera, were chosen from more than a hundred short fiction, documentary and animated films submitted to the competition.

The Lessons of the Night focuses on Juanita (Sheenly Vee Gener), a teacher battling depression, who teams up with her delinquent student (Dylan Ray Talon) to retrieve her baby. The film earlier bagged Best Editing and Best Performance at Pelikultura: The CALABARZON Film Festival and was officially selected to the Diwa Filipino Film Showcase of Seattle, the inaugural Oriental Mindoro International Film Festival and Kaohsiung Film Festival in Taiwan this year. 

Meanwhile, As Time Flows By tells the story of Trish (Chase Salazar), a lesbian who is having a hard time coming to terms with her traditional Filipino father (Francis Mata). It previously won Best Feature, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Actor and Best Soundtrack at the 15th De La Salle University Indie Un-Film Festival.

In Stand Up, Reg (Karl Medina), a socially awkward comedian gets help from Alyssa (Veronica Reyes), his "special friend." However, when he is supposed to give the performance of his life, Alyssa suddenly disappears.

"We're glad and overwhelmed that our film was selected for the competition," Rivera, who was part of group behind the 2016 Sinenanay Film Festival award-winning film "Uyayi," said.

She and Dulatre teamed up with her "Uyayi" groupmate Joice Bay to work on their thesis.

"We're happy that we can show our film to the world and we wanted it to compete immediately to see what our film could do outside of Benilde," Dulatre shared.

His other comedy short film Family Drama ("Pamilyang Drama") recently competed at Sinepiyu, an annual intercollegiate digital film competition.

"It's my first time to know about this online video platform that caters to a larger audience. I'm happy Viddsee exists," said director/writer Yañez, who partnered with cinematographer/editor Janna Lejano for her "very personal" capstone project.

"The ultimate reason why we submitted to Viddsee is because of the sweet production grant," Yañez revealed. "Right now, it's our only chance to bring to life another short film. It would be a dream to create and share another short story," she added.

The Gold and Silver winners will get film production grants worth 160,000 and 80,000 pesos, respectively, plus audio equipment provided by RØDE Microphones.

The Gold winner will also be offered a five-day Global Film & TV Program course in Los Angeles sponsored by the Motion Picture Association.

Similarly, Villanueva was also motivated to join because of the prizes. "They will give a production grant for the winners, and as a young filmmaker, it’s everything for us because it's hard to find funding for a short film," he added.

Villanueva also wanted to share his film to a wider audience "because all films are meant to be seen. It has been a year since our pre-production stage. So, I want to give it to the world now."

The other finalists are Ah by AJ Virtuz, Divine XY by Ruel Lozendo, Ginhawa by Christian Lat, Igme and Gani by Ma. Jhayle Ann Marie Meer, In the Name of the Father by Patrick Rodil, Susing by Bea Felix and You are the Star to My Night by Brian Spencer Reyes.

All ten finalists, which generally deal with love, relationships, morality and sexuality, will receive a 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps subscription worth US$560 each.

The top two entries will be decided by a panel of judges made up of award-winning Filipino actress Cherie Gil, acclaimed Malaysian filmmaker and writer Amir Muhammad and Tribeca Film Festival shorts programmer Ben Thompson.

Finalists and out-of-competition films can also vie for the Audience Choice Award, which will be based on the most number of ‘likes’ it receives on Viddsee.com. The winning director for this award will take home an Apple TV.

Viddsee will hold a three-day program, featuring talks and public screenings, at the DLS-CSB SDA Cinema from September 27 to 29. Winners will be announced during the awarding ceremony scheduled on September 29 at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

PhilPop Song Interpreters, Announced!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The country's premier songwriting competition, PhilPop has recently announced its roster of interpreters for the 2018 lineup. With the theme "Music. Powered by Pinoys," the foundation continues to defy expectations by championing homegrown talents from different backgrounds and music genres.

Handpicked to interpret the compositions of the top 30 semi-finalists are the following music acts: Davey Langit and the band for Kenneth John Pores' "AEIOU", Feel Day and Hans Dimayuga for Jeriko Buenafe's "Ako, Ako", Wincet Jacot and Medyo Maldito for Eamarie Gilayo and Jovit Leonerio's "Away Wa'y Buwagay", Michael Llave for his own song "Bumbero", Ferdinand Aragon for his own composition "Di Ko Man", RJ dela Fuente for Mark Jay Felipe's "Ikaw Ang Aking Pag-ibig", Jex de Castro for Carlo Angelo David's "Isang Gabing Pag-ibig", Acapellago for Philip Arvin Jarilla's "Kariton", Ataska and Nash for Sarah Bulahan's "Kelan Kaya", Carlyn Ocampo and Joshua Feliciano for Karlo Zabala's "kilabI", Leanne and Naara for Jeremy Sarmiento's "Korde Kodigo", Cacai Bautista for Elmar Bolaño and Donel Transporto's "Laon Ako", Russ Cabico for his own entry "LDR (Layong Di Ramdam)", Kyle Pulido for his own material "LGBT (Laging Ganito Ba Tayo?)", Bayang Barrios and Niliyagan for Agatha Marallos and Melvin Joseph Morallos' "Lilipad", BennyBunnyBand for Edgardo Miraflor Jr.'s "Loco De Amor!", Carlo Angelo David for his own track "Makisabay", Caleb Santos for Paul Hildawa's "Mahirap Magselos", Nitro for Marvin Blue Corpus' "Malilimutan Din Kita", Jeric Medina for Oliver Narag's "MMRA", Chud Festejo for his own composition "Nanay Tatay", Thyro Alfaro for Aikee Aplacador's "Oka", Jem Cubil for Barry Villacarillo's "Perfectly Imperfect Human", Julian Trono for Sean Gabriel Cedro and John Ray Reodique's "Pilipit", Yumi Lacsamana for Aikee Aplacador's "Promise Sorry Note", The Juans for Agatha Morallos and Melvin Morallos' "Pwede", Katrina Velarde for Michael Rodriguez and Jeanne Columbine Rodriguez's "Tama Na", Therese Villarante for Therese Marie Villarante and Henrick James Pestaño's "Unang Adlaw nga Wala Ka", Ignacio Dennis Roxas for his own song "Utang", and Eunice Jorge of Gracenote for Donnalyn Onilongo's "Yun Tayo (Formerly Taken)".

A video featuring the 30 interpreters was showcased during the Philpop Reveal and Listening Party last September 12 at the 2nd floor of Cafe 1771, Pasig City.

During the program, Festival Chairman and Philpop Board Member Mr. Ryan Cayabyab stressed the importance of regional inclusivity and giving voice to underrated artists whose compositions have the potential to impact the Filipino people's soul.

"This year, we are happy to launch 30 songs that represent stories, struggles, ambitions, and dreams of people like us. We look forward to listen and enjoy these wonderful compositions." Cayabyab also expressed PhilPop's advocacy promoting top-notch Filipino music that matters. "Rest assured that we will stay true to our commitment to look for talented songwriters and give them a platform to realize their dreams of seeing their songs across the nation."

Viva Records, for its part, supervised the official recording of the songs which will be available on platforms such as Youtube and Spotify on September 17 at 12 noon.


Road to Top 10

From the shortlisted Top 30 semi-finalists, only ten will advance to the final round. They will be judged according to the following criteria: 50% judges screening, 25% online streaming, and 25% Smart's People Choice Award voting through SMS and Twitter's conversational ad. The top 10 will be revealed via PhilPop's social media pages and website on October 22, 2018.

The finalists will be given a chance to showcase their original composition as interpreted by the chosen music acts on November 30 in the PhilPop Festival Finals Night that will be held at Capitol Commons in Pasig City.

Log on to www.philpop.com.ph for the complete instruction on how to vote for your favorite songs via SMS or Twitter.

Championing Filipino music through PhilPop

PhilPop takes pride in its advocacy to provide a sustainable platform for Filipino music acts to develop their skills through a world-class mentorship program, as well as introduce them to standard music industry practices and strategies that would harness their potential in the long run. "This year’s PhilPop campaign emphasized the meaning of unity, camaraderie, mentorship and most importantly, of generosity and the importance of giving back," PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio shares.

"Former alumni and bootcamp coaches now serve as producers, arrangers, and even interpreters to some of the compositions. What was once a rigid competition with a coveted grand prize became an avenue to build and strengthen relationships among competitors and coaches."

PhilPop 2018 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's PhilPop is supported by Mid Atlantic foundation for Asian Artists, Inc. (MAFFAA, Inc.), NYXSYS Philippines, Maynilad, Meralco, Smart, Viva Records, Ortigas and Co., Coke Studio, NCAA, OPM, Gabi Na Naman Productions, and PETA.

DOTr on Full Alert Due to Typhoon Ompong

Wazzup Pilipinas!

 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and all its attached agencies and offices are on full alert to ensure the safety of passengers as Typhoon Ompong hits the northern part of the country. 

Days before the typhoon entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade had already directed agencies under the DOTr to prepare, be prompt in issuing advisories, and make sure that affected passengers will be attended to in all transportation hubs.

“We are at your disposal. Your government is ready to respond. We can weather the storm, together,” said Tugade during a coordination meeting in Tuguegarao this morning.

Passenger and cargo vessel trips were cancelled in various ports of the country in anticipation of rough seas. Airlines have been advised to issue timely updates of flight delays and cancellations so as not to further inconvenience passengers.

Public Utility Drivers were also encouraged to remain at the terminals if and when safety is compromised. 

“Sisikapin po natin na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga pasahero. Nauunawaan po namin na kalbaryo ang maghintay at matengga sa mga pantalan at airport pero kunting tiis at pasensya lang po ang hiling namin. Para po ito sa inyong kaligtasan,” said Tugade.

In Manila, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) transferred stranded passengers at the Manila North Harbor to an evacuation center in Tondo with assistance from the LGU. 

In Dumaguete, affected passengers were served hot meals and transported to the city evacuation center amid vessel trip cancellations. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Manila International Airport Authority continue to issue flight advisories.

Apart from disaster response, Secretary Tugade gave specific instructions to all heads of agencies to plan out instantaneous restoration of transportation services as soon as the weather clears out.

Upon instructions of President Duterte, Secretary Tugade flew to his hometown of Cagayan to personally supervise and monitor ongoing preparations for the typhoon. 

As of this writing, signal number 3 is hoisted over the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, based on the latest weather bulletin from PAGASA. 

Upon his arrival, the Transportation Chief immediately addressed the 1,700-strong policemen from the Regional Police Office -2 and reminded them of their duty to augment disaster response measures of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in their areas of responsibility.

 

To make sure that all efforts are coordinated, Secretary Tugade also sat down with local officials in a command conference held at the Provincial Capitol of Cagayan.

 

Secretary Tugade said the best and only weapon to combat the storm is adequate preparation.

 

“Ang bagyo hindi natin mapipigil sa pananalasa pero hindi naman din tayo mapipigil ng bagyo sa paghahanda. Humagupit man iyan o hindi, bukod sa relief goods, may nakahanda tayong cash para ipambili ng mga pinaka-kailangan ng mga kababayan natin. Hindi natin ikakatwiran sa kanila na weekend, walang bangko. Ang tulong dapat agad dumating. Kumbaga sa boy scout, dapat laging handa,” he said.

 

Secretary Tugade is joined by fellow Ilocano, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III, DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Antonio Tamayo, Assistant Secretary for Procurement Giovanni Lopez and officials from CAAP, PCG, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and MARINA.