Preserving the Cuyonon culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite modernization, hopes are high in preserving the Cuyonon culture for a 16-year old child from Brgy. Tanglaw, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

 

Arjen Abubakar, whose family belongs to the Cuyonon Tribe, is sharing their culture through his artworks. The Cuyonon Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are known for their great preservation of their cultural heritage for years. Up to now, the Cuyonons still perform different customary activities such as comedia, performing native songs while dressed in colorful costumes and inocentes, dancing with masks made of fibers with leaves of grass strewn all over their costumes.

 

At the age of 13, Arjen already started creating paintings that feature his tribe’s culture, tradition, and arts. His tribe was his inspiration when he made his first artwork. “Doon [his paintings] pinakita ko ang mga kultura, tradisyon, at sining ng ibat ibang tribo sa Palawan. Inspirasyon [ko] ang iba’t ibang [mga] tribo dahil malaki ang ambag nila sa [aming] sining at kultura”, said Argel when asked about his artworks.

 

Showcasing the Cuyonon Culture

 

In 2015, Arjen’s family became a member of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program for IPs. Through his attendance at the different Youth Development Sessions (YDS), he was able to share his talent and learn more about his tribe. Arjen was also able to go to a school where he developed his gift in expressing art through painting.

 

Being the second child in the family, Arjen knows how hard their life is. His father, Adan, a fisherman, takes home roughly Php 5,000.00 in a month that can only suffice the basic needs of his five children. He can clearly recall the days when his parents had to borrow from a nearby grocery store just to have something to eat.

 

Arjen recognizes his parents’ hard work just to send him and his other 4 siblings to school. Realizing their situation, the aspirant Cuyonon architect is eager to reach his dream by finishing his studies. “Ipinapangako namin sa kanila [his parents] na [kapag] umasenso na kami ay magkakasama pa rin kami”.

 

Sometime in 2018, Arjen was invited to join an art contest and exhibit that allowed him to share the Cuyonon customs. The event opened more doors for him to share his tribe’s culture through his paintings. “Pagtapos ng exhibit, sinabi sa akin ng teacher ko na may gusto bumili ng artwork ko at dahil nga kailangan namin ng pera pumayag ako binili nya ito ng halagang Php 1,500.00. Malaki tulong ‘yun sa amin. Doon ko naiisip na gumawa pa ng marami at magbenta”. This opportunity gave Arjen the idea to use his talent to help his parents while sharing their culture and tradition through his artworks.

 

Arjen’s favorite painting that he fondly calls Kultura mo, Bayan ko that symbolizes his tribe became a head turner and gained attention. According to Arjen, all of his paintings aim to call for the support from non-IPs and appreciate their customs as it bears a big share in the society’s heritage.

Keeping up with his dream

 

“Huwag [nating] susukuan ang anumang pagsubok. Tuparin natin ang ating mga pangarap para hindi masayang ang pinaghirapan ng ating mga magulang. Lalo na ang tulong ng 4Ps”, Arjen’s message to other beneficiaries of the program.

 

Arjen currently takes Arts and Design Strand (Grade 11) at Palawan National High School. As of this moment, he was able to make 35 paintings and sold 13 pieces that range from Php 500.00 to Php 1,000.00. His painting Kultura mo, Bayan ko can now be viewed at the Palawan Heritage Center in Puerto Princesa Palawan.

 

“Nais naming mga katutubo na mas makilala pa ang aming kultura at tradisyon sa pamamagitan ng media. Sa pamamagitan nito, mas marami ang makakaunawa ,tatangkilik at rerespeto. Kailangang respetuhin ang aming relihiyon at pananampalataya lalo na ang aming kulay at tradisyunal na kasuotan. Kailangan ng respeto, pag-unawa at paggalang para makamit ang kapayapaang aming ninanais”.

 

The Cuyonon child’s quest in preserving his tribe’s cultural heritage does not end in selling his artworks. Through his artworks, Arjen is able to share his talent and present a promising future for the Cuyonon Tribe – culture embraced by young Cuyonons and appreciated by many.

"eSave Natin ang Pasko" fundraising campaign to support children’s learning needs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Christmas is the most awaited season for most Filipinos, especially children, but the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way the upcoming holidays will be celebrated—it’s going digital!

Save the Children Philippines is launching e-Save Natin ang Pasko, an online fundraising campaign that encourages everyone to unite in saving the Christmas spirit through a series of joyous and meaningful activities to provide joy and hope to children. These include 22 million learners, who have been experiencing major challenges such as the lack of access to learning materials and internet connection, as they struggle to learn from home.

The proceeds of the Christmas fundraising campaign will support the learning needs of children in poor households in Metro Manila, typhoon-stricken places in Eastern Visayas, and the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. It will also support children with disabilities, those from indigenous communities and from hard to reach areas.

“Even if classes are conducted through distance learning or will resume via face-to-face, millions of children will still need our support as they continue to be deprived of their right to education since their families do not have the means to support their learning needs,” said Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines.

e-Save Natin ang Pasko also promotes the importance of a nurturing home through the “Mapagkalingang Tahanan” advocacy – where every member of the family, especially children, receives the support they need so they learn, survive, and are protected.

“Mapagkalingang Tahanan” emphasizes the critical role of parents, guardians, and caregivers in the continued learning of children and aims to provide them the knowledge and skills to facilitate their children’s learning.

Also, in keeping with the tradition of Christmas caroling, e-Save Natin ang Pasko features “Namamasko po!” – a fun group activity by schools, families, and companies showcasing their musical talent and creativity.

eSave Natin ang Pasko will be highlighted by a digital concert “Awit para sa mga Bata” in December where famous singers will serenade the audience in the Philippines and those living abroad with Christmas songs. The digital concert will be produced by prominent theater artists Menchu Lauchengco Yulo and Michael Williams, together with Save the Children Philippines’ Bianca Elizalde.
Donors and participants who will pledge their support to eSave Natin ang Pasko will receive tokens of appreciation and a chance to be featured on the social media pages of Save the Children and its Ambassadors Katarina Rodriguez, Xia Vigor, and Ria Atayde.

“Education empowers children especially those in dire situations, and supporting their learning needs will save their lives and their future,” said Muyot.

FDCP Leads Philippine Delegation to Busan International Film Festival 2020

Wazzup Pilipinas!

FDCP to sponsor the “Screen Talk: Asian Production Bounces Back” webinar on October 26 and host the virtual Philippine Cinema Night on October 27

Four films, one film project, and 10 production companies are among the representatives of Philippine Cinema in the 25th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea.

“Death of Nintendo” by Raya Martin, “Cleaners” by Karl Glenn Barit, “How to Die Young in Manila” by Petersen Vargas, and “Kids on Fire” by Kyle Nieva are part of the BIFF Official Selection.

Sheron Dayoc’s “6th Finger” is the only Filipino project in Busan this year while 10 production companies are part of the Philippine Pavilion spearheaded by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

The FDCP is also the organizer of the Philippine Cinema Night as well as the sponsor of the webinar “Screen Talk: Asian Production Bounces Back” featuring FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño as one of the speakers.

“The Busan International Film Festival has been a crucial platform for the global track of the Filipino film industry. This year, the FDCP continues to be one with the BIFF in promoting Asian Cinema especially amid the COVID-19 crisis,” said Diño.

The BIFF, which runs from October 21 to 30, has limited film screenings in Busan while the programs and events concurrent with the festival have been migrated online.

Filipino films show unique local flavor

Of the 192 films in the BIFF Official Selection, the Philippines is represented by two full-length features and two short films. The four Filipino titles have one screening each at the Busan Cinema Center.

“Death of Nintendo” by Raya Martin, a Philippines-United States production that had its world premiere in Berlinale 2020, is part of the A Window on Asian Cinema section together with Karl Glenn Barit’s “Cleaners,” which had its international premiere in Busan on October 21. 

Both coming-of-age films were selected for A Window on Asian Cinema to demonstrate different visions and styles of filmmakers from Asia. “Death of Nintendo” will be shown at the Haneulyeon Theater on October 27.

The two Filipino shorts, “How to Die Young in Manila” by Petersen Vargas and “Kids on Fire” by Kyle Nieva, are in the Asian Short Film Competition of the Wide Angle section for short films, experimental films, and documentaries that show a vast range of cinematic viewpoints and a marked vision.

“How to Die Young in Manila” will have its world premiere on October 28 while “Kids on Fire” will be shown on October 29. Both shorts, which also deal with the struggles and issues concerning the youth, will be screened in Cinema 2. 

Asian Project Market seeks to boost international collaborations

The FDCP wishes to promote technical and cultural exchanges among local filmmakers and their global counterparts, and one way of doing so is through project market participations.

The Asian Project Market (APM), which will be held online from October 26 to 28, gathers emerging filmmakers of feature film projects so that they can meet international investors, producers, and distributors and land co-production opportunities.

Lone Filipino project “6th Finger,” which has Sheron Dayoc as director and Alemberg Ang as producer, aims to garner international partnerships while it is still in the development stage. 

The project under VY/AC Productions and Southern Lantern Studios revolves around a 10-year old boy with a sixth finger, who has been subjected to bullying. He comes from a remote village where a mysterious plague takes the lives of children.

QuaranCinema at Philippine Cinema Night




Another online event of the FDCP during the BIFF is the Philippine Cinema Night on October 27. This Zoom conference will gather government guests, filmmakers, and local and international industry movers in celebration of the Filipino film industry’s participation in BIFF.

Welcoming Addresses will be delivered by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat while the Opening Address is courtesy of FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

Through the Philippine Cinema Night, the FDCP will recognize the filmmakers who made it to the prestigious BIFF Official selection as well as the APM participants and ACFM delegates.

Moreover, the FDCP will have a presentation on QuaranCinema Productions, which are Philippine works that were ideated, created, and screened during the pandemic lockdown. The short film “Heneral Rizal” of Tanghalang Pilipino and Voyage Studios and the online series “Taguan” of TBA Studios are among the featured works.

Other QuaranCinema Productions are “Lolo Doc, Lola Doc & Ang Dalawang Junior” of Tanghalang Pilipino and Voyage Studios, “Pamanang Pahina” of Tanghalang Pilipino and Anino Shadowplay Collective, “Oh My Sexual” of Taurean Pictures and Greenlight Studios, “Hello, Stranger” of Black Sheep, and “Gaya Sa Pelikula” of Globe Studios.




Launching the ASEAN Co-production Fund in Busan

Another highlight of the Philippine Cinema Night is the presentation of the ASEAN Co-production Fund (ACOF), the latest initiative of the FDCP’s FilmPhilippines Incentives Program.

This selective fund will grant up to USD 150,000 to feature film co-productions of companies from the Philippines with companies from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ACOF flyers are also made available at the virtual Philippine Pavilion at the ACFM.

The ACOF launch shows how the BIFF has been a crucial platform for the global track of Philippine Cinema. In 2018, the Philippines was named as the Country of Focus while in 2019, the FDCP launched the “Let’s Create Together!” campaign, a partnership with the DOT.




How Asian Cinema is coping with the pandemic

Finally, the FDCP is the sponsor of the ScreenDaily Talks Live Q&A series webinar entitled “Screen Talk: Asian Production Bounces Back.” It will feature FDCP Chairperson Diño, Singaporean producer and screenwriter Jeremy Chua, South Korean producer Kim Hyo-jeong, and Hong Kong-based producer and production director Jacqueline Liu.

The “Screen Talk: Asian Production Bounces Back” speakers: FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, South Korean producer Kim Hyo-jeong, Singaporean producer and screenwriter Jeremy Chua, and Hong Kong-based producer and production director Jacqueline Liu. Photo courtesy of ScreenDaily  

Diño and her fellow speakers will talk about safe filming protocols, production practices in the new normal, film financing trends in Asia, and tips on securing co-production deals during the pandemic. The ScreenDaily Talks webinar, which will be held on October 26, will have Screen International Contributing Editor Wendy Mitchell as the moderator. 

The Philippines is among the 68 countries participating in this year’s BIFF, which is among the largest and most significant film festivals in Asia. Most of the BIFF events are online along with the Asian Film Awards, Forum BIFF, and Asia Contents Awards.