Dolly De Leon, Soliman Cruz, and Martika Escobar to receive the Annual Achievement Award in FDCP’s “Parangal ng Sining”

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To recognize their invaluable contribution to the Philippine Film Industry, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is set to give the Annual Achievement Award to actors Dolly De Leon and Soliman Cruz and filmmaker Martika Escobar at the Parangal ng Sining which will be held on April 23 in Seda Hotel.

“Parangal ng Sining” (Honor of the Arts) is FDCP’s initiative to recognize Filipino filmmakers, artists, and institutions who continue to achieve and work for excellence, leading to acclaim in international film festivals across the globe.

With her breakout performance in Cannes-winning film “Triangle of Sadness,” Dolly De Leon has been recognized in various film festivals and prestigious award-giving bodies around the world, one after another.

Among the most notable were the Best Supporting Actress nominations she received from the 80th Golden Globe Awards and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), making her the first-ever Filipina to receive such nominations.

Before being recognized locally and abroad, De Leon has been in the industry for decades playing small roles in television shows and movies. Her rise to fame may have come at a later point in her career but there are no signs of stopping yet as she has recently been cast in an upcoming action-comedy film alongside Hollywood stars John Cena, Awkwafina, and Simu Liu.

For proudly representing the Filipino as an artist, standing side by side with a multinational cast in an international production—and delivering a performance not only noteworthy but memorable to the point of being historical in its time and place, the FDCP will recognize De Leon as one of the Annual Achievement Award recipients of this year’s Parangal ng Sining

With a filmography of films, television shows, and stage plays, Soliman Cruz has become a household name in the entertainment industry as one of the most prolific Filipino character actors.

In the Romanian film “To The North,” the feature film debut of Mihai Mincan, Cruz played the lead character for the first time in his career.

The Soliman Cruz-starrer made its world premiere in one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world—the Venice International Film Festival—where it won the Premio Bisato D’Oro 2022, awarded by the independent film critics of Venice.

His breakthrough performance, along with fellow Filipino actor Bart Guingona, has received standing ovations from festival goers, a proof of the Filipino talent that goes beyond international borders.

For being the embodiment of the consummate actor of both film and stage, providing inspiration to an entire generation of young actors as to what is meant by dedication and professionalism to the art and the craft, the FDCP is recognizing Soliman Cruz as one of the first recipients of the Annual Gawad Lente for his contribution to Philippine cinema in the year 2022.

In 2022, director Martika Escobar made history as the first-ever Filipino director to win at Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States.

After eight long years of development and production, Escobar’s feature film debut “Leonor Will Never Die” finally made its world premiere at Sundance, marking the comeback of the Philippines in the festival’s competition section 16 years after the country’s last entry.

Since its world premiere, “Leonor Will Never Die” has been screened in numerous international film festivals from all over the globe such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival.

For proudly representing the new generation of filmmakers, breaking ground on the world stage and making known the potential of the Filipino cinema artist in weaving original works that are native to the culture but universal in theme, the FDCP honors Martika Escobar as one of the first recipients of the Annual Gaward Lente for her contribution to Philippine Cinema in the year 2022.

S&T graduate studies programs, scholarships open for 2023

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Beginning April 11, the Philippines’ premiere science and technology (S&T) research and teaching institution and the country’s premiere S&T scholarship program are once again opening their doors to prospective applicants.

The University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science’s (UPD-CS’s) Graduate Programs are now accepting applications, alongside the Department of Science and Technology’s Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (DOST-ASTHRDP).

Applicants to the UPD-CS’s Graduate Programs are also eligible to apply for the ASTHRDP scholarship. To be eligible for DOST-ASTHRDP scholarship, prospective applicants must be Filipino citizens; not more than 50 years old at the time of application; be in good health; pass the admission requirements for graduate studies at any National Science Consortium (NSC)-member university; and pass any requisite interviews and other screening procedures.

Prospective DOST-ASTHRDP scholars are encouraged to undertake theses and dissertations in the following priority areas: Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness; Materials Science and Nanotechnology; and Natural Products and Drug Development.

Established in 1983, the UPD-CS’s main mission is to contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the Philippines through the education of high-caliber scientists, the acquisition of scientific and technological knowledge, and the provision of scientific and technical services. The UPD-CS provides international-quality graduate and undergraduate education in the natural and mathematical sciences; undertakes basic and applied scientific research that are of high standards and national relevance; and renders technical extension services in support of national scientific and technological development.

Meanwhile, the DOST-ASTHRDP aims to help improve the country’s global competitiveness and capability to innovate through S&T, and also seeks to accelerate the production of high-level human resources needed for Research and Development (R&D) in S&T.

The deadline of applications for both UPD-CS Graduate Studies and the DOST-ASTHRDP is June 30, 2023.


For more information on UPD-CS Graduate Programs and how to apply, please visit https://science.upd.edu.ph/graduate-student-guide


For more information on the DOST-ASTHRDP and how to apply, please visit https://science.upd.edu.ph/dost-asthrdp/


For interview requests and other media concerns, please email media@science.upd.edu.ph

Philippine Media Sensationalism

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Media sensationalism is a term used to describe the practice of presenting news stories in a way that exaggerates their importance, emotional impact, or controversy, often at the expense of accuracy and context. In the Philippines, media sensationalism has become a prevalent issue in recent years, particularly in the country's mainstream news outlets.

The Philippine media has a long history of sensationalizing news stories, particularly those that involve crime, violence, and political scandals. The media often uses sensational headlines and images to capture the attention of viewers and readers, regardless of whether the story is accurate or not. This approach to reporting can have several negative consequences, including the spread of misinformation, the incitement of fear and panic, and the erosion of public trust in the media.

One of the most notable examples of media sensationalism in the Philippines was the coverage of the 2010 Manila hostage crisis. The incident involved a disgruntled former police officer taking a bus full of Hong Kong tourists hostage, resulting in a standoff that lasted for several hours. The media's coverage of the crisis was widely criticized for being sensationalized and insensitive, with many accusing the news outlets of prioritizing ratings over the safety of the hostages and the public.

Another example of media sensationalism in the Philippines is the coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. While the issue of drug-related crimes is undoubtedly significant, the media's portrayal of the issue often focuses on sensational headlines and graphic images, rather than in-depth reporting and analysis. This approach has led to widespread fear and panic among the public, and in some cases, has resulted in the misrepresentation of the government's policies and actions.

Moreover, the rise of social media has also contributed to the proliferation of media sensationalism in the Philippines. In recent years, many news outlets have resorted to clickbait headlines and false information to attract views and followers. This approach to reporting has resulted in the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories, leading to further polarization and division among the public.

Media sensationalism is a prevalent issue in the Philippines, with many news outlets prioritizing ratings and clicks over accuracy and context. While the media has a vital role in informing the public, it is essential for journalists to maintain ethical standards and uphold their responsibilities to the public. It is crucial for media outlets to provide accurate and balanced reporting that helps to inform and educate the public, rather than sensationalizing stories for the sake of views and profits.


The mainstream media of the Philippines plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions. However, in recent years, there have been concerns about the sensationalism and exaggeration of issues and news by the media. This investigatory report aims to analyze how mainstream media in the Philippines sensationalize or exaggerate issues or news and its potential impact on society.


Methodology

To conduct this investigation, a comprehensive review of various media sources in the Philippines was conducted. The sources included newspapers, television news programs, and online news platforms. A content analysis was performed on the news stories to determine if the news was sensationalized or exaggerated.


Findings

The investigation found that the mainstream media in the Philippines often sensationalizes or exaggerates issues or news to attract viewership or readership. The media tends to use sensational headlines or imagery to grab the attention of readers or viewers, even if the news itself is not that significant.

One common practice is to exaggerate crime stories. Reports of violent crimes or accidents are often given exaggerated coverage, and the media tends to sensationalize the news with gruesome details or sensational images. For instance, a headline reading "Massacre in the Suburbs: 10 killed in grisly machete attack" could be used to describe a relatively minor incident.

Another issue is the use of anonymous sources. Many news stories in the Philippines are based on information from anonymous sources. While anonymity can be necessary to protect sources, the media often uses anonymous sources without verifying their credibility. This can lead to misinformation being spread and exaggeration of the news.

Additionally, the media tends to report on political scandals and controversies with a biased view. They often report allegations as facts, without proper evidence. This creates a perception of guilt before the accused have had a chance to defend themselves, and this can damage reputations and careers.

The media also sensationalizes natural disasters and weather events. News coverage of typhoons or earthquakes often includes images of destruction and human suffering. While these events are undoubtedly newsworthy, the media tends to focus on the negative aspects, rather than highlighting the resilience and recovery efforts of communities affected by these disasters.

Impact

The sensationalism and exaggeration of news and issues by the mainstream media can have serious implications for society. First, it can create panic and fear among the public. For example, exaggerated crime stories can make people believe that their communities are unsafe, even if the actual crime rate is low.

Second, the media's exaggeration of political controversies and scandals can damage the reputation of individuals and institutions. This can lead to public distrust of the government and political institutions, which can undermine democracy and stability.

Third, the media's sensationalism of natural disasters can create a sense of helplessness among communities affected by these events. Rather than focusing on recovery efforts and resilience, the media's focus on negative aspects can make people feel powerless and demoralized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mainstream media in the Philippines has a responsibility to report news and issues in a balanced and unbiased manner. While sensationalism and exaggeration may attract viewership and readership, it can have serious implications for society. The media must strive to uphold journalistic ethics and standards and avoid sensationalizing or exaggerating news and issues for the sake of increasing ratings or readership. Only by doing so can the media fulfill its role as a responsible and credible source of information for the public.