Meet one of our speakers at the UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan at Kinabukasan Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

From Senate Firebrand to Hotel Kingpin: The Comeback of Atty. Joey Lina

Atty. Joey Lina is a fiery statesman turned visionary leader — a relentless defender of the marginalized and now the driving force behind the revival of the historic Manila Hotel. From the Senate floor to the corridors of heritage, he remains the embodiment of purpose-driven leadership and unwavering patriotism.

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to meet a man whose story is not just a chapter in our nation’s history — but a continuing saga of service, sacrifice, and resurgence.

His name commands reverence. Once hailed as the “Boy Wonder of Philippine Politics,” he shattered expectations as one of the youngest senators in our country’s history. With brilliance far beyond his years and a moral compass that never flinched, he became the voice of the voiceless in the halls of the Senate. Author of the landmark “Lina Law,” he fiercely protected the rights of tenants and the marginalized — proving that politics, when guided by principle, could still uplift the people it serves.

But even after his celebrated terms in the Senate and as Governor of Laguna, Atty. Lina did not retreat into obscurity. No. He merely changed battlefields.

Today, he stands at the helm of the historic Manila Hotel — not just as its President, but as its guardian. For him, the Manila Hotel is more than a symbol of elegance; it is a national shrine, a cradle of Philippine heritage where revolutionaries, presidents, poets, and patriots once walked.

Under his leadership, the Manila Hotel is rising again — not just in stature, but in spirit. It has become a place where diplomacy meets culture, where heritage meets innovation, and where Filipino excellence is not just preserved, but proudly showcased to the world.

But make no mistake — the firebrand spirit of the former senator lives on. He continues to speak truth to power, mentor the youth, and remind us all what real leadership looks like. He is a living bridge between the lessons of the past and the promise of the future.

Today, at Umalohokan, we are deeply honored to welcome a man whose life has been — and still is — an unwavering call to action. A man who never surrendered to cynicism, who never stopped believing in the Filipino, and who continues to redefine what it means to serve.

Please welcome — with all the respect, admiration, and anticipation he so richly deserves — former Senator and now Manila Hotel President, Atty. Joey Lina.

“Himala” Lives On: A Divine Double Feature Celebrates Women’s Power in Cinema

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was a cinematic experience unlike any other—where the past and present collided in reverence to the enduring power of women, storytelling, and Filipino creativity. In a stunning celebration of National Women’s Month, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), The Metropolitan Theater, and ABS-CBN Film Restoration’s Sagip Pelikula project, staged a soul-stirring back-to-back screening of Himala and Isang Himala under the ongoing tribute series, Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino.

A Morning of Miracles: Rediscovering the Classic “Himala”

The day began with a momentous milestone—the first-ever public screening of the newly restored black and white version of Himala. This timeless masterpiece, born from the formidable trio of National Artists—director Ishmael Bernal, screenwriter Ricky Lee, and the iconic Nora Aunor—was given new life in a format that emphasized the bleakness, stark truths, and haunting beauty of its message.

Set in the drought-stricken Barrio Cupang, Himala follows Elsa, played unforgettably by Aunor, a simple woman whose claimed apparition of the Virgin Mary sends her community spiraling into spiritual hysteria. The film's emotional gravity, social critique, and powerful visual metaphors have earned it a near-mythical status, sweeping the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival and gaining global recognition as one of the greatest Filipino films of all time.

Even decades later, Elsa’s haunting cry—“Walang himala!”—echoes with unsettling relevance in a world still grappling with blind faith, moral compromise, and collective delusion.

An Afternoon Reimagined: “Isang Himala” Bridges Stage and Screen

As the curtains lifted once more in the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to the musical reinterpretation of the classic—Isang Himala, directed by award-winning filmmaker Pepe Diokno and still penned by the brilliant Ricky Lee. Drawing inspiration from the stage musical of the same name, this film masterfully bridges the worlds of cinema and theater, breathing fresh life and rhythm into Elsa’s tragic tale.

This time, the mantle of Elsa was gracefully taken on by Aicelle Santos, whose vocal prowess and emotional depth transformed the character into a contemporary heroine. Backed by a stellar ensemble—Bituin Escalante, David Ezra, and MMFF 2024 Best Supporting Actress Kakki Teodoro—Isang Himala did more than revive a story; it recontextualized it for a generation living in the shadow of both disbelief and unyielding hope.

Through sweeping melodies and stirring performances, the film cast a new light on the themes of exploitation, spiritual manipulation, and the ways women’s bodies and beliefs are politicized and deified in times of crisis.

A Conversation Beyond the Screen: The Talkback Session

The day’s emotional crescendo extended beyond the theater as creators and cast gathered for a talkback session—an intimate dialogue on the portrayal of women in Philippine cinema. Diokno and cast members Santos, Escalante, Ezra, and Teodoro shared how their roles were shaped not only by Lee’s script but by the urgency to portray truth amidst illusion.

Kim Harold Peji of the Philippine Commission on Women joined the conversation, emphasizing the critical role of cultural programming in advancing gender sensitivity, equality, and empowerment. Their voices collectively underscored how storytelling, especially through film, can dismantle stereotypes, awaken consciences, and spark transformative change.

No Ordinary Screening—A Celebration of Filipino Brilliance and Feminine Strength

Both Himala and Isang Himala dared to hold a mirror to society’s deepest wounds—challenging viewers to confront their own beliefs and biases. These films are more than stories; they are sacred texts of Philippine cinema that question the divine, the absurd, and the all-too-human.

As the event concluded, NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bernan Joseph Corpuz and NCCA GAD FPS Head Maricel Diaz awarded certificates of appreciation to the esteemed speakers, honoring not just their artistry but their commitment to truth-telling through film.

Indeed, Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino lived up to its name, reminding us that in every powerful story lies a gem—waiting to be rediscovered, reinterpreted, and revered. And in this celebration of miracles and women, the legacy of Himala shines brighter than ever.

Walang himala? Sa sining at kababaihan—naroon ang himala.

Meet one of our speakers at the UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan at Kinabukasan Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Journalism With a Soul: How John Reczon Calay Is Leading a Digital Renaissance

John Reczon Calay is a fearless digital storyteller and visionary educator, fusing journalistic integrity with creative innovation to shape the future of Philippine media. From the newsroom to the classroom, he ignites minds and movements with every story he tells.

In the evolving landscape of Philippine media, where the battle for truth often clashes with the noise of virality, he has emerged not only as a fierce communicator but as a torchbearer of substance in the digital age.

A proud graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2018 — a time when traditional journalism was grappling with the sharp turn toward digital transformation. Instead of resisting the tide, he embraced it. And from the get-go, he proved he was no ordinary content creator.

He began his professional journey at News5 Digital and ONE News Digital right after graduation, diving headfirst into the tumultuous realm of online media. From 2018 to 2022, he honed his craft as an Online Creative and Digital Content Associate, telling stories that didn’t just inform but stirred conversations. With his innate ability to blend journalistic rigor with creative storytelling, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Creative Content Lead in 2021. In this role, he didn’t just lead a team — he inspired a generation of young storytellers to believe that journalism could still be a force for good in a time of misinformation.

But his dedication to truth-telling wasn’t confined to the newsroom. In 2021, he took his passion to the classroom as a part-time instructor at the University of Rizal System - Angono, mentoring budding journalists and communicators. His students speak of him as a mentor who doesn’t merely teach — he challenges, provokes, and pushes them to look beyond headlines and trends and ask the deeper questions.

In 2022, he took her talents further into the broadcast giant TV5 Network, Inc., where he now works as a Creative Content Specialist. In a space where visual storytelling meets journalistic responsibility, He continues to redefine what it means to be a journalist in the digital era. His content doesn’t just trend; it touches lives, ignites thought, and calls for action.

Let's welcome, John Reczon Calay!

He is more than a name on a byline or a face behind the screen — he is the pulse of a new generation of Filipino journalists: bold, ethical, imaginative, and unafraid. In a time when the lines between content and propaganda blur far too easily, he stands as a beacon of clarity and purpose, proving that even in the digital chaos, truth still has a voice — and sometimes, it speaks with creative power.