New York Asian Film Festival 2018 Features Fresh Breed of Filipino Films

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This year, an incredible lineup of six Filipino films will be screened competing in the 2018 edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) beginning on June 29, 2018. This is double the number of competing Filipino features last year. 

For years, NYAFF has brought pieces of Philippine cinema to the West, opening the minds and captivating the senses of the Western audience with our own cinematic vision.

The following six (6) Filipino films be represented in NFYAFF - BuyBust directed by Erik Matti, Neomanila directed by Mikhail Red, On the Job directed by Erik Matti, Respeto directed by Treb Monteras II, Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) directed by Irene Villamor, and We Will Not Die Tonight by Richard Somes.

Three (3) films have already earned nominations, and received accolades from prominent award-giving bodies in the Philippines, as well as other countries, namely Neomanila, On the Job, and Respeto – all of which illustrate the Philippines in an engrossing manner that sees artistic integrity drawing power from realism and grit. 

Meanwhile, BuyBust, an action-thriller will make its world premiere at NYFF, giving the world a first look at esteemed filmmaker Erik Matti’s hotly anticipated action film alongside Richard Somes’ explosive genre piece, We Will Not Die Tonight, which will also be having its world premiere at the said event. On the other hand, Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story) has received positive reviews from film critics all over the Philippines where it was praised for its non-conformity to conventions, and a captivating allure brought about by Irene Villamor’s filmmaking.

Representatives of the Filipino films will be supported by the FDCP’s International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP), including Gawad Urian Best Actor, Abra of Respeto, producer Dondon Monteverde and directors Richard Somes, Treb Monteras II and Erik Matti. 

“All around the world, Filipino films continue to compete and be recognized by the most prestigious of film festivals and we are proud that NYAFF is doing its part in introducing Filipino Films - genre Filipino films especially - to the North American audience. We hope that this is the first step for more of our films to be recognized and distributed in that side of the world. We wish our delegates the best of luck,” said Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

The 17th New York Asian Film Festival in New York City, USA runs from June 29, 2018 to July 15, 2018.

Achieving PH Energy Resiliency is a Shared Responsibility--Cusi

Wazzup Pilipinas!

JOINT EFFORT: Speaking at the first anniversary of the E-Power Mo Campaign, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged all stakeholders to join the effort to raise awareness towards an energy resilient Philippines. The E-Power Mo movement is the Department of Energy’s vehicle to help empower consumers with information on proper and prudent use of energy.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today stressed that the effort of achieving energy resiliency for the Philippines is a shared responsibility between the government and the public.

“Lahat po tayo ay mahalagang bahagi ng layuning ito [energy resiliency advocacy],” (Each one of us has an important role to play in this energy resiliency advocacy) Sec. Cusi said in his message to an estimated 500 participants in the 6th E-Power Mo conference of the Department of Energy (DOE). 

The E-Power Mo movement, which marks its first anniversary today, focuses on adopting strategies and providing consumers with knowledge not only on the proper use of energy, but also in helping the country become energy resilient.

“We all know that the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters,” Cusi pointed out, citing the World Risk Index that ranked our country in third place, as well as our previous experience on disasters like super-typhoon "Yolanda."

These factors have prompted the DOE to institutionalize the Energy Resiliency Policy (ERP) in the energy sector in January 2018, according to Cusi.

The ERP aims to strengthen the existing energy systems and assist in the quick restoration and provision of alternative energy sources to cushion the adverse impact of natural disasters on consumers.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas cited the DOE’s active role in three significant international events on energy resiliency advocacy. These include hosting the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministers Meeting in 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers on Energy Meeting and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Energy Working Group Meeting. The DOE also co-chaired the relevant meetings of the APEC Energy Resiliency Task Force with the United States.

According to Posadas, the DOE encouraged the other member states in these international gatherings to share their expertise and best practices in pursuing initiatives and action plans on increasing the resiliency of energy infrastructures.

Among the topics discussed during the plenary session are the DOE’s efforts in the implementation of the ERP, the effects of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on the country’s energy systems, the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system, and disaster risk financing and insurance strategies.

Also included in the discussions was the importance of the support of the government’s communications system to disseminate to the grassroots the message of E-Power Mo.

There were also six breakout sessions that covered various topics, including downstream oil and natural gas; upstream coal, oil and gas; renewable energy; power industry; alternative fuels and energy efficiency and the consumer sector.

After the main session, DOE spokesperson and Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, together with Assistant Secretaries Robert B. Uy and Leonido J. Pulido III held a press conference.

The E-Power Mo movement was launched at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City in July 2017 and has been mirrored in Cebu, Davao and Clark in the same year, and in Baguio just last April.

The campaign is being undertaken in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office through the Philippine Information Agency and Radio-TV Malacañang, and with the assistance of USAID’s Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS).

Cusi Turns Over PEMC Chairmanship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

THE TORCH IS PASSED: Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turns over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, upon the latter's unanimous election during today's PEM Board meeting. This is a vital step towards the full independence of the country's electricity market, where PEMC will stand as its governing body and the DOE will maintain policy oversight.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turned over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, who was unanimously elected by the new members of the PEM Board today.

The Secretary said, “We welcome the election of Mr. Aboboto as the new PEMC Chair. Great strides have been made this week in finally fulfilling EPIRA’s vision for the institutionalization of a truly independent market operator (IMO). From the very beginning, we were clear that we would pave the way for the market’s self-governance. I am happy to see it come to fruition and I sincerely hope that the IMO and PEMC would serve both the energy industry and the consuming public well in the years to come.”

Upon Mr. Aboboto’s election, Secretary Cusi immediately gave him the floor to preside over the rest of the PEM Board meeting.

In addition to Aboboto’s election as chairman, independent director Atty. Oscar E. Ala was elected as PEMC’s president, while Elenita Go of SMC Global Power was voted as the treasurer.