Political Thriller Film Project ‘Filipino’ Wins Top Prize at Singapore Project Market

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A film project from the Philippines stood out and won the prestigious Cre8 Co-Production Award during the Southeast Asia Film Financing Forum (SAFF) Project Market, beating out 15 projects from Southeast Asia. The project-in-development titled Filipino by Mel Allego wowed the jury for its powerful storytelling and potential to be commercialized and co-produced globally. Allego took home a co-production deal worth up to $200,000 from Cre8 Productions.

“I always have had (these) thoughts and ideas about my experiences living in contemporary Philippines. I wanted to do a film that is something nonconventional, and get people thinking about what is correct, what is incorrect–against the backdrop of the current uncertain socio-political landscape,” said Allego.

Set in Cebu, it tells the story about a journalist who sneaks through the blockade and inevitably gets caught up with five individuals cornered in a deadly chess game between fundamental extremists and higher powers.



The SAFF Project Market is back for its fourth edition this year to offer opportunities for investment and co-production to feature films from Asia and Europe and featured five (5) Filipino projects in its slate, including:

Ani (The Harvest)
Science Fiction, Coming-of-Age
Producer: Toni Zuniga
Director: Kristine Zuniga

Bangsa Badjao
Drama Thriller
Producer: Suzanne Richiardone/Jessel Monteverde

Director: Jessel Monteverde

Comfort
Feminist Action Drama
Producer: Bianca Balbuena and Kriz Gazme
Director: Gino M. Santos


John Denver Trending
Drama, Social Satire
Producer: Sheron Dayoc and Sonny Calvento
Director: Arden Rod Conde

Launched by ScreenSingapore in partnership with the Southeast Asian Audio-Visual Association (SAAVA) and Ties That Bind: Asia/Europe Producers Workshop (TTB), the annual summit was established in 2015 to bring together key players in the international film industry and promote fruitful collaboratios.

Meanwhile, in line with the celebration for the Philippine cinema’s 100th year anniversary, the Singapore Media Festival (SMF) puts the Philippines in center stage as this year’s country of focus. The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) was the lead agency in the Philippine participation to the SMF, and brought together thirty (30) companies including film buyers, producers, service providers, distributors, and animation agencies to attend SMF-established events, including the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) Leader's Summit and SAFF Conference.

The SAFF Project Market 2018 was held from December 5 to 7, 2018 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

FDCP and Nabunturan Gov’t Inaugurate Cinematheque in Compostela Valley

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Residents of Nabunturan and neighboring communities can finally enjoy a unique cinematic experience and access diverse film programs as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Municipality of Nabunturan inaugurate the Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan last Monday, December 10, 2018.

The Cinematheque’s inauguration ceremony was spearheaded by FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and Mayor of Municipality of Nabunturan Chelita C. Amatong. It was also attended by Executive Director Wilfredo Manalang, Admin and Finance Head Emilita Alquiza, Alyssa Jane Mernelo of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and members of the Board of Trustees Anna Abalahin and Atty. Rochelle Macapili-Ona. They received a warm welcome from the Cinematheque Centre Davao team led by Distribution and Exhibitions Division Lead Officer Dustin Guillermo, Jamir Mallari, and Rejh Castillon.

The Cinematheque is an alternative venue for screening a diverse set of films as well as for hosting film development programs and various events that cultivate film culture and unify the community, such as workshops and symposiums.

The 92-seater cinema was built by the FDCP in partnership with the local government of Nabunturan, which donated an 800-square meter lot for the building. It is the first Cinematheque under the leadership of Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and the first establishment sponsored by FDCP built from scratch, as the others were refurbished structures.

Despite not having a formal cinema house, Nabunturan residents made creating a film community in the region possible. FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño hopes to strengthen the passionate filmmaking community of Compostela Valley even more with the construction of Cinematheque.

“I’m so excited to be able to share the rich and lively world of cinema with the Nabunturanos and I hope that you can take advantage of this opportunity because this is where we can come together as one community. Maraming-maraming salamat po. This is yours. Make it relevant to you and make it personal to you,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño during the Inauguration. 

The event was followed by the ceremonial unveiling of the plaque and blessing of the Cinematheque. A screening of Kip Oebanda’s Liway concluded the historic event.

The Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan’s inauguration ceremony was held last December 10, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Layug Avenue, Purok 13 beside SPED, Central Elementary School.

DOE: Nuclear Energy Issues Up for More Public Consultation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced today (December 18) that the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) has ironed out several issues with the country’s vision of nuclear energy.

This was verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission during the ceremonial turnover of its review results on Monday afternoon (December 17) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. 

DOE Undersecretary and NEPIO Head Donato D. Marcos accepted the INIR findings together with other NEPIO members.

“The results of this INIR mission are the fruits of our hard labor. Our NEPIO remained dedicated and determined to address all the gaps within the two-year period on nuclear feasibility studies,” Sec. Cusi said.

“The results will help us focus our efforts on the identified issues, accelerate the legislative process and prepare the national decision,” he added.

According to IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section Head Milko Kovachev, the NEPIO has followed a systematic approach in finalizing the country’s nuclear power strategy and completing the associated infrastructure development.

The INIR team noted that the NEPIO has completed several studies and a draft legislation addressing nuclear safety, security and safeguards. In addition, the establishment of an independent regulatory body is already being reviewed at the Philippine Congress, as information on the matter is being disseminated to the public for stakeholder engagement. 

The recommendations of the INIR team include involving a broader range of stakeholders to complete the work required to enable a national commitment to introduce nuclear power, and developing a legal and regulatory framework that ensures and demonstrates a commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation.

Other aspects include enhancing the approaches to human resource and leadership development, nuclear fuel cycle options and electrical grid impact, and adapting the existing national frameworks for emergency preparedness and response and nuclear security.

The INIR team also identified three good practices that would benefit other countries considering the introduction of nuclear power in the areas of legal framework, stakeholder involvement, and site and supporting facilities.

The INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases and three milestones. INIR missions enable IAEA member-state representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the member-state to develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure. 

“It is high time we put the framework in place to bring nuclear power into the energy mix. We should learn the lessons from the past and catch up with the missed opportunities,” Sec. Cusi concluded.