'Oda Sa Wala' to Compete at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Filipino filmmaker Dwein Baltazar’s “Oda sa Wala” joins the diverse selection of outstanding films in competition at the 54th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), making it the only competing Filipino film in the prestigious film festival for 2019.

Established in 1946, the KVIFF is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic, the leading film event across Central and Eastern Europe, and one of the oldest film festivals in the world. The KVIFF shares the same category as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, San Sebastian, Moscow, Montreal, Shanghai, and Tokyo as one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the country’s film agency, champions diversity and gender inclusivity in the film industry. “Having ‘Oda sa Wala’ compete in one of the top-tier film festivals in the world is an important achievement in Philippine cinema. Aside from being the only competing Filipino film in Karlovy Vary this year, this also makes Dwein Baltazar the first Filipino female director who will be competing in an A-list film festival in Europe. As a Filipino and as a woman, her representation in the film industry is something we should celebrate,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño.

On a Facebook post, producer Bianca Balbuena shared the good news and reminisced about talking to KVIFF’s Festival Director Karel Och about “Oda sa Wala.” She said, “Karel messaged me, ‘We are intrigued by the film and can imagine it on the list of candidates for the Main Competition to be discussed in April. But it is simply too early for us to make the decision now.’ So I closed my eyes and jumped the cliff. I said no to the other fests and decided to wait. I knew the blame will be on me if KVIFF ends up not choosing it and we missed our big chances. But I took the risk because I know that Dwein gave her heart and soul to this film and it is quite special and she deserves nothing less.”

Dwein Baltazar makes a repeat appearance in the KVIFF this year. In 2012, her debut feature film “Mamay Umeng” made its run in various major international film festivals, including the KVIFF.

“Oda sa Wala” is set to have its North American premiere and will be competing under the Camera Lucida section of the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal, Quebec happening from July 11 to August 1, 2019.

The 54th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival runs from June 28 to July 6, 2019 in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.

Tugade Orders 24/7 Construction of Sangley Airport

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed for the 24/7 construction of Sangley Airport in Cavite to meet the operational timeline set by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Secretary Tugade ordered the hiring of additional manpower, the implementation of extended working hours, and the infusion of additional equipment starting tomorrow, 13 June 2019.

“Whatever it takes, we need to make sure that the directive of the President is delivered. Hire more manpower to work 24/7. Kailangan matapos ‘yan on or before the timeline set by President Duterte,” the transportation chief stressed.

In compliance with Tugade’s directive for the accelerated construction of the Sangley Airport, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez met with members of “Task Force Sangley” today, 12 June 2019. In attendance were representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the ferry system, and the project contractor.

Lopez reported that critical developments in the project are well underway. These include the runway, apron, Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), its power supply, drainage system, and site development.

Lopez further relayed Tugade’s instructions to CAAP to work closely with the DOTr on the civil works so that the support facilities can be immediately incorporated for the airport to commence operations at the soonest time possible. To this end, a synchronization matrix will be submitted as a guide for monitoring.

During the meeting, an ocular inspection was also held at the possible site of the ferry station, wherein the contractor was given two (2) months to construct the port in coordination and compliance with the regulations of Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), CAAP, PAF, and the Philippine Navy.

The contractor has agreed to the submission of a weekly progress report alongside a weekly site visit and inspection by the DOTr for close monitoring of the construction progress.

Bulacan Braces for SINEliksik DocuFest

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Bulacan gears up for the third SINEliksik Bulacan DocuFest, as it continues to highlight the local history of the province.

SINEliksik 2019 aims to relive and retell the stories of Bulakenyo heroes through documentaries, as well as conduct a comprehensive research on their lives and contributions to Philippine history, with the theme “Bayani ng Kanyang Panahon, Inspirasyon natin Ngayon!”

Through this competition, which was launched in 2017, PHACTO hopes to instill the heroism and patriotism of Bulakenyos in the minds of their fellow Filipinos.

Production teams of selected documentary concepts went through a workshop and consultation with the facilitators for comments and suggestions at the audio-visual room of Museo ng Republika ng 1899 at Barasoain Church in Malolos.

Dr. Lars Ubaldo, a historian currently teaching at De La Salle University-Manila, discussed historical research.

Advocacy filmmaker Seymour Sanchez, faculty member of DLS-College of Saint Benilde film department and Far Eastern University Department of Communication, tackled the principles and practices of documentary filmmaking and how to make the important interesting.

Meanwhile, fellow filmmaker and University of the East College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design Prof. Richard Legaspi talked about making documentaries more visual.

Deadline of submission of entries is on July 5. PHACTO will shortlist the projects which will make it to the finals. A panel of judges will then screen the finalists to determine the winners.

The Best Documentary Film will get 100,000 pesos. Best Research and Cinematography winners will bring home 30,000 pesos each. Best Screenplay and Special Jury Prize will receive 20,000 pesos each. Special prizes of 5,000 pesos each will go to the Best Poster Design and Trailer.

Non-winning finalists will take home 10,000 pesos each while a consolation prize of 5,000 pesos will be given to other entries which will not be shortlisted.

Participants are asked to sign an agreement allowing PHACTO to use their entries in its different programs. 

The finalists will also be part of the Bulacaniana Collection of the Bulacan Provincial Library and will be distributed to public schools, libraries and offices in the province.  

PHACTO has partnered with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Project Saysay to stage this year’s competition.