Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy comes to CNN International

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, CNN’s critically-acclaimed six-part CNN Original Series that follows Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci as he travels across Italy to discover the secrets and delights of the country’s regional cuisines, is coming to CNN International.

Premiering at 7pm HKT on Sunday, June 20 to a global audience of more than 370 million, Tucci will take viewers along with him as he enjoys the luxurious creamy carbonara of Rome, the delicious simplicity of Sicily’s pasta alla Norma, the saffron-infused silkiness of risotto in Milan, the crispy tenderness of bistecca alla fiorentina, the perfect classic ragu alla bolognese and the world’s best pizza in Naples. Tucci comes prepared with a bottomless appetite for it all, showing us how the diversity of Italian cooking offers a gateway through which you can glimpse Italy’s history and culture.

“During a time when everyone wishes they could travel, the series will transport you through Italy’s cultural past and present through its extraordinary cuisine,” said Tucci. “The food tells the story of this country’s unique history and I’m thrilled to serve as a guide through this journey.”

In each episode, Tucci visits a different region or city of Italy, including Tuscany, Sicily, Milan, Rome, Bologna, and Naples/The Amalfi Coast.

“Stanley’s engaging personality, wit and charm make him the perfect fit to take CNN’s viewers on an intimate voyage to his beloved Italy,” said Amy Entelis, EVP for Talent & Content Development, CNN Worldwide. “We know our audience will feel inspired as they experience, through Stanley’s eyes, the food, culture and people of a country that has given the world so much joy from its cuisine.”

“Searching for Italy is a fascinating, mouthwatering and visually-stunning exploration of perhaps one of the world’s most beautiful countries and its rich culture, and Stanley Tucci is the perfect guide to take our viewers from around the world on an unforgettable tour,” said Meara Erdozain, senior vice president of programming for CNN International.

CNN partnered with London-based film and television production company RAW to produce Searching for Italy.

"Making this series was an absolute delight and the reaction from viewers in America was wonderful,” said Adam Hawkins, executive producer for Searching for Italy. “As we embark on producing a second season, we are so pleased that viewers all over the world can go on this incredible and delicious journey with the inimitable Stanley Tucci."

Executive producers for Searching for Italy are Adam Hawkins, Eve Kay, and Stanley Tucci for RAW, Amy Entelis and Lyle Gamm for CNN Original Series.

Season one of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy averaged 470k among P25-54, 2.1m among P2+, and 75k among P18-34 among its six Sunday night 9p premieres in the United States. In its time period across cable news, the series has ranked #1 among all three demos.

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy trailer: https://bit.ly/3egV874

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy images: https://bit.ly/3tkGUGH


Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy will air at the following times on CNN International starting June 20:

Sundays at 7pm and 11pm HKT

Mondays at 9am HKT

Wednesdays at 7pm HKT

Thursdays at 9am HKT

FDCP’s Sine Kabataan Awards P100K Film Grants to 10 Finalists

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 Ten (10) young filmmakers have been selected as finalists in the 4th edition of the Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition and will each receive a PHP 100,000 grant as fund to use in the production of their respective short films.

Organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and as an accompanying youth film competition with its banner Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), Sine Kabataan gives a platform to all aspiring young filmmakers aged 18 to 30 and provides an opportunity to expose their fresh talents. This serves to encourage the youth to develop their creativity and originality in storytelling, touching on important issues of today as perceived by the youth.

After the Sine Kabataan Online Pitch Showcase held last March 20, the Selection Committee composed of filmmakers Alemberg Ang and JP Habac, and FDCP Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia picked 10 finalists among the pool of over 200 outstanding projects with a shortlist of 18 story concepts.

The 18 filmmakers went through an intensive online Story Development Lab last year focusing on their scripts, and attended a Pitching Lab to master how to effectively pitch their projects to possible co-producers and financiers. The top 10 finalists will undergo the Safe Filming Lab and Editing Lab before their final exhibition at PPP 2021. 

The 10 Official Finalists of Sine Kabataan 4 Short Film Competition:

“Abot Kamay Ang Langit” by Brian Spencer B. Reyes

After waking up in an empty city, two street kids have all the freedom to do whatever they want.

“Ang Bunga sa Tiyan ni Adam” by Ella Louise B. Salomon

A teenage boy tells his girlfriend he is pregnant after taking a pregnancy test.

“Jombi” by Angela Francesca V. Andres

A bullied gloomy girl finds out her friend is a zombie.

“Mga Ulap Tayong Nagiging Ulan” by Demetrio E. Celestino III

An anthropomorphic cloud named Ulap shares how it achieves small wins in this natural cycle of life, one that dwells on the commonality that suggests “mga ulap tayong nagiging ulan”.

“Reconnected” by Judd Bradley Avelino

After a total blackout ruins his daily routine, a 20-year-old man goes out to experience the world with only physical connection.

“Love in the Ungodly Hour” by Bradley Jason Pantajo

As two young men reconnect with each other, questions about the past begin to arise.

“Si Jet at ang Dark Lord ng Dol Gurskul” by Terence Giourdan Gonzalves

A young boy cuts class to plot his revenge with his imaginary friends against Dark Lord Marcoth.

“Ang Alamat ng Prinsipe at Mandirigma” by Jacob Mikhail U. Collado

After being scolded by his father for a leaked sex tape online, his younger brother tells him a story in a makeshift blanket fortress.

“Ang Balay ni Conrad” by Ardinian Jaq Sanque

A homeless boy trying to build himself a house on the side of the street rescues a boy whose life is the exact opposite of his.

 “Jeremy Supot” by James Allen Fajardo

Harassed by school bullies for being uncut, a teenage boy decides to sell his cellphone to afford circumcision.

Established in 2017, Sine Kabataan is conducted alongside the PPP wherein the finalists’ short films are screened nationwide during the PPP duration, with one short film shown before an official PPP entry.

“We are truly proud that Sine Kabataan this year is able to provide funding support for the production of short films of very promising filmmakers all over the country. Let us continue to nurture our young filmmakers by giving them platforms to tackle issues relevant to the youth. This is the goal of Sine Kabataan and we commend the finalists for bravely covering themes such as the impact of technology to society, poverty, social divide, bullying, family, HIV, teenage pregnancy, LGBT, and mental health,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

In September 2020, filmmakers of the shortlisted projects were also given access to masterclasses in FDCP’s Film Industry Conference and Workshop Series Online.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SineKabataan.

 

DOTr Maritime sector in full force in assisting COVID-19 positive Filipino crew members aboard vessel from India

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

The maritime sector of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), consisting of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), together with the agency members of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) Port of Manila, are currently in full force in assisting all Filipino crew members aboard a COVID-19 positive vessel “MV Athens Bridge” from India.

According to the vessel’s shipping agent, MV Athens Bridge departed from India on 22 April 2021 and arrived in Haiphong, Vietnam on 01 May 2021 for the conduct of the crew’s RT-PCR test. It was later on found that out of the 21 Filipino crew members onboard, 12 of them tested positive of COVID-19.

On 06 May 2021, the PCG received a request from the vessel’s captain to execute a medical evacuation of the two (2) crew members who both needed urgent medical care. The vessel, at that time, was located 12 nautical miles west of Corregidor Island.

Upon securing clearance from the BOQ and the Department of Health (DOH), MV Athens Bridge was directed to the quarantine anchorage area designated by the OSS Port of Manila. Security is also provided by the PCG to ensure that no unauthorized vessel or banca will approach the vessel.

Early evening of the same day, BOQ doctors boarded the vessel to assess the condition of the crew and recommended the immediate medical evacuation of two (2) crew members in critical condition.

As of press time, the crew members in critical condition have been safely evacuated and brought to the dedicated medical facility for treatment. The rest of the crew are contained in the vessel and shall be provided with needed medical supplies, including oxygen tanks, with assistance from BOQ and PCG.

The national government, through the maritime sector of the DOTr, assures that the situation and the condition of the crew members will be consistently monitored. Health and safety protocols will also be prioritized throughout the entire process.