Camiguin is now ready to reopen its economy and tourism

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

More than a year after the island province closed its borders for tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Camiguin is now ready to reopen its economy and tourism as Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, together with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) inaugurated the improved and upgraded Camiguin Airport in Northern Mindanao on 22 October 2021.The completed projects include the fire station building, passenger terminal building (PTB), administration building, CAAP Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) building, and runway asphalt overlay.

Secretary Tugade said that as Camiguin reopens its economy and welcomes tourists starting on 25 October 2021, the completed transport facilities and infrastructure projects will augment the recovery not only of the province but the region as well.

“Sa pagbubukas ng ating paliparan, makikita natin muli ‘yung tamis at pagsigla ng ekonomiya, ‘yung tamis at pagsigla ng ating turismo. Kung sasabihin natin na ang Camiguin ay isang tourism destination, hindi ba nakakalungkot na sabihin na papaanong magiging tourism destination ‘yan kung wala ka namang paliparan na ginagamit? Kung ang isla ng Camiguin ay maganda, at tunay namang maganda, hindi ba dapat lang mabigyan ng mobility at connectivity ang mga mamamayan ng Camiguin para ng sa ganon ‘yung sigla at tamis ng Camiguin ay makita, maramdaman, masubukan muli,” Secretary Tugade said.

With Camiguin island being part of a bigger archipelago, Secretary Tugade added that there is also a need to meet the demands in maritime and road transportation. He also stressed that developments are not exclusive for big provinces but also for small areas like Camiguin.

“Asikasuhin din ‘ho natin ‘yung mga lugar na may malaking potensyal, hindi lang sa lanzones kundi sa beauty ng lugar, at sa katamisan ng hospitality ng mga tao upang sa ganon sasabihin natin sa Pilipino, sa mga biyahero at mga dumadalaw sa Camiguin: Come again to Camiguin,” Secretary Tugade added.

For his part, Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo thanked Secretary Tugade for the swift completion of projects in Camiguin Airport, which he said were long-delayed. The governor noted that it is only during the Duterte administration and the strong commitment of the DOTr, under Secretary Tugade, that the asphalt overlay of the runway was completed.

“Tungkol sa asphalt overlay, kayo lang po nakatapos nun. Nag-umpisa ang asphalt overlay noong tatay ko po ay congressman. Namatay na lang tatay ko, ‘yung pumalit ‘yung apo niya. Sa tagal, ngayon lang ‘ho natapos ito, sa apo na. Ganon pala kabagal. Reality ‘ho since 2016 hanggang ngayon, lahat po sa Camiguin lang, nangyayari po in this administration,” Governor Romualdo said.

“In behalf sa probinsya ng Camiguin, maraming maraming salamat po sa DOTr team, na tinitingnan niyo ang Camiguin. Hindi niyo pinapabayaan. Tayo ‘ho ang second smallest province but, sa tulong niyo, nangyari na po ito. Again, una hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyari, lalo na ‘yung runway, pero nangyari po during this administration. So, Secretary Art, DOTr family, Captain Sydiongco, daghan iti (maraming) salamat sa inyong pag-abiabi (pag-welcome) dito sa probinsya ng Camiguin,” the governor added.

Meanwhile, to further develop Camiguin Airport, future projects such as the expansion and improvement of check-in and pre-departure area, the provision of a control tower, and the improvement of the vehicular parking area are also slated for the airport. A feasibility study on the development of the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and jet aircraft operations has also been proposed for next year.

“By next year gagawa tayo ng feasibility study kung saan mayroon bang paglalagyan ng ibang runway or kung papano iimprove itong runway dito sa Camiguin. Ang airport naman ‘ho ay depende sa laki, depende sa lapad so depende rin sa eroplano. Ngayon kung meron flight na international o maliit na eroplano, puwede rin itong gawin na international airport.” CAAP Director General Jim Sydionco said.

FDCP’s Funding Program Awards PHP 17.3 Million to 28 Filipino Film Projects

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

To show its continued support for the production and development of Filipino films, the CreatePHFilms, the public funding initiative of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), has selected 28 Filipino film projects as recipients of CreatePHFilms funding program amounting to a total of PHP 17.3 million of selective funds.

Under the CreatePHFilm Funds for Development, the 10 chosen projects will each receive a selective, non-refundable fund of PHP 100,000 for Scriptwriting:

 

●      “6th Finger” by Sheron Dayoc

●      “Posthouse” by Nikolas Red

●      "Safari Paraiso” by Glenn Barit

●      “At the Break of Dawn” by Janice Perez

●      “Mga Banggi nin Pantomina” by Arjanmar Rebeta

●      “Symphonies from the River” by Arvin Belarmino

●      “The Gospel of the Beast” by Sheron Dayoc

●      “Ms. Mama Mary” by Sonny Calvento

●      “Dalisay” by Joseph Mangat

●      “The Merman in Koh Sichang” by Arden Rod Condez

 

The CreatePHFilm Fund for Project Development is a selective and nonrefundable fund of PHP 200,000 for production companies. These are the six selected projects that will each be given PHP 200,000:

 

●      “Pony Boys” by Daluyong Studios

●      “After Autumn” by Southern Lantern Studios

●      “The Underneath” by TEN17P

●      “Makapili” by Voyage Film Studios

●      “Stray Cats” by Southern Lantern Studios

●      “The Black Dog Which Causes Cholera” by Jim Jasper Lumbera and Joey Alexis Singh

 

The CreatePHFilm Fund for Small Budget Production is a selective recoupable fund of PHP 1 million for production companies. The three films selected to receive the PHP 1 million fund are:

 

●      “People of the Lake” by Shirin Bhandari

●      “Retirada” by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz

●      “Yellowfin” by E del Mundo

 

Two films will receive a selective equity investment fund of PHP 5 million from the CreatePHFilm Fund for Large Budget Production:

 

●      “Topakk” by Richard Somes

●      “Boldstar” by Antoinette Jadaone

 

Five projects will be granted the CreatePHFilms Fund for Post-Production of PHP 300,000, a selective fund granted to its engaged post-production company:

 

●      “Alimungaw: The Ominous Wind of Uncertainty” by Bagane Fiola

●      “Balaan: Sacred Voices, Sacred Lands” by Bagane Fiola

●      “Bukal” by Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon

●      “Ginhawa” by Christian Paolo Lat

●      “Rangtay Papan Idjaybangir” by Ferdie Balanag, Kawayan de Guia, and Padma Perez

 

The CreatePHFilms Fund for Distribution has selected two films to receive a selective fund of P300,000 for its local and overseas distribution:

 

●      “Ang Pagbabalik ng Kwago” by Martika  Escobar

●      “Whether the Weather is Fine (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon)” by Carlo Francisco Manatad

 

“Despite the major setbacks brought by the pandemic, I hope our programs to support our Filipino filmmakers will further inspire and encourage them to keep creating and honing their masterpieces. The Agency will continuously give its best to discover and develop creative talents equipped for the future of Philippine Cinema,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

CreatePHFilms 2021 Cycle 2 will soon open later in the month. Eligible applicants must be Filipino filmmakers and companies accredited by the FDCP’s National Registry, while eligible projects must have a Filipino director. Additionally, 100 percent of the funds must be spent in the Philippines for eligible expenses.

For inquiries on how to apply for the CreatePHFilm Funds for Development (Script Development and Project Development), Production (Small Budget and Large Budget), Post-Production, and Distribution, visit fdcp.ph/createphfilms.

PLDT underscores innovation as key for businesses to succeed in the post-pandemic era

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Businesses need to be agile across their operations and participate in digital ecosystems to succeed in the post-pandemic world according to the country’s largest integrated telecommunications provider PLDT.

During the recent Franchise Asia Philippines Virtual International Conference, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio stressed that Filipinos need to embrace resilience and adaptability to overcome the difficulties brought by the pandemic.

“It has become imperative to adapt and act fast—pivoting processes and operations to survive, and build resilience for a sustainable future ahead,” said Panlilio.

The PLDT executive said that the past year had presented the significance of digital transformation in every industry, which now redefines how businesses operate. Panlilio said companies strived to digitize their core processes by putting digital transformation on the top of their priority list as a long-term investment.

“It is the incubation of technology, purpose, and balance that drives people growth, business strategies, and sustainability. At the center of it all is still the customer. Hence, it is imperative to go beyond the hype of new technologies and discover how they can shape our future,” he added.

Given this scenario, PLDT and Smart have been leveraging digital technology and a robust network to deliver a world-class customer experience at the forefront of breakthrough innovations in the telco industry.

“PLDT and Smart are establishing programs that can effectively identify, evaluate, and incubate digitization to transform ourselves. By doing so, we are also creating new opportunities and harnessing advanced technologies to chart a path to the next horizon, mindful of our civic duty to help with economic recovery and overall nation-building,” Panlilio said.

Likewise, he mentioned PLDT’s continuous investment in network bandwidth capacity and fast-tracking of its fiber rollout, which has already reached over 524,000 km as of June 2021, a 22 percent increase compared to last year.

The group, through its B2B arm PLDT Enterprise, also continues to upgrade its network of 10 globally certified data center facilities to serve the hyperscaler market. PLDT is optimistic that making the Philippines a strategic hyperscaler hub in the Asia Pacific will propel the country to be the region’s next digital destination of choice by hyperscalers.

“PLDT and Smart continuously support Filipino enterprises by providing them with the best solutions available, exemplifying the most innovative digital transformation, enabling e-Industries, and empowering businesses in all shapes and sizes to evolve and thrive in this new operating condition,” he concluded.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.