La Union Makes History as First PH Province to Obtain IMS Certification in All of its District Hospital

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Gov Rafy Ortega-David (6th from left), former Gov Pacoy Ortega (7th from left), and Board Member Cynthia Bacurnay (5th from right) with the ISMS Auditors and the Chief of Hospitals of the province of La Union.



The Provincial Government of La Union lauds the perseverance of every front liner and employees of La Union District Hospitals who were awarded with the Integrated Management System (IMS) Certification, making La Union as the first ever province in the whole Philippines to house hospitals that passed the three IMS standards.

The district hospitals, namely Balaoan District Hospital (BalDH), Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH), Caba District Hospital (CDH), Naguilian District Hospital (NDH), Rosario District Hospital (RDH), and La Union Medical Center (LUMC), were audited thoroughly after passing all the standards that include ISO 9001:2015 or the Quality Management System (QMS); ISO 14001:2015 or the Environmental Management System (EMS); and ISO 45001:2018 or the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). Adhering to these standards is an indication of the people-oriented service from the employees, complying with the values of the province.

Among the good points emphasized by the auditors include commendable commitment by the top management and staff in implementing IMS; detailed SWOT Analysis and Risk Registry; Comprehensive IMS Management Review minutes of meeting; Availability of EMS Procedure; Commendable presentation of records and documents, and the competency of all workers; valid with PRC license. These are all essential factors in obtaining the highest standards in the services relating to the systematic integrated management system of the medical and health sector in the country.

The auditors also commended the compliance of the hospitals that were evident in how they ensured that all the rules and regulations were followed, and the requirements needed were provided. With this, the hospitals secured the first spot in the whole country in obtaining IMS Certification. This award is a manifestation of the diligence and persistence of the employees in contributing to the welfare of every Kaprobinsiaan.

Rooted in the initiative of immediate past Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David commits to support the district hospitals and their employees as they continue to reinforce their effort and strive to pursue a more improved systematic integrated management system in the Province following the collective help from every Kaprobinsiaan centered on #LaUnionPROBINSYAnihan.

Gov Rafy Ortega-David (extreme right), former Gov Pacoy Ortega (second from left) with the ISMS Auditors and the Chief of Hospitals of the province of La Union.

The said certification was awarded by Rannie Bernardino, the lead editor of National Quality Assistance (NQA) Philippines during the PGLU Capitol Flag Ceremony on Oct. 3, 2022. The certification was received by Gov. Rafy, BalDH Chief Dr. Mark Anthony Tomboc, BDH Chief Dr. Zenserly Pagaduan, CDH Chief Dr. Gretchen Aromin, NDH Chief Dr. Dan William Dacanay, RDH Chief Dr. Michelle Arellano, and LUMC Chief Dr. Glenn Earnest Fonbuena.

Coins.ph Teams Up with PBA Veteran Jared Dillinger to Help Build Financial Access to Crypto and Web3

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Popular basketball player and crypto influencer will collaborate with Coins.ph on an educational video series called Courtside Crypto to help Filipinos take control of their crypto journey



Coins.ph (“Coins” or the “Company”), the Philippines’ leading crypto exchange platform, is excited to announce an upcoming partnership with Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Jared Dillinger on a series of educational videos and social media engagements to empower basketball fans and Filipinos everywhere to take control of their finances.

Dillinger is a 14-season veteran of the PBA and a fan favorite in the Philippines with eight championship titles to his name, most recently with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. He formerly played for the Philippines under Gilas Pilipinas. He is also a crypto and NFT enthusiast who got his start in the Web3 space during the pandemic.

“Jared is the perfect person to lead our newest educational outreach efforts because he knows these technologies himself and is deeply embedded in the Web3 community. Our partnership with the PBA is all about spreading awareness and understanding among basketball fans, and this collaboration with Jared is an exciting extension,” said Coins CEO Wei Zhou.

“We are all aware of the steep learning curve that beginners go through in their crypto journeys. I am excited to help bring basketball and crypto together through Coins.ph. I strongly believe crypto and Web3 are the new digital eras we are moving towards, and there is no better time than now to start learning and exploring. I hope that through educating others, I can help change their lives for the better,” said Dillinger.

As a Coins Champion, Dillinger will promote crypto education through the Courtside Crypto educational video series, which will be available on TikTok, YouTube and the official Instagram channels of Coins (@coinsph) and Jared Dillinger (@jdaredevil2). The videos will explain some of the basic concepts around cryptocurrencies, NFTs and other digital assets, with the first episode scheduled to kick off in the first week of October. Fans and followers will also get a look inside the everyday life of a PBA player and a chance to interact with Dillinger online and ask questions about his experiences as a professional athlete and crypto investor.

The Courtside Crypto series is the latest development in the long-term involvement of Coins in Philippine sports.

In June this year, Coins became the exclusive crypto partner of the PBA with a vision of bringing crypto and financial inclusion into the basketball world. Coins strengthens this relationship through ongoing collaborations with popular and influential PBA players like Dillinger, whose involvement will help increase fans’ awareness of crypto and Web3.

While the Courtside Crypto video series is the latest educational initiative spearheaded by Coins, the company has separately launched Coins Academy, a collection of educational resources on its website earlier this year. Coins Academy empowers everyday Filipinos to boost their cryptocurrency and financial knowledge within and beyond the crypto community.



About Coins.ph

Launched in 2014, Coins.ph is the most established crypto brand in the Philippines and has more than 16 million users. Through the easy-to-use mobile app, users can buy and sell a variety of cryptocurrencies and access a wide range of financial services. Coins.ph is fully regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and is the first crypto-based company in Asia to hold both Virtual Currency and Electronic Money Issuer licenses from the central bank. For further information, contact marketing@coins.ph.



For more information about Coins.ph, visit https://coins.ph and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Solon, advocates push for Trans Fat Free Philippines Law to ‘protect Pinoy heart’

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



A group of doctors, lawyers and a lawmaker on Thursday expressed alarm over the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among younger Filipinos. In a press conference to commemorate World Heart Day, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) said that Filipinos who suffer from stroke and other heart conditions are getting younger.

“Heart problems are no longer just old man's disease,” said Dr. Luigi Segundo, Director of PHA. “There is an alarming trend of Filipinos in their thirties having premature heart attack and stroke,” he added.

PHA linked CVDs to the high intake of trans fatty acids and a sedentary lifestyle, among other factors. Industrially-produced trans fatty acids or iTFAs are a toxic compound added by food manufacturers to their products to prolong their shelf life. Margarine, baked goods, and instant coffee are just some of the food items known to have high traces of iTFA.

Heart disease kills 345 Filipinos every day

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Atty. Ma-anne Rosales-Sto. Domingo of public interest law group ImagineLaw said that CVDs like coronary heart disease and stroke remain to be the top killer in the Philippines. “Every day, 345 Filipinos are killed by heart disease,” she said. “Eliminating trans fat in the Philippine food supply should be a priority to break this deadly chain and improve Filipinos’ heart health,” Atty. Rosales-Sto. Domingo added.

Dr. John Juliard Go, National Professional Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Philippines, said that iTFA causes heart disease and deaths, and has no known health benefit. Trans fat elimination will save lives and prevent CVDs, according to the WHO.

“Trans fat elimination is a multi-sectoral work, and we encourage all stakeholders to support and work together to reduce premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases,” Dr. Go urged.



Trans Fat Free Philippines Law pushed

Early this year, Laguna 1st District Rep. Ann Matibag filed House Bill No. 1485 or the Trans Fat Free Philippines Bill that will prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of processed and prepackaged foods with high trans fat content.

“The bill will also provide for training for food manufacturers to allow them to switch to healthier fats and oils, and for research on other healthy alternatives,” said Rep. Matibag.

Counterpart measures were also filed in the Senate by Senators Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr., and Joel Villanueva. Four other similar measures were filed in the House of Representatives. All bills are pending in their respective Committees on Health.

ImagineLaw urged the House and Senate leadership to act on the said measures. “We urge the health committees of both chambers to set the hearing for the trans fat elimination bills, as soon as possible,” Atty. Rosales-Sto. Domingo said.

“The time to act is now – by removing trans fatty acids from the food [Filipinos] will eat, the risk of them contracting heart disease will be significantly reduced,” Rep. Matibag concluded.

“13th of September” -- The Philippines’ official entry to THEATERWELTEN’s theater worlds 2022 all set for October 15 performance, Germany

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



After its celebrated run in the 9th Festival International de Théâtre De Mont-Laurier in Quebec, Canada, “13th of September” is all set for yet another international show at the THEATERWELTEN 2022 on Saturday, 15 October 2022 at the Cultural Center Dieselstrasse in Esslingen, Germany, now with the support of the Philippine and German government, National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and Bund Deutscher Amateurtheater (BDAT). This opportunity and privilege to represent the Philippines fulfills one of the goals of BOGT Philippines to create and produce shows for international theater festivals.

“13th of September” is a Reimagination of Lanie Robertson’s “The Insanity of Mary Girard”, written and translated by playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc, directed by Riki Benedicto, with actors Marco Calilao, Norman Peñaflorida, and Lao Rodriguez who now takes the role of Mary Girard.

JayLo Conanan (Production Designer), Katreen Dela Cruz (Production and Stage Manager), Roldan Lozano (Lights Designer), and Ces Valera (Projection Designer) complete the delegation of 8 who will fly to Germany this October.

THEATERWELTEN is both a festival and an international theater encounter. It is held every two years since 2015 and - due to the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - had its first ever digital festival in 2021, which was also attended by BOGT Philippines. This year’s festival will be held from 13 - 16 October 2022 with performances coming from 8 countries: Philippines, Ukraine, Chile, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Germany, and Israel. An accompanying symposium will examine the topic of “Theater and Safe Spaces'' from local and global perspectives: Is theatre a safe space? How does it affect participation in social events?

The Philippines’ representation at the festival does not end on the stage after the curtain closes as Director Riki Benedicto leads two days of Stage Combat workshops (October 14 and 15, 2022) in Sporthalle der Gemeinschaftsschule. Stage Combat is an artistic representation of fighting based on principles of reality using techniques that ensure the safety of actors on stage, all the while showcasing the fight’s aesthetic aspects and dramatic power.

Any play can, practically, be “based on a true story” but “The Insanity of Mary Girard” is one of the few that took real-life events into a haunting and highly theatrical piece. Mary Girard (1758–1815) was committed to an asylum in 1790 where her husband declared her legally insane. During her confinement, she gave birth to a baby girl – unsure who the father was – who died five months later. After residing in the insanity ward for 25 years, she was laid to rest somewhere on hospital grounds, her grave unmarked.

SYNOPSIS

Sunday Evening, Mary Girard is preparing for her last night in Pennsylvania Asylum. Now, 56, her age is visible after more than two decades re-living the moments of her life inside the asylum. While doing her daily routine and preparation with other patients, her past is dawning inside her, the memories of her mother, husband and her dear daughter are right in front of her and it seems like she’s “sane” once again. As for her last night with the tranquilizing chair, she will fight and relive the moments of lies and betrayal that have never been proven.



ELJAY CASTRO DELDOC - PLAYWRIGHT

After the launch of one of his notable pieces, “Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog” with Tanghalang Pilipino, ELJAY CASTRO DELDOC makes his debut in the international scene with “13th of September” together with his dramaturg, Drew Espenocilla. In this piece, they illustrate the “present-time Mary Girards” as victims of a harsh society whose leaders are oblivious to the horrendous truth – that the Philippines is living within a culture that emphasizes resilience and humor amid suffering and pain making it difficult to talk about mental illness where you have no other choice but to be strong – both mentally and emotionally. They regard that, as people, we put so much importance in being able to roll with the punches, almost to the point that it’s a requisite to master how to laugh in the face of misfortune. This is why, despite the growing call to recognize mental health as a legitimate public health concern, initiatives to resolve this remain limited.

Eljay has been a part of The Virgin Labfest for six consecutive years since 2013. His most notable plays are first staged in this festival: “Owel”, “Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal”, “Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala”, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award-winning “Pilipinas Kong Mahal With All the Overcoat”. In 2016, “Si Maria Isabella…” was mounted by Bindlestiff Studio in San Francisco, California. Recently, he ventured into producing teleplays as a part-time writer for GMA 7. He’s part of the writing team of “Juan Tamad”, “Naku Boss Ko”, “Conan My Beautician”, and “I Heart Davao”.



RIKI BENEDICTO - DIRECTOR

Director RIKI BENEDICTO has headed several productions with Tanghalang Pilipino, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Virgin Labfest and Dulaang Filipino. True to BOGT’s primary objective, he has been consistently elevating the presence of Philippine theater globally with his directorial works in Dulaang Filipino’s Out at Sea (7th Montreal International Theatre festival) and Oedipus (7th Festival international de Théâtre de Mont-Laurier). The latter was awarded Best International Performance and special Jury prize in Teatralny Koufar in Belarus, SETKANI/ENCOUNTER International Theater Festival’s SWAG Award in Brno Czech Republic and Best International Performance in Escenamateur Spain. Solomon also won Best International Performance in Escenamateur Spain.

He received Best Director for a Musical and Best Director for Non-Musical nominations from ALIW awards in 2017 and 2018, respectively, Best Director for Philippine LEAF Awards 2020, and he is also the first ever Filipino professional jury in SETKANI/ENCOUNTER International Theater Festival in Czech Republic last 2021.

Riki is, once again, putting forward another universal concern in Eljay Castro Deldoc’s “13th of September” where he aspires to “challenge society’s restrictive definition of sanity, gender and sexuality or even your perception of truth - truth is relative.”



CAST

NORMAN PEÑAFLORIDA wears many hats in the events industry and in theater - Production Designer, Stylist, Stage Manager, Host, Actor and Singer and the proud and hard-working proprietor of THE CLOSET Events and Image.

His wide range of theater experience traces back to Gantimpala Theater Foundation, for decades he acted on several productions of the company under the artistic direction of the late Tony Espejo. From the famous Four Classics to original Filipino musicals. He was the 2018 ALIW awardee for Best Featured actor for Artist's playground "Geegee at Waterina" and the the first Outstanding actor in a featured role in the 1st Philippine L.E.A.F awards for "Nakakapagpabagabag".

With a natural leaning on design Norman was part of the Philippine delegate to the ASEAN Design Workshop and and currently the resident stylist of the award winning cultural online program of the National Commission for Culture and The Arts' (NCCA) "PADAYON".

Currently he is the co-chairman of UNESCO - International Theater Institute - Philippines Center.



MARCO EDWARD CALILAO was a former member of Sining-Lahi Poly Repertory. He has been part of several productions as an actor and production staff. Some of the memorable plays were Orlando Nadres’ “Hanggang dito na lamang at maraming salamat”, Chris Marinez’s “Sabado sa Sams” and “Last Order sa Penguin”; and Rody Vera’s “Luna: Isang Romansang Aswang”. He also had the chance to be one of the contestants for a noontime show, Its Showtime’s “Ms. Q&A: Intergalaktik” where he won Best in Chukchak.



PAOLO RODRIGUEZ, a.k.a. LAO, completes the cast taking along with him his expertise on television and film acting. Among his notable appearances were Erik Matti’s BuyBust, OTJ The missing 8 and Honor Thy Father, Halik sa Hangin and The Broken Marriage Vow. He was part of Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company in 2002. Since then he has performed in a wide variety of productions, from his very first, Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon, to musicals (Zsa Zsa Zaturnah and Noli Me Tangere) to his title role and the critically acclaimed The Romance of Magno Rubio.

`

The artistic team of “13th of September” are as follows: Riki Benedicto (Director), Eljay Castro Deldoc (Playwright), Drew Espenocilla (Dramaturg/English translation), Jay Lorenz Conanan (Production/Costume Designer), Roldan Lozano (Lights Designer), Ces Valera (Projection Artist), Paw Castillo (Photo and Graphic Artist), and Jared Acuna (Video Artist).



BOGT Philippines is a team of professional theater and film practitioners based in Manila, Philippines. The group’s major goal is to create and produce shows for different international theater festivals. They want to boost the presence of the Philippine theater in the international realm and at the same time, bring home and share their learnings to Filipino professional and school-based theater companies.

For further details, please check their social media: Facebook (BOGT Philippines). #sep13mberPHL #sep13mberGER

The World's eight best escape rooms worth traveling for!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Are you excited by the title? I mean, you should be! 10 Best Escape Rooms? Every escape room lover's dream! But we've covered you even if you don't know what escape rooms are! Let's go along on this ride, shall we?


Escape Rooms are the rooms where you go to play but in real time! In simple terms, you get locked up or stuck in a room where it's hard to escape. And now you have to find tools or a way out of it. And the way out is laced inside the room with puzzles, clues, and hints in between! So, everything is laid out in front of you to solve it. In short, with the help of these puzzles and tips, you have to find the key or solution & then you have to escape the room!


Now that we know what Escape rooms are let's go towards the World's eight Best Escape Rooms Worth Travelling For!

 
The Laboratory in Bunschoten, the Netherlands

The thrilling escape room with only a 50% chance of getting out! It's based in Bunschoten, Netherlands, and it's quite a treat. It's often rated as the best escape room in the Netherlands! It was founded on a great storyline... The website says...

"The infamous Doctor Steiner has gone completely mad. The mysterious and cold ambiance is still present after 72 years in this first escape room of all escape rooms in The Netherlands.

Will you and your team be capable of discovering what Doctor Steiner experienced 72 years ago?"

You get time, access to the theme, several other pools, and arcade games beforehand! It's said to be very logical & based on simple problem solving that you are bound to fall in love with!

 
The Mr. X Mystery House in Shanghai

It's a famous one from China! It has five rooms full of mystery and puzzles, starting from the entrance! It's based on many themes from various cultures. You will be given one hour inside each room and can go in a group too! It's a sensory experience for both mind and body as these are hard and require your body to wriggle in small places, slide like a ninja, and even go through lasers. You must use your whole mind and body to get out of this one!

 
The Room Berlin

This is also a very challenging one! It consists of 4 rooms filled with different themes, and you're given 60-75 minutes to finish each one! These are amazingly crafted for people and offer some serious graphics and aesthetics! You will be amazed by how wonderfully they are made! Words are not enough to describe how amazing these are! They are award-winning escape rooms, so you know you are in for a real deal! They received the Golden Lock-In award in 2017 and many later on! If one visits Berlin, one should check this out!


Locked In: The Birmingham Escape Game in Birmingham: 

- This is an excellent place to explore... They have three different rooms to go and solve, which are not scary. You get 60 minutes with your team of 2-8 people. Here, you might need to find proof of a conspiracy, a cure to an epidemic, or the answer to a classroom mystery! But don't underestimate them, as they are pretty tricky to get around! You should go to Birmingham for this cause!

 
Paradox Project 2

The Bookstore Escape Room Athens: - This one is a whole house for you to solve! Filled with secret basements and passageways and a unique theme with scary elements, this is sure to get your heart pumping! You have earned yourself 200 minutes in total to solve it! It is inside a bookstore that is so unique and new. It's the best way to experience real escape as it's a whole house to solve. The pictures are something worth checking out as well. Worth visiting Athens for!

 
The Basement in Los Angeles

The city of Hollywood has a fantastic escape room on the board! This is rated as the best #1 Escape Room in the USA! And it's said to be quite scary. Many people are terrified to go there. So only go if you are a brave heart in real life! You are locked in a basement of a cannibalistic killer/psychopath who has had a traumatic childhood and a weird sense of justice revolving around him. You have only 45 minutes to do it before his dinner. With several things distracting you and scaring you on your way. Can you escape?

 
The Office in Philadelphia

What would you do if you were just stuck in an Office forever? This is a nightmare for all of us, and this escape room fulfills this nightmare! There are tables, desks, and computers filled with scary elements and loads of puzzles! You will get stuck in this dull place and feel like there is no escape like you do in real/day-to-day life. But here, you can escape! You must solve puzzles and mysteries and get out of this Office themed escape room soon!

 
The Catacombs Escape Room Paris:

Saved the best for the last! Have you heard about the Catacombs underneath the beautiful city of Paris? These are underground ossuaries (where remains of the dead are kept) in Paris, France, which hold the remains of more than six million people in a small part of a tunnel network built to consolidate Paris' ancient stone quarries. Imagine an escape room theme to this! It's not for the faint of the heart, as it's pretty scary! Do it only if you can handle these tunnels.


That's all for the ten best escape rooms in the World primarily catered to you! Do visit them once, whether you are traveling in the country. Or visit the country only for these escape rooms, if you can! Try these out, and let us know your experience in the comments below!

Author Bio: Charlotte Lin is a content creator at escaperoom.com. She’s a passionate young woman, mother to an amazing nine-year-old, and an avid reader. Over the years, writing has helped her explore and understand the world as well as her own self. She loves to travel, meet new people, and spend quality time with her daughter. You can find her on LinkedIn.  

Metro Manila subway to generate employment, bring comfort, convenience

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

While the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is expected to provide comfort and convenience to commuters, the Philippines’ “Crown Jewel” of mass transit system will also generate employment for Filipinos, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Monday, 03 October 2022.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the Metro Manila Subway Project’s Contract Package 104, Secretary Bautista said the project will provide over 18,000 jobs for Filipinos during its construction phase.

“Construction is estimated to create more than 18,000 jobs,” Secretary Bautista said.

According to Secretary Bautista, the Metro Manila Subway, will provide a comfortable, convenient, safe, and affordable transportation to commuters once completed.

Secretary Bautista stressed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is committed to complete the project at full speed as the agency “owes it to the commuting public.”

President Bongbong Marcos said the Metro Manila Subway is expected to stir up economic activity in key areas covered by the project and ensure opportunities for businesses.

“With the improved linkages of key areas and business districts in the Metro as well as the availability of stalls and other stores in the stations, and nearby markets, we can see more business opportunities to entrepeneurs, investors and additional economic activity,” President Marcos, who led the ground breaking ceremony, said.

The President added that the project is likewise expected to increase Filipinos’ efficiency with less travel time expected during their commute with the help of the underground rail line.

“As our people gain more time by cutting long hours of travel, we can now engage in more worth while and productive endeavors, making time for greater self improvement and equally important-- spending quality time with their families,” he said.

The MMSP’s Contract Package 104 (CP104) is part of the seven civil work contracts of the project, and covers the construction of the Ortigas and Shaw Blvd. Stations and tunnels with a total route length of 3.397 kilometers.

With a total of 33-kilometer route length and 17 stations, the Metro Manila Subway will cut across eight local government units that will stretch from Valenzuela City to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City with a spur line to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

Funded by the Japanese government, the Metro Manila Subway will be the first underground mass transit system in the Philippines – a modern railway system that will be at par with the rest in the world.

The rail line aims to cut travel time between Quezon City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from the present one hour and 10 minutes to just 35 minutes. Once operational, the underground railway system can service up to 519,000 passengers daily.

For its 21st edition, PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival runs at the Shang for the first time

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Catch Instituto Cervantes’ film festival starting Oct. 5 at the Red Carpet!


From October 5 to 16, 2022, the 21st edition of PELÍCULA-Spanish Film Festival will return to in-person screenings. After two years of having a virtual festival, PELÍCULA will screen more than twenty movies in three venues of Metro-Manila –Edsa Shangri-La Plaza, Cine Adarna at UP Diliman, and Instituto Cervantes Intramuros branch.

Since its creation in 2002 by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, PELíCULA has been an annual attraction in Philippine theatres. After the Covid-19 crisis, which forced cinemas to close worldwide and caused audiences of PELíCULA to migrate online, the festival returns to the big screen, on a first-come, first-served free admission basis. Furthermore, as well as in-person screenings in Metro Manila, the Festival will also host online screenings for the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia.

PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival is showcasing 13 movies at Red Carpet at the Shang kicking off with El buen patron. It’s a 2021 comedy directed by award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Fernando León de Aranoa and starring Oscar winner Javier Bardem. It’s about an owner of an industrial scales manufacturing business who tries to get his company an award in excellence while resolving problems with his workers at the same time.

Other comedy movies in the lineup include El test, a 2022 Dani de la Orden flick about a broke couple who have to decide whether to get €100,000 now or €1,000,000 10 years later, and Con quién viajas, a dialogue-heavy road film full of comical situations and thrills and tension. It’s directed by Martín Cuervo and released in 2021.

More feel-good films are screening at the festival. La boda de Rosa is a 2020 romcom film by Icíar Bollaín that portrays a burnt-out woman in her mid-40s who sets out to start anew by marrying herself. Sentimental is a 2020 Cesc Gay film about two couples who explore the secrets of keeping the fire alive in long-term relationships. Rendir los machos, a 2021 David Pantaleón film, tells the story of two brothers who are forced to move their cattle across the wild and hand over them to their greatest rival to receive the inheritance from their father.

The festival also screens documentaries like the 2022 Laura Hojman film A las mujeres de España; María Lejárraga that tells the story María Lejárraga, writer and pioneer of feminism in Spain during the 1920s; and thrillers like La hija, Manuel Martín Cuenca’s 2021 movie about a pregnant teenager from a juvenile detention who agreed to give her baby to a couple desperate to have a child.

It also features dramas such as Maixabel, a 2021 Icíar Bollaín production based on a true story of a widow who met one of her husband’s assassins in prison after breaking ties with the Spanish separatist group ETA, and El olvido que seremos, a 2020 Colombian film by Fernando Trueba about an author recounting his life with his father who fought against oppression and social inequality and killed by Colombian paramilitaries.

PELÍCULA is also promoting Latin American films such as the Panamenian romcom Algo azul (Mariel García Spooner, 2021) on a hotel employee who steals an expensive wedding dress; and Competencia oficial, a 2021 Spanish-Argentinean comedy directed by Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn, and led by Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, and Oscar Martínez. It’s about a wealthy businessman who wants to produce a brilliant art film.

To celebrate its 21st edition, PELÍCULA is going to screen a celebrated classic Spanish film, the Cannes winner Muerte de un ciclista (Juan Antonio Bardem, 1953), which is a social realist Spanish drama about an adulterous pair of lovers whose lives are about to turn around after hitting a cyclist.

As part of its longtime tradition, the festival is encouraging moviegoers to vote for their favorite entry. The film with most votes will receive the Audience Choice Award and will be screened again on PELÍCULA’s closing night. All the movies are in Spanish or their original language with English subtitles. Catch one of the most beloved cultural events in the country, don’t miss the PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival for the first time at the Red Carpet in Shangri-La Plaza starting October 5!

PELíCULA 2022 is a project of Instituto Cervantes in Manila and Sydney, the Embassies of Spain in the Philippines and Australia, and the AECID, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Shangri-La Plaza, Instituto Etxepare, Filmoteca Vasca, the Embassy of Colombia in the Philippines, the Embassy of Panama in the Philippines, the UP Film Institute, the University of the Philippines, Intramuros Administration, Vibal Foundation, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Acciona, Rustan’s, Arthaland, La Pícara, and Emperador.

All the screenings are FREE entrance. All the movies are in Spanish (or their original language) with English subtitles. For updates on the Festival, please visit the website of the Festival (https://pelikula.org), or the Facebook pages of Instituto Cervantes de Manila (www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila)

and Shangri-La Plaza www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.

Gov’t trade show revitalizes PH food exports, love for local flavors

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Most innovative food products recognized

Government-run food trade show IFEX Philippines 2022 successfully kicked off at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on Thursday, September 22. IFEX Philippines welcomed nearly 6,000 local and foreign buyers and visitors from all over the world during the three-day event, initially generating approximately USD 100 million in export sales and PHP 56 million in domestic sales. These figures are still expected to increase. More than 300 Philippine exhibitors showcased thousands of premium Philippine food products at the event.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, and its Vice-Chairperson Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda "Imee" Marcos, graced the event to support the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) thrust to uplift the country's food micro, small and medium food enterprises (MSMEs).

Among those who were also present at the opening ceremony were top foreign and Philippine government officials: Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); CITEM Deputy Executive Director Ma. Lourdes Mediran; H.E. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Commercial Counsellor Serhan Ortaç of the Turkish Embassy; Assistant Director Jhino Ilano of the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB); Executive Director Maria Rita Matute of the Design Center of the Philippines; Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera of Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC); Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, President and CEO of PHILEXPORT; and Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher de Venecia.

Deputy Executive Director Ma. Lourdes D. Mediran of CITEM, the promotions arm of DTI and event organizer, said that IFEX Philippines 2022 is designed to be “a site of reunion and rediscovery” where Philippine food companies and international buyers can reaffirm their partnerships and make new connections. Visitors came primarily from the Philippines, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Japan, and Australia.

In her recorded keynote speech, Sen. Cynthia Villar highlighted the role of agriculture in uplifting the economy and the efforts being made to assist the sector. According to Villar, supporting the agriculture sector is necessary to ensure flexibility during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We should continue supporting our local produce to ensure our food security and self-sufficiency,” said Villar.

Meanwhile, Usec. Ireneo Vizmonte reiterated DTI’s commitment to the food sector. Vizmonte also acknowledged the global factors that affect the country’s economy, saying these conditions require sustainable and inclusive government response.

Vizmonte said that science, technology, and innovation are essential in building a competitive economy and will be central to the work of DTI under the leadership of Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

“The goal is to grow and develop globally competitive and innovative industries that support inclusive growth and improve environmental sustainability and the quality of life for Filipinos,” said Vizmonte.

According to Vizmonte, one of DTI’s priorities is the digital transformation of MSMEs and the growth and development of startups. Through innovation and digitalization, DTI aims to double its efforts to upgrade and scale MSMEs in order to improve their productivity growth, employment creation, and participation in global value chains.

“The MSME sector is instrumental to the growth of the Philippine economy, accounting for 99% of all businesses in the country. Needless to say, it is of utmost importance that we ensure that entrepreneurs have access to all the resources, platforms, and technologies that they need to grow their businesses," said Vizmonte.

In addition to supporting the MSMEs, he also said that to promote industrialization, DTI will reconfigure the export industry into three clusters: Industrial, Manufacturing, and Transport; Technology, Media, and Telecommunication; and Health and Life Sciences. Through this strategy, DTI seeks to further build up the country as an exporter of high-value products.

Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda, OIC of DTI’s Trade Promotions Group (TPG), echoed this in his recorded welcome message by highlighting programs that help MSMEs boost their competitiveness in the global market. These programs include capacity-building like the Philippine Trade Training Center's (PTTC) Global MSME Academy; export assistance programs like RIPPLES; and market access platforms like CITEM’s signature programs and participation in overseas trade fairs.

“The Philippines is one of the most exciting destinations for quality food exports, but with stiff competition from our neighbors, and other drivers such as climate change and health crises, we must continuously adapt and reassert our place in the market,” said Peñaranda.



From left to right: H.E. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, Ambassador Embassy of Pakistan, Mr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis of PHILEXPORT, CITEM Deputy Executive Director Ma. Lourdes D. Mediran; Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher de Venecia; Undersecretary Ireneo V. Vizmonte, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

Celebrating Filipino creativity and innovation in the food sector

Aside from providing an avenue for food MSMEs to showcase their goods, IFEX Philippines also recognized the most innovative products for each product category. CITEM named the winners of the Katha Awards for Food on the opening night of IFEX Philippines.

Katha Awards recognizes exporters that explore new galleries of flavors, original brand ideas, unique food fusions, and creative packaging methods. Through this, Katha Awards aims to strengthen the reputation of the Philippines as a go-to destination for globally competitive Asian food and ingredients.

Sen. Imee Marcos, Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives, delivered a special message in which she discussed the current problems in the food and agriculture sectors, including import reliance, food shortages, and hunger. She emphasized the importance of supporting the MSME sector to address these issues. Marcos also lauded efforts such as the Katha Awards, which incentivizes businesses to develop new and innovative products for export.

“The truth of the matter is that I truly believe that in the end, all these depressing views in the agricultural and food sector can only be righted by a much more vigorous and vibrant MSME and retail population,” Marcos said.

Here are the winners of the Katha Awards during IFEX Philippines 2022.

New Product Category for Beverages

Sol's Italian Food

Rafael Cococnut Cream



New Product Category for Fine food and specialties

Miguelito's International Corporation

Instant Puto Bumbong



New Product Category for Marine/Seafood

Fisher Farms Inc.

Gourmet Fillet Sampler Box



New Product Category for Meat & Poultry Products

Gulf Pacific Integrated Exports/Elarz

Corned Lechon Lagablab



New Product Category for Snack Foods & Crisp Savoury Products

Innovative Packaging Industry

OSH Choco Dipped Mango Crisps



New Product Category for Baked Goods & Confectioneries

Theo and Philo

Dark Chocolate Covered Cashew and Honey



New Product Category for Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Century Pacific Food Inc

Unmeat Luncheon Meat



New Product Category for Natural, Healthy & Organic Products

Pasciolco Agri-Ventures

Coconut Amínos



Best Booth

Fisherfarms, Inc.



Special Citation for Sustainability

HIJO Superfoods

Quirino Young Entrepreneur's Association



To learn more about IFEX Philippines, visit IFEXConnect.com.



About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For nearly 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, and sustainability sectors.

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.



About IFEX Philippines

IFEX Philippines (formerly International Food Exhibition) is CITEM's long-running trade event and sourcing program for Philippine and global food and ingredients.

Together with IFEXConnect.com, IFEX Philippines serves as a one-stop business-to-business (B2B) platform aiming to optimize their sourcing experience of buyers from anywhere in the world.

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM).

Toni Gonzaga as new Shopee brand ambassador: How many Netizens reacted negatively (14m) or positively (31m) ?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As many are now talking about Shopee's latest brand ambassador... many all looked back and couldn't forget? ...Move on or move forward na ba dapat?... Let's see if Toni Gonzaga is still an effective endorser...and if the 31million will give Shopee a good reason they chose the G..o Yung 14 million lang naman ang feeling?

Ano naman comments nung mga na layoff ng Shopee , ang chismis ay just to get Toni? Fake news o reality? I think only Shopee could confirm or deny. SHOPEE PH members react na!

Jesus Falcis wrote:

"Kakampinks should boycott Shopee - but not *just* because of Toni Gonzaga. 

Love her or hate her, Toni G is an effective endorser.

Among her contemporaries and peers in showbiz, Toni G (along with her sister Alex G) are comparatively more effective endorsers - they boost sales because they have high conversion rates.

They do not just increase brand awareness, they increase brand equity and consumption. Unlike some kakampink aligned celebrity endorsers who have high awareness rates but low conversion rates.

So Toni G is worth the money.

But the question is, is she worth more than the massive number of employees that Shopee has recently fired?

And that is why we should boycott Shopee.

More than identity politics and election affiliation of Shopee’s endorser, what’s wrong with Shopee is they chose to spend their money and capital on an effective but expensive endorser INSTEAD of ensuring it keeps as much of its employees who need the jobs.

Automation cannot justify the mass firing of employees. There’s so much to improve in customer service and complaints, handling of shipping and logistical problems, and other needs of the company that only humans can do.

Toni G is already rich. She does not need more money. She already has many endorsements from companies that are not laying off its employees.

Shopee’s employees may be comfortable than most Filipinos but getting fired puts them in a vulnerable position now - in a time when prices are high and good jobs are hard to find.

Even if Shopee got any other endorser, boycott is still right in the context of spending millions on an endorser rather than preventing mass layoffs.

A lot of us kakampinks also lead comfortable lives. So we have the luxury of prioritizing moral values and identity politics.

But we usually forget class politics - which is so fundamental and primordial because it affects human survival.

So let’s boycott Shopee - not *just* because of Toni G.

But because Shopee chose Toni G over its employees - who could have given us consumers better customer service."

Arnie Alesna posted this on his wall:

Now I think Shopee is banking on the saying even negative or bad news is still good news, because Toni G and Shopee is the trending talk of the town. The virality is real.

Will Lazada regain it's former glory as top online shopping portal?.. Parating pa lang tayo sa exciting part

Pinoy Ako Blog posts:

Twitter is abuzz with Kakampinks calling for the boycott of Shopee after the online shopping app hired the services of Toni Gonzaga as their latest celebrity endorser.

Jover Laurio, a Dilawan blogger and influencer tweeted to announce her last purchase from Shopee until Toni Gonzaga, which they have taken issue, is ditched.

Eto na ang magiging last order ko from @ShopeePH . Balik na lang ako pag iba na endorser nila. pic.twitter.com/bAJ33Srki6

— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) September 28, 2022

In light of this boycott call for Shopee because Toni Gonzaga is a PBBM endorser and enabler, to borrow their word in describing the former PBB host, Manila Bulletin writer Krizette Laureta Chu has taken to Facebook expressing with great anticipation how things will pan out for the Kakampink.

Chu, a staunch Duterte supporter, recalled the time when DDS called for the boycott of Shopee after getting Kris Aquino as endorser at the height of the issue of her funding Jover Laurio, the pro-admin netizens responded with gusto and uninstalled the app, Kris Aquino did not stay long as their endorser.

Fast forward today, Shopee is once again in the center of another controversy, this time after getting Toni Gonzaga as their latest endorser.

Chu said she can’t wait how this Toni Gonzaga boycall call will affect Shopee.

You may now read Krizette Laureta Chu’s original FB post below.

During the Duterte admin, when Shopee got Kris Aquino to endorse during the height of the issue of her funding Jover Laurio, the government supporters doubled down and uninstalled the app. Kris didn’t stay long as endorser after that. I don’t know if it had anything to do with the boycott of some supporters.

Now during the Marcos admin, as Shopee purportedly gets Marcos supporter Toni Gonzaga to be their endorser, the anti Marcos / Kakampinks are up in arms and are asking for a boycott.

Let’s see how this will affect the online shopping giant. Sayang din yung 14 m

(TBH, di ako marunong mag Shopee. Kailangan matuto ako. Parang mas nahihirapan ako sa interface nila kesa sa Lazada. Ako lang ba.)

Reaction?

Source: Krizette Laureta Chu

The post This pro-Duterte influencer is closely watching if Dilawans’ #BoycottShopeePH gets same result when DDS boycotted Shopee because of Kris A. appeared first on Pinoy Trending News.

Source: Pinoy Trending News

"May mga kakampinks business na apektado ng cancel culture, mas dadami ba ang supporters ang mga kakampinks sa cancel business or mababasawasan ang supporters nila?" - Chris Ayson

Good point..many will surely feel the "backlash" but if the 31m are avid online shoppers at Shopee, we will see... if Shopee made a good decision

Maraming tatamaan of this crazy cancel culture, not what we need right now while we try to rise above the challenges brought by the pandemic.

SSS to open two programs for members, pensioners affected by Super Typhoon Karding

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Social Security System (SSS) announced on Thursday that the SSS will open two programs to extend financial assistance to its members and pensioners in areas affected by Super Typhoon Karding.

According to SSS President and CEO Michael G. Regino, these programs are the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) for members, and the Three-Month Advance Pension for SS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners.

Under the CLAP, members may avail of a loan equivalent to the average of their last 12 monthly salary credit or the amount they applied for, whichever is lower. For the Three-Month Advance Pension, the proceeds will be based on the amount of the pensioner’s monthly pension.

“In response to the devastation brought about by Super Typhoon Karding, we will offer these two programs in the areas to be declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),” Regino said.

“We are finalizing the guidelines for these programs, and we shall release them through our website and social media channels once available,” he added.

In the meantime, members are encouraged to enroll in the My.SSS Portal of the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) as applications for the CLAP will be coursed through this channel.

Members and pensioners may follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System – SSS,” Instagram at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” and YouTube at “MYSSSPH,” or join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”