Benildeans conquer UP film tilt, vie at Sinepiyu

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Student filmmakers from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde continued their winning streak at the University of the Philippines Cine Adarna by topping the 19th Piling Obrang Vidyo or POV, an interschool film competition established in 2004 by the UP Film Institute-based student organization UP Cinema.

“Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019” by Benildean filmmaker Diokko Manuel Dionisio went on to bag POV XIX’s Best Film, Best Narrative, Best Screenplay, and Best Production Design. In the short film, two best friends scour through the town of Gapan in Nueva Ecija one midnight while searching for the house of a person whom they believe stole half of the prize they won in a gay beauty pageant.

Last year, “Pig’s Game,” written and directed by CM Bautista, also from DLS-CSB, brought home the POV Jury Prize, Best Screenplay for Bautista and co-writer Tristan Aguilar, and Best Performance for James Ramada. The film centers around a theater actor caught up in an audition for government propaganda.


Meanwhile, “Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig” (The Gossips of Cicadidae) written and directed by fellow Benildean Vahn Pascual, secured the Best Direction prize, Best Music/Original Score for Karl Arthur Javier and BenildeFilm alumna Nik Rosacay, and the Cinemasters’ Choice, an award given to the film selected by majority of the members of UP Cinema.

In Pascual’s silent film, a boy who is forced by his father to become the next folk healer of their town, secretly despises his conventional boring life. This until he falls in love with a tikbalang, a Philippine mythological creature which has the head and hooves of a horse.

In addition, “Balde at Brotsa,” which recounts the personal struggles of three artists with different forms of societal oppression, clinched Best Documentary for Josh Mutia, also a Benildean filmmaker. In the documentary, the artists must find purpose in what they make to understand what they need to do.

“The Secret Band of Thebes” by Augustine, similarly from Benilde, earned a Special Citation for Animation. In the hybrid film, nude photos and videos of a man masturbating were leaked at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. How was he able to cope with the spread of these photos and videos?

Other Benildean cinematic works such as the experimental film “People Fade as Colors Do” by Josef Edward Tafalla, and two other documentaries, “Elehiya para sa mga Memorya” by Ryan Miguel Capili and “Ang Paghahanap kay Dalagang Bukid” by Leia Amidala Santos, also made it to the chosen few of only 12 POV finalists, four films for each category, which were also shown online at cinemata.org.

“Pempem at ang Bomba Magazine” by Migs Ruallo of Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila won Best Editing for Gene Francis Sayson, Best Performance for Dada Garcia, and the Viewer's Choice award. Fellow FEU entry, “Mind Body” by Josh Van Ulric Campo, was awarded the Best Experimental Film prize.

“Itom Nga Bugas Kanaryo Nga Ugat” by Leonard Ian Billones of UP Visayas received the Jury Prize and Best Sound Design, while “Self-Portrait” by Daphnee Ferrer of UP Diliman won Best Cinematography.

Dionisio (“Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019”) and fellow Benildean Jean Evangelista (“Malikmata”) will slug it out with eight other student filmmakers in the interschool division of Sinepiyu XV, the annual film festival of FEU which runs from May 2 to 6. The Sinepiyu filmfest finalists will be shown onsite at FEU Manila and Cinematheque Centre Manila and online at JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel.

Wazzup Pilipinas Wins Most Outstanding Social Media Influencer and Online Community Award at National Customers' Choice Annual Awards

Wazzup Pilipinas, the popular social media platform founded by Ross Del Rosario, has been awarded the prestigious Most Outstanding Social Media Influencer and Online Community Award at the National Customers' Choice Annual Awards. The ceremony was held on April 26, 2023, at the City of Dreams Manila.

The National Customers' Choice Annual Awards is an annual event that recognizes businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to customer service and satisfaction. The award for Most Outstanding Social Media Influencer and Online Community is given to individuals or groups who have demonstrated exceptional social media presence and have built a strong, engaged online community.

Wazzup Pilipinas was selected as the winner in this category due to its commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive online environment for its members. The platform has consistently encouraged its users to celebrate diversity and promote positive interactions, which has contributed to its growing popularity and influence.

"We are honored to receive this award and grateful for the recognition of our efforts to create a positive online community," said Ross Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas. "At Wazzup Pilipinas, we believe that everyone deserves to feel welcomed and appreciated, and we will continue to work towards that goal every day."

The National Customers' Choice Annual Awards is an initiative of the National Customers' Choice Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in customer service and recognizing individuals and businesses that go above and beyond in delivering exceptional service.

Wazzup Pilipinas' win at the National Customers' Choice Annual Awards is a testament to its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging online community for its members. With this recognition, the platform is poised to continue its growth and influence as a leading social media platform in the Philippines and beyond.

For more information about Wazzup Pilipinas, visit their website at www.wazzuppilipinas.com.

7 Surprising Ways Soy Can Improve Your Health

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For ages, soy has been an essential food for different races worldwide. It is a little bean that packs impressive power regarding health benefits.

If you lean more toward a healthy lifestyle, a fitness lover, a vegan, or none of these options, soy should still be included in your priority list. It is a fascinating protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals source.

The crop is nutrient-dense and will do miracles as far as your health is concerned, especially minimizing the risk of cardiovascular diseases to alleviating menopause symptoms, among other health benefits. Understand that this crop is the answer if you seek a tasty and nourishing method to enhance your health. Below are seven unforeseen ways soy can help you live a healthier life.

1. Aids in Lowering Cholesterol Levels


For your information, soy's isoflavones help to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Yes, it restrains cholesterol from being absorbed into the intestines. As a result, those cholesterol cannot find themselves in your bloodstream.

Including soy in your diet is a practical approach to control cholesterol levels and lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Therefore, this innovative food and energy source gives you a quick and efficient way to back up heart health. Consider adding soy, a nutrient-dense food, to your meals and snacks.



2. Helps in Managing Menopausal Symptoms


Soy's phytoestrogens are responsible for controlling menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. These plant substances can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and relieve some menopausal symptoms because of their structural resemblance to estrogen.

Incorporating soy into your diet could be a quick but effective alternative to consider if you're having menopause symptoms and seeking a natural remedy. Soy is a beneficial addition to your wellness regimen because it can reduce symptoms.


3. Helps with Bone Health


Calcium and specific minerals needed for strong bones are plenty in soy. Undoubtedly, soy nutrition can boost bone mineral density, thus decreasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Including soy in your diet is a smooth and natural way to preserve strong, healthy bones. The crop is a necessary food option for people striving to eliminate age-related bone loss while retaining relevant bone density.

Hence, if you're looking for a nutrient-rich diet to elevate your bones' health, consider including soy in your daily meals and snacks.


4. Could Lower Breast Cancer Risk


Genistein and daidzein, two potent substances with anti-cancer effects, are present in soy. The two substances may help diminish the risk of breast cancer by blocking the development of cancer cells.

Anyone who adds soy to their diet embraces a natural method to enhance their general well-being. There is no exaggeration by any means; the fact remains that soy is a good food option for individuals who want to put their health at the forefront because of its capacity to battle cancer.


5. Can Contribute to Better Digestive Health


You will always find dietary fiber in soy. It is necessary to maintain a healthy digestive system.

If one investigates keenly, one might find that you or your loved one once or regularly encounters some of these problems: constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.

Understand that soy can be the solution to supporting your digestive health because it reinforces the development of beneficial gut bacteria. The crop is an excellent supplement to any balanced diet since it can improve intestinal health.


6. Could Lower Heart Disease Risk


Because soy has a high concentration of phytoestrogens, it is a heart-healthy food option. These plant-based substances have been associated with better lipid profiles in the blood and a lower risk of heart disease.

Soy protein also favors blood pressure and endothelial function, thus improving heart health even more. You can strive for a healthy heart and lower cardiovascular disease risk by including soy in your diet.

7. Can Aid with Weight Control


Due to its high protein content, soy is a beneficial food option for people trying to manage their weight. Anytime you eat soy, you will always feel full because it lowers hunger.

Therefore, the protein in this crop can help you sustain a healthy weight while still avoiding the high probability of being obese. With that said, it doesn't seem harmful to add this crop in your routine meals. It is nutritious and benefits you in various ways.


Final Thoughts


In a nutshell, having soy in your diet can improve your heart, digestive, bone, and weight control, among other health benefits.

But eating soy products in proportion is important because too much can have adverse consequences. For information on the best soy intake for you personally, it is strongly suggested that you speak with a healthcare professional or certified dietitian.

If you follow their advice, you can safely add soy to your diet and use its medicinal properties. Once again, to guarantee that you're eating soy in a nutritious and well-rounded way, seek guidance from experts if you're considering including it in your meals and snacks.