PH-SG Pavilion in Cannes to Welcome Filipino Delegation, Global Stakeholders

National film agencies from the Philippines and Singapore continue their partnership at this year’s PH-SG Pavilion at the International Village in Cannes Film Festival 2022. The prestigious festival returns as an in-person event this May 17-28, 2022, in Cannes, France.

Since 2017, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), led by Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, and the Singapore Film Commission (SFC), led by Chairman Joachim Ng, have been collaborating to provide a conducive venue and a dedicated space for meetings, information resource, and business networking with Philippine and Singapore film industries. 

This year holds another big delegation for both countries as the world eases down from protocols and returns to physical attendance. From May 18-25, the PH-SG Pavilion will be holding daily networking hours from 4pm onwards that will spotlight the programs of each agency. A yearly PH-SG Reception will also be hosted by the FDCP and SFC to present co-production and co-funding opportunities for regional and global stakeholders.

FDCP is set to hold industry events for its various initiatives like the launch of FilmPhilippines Incentives, UniPhilippines Distribution Fund, FDCP Channel, and Full Circle Lab Philippines.

The anticipated event highlights of this year’s Philippine delegation at Cannes will also be held at the Pavilion, which includes the Signing of the Cooperation Agreement of the National Centre for Cinematography of France (CNC) & FDCP and the official launch of the UniPhilippines office, the FDCP's distribution arm in charge of promotion of Filipino films outside of the Philippines.

More than fifty Filipino delegates with films and projects, represented by their respective production companies, join forces to promote the Philippines under the marketing banner, "Let's Create Together." 

The Riviera’s International Village in Cannes, considered the largest film market in the world, is where local film commissions, institutional partners, and industry professionals are given the platform to meet accredited film practitioners looking for information to further their projects in countries of interest such as the Philippines and Singapore.  

“All these lead the Philippines down the road of international collaboration, and we are here telling the world "let’s create together." I have nothing but excitement and joyful anticipation for the future of Philippine and Southeast Asian Cinema. I’ve experienced how consistency, commitment and collaboration have kept our industry afloat despite the pandemic. I’ve seen how our filmmakers have kept at it with resilience and strength — this is the aspiration that we wish to bring as the Philippines, together with Singapore, representing the Southeast Asian region return to Cannes. ” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño shares.

The Philippines and Singapore are two of the few Asian countries participating in this year's Cannes. Annually, the world awaits on Asian delegation, but because of health and travel restrictions, only seven countries will be joining physically in France – this includes the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Mongolia, India as the country of honor at Marché du Film (Film Market arm of the festival), and the region’s content powerhouses, Japan and Korea. Hong Kong’s pavilion, on the other hand, will only be accessible online.

For the past five years,  the Philippines and Singapore have been collaborating together on different projects and cultural efforts in pushing Southeast Asian content to the world. This partnership has spurred many joint endeavors, such as Singapore's annual participation in the Philippines' International Film Industry Conference, the Philippines’ participation in the Asian TV Forum, both agencies’ support of the proposed ASEA-ROK Film Organisation led by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) as well as Philippines and Singapore co-produced films like Eerie by Mikhail Red, Jodilerks: Employee of the Month and Whether the Weather is Fine, both by Carlo Manatad.

All of the events are open to festival and market delegates as well as invited media attending the festival. The Film Development Council of the Philippines continues its commitment to bringing Philippine cinema to the rest of the world. Below is the complete line-up of events at the PH-SG pavilion:

VENUE: PHILIPPINE-SINGAPORE PAVILION 114 

May 18-25 /4:00 - 5:00  PM- Philippine - Singapore Daily Happy Hour

Through this daily networking hour, FDCP will showcase its programs and partners and present relevant industry announcements and programs for international stakeholders to partner and collaborate with Philippine Cinema. 

May 18 / 4:00 -5:00PM - CNC France & FDCP Cooperation Agreement Signing & Cocktails

In celebration of the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France, both countries mark this cultural milestone with the momentous signing of a new cooperation agreement between the Centre National du Cinéma et de L’image Animée (CNC) and FDCP. 

Guests: CNC COO Olivier Henard, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño

May 19 / 4:00 - 5:00PM - Full Circle Lab PH Launch

Together with its partners from Tatino Films, FDCP will officially launch the Full Circle Lab Philippines (FCL PH), a Philippine-based international lab that supports filmmakers from the Southeast Asian region through project and talent development mentored by global mentors from all over the world. 

Guests: Tatino Films CEO Matthieu Darras, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño

May 20 /4:00 - 5:00 PM - Spotlight Philippines AnnouncementsNetworking Hour 

The FDCP will present this year’s partnerships for the Spotlight Philippines Program which curates Filipino films and showcases retrospectives, special Philippine focus and screening that will highlight significant milestones of Philippine Cinema. 

Guests: : Ji.hlava Film Festival, Holly Shorts Film Festival 

May 21 /4:00 5:00 PM - Philippine x Singapore Pavilion at the Marché du Film Reception Night 

An annual reception hosted by FDCP and the Singapore Film Commission as joint partners for the Marche du Film where each agency will be sharing their programs and opportunities for international collaborations with the Southeast Asian region and international partners. 

Guests: SFC Chairman Joachim Ng, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño

May 22 / 4:00 - 5:00PM - FDCP's UniPhilippines Launch 

The FDCP will officially launch the UniPhilippines Program along with the UniPhilippines Distribution Fund, a fund of up to 8,000 USD for the international distribution of Filipino feature length films.  

May 23 / 4:00 - 5:00 PM - FilmPhilippines Networking Hour 

The Networking Showcase will spotlight the FilmPhilippines Office and its incentive programs and funding for location filming, international and regional co-productions with the Filipino producers. 

May 24 / 4:00 - 5:00PM - FDCP Channel Launch / Networking Hour 

The FDCP will officially launch the FDCP Channel, an easy-to-use and accessible OTT streaming super platform that offers educational entertainment for local and international learners, film enthusiasts, and filmmakers through homegrown and world cinema that inspire, enrich, and challenge perspectives. 

May 25 / 4:00 - 5:00PM - Networking Hour

A Closing Networking event for international stakeholders to meet and connect with filmmakers and producers from the Philippines and the region. 

#UAAP84 Semifinals: Ateneo returns to the finals after dominating FEU

The FEU Tamaraws ends their season 84 campaign after losing to the defending champions Ateneo 72-85. 

The Blue Eagles are now waiting in the finals to defend their crown. 

Rhonjhay Abarrientos led the Tamaraws for the last time this season 84 with 16 points, one and done center Emman Ojuola gave 13 points and 14 rebounds, while graduating Brandrey Bienes added another 13 points for his last playing year for FEU. 

Cinco De Mayo Film Fest Goes to FDCP's Cinematheque Centres.

 

The Embassy of Mexico, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) brings to Filipino audiences, Cinco de Mayo Film Fest. The festival will be running from 05 to 08 May at the Cinematheque centers in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Nabunturan, and Negros.

The Embassy of Mexico and FDCP want to celebrate one of the most popular Mexican Festivities around the world, screening a cinematographic sample of Mexico`s cinema industry. With such a wide array of films to choose from, viewers of all ages, backgrounds, and interests will surely find a film that will leave them wanting more. 

Cinco de Mayo Film Fest will open its doors to moviegoers with five (5) thought-provoking and award-winning movies from Mexico. These films include Maquinaria Panamericana (2016), a film by Joaquin Del Paso, showcasing the effects on workers of the death of their boss to surreal and engaging impact with no prospect of employment elsewhere, no retirement fund, and worst, the company is in bankrupt. The film was awarded Best Mexican Film & FIPRESCI Prize at the Guadalajara International Film Festival, Best First Film at the Tucuman Film Festival, and Best Film at the Leyva Film Festival. 

Maquinaria Panamericana will be followed by romance movies such as Leona (2018) by Isaac Cherem, and Novia que te vea (1993) by Guita Schyfter. Both films showcased the upsetting reality of traditional families in which characters have to take important personal choices. Such films show a sentimental, more romantic side of Mexico’s industry and also cater to the Filipino’s appreciation for such a storyline. 

Included in this festival are Cria Puercos (2018) by Ehecatl Garcia, which storyline focuses on the grief that the death of the antagonist’s husband and the absence of her son leave in her life until a piglet comes along, and Más Amanceres (2013), a masterpiece of Jorge Leyva, distinguished as the 'Best Debut Film' at the 2013 Guanajuato International Film Festival, about the lives of two children and how their actions affect each one of them.

All films will be in Spanish with English subtitles. Entrance is free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information, please visit the Embassy of Mexico’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/embamex.filipinas/ and the Film Development Council of the Philippines website page at https://www.fdcp.ph/

Far East Film Festival to Welcome PH Delegation in Italy; Showcases 9 PH Films and a Manila Special Section

 Nine Filipino films, two Filipino film projects, one Filipino series, and a delegation of filmmakers and talents, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) participated at the hybrid 24th Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy which ran last April 22 until April 30, 2022.

The week-long jam-packed festivities at what is considered as one of the leading Asian film festivals in Europe presented a total of 72 films from 15 countries, selected from over 400 submissions.

With the UniPhilippines and FilmPhilippines Office, the FDCP led the PH delegation that participated in six events at this year’s FEFF. 

Three Filipino films, Leonor Will Never Die by Martika Escobar, Reroute by Lawrence Fajardo, and Rabid by Erik Matti were In Competition with 39 films from other Asian countries including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea. Erik Matti’s On the Job 2: The Missing 8 is one of the 7 films  featured on Best of Best Section in the Out of Competition category joining films from other Asian countries, Cambodia and Indonesia.

A special section, “Visions of Manila in Philippine Movies,” a dedicated retrospective of five Manila-themed films presenting the lifestyle of the city is also included in the festival program. Two of which are restored classics, Ishmael Bernal’s Manila by Night and Lino Brocka’s Manila sa Kuko ng Liwanag which were available for the Italian audience. Completing the showcase are Metro Manila by Sean Ellis, Neomanila by Mikhail Red, and Slingshot by Brillante Mendoza which were screened in Cinema Visionario, Udine. A gala night for the World Premiere of Manila by Night was one of the events that highlighted the Philippines. 

FDCP’s FilmPhilippines presented its incentive programs to one of the leading markets exclusive to the European-Asian film market, Focus Asia. The three-day event in the latter part of the festival was dedicated for networking of film professionals in connecting their projects with producers, distributors, exhibitors, or festival directors. The potential co-productions and co-funding within Asia and Europe filmmaking industry are the main focus of the two events under the film market. The FDCP joined the “Funding News'' alongside the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and Spain’s Catalunya Film Commission (CFC). Likewise, FDCP and CFC participated in FocusAsia Industry Circles. Filipino producer Alemberg Ang was one of the speakers at the Plan 75 plenary at the European-Asian film market. Included in the selected projects pitched at Focus Asia 2022 is Joel Ruiz’s Love at 310, a short series about the different stories of love in a motel. 

In its 13th edition, Ties that Bind (TTB) Workshop selected 25 film projects for the two-part workshop created for film professionals to have comprehensive knowledge of the European and Asian film industries. Two Filipinos have joined the first half of the workshops online and continued their TTB participation in-person in Italy this week. Alemberg Ang, co-producer of Picture House, an ASEAN Co-Production Fund (ACOF) grantee of FDCP’s Incentives Programs in 2021, was one of the film’s representatives of this film project which is a co-production by three countries—France, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Stelle Laguda, producer of RA 8491 or How we Recall Lost Memories in Transit directed by Austin Tan, also brought her project to the second part of the workshop which was done onsite that furthered her skills and connections in global cinema. TTB alumni, Bianca Balbuena, known for her produced films Fan Girl, Mina-anud, and other remarkable award-winning Filipino films, was one of the facilitators for this year’s Ties that Bind.

FEFF has tailored an education programme that cultivates the next generation of journalists—the FEFF Campus. Film student, Eunice Joyce B. Helera, was one of the ten delegates chosen to be mentored on writing about cinema. This batch of young professionals joined seminars and workshops that will be led by film professionals of different backgrounds.

“Asian cinema has truly so much to offer, and it makes us so proud that the Philippines has  consistently been a part of this showcase in FEFF. What the Far East Film Festival gives us is not only a platform to show the other side of the world what our stories are about and what we have to offer in terms of partnership and collaboration, but more importantly, a hopeful journey for the next generation of filmmakers from Asia. A truly powerful line-up of Filipino films and talents were present in Udine and we’re grateful to have shared them with our Italian audience,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO, Liza Diño shares.

FEFF 24 happened onsite and online simultaneously. A number of films were available for worldwide screening online, while others were only accessible within Italian borders. The complete list of winning films and other details on next year’s film festival is updated through their website: https://www.fareastfilm.com

Below is the full line-up of the events that the Filipino delegation participated in at the 24th Far East Film Festival with their screening dates and details:

In Competition 

Leonor Will Never Die by Martika Escobar, 26th April, 17:00, Teatro Nuovo

Reroute by Lawrence Fajardo, 29th April, 11:15, Teatro Nuovo

Rabid by Erik Matti, 26th April, 9:00, Teatro Nuovo

Out of Competition: Best of Best 

On The Job 2: The Missing 8 by Erik Matti,  22nd April, 15:00, Teatro Nuovo

Special Section: Visions of Manila (Manila at the Movies Retrospective)

Manila by Night by Ishmael Bernal, World Premiere, 25th April, 8:30, Teatro Nuovo

Manila in the Claws of Light (Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag) by Lino Brocka, 25th April, 19:15, Cinema Visionario

Metro Manila by Sean Ellis, 26th April, 14:00, Cinema Visionario

Neomanila by Mikhail Red, 27th April, 14:00, Cinema Visionario

Slingshot by Brillante Mendoza, 28th April, 14:00, Cinema Visionario

Focus Asia

Love at 310 by Joel Ruiz

Ties that Bind 

Alemberg Ang, Daluyong Studios

Project: Picture House

Stelle Laguda, KT House Productions

Project: RA 8491 or How we Recall Lost Memories in Transit by Austin Tan

FEFF Campus

​​Eunice Joyce B. Helera, Bioslide

Philippine Events

World Premiere of Manila by Night, April 25, 8:30, Teatro Nuovo

Philippine Night, April 25, 2022, 20:00, Palazzo Kechler

FilmPhilippines at Focus Asia, April 26, 14:30, Casa della Contadinaza

#UAAP84 Day 14: FEU boost their final four bid with a rout against UST.

 

The FEU Tamaraws moves to 7-7 after they demolished the UST Growling Tigers 109-65. 

Final four scenario would be: If NU wins against La Salle later today, the Tams and the Bulldogs will have to face in a do or die match for the last spot in the final four, but if NU loses today against La Salle, FEU will barge in to the last spot in the final four. 

Bryan Sajonia exploded with 27 points to lead the Tamaraws in this victory, Rhonjay Abarrientos added 11 points, while Royce Alforque and LJay Gonzales both contributed 10 points. 

Nicael Cabanero led the Growling Tigers in their last game for Season 84 with 16 points. 

Celeste Cortesi is Miss Universe Philippines 2022

  

Former Miss Philippines Earth 2018 and Miss Pasay Silvia Celeste Cortesi was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2022 in the grand coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena last night, April 30.  

The 24 year old Fil-Italian Model-Beauty Queen bested 31 other candidates including former Miss World Philippines 2019 Michelle Marquez Dee of Makati who placed as Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism, former Miss Universe Philippines 2020- 3rd Runner Up Pauline Cucharo Amelincx who was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines-Charity.

 Completing the Top 5 are Misamis Oriental's Annabelle Mcdonelle who placed as 1st runner up and finishing as 2nd runner up is former Reina Hispano Americana-Filipinas Katrina Llegado who is representing the city of Taguig.

Part of the Top 10 are Albay's Julia Saubier, Baguio's Genesis Latugat, Cebu City's Chantal Schmidt, Cebu Province's Lou Dominique Piczon, and Iloilo Province' Vanessa Ann Caro.

The Miss Universe Philippines 2022 was the grandest pageant of the franchise since it parted ways with Binibining Pilipinas back in 2019, having the reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sadnu crowning the winner, the show was also hosted by former Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach, Iris Mittenaere, and Demi Leigh Peters-Tebow.

PH Bags 3 Awards at the 19th Asian Film Festival in Italy; Brillante Mendoza Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Three out of three In Competition Filipino films won major awards at the 19th Asian Film Festival (AFF 19) which was held onsite in Rome, Italy last April 7 to 13, 2022. The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) brought a total of five Filipino films to the AFF 19, including films by Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Brillante Mendoza.

The highly-acclaimed Filipino films were chosen by the festival to be featured in this year’s showcase. Under the In Competition section are Jun Lana’s Big Night, Brillante Mendoza’s Resbak, and Erik Matti’s On the Job: The Missing 8, while Mendoza’s Gensan Punch and Daniel Palacio’s The Brokers participated in the Out of Competition and Newcomers’ section, respectively.

Two Filipino actors, Vince Rillon for Resbak and Christian Bables for Big Night! shared the Best Actor Award while Erik Matti’s On the Job: The Missing 8 received Best Film. 

The festival described the Best Film awardee, On the Job, as “filmed with mastery, with unique sequence plans, and a soundtrack that often goes in line with the dramaticness of situations, this opera has an overwhelming lining and gives us a little-known portrait of this part of the east.”

Through FDCP’s Spotlight: Philippines program, the country was represented by the film Resbak, Director Brillante Mendoza, and lead actor Vince Rillon, in the in-person event in Italy as the festival reopened its doors as a physical event. 

Aside from the screening of Mendoza’s films, he was also bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the festival for his outstanding contributions as one of the proponents of “Philippine New Wave” in filmmaking.

“We are grateful to not only be honored with these awards but by having this chance to promote these Filipino films—films that we are proud of—in established platforms such as the Asian Film Fest. This stellar line-up of masterpieces from our esteemed filmmakers are ready to take on the world. And of course, to Direk Brillante Mendoza, Direk Erik Matti, Vince Rillon, and Christian Bables who have been championing PH Cinema everywhere they go, we are extremely proud of you,” said FDCP Chair and CEO Liza Diño. 

“The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Film Festival, a prestigious international film festival known for showcasing auteur cinema from Southeast Asian countries, is a significant achievement not just for Direk Brillante Mendoza as a filmmaker, but also for Philippine Cinema. His valuable contributions through his films has helped the Philippines gain traction in the international scene,” Chairperson Diño added.

The Asian Film Festival is considered to be the top art-house cinema in presenting Eastern Asian cinema to the world. This edition featured 30 films from eight Asian countries namely China, South Korea, Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

The AFF 19 is just one of the many film festivals where Filipinos continue to shine. Through UniPhilippines and its Spotlight: Philippines program, the Film Development Council of the Philippines gets to support Filipino filmmakers by promoting PH cinema globally through showcasing retrospectives and highlighting significant milestones and key players of the industry.

Power All Day With Summerific Payday Offers From TECNO Mobile

TECNO Mobile, knows exactly how to make payday weekend even more spectacular, with huge, hotter-than-summer deals on its best-selling mobile phones and accessories at the TECNO Mobile Flagship Store in Lazada and the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall. Staying true to its commitment to deliver innovative, high-performing smartphones to emerging markets, these offerings meet both the needs and budgets of TECNO Mobile’s consumers. The brand strives to enable every Filipino to experience advanced mobile technologies that enable them to stop at nothing in their pursuit of excellence, truly making TECNO Mobile the premium smartphone brand for all. 

Epic Lazada Payday Deals

You’ve never seen anything like these massive deals coming to TECNO Mobile’s Lazada store on payday weekend. Get Php 1,000 off on the POVA 5G smartphone, which you can buy for only Php 11,990 during the sale. A CAMON 18 price drop is also happening on April 28, from Php 9,499 to Php 8,599. Also on April 28, get a Spark 8C at just Php 5,499, from its original price of Php 5,999.

From April 28 to 30, 2022, enjoy special CAMON 18 bundles, also in Lazada. CAMON 18 plus TECNO Buds 1 will be sold at Php 10,279, discounted from its regular price of Php 10,599. You can also buy CAMON 18 bundled with TECNO Buds 2 for just Php 9,099 , from its retail price of Php 10,498. TECNO Buds 1 will be offered at a special Buy 1 Take 1 deal as well, for only Php 2,129, on these dates. Buy 1 Take 1 on TECNO Buds 2 will also be available for just Php 1,739.

Stellar Shopee Offers

Visit the TECNO Mobile Shopee store from April 29 to May 1, 2022, and save up to Php 2,000 on select smartphones. Shoppers will also get a free DITO Family Sim Pack (Trio) with each purchase. 

Accessories Hot Summer Sale

TECNO Mobile’s AIoT devices are the perfect match to any of its smartphones, adding functionality that elevates your lifestyle. Get your TECNO Watches, Buds, and more at up to 10% off until May 31, 2022 at the TECNO Mobile Flagship Store in Lazada. 

Scan To Win With POVA Neo - Extended until May 15!

Win big with TECNO Mobile’s Scan To Win With POVA Neo Promo, which now runs until May 15, 2022. Every purchase of participating TECNO Mobile smartphones entitles a customer to join, for the chance to win fantastic prizes, including Yamaha Mio Gear 125cc Motorcycles, Samsung 50" UHD Smart TVs, the latest smartphones and AIoT devices from TECNO Mobile, and cash rewards. For more details, visit (link).

Don’t miss any of the sizzling deals at the TECNO Mobile Flagship Store in Lazada and the TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee Mall. Stay updated on all the latest promos when you like and follow TECNO Mobile Philippines on Facebook. Visit www.tecno-mobile.com/ph to learn more about your favorite TECNO Mobile smartphones and gadgets.