MMFF Announces 10 Official Film for 2020.

This Pandemic couldn't stop the biggest Film Festival in the Philippines as the Metro Manila Film Festival pushes through its 46th edition online, this is made possible by the partnership with Globe Telecom's Upstream video streaming service that was announced last October. 

In Mid of July the MMFF has announced the first four film that entered the Festival, Brightlight's Magikland, TinCan's Excorcism of Sizzums starring Toni and Alex Gonzaga, Star Cinema and Viva Films entry Starring Vice Ganda, and Regal Film's Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan starring Joshua Garcia. 

But due to quarantine restrictions regarding shooting movies, Vice Ganda's pulled out. 

In an online Presscon held today, November 24, the Metro Manila Film Festival has finally announced the official and final set of competing films for this year's film festival. 

For this year there will be 10 competing films: 

1. Magikland: 

Director: Christian Acuña

Producer: Brightlight Productions Gallaga Reyes Films

Cast: Miggs Cuaderno, Princess Aguilar, Elijah Alejo, Josh Eugenio, Hailey Mendes, and KenKen Nuyad

2. Coming Home: 

Director: Adolf Alix Jr. 

Producer: Maverick Films

Cast: Sylvia Sanchez, Jinggoy Estrada

3. The Missing: 

Director: Easy Ferrer

Producer: Regal Films

Cast: Joseph Marco, Miles Ocampo, Ritz Azul. 

4. Tagpuan: 

Director: Mac Alejandre

Producer: Alternative Vision Cinema

Cast: Iza Calzado, Shaina Magdayao, Alfred Vargas. 

5. Isa Pang Bahaghari: 

Director: Joel Lamangan

Producer: Heaven’s Best Entertainment.

Cast: Nora Aunor, Philip Salvador, Michael de Mesa, Zanjoe Marudo, Sanya Lopez, Albie Casino, Maris Racal, Joseph Marco. 

6. Suarez: The Healing Priest

Director: Joven Tan

Producer: Sarangola Media Production

Cast: John Arcilla

7. Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim

Director: Topel Lee

Producer: Cineko

Cast: Vhong Navarro 

8. Pakboys: Takusa

Director: Al Tantay

Producer: Viva Films

Cast: Dennis Padilla, Janno Gibbs, Andrew E., Jerald Napoles, Nathalie Hart, Maui Taylor, Angelu De Leon. 

9. The Boy Foretold by the Stars 

Director: Dolly Lulu

Producers: Clever Mind Inc. The Dolly Collection, Brainstormers Lab

Cast: Adrian Lindayag, Keann Johnson 

10. Fan Girl

Director: Antoinette Jadaone

Producer: Globe Studio, Epic Media, Project 8

Cast: Paulo Avelino, Charlie Dizon

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TikTok Donates US$300,000 for Typhoon Victims in the Philippines

 

 Over the course of two weeks, two devastating back to back typhoons hit the Philippines. On November 1st, Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni) the strongest typhoon ever recorded in recent history struck the southern region of the Philippines. An estimated two million Filipinos have been affected, many of whom lost their homes and livelihoods. Ten days later, Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) swept through many of the same provinces previously devastated by Typhoon Rolly, including Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon leaving widespread flooding and power outages. 

Many areas are still struggling to recover from the aftermath of these calamities. Homes and livelihood across various provinces were lost to floods, strong winds and rain. LGUs and other organizations continue to mobilize and provide assistance to all who were affected by these typhoons, but many are still in desperate need of help. 

In line with its mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok has pledged to donate US$300,000 (approximately Php15M) to support typhoon relief and rehabilitation efforts. US$150,000 has been allocated to the Philippine Red Cross for their onground mobilization efforts providing hot meals and other urgent necessities in affected communities.  

“The Philippine Red Cross is always committed to reaching out to the helpless and to the most vulnerable. TikTok’s donation will surely go a long way in further strengthening PRC’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of those who were impacted by the recent calamities. You can be sure the Red Cross will continue to be there for the people affected,” said Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. 

On Saturday, November 28 at 7:00pm, TikTok will also host the #TikTokTogetherPH virtual live fundraising concert featuring The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Kyline Alcantara, Rico Blanco, and Ella Cruz among other guest artists and local creators, joining one another on the app to help Filipinos in need. Proceeds from the virtual event will be turned over to partner organizations, with TikTok supplementing funds raised up to US$150,000. 

“We stand with all Filipinos during their time of need and we want to do what we can to help all those affected get back on their feet. TikTok has been the go-to platform for happy and inspiring moments, now we are extending this mission even beyond the app,” TikTok said.  

As it spreads joy and inspiration to millions of people on the platform each day, TikTok is also committed to doing their part in helping the broader community, through these efforts and through organizations like the Philippine Red Cross.

TikTok is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

NCAA Philippines Turns Kapuso, Signs Up with GMA Network.

 

The oldest collegiate league in the Philippines is now a Kapuso! The National Collegiate Association of the Philippines formally announced today that their newest media partner is GMA Network starting season 96. 

The partnership between NCAA and GMA 7 will last for 5 and a half years and that will include the centennial season of the league this 2024. GMA News TV will be the channel that will broadcast the games such as the Basketball and Volleyball games, while the championship of the Men's Basketball will be aired on GMA 7. 

Games will also be available online at GMAnetwork.com and overseas via GMA Pinoy TV. 

Season 86 is hosted by Colegio de San Juan de Letran who is also currently celebrating their Quadricentennial anniversary, the season is targeted to open second quarter of 2021 with only 4 events, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, and Athletics. The league is also considering the inclusions of E Sports and Online Chess. 

Earlier this year NCAA's 95th season was cancelled due to the pandemic and also because of the pandemic the league was forced to cut down the number of sports that will be played next season. 

The NCAA has partnered with Sports 5 of TV5 and ABSCBN Sports before it landed with GMA 7. 

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PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience Gathers Top Stars for the Ultimate Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Celebration on Nov. 20

 

The festive tradition of the Fans Day and Grand FanCon of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) continues this year, this time through  an online platform with the PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience on November 20 from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

It’s a brand new PPP experience this Friday via Zoom as fans will get to meet stars of the PPP4 films, win cool PPP4 merchandise, witness a scene study between PPP4 actors, enjoy throwback tunes from PPP films, and listen in on Q&A sessions with PPP4 stars and National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik.

 

Right after the PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience, the PPP Main Feature Film Showcase formally opens with Kidlat Tahimik’s “Ang Lakaran ni Kabunyan: Kabunyan’s Journey to Liwanag.”

 

The PPP Main Feature Film Showcase will screen 89 full-length feature films via scheduled livestream screenings on the FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph) beginning November 20 until December 13. The Feature Film Sections are PPP Premium Selection, Romance, Youth and Family, Classics, Pang-Oscars, Genre, Bahaghari, Tribute, Documentaries, PPP Retro, and Special Feature.

 

The PPP4, which began on October 31, has been offering the free video-on-demand (VOD) screenings of 80 short films along with the restored version of “Anak Dalita” by National Artist for Theater and Film Lamberto V. Avellana. These are also available until December 13.

 

PPP N’ CHILLAX

 

Get to know more about National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, Lea Salonga, Robin Padilla, Regine Velasquez, Iza Calzado, Dingdong Dantes, Enchong Dee, Monsour del Rosario, Max Collins, Ice Seguerra, Mara Lopez, and McCoy de Leon in the several PPP N’ CHILLAX segments of the PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience.

 

The special PPP N’ CHILLAX featuring the Q&A session with Kidlat Tahimik, also hailed as the Father of Philippine Independent Cinema, will delve on his creative process. He will also share why he created his latest film which will have its Philippine Online Premiere as part of the PPP Premium Selection Section.

 

PPP SOUNDTRAX

 

Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga headlines the PPP Soundtrax lineup that will highlight fan favorite songs from previous and current PPP films. Other PPP Soundtrax performers to watch out for are Ice Seguerra, I Belong to the Zoo, and Sean Oliver.

 

PPP XSENA

 

See our talented actors up close as they do a scene study of an iconic PPP scene. You would not want to miss the “Anak” scene study of multi-awarded actresses Elizabeth Oropesa and Therese Malvar. In another PPP Xsena with a twist, be Stella for a day as you take on the Duet Me for Tiktok Challenge with “100 Tula Para kay Stella” leading man JC Santos. The top TikTok duets will be shown during the PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience. 

 

PPP XTRA CHALLENGE

 

Raring to win a PPP shirt, hoodie, cap, tote bag, tumbler, and other merch? PPP Xtra Challenge is the key. Here’s a clue for the fans who want to win festival merchandise: familiarize yourselves with the PPP4 films, particularly the lead characters and standout scenes. 

 

PPP4, SAMA ALL!

 

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño remarked, “The PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience is a Philippine Cinema extravaganza that aims to further deepen the fans’ love for Filipino films. Through the Virtual Fan Xperience, we highlight PPP4 as a solidarity event that promotes unity in the industry and helps support Filipino filmmakers in these trying times.”

 

All #PPP4SamaAll subscribers, whether free or paid, can be part of the PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience that will be hosted by Mr. Fu. All you need is an FDCP Channel account to register for the PPP4 Virtual Fan Xperience and join in the fun this Friday. 

 

Other awaited PPP4 events, which can be accessed by Premium Festival Pass holders, are the PPP Talkback sessions with selected Premium Selection actors and filmmakers, PPP Learn, PPP Film Talks, PPP Tribute to Icons of Philippine Cinema, and PPP4 Closing and Awards Night.  

 

The PPP4 runs from October 31 to December 13. For more information, visit fdcpchannel.ph and facebook.com/FDCPPPP.

Here's an Exciting World TV Day Exclusive from Devant

 

A World TV Day Celebration would be incomplete without an awesome offer on an amazing TV. As it takes the lead in celebrating this global observance in the Philippines, Devant has something huge planned especially for the occasion. 

 

 

From November 20-22, 2020, you get a free SBX-60 2.1Ch Soundbar Speaker System with Built-in Subwoofer for every purchase of a Devant 65UHD201Smart 4k TV at P35,450. On these days, you can also get a SB-50 2.0Ch Soundbar Speaker System when you buy a Devant 55UHD201 Smart 4k TV at P24,450 or a 50UHD201 Smart 4k TV at P20,450, from leading online dealer sites nationwide.

All of these Smart 4k TVs are loaded with fantastic features, including:

• Quantum Ultra HD 3840x2160 for ultra high-definition pictures with an image resolution of 3840x2160, equivalent to 8.3 megapixels

• Vidaa U Operating System, where you can access your favorite content providers such as Netflix and YouTube, download fun apps, and watch live TV

• VEWD App Store, an HTML5-based storefront featuring exciting apps for watching videos, listening to music, social networking, playing games, and gathering the latest news and information, optimized for TV

• HDR Compatibility that expands the TV’s contrast ratio and color palette for a more realistic and natural image

• Bluetooth Connectivity that allows you to connect your mobile devices to your TV, or your TV to a speaker without the need for any cables

• Anyview Cast, which allows you to wirelessly sync a mobile phone, tablet or other gadget to your TV, with a screen mirroring function that lets you view media from your device on a larger screen

By celebrating the World TV Day in the Philippines, Devant pays tribute to all that the television has done to transform our lives in these modern times. Beyond being recognized as an ambassador for the entertainment industry, the TV is also a powerful medium for learning, and a means for many to connect to the world. As it continues to bring meaningful content and information to millions of homes, its social relevance and influence grows exponentially as well. 

Don’t miss the exclusive World TV Day offer from Devant, available in leading online dealer sites nationwide from November 20-22, 2020.

For the latest updates on their products and offerings, visit www.devanttv.com, and follow Devant on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Mark Chaiwalla: The Salinggawi Chief

Ever since the UAAP adapted the new academic calendar for their season, November has been the month for the much-anticipated UAAP Cheer Dance Competition, but sadly this 2020 it’s not going to happened as Pandemic struck the country forcing the league to abandon their calendar and move the 83rd season in the latter part of 2021.   

This November we’re going to feature past and present cheer dancers as our Guys for the Month and we are starting off with Mark Chaiwalla from the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe. 

Mark started off his CDC adventure back in 2009 that was UAAP season 72 (If I remember they performed a gladiator themed performance with the epic moving pyramid), although unluckily Uste failed to made it to the podium that year, they were able to made it back to the podium the following year and Mark considers that year his favorite routine.  

Fast forward 11 years after, Mark is still active in the world of cheer dancing as he is now part of the coaching staff of the Salinggawi Dance Troupe, outside the mats Mark is a Registered Nurse as well, he actually has a Masters Degree in Nursing.  

Let’s get to know Mark Chaiwalla’s Cheer dancer side with our Q&A with him.  

 

How’s life after UAAP CDC? 

 

Every time the CDC gets finished; life would go back to its own normal pace. We usually go on a 2-week break depending if there wouldn't be any shows or performances. We'd have some time to rest, time for ourselves and time to catch up with academic matters. 

What’s your most memorable Cheer dance Competition Moment? 

My most memorable one was during my 1st year in the team where luckily already had my 1st competition too. 2009. That moment before entering the mats and I remember hearing Lady Gaga’s Just Dance being played as part of our intro video. All the feels, that cold air breezing out through the black curtain. Damn. I could almost freeze up from the nerves but once I got into the mats, started the routine and landed my back tuck in the opening part of our routine, it was nothing less but game on mode. 

Favorite Routine that you’ve perform in the CDC?  

I think I'd go with our 2010 routine where we placed 2nd runner up. 

Most difficult part of being a Cheer dancer?  

To be honest, I think I really wasn’t caught up that much with the hard parts of being a cheerleader because I was really enjoying my time as a member of the team. But technically, the things which would be affected are your time for studies which you should really balance out, time to rest since you get home late after training and would have classes 7 in the morning, time for family since mine was in Ilocos and I really wouldn’t have the time to go home. But with perseverance, taking things positively, I was able to surpass all those hard parts of a cheerleader’s life.  

Favorite thing about being a Cheer dancer?  

Favorite thing about being a cheerleader is just being able to enjoy the sport that you love, with your teammates and the school. From trainings, to performances, to competitions, all of those experiences make my stay a memorable one 

How would you compare the CDC now from your time?  

Technically, cheerleading is more advanced now, of course. The skills being shown are more difficult compared to before. But that at all doesn’t disregard the skills during those times. Teams are as good as how they really were 10 years ago. You can't say a winner now is better than a winner before just because the skills set now is more advanced compared to before. That logic is a bit twisted. 

Common misconception about Male Cheer dancers?  

The usual misconception, that male cheerleaders are gay. Sad to say, a lot of people still don't know how athletic cheerleading is. It demands an intensely high level of athleticism, strength, endurance and grit. If they're basing the gender of someone based on the sport that he does, then perhaps they need to know that cheerleading is in fact even more dangerous than American football, where they would assume the athletes there are straight. Time to debunk shallow-closed-mindedness when it comes to this. Unless they want to get tossed 20 feet up in the air with no one next to catch them after 😜 

On our part two, we get to know Mark’s fitness routine and more, do follow him on instagram at  @marky.chaiwalla

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