Huge Filipino Delegation set to Conquer Udine, Italy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will be leading a big delegation of Filipino filmmakers, artists, and members of the academe with the Philippines chosen as the Country of Focus in the Far East Film Festival happening on April 24 to 29 in Udine, Italy.

Set to compete in the Festival are "Si Chedeng sa Si Apple," "Smaller and Smaller Circles" and "Ang Larawan," while restored Ricky Lee classics, “Himala” and “Moral”, directed by the well renowned late director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya will be showcased at the restored film classics feature.

With the opportunity to showcase our very own filmmakers in Far East Film Festival, FDCP is bringing in select filmmakers and speakers for Sandaan: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks.

Speakers include Mr. Ed Lajano, Festival Director of QCinema, Bianca Balbuena, CEO of EpicMedia, renowned actress Elizabeth Oropesa and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño for Filipino Popular Cinema to be moderated by Mr. Max Tessier on April 26.

Film Historian and documentarist Mr. Nick Deocampo will talk about Discovering the Past: Asian Film History - Filipino Cinema during WWII, to be introduced by Mr. Roger Garcia, Festival Director of Hong Kong International Film Festival on April 27.

Aside from these, FDCP is also proud to announce that three Filipino film projects made it to the 14 titles selected by Focus Asia, the Far East Film Festival Project Market dedicated to genre cinema. These projects in development will be presented to more than 200 professionals made up of panels, one-on-one meetings, projections and networking opportunities.

These are “Belen” by Quark Henares, produced by Bianca Balbuena and Bradley Liew, Epicmedia Productions Inc., “Quantum Suicide” by Mikhail Red, produced by Micah Tadena, Media East Productions and Taro Imai, Harakiri Films, co-produced by Japan and “Wilderness” by Nadira Ilana, produced by Nadira Ilana, Telan Bulan Films and Pamela Reyes, Create Cinema and Panuksmi Hardjowirogo, M'GO Films, a co-production between Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore.

On the other hand, Filipino Producer Monster Jimenez of Arkeo Films with her film in development, “Return of the Owl” by Martika Ramirez Escobar made it to the 15 selected projects for the tenth edition of Ties That Bind, the Asia-Europe co-production workshop, bringing together Asian and European professionals in the development of film projects. These selected films will have the opportunity to meet numerous producers, financiers and distributors present on the Focus Asia days for potential partnership in the development of their film.

The Far East Film Festival runs from April 20 to 29, 2018.

Italian Maestro to Headline Fund-raising Concert for Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX Program

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As Ayala Foundation’s flagship education program, CENTEX offers bright children from underprivileged families access quality primary public education.

CENTEX gives students the opportunity not only in academics, but also to hone their talents in the arts, particularly in music and dance. Through the after-hours art program, students excel not only in academics; they also hone their skills in other areas of learning and development.

This year, CENTEX celebrates its 20th anniversary, and to mark this occasion Ayala Foundation, in partnership with the Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative, is hosting “MAD4Arts,” a benefit concert for the CENTEX After-Hours Program on May 9, 2018, at the Ayala Museum, Makati City.

Serving as musical director for this concert is Maestro Ruggero Barbieri, former music director and principal conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. He will be joined by acclaimed violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata and the Pundaquit Vurtuosi, which is the resident chamber orchestra of CASA San Miguel.

“MAD4Arts” also showcases the talent of CENTEX students who went through the arts program. Five CENTEX alumni, personally trained by Bolipata himself, will be performing with the Pundaquit Virtuosi, while a CENTEX Manila alumna will be lending her voice to the event through a song number. Alumni of the STEPS Dance Program will also be performing at the event.

“Art plays an important role in the holistic development of children,” said Ruel Maranan, President of Ayala Foundation, “which is why the After Hours Arts Program has helped our CENTEX students become more confident young men and women.”

“We at the Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative believe in the importance of providing the under-privileged youth a brighter future and have pursued Education, whether in the classroom or the arts as its advocacy.,” said Lourdes Orosa, general manager of the Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative. “We are honored to partner with Ayala Foundation to promote the After Hours Arts Program at CENTEX.”

Founded in 1998, CENTEX has two campuses—one in Tondo, Manila, and the other in Bauan, Batangas. Aside from these two schools, The program has also trained over 800 teachers from 20 public elementary schools across the country, thus effectively bringing the CENTEX education model across the country.

Tickets for MAD4Arts are now available at the Ayala Museum lobby (tel. no. 759 8288). They are also on sale at all Ticketworld outlets, or at ticketworld.com.ph (tel. no. 891 9999).

Crackdown Continues: Tugade Sacks CAAP men for Alleged Involvement in Corruption

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There is no stopping Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade from going after corrupt officials.

Adding up to the list is former Philippine Airforce Col. Rodolfo Moral, who was immediately terminated from his post as Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Airworthiness Inspector, after reports of his alleged extortion activities were brought to the attention of the agency.

Upon learning of the malevolent act, Tugade did not mince his words to deplore Moral’s actions.

“Walang puwang sa departamento ko at sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga corrupt! Hindi alam ng mga gaya ninyo ang tunay na kahulugan ng serbisyo publiko,” Tugade said.

Moral was purportedly asking an undisclosed amount from a religious group in exchange of airworthiness certification.

Initially, the religious group gave in to his demands and presented an undetermined amount, but Moral apparently was asking for more. It was at this point that the religious group sought the help of another airworthiness inspector who brought the matter to management.

CAAP immediately conducted an investigation, and based on the initial findings, Moral’s acts were recurrent. On the same day, the management decided to terminate his engagement.

“We want to send a strong message to everyone here in CAAP that we will not, in any way, tolerate corruption. That is unethical, and it should be stopped”, said CAAP Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco.

Moral will face possible criminal charges in violation of Corrupt Practices Act.

Not the 1st Time

CAAP, under the leadership of Secretary Tugade, has been very relentless in their fight to end corruption.

Earlier this month, Jose Budiongan, Area Manager for Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro was suspended pending final resolution of the complaints filed against him involving malversation of public funds and extortion from airport porters.

Meanwhile, Naga Rascal, Area X Manager for Zamboanga International Airport was also suspended and under investigation for his unexplained wealth due to alleged corrupt practices. Rascal was earlier suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for non-filing of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth or SALN.

Likewise, collection Officer Patricio Fayloga of Busuanga is under investigation for failure to remit amounts he received amounting to PhP 27,020. Fayloga’s termination will take effect tomorrow, Monday, 23 April 2018.

Also included in the list is Busuanga Airport Manager Joel Arzaga for his supposed participation in extortion activities with an airport concessionaire. Arzaga was already relieved pending result of an investigation.


Stern warning

The Transportation Chief is a bit disappointed to learn that despite his serious warning, some employees still resort to practicing illegal activities.

But, Tugade is determined to crackdown every single employee who will go against his ideology of clean and transparent governance.

“Kung hindi niyo kayang maging tapat sa serbisyo, umalis na lang kayo. Huwag niyo nang hintaying mahuli ko kayo dahil hindi ko kaya sasantuhin. One-strike policy tayo at habang nandito ako, hindi ko hahayaan na mamerwisyo kayo”, said Tudage.

Tugade continues to encourage the public not to tolerate any form of corruption and similarly tells them not to be afraid in reporting crooks because they will definitely face immediate removal from government service.

He also gave the assurance that there are only few rotten eggs in the system and most people in government still adhere to the tenets of honest, good and efficient public service.