Navotas Holds Workshop for 3rd Navoteño Film Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Navotas City Hall, through its Public Information Office, conducted a seminar-workshop on digital filmmaking for junior high school students and teachers last May 10 and 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pangisdaan Hall, 4th Floor NCH.

The workshop, which was facilitated by advocacy filmmaker and film educator Seymour Sanchez, aims to prepare the participants for the shoot of their short narrative film entries to the 3rd Navoteño Film Festival. Navotas City Mayor John Reynald Tiangco and Vice Mayor Clint Nicolas Geronimo also delivered inspirational talks during the event.

Sanchez teaches filmmaking, film appreciation and video production at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts, and cinema, scriptwriting and journalism at the Far Eastern University Department of Communication. He is a graduate of the 14th Ricky Lee scriptwriting workshop for film and the first Brillante Mendoza directing class.

His short film "Caretaker" won second prize in the short fiction category of the sixth CAM International Festival for Short Films in Cairo, Egypt, as well as the Golden Philippine Eagle Festival Director's Choice and Best Actor award for Rolando Inocencio at the third Singkuwento International Film Festival, Audience Choice prize at the Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival, among others. He also won the grand prize for "Hiwaga" in the screenplay category of the 59th Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

Sanchez discussed development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution, and talked about scriptwriting, cinematography and lighting, production design, sound, music, editing and directing. Eloisa Sanchez imparted her knowledge in production management and producing films for Red Room Media Productions while FEU's resident actor and short film editor Rowi Du shared some tips and advice in his fields of expertise.

The annual project, which is facilitated by PIO head Irish Cubillan, is open to all junior high school students from the city. Among those competing this year are Kaunlaran High School, La Naval Academy, Navotas National HS, Navotas National Science HS, San Jose Academy, San Rafael Technological and Vocational HS, San Roque National HS, Tangos National HS and Tanza National HS. Only one entry per registered school will be accepted.

All members of the production team (maximum of eight students per school) must be officially enrolled in the school they are representing. A certification from the school principal must be submitted to PIO prior to production. They must also submit a written parental consent endorsed by the teacher-adviser/s and principal to PIO prior to the shoot.

The film festival, which has tourism as its theme this year, serves as a platform for the city's future filmmakers to develop and harness their craft and showcase their works, as well as a means to discover young and talented Navoteños for the city's art scholarship program.

FitCon MNL 2018 Slated for May 18 to 20 at Green Sun Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas!

FitCon MNL, the premiere fitness and health convention in the Philippines, gears up for its second year. Slated for 18-20 May 2018 at Green Sun, Makati, FitCon MNL 2018 will be even bigger and better as it has partnered with 5, the number one sports channel in the Philippines.

Fifteen industry experts from around the globe will be joining the convention to share their trade secrets through a series of interactive workshops and classes. Delegates will have the opportunity to learn about the latest in various topics including nutrition, sport science, the business of personal training, physique transformation, and workout programs for special populations.

Also, the first time, an expo hall will be opened to the public—perfect not only for fitness and health enthusiasts, but also for anyone interested in the latest trends in the industry. Visitors can look forward to finding the best health and fitness gear and equipment, food and nutrition, services, and venues.

Also at the expo hall will be the Activity Center, with hourly master classes showcasing the newest exercises and programs, such as bodyART, Bosu, Kamagon, Piloxing, Stott Pilates, Surge, TriggerPoint foam rolling, yoga, and Zumba. Experts in various fields will also be giving talks on best sports practices, more efficient workouts, cooking healthy, and looking good.

Three keynote speakers will be at FitCon MNL|5: Philippine fitness icon Vivian Zapanta; author and diet coach to the stars Nadine Tengco; and Glenn Ang, founder/director of RAW Active Singapore and 2017 AFC Personal Trainer of the Year. Zapanta, Tengco, and Ang will also conduct workshops throughout the three days of FitCon MNL|5.

Other speakers include Dan Duran (PTA Global, USA); Benjamin Siong (Australian Strength Performance); Mark Laws (Mark Laws Performance Coaching, UK); Tony Howett (Power House Fitness Club, Dubai); Garnet Suidy (bodyART, Canada); Rodney Corn (SOMA, USA); Audrey Fourcade (Nike Trainer, NTC Program, Dubai); Prince Paltu-Ob (Zumba, Philippines); Andy Leuterio (Maximus Café, Philippines); and Connie Colson (Piloxing, Asia). 

Reason behind FitCon MNL 

“We’ve been to fitness conventions around the world and they’ve always taught us so much for us to use in our careers,” says Rica Rodriguez, one of the founders of FitCon MNL|5 and half of Dynamic Duo Inc., “We wanted to bring the same to the Philippines and see the local fitness industry become globally competitive.”

She and Divine Masinsin, the other half of Dynamic Duo Inc, have been working in the fitness industry of the United Arab Emirates for over a decade. They regularly come across other fitness trainers from all over the world. With more than 45 different certifications between them, being able to stand apart in such a competitive environment is something they understand well.

“The fitness industry is constantly changing.” Divine says. “Every year, there’s a new exercise or a breakthrough in sports science. Constantly learning and upskilling is necessary for anyone in the industry if you don’t want to get left behind.”

Each day of FitCon MNL|5 is jampacked with different activities designed to teach delegates how to get the most out of exercises, prevent and address injuries and develop their careers for success – just to name a few.

FitCon MNL details
There will be over 60 workshops over the three days; delegates can choose to attend on all days, on a specific day, or for specific workshops only. Likewise, there will be 28 master classes at the Activity Zone in the three days, and guests can get a 3-day pass, an all-day pass for a specific day, or just attend specific master classes. The 3-day workshop pass is only P17,500 and the 1-day pass is P8,500. However, the Buzzer Beater rate until May 11, 2018 is P14,000 and P6,800 respectively. A single workshop is P2,000. A class at the Activity Zone is only P70, and a 1-Day Unli Class pass is P450; and the 3-Day Unli Class pass is P1,200.

For more information on schedules, workshops or for other inquiries, visit www.fitconmnl.com, email info@dynamicduoinc.com or leave a message on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/FitConMNL/ .

Health Becomes Easier with Elecom’s Health Gadget Lineup

Wazzup Pilipinas!


Get a more rested, leaner body with these tech-savvy tools from one of Japan’s leading gadget stores.


How have gadgets changed your life? For some, it’s a matter of convenience—communicating easier, minimizing chores or accomplishing things in one step instead of three. Thanks to technology, there are gadgets that now cater solely to health, with the development of accessible tools that offer a promised health benefit.

Health is often an overlooked part of daily life, but it is as all-around and necessary as chores or communication. And as SIM cards, mobile apps and electronic appliances are readily available, health gadgets deserve the same recognition for improving the quality of people’s lives. Elecom, one of Japan’s leading gadgets and accessories store, has made health technology available for Filipinos who seek to be more mindful of their health.

The E-Clear Refree Set takes the health benefits of a body massage into one portable device. This cordless low-frequency electronic pulse massager comes with a flat, lightweight gel pad that you can apply to almost any part of the body that needs therapeutic pressure. Conveniently chargeable via USB, the E-Clear Refree Set allows users to choose between various massage modes: Deep Shiatsu, Shiatsu, Knead and Beat. It has up to ten (10) pressure intensity levels available. 

Causing relief to stiff and tightened muscles, the E-Clear Refree Set sends electrical impulses through the body that promote muscle contraction and pump action that improves blood flow. Muscle strain can also be relieved through low-frequency impulses that stimulate the nerves and block pain signals to reach the brain. Each treatment time runs exactly 15 minutes via its built in timer, and can be applied to the lower and upper arm, shoulder, lower back, calf and sole.

Each E-Clear Refree Set comes in 2 kinds of sets. The first set comes with 1 pulse massager, 1 two-point gel pad, a dedicated USB cable and, a storage pouch. The second set comes with 2 pulse massagers, 2 two-point gel pads, a dedicated USB cable and, a storage pouch. E-Clear Refree gel pads are washable and can be used up to 300x, but refills are also available with one-point, two-point and wide pads for bigger parts of the body such as the calf and lower back.

For those who seek a toned physique but have limited time to exercise, the E-Clear Lean Set introduces muscle tightening to help activate your muscles during short exercises. Applying medium and low frequency to activate the muscles through pulsation, the E-Clear Lean Set mimics a muscle workout by itself, and could be worn while performing stretching or training exercises to further stimulate the tightening of muscles.

With four unique programs built into the main device, the E-Clear Lean Set comes with a gel pad which can be applied to key muscle points that you want to tighten: arms for more defined biceps and triceps, the obliques, lower belly, quads or buttocks, legs and hamstrings, and lower legs. Using its deep frequency setting, parts of the body with thicker fat can be stimulated and put to work. Meanwhile, its low frequency allows the body to perform longer exercises without feeling fatigue. The E-Clear Lean Set can also be worn while stretching, to activate tendons and improve flexibility needed while performing exercises. 

Each part of the body is recommended for 30 minutes of E-Clear Lean Set use per day, with the device automatically turning off every 15 minutes. The product is available in all Elecom stores and has 2 kinds of sets available: the first set comes with 1 pulse massage and 1 two-point gel pad. The second set comes with 2 pulse massagers and 2 two-point gel pads. Both sets come with a storage sheet, a dedicated USB cable and storage pouch.

The Corol Roller, meanwhile, is every overworked body’s handy and mobile ally. Elecom’s answer to annoyingly tired feet and legs after a long day at work or commute, this wirelss roller is an electric, re-chargeable device that relieves sore muscles and swelling in the lower limbs. Making use of strong vibrations made more impactful by pointed wheels that roll against the skin, the Corol mimics the effects of a Shiatsu massage. Shiatsu refers to a Japanese finger massage method that involves applying pressure to several points in the body, releasing tension and relieving the body of muscle aches.

The roller’s ergonomic, handy design allows anyone to expertly target pain and acupressure points in the body that once hit, effectively relieve specific aches and pains. The Corol Roller mainly targets lower limbs such as the sole, the dorsal area of the foot, ankles, lower legs and knees, as well as certain parts of the upper body like the shoulder blade area and arms. Perfect for a long day of walking or after a strenuous workout, the Corol Roller can relieve discomfort in often distressed areas.

The Corol roller is also waterproof and can be used while taking a hot soak in the tub to help relax muscles. It comes with a main body and a dedicated USB cable for charging.

It’s never too early or too late to invest in gadgets that directly cater to health and wellness. Apart from traditional and tested health-related practices and activities, these gadgets will surely make being healthy easier, fun and more motivating. Get the E-Clear Refree, E-Clear Lean and Corol Roller in all Elecom stores, or follow @elecomph on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

Elecom Wellness items are available in the following stores: Elecom SM Marikina, Elecom SM North EDSA, Elecom SM Southmall, Elecom Ayala Nuvali Solenad, Urbanize Shangri-La and Urbanize Uptown Mall BGC. For more information about Elecom products, follow Elecom on Facebook and Instagram @ElecomPH. #ElecomPH