BREAKING

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

MARINA Lauds Fast Craft Service Linking Calbayog - Cebu


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) lauds the brand new fast craft service that will link Calbayog City, Samar and Cebu City, Cebu for the first time.

MV Sea Cat One, a 300-seater air-conditioned vessel managed by VS Grand Ferries Corporation, will offer two daily trips from Calbayog to Cebu and vice-versa. It is targeted to be operational on September 2018.

The five-hour travel time via the new fast craft service is significantly faster compared to the usual 12-hour travel time en routing Calbayog-Cebu.

MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero recognized the sincerity and commitment of the VS Grand Ferries Corporation and the local government of Samar in improving sea transportation.

“This strong and responsive effort is what the DOTr and the MARINA look forward to from all its partners and stakeholders. Undeniably, development like this contributes to the transformation of the Philippines into a more connected nation through an efficient sea transport system,” MARINA Admin. Guerrero said.

VS Grand Ferries Corporation is a newly-registered corporation and duly-accredited by the MARINA.

The MARINA recognizes the support of the Department of Finance (DOF) in the continuous provision of incentives through the grant of VAT exemption on the acquisition of MV Sea Cat One.

Pending its operations, the shipping personnel are undergoing vessel operations and management training in a shipyard in Balamban, Cebu.

With this development, the MARINA encourages new players and investors in the country’s domestic shipping industry through the modernization of local ships— making them globally-competitive and technologically-responsive.

FEU Filmsoc Alumni's Short Films Compete in Sine Kabataan


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two short films by recent Communication graduates of Far Eastern University made it among the eight Sine Kabataan finalists, which will be featured along with Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 full-length film entries from August 15 to 21 in cinemas nationwide. 

Enalyn Legaspi's "Alas-Nuebe ng Tanghali" and Christian Babista's "Anonymous Student Vlog" will vie for the top prizes in the second edition of the competition, which aims to provide a youth lens on youth issues that affect the sector. 



Their short films will be shown along with "Bakwit Boys" by Jason Paul Laxamana and "Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi" by Jun Robles Lana, respectively. Both Legaspi and Babista are also alumni of the FEU Film Society.

In "Alas-Nuebe ng Tanghali," the nicest toys and tastiest food await three children in their home after a long day. However, as they further indulge in euphoria, everything turns out differently from what we are seeing.

Legaspi, also called Ena, directed, co-wrote and co-edited the short film. Her Square Up Productions is composed of four of the previous members of her production team when she was still in college -- assistant director, production designer and graphic artist Peej Tapel, production manager, co-writer, and co-production designer Mary Lourdes Membrebe and director of photography and co-editor Prince Viterbo.





"Our take on the film is as simple as how the youth would perceive things. With all these heavy themes, we wanted it to be light and straightforward as much as possible. One liner, no dialogues, but more on sound scoring," Legaspi explained.

"We started by putting ourselves in the shoes of our characters, who are kids. How far can their imagination go with the circumstances they are actually in? What are the first things they wanted to see? And so we came up with an idea to put three kid characters into a huge house where there are maids serving them," she added.

Membrebe, who came up with the original concept, further discussed the inspiration behind their film. "We were very much inspired by the youth who dream like us, so I think it speaks a great deal about how our circumstances affects the way we see things. Through this story, we can realize that everyone has their own dreams and ways of survival," she said.



Meanwhile, "Anonymous Student Vlog" takes on a student vlogger who is mistakenly identified as the prime suspect of a crime that went viral on social media. Similar to Legaspi, Babista also teamed up with his fellow FEU alumnus Raf Evangelista to shoot his film. 

"What pushed me even more to do this is mainly my thirst to create a new film after two years since I graduated. I figured I have a lot of stories in mind so why not try it out. It’s nice to hear that Ena made it as well. I know it’s been awhile since she made a film and it’s good that we both made it," Babista shared.

The young filmmaker added that he got the concept when he was still starting with his job. "It was my first time to encounter trolls while I was doing a Facebook live video. It somehow honed my idea into how people attack other people through social media accounts by using other identities. It’s interesting how social media is a tool that can make or break a person as it can be a source of information and at the same time be a medium to attack," he explained.

Unlike Legaspi, however, Babista disclosed that his production wasn’t well-planned. "I just saw the post about Sine Kabataan the night before I decided to shoot the story I have in mind. I immediately tapped Raf and asked him if we can get at least 30 extras for the film we are about to shoot. However, only seven people made it to due to heavy rains," he said.

"We decided to have a guerilla shoot instead for three hours only since we were thinking of the people who joined us and braved the rains for this shoot. We can’t thank them enough for their help. Despite the weather condition, they chose to push through with the shoot."




The other Sine Kabataan finalists are "Bahay-bahayan" by Brian Spencer Reyes, "Bato Bato Pik" by Lorys Plaza and Ardinian Sanque, "Isang Tula Para Sa Nawawala" by Rod Singh, "Koleksyong Pamalo" by Jocelyn Frago, "Masaya Ako" by Daniel Delgado and "Runner" by Levi Jun Miscala.

The Best Picture winner will win 50,000 pesos, a round trip ticket to Busan and Busan International Film Festival with four (4) days and three (3) nights accommodation, and immersive experience and exposure to the BIFF as a member of the Philippine delegation. All finalists will receive 10,000 pesos.

Sine Kabataan was launched last year as one of the pet projects of then National Youth Commission Chair Ice Seguerra with the Film Development Council of the Philippines. After Seguerra resigned from the NYC, the competition is now made possible through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Philippines and still with the FDCP.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Dusit International Set to Unveil Latest dusitD2 in Ao Nang


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Convenient location puts travellers within easy reach
of famous beaches, islands and attractions of Krabi.

Dusit International, Thailand’s global hospitality company, has signed a management agreement with Vogue Pranang Bay Resort Co., Ltd. to operate dusitD2 Ao Nang, slated to open at the end of this year. The hotel will be the second Dusit property in the popular resort area of Krabi.

Located 25 kilometres from Krabi International Airport, the new dusitD2 Ao Nang is tucked away amidst lush jungle greenery on a hillside in downtown Ao Nang, yet within walking distance to the beach, providing convenient access to all of Krabi’s main attractions.

The downtown location of dusitD2 Ao Nang will also enable guests to be within walking distance to nearby facilities such as supermarkets and convenience stores as well as cafés and fast-food outlets.

dusitD2 Ao Nang comprises 173 modern guest rooms and suites with a choice of sea, mountain or pool views. The hotel offers all amenities for a fun and comfortable getaway, including an indoor and outdoor all-day-dining restaurant, a lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool with a separate kids’ pool, a fitness centre, a spa, and a 200-square-metre ballroom. For families travelling with children, dusitD2 Ao Nang also features an extensive kids’ playground that will keep the hotel’s youngest guests entertained throughout their stay.

Popular activities in Krabi around dusitD2 Ao Nang include jungle trekking, sightseeing excursions and boat trips to some of Thailand’s most stunning beaches and islands, located within protected national marine parks, for snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and bird-watching.

Krabi’s famous limestone hills and caves also attract climbers from around the world, especially the limestone rock faces at Railay Beach, where several popular rock-climbing schools can be found.

“We are very happy to be bringing the dusitD2 brand to Ao Nang,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit International. “This beautiful area has always been very popular with visitors and adventure-seekers from Thailand and all over the world. We look forward to welcoming all our guests to the new dusitD2 Ao Nang, which combines modern comfort, convenience and connectivity with the excellent service and hospitality that is the hallmark of all Dusit hotels.”

Mr Watcharaphon Deechaisettha, Vogue Pranang Bay Resort’s Chief Business Development Officer, said, "Krabi is one of the fastest-growing destinations, especially amongst younger travellers. We are very pleased to work with Dusit to present a fresh new option to meet the needs of the tourists who seek a mix of relaxation and recreation in this resort area. We believe that our knowledge of Krabi, and the proven management expertise and Thai graciousness that Dusit will bring to this project, will create a successful collaboration."

The upscale mid-market dusitD2 Ao Nang is a rebrand of the previous Vogue Resort and Spa in this popular seaside town. The property has been entirely refurbished and updated, with new additions to the existing buildings.

Dusit International currently operates 27 hotels across four brands worldwide, and is rapidly expanding its footprint in key global markets. dusitD2 Ao Nang will be the third dusitD2 branded hotel in Thailand, following dusitD2 Chiang Mai and dusitD2 Kao
Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas Wazzup Pilipinas and the Umalohokans. Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas celebrating 10th year of online presence
 
Copyright © 2013 Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events
Design by FBTemplates | BTT