FEU Film Vies in Gensan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A short film from Far Eastern University is competing in the sixth Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival Philippine category from November 12 to 16 in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

“Sa Gabing Tanging Liwanag ay Paniniwala” (Belief as the Light in Darkness), directed by Francis Guillermo, tells about a town captain (Soliman Cruz) who leads a search for townsfolk who continuously disappear into the woods. Determined to find out the reason behind their disappearances and where they are being brought to, he and his son (Dylan Ray Talon) come across a mysterious answer. Stefanoni Nunag and Sheryll Ceasico play supporting roles.

Guillermo, who also wrote, edited and designed the sound for the film, was elated upon learning about their project’s Salamindanaw selection. “It’s great to see a film festival sharing different perspectives, different cultures, different perspectives. Having our film participate in this film festival is a great honor,” he said.

The film earlier won honorable mention in the 30th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video short feature category. It also bagged Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Sound Design in the Indie Un-Film Festival 2018 Pamana category at De La Salle University-Manila and 2nd Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design in the Sinepiyu XI Black Reel category at FEU.

Guillermo, who previously served as president of the FEU Film Society, was supported by assistant director Ipe Maglalang, production manager Ariana Yanice Napay, line producer Patrizsia Reyes, director of photography Rommel "Rocket" Ruiz, production designer Ron Alos, location manager Bwrentszon James Manalili and co-editor Zaire Andrade. Maglalang, Napay, Reyes and Ruiz are also FEU Filmsoc alumni while Andrade is a current member of the organization.

Salamindanaw aims to raise awareness and promote international cinema with emphasis on strengthening the cultural ties between Mindanao and its Southeast Asian neighbors; to engage the public in both popular and critical discourse on art and cinema and their transformative power to shape ideas about society; and to create a development platform for emerging talents in Southeast Asia.

PHLPost Releases “Noche Buena Stamps” to Celebrate Christmas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A typical Filipino get-together done after attending Misa De Gallo known as “Noche Buena” is now on postage stamps.

In preparation of the Christmas season, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) released its se-tenant strip of four stamps for PASKO 2018 featuring the traditional Filipino feast.

Christmas is one of the grandest holidays in the Philippines where Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest Christmas season with Christmas carols heard as early as of September which lasts until the 3rd Sunday of January of the following year.

The stamp features the “Noche Buena”, the Spanish word for “Christmas Eve”. It consists of a traditional dinner with Lechon (roasted suckling pig) as the center piece being observed since 15th century.

Traditionally, Filipino dinner consists of variety of dishes like lechon, pancit, hamon, queso de bola, puto bumbong, bibingka, fruit salad, suman, and many more comes at midnight after the family hears the late evening mass called “Misa de Gallo”.

The official observance of the Simbang Gabi is on December 16.

PHLPost has printed 50,000 copies of the four (4) designed se-tenant strip of Noche Buena stamp sold for 12 pesos each. The Christmas stamp was designed by PHLPost in-house graphic designer Rodine Teodoro.

The stamps and official first day covers are now available at the Philatelic Counter, Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio 1000, Manila and area post offices nationwide. For inquiries, please call 527-01-32.

Smart Wins Big at World Communication Awards in London

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Smart School-in-a-Bag, the mobile learning program for underserved education communities of Smart Communications (Smart), was honored alongside the global telecom industry’s top innovators at the recently concluded World Communication Award (WCA).

In ceremonies held in London by international publication Total Telecom, the Smart School-in-a-bag program won the Social Contribution Award. Other nominees under the said category included health and emergency preparedness projects such as Operation Healthy Heart by Viettel, EcoCash by Mahindra Comviva, Dronecell by Turkcell, and Building Dominica Back Better by Digicel.

A portable digital classroom, each School-in-a-bag consists of a backpack that teachers can carry while travelling different kinds of terrain and weather conditions. Its contents generally include a solar panel for charging devices, an LED television for showing educational videos, a laptop, student tablets, a smartphone for the teacher, a portable hotspot, and educational apps aligned with the curriculum of the Department of Education.

Funded by Smart and partner donors, the packages are designed to facilitate learning primarily in remote, off-grid areas in the Philippines. Program support and evaluation, as well as teachers’ trainings, are also provided.

Leveraging digital and mobile

With over 30,000 students and more than 1,000 teachers reached to-date, School-in-a-Bag recipients have reported better attendance and heightened interest in lessons.

WCA judges described School-in-a-Bag as “an intelligent and well-targeted combination of technology, content and human feelings." "It is a great initiative by Smart that leverages on digital and mobile to strengthen and speed up education, which is key for our societies," a judge noted.

More innovations

For 20 years, the World Communication Awards have recognized innovation and excellence for global telecoms. It continues to be one of the most esteemed achievements in the industry, with new categories presented every year as more innovations are discovered. 

For 2018, categories reflect the latest trends of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Internet of Things (IoT).

Organizations and individuals who wish to learn more about School-in-a-Bag may send an email toLearnSmart@smart.com.ph or follow Smart Communities on Facebook.