FDCP and Nabunturan Gov’t Inaugurate Cinematheque in Compostela Valley

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Residents of Nabunturan and neighboring communities can finally enjoy a unique cinematic experience and access diverse film programs as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Municipality of Nabunturan inaugurate the Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan last Monday, December 10, 2018.

The Cinematheque’s inauguration ceremony was spearheaded by FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and Mayor of Municipality of Nabunturan Chelita C. Amatong. It was also attended by Executive Director Wilfredo Manalang, Admin and Finance Head Emilita Alquiza, Alyssa Jane Mernelo of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and members of the Board of Trustees Anna Abalahin and Atty. Rochelle Macapili-Ona. They received a warm welcome from the Cinematheque Centre Davao team led by Distribution and Exhibitions Division Lead Officer Dustin Guillermo, Jamir Mallari, and Rejh Castillon.

The Cinematheque is an alternative venue for screening a diverse set of films as well as for hosting film development programs and various events that cultivate film culture and unify the community, such as workshops and symposiums.

The 92-seater cinema was built by the FDCP in partnership with the local government of Nabunturan, which donated an 800-square meter lot for the building. It is the first Cinematheque under the leadership of Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño and the first establishment sponsored by FDCP built from scratch, as the others were refurbished structures.

Despite not having a formal cinema house, Nabunturan residents made creating a film community in the region possible. FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño hopes to strengthen the passionate filmmaking community of Compostela Valley even more with the construction of Cinematheque.

“I’m so excited to be able to share the rich and lively world of cinema with the Nabunturanos and I hope that you can take advantage of this opportunity because this is where we can come together as one community. Maraming-maraming salamat po. This is yours. Make it relevant to you and make it personal to you,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño during the Inauguration. 

The event was followed by the ceremonial unveiling of the plaque and blessing of the Cinematheque. A screening of Kip Oebanda’s Liway concluded the historic event.

The Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan’s inauguration ceremony was held last December 10, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Layug Avenue, Purok 13 beside SPED, Central Elementary School.

DOE: Nuclear Energy Issues Up for More Public Consultation

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Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced today (December 18) that the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) has ironed out several issues with the country’s vision of nuclear energy.

This was verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission during the ceremonial turnover of its review results on Monday afternoon (December 17) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. 

DOE Undersecretary and NEPIO Head Donato D. Marcos accepted the INIR findings together with other NEPIO members.

“The results of this INIR mission are the fruits of our hard labor. Our NEPIO remained dedicated and determined to address all the gaps within the two-year period on nuclear feasibility studies,” Sec. Cusi said.

“The results will help us focus our efforts on the identified issues, accelerate the legislative process and prepare the national decision,” he added.

According to IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section Head Milko Kovachev, the NEPIO has followed a systematic approach in finalizing the country’s nuclear power strategy and completing the associated infrastructure development.

The INIR team noted that the NEPIO has completed several studies and a draft legislation addressing nuclear safety, security and safeguards. In addition, the establishment of an independent regulatory body is already being reviewed at the Philippine Congress, as information on the matter is being disseminated to the public for stakeholder engagement. 

The recommendations of the INIR team include involving a broader range of stakeholders to complete the work required to enable a national commitment to introduce nuclear power, and developing a legal and regulatory framework that ensures and demonstrates a commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation.

Other aspects include enhancing the approaches to human resource and leadership development, nuclear fuel cycle options and electrical grid impact, and adapting the existing national frameworks for emergency preparedness and response and nuclear security.

The INIR team also identified three good practices that would benefit other countries considering the introduction of nuclear power in the areas of legal framework, stakeholder involvement, and site and supporting facilities.

The INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases and three milestones. INIR missions enable IAEA member-state representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the member-state to develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure. 

“It is high time we put the framework in place to bring nuclear power into the energy mix. We should learn the lessons from the past and catch up with the missed opportunities,” Sec. Cusi concluded.

Balikbayans are All Smiles as SM, BDO Hold a Heartwarming Christmas Tribute to Overseas Filipinos

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Piolo Pascual takes a selfie with the audience following his performance at SM-BDO’s “Pamaskong Handog” Christmas tribute to Overseas Filipinos held recently at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall Going home for Christmas has turned out to be a very pleasant surprise for some balikbayans this year as SM and BDO welcomed them with plenty of surprises, giveaways and raffle prizes through their annual “Pamaskong Handog event, recently held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The event, especially dedicated for the overseas Filipinos and their families, is now on its 7th year and is said to be SM and BDO’s biggest, most heartwarming Christmas celebration ever held since 2012. Pamaskong Handog was indeed a day full of laughter, entertainment and raffle prizes as the event brought to the stage today’s most in-demand artists – Piolo Pascual; Sam Milby; Moira Dela Torre; “Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalists TNT Boys, Anton Antenor Cruz and Jenny Gabriel; comedian Donita Nose and hosts MC and Lassie. Pamaskong Handog also featured BDO’s social media personality dubbed as Boss Teteng whose Facebook videos garnered millions of views for his funny and entertaining tips for Filipinos overseas as well as SM’s cheerful elevator girl Cheridel. Some of the balikbayans couldn’t hide their joy and amusement, saying the event is the first of its kind they’ve ever experienced. “Nagulat ako. May ganun pala. Ang daming surprises and giveaways.  said, 65-year old Erminda Clarito, who works in Canada for almost 30 years.  53-year old Bernardo Vergara, who works in Saudi Arabia for more than six years also shared, “First time ko naramdaman ang pagpapahalaga sa aming sakripisyong mawalay sa pamilya, parang family bonding na rin namin ngayong Pasko”.   Amid the challenges of working abroad, some balikbayans shared that providing for their children’s education is their primary reason in choosing to work abroad, and will continue to do so for their families’ future. For Evangeline Buno, who works in Macau for almost 30 years, “Motivation ko ang apo at mga anak ko. With BDO, parang katabi mo lang ang pamilya mo, Hangga’t kaya ko magpadala, gagawin ko.Totoo rin yang we got it all for you ng SM. Lahat ng kailangan ng pamilya ko kumpleto, Salamat sa SM at BDO”. Violeta Suyong, who recently retired after working for 31 years in France, was able to send her three children to good universities. “More than 20 years na ako sa BDO. More than everything, it’s their service. Yung retirement ko natatanggap ko ngayon sa aking BDO account”. Susana Batalla, who’s based in Italy, was also proud to share about BDO Remit’s quality service and her family’s fondness of SM saying “Lahat sa pamilya ko, pinag-open ko ng Kabayan Savings. Ang aking pamilya ay napagsisilbihan ninyo.  Maganda ang asikaso ng BDO sa akin sa Italy, lalo na ang service ng mga staff. Lahat rin kami ay suki ng SM. Walking distance lang sa amin”. BDO Remittance Senior Vice President and Head Genie Gloria said“Christmas is the time when Overseas Filipinos are excited to spend Christmas with their families. This is why Pamaskong Handog has become our annual tribute to our kababayans as we would like them to feel welcome and honored while they are here. We also make sure that our products and services as well as the other efforts of the bank such as special events are anchored on their needs, not to mention our international offices’ active participation in Filipino community events overseas. This year’s Pamaskong Handog event was also held in time for the International Migrants Day.” “SM shares the same mission of giving honor, gratitude and joy to the overseas Filipinos in return for their hard work and sacrifice. The goal is to make them feel special and let them experience once again how Filipinos celebrate Christmas,” said Supermalls Joaquin San Agustin, SVP for Marketing of SM Supermalls. SM and BDO’s synergistic collaboration does not end with Pamaskong Handog as more joint overseas Filipino events are lined up for 2019. The partnership of the largest chain of shopping malls and the country’s biggest bank goes a long way given both of the institutions’ extensive branch network all over the country.