Kristoffer Martin Scrubs Toilets in “Buyonero”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Award-winning actor Kristoffer Martin is in a dirty, big mess this Holy Week.

And if you are like him – wondering if you can still break free from the mess you have become, then catch Kristoffer as he takes the lead role in the CBN Asia Holy Week special, Tanikala presents ‘Buyonero,’ which airs at GMA on April 18, Maundy Thursday, at 5:30 p.m.

Kristoffer, who starred in the hit TV series, Victor Magtanggol and Dragon Lady, takes on a new role as he plays Nestor Quilat, a juvenile delinquent who grew up in the streets and was in and out of jail. Inside the prison, he became a buyonero, the inmate who cleans prison cell’s comfort rooms and disposes of the prisoners’ excrements.

The actor admitted that the role shocked and moved him deeply.

“At first, I didn’t know what a buyonero was. I just read the script and [was surprised that] it happens in real life. Hindi ko kaya ‘yon! (I can’t do that!) [being a buyonero],” he said in the vernacular.

Kristoffer added that among his portrayals, Nestor’s story challenged him the most. Nestor witnessed the tragic death of his parents and was forced to take care of himself without any help from known family at such a young age.

“Of all the roles I played, this one is the hardest. I could already feel (the difficulties that Nestor went through) just by reading the script. And knowing that it is a true-to-life story, makes it even more painful,” he recounted in Filipino.

Kristoffer also shared his personal reflections on the importance of holding on to one’s faith despite the struggles we endure and the baggage of our past.

“This Tanikala episode is really an eye opener for me. The closest I can relate to Nestor’s life is that we both came to a point in our lives when we felt abandoned. But the core message is about your faith. No matter how grave your situation is, God can answer our prayers in ways we do not expect.”

Don’t miss Kristoffer Martin as he stars in Tanikala presents ‘Buyonero’ on April 18, Maundy Thursday, 5:30 p.m. at GMA, directed by Derrek Adapon.

Sinepiyu Deadline Extended to April 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sinepiyu, an annual student film competition at Far Eastern University, is extending the deadline of submission of entries for its intercollegiate division to April 15.

Organized by the FEU Film Society in partnership with the President's Committee on Culture, Sinepiyu encourages aspiring and future filmmakers across the Philippines to tell stories about social realities and create social awareness.

The competition is divided into two groups, the ALL TAMARAWS for FEU Communication students who are currently enrolled in CNM2 (Film Production) and the FEU INTERCOLLEGIATE which is open to all student filmmakers from around the country.

The FEU INTERCOLLEGIATE is further divided into three categories – narrative, documentary and experimental. For the intercollegiate division, a fee of 150 pesos will be required to join the festival. Deposit and proof of payment submission details are provided in the mechanics and registration form.

Interested parties can register their films for the intercollegiate division through this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc93Aud39UYQ54r8dk-KjnumMWzMGeHh2N9T8abHTyXaoMkcA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Sinepiyu 2019 also accepts film entries via FilmFreeway.com, an online submission platform, at https://filmfreeway.com/Sinepiyu.

Among the student films which won in this division, formerly known as the FEU Video Open, are Martika Ramirez Escobar’s “Melancolique Amie” and Petersen Vargas’ “Ito ang Huling Araw” and “Expiry” (UP Film Institute), Carl Chavez’s “Not Applicable,” Martin Mayuga’s “Finish Line” and Tim Rone Villanueva’s “Santa Nena!” (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde), Tricia Sotaso’s “Ang Pagkalaglag ng Ginintuang Salamin ng Pagkakilanlan” and Lady Vicente’s “Ang Pagtuklas sa Larangan ng Pagiging Maria Clara” (Mapua University) and Ian Abaya’s “Ang Pangalan Ko ay Simon” (University of Santo Tomas).

Meanwhile, the deadline of submission of entries for the ALL TAMARAWS division is set on April 29.

Some notable FEU films which won in other competitions after their Sinepiyu premiere are Juan Pablo Pineda’s “Pua Iyam,” Josel Fajardo’s “Boyet Loves You,” Daryll Apaga’s “Retrospektib,” Jesus Singh’s “Madison,” Ralph Quincena’s “Dungaw,” Frances Louise Giner’s “Touch Move,” Francis Guillermo’s “Sa Gabing Tanging Liwanag ay Paniniwala,” Hannah Maur’s “Aswang,” Trisha Marie Antonio’s “Dama,” Bibo Ebuen’s “Ang Huling Bucketlist,” Jelen Tan’s “Estrella,” Christian Babista’s “Tagimpan,” Raf Evangelista’s “Apuhap,” Kenneth Mandrilla’s “Punla,” Monica Bianca Arcena’s “Uban,” Yesh Anne Burce’s “Keep Right,” Gladys Cristobal’s “In-Idol,” S. Ralph Gelua’s “Hakbang” and Fifth Solomon’s “Manibela.”

FEU Filmsoc adviser and advocacy filmmaker Seymour Sanchez commends FEU students for the quality of filmmaking they have been churning out in recent years. “Sinepiyu judges have noticed that although the FEU Department of Communication is not a film school, students have been able to produce films which can equal, if not surpass, those from the leading film schools in the country,” he said.

Sinepiyu will run from May 6 to 8 at the FEU Institute of Arts and Sciences Building. Awarding ceremonies will be held at the FEU Auditorium on May 10.

Pasig River “Tawiran” Stations Up for Rehabilitation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), together with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Manila 6th District Representative Sandy Ocampo, led the launching of the development project for the Pasig River Ferry Terminal in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila yesterday, 10 April 2019.

Hailed as the “Bagong Tawiran ng Bayan,” the development of the Pasig River Ferry Terminal aims to rehabilitate the current “tawiran” stations where passengers take a ferry to cross the river. 

Construction works will soon begin, with the project expected for completion by the middle of 2020. Four (4) more stations are looking to be added in the future.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the rehabilitation project aims to improve the facilities of the “tawiran” stations for a better commuting experience especially of longtime users. 

“I am very pleased that the Pasig River Ferry Terminal development project will now push through, thanks to the efforts of the PPA and the Local Government of Manila. Tuloy na tuloy na po ito para sa ikagiginhawa ng ating mga kababayan,” Secretary Tugade expressed.

Currently, ‘bangkas’ transport commuters across the Pasig River from one station to another in just under one (1) minute and 30 seconds at a fare of PhP4.00.

DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Fernando Juan Perez said the rehabilitation of “tawiran” stations is seen to encourage public use of this major waterway to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila. 

“Every day, almost a thousand Filipinos, particularly those who are part of the working class of our country, primarily depend on the transportation offered by ‘bangkas’ here in Sta. Ana. We believe that this project is very important and timely, since the DOTr is currently making ways to efficiently use our inland waters as a means of transportation to ease up congestion on our roads,” Usec. Perez said.

Perez also added that the DOTr and PPA are looking to add more stations in the future to further utilize the Pasig River by providing an interprovincial transportation system from Metro Manila to Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Bataan.

The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by Usec. Perez, PPA PMO NCR South Port Manager Eligio Fortajada, PPA PMO NCR South Engineer Irma Bactol, and Rep. Ocampo.