Lav Diaz Film to Premiere in Cannes Film Fest

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Cover photo from "Ang Hupa"'s Facebook page

“The Halt” (“Ang Hupa”), the new feature film by Berlinale’s Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize winner Lav Diaz, joins this year’s lineup of films for the prestigious Director’s Fortnight, a non-competitive film showcase that runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival.

Co-produced by Spring Films and Sine Olivia Pilipinas and distributed by ARP Selection of France, “The Halt” is set in the year 2034 AD and revolves around Southeast Asia which has been “in the dark for the last three years, literally, because the sun hasn’t shone as a result of massive volcanic eruptions at the Celebes Sea in 2031. Madmen control countries, communities, enclaves and bubble cities. Cataclysmic epidemics razed over the continent. Millions have died and millions have left." The film stars Piolo Pascual, Shaina Magdayao, Joel Lamangan, Pinky Amador, and Hazel Orencio.

For the first time, multi-awarded filmmaker Diaz will participate in the Director’s Fortnight showcase this year. His cast and production team will join him to Cannes to take part in the Festival.

To further promote the growth of Philippine cinema in an international level, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will provide travel assistance for selected Filipino films which will participate in Cannes through the International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP) under the International Relations Division.

“Championing Philippine cinema in the international scene is one of our goals, and the participation of our films in the Cannes Film Festival this year makes the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema even more relevant. We are delighted to provide assistance to our filmmakers and give them the chance to further explore opportunities for international film collaborations through this prestigious film festival,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño.

On the other hand, Johanna Pyykkö’s “The Manila Lover” which is co-produced by Epicmedia (Philippines) and Barbosa Film (Norway) has been selected for the 58th La Semaine de la Critique (The International Critics' Week), a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival that aims to discover emerging talents. “The Manila Lover” lead actress Angeli Bayani will go to Cannes to participate in the Festival.

Mapúa graduate Celina Mae Medina’s thesis film “Ophelia” will also be presented at the Cannes Short Film Corner as part of the market screenings.

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the three most prestigious film festivals in the world, along with the Venice Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival.

The 72nd Cannes Film Festival will happen from May 14 to 25, 2019 in Cannes, France, the Director’s Fortnight will take place from May 15 to 25, 2019, while the Short Film Corner will be from May 20 to 25, 2019.

PHLPost Releases Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee Birth Centenary Stamps

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched a new commemorative stamp featuring former Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee.

Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee was born on April 18, 1918. He served as the Philippines’ 16th Chief Justice, from 1987 to 1988. Scoring 94.35%, Teehankee was a prolific scholar. He became the first Atenean bar topnotcher in 1940 where he received his Law Degree from Ateneo de Manila.

In 1967, Teehankee was appointed as Secretary of Justice, and in the following year, he was then appointed as Associate Justice. In 1986, he was finally appointed to the position of Chief Justice by then President Corazon Aquino.

In his later years, Teehankee served the country by accepting the appointment as the Philippines’ ambassador to the United Nations. He passed away from cancer on November 27, 1989 at the age 71. His remains are interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The stamp features the Artist rendition of Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee and its official Centenary logo. In house graphic artist Victorino Z. Serevo designed the stamps. PHLPost has printed 25,000 copies of the single design P12 commemorative stamps.

Stamps and Official First Day Cover of the 100 Birth Centenary of Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee will be available starting April 18, 2019 at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio 1000, Manila and all other Postal Areas of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

MARINA, DTI to Develop Standards for Shipbuilding, Ship Repair Sector

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) sector.

The MARINA-DTI joint technical committee will formulate the PNS for the SBSR sector to ensure the quality and competitiveness of Philippine-SBSR services through sustainable business processes as envisioned in the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP), specifically under priority program #5 or the establishment of a global maritime hub.

Currently, Philippine shipyards are required to acquire certifications from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the commitment to do environment-friendly practices; the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the safety workplace against fire accidents; and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the welfare of the workers.

With the PNS, the shipyards will also be required to meet the minimum international standards to ensure the quality and safety of Philippine-made vessels.

The DTI fully supports the MARINA on its efforts to modernize the SBSR industry, noting that it will help alleviate poverty, attract foreign investments, and achieve the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

On 08 May 2019, the MARINA will conduct a consultation with SBSR stakeholders in Mindanao to discuss the development of the PNS, specifically on ship design.

Aside from the DTI, the development of the PNS for the SBSR sector is also supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and several private partners.