PH Cinema’s 100 Years at Sine Sandaan Is a Celebration of Unsung Heroes, Luminaries, Legends, and Icons

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In recognition of decades of incredible work and service to Philippine Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) staged Sine Sandaan: Celebrating the Luminaries of Philippine Cinema’s 100 Years to honor the most remarkable and critically-acclaimed Filipino artists and film workers in front of and behind the camera, as well as the oldest living Filipino actors, actresses and professionals as legends of Philippine Cinema.


To close this historic month for the Philippine film industry, let’s celebrate how Sine Sandaan marked the official launch of the year-long celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema last September 12 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City, a venue which was the biggest cinema in Asia in 1965 and an entertainment hub in the 1960s. The theater was turned into an Art Deco Cinema by Bigbulb Creative Lab, Inc. in honor of the standalone theaters during the cinema’s Golden Age.


The once-in-a-lifetime commemoration marked the one hundred years since Jose Nepomuceno’s “Dalagang Bukid,” considered the first Filipino-produced and directed feature film. This will be observed from September 12, 2019, to September 11, 2020, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 622, Series of 2018.
The event was attended by almost 2,000 people from the film industry's past and present which made it the epic event that it was.

Supporting the vision of FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño was a talented creative and technical production team who lent their geniuses to create world-class production numbers. These truly represented the rich history of our cinema and the milestone that led to its flourishing and success so far.

Directed by singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra under his events company, Fire and Ice Production, Sine Sandaan was created to become a tapestry of the milestones of Philippine cinema through a diverse presentation of skits, live score and musical performances, and production numbers. This was a labor of love and commitment Director Seguerra willingly gave as his personal gift to Philippine cinema’s commemoration for its hundred years.

Scriptwriter Adriana Agcaoili created a wonderful thread to seamlessly weave the program from one era to another. The Main Stage, with its strategically placed LEDs and levels to create a 3-dimensional effect, was designed by Ottobots Hernandez, and was illuminated and brought to life by the lighting design of John Batalla, paired with exhilarating LED visuals and video design by GA Fallarme.

The breathtaking performances were guided by the technical direction Dong Calingacion with stage managers Lani Tapia and Ching Danseco. The beautiful dances all throughout were choreographed by Dan Cabrera with the impeccable and impressive musical direction by Ivan Lee Espinosa. TV broadcast direction was managed by Tey Clamor and her team, and overall production management was handled by Rosalinda Santiago.

Sine Sandaan opened with the musical “Ang Mundo ng Pelikula” with lyrics, music, and arrangement by Vincent A. de Jesus. This represented the world of filmmaking, from production to exhibition, as a tribute to the people behind the camera and the hard work that gets put into making a film. Performers included Isay Alvarez, Sandino Martin, Jojit Lorenzo, Robert Sena, JC Santos, Kayla, Adriana Agcaoili, Teri Onor, and the Dance Royalties ensemble. Choreography was done by Daniel Cabrera.


The importance and essential role of regional cinema in the landscape of the industry were highlighted through a performance of Bullet Dumas of “Sa Rehiyon,” an original song composed by Mike Villegas just for the occasion. Some that were given tribute were the proponents of Visayan cinema, the film festivals of the regions, and the new voices of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The living legends who helped shape the local film industry into what it is now was commemorated with the song “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako” written by Jose Javier Reyes, composed by Ryan Cayabyab, and performed by Ice Seguerra. Their incomparable experience and wisdom have guided the generations of artists and filmmakers after them.


A commemorative Sine Sandaan trophy will also be given to the honorees during their respective events in the following months as FDCP hosts this year-long celebration. Exhibits, film screenings, installations, a coffee table book, and memorabilia which are in line with the celebration of Philippine cinema’s centenary are in the works.


The design, created by one of FDCP's partners, Bigbulb Creative Lab, Inc., takes on the dynamic form of film strips flying out of the reel, with each loop starting from the reel's core representing a decade in the one hundred years of Philippine Cinema.

Sine Sandaan is organized by FDCP and is co-presented by CMB Film Services and ABS-CBN in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and sponsored by Araneta Group and the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP).


Following Sine Sandaan was the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, one of the country’s national film festival where Filipino genre films were exclusively screened in all cinemas nationwide. PPP ran from September 13 and was extended until September 26, 2019. PPP 2019 is co-presented by CMB Film Services and Frontrow International in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) with major sponsors, namely Toronto Film School and Yorkville University, Fire and Ice Productions, ThinkBIT Solutions, and Araneta Group, and other sponsors, including Bicol Isarog Transport System, Inc., PowerMac Center, and Novotel Manila. Media partners are Solar Entertainment Corporation, Sinag Maynila, CNN Philippines, Cinema One, PEP.ph, Inquirer.net, InqPOP!, Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), Rank Magazine, Peryodiko Filipino, and Adobo Magazine. The corporate partner includes PUBLICITYASIA.

MSHS hosts Career Fair with Batch 1994 Alumni

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Manila Science High School recently conducted its third Career Fair at the school quadrangle in line with the Science Month Celebration of its Senior High School Department.

Dr. Charissa Gonzales, obstetrician¬gynecologist, Perpetual Succor Hospital; Atty. Kristine Audrey J. Cabebe, Assistant City Prosecutor-Manila, Department of Justice; Judee R. Quiazon, Executive Director for Taguig Region, BNI Philippines; and Kristine Bo-o, Supply Chain Manager, Mundipharma Distribution GmbH Philippine Branch, discussed their respective career and shared tips from their work experience.

Science teacher and Career Fair organizer Elizabeth L. Marasigan envisioned the activity to establish a channel to introduce MSHS alumni and their corresponding fields of expertise to the current students.

Marasigan’s fellow Science teacher and event co-organizer Jonas Feliciano Domingo explained that the SHS department wanted Grade 12 students to learn from actual experiences of their fellow MaScians which helped them succeed in their academics and chosen professions.

“The four speakers motivated and inspired their fellow MaScians from their experiences. They also shared highlights of their stay in Masci that helped them excel in college. The activity showed how Batch 1994 sustained the tradition of excellence on the arenas that they are now part of,” Domingo said.

Atty. Cabebe said that “it was a wonderful experience to have been given the opportunity to impart ideas to the young ones as to what kind of life awaits them beyond the grounds of MaSci and to open their eyes to options in pursuing higher education.”

“I had the pleasurable experience of even interacting with batchmates who I was not even able to speak with during my student days and finding out that they are successful as well in their chosen endeavors,” the lawyer disclosed.

Quiazon, on the other hand, imparted her story during the Career Fair “because some students might be feeling depressed because they can’t decide on which path to pursue or are simply clueless of what they really want in life. It's okay. Whatever card you are dealt with, give it your best. Learn from it. Enjoy it.”

“MaSci isn't purely academics. It helps strengthen your character and deepen your values. It is a good training ground regardless of which career path you choose to take,” the businesswoman shared.

Meanwhile, Bo-o, who is part of the company which distributes Betadine products in the country, revealed that she will always be grateful to MaSci for helping her reach her goals. “It was surreal to be back after 25 years. A lot has changed, but the school spirit remains,” she said.

“I am proud to meet the new breed of students who will shape our country’s future. I am confident that MaSci has equipped them for college life. I hope they’ll also return to MaSci and inspire future students,” added Bo-o, who went on to graduate with a BS Industrial Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.



MSHS Principal Maria Eva Nacion thanked the alumni for their efforts, which she said are worthy to be emulated. “The real experiences you shared will surely help our students be prepared in college life and in their future career,” she concluded.

MRT-3 Adds First Dalian Train Set to Its Regular Fleet

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Starting 15 October 2019, one Dalian train set (equivalent to three train coaches) will hit the tracks of MRT-3 mainline during evening off-peak hours, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

This is after MRT-3's Japanese maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corporation-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - TES Philippines, signed yesterday, 14 October 2019, a consent for the limited deployment of one Dalian train set.

The said consent indicates that the train set will be deployed for an initial trial period lasting up to when the maintenance provider begins its rail replacement works in November 2019.

Discussions are ongoing between officials from the DOTr MRT-3, Sumitomo Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries regarding the technical considerations, especially when rail replacement works ramp up in the next few months.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also given its concurrence to the Dalian Trains Agreement with Sumitomo.

Currently, three Dalian trains (9 train coaches) sets have already completed the necessary commissioning and validation tests including the 150-hour run.

Each Dalian train set has a three-car configuration that can carry 1,050 passengers per trip.