SDCA Comm Majors Shine at Rotary PSA Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

St. Dominic College of Asia Communication students excelled at the 3rd Rotary PSA Festival last November 13 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Theater, Ayala Circuit Makati.

Lara Mae Tamio, a second year SDCA student who wrote and directed the entry “Pasa Pasa,” bagged 10,000 pesos and a trophy for winning third prize in the Amateur Category of the 30-second video making contest.

Sydney Mari and Sigfrianne Aslahon, Tamio’s classmates, provided ample support as cinematographer and editor, respectively, with her father, cousin and boyfriend serving as actors.

“ALAMOKUNGPAANO” by Christian Mendoza of Pansamantagal Production and “Agriculture: Key to Save Our Future” by Joselito G. Cunanan, Jr. won first and second prizes, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tamio’s fellow SDCA Communication majors, Jahmai Anne Camacho, Bien De Guzman, Jasmin Claire De Guzman and Jereen Tagle of Rinoa Productions, also made it to the shortlisted entries to the competition with their PSAs “Basura Mo, Kayamanan Ko” and “Tubig Para sa Kalusugan Natin.”

The Rotary PSA Festival is organized by the Rotary Club of Circuit Makati for amateur filmmakers and students from different high schools and colleges all over the Philippines.

Entries are grouped according to Rotary International’s Area of Focus, namely Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development.

Tamio initially planned to work on a PSA on Water and Sanitation. However, she wanted to be more specific in the PSA she was working on. She researched on a contagious disease which can still be prevented, stumbled upon tuberculosis, and ended up with a PSA on Disease Prevention and Treatment.

“Sometimes, we disregard frequent coughing, but we need to give it more attention. We can get tuberculosis even in the simple things we do everyday,” the young filmmaker said.

Meanwhile, Bien De Guzman explained the concept behind “Basura Mo, Kayamanan Ko,” which is about child labor. "We were thinking about how many minors are being forced to work or are working just to earn money to survive. Since we can find many trash along the streets or dumpsites, that’s where these minors look for their source of income. We showed how these kids are also treated by other people."

Camacho, on the other hand, revealed how we usually disregard people going through our trash. "We thought of our usual waste. This might mean money for them, like the plastic cups that we throw away."

Dr. Mary Nellie T. Roa, Dean of the SDCA School of Arts, Sciences and Education, is grateful to RCCM for "believing in the skills and abilities of our BA Communication students."

"SDCA is a dynamic and pro-active academic institution upholding high standards of excellence in communication arts. Being part of your event is truly a remarkable achievement of our students," Dean Roa added.

The Board of Judges is composed of journalist and filmmaker Arlyn Dela Cruz, stage actress and book author Mae Paner, more popularly known as “Juana Change,” veteran actor Ernie Garcia, past RCCM District Governor Edna Sutter, District Governor nominee Mildred Vitangcol, Governor-elect Maria Concepcion Camacho, Charter President Marissa Del Mar, and John Miguel Bermido, past president of Rotaract Club of Makati Legaspi (District 3830).

DOST Offers Scholarships to Grad Students from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) extends its scholarship program to the Southeast Asian community through the “DOST Scholarship Offerings for ASEAN Researchers at Cambodia – Lao PDR – Myanmar (CLM)”.

Under the program, graduate students from the three ASEAN member states may apply for scholarship and pursue their masters and doctorate degrees in various fields of science and engineering at partner universities (De La Salle University, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, UP Los Baños and UP Manila).

Current CLM scholars were welcomed by DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña in a get-together held on 22 January 2020 at the DOST-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) office in Taguig City. This was the second time DOST and partner university officials met with CLM scholarship recipients. The students thanked the DOST and the government and talked about their experiences as scholars in the country.

Secretary de la Peña emphasized the importance of friendship in the ASEAN and reminded scholars that they have a mission to fulfill.

“We are very happy that we continue to make an impact in the ASEAN Region by having this international scholarship program. This program is actually a pioneering one, maybe not just for the DOST, but for the Philippine government as well. We are happy to assist our ASEAN counterparts and exemplify what the mantra “ASEAN helping ASEAN” truly means,” the DOST Secretary said.

Also present in the event were DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services, Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr.; Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation, Dr. Leah Buendia; Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Executive Director, Dr. Reynaldo Ebora; Science Education Institute (SEI) Director, Dr. Josette Biyo, SEI Deputy Director, Engr. Albert Mariño, and representatives of the delivering universities.

For Dr. Solidum, science, technology and innovation are the three most important pillars that can drive our countries to achieving global competitiveness and sustainable growth. “To strengthen our efforts, we need all the help we can get from our people and our partners from the international scientific community,” he said.

Since the program’s inception in 2017, SEI acts as implementing agency and visits the three countries to hold applicant screening sessions.

On its first year of implementation, 14 masters students and 4 doctorate candidates passed. Now on its second year, the number of scholars increased to 25, with 20 taking their MS and 5 pursuing their Ph.D. in genetics, entomology, environmental science, environmental engineering, agronomy, public health, clinical medicine, electronics and communications engineering, civil engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering, among others. Eleven scholars are citizens of Cambodia, 11 from Myanmar and 3 from Lao PDR.

Dr. Biyo encouraged scholars to finish the program and give back to their respective countries. “Be an inspiration to others who wish to pursue graduate studies in the Philippines. Hopefully, we’ll be able to accommodate more CLM scholars in the future.”

SEI will visit CLM embassies this March to interview applicants for the next batch of scholars. Interested applicants may email Ms. Susan Esquivel, DOST-SEI Senior SRS, at esquivelsf@gmail.com for more information. (30)

Photo Caption:

ASEAN HELPING ASEAN. DOST and University Officials welcome new and ongoing DOST scholars from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar at a get-together event held on 22 January 2020 at the DOST Compound in Taguig City.

St. Dominic Student Film Wins at CineJuana

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A film by second-year Communication majors from St. Dominic College of Asia won at the CineJuana Digital Shorts Competition during the Youth Forum on Violence Against Women and Girls, organized by the Philippine Commission on Women last November 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Lara Mae Tamio collaborated with fellow SDCA sophomores Sydney Mari and Sigfrianne Aslahon to bag third prize for “Para Kay Bunso” in CineJuana’s #LabanJuana category. The film shows the miserable realities of abuse at home, presenting a woeful cycle that makes siblings suffer.

“Alas Tres” by Cinema Agustino (La Consolacion College Manila) and “Tubig” by SagipIT Production (Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology) won first and second prize, respectively. “Eluquor (To Speak Up)” by BOB Productions (Caraga State University), the sole finalist from Mindanao, and “KaSAYSAYan: Rebolusyon ng Pagbabago” by Reporma Productions (Kingfisher School of Business-Pangasinan) got consolation prizes as the two other #LabanJuana finalists.

“How to Pick Up Chicks” by 5ML Production (Asia Pacific College) led the winners in the #LigtasJuana category with “Tindahan” by 4+1 Productions (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde) and “Mulat” by EMCinema (Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila) placing second and third, respectively. The other #LigtasJuana finalists are “Kanlungan” by Hades Production (Tabaco National High School) and “Bantay” by Kahol Films (St. Paul College San Rafael-Bulacan).

“Hatdog ni Boyet” by KMBT Productions (CIIT Philippines) topped the #JuanParaKayJuana category, with “Blager” by Majarlika Productions (Tarlac State University) ending up second and “Lahat Para Sa'yo” by AgustinemA (NEUST) capturing third. Consolation prizes for #JuanParaKayJuana went to “Tanikala ng Kahapon” of Team Tanikala and “Mabuti Na Lang” by Para Bongga ang Productions, both from NEUST like the winning student filmmakers from SagipIT Production and AgustinemA.

“Mabuti Na Lang” also got the People’s Choice Award, based on the Facebook insights, specifically the number of unique viewers of each film.

First prize winners brought home 50,000 pesos while the second and third placers received 35,000 and 20,000 pesos, respectively. The People's Choice Awardee bagged 15,000 pesos and the consolation prize winners got 5,000 pesos each.

#LabanJuana features empowering stories that encourage women to seek help and break free from the cycle of violence. Meanwhile, #LigtasJuana focuses on the important provisions of the Safe Spaces Act or Republic Act 11313, as films under this category help explain and popularize its contents. Finally, #JuanParaKayJuana highlights the role of men and boys in reducing VAW, especially in their own circles.

PCW launched CineJuana as part of its activities for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, which ran from November 25 to December 12. It recognizes the power of cinema in raising awareness on violence and inspiring actions to prevent it, as student filmmakers nationwide focus their cameras on VAW issues.

Writer Noreen Capili, who also serves as PCW Commissioner for Media and the Arts, judged the finalists together with award-winning and critically acclaimed filmmakers Pamela L. Reyes, Leilani Chavez, Carlo Catu and Zig Dulay. The judges chose the winners based on their films’ relevance to the theme and objectives of the competition, creativity and originality, cinematography, editing, and sound and music.