FDCP to Stage 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night Online in Support of National Arts Month

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine Cinema was still able to gain various accolades in the global arena in 2020.

 

The Filipino filmmakers, actors, and films that received international recognitions from established film festivals and award-giving bodies over the past year will be honored in the 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night (FAN).

 

In support of National Arts Month of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold this year’s FAN online on February 28. It is supported by the Cultural Center of the Philippines through the participation of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

The FAN is an annual gathering since 2017 organized by the FDCP that recognizes filmmakers whose international victories have brought honor to the country. Due to persisting restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, the FAN will be streamed live on the FDCP’s Facebook pages and YouTube Channel.

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño remarked, “We laud the honorees for their artistry and perseverance, and these were not hindered even when the global cinema industry suffered so much. Our filmmakers still managed to put the spotlight on Philippine Cinema amid the pandemic, and for that we are grateful.”

 

She continued, “We are also humbled and honored because of the FDCP’s collaborations with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Cultural Center of the Philippines for the first-ever virtual FAN. This shows how much the government values our filmmakers and the rest of the country’s artists.”

 

The FAN has recognized more than 266 filmmakers in four editions. In 2020, the A-List Winners roster, pertaining to those won in A-List international film festivals, included “Verdict” by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez which won the Special Jury Prize in the Horizons (Orizzonti) section of the Venice International Film Festival in Italy.

 

The other A-List Winners were “Mindanao” director Brillante Mendoza who won for Best Artistic Contribution at the Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt, “Mindanao” lead Judy Ann Santos who was the Cairo Best Actress, “Aswang” by Alyx Ayn Arumpac which won the FIPRESCI Prize in the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in the Netherlands, and Jun Robles Lana who won Best Director for “Kalel, 15” at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.

Apart from recognizing the country’s international award winners of the past year, the FDCP also bestows during the FAN its highest honor called the Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Award for icons, trailblazers, and legends.

The Camera Obscura Award recipients in 2020 were Cathy Garcia-Molina for being the highest-grossing Filipino Film director, Nick Deocampo for being the vanguard of Filipino film history and education, and Ricky Lee for being an awarded scriptwriter and dedicated mentor to the next generation of scriptwriters.

 

On February 28, a new batch of Filipino film ambassadors will be duly recognized to be led by the Camera Obscura Awardees and A-Listers. Among the other FAN categories are Short Films, Documentaries, Technical Awards, Acting Awards, and Feature Films. 

Making Martial Arts a Part of Everyday Life: The Physical and Mental Benefits of Training According to Team Lakay

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Over the past few years, people all across the globe have increasingly turned to martial arts as their primary fitness option. It’s no longer just a sport, but also a viable alternative to traditional gym.

In fact, some of the greatest martial artists in the world can attest to the very many benefits martial arts has on human life.

Reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, both members of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, Philippines, can say with confidence that martial arts has had a positive effect on their lives.

“Learning martial arts has molded me into a better person. I was a very different Joshua Pacio 15 years ago, before I took up martial arts. And this is because of the core values that martial arts taught me, and of course, because of the people who guided me on my journey,” said Pacio.

“Martial arts principles help us in our everyday lives with how we approach people and relationships. It teaches us to apply discipline in all aspects of our lives, and of course, self-control mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

Today, Pacio is one of the most talented martial artists in the industry. He’s reached the pinnacle of the sport through hard work and dedication to his craft. Because martial arts improved not just his professional career, but also his personal life, Pacio urges everyone to practice martial arts.

“Some people may have the misconception that MMA is a brutal sport. But believe me, it will change your life. When you take up martial arts, you learn it’s not just about punching and kicking. That’s just part of it. The lessons go deeper than that. Martial arts will make you a better version of yourself,” said Pacio.

“The main thing for me is developing self-discipline. When you have self-discipline, everything else follows. It will reflect in your attitude and work ethic. In the famous words of Kung Fu Panda, ‘there is no secret ingredient, it’s just you.’ This means everything is up to you. So just enjoy what you’re doing, and don’t quit. When you get tired, take a rest, and then go again. Just don’t quit.”

Eustaquio, on the other hand, notes how martial arts is a holistic fitness undertaking, one that unites the mind, body, and spirit. He shares the same sentiments as his younger teammate.

“Martial arts has played a very big role in my life. It has gotten me through some difficult times. There are times that I get frustrated with different things, but I just go to the gym, sweat it out and leave the gym free-spirited after,” said Eustaquio,

“You learn something new everyday. Last year, it helped me to become more mentally tough during the pandemic. I was constantly motivated and found different ways to stay active. When the mind is healthy, the body is healthy, and the spirit is healthy. Martial arts is my way of life.”

“Martial arts taught me that nothing is impossible,” Eustaquio concluded.


ONE Championship returns this Friday night, 5 February with ONE: UNBREAKABLE III, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. In the main event, former ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex continues on her quest for a historic third world title. She puts her unblemished professional MMA record on the line against Ukrainian grappler Alyona Rassohyna.

122nd anniversary of the First Shot of Philippine-American War

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in coordination with the City of Manila and other national and local government agencies will conduct a simple program commemorating the 122nd anniversary of the First Shot of Philippine-American War on 4 February 2021, 8:00 a.m., at Sociego St. cor. Silencio St., Sampaloc, Manila.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct the ceremonial singing of the National Anthem and the wreath-laying activity. The program will be led by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina, ACT Teachers Party List Congresswoman France L. Castro, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Executive Director Restituto L. Aguilar, former representative Antonio Tinio, and Barangay 586 Chairman Danilo B. Tibay.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine historical heritage through research and publication, conservation, marking of historic sites and structures, and administration of national shrines and museums.


WHAT: 122ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SHOT OF THE PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN WAR

WHEN: FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | THURSDAY | 08:00 AM

WHERE: Sociego St. cor. Silencio St., Sampaloc, Manila