FDCP’s Funding Program Awards PHP 17.3 Million to 28 Filipino Film Projects

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

To show its continued support for the production and development of Filipino films, the CreatePHFilms, the public funding initiative of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), has selected 28 Filipino film projects as recipients of CreatePHFilms funding program amounting to a total of PHP 17.3 million of selective funds.

Under the CreatePHFilm Funds for Development, the 10 chosen projects will each receive a selective, non-refundable fund of PHP 100,000 for Scriptwriting:

 

●      “6th Finger” by Sheron Dayoc

●      “Posthouse” by Nikolas Red

●      "Safari Paraiso” by Glenn Barit

●      “At the Break of Dawn” by Janice Perez

●      “Mga Banggi nin Pantomina” by Arjanmar Rebeta

●      “Symphonies from the River” by Arvin Belarmino

●      “The Gospel of the Beast” by Sheron Dayoc

●      “Ms. Mama Mary” by Sonny Calvento

●      “Dalisay” by Joseph Mangat

●      “The Merman in Koh Sichang” by Arden Rod Condez

 

The CreatePHFilm Fund for Project Development is a selective and nonrefundable fund of PHP 200,000 for production companies. These are the six selected projects that will each be given PHP 200,000:

 

●      “Pony Boys” by Daluyong Studios

●      “After Autumn” by Southern Lantern Studios

●      “The Underneath” by TEN17P

●      “Makapili” by Voyage Film Studios

●      “Stray Cats” by Southern Lantern Studios

●      “The Black Dog Which Causes Cholera” by Jim Jasper Lumbera and Joey Alexis Singh

 

The CreatePHFilm Fund for Small Budget Production is a selective recoupable fund of PHP 1 million for production companies. The three films selected to receive the PHP 1 million fund are:

 

●      “People of the Lake” by Shirin Bhandari

●      “Retirada” by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz

●      “Yellowfin” by E del Mundo

 

Two films will receive a selective equity investment fund of PHP 5 million from the CreatePHFilm Fund for Large Budget Production:

 

●      “Topakk” by Richard Somes

●      “Boldstar” by Antoinette Jadaone

 

Five projects will be granted the CreatePHFilms Fund for Post-Production of PHP 300,000, a selective fund granted to its engaged post-production company:

 

●      “Alimungaw: The Ominous Wind of Uncertainty” by Bagane Fiola

●      “Balaan: Sacred Voices, Sacred Lands” by Bagane Fiola

●      “Bukal” by Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon

●      “Ginhawa” by Christian Paolo Lat

●      “Rangtay Papan Idjaybangir” by Ferdie Balanag, Kawayan de Guia, and Padma Perez

 

The CreatePHFilms Fund for Distribution has selected two films to receive a selective fund of P300,000 for its local and overseas distribution:

 

●      “Ang Pagbabalik ng Kwago” by Martika  Escobar

●      “Whether the Weather is Fine (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon)” by Carlo Francisco Manatad

 

“Despite the major setbacks brought by the pandemic, I hope our programs to support our Filipino filmmakers will further inspire and encourage them to keep creating and honing their masterpieces. The Agency will continuously give its best to discover and develop creative talents equipped for the future of Philippine Cinema,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

CreatePHFilms 2021 Cycle 2 will soon open later in the month. Eligible applicants must be Filipino filmmakers and companies accredited by the FDCP’s National Registry, while eligible projects must have a Filipino director. Additionally, 100 percent of the funds must be spent in the Philippines for eligible expenses.

For inquiries on how to apply for the CreatePHFilm Funds for Development (Script Development and Project Development), Production (Small Budget and Large Budget), Post-Production, and Distribution, visit fdcp.ph/createphfilms.

PLDT underscores innovation as key for businesses to succeed in the post-pandemic era

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Businesses need to be agile across their operations and participate in digital ecosystems to succeed in the post-pandemic world according to the country’s largest integrated telecommunications provider PLDT.

During the recent Franchise Asia Philippines Virtual International Conference, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio stressed that Filipinos need to embrace resilience and adaptability to overcome the difficulties brought by the pandemic.

“It has become imperative to adapt and act fast—pivoting processes and operations to survive, and build resilience for a sustainable future ahead,” said Panlilio.

The PLDT executive said that the past year had presented the significance of digital transformation in every industry, which now redefines how businesses operate. Panlilio said companies strived to digitize their core processes by putting digital transformation on the top of their priority list as a long-term investment.

“It is the incubation of technology, purpose, and balance that drives people growth, business strategies, and sustainability. At the center of it all is still the customer. Hence, it is imperative to go beyond the hype of new technologies and discover how they can shape our future,” he added.

Given this scenario, PLDT and Smart have been leveraging digital technology and a robust network to deliver a world-class customer experience at the forefront of breakthrough innovations in the telco industry.

“PLDT and Smart are establishing programs that can effectively identify, evaluate, and incubate digitization to transform ourselves. By doing so, we are also creating new opportunities and harnessing advanced technologies to chart a path to the next horizon, mindful of our civic duty to help with economic recovery and overall nation-building,” Panlilio said.

Likewise, he mentioned PLDT’s continuous investment in network bandwidth capacity and fast-tracking of its fiber rollout, which has already reached over 524,000 km as of June 2021, a 22 percent increase compared to last year.

The group, through its B2B arm PLDT Enterprise, also continues to upgrade its network of 10 globally certified data center facilities to serve the hyperscaler market. PLDT is optimistic that making the Philippines a strategic hyperscaler hub in the Asia Pacific will propel the country to be the region’s next digital destination of choice by hyperscalers.

“PLDT and Smart continuously support Filipino enterprises by providing them with the best solutions available, exemplifying the most innovative digital transformation, enabling e-Industries, and empowering businesses in all shapes and sizes to evolve and thrive in this new operating condition,” he concluded.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.

Are Our Protected Areas Surviving COVID-19?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

For Protected Areas, lockdowns mean fewer tourism impacts, but fewer funds


The lockdowns spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of people to stay home. The world’s Protected Areas (PAs), which have been trying to manage ever-growing throngs of tourists, were certainly granted a reprieve – but after two years, the lack of visitors is having a telling effect.

The United Nations Development Fund’s Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) Project, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently staged a three-part webinar series entitled Ecotourism in Protected Areas: Towards Green Recovery on September 17, 24 and October 1, 2021.

Hosted by Alpabeto Ng Kalikasan author Anya Santos-Uy, the first session tackled the impacts of the global pandemic on ecotourism, particularly for Protected Areas (PAs). Speakers included DENR Undersecretary for Protected Areas and Special Concerns Edilberto Leonardo, International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Dr. Anna Spenceley, Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent (PASu) Emerita Albas and Apo Reef Natural Park PASu Krystal Dayne Villanada.

Leave No Trace Principles are paramount in keeping the country’s PAs in good condition. (Center for Outdoor Ethics)

Ecotourism in Protected Areas: Towards Green Recovery was a three-part webinar series which tackled the impacts of the global pandemic on ecotourism, particularly on PAs. Recordings of the three sessions can be viewed on BIOFIN’s Facebook Page. 

“Ecotourism, one of the lifelines of biodiversity conservation, is struggling to recover,” shared Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Protected Areas and Special Concerns Edilberto Leonardo during a digital session on PAs. “PAs have been closed to visitors for over a year. A few reopened, but only for a limited number of visitors in consideration of safety protocols. The flow of income to our PAs dipped. Even more disheartening is the impact on the livelihoods of local communities, especially our rangers and patrollers who are largely dependent on the very PAs they protect.”

PASu Emerita Albas agreed. “Though vegetation regenerated because of fewer hikers, we have less funds for operations.” One of the most popular trekking destinations in the country, Mt. Pulag National Park hosts the tallest peak in Luzon. In 2019, 43,229 hikers entered the park, contributing PHP8,974,760 to its coffers. The lockdowns cut visits by 98%. From January to August 2021, just 778 people visited, contributing a paltry PHP28,935.

The second session discussed post-pandemic ecotourism recovery strategies. Speakers included Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center PASu Melody Ann Malano, Balinsasayao Twin Lakes PASu Moreno Tagra, the Department of Tourism’s Ramon Tiongco, Jr., DENR National Parks Division’s Gabriel Anthony Ferrer, plus the IUCN’s Dr. Anna Spenceley.

“We’re developing and refining tomorrow’s best practices to help our PAs recover faster. We’re embracing technology to facilitate everything from no-contact, cashless payments to offering the public unique digital experiences via social media, which can be offered even after the pandemic is over,” shared PASu Melody Ann Malano.

The third session on the other hand, encouraged the audience to be responsible travelers. Speakers included DENR-BMB Assistant Director Amelita DJ Ortiz, DOT Promotions Board’s Cesar Villanueva, DENR-BMB’s Pola Geneva Bumanglag, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Assistant PASu Clint Michael Cleofe and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park PASu Angelique Songco.

Hikers trek through the sprawling grasslands of Mt. Pulag National Park, which straddles the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya. The Philippines currently has 124 Protected Areas or PAs. “Even before the pandemic, the conservation community has suffered from a chronic dearth of resources,” shares BIOFIN Project Manager Anabelle Plantilla. “The lockdowns drastically reduced funding for our already cash-strapped PAs.”

Steely-eyed park rangers patrol the world-famous Tubbataha Reefs off the coast of Palawan. DENR and BIOFIN are staging the Virtual Travels to Protected Areas video contest, which offers all-expense paid trips to selected PAs in the country. The contest is open until 15 November. Interested participants can learn more HERE

Known as the Tubbataha Reefs’ ‘Mama Ranger’, PASu Angelique Songco said the renowned offshore park modified existing policies to curb negative tourism impacts during and after the pandemic. “We’ve banned single-use plastics within the park and mandated divers to turn each dive into a cleanup dive. We’ve disallowed drones which can disturb the rookeries or breeding colonies of both seabirds and marine turtles. We want our visitors to set a good example for other travelers.”

With the global pandemic’s second year ending, the world’s national parks and PAs are hoping to welcome the public with better experiences.

During the webinar on responsible traveling to PAs, several topics were touched on, including ethics and behavior in PAs with regards to policies and laws governing wildlife in PAs, plus noise, waste, light pollution, the proper use of technology and ‘Leave No Trace’ or LNT principles. BIOFIN and its allies encourage travelers to educate themselves on these when visiting PAs.

“For those who are at home, you can devote your extra time to learn better ways to become responsible travelers,” said DOT’s Cesar Villanueva. “Share what you learn through social media and don’t forget to engage people and organizations which help protect our environment.”

DENR-BMB, BIOFIN, DOT and DILG is pushing for a proposed Presidential Proclamation to herald 2022 as the Year of the Protected Areas (YoPA) and June of each year as the Month of Protected Areas. YoPA aims to increase awareness on the value of PAs, promote visits and in turn, increase park revenues from visitors.

In addition, DENR and BIOFIN are staging the Virtual Travels to Protected Areas video contest, which offers all-expense paid trips to selected PAs in the country. The contest is open until 15 November and interested participants can learn more HERE.

With the imposed travel restrictions, much of the world is contending itself with virtual ‘Sofa Safaris’ enjoyed by tourists from the comfort of their own homes. Soon however, PAs like Mt. Pulag, the Tubbataha Reefs and other top hiking and diving destinations might be ready to take in more visitors.

“We hope to welcome many good tourists when the lockdowns lift,” concludes Songco. “For now and until our PAs get through COVID-19, we must learn to be physically distanced but socially engaged.”

Cover photo: Tamaraw rangers and civilian observers scan the grassy ridges of the Iglit-Baco Mountain Range for critically endangered tamaraw. “We need to build back better to ensure that COVID-19 leaves our PAs in a better state than before the pandemic,” says BIOFIN’s Anabelle Plantilla