FDCP Selects 2 Filipina Producers to Represent PH in Rotterdam Lab 2022

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has selected two emerging female producers as the country’s representatives in the 22nd Rotterdam Lab of the of the 51st International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in the Netherlands.

Stella Laguda of KT House Productions and Carmela Acol of TEN17P add to this year’s roster of selected budding producers, with 46 women out of 73, in the Rotterdam Lab 2022 for the IFFR Pro, the business counterpart of the festival, that will be held online from January 24 to 28, 2022.

The FDCP as an international partner of the IFFR Pro and the eligible party to nominate participants in the country, issued a Call for Applicants last December 2021 for emerging producers who have at least two short films and are working on a feature film with the aim to co-produce and network internationally.

KT House Productions’ Laguda is the writer and director of “Si Kulit at si Pilya (Kulit and Pilya)” and “Ibang Daan Pauwi (The Other Way Home).” She also worked on Gilb Baldoza’s “Hindi mo naman ako iiwan, di ba?” (as production manager) and producer of Austin Tan’s “Happy Birthday, Mylene! 2023 ka na (Happy 2023rd Birthday Mylene!)” and “Kung Nakakapagsalita Lang ang mga Halaman” (If Only Plants Could Talk).

At present, Laguda is producing “The Gay and the Dying World” by Baldoza and “RA 8941 or How We Recall Lost Memories in Transit” by Tan which is a Fiction Lab alumni of FDCP and Tatino Films’ Full Circle Lab Philippines, a capacity-building program for Filipino and Southeast Asian filmmakers that aims to support film projects’ development and post-production process in order to enhance its artistic and audience potentials focusing on storytelling.

Meanwhile, Acol of TEN17P is the production associate for marketing for Paul Soriano’s “Siargao,” production associate for Soriano’s “First Love” and RC Delos Reyes’ “Mary, Marry Me,” and associate producer for Carlo Ledesma’s “Sunod,” Delos Reyes’ “Love the Way U Lie,” and Fifth Solomon’s “The Exorsis.” She is currently working on the

Philippine adaptation of the South Korean romantic comedy “My Sassy Girl” by Solomon and “The Entitled” by Theodore Boborol as associate producer.

“For two consecutive years, we have been represented by exceptional emerging Filipina producers in the Rotterdam Lab. This will be an invaluable moment for our local producers at the start of their film production career, for them to learn more about the international networking opportunities and create lasting connections,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

Now on its second online edition, the Rotterdam Lab 2022 has chosen participants who are at the start of their career that will get to learn about international film financing, sales, and distribution through workshops, pitching training, and active and open round-table sessions with industry experts. Additionally, the selected producers will have access to the CineMart Online, the festival’s co-production market.

As part of its project and talent development programs, the Agency is consistent in opening opportunities to expose Filipino producers to international networking platforms. In the past years, the FDCP had selected and supported producers to participate in film markets such as the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film - Cannes Producers Network, the Berlinale Co-Production Market of the Berlin International Film Festival, and Locarno Pro - Match Me! Program of the Locarno Film Festival.

The Rotterdam Lab for talent development is designed to build up emerging producers’ international network and experience. Also part of the IFFR Pro initiatives are the CineMart, the Hubert Bals Fund for independent cinema, and IFFR Pro Hub which offers masterclasses, panels, debates, and professional services.

Boost Your Immune System with Easy and Healthy Dishes from La Germania

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


La Germania dishes nutritious recipes to strengthen you and your family amid cold and flu season

The new year marks a fresh start, but it also means that flu season is upon us. That’s why it’s vital for you and your loved ones to take care of your health. One of the best ways to shield ourselves from diseases and possible health risks is preparing nutritious dishes at home.

To help you boost your immune system amid flu season, La Germania shares three recipes that are easy to make and rich with health benefits. By preparing these dishes at home, you also get to make a lot of savings. Hence, you hit two birds with one stone.

 

Get fancy with Salmon en Papillote


French cuisine may sound intimidating, but this tender fish is deceptively easy and fast to prepare. Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods in the market, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids help build and maintain a healthy body, while B vitamins are a good energy source and may help with certain health problems, like migraines and anxiety. Baking this flavourful French dish will be a total breeze with your La Germania oven range.

Ingredients:

● 1.5 lbs salmon, cut into four pieces

● One small zucchini, thinly sliced

● One head fennel, thinly sliced

● One lemon, thinly sliced

● 1 tsp dried dill

● 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil

● 1 tsp salt

● 1/2 tsp pepper

● Parchment paper

Procedure:

 
Preheat the oven to 375°F.

 
Cut parchment into four large ovals 15” by 10” inches. Then, fold each parchment in half.

 
On half of each parchment, layer on ¼ of the zucchini, ¼ the fennel, one piece of salmon, sprinkle with ¼ tsp salt, ¼ pepper, ¼ tsp dill, lemon slices, drizzle each salmon with one teaspoon olive oil and a few pieces of fennel fronds. Repeat this process with the three remaining salmon filets.

 
Close the parchment by folding the other half over the prepared salmon and carefully roll the open edges toward the center.

 
Set pouches on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack for 15 minutes.

 
Open carefully using a fork and serve.

Snack it up with Baked Garlic Sweet Potatoes

If you’re in the mood for a delicious snack, you can forgo junk food and try this affordable yet delectable option instead. Sweet potato (a.k.a kamote) is a superfood packed with plenty of nutrients like Potassium, beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Potassium regulates one’s heartbeat. In contrast, beta-carotene is good for one’s eyesight. Meanwhile, Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. That’s why you should eat more sweet potatoes this flu season. With a La Germania compact oven in your arsenal, you can bake this mouthwatering dish to your heart’s content.



Ingredients:

● Four medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks

● Two tablespoons olive oil

● Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

● Five cloves garlic, pressed

● 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

● Two tablespoons chopped parsley leaves for garnish

Procedure:

 
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.

 
Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste. Place into oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and crisp, tossing occasionally.

 
Combine sweet potato with garlic and Parmesan cheese.

 
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

 

Warm up with a Detoxifying Soup


There’s nothing like a warm soup to stay healthy this cold and flu season. You can skip the store-bought or instant soup by making this soup dish full of immunity-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying ingredients like assorted vegetables and a medley of spices. Following this 30-minute recipe will be easy peasy with your La Germania electric stove.

Ingredients:

● One tablespoon olive oil

● One yellow onion, diced

● Six cloves garlic, minced

● 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

● One teaspoon turmeric

● ½ teaspoon paprika

● One tablespoon lemon juice

● One large sweet potato (about 1/2 lb) diced into ½” cubes

● 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

● 1 cup red lentils, uncooked and rinsed

● 5 cups vegetable broth

● 1/2 cup kale, destemmed and torn into 1” pieces

● Salt to taste

Procedure:

 
In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat for 1 minute.

 
Add the onion and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 
Add the garlic and ginger and continue to cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

 
Add the turmeric and paprika and continue to cook for 1 minute.

 
Add the lemon juice, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, red lentils, and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

 
Once the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potato is soft.

 
Add kale and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the kale has softened and wilted slightly.

 
Season with salt to taste.



Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare nutritious dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and make more immune-boosting food at home.

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. You may follow the trusted kitchen and appliance brand's official Facebook and Instagram accounts for more information on La Germania and its products.

SSS Sickness Benefit Program covers COVID-infected workers in home confinement

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The Social Security System (SSS) clarified that COVID-infected workers in home confinement are already covered under its Sickness Benefit Program, contrary to recent media reports.

SS explained that members who cannot work due to sickness or injury and are confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days could avail of the sickness benefit. Aside from employed members, SSS also grants sickness benefit to self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members.

The SSS Sickness Benefit Program is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a qualified member cannot work due to sickness or injury, including workers infected by COVID-19. Members can avail of up to a maximum of 120 days in sickness benefit in one (1) calendar year.

COVID-infected members in home confinement can qualify under the program if they have paid at least three monthly contributions within the last 12 months before the semester of sickness or injury and are confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days.

For employed members, they should have used all their current company sick leave with pay and notified their employer about their sickness. On the other hand, self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker members and those separated from employment must notify SSS directly by filing a sickness benefit application.

Likewise, COVID-infected members need to present a positive Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) done in a Department of Health-accredited facility; or RAT result using Food and Drug Administration-approved test kit; or non-FDA-approved RAT result together with a copy of Certificate of Completion of Quarantine issued and signed by a Medical Officer from the local government unit or the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team.