Czech Republic Docu Fest Features the Philippines as Country in Focus in 2022

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

One of Europe’s leading documentary film festivals spotlight the Philippines for the upcoming Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (IDFF)  in Jihlava, Czech Republic, for 2022.

A partnership between the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the organizers of Ji.hlava was signed to formally lay out the research and retrospective of Philippine documentary films bound to be presented at the 26th edition of IDFF set on October 25 to 30, 2022.

It was announced in last year’s Ji.hlava closing event that the Philippines would be featured as IDFF’s country in focus for this year.

Around 18 Filipino films have been featured for exhibition and competition in the various categories of IDFF for the past 10 editions. In 2014, the festival honored a tribute for the Father of Filipino Independent Film, Kidlat Tahimik, who also conducted a Masterclass for the participants that same year. 

What started from a group of high school students in 1997, IDFF turned to be a significant gathering of over 1 000 documentary film professionals 25 years later, making it one of the most important documentary film festivals in Central and Eastern Europe.

FDCP CEO & Chairperson Liza Diño notes, “Ji.hlava focuses on featuring documentary, hybrid, and experimental documentary films—which I believe to be one of our strong suits. Our country and our talents have a lot to offer in this genre, and I’m proud that our country will get special attention in next year’s edition. It is an event that is worth looking forward to every year.”

Two Filipino documentary films competed in the recently concluded IDFF 2021 — Liryc Dela Cruz's Santelmo, under the Opus Bonum competition section, where the selected films competed for the Best World Documentary Film prize. And Mother’s Land (Panambi) by Jane Mariane Biyo, Katya Marie Corazon Puertollano, and Myra Angeline Soriaso for the Short Joy competition, the counterpart section for short documentary films.

PH also played a big part in the festival's latest edition as Khavn De La Cruz, a prominent name in the local independent cinema, designed its official spot. Aside from this notable participation, he has been in collaboration with the festival to lead its Academy workshop for upcoming filmmakers and is among the jurors and authors of the festival diary. Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival has been following the filmmaker’s works since 2006.

The Ji.hlava (IDFF) is one of the festivals where winners are granted eligibility for pre-selection on the prestigious Academy Awards (better known as the Oscars) and the European Film Award.

Boy Abunda One-on-one Presidential Interviews: Manny Pacquiao good heart is not enough to run a country

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

"May part ka ra rin nyan."

–Manny Pacquiao to rape victims

No one, and I say, NO ONE should ever be blamed for being raped. NO ONE. 

Manny Pacquiao really doesn’t know his way with words. Like, every fvckin’ time he opens his mouth, he says something more offensive than the word offensive.

Wala ako nakuha. I mean the sincerity is there pero yung concrete plans wala.

He should’ve just stayed as an athlete. Sumakit ulo ko. Siya yung totoong "going in circles". Some may think he just couldn't express his thoughts. Well, but hey isn't that a requirement? Yung presidente nga natin ngayon naturingang magaling, pag nagsalita naman panay shit.

I swear it's always the religious ones who really don't value women's life and choices. Not surprised though. I can feel Boy Abunda cringing from the inside.

Manny Pacquiao justifying rape by saying "may part ka rin diyan". Ang sahol. Napakalala. His beliefs are too grounded on his faith that it is no longer humane.

The way he said this only testifies that HE CAN NEVER PROTECT WOMEN, CHILDREN AND THE EVEN THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY. 

Aside from divorce & same sex union, I hope PH also considers legalizing abortion as part of women's health and rights, the whole context of it– rape, women's autonomy, unsafe methods leading to deaths, etc and NOT ONLY from a religious viewpoint. Look at Manny Pacquiao who's still stuck with the misogynistic notion that rape victims are partly responsible for their fate.

WOMEN SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE ESPECIALLY RAPE VICTIMS. Imagine criminalizing women because they want to have control over their bodies.

One day. Just one day.

Also, pro choice doesn't mean pro abortion.

But let's not take the choices away from women who need it. Our opinions won't make their lives easier at the end of the day.

If you're against abortion for yourself and you stand with your principles, then good.To whoever convinced Manny Pacquiao to run, damn you! He’s our hero. He’s our boxing champ. You knew damn well that he’s not cut out for presidency. Now, he’s becoming the laughingstock of the country that he proudly represented before. 

Kahit walang nagconvince sa kanya, gusto talaga niya. Power hungry din sya eh. Famewhore. Gusto madaming title.

Di naman sa malalaos. He's already a legend. Forever na sya nasa history. Ganid nga lang din sa power.

Let's be honest here. Manny Pacquiao may have the pure heart and genuine intentions to serve the Filipino people. Unfortunately, his experiences and knowledge are not enough.

Being a good man is not enough. Over confidence in real! Presidency is not for him. I’m sorry to say but having only a good heart is not the key for the highest post in a country. 

Running a country is NOT THE SAME as doing CHARITY. It's a HUGE RESPONSIBILITY that requires open-minded thinking, social awareness, and sufficient emotional intelligence—which I, RESPECTFULLY, think he LACKS. 

But maybe if he at least had Womens studies or Gender/Equality studies in school and maybe even some Theology baka iba yung answers niya. Actually. kahit AB PolSci foundation lang would have probably made a huge difference. Passion is not enough.

I was about to say Manny Pacquiao does have the political will, but not the SKILL. But he really just invalidated the experiences of rape victims in his interview with Tito Boy. What an awful, close-minded, and insensitive answer.

It doesn't sit right with me na super(?) religious niya and talks like this. Disappointed yet again but not surprised!

Kaya he's not really fitted for the position.

SSS urges FB followers to utilize online portals and facilities

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Social Security System (SSS) encourages its more than five million Facebook (FB) followers to actively utilize its portals and various online facilities including its social media platforms for easier access to SSS information, services, and transactions.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the SSS made available its My.SSS Portal on its website www.sss.gov.ph for members to have exclusive access to their contributions and membership records, facilitate online transactions, set appointments with their servicing branch, and request for copies of their records, among others.


Over the last few years, the My.SSS Portal has undergone enhancements and now includes online applications for loans, benefits, requests for member data change (simple corrections),Payment Reference Number (PRN) generation, and enrollment of disbursement accounts.


“The majority of our FB followers interact with us by writing queries and making follow-ups in the comments section of our official FB posts and the SSS Social Media Services Section is in charge of responding to these concerns. As we encourage active social media engagement, we also invite them to maximize the usage of the My.SSS Portal since benefit claims and loan status are readily available in their respective accounts. Likewise, they may also reach us through the FB Messenger where a Chatbot can respond to their basic and frequently asked questions," Ignacio said.


Members and employers may also use the SSS Mobile App, with similar features and may be downloaded via Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery for free. They may also avail of the Text-SSS facility via 2600 with a service fee of P2.50 per transaction for Globe, Smart, and Sun Cellular subscribers.


Aside from the My.SSS Portal, the SSS also launched in November 2020, the ExpreSSS e-Learning (ExSSSeL) Portal which allows participants to learn the different SSS policies, programs, and updates at the comfort and safety of their homes. The ExSSSeL Portal is a free online computer-based training wherein participants may choose among the modules, study at their own pace and time, take the post examination to assess the learnings gained, and receive an e-certificate upon obtaining a passing rate of at least 80% in the post examination. Members and other individuals can visit said Portal via http://bit.ly/ExSSSeL_Portal. After selecting a module, they will receive an online registration form via Google Form for them to fill out. Multiple modules can also be accessed simultaneously.


SSS has also launched the uSSSap Tayo Portal via www.crms.sss.gov.ph last September 2021 providing users with easier, simpler, and faster access to SSS information, and an avenue for sending their concerns on how to avail of SSS programs, services, and status verifications of their follow-ups and complaints.


Moreover, the uSSSap Tayo Portal utilizes a ticket support system that provides a complete archive of users’ requests which helps them track the status of their tickets in the dashboard of their accounts.

For further information about SSS’ various online services, members and employers may also access https://bit.ly/expreSSS, follow “Philippine Social Security System – SSS” on Facebook, “mysssph” on Instagram or YouTube, “PHLSSS” on Twitter, or join SSS’ Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”