DLS-CSB film majors shine in 2nd Klima filmfest

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Student filmmakers from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde secured a total of five awards from the Klima Film Festival, a competition which aims to spotlight the effects of climate change using short films written and produced by young Filipinos nationwide.

“Tanaw” directed by Kaila Ysavl Bergonio of Playback Multimedia brought home four trophies along with 30,000 pesos for winning second runner-up, 15,000 pesos for Best Screenplay, 15,000 pesos for Best Performance (Andrea Marie Bool), and 5,000 pesos for snaring the Gender-Responsive Award.

On the other hand, “Modern Stray” by Rayshelle Lozada of Trianggulo Productions won the Audience Choice trophy and 5,000 pesos and an additional 15,000 pesos for being one of the four KFF finalists. The KFF trophies are made from recycled materials.

KFF, a joint initiative of the Climate Change Commission and the Oscar M. Lopez Center, with the support of its official media partner iWantTFC and GIZ Philippines, aims “to mobilize the youth in amplifying the importance of local climate solutions to further increase their influence on local climate policy-making and generate local climate adaptation stories as viewed by young Filipino filmmakers by providing venue for the production and promotion of climate science-based short films.”

In “Tanaw,” Aira Mendoza (Bool) is a teenage student raised by her mother, a retired barangay captain and environmental activist. A school requirement brings her onsite in a quarry for a research project.

Bergonio’s debut film was made in collaboration with another Benilde film major, Allynna Santiago, and people they met through Cine Sundays, an online film community formed by director Dan Villegas. “Despite the pressure of a first timer joining a film festival like the KFF, we knew we wanted it to be a story that makes one think, a story that disrupted social views and shed new light on societal issues such as climate justice. Given the opportunity, ‘Tanaw’ is a film set to be a story that can make a difference.”

Meanwhile, in “Modern Stray,” Sunny De Vera (Fern Santos) has been called ill-mannered and materialistic. She devises a plan to showcase her roots in Batangas as she creates new content for her YouTube channel. In her province, she retraces her past with childhood friend Nanoy (Justine Jay Daanoy). Sunny’s realizations and reflections push her to a new path as an environmental advocate.

Lozada remembers how often she obsessed with how time works, recalling how her mother also used to say that her type of stories is about time travel. “What inspires me to conceptualize the film ‘Modern Stray’ is about the idea of your past selves merging into this future self you wanted to portray. Like we’re basically our real selves as a child but as time progresses, we learn to fabricate our own truths.”

Aside from Santos and Daanoy, Lozada collaborated with co-writer Jhun Monterde, production designer, sound designer, and production manager Sophia Repuyan, co-production manager Darlene Cantos, cinematographers Terrence Santiago (who also edited the film) and Michael Musni (who also served as colorist), musical scorer Clio Gonzales, and voice actor Gabriel Buenabajo as Sunny’s father and reporter.

The short films were judged by science, gender, and film experts Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes, Dr. Rodel Lasco, Dr. Rolando Tolentino, Liza Diño-Seguerra, Honey Castro, and Sari Dalena for their cinematic attributes and technical execution, story and content, impact, as well as gender considerations.

The finalists of the KFF’s past two editions may be viewed via iWantTFC until March 2023.

Philippine Post Office launches stamps to mark the 80th Anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)

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The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) issues stamps and official first day covers in commemoration of the “80TH Anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)” on April 9, 2022.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office submitted the design of the stamps to promote, preserve, and memorialize the principles, ideas, and deeds of our war veterans, as a means to enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth of the land.

The layout of the stamps was further enhanced by (Post Office) in-house graphic artist Ryman Dominic Albuladora. The Post Office has printed 40,000 copies of the Stamps to be sold at P12 each. Additional 5,400 Official First Day Covers were also printed to be sold to stamp collectors.

“Today, April 9, 2022, as we launch the 80th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) commemorative stamps, it is our hope that we continue to ignite our sense of nationalism and cultivate unity in the country as we face the challenges of the future” Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said.

Filipino and American forces together defended Bataan from the invasion of the Imperial Japanese Army from January 7, 1942 and for ninety-three days, our defenses encountered violent bombings, shelling, infection, and disease. On April 9, the resistance negotiated its surrender, and this day became known as the “Fall of Bataan”.

Every April 09, the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) was made a legal holiday through Republic Act (R.A.) No. 3022. Bataan Day was renamed “Araw ng Kagitingan”, to honor both Bataan and Corregidor, through Executive Order No. 203, s. 1987 of President Corazon C. Aquino.

Aside from this national observance, national shrines have been erected to memorialize the bravery of Filipino and American forces during the four-month-long Battle of Bataan, such that the Dambana ng Kagitingan – or the “Shrine of Valor” at Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan which was depicted in the commemorative stamps.

Stamps and official first day covers are now available at THE Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio. For inquiries on the stamps, please call (02)8527-0108 or (02)8527-0132 and follow and like Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasPhilately/ for updates.

SM Supermalls will color you happy this summer!

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Bursting with color starting April, SM Supermalls is giving its shoppers of all ages a spectrum of hope, happiness, and fun with delightful and safe activities that everyone in the family can look forward to when they visit their favorite SM mall.

Snap-worthy rainbow play areas! Multifunctional play pods in all colors of the rainbow await you at the indoor and outdoor play pods that kids and kids-at-heart will love. From rainbow staircases to larger than life displays, you’ll have no trouble getting the best and most colorful #POTD entry!

Sizzling hot summer deals! What’s summer without a mall-wide sale? Go on a shopping spree and get all your summer essentials, including must-have toys, at the nearest SM mall. Delight your kids with sporty knick knacks, inflatables, and bikes to amp up their summer activities even while at home. Visit the pop-up stores in select SM malls for great finds and exclusive deals!

Sweet treats and Summer Eats! Sip, eat, repeat, and satisfy those cravings with a wide array of food and drink choices at SM Summer Eats!  A weekend al fresco market awaits you with delicious meals and refreshing drinks all in IG-worthy colorful dining spaces! Watch out for Summer Teas happening on April 16 to 30 where there will be lots of discounts on the best milk teas to quench your thirst too!

Summer fun under the sun! Time to flex that Tiktok talent! Be witty and wacky, colorful and bright, at the SM Summer Tiktok challenge which you can shoot at any of the the malls’ colorful outdoor and indoor displays. For pawrents, you can have a furry fun time with your pets when you join the pet olympics, go on a picnic with them, or treat them with a pampering session. For the fitness buff, there’s going to be a 7-day fitness blitz for adults and kids at select SM malls where you can blow off steam and sweat it out. Whatever your passion is, we have lots of summer fun activities lined up for you!

From safe dining to shopping and everything in between, make it a fun and colorful summer to remember at SM Supermalls! Make sure to visit www.smsupermalls.com or like and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms for the latest news, promos, and activities.