BBM SONA 2023: Nothing for electricity consumers

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In the second State of the Nation of Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., despite its relatively robust presentation of the country’s economy and successes in his different initiatives, electricity consumer interest remains wanting. In his speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said “we will spare no effort to achieve full household-electrification by the end of my term. 100% is within our reach.”

Roland Vibal, national coordinator for Kuryente.org, said:

“We support the administration’s effort to conduct a performance review of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as its sole concessionaire of the national grid. It is high time that this private corporation’s performance and capacity to deliver reliable electricity and efficient grid operation be reviewed and audited as well. The success in ensuring electricity supply through various development of renewable energy will be useless if our current electricity backbone is unable to deliver it where it is needed most.

“President Marcos presented his administration’s accomplishments in the realm of energy production. We welcome the administration’s resolve to increase renewable energy’s share in our current energy mix, and its resolve to ensure that the country’s electricity is link nationally through a Unified National Grid to ensure electricity reliability.

“These two initiatives by the current administration are on the right track to ensure that the country’s electricity needs are provided. Yet if this will translate into cheaper electricity price is another question. His promise to make electricity prices cheap was absent in his one-hour and 45-minute speech. Electricity prices remain high and even soar way above our means. Sadly, we heard no assurance nor any categorical statement from the president.

“For Kuryente.Org, President Marcos’ SONA 2023 left us, electricity consumers, wanting for more in both form and substance. The President has shown he can act quickly on other equally important issues, such as condoning small farmer’s debt to emancipate them from poverty and provide more KADIWA’s to help our food consumers. The President can likewise ease the burden of high electricity rate not only through mid and strategic solutions, but residential electricity consumers also need urgent solution to continuing high price of electricity and one urgent solution is to lower the tax burden in our electricity cost.”

FDCP to screen “Aftersun,” “Close,” “Corsage,” and “Return to Seoul” in Ayala Cinemas

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The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) licensed the rights to four new titles from Belgium, Austria, France, and the United Kingdom earlier this year which are now set for commercial release, in partnership with Ayala Cinemas, from August 23 to 29, 2023.

The FDCP’s Audience Development Program and Ayala Cinemas’ The A-List Series aim to bring acclaimed films more accessible to movie lovers through the “A-List Series Presents: A Curation of World Cinema.”

With this partnership, the FDCP and the Ayala Cinemas will bring world cinema titles to the Filipino audience with its initial offering of films that have won multiple recognitions in reputable film festivals and award-giving bodies.

Cannes-winning titles “Aftersun” directed by Charlotte Wells, “Close” directed by Lukas Dhont, “Corsage” directed by Marie Kreutzer, and “Return to Seou3l” directed by Davy Chou will be screened in Ayala Cinemas in Manila Bay, TriNoma, Greenbelt 3, UP Town Center, and Capitol Central in Bacolod and Central Bloc in Cebu. More Ayala Cinemas will be announced soon.

In a statement, FDCP Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz III said that the national film council is proud to showcase these award-winning films from all over the world and assured viewers that they will have a memorable experience watching these films.

“May these powerful films be an effective avenue of inspiration and deepen your love of profound film artistry,” Cruz ended.

More than its aim to encourage audiences to return to the cinemas, this program aims to further expose moviegoers to titles that would help them expand their horizons.

For more updates on these films, follow FDCP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

PUP FilAC braces for more events as part of FDCP’s Academic Film Society

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The Film Aficionados Circle (FilAC), the official student film organization of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Communication, is gearing up for more film-related activities after recently concluding “Sineminuto: Buhayin at Lakbayin, Pelikulang Atin!” with the theme “Lakbay.”

“As the only film organization in PUP, we really want to give a platform to aspiring filmmakers on campus. Sineminuto is like a bridge for the mentees of the Film Aficionados Circle into the basics of film production,” Adelbert Abrigonda, FilAC President, shared.

“Bakit Maingay ang EDSA?” which was directed by Rafael Nuyad of Carousel Productions bagged the Sineminuto Best Film award. The short film about two homeless siblings wandering around the highway also won Best Male Performance for Ralph Capinig, who played Anthony, Best Screenplay, Best Sound Design, and Best Concept. It placed second in terms of direction, cinematography, and editing.

“The Portrait of a Man” from Nilay Productions got Best Direction for Ronalyn Antonio, Best Production Design, and Best Editing. It ranked second overall in film, screenplay, and sound design categories.

Meanwhile, “meet me halfway” from After Hours Production finished third and received Best Female Performance for Frances Danielle Tan as Emma and Best Cinematography, as well as second in production design.

“En Route” from Loop Productions brought home the second best concept among those which were realized into films for Sineminuto. The only horror film entry in the competition tells the story of a student who gets trapped in an infinite loop on a hallway in campus, preventing her from attending her class.

“Balikat” by ACDK Pictures, “Kaya Kaya” by Aninuno Productions, “Pihit” by 2RDS Productions, “Urong Sulong” by Yapak Productions, and “Yapak” by Amping Productions completed the Sineminuto entries.

Director and screenwriter Rod Marmol, filmmaker/photographer Arjanmar Rebeta, producer and writer Seymour Sanchez, PUP scriptwriting and TV production professor George Gamayo, and FilAC alumnus Edrian Pabona made up the jury for Sineminuto, FilAC’s flagship event for student filmmakers.

FilAC also recently became a member of the Academic Film Society of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. The organization plans to hold more events to promote and teach the art of filmmaking to students who share their passion for cinema.

Through the AFS, the FDCP provides support and makes resources more accessible in the academic setting. As part of its initiative, the FDCP co-presented Sineminuto with FilAC together with IDP Philippines, Motivo PH, Urban Chick, M' Finesse PH, and Cinemata, Sineminuto’s official media partner.

Abrigonda was elated that Sineminuto mentees were able to showcase their craft through their films and apply “what they have learned from the PelikuLearn sessions” that FilAC spearheaded this year with National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee and director Jules Katanyag among their mentors.

“I'm also happy to see the enthusiasm of the student filmmakers and their desire to develop their passions into something meaningful through their work. This is something to be proud of and I'm really looking forward to seeing how the organization will grow more in the future. Especially now since there are many students in the campus who are very eager to explore the world of filmmaking,” he concluded.