Asuene APAC received the "Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards" at the 16th GCNS Summit 2024, hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Singapore

  

From left to right: Mr. Bertrand Seah, Senior Consultant at CBRE Singapore; Mr. Masaaki Hamada, Managing Director of Asuene APAC; Dr. Poh-Koon Koh, Senior Minister of State at the Singapore Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, our Guest of Honor; and Dr. Bicky Bhangu, President of the UN Global Compact Network Singapore.

The Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards features three categories: "SustainableBusiness," "Sustainable Solutions," and "LowCarbonSG." In each category, 5 to 7 companies are nominated as finalists. Asuene APAC won the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Award in the "Sustainable Solutions" category.

This award is given to solution providers that have contributed to advancing sustainability in society and businesses across the APAC region, particularly in Singapore. Asuene APAC has worked tirelessly to promote its cloud service "ASUENE," a carbon accounting platform, both domestically and regionally. The company’s efforts in promoting corporate decarbonization, along with its promising future potential, were key factors in receiving this honor.

At the award ceremony held at the One Farrer Hotel in Singapore, Masaaki Hamada, ManagingDirector of Asuene APAC, took the stage to receive the award from the Guest of Honor, Dr. Poh Koon Koh, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment.

Asuene will continue to support global decarbonization and ESG management from our headquarters in Tokyo, our regional office in Singapore, and our base in the United States.

Together with the Senior Minister, we celebrate Asuene APAC as a finalist in the 'Sustainable Solutions' category

About the GCNS Summit

The GCNS Summit is an event organized by the Singapore chapter of UN Global Compact, focusing on corporate sustainability. This year marks the 16th edition of the summit, known as "GCNS Summit 2024."

Due to climate change and environmental degradation, there is a growing momentum for mandatory environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, including the visualization of CO2 emissions. As a result, the role and responsibility of businesses are increasingly significant.

Achieving net-zero by 2050 requires a fair transition to more sustainable business models.

In this context, the GCNS Summit serves as a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and action to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the urgency and commitment needed to achieve these goals.

Over the two-day event, influential figures in corporate sustainability from the APAC region, including the President of the UN Global Compact Network Singapore and other board members, delivered speeches and presentations. The summit also included the awarding ceremony for the "Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards," which Asuene APAC received.

GCNS Summit - Global Compact Network Singapore: https://summit.unglobalcompact.sg/

Comment from Masaaki Hamada, Managing Director of Asuene APAC

"This award represents a significant milestone for Asuene APAC. The UNGC is one of the most prestigious international organizations globally, and its Singapore chapter, GCNS, undertakes a wide range of activities related to promoting SDGs in society and business, including awareness initiatives and talent development. GCNS holds considerable influence over national policies and the business community. Receiving the esteemed 'Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards' from GCNS will further enhance the trust and recognition of the Asuene APAC brand both domestically and regionally. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our employees, clients, and partner companies who have trusted us and contributed to our growth."

FDCP conducts the 8th Film Industry Conference 2024

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is set to host the 8th Film Industry Conference (FIC), a two-day event bringing together local filmmakers to discuss the latest trends, opportunities, and platforms in the industry. The conference is happening on October 24 to 25 at Lanson Place Manila in Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

FIC aims to provide a platform for Filipino film professionals and media practitioners to engage in critical discussions on the current state of Philippine cinema and explore ways to elevate the quality and global competitiveness of Filipino films. By bringing together industry experts, professionals, educators, and stakeholders, FIC 2024 aims to address the challenges faced by the industry and map out a vision for a brighter future.

The event will feature six (6) talk sessions, led by various local film and media professionals, focusing on key topics such as intellectual property rights, regional cinema, film archiving and more.

Through FIC, the FDCP hopes to not only revitalize the industry but also promote collaboration among filmmakers and provide free access to knowledge through public forums.

Online participants can register at fdcp.ph/FIC2024-02 while onsite attendees may sign up via fdcp.ph/FIC2024-01.

For more information and engagements regarding FIC 2024, follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

FULL SCHEDULE:

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Session 1: Here’s the Tradecraft: How to Safeguard the Intellectual Properties of

Filipino Filmmakers

Date & Time: October 24, 2024 | 1:10 PM - 2:10 PM

Moderator: Paul Sta. Ana (Filipino Screenwriters Guild)

Panelists:

Atty. Amanda Marie F. Nograles (Department of Trade and Industry)

Atty. Ma. Janice Tejano (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde)

Atty. Louie Andrew C. Calvario (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines)

Session 2: Highlighting Regional Cinema: Dissecting the Diverse Films of the Philippine Islands

Date & Time: October 24, 2024 | 2:35 - 3:35 PM

Moderator: Butch Ibañez (National Commission for Culture and the Arts)

Panelists:

Teng Mangansakan (Salamindanaw Asian Film Festival)

May Arlene Torres (SINEliksik Bulacan)

Raquel Rivera (Hundred Islands Film Festival)

Session 3: Screen to Stream: Examining the Cinema-to-Platform Release Model

Date & Time: October 24, 2024 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Moderator: Jag Garcia (Filmmaker)

Panelists:

Madonna Tarrayo (UxS Unitel StraightShooters)

Ronald Arguelles (Vivamax Communications, Inc.)

OCTOBER 25, 2024

Session 4: Future from Film Past: The Role of Film Archiving & Restoration in the

Progress of Philippine Cinema

Date & Time: October 25, 2024 | 1:10 - 2:10 PM

Moderator: Jun Sabayton (Actor)

Panelists:

Leo Katigbak (ABS-CBN Film Archives)

Don Arawan (Philippine Film Archive)

Ricky Orellana (Mowelfund Film Institute)

Jeffrey Sonora (FPJ Productions)

Session 5: Cinematic Support: Insights on the Intersection of Government and Cinema

Date & Time: October 25, 2024 | 2:35 - 3:35 PM

Moderator: Seymour Sanchez (Film Development Council of the Philippines)

Panelists:

Joann C. Bañaga (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board)

Atty. Paulino S. Cases, Jr. (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board)

Butch Ibañez (National Commission for the Culture and the Arts)

Paolo Villaluna (Film Academy of the Philippines)

Jose Javier Reyes (Film Development Council of the Philippines)

Session 6: Co-Production and Globalization: The Future of International Filmmaking

Date & Time: October 25, 2024 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Moderator: Percival Intalan (The IdeaFirst Company)

Panelists:

Joirie Ann Pacumio (FilmPhilippines Office)

Bianca Balbuena (Epicmedia Productions)

Wilfredo Manalang (Fusee)

Danzen Santos-Katanyag (Digital Dreams Inc.)

8th Indie-Siyensya film finalists explore the confluence and interrelation of science and Filipino culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In an era saturated with misinformation, the creation of science documentary films stays alive with Indie-Siyensya standing at the forefront, ensuring this vital medium continues to thrive. Now in its 8th edition, the filmmaking competition has garnered over a hundred entries across the country featuring the theme "Siyensya sa Kultura, Kultura sa Siyensya," which emphasizes the vital role of scientific inquiry in shaping cultural practices and vice versa.

The 8th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition, organized by the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), has officially premiered, bringing together filmmakers and audiences to explore the rich interplay between science and Filipino culture.

Simultaneous film screenings in different Cinematheque Centres nationwide from October 14-18 were attended by students, teachers, filmmakers, and other members of the local government unit.

In collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the competition showcases a diverse array of films that will be screened at various Cinematheque Centres across the country (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao and Nabunturan) from October 14 to 18 and will be available online through the streaming platform JuanFlix on October 19 to November 8, 2024. The initiative seeks to utilize the power of storytelling through film to communicate essential scientific concepts to the public.

 

The 8th Indie-Siyensya premieres at Cinematheque Centres Davao and Nabunturan with a program attended by members of the board of judges: science communicator and University of the Philippines Los Baños Senior Lecturer Dr. Ruby Cristobal, University of Santo Tomas Creative Writing Department Head Dr. Joselito delos Reyes and UPLB Professor and Scientist Dr. Aimee Lynn Dupo.

“For the past six years, the FDCP and Indie-Siyensya of the DOST-SEI have had this really fruitful partnership. The correlation between science and filmmaking are practically indivisible because the advancements done in the art and technology of filmmaking is highly dependent on science,” says Jose Javier-Reyes, Chairman and CEO of the FDCP.

This year, the competition features two distinct categories: the Youth Category and the Open Category. The Youth films focus on uncovering science within Filipino culture, highlighting evidence-based indigenous practices and traditions. The Open Category, on the other hand, explores how Filipino culture informs and integrates science and technology into everyday life.

Among the hundred entries in the Open Category is Eksmen by Heather Simonette Rose M. Intong, a captivating documentary that delves into the extraordinary diving abilities of the Badjaos (Sama Dilaut) in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi leaving a lingering question to the audience whether this tribe should let their tradition be swept by the passing tides of time or utlize their adaptive nature to keep up with the fast-paced society.

Another notable entry, Kalasag ng Tubod by Mondrayniel F. Sarte, brings the viewers to the picturesque Twin Lakes Natural Park in Negros Oriental, shedding light on the harmonious relationship between traditional ecological knowledge and modern conservation efforts. Through interviews and expert observations, the film illustrates how "bayanihan," plays a crucial role in protecting this vital ecological resource.
Meanwhile, Herbolaryo by Dexter Paul De Jesus and Drexler Jaramel, explains the role of Herbolaryos and the culture of using herbal plants in traditional healing, as modern science transforms these medicinal plants into modern drug formulations.

Banghay by John Rafael C. Labini is a captivating documentary that explores the tradition of naming winds in Malaban, Binan, Laguna. Through a compelling blend of folklore and science, the film uncovers the significance of these wind names to the local fishing community and their connection to the environment.

Additionally, Through Each Thread by Gian Arre highlights the intricate weaving tradition of Indang, Cavite, showcasing the scientific principles inherent in this age-old craft, while emphasizing the cultural significance of the weaving process.

In the Youth Category, films like KaLikhasan by Julia Gabrielle P. Salonga and Nganga by Anjalique Rendon dive into the sustainability of traditional practices, with KaLikhasan focusing on the benefits of bahay na bato architecture and Nganga examining the cultural and scientific aspects of betel nut chewing among the Dumagat-Remontados.

Gakit: The Journey of Change by Eula Frances A. Macabodbod explores the historical and cultural significance of the Pulangi River in Valencia, Bukidnon, while Decadent Bitterness by Lloyd Zedric B. Apacible reflects on the rich history tied to the local delicacy, piaya. Gangis by Xandre Yosef Gaan further bridges tradition and science by connecting the beliefs of the Talaandig tribe with scientific insights.

Dr. Ruby Cristobal, a science communicator and member of the board of judges also stressed that as the scientific community continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, we must always acknowledge our roots and embrace our diverse cultural heritage. Culture, she pointed out, is not separate from science—it is integral to who we are as a people.

The Indie-Siyensya competition not only highlights the creativity of Filipino filmmakers and science communicators but also underscores the importance of integrating cultural heritage and scientific knowledge for the betterment of society. As DOST-SEI and FDCP continue to forward these initiatives, they invite audiences to reflect on the essential connections between art, science, and Filipino identity.