17th Cinemalaya filmfest kicks off amid pandemic lockdown
Amid the continuing threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant and the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila anew, the annual Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has been formally opened on Friday......»»
Phl cinema in the first year of BBM
Here, we look back at the state of the Philippine film industry since he took the seat of power 13 months ago. When President Marcos Jr. became the 17th leader of the nation, the country was on the brink of the “new normal.” The campaign elections even saw multitudes of crowds in the streets, the Filipinos’ political passion overpowering the fear of a Covid-19 infection. Covid-pandemic viewing By May 2022, the month of the presidential campaigns, the Department of Health said the country was at “minimal-risk case classification” with an average of only 159 cases per day. By June 2022, when the President took his oath, 69.4 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated. Along with the country, the Philippine film industry started healing. On the same month, the country went under Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with 50-percent allowed capacity in indoor cinemas. Live film festivals The Marcos administration saw the return of Filipino film festivals in theaters. On Marcos’ fifth month as president, the QCinema International Film Festival, with the theme “in10City,” held hybdrid screenings — in-person and online. The Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2022, six months into the new presidency, went full force in cinemas for the second time during the pandemic. Earlier, in 2020, during the Duterte administration, the festival was held online for the first time, and the following year, in December 2021, after level alert measures in the Philippines were relaxed, the MMFF finally went back to the cinemas. However, only around 300 cinemas (down from the usual 900) were allowed to screen the MMFF entries. Meanwhile, the 18th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was held from 5 August to 31 October 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in select mall cinemas and online. But what made a mark during the Marcos administration’s first year was the inaugural edition of the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. The SMMFF was held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, the first MMFF was supposed to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, held from 8 to 18 April 2023 with the theme “Tuloy-tuloy ang Saya,” the summer festival featured eight entries and, like its December counterpart, even held a Parade of Stars. About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana, produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films, emerged as the first Best Picture of the summer festival. [caption id="attachment_161372" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana[/caption] The Film Development Council of the Philippines’ sixth edition of its own mini-film festival, held during the Marcos administration’s third month, headed back to cinemas, offering free access to award-winning classic films of the new National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts at TriNoma Cinema in Quezon City and in all Cinematheque centers nationwide (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao and Nabunturan). CCP closes for renovations On 1 September 2022, CCP president Margarita Moran-Floirendo announced during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities, that The Cultural Center of the Philippines — home to the Cinemalaya festival — will close its doors starting January 2023 for renovation and structural retrofitting works, and will reopen in March 2025. This marks the first time that Cinemalaya, on its 19th year, which has the theme “ilumiNasyon,” will be held at various venues inside the adjacent Philippine International Convention Center, from 4 to 13 August 2023. The rise of political films With the country deeply driven by polarized political views, the Marcos administration saw a war between political commercial films. [caption id="attachment_161370" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] ‘MAID in Malacanang’ stars Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga and Ella Cruz. | Photograph courtesy of viva[/caption] On 29 July 2022, Darryl Yap’s period drama Maid in Malacañang, touted as “the most controversial film of the year,” was released to packed cinemas. The movie, about the Marcos family’s last three days in Malacañang Palace before they were forced into exile, premiered at SM North EDSA and was released nationwide on 3 August 2022. Yap, who passionately campaigned for Marcos, became a controversial filmmaker with the release of his Marcos film. Leni Robredo supporters tried to boycott the film, with some Filipino movie critics exposing themselves as heavily political and non-neutral with their reviews, accusing the film of propaganda and historical revisionism. The attempt to quash the movie’s release failed and it became a box-office hit, with producer Viva Films releasing a statement that it earned a whopping P21 million on its opening day and P63 million three days after its release. It was the first time in Philippine cinema history that local theaters nationwide saw a deluge of moviegoers lining up to watch a movie on the big screen, mostly driven by political affiliation. Another unsuccessful political attempt to diminish the film’s release was Vince Tañada’s re-release of his Martial Law film Katips to counter Maid in Malacañang. Tañada’s film eventually won Best Picture at the Famas Awards. MIM actress Ella Cruz’s remark during a press conference, that “history is like tsismis,” further fanned the flames of political debate online. Eight months later, in March 2022, Viva released Yap’s second installment in his Marcos trilogy, Martyr or Murderer, which now focused on Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Two anti-Marcos movies rose to combat the film — Joel Lamangan’s Oras de Peligro, released on the same day, and Tañada’s movie adaptation of his musical play Ako Si Ninoy, released one week earlier. Movie buffs, political analysts, film critics, the press and social media influencers dove into feverish commentaries on the three films, and Philippine cinemas were ignited and, for a while, became alive with social discourse. New FDCP head On 21 July 2022, Tirso S. Cruz III officially assumed his position as the head of the country’s national film agency, the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He replaced Liza Diño, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as FDCP chairperson on 12 August 2016. [caption id="attachment_161368" align="aligncenter" width="736"] FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FDCP[/caption] Cruz, a veteran actor, said that the target of the FDCP under the Marcos administration was to support local films, not just in Metro Manila, but also from regional filmmakers. He also professed support for film students and highlighted archiving as part of the FDCP’s agenda, with 42,000 materials in its archives to be salvaged. MTRCB In September 2022, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board released a statement addressing the controversy about its proposal to expand its jurisdiction to online streaming services like Netflix, Vivamax, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. The MTRCB said it was responding to multitudes of complaints from parents and other concerned groups demanding that the agency regulate movie and TV online platforms to protect children from harmful viewing. The Marcos administration has seen a continuous boom in streamers, which began during the pandemic, with Vivamax becoming one of the leading local streamers due to the popularity of Filipino sexploitation films. On 23 February 2023, MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian for the separate bills they filed that would amend and expand the board’s mandate. “We welcome the move to amend the charter of the MTRCB as it will allow the agency to adequately adapt to changes in technology and the ever-evolving needs of the viewing public and our other stakeholders,” Sotto-Antonio said before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla. Eddie Garcia Act In January 2023, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 1270, or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act, at the House plenary session. [caption id="attachment_161367" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] HOUSE Bill 1270 has been proposed in honor of the late actor Eddie Garcia. | Photograph courtesy of gma-7[/caption] Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte authored the bill, which aims to provide workers in the movie, television and radio entertainment industry opportunities for well-paid employment and protect them from economic exploitation, abuse and harassment, as well as hazardous working conditions. The bill was named after the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who died in 2019 after suffering a neck injury while shooting the television series Rosang Agimat, produced by GMA Network. According to Villafuerte, productions would go from 16 to 24 continuous work hours per set and would rush productions to save costs. The proposed law mandates that normal work hours of the worker or talent shall be eight hours a day; overtime work should not exceed more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period; and the total number of work hours shall not exceed 60 hours in a week. Paul Soriano Relatively unknown to most Pinoy moviegoers, filmmaker Paul Soriano was put on the limelight as the man behind the President’s advertisements — way back from campaigns since Marcos started out as vice governor, and then, governor of Ilocos Norte, up until his senatorial campaign, and eventually his campaign for the vice presidency and presidency. [caption id="attachment_161371" align="aligncenter" width="781"] PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ig/PAUL SORIANO[/caption] Of course, the opposition in the film industry predictably canceled Soriano, the blood nephew of First Lady Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos. Dolly de Leon It was also during the BBM era that Filipina actress Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness. [caption id="attachment_161366" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner ‘Triangle of Sadness.’ | Photograph courtesy ofig/dolly de leon[/caption] The 54-year old film, television and theater actress made history by becoming the first Filipino actor to be nominated at the British Academy Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Filipino movie fans and critics, having been exposed to global content since the rise of the streamers, plus the proliferation of self-published movie reviews, are generally still disappointed with the output and system of the Philippine film industry, but filled with hope that, with full support from the government, Philippine cinema will finally become truly internationally competitive, sustainable and recognized. The post Phl cinema in the first year of BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EJK docu leads Cinemalaya 2023’s roster
For the first time since its inception in 2005, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has a documentary and an animated film in its roster of 10 full-length features competing for top honors, including best picture. The list of finalists in its 19th edition was formally introduced in a press conference yesterday, 5 July. It was attended by Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen, festival director Chris Millado and competition chairman Jose Javier Reyes. Also present was Cultural Center of the Philippines artistic director Dennis Marasigan. Cinemalaya 2023 runs from 4 to 13 August. It will have screenings at the Philippine International Convention Center and Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (also known as CCP Black Box Theater). It will also have screening slots at partner venues Ayala Cinemas and SM Cinemas. 10 full-length films Maria by documentarist Sheryl Rose Andes follows the real-life story of a woman who lost her husband and child to extrajudicial killings. When This is All Over, directed by Kevin Mikhail Mayuga with elements of animation, is about the unexpected friendship that developed during a lockdown at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic between two young adults from opposite ends of the economic spectrum. Rookie, whose story revolves around volleyball players, is jointly directed by Samantha Lee and Natts Jadaone. Ang Duyan Magiting by Dustin Celestino is composed of anthology of scenes that depict war, terrorism and politics. It stars Dolly de Leon, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Miggy Jimenez, Jojit Lorenzo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Paolo O’Hara, Joel Saracho and Dylan Ray Talon. [caption id="attachment_153740" align="aligncenter" width="525"] 'Rookie,' a volleball flick.[/caption] As If It’s True by John Rogers tackles the blurring line between real love and exploitation between a social media influencer and a struggling musician. Gitling by Jopy Arnaldo is about a young interpreter/translator working on the Ilonggo subtitles for a Japanese film who forms a friendship with the film’s Japanese director. Huling Palabas tells the story of a 16-year-old boy who finds solace in old VHS tapes to reconnect with his long-lost father. [caption id="attachment_153739" align="aligncenter" width="525"] 'ITI Mapupukaw' stars Dolly de Leon.[/caption] Bulawan Nga Usa (Golden Deer) by Kenneth dela Cruz is about a young man who tries to escape reality by going up a mountain, but ends up treading between mystery and self-discovery. Iti Mapupukaw (The Missing) by Carlo Joseph Papa is also about a young man going through a major life change but involving aliens. Lastly, Tether by Gian Arre replaces Killing Time in Manila Traffic by Paul Sta. Ana. Aside from full-length film category, there is the short film category in Cinemalaya. This year’s entries are Ang Kining Binalaybay Kag Ambahanon Ko Para Sa Imo by Kent John Desamparado; Golden Bells by Kurt Soberano, Hinakdal by Arvin Belarmino; HM HM MHM by Sam Villa-real and Kim Timan; and Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019 by Diokko Manuel Dionisio. Also making the cut are Maudi Nga Arapaap (Last Dream) by Daniel James Magayon; Makoko sa Baybay by Mike Cabales; Sibuyas ni Perfecto (Perfecto’s Onion) by Januar Yap; Sota by Mae Tanagon; and Tong Adlaw Nga Nag-Snow sa Pinas by Joshua Caesar Medroso. The post EJK docu leads Cinemalaya 2023’s roster appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Risk cited amid cards’ wide use
CEBU — Remaining vigilant and proactive in monitoring corporate and household debt in light of the increasing use of credit cards may pose risks to banks and the broader financial system, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas official on Tuesday said. The comments came in response to concerns raised by analysts, including the International Monetary Fund, regarding the increasing use of credit cards among households. The Credit Card Association of the Philippines said on Monday that post-lockdown revenge spending among Filipinos continued to fuel the domestic economy, as seen by the surge in credit card use in the first quarter of 2023. Billings surge Data from the CCAP showed a 47 percent gross billings surge that totaled P410 billion during the first three months of the year, the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020. In the same period in 2022, billings reached P279 billion. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 2023 BSP-IMF Conference on Financial Stability, BSP senior assistant governor Johnny Noe Ravalo clarified that the market is “at risk” due to the corporate and household debt and emphasized the importance of monitoring and assessing potential jeopardy. “To the homework, as unrealistic as it may sound, is not to be surprised. The only way we are not surprised is if we ask ourselves, “What else should we look at?’” he added. The post Risk cited amid cards’ wide use appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP: Corporate, household debt levels need closer monitoring
A Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas official on Tuesday underscored the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in monitoring corporate and household debt in light of the increasing usage of credit cards, as it poses risks to banks and the broader financial system. The comments came in response to concerns raised by analysts, including the International Monetary Fund, regarding the increasing use of credit cards among households. The Credit Card Association of the Philippines said on Monday that post-lockdown revenge spending among Filipinos continued to fuel the domestic economy, as seen in the surge in credit card use in the first quarter of 2023. Data from the CCAP showed a 47-percent gross billings surge that totaled P410 billion during the first three months of the year, the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020. In the same period in 2022, billings reached P279 billion. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 2023 BSP-IMF Conference on Financial Stability, BSP Senior Assistant Governor Johnny Noe Ravalo clarified that the market is "at risk" due to the corporate and household debt and emphasized the importance of monitoring and assessing potential jeopardy. Regarding household debt, Ravalo explained that current data available to the BSP is limited to surveys conducted by the government and that household debt requires "a granular and regular survey by the national government." He noted that "it is part of the surveillance process that you try to look at every possible detail," and that his role as a senior assistant governor is to "connect dots that don't necessarily look obvious." Systemic risk is about interconnectedness" and that "possible ang risk will come from a very small trigger," he added. Ravalo emphasized the importance of assessing and managing risks, saying that "the judgment call about whether we should take action, whether intervention is necessary and who should intervene" is crucial in preventing potential risks from materializing. On Monday, BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said the central bank could press the corporate sector to provide more data about their finances. "Under the law, we can actually ask them how much they have borrowed from abroad and in what currency and what are the maturities," Medalla said. For its part, the IMF said the Philippine corporate sector warranted "close monitoring" amid tighter financial conditions and despite a healthy banking sector and reduced risks from the global banking turmoil. It said regulators needed to "strengthen the resolution framework for financial institutions and the insolvency regime for corporates." The post BSP: Corporate, household debt levels need closer monitoring appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Erase mental illness stigma amid 400 student suicides in 2021 — Go
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday stressed the need to put an end to discrimination against mental illness because it adversely affects society. In a Senate public hearing, Go said that while mental health is important to every individual well-being, it is undeniable that the stigma of mental illness continues to exist. “Many are failing to recognize its signs and symptoms, especially among the youth,” he said, noting that the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the number of people experiencing depression due to health and financial difficulties. He added that the deaths of many people due to Covid-19 have also increased the cases of depression among the bereaved family members. “The pandemic has also put the Filipino youths’ mental health and well-being under an immense strain,” Go said. Citing the Department of Education, he said a total of 404 learners from public schools committed suicide in 2021, and 2,200 learners have attempted to commit suicide. He said suicide attempts among youths continue to increase taking away their chances to take more opportunities in life. Go highlighted that the enactment of Republic Act 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Act— principally authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros in the 17th Congress—has made the national mental policies improve the mental health of the population. It also underscores the right of every Filipino to access mental healthcare. It aims to integrate mental healthcare at the barangay levels so that interventions will be felt by the communities. Go said the law also seeks to facilitate the creation of mental health facilities as well as push mental healthcare education in schools and workplaces. However, he lamented that there were reported issues with the implementation of the law. Go specifically cited recent observations of Senator Raffy Tulfo when he visited the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City on 27 March. “He reported and brought up the miserable conditions of some patients that were treated unjustly and treated like animals,” he said, adding that he also personally witnessed the poor situation of patients in some mental hospitals nationwide. To recall, Tulfo filed Senate Resolution 562, urging his colleagues to look into the current situation of NCMH facilities inside due to poor management and probe the alleged corruption by its administrators. Go said the hearing targets to address the decongestion of NCMH to improve its facilities and cater to other patients as well as the need to decide to transfer recovered patients who have nowhere to go, especially those who have already aged in the mental hospital. The post Erase mental illness stigma amid 400 student suicides in 2021 — Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines ranks 4th in cash remittances from workers
Amid the global lockdown due to the pandemic, the Philippines still raked in a whopping $38 billion in cash remittances in 2022 from around 11 million overseas Filipino workers who sent their hard-earned money to families back home......»»
Banks offer restructuring amid lockdown
With the absence of new laws offering debt payment holidays, Philippine banks are ready to talk to borrowers severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as the National Capital Region and nearby provinces have been placed under hard lockdown due to the more contagious Delta variant......»»
Philippines growth forecasts slashed anew amid latest lockdown
Dutch financial giant ING Bank and ANZ Research expect the Philippines to make a slower bounceback from the pandemic-induced recession as stricter lockdown and quarantine measures were reimposed in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces......»»
'UndoingDuterte | Small businesses appeal for government support amid pandemic challenges
Micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners are still trying to get back on their feet after enduring the burden of the world’s longest lockdown. The post #UndoingDuterte | Small businesses appeal for government support amid pandemic challenges appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
A game of Love and infidelity amid lockdown
As the lead stars of the lockdown-inspired short film Game Over, Julia Clarete and singer-theater actor Joshua Bulot can’t help but share their thoughts on love, infidelity and the ongoing pandemic......»»
Agonies of health workers still unmet amid stricter lockdown
Halfway into the week-long stricter lockdown in the capital, health workers are still in agony over their unmet demands, with the government failing to address their call to look into their health, economic, and social well-being as they combat the pandemic on the ground. The post Agonies of health workers still unmet amid stricter lockdown appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Commentary: A year of small victories, big impact amid COVID-19 pandemic
It is hard to imagine that the country has been in a perpetual state of lockdown since March 2020......»»
'DutertePalpak: PH worst in Southeast Asia in COVID-19 response amid surge in new cases
But what is even more alarming for Filipinos is that amid the surge in new COVID-19 cases, the response of the Duterte government to the pandemic more than a year into the crisis remains grossly inadequate and incompetent. While implementing the strictest and longest lockdown in the region, the Philippines continues to lag behind our neighbors in Southeast Asia in actually responding to the pandemic. The post #DutertePalpak: PH worst in Southeast Asia in COVID-19 response amid surge in new cases appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
New trade rules may raise prices of roofing materials
The construction sector is one of the most deeply impacted industries in the Philippines. The pandemic lockdown directly reduced construction activities in the country as workers were unable to report to work sites amid the restrictions that hampered mobility and travel......»»
Turks turn to pets to beat isolation
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Xinhua) — Animal adoptions have surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people are turning to pets as a source of companionship, some Turkish animal lovers and veterinarians said. “We witnessed an increase in adoptions since this summer, especially when the first lockdown restrictions were lifted at the beginning of June, as people […] The post Turks turn to pets to beat isolation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bloomberry posts P5.85-b loss amid lockdown
Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. said Tuesday it posted a net loss of P2.5 billion in the third quarter, a turnaround from the P3.9-billion income it booked in the same period last year as casino operations remained restricted because of the pandemic......»»
‘77% of Pinoys want to travel amid pandemic’
Due to the months-long lockdown, a vast majority of the country’s 110 million Filipinos want to travel to domestic tourist spots and take a respite from strict government restrictions, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat told lawmakers yesterday......»»
PH exports dropped at slower pace in July
Both exports and imports dropped at a slower pace in July, compared to the previous months, as the trade sector continued to feel the impact of community lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic......»»
Online business registration in Philippines skyrockets amid pandemic
MANILA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Online business registration in the Philippines skyrocketed as more and more entrepreneurs conduct business via the internet due to strict lockdown restrictions imposed.....»»
Crackdown amid lockdown: Duterte fast-tracks Marcosian delusions of fascist dictatorship with more attacks on press freedom
Ordering the shutdown of ABS-CBN in the middle of a pandemic is a blatant attack on press freedom that dangerously infringes on the people’s right to information, human rights watchdog Karapatan warned......»»