UFC Reel Life short film competition names finalists

UFC’s first-ever Reel Life: Nagsasama-samang Sarap Short Film Competition has officially selected thirty (30) finalists from the vast field of submitted entries. 

Launched as part of UFC’s 50th anniversary celebration, the competition seeks to provide a platform for gifted Filipino artists to showcase their filmmaking potentials and tell their stories. 

The Filipino creative spirit was on full display by the entrants for this contest, making it incredibly difficult to narrow down the entries to only 30 finalists. 

The finalists are as follows: “Almusal” by John Renz Cahilig, “Anana” by Quentin Tolentino, “Ang Pagsibol” by Ramil Lantican, “Asam-asam” by Michael Angelo Hernandez Valencia, “Bato-Bato Pik” by Alejandro "Bong" Ramos, “Budjoy” by Marco Paolo Castro, “Byahe Natin” by Rusty Palacio Guarin, “Cancelled” by Crismel Gida, “Crush” and “New Normal” by Niokz Arcega, “Gift Box” by John Kenneth Paclibar, “How's My Driving?” by Ken Leviste, “Ina'Ko” by Michael John Tuclaud, “Kambal” by Yves Publico, “Ma,” by Dexter De Jesus, “Mabote Na Lang” by John Verlin Santos, “Magpadayon” by Jose Carlo Gloria, “Module Legends: Papa Sir” by Renel Ian Gacayan, and “Modules (Info Sheet)” by Marienel Calma. 

Mang Kepweng returns this Christmas Day!

Unleash the Mang Kepweng in you this holiday season

The most awesome comeback of the year happens this Christmas Day, December 25 in ‘Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim,’ an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2020.

From the success of its prequel ‘Mang Kepweng Returns’ in 2017, Vhong Navarro as Mang Kepweng takes on new journey and challenges as villain Maximus Tolonges (played by Joross Gamboa) uses the power of the black bandana he stole from the kingdom of Engkadia to sow terror all over the place.

While only Mang Kepweng and his red polka dot bandana, the counterpart of the black bandana, can stop Maximus, the magic of red polka dot bandana slowly diminishes due to his worsening attitude—he becomes boastful as he gets people’s attention because of his healing power. With the help of his new friends, Mang Kepweng finds the three ingredients that will bring back the power of his bandana but the journey becomes harder as they encounter the elements that try to stop them.

Shopee Donates Over 700 Transistor Radios to the Department of Education

Filipino students from remote areas can continue home-based learning using the radios

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is donating 708 transistor radios to the Department of Education (DepEd) to help students in rural areas continue learning despite challenges that the pandemic has posed upon their education. 

Last Mile Schools are public educational institutions in geographically isolated and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA), usually without access to electricity and reliable internet connection. With the country still under some quarantine restrictions, students attending these schools face even more obstacles in pursuing their education. Fortunately, they can continue their learning by using the transistor radios to tune in to DepEd’s education broadcasts.    

Barbie Almalbis honors animal rights advocate on new single “An AsPin’s Song”

Ahead of her highly anticipated full-length album to be released next year, Filipina singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis has officially dropped a heartfelt tribute to her grandaunt Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco, or Tata, as she is fondly referred to. Entitled “An AsPin’s Song,” the track assumes the role of a beloved indigenous mixed-breed dog in the Philippines, which has nothing but utmost love and appreciation for the late animal rights supporter and activist.

Having served The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) for the entirety of her life, Tata was instrumental in empowering people for countless volunteer opportunities that involved rescue, protection and sheltering of strayed and abused animals. 

Eve Alai links up with Naomi G on brooding house thumper “Who? (Ah Vi)”

“Melancholic nu disco meet nu garage vibes lay over a modern house groove, with sultry pop vocal top lines and stabs reigning through. Think of a slowed down two-step remix of a vocal banger from the early two-thousands, this Asian collaboration has done a bit of digging around to carve their sound.” - Mixmag Asia

“There’s a new dark pop princess on the horizon, and you won’t want to sleep on this emerging artist...think moody, downbeat electronica laced with the slick notes of Alt-R&B and topped with ethereal dream-pop” - TimeOut

Singapore electronic producer Eve Alai links up with dark pop songstress Naomi G on a crossover track about the dark side of losing ourselves in the new digital age. ‘Who? (Ah Vi)’ is what you get when house music collides with the brooding, more ethereal end of pop music. 

Why ‘Fan Girl’ is the MMFF Film Everyone’s Talking About

Fresh from glowing reviews from its Japan and Estonia premieres, the latest film from Antoinette Jadaone is about the fan girl in all of us- with brilliant performances from newcomer Charlie Dizon and Paulo Avelino, who’s playing as himself.

If you had one night with your idol, are you ready for the most memorable day in your life?

The story follows Jane (Charlie Dizon), Paulo Avelino’s biggest fan girl. Her obsession with Paulo Avelino (Paulo Avelino plays as himself) leads her to hide at the back of his pick-up truck Described by Asian Movie Pulse as “An intriguing piece of cinematic work” and “A bold and follow him “home”. She ends up in an unfamiliar house in an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar Paulo Avelino, the idol she thought she knew from head to foot, heart and soul.

Durex advances Protection and Preparedness Education Campaign by donating PPEs to HIV-advocate groups

Durex, a brand that advocates HIV Awareness and health safety, donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to local HIV-advocate groups as part of their Protection and Preparedness Education Campaign, just in time for World AIDS Day.

A total of 1000 face masks, 1000 face shields, and 7000 boxes of Durex Condoms were each turned over to LoveYourself, The Red Whistle, and the PLHIV Response Center to help boost their efforts to combat HIV/AIDS amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and promote health safety.

The brand has been consistent in its efforts to spread HIV Awareness ever since the lockdown started here in the country. Launching the Protection and Preparedness Education campaign last September, Durex aims to further raise awareness on the importance of using PPEs like face masks and condoms to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV epidemic in the country. They aim to remind Filipinos that alongside COVID-19, HIV is still a growing health crisis and that it deserves everyone’s utmost attention.