DLIST.PH

Vivo V17Pro with Fast Charging is the smartphone that will change your life

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 06:29:00 +0000

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, a smartphone is a must-have appendage to keep up with one’s daily grind. But one feature that rarely takes the spotlight, yet very much deserves it, is Fast Charging.

Go-getters would know that the last thing that they want is for their smartphone to slow them down. And the best smartphone of choice to date, that will be up and running as you are is the Vivo V17Pro.

Powered with 4,100 mAh battery, the V17Pro guarantees a long battery life despite multi-app use. This means that one can enjoy a reliable phone that is versatile enough for quick document work, incessant communications via messaging apps, constant browsing, and even games, without it dying on you just after a few hours.

The Fast charging feature is the life hack you need, especially if your mantra is Rest and Reset. It’s most important to have a phone that will only require as little time to reset as you are if you’re the image of up-and-about.

UST filmmakers strut their wares

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 05:28:00 +0000

By SEYMOUR BARROS SANCHEZ

Student filmmakers from the University of Santo Tomas have recently registered their mark in different local film festivals.

The short films “Heist School” (Last Minute Films) and “Gáring” (1PM Films) and the documentary “Beyond the Mats: The UST Salinggawi Journey” (Tiger Media Network) have competed in different film festivals such as Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, Cinestudyante, Maginhawa Film Festival, One La Salle Film Festival, and De La Salle University’s Indie Un-Film Festival.

“Heist School” bagged the Audience Choice award at this year’s Cinemalaya short film category. It also won Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Trailer and Best Sound in last year’s Sine Reel competition organized by the UST Communication Art Students’ Association. In addition, it was also officially selected to the IUF, the inaugural edition of the One La Salle Film Festival and the first Maginhawa Film Festival.

The short film tells the story of two best friends who form a group of students to steal their teacher’s answer key to their examination from the faculty room. Joedel (Jemuel Cedrick Satumba) and Omar (Bryan Bacalso) pull off every trick available to them as they try to save their friendship and themselves from the brink of failing high school. Providing support is Teri Lacayanga as their teacher Ms. Suzy, Ella Mae Libre as Reymarie, Son De Vera as Jerique, Brylle Parzuelo as Jacob, and Kevin Ramos as Edward.

Director Julius Renomeron Jr. teamed up with his classmates Johmar Damiles, Klaire Ellise Dulay, John Paolo Barrameda, Alvin Jamora, Keanu Managuas, Ezren Caneda, Pauline Carlos and Zhino Koe. They have been friends who have created short films long before their film production class in UST.

“Gáring,” on the other hand, brought home Second Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Actress for Chin Jongko and Best Trailer at Sine Reel this year. After winning at Sine Reel, it was officially selected to the IUF and Cinestudyante. The short film tells the story of a loving mother who faces the hardest challenge of her life, pushing her to the brink of how far she will go to save her son.

Director Dan Pablo also took charge of lighting and editing the film, as he got ample support from production manager Katarina Mendoza, screenwriter Georgie Cerbolles, associate producer Ynna Dizon, assistant director and casting director Charlaine Mutia, fellow A.D. Emery Principe, production designer Shaira Calleja, casting director and location manager Alex Garcia and art director Barbara San Diego.

Meanwhile, “Beyond the Mats” is a documentary on the inspiring story of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe. Dan Angelo Eligado directed, photographed and edited the documentary, with the help of executive producer Gwen Segarra, supervising producers Jomari Hernandez and Pauline Linsangan, writer Oscar David Poblete, co-editor Ma. Lynette Pamintuan, and production assistants Mivel Ambas, Charlene Jaranilla and Clarissa Sulit.

Aside from Sine Reel, UST holds two other student film festivals in the campus. Sine Abierto, formerly Sine Tomasino, is founded in 2015 and organized by the Thomasian Film Society, which counts Renomeron and Damiles as alumni. It was initially restricted to UST filmmakers, but after a year, a category was opened to non-Thomasians. On the other hand, Sining Sine is a film competition of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design for students enrolled in a film elective.

TFS President Kathleen Doblado hopes these film festivals will discover fresh new talents from among the Thomasian community and encourage them to join film festivals outside UST.

Benilde film “Tahanan” wins in California

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 05:21:00 +0000

By SEYMOUR BARROS SANCHEZ

A capstone project from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts film program recently bagged the Bronze award in the short film category of the 26th Annual Filipino International Cine Festival and Competition at the International Hotel Manilatown Center in San Francisco, California.

Alsen Estrella’s “Tahanan,” which tells the story of Sabel (Junyka Santarin) who searches for his younger brother Bert (Rein Matudan) as they escape from an evil entity inside their home, got the award from among 21 short films which were chosen as finalists to the competition.

Estrella shared that the story for his film was conceptualized during his first few years in film school. “It's just a concept that I never got to shoot, because I haven't figured out how to write the narrative for it just yet. When the time to shoot our thesis came, I was burnt out. It took me some time but eventually, it became a clear choice that I should use the concept for my thesis project.”

Arby and Christine Laraño’s “Liwanag,” Lawrence Fajardo’s “Memories of the Rising Run” and Ralph Quincena’s “Bisperas” won the Gold award, Juan Carlo Torobal’s “Nilalang” got the Silver, while King Abalos’ “Maria” shared the Bronze with “Tahanan.”

FACINE founder and artistic director Mauro Feria Tumbocon Jr. explained that the festival reconsidered its process of selection of awardees “as not exclusive to one film, but more than one, if need be, thus mitigating the idea of competition, but more of a continuing conversation. Hence, the categorization to levels of valuation – Gold, Silver, Bronze, as the case may be.”

“Tahanan” was also nominated for Outstanding Writing for the Screen (Estrella), Outstanding Lead Actress (Santarin), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Matudan) and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Mari Joy Cacho).

This is not the first time that “Tahanan” was selected in an international film festival. The short film was also screened at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival in the non-competition section and was also a finalist in the student short film competition of the Cebu International Film Festival.

The jury is composed of director, producer and Sacramento International Asian American Film Festival award-winning actress Kristine Geolaga, actor, director and media workshop facilitator Theophilus Jamal, and curator and cultural organizer Lian Ladia.

“The finalists were selected based on their overall artistic achievement, and among a rare few, for the formal innovations introduced,” Tumbocon revealed.

Estrella hopes to get his film screened in more venues. “I've submitted it to some festivals. It's just a matter of getting accepted or not. Either way, my goal isn't to win awards but rather reach an audience that appreciate the genre and its underlying theme.”

FACINE, the largest and longest-running event of its kind in North America, has been the premier showcase of new works and Filipino film classics in the United States for the past 26 years. It is organized by the Filipino Arts & Cinema International, non-profit media arts organization based in San Francisco that aims to promote and develop Filipino cinema from the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora.

CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS 2019: Three films we are excited to see

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 22:27:00 +0000

Fact. Cinema One Originals is still the best local grant-giving festival in the country. And we may have lost our faith in some, DLIST.PH will definitely support and fill the ticket booth with this Ronald Arguelles-run film event.

There are eight films screening and competing in selected cinemas as part of Cinema One Originals festival this year, which are scheduled from November 7 until November 17. And there are three exceedingly exciting films we are surely going to see.

The films will be shown at TriNoma, Glorietta, Gateway, Ayala Manila Bay, and Power Plant Makati. There will also be screenings at Vista Cinemas in Iloilo, Evia Lifestyle, Cinema Centenario, Cinema '76, Black Maria, UP Cine Adarna and FDCP Cinematheque Manila.

"Sila Sila"

Starring theater divos Gio Gahol and Topher Fabregas, and directed by awardwinning indie filmmaker Gian Carlo Abraham, this film seemingly promises more in-depth reflections on the LGBTQ narrative. Abrahan’s earnestness on the subject has already been clued in by his debut feature with the characters of Sandino Martin and Martin Del Rosario in Dagitab. While it appears that Abrahan is more dexterous as a screenwriter, his visual flairs are very promising and fills the screen with succulent exuberance.

This movie is about the reunion of not just two friends, at least based on the synopsis, but more of a reconnection of one central character to other characters of his past. It sounds very prosaic and simple, but knowing Abrahan, this will surely speak more than what the few words presently available to describe.

"Utopia"

We haven’t heard much about filmmaker Dustin Celestino but we sure heard so many things about its producer Shandii Bacolod, so we definitely are in the lookout for this film. Being bannered by one of our favorite actors – THE Joem Bascon. This film also stars the very sophisticated and screen magnet Enzo Pineda, and now-becoming indie regular Arron Villaflor. Karen Toyoshima, the female lead, looks fierce and divine!

This movie is about a young videographer, a newbie police officer, and an undercover agent who all meet in the dark underworld of crime-infested society. Very European, huh!

"Yours Truly, Shirley"

This movie stars the freakin Regine Velasquez, enough said. But we are currently losing sleep until we feast our eyes in awe with this comeback movie of the Asia’s Songbird, or goddess, or superstar. It also sytars Rayt Carreon and the eternally funny Dennis Padilla (AKA Mr Baldivia) Filmmaker Nigel Santos is a female, and based on the BTS clips we’ve seen so far, she seems like a dynamite director in the making.

This is the story of Shirley who is obsessed about the idea that a certain popstar is the reincarnation of her departed husband. It surely is not another Bona narrative, but we are very curious to know how Regine will be able to pull off such a comedic mission.

With this year's "I Am Original" tagline, we can only hope all the films competing at COO stayed true to its vision.

Regine Velasquez returns to the movie screen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 23:33:00 +0000

Yours eternally, Chona
A year after signing up to continue her multimedia career with ABS-CBN, Regine Velasquez forges her jolting comeback as a movie star. At 49, she is “reigning still” and a long line-up of projects is currently being unfurled. Years after filming a foiled indie film project, Mrs. Alcasid dazzles as this year’s toast of Cinema One Originals film festival. She is playing the role of a mourning widow turned crazed KPop fan in Yours Truly, Shirley. While Regine’s name is a legendary force in the music business, her foray to acting is nothing short of critical accolades and commercial successes.

The 2019 Cinema One Originals fest is scheduled from November 7 to November 17. While it isn’t difficult to crack why Regine’s participation ignited such a huge interest, and it’s no longer a mystery how she became Asia’s Songbird and a pop culture icon – it is very important to highlight that Regine’s intergalactic career trajectory isn’t exactly because all the stars in the sky aligned to her favor. In fact, the universe spoiled her supposed first major solo concert success when it was postponed because a foreign act was scheduled on the same date. She may have been skyrocketed to stratospheric triumph as the country’s longest singing sensation; hers wasn’t exactly an overnight feat. And it is a storied fact that isn’t really an enigma to decipher. Her career was taking off on the same historical period when the country’s fate was being decided with the collapse of a strongman rule. The economic stability was in downward spiral, and just like every commodity beyond the basics could not be easily prioritized, her elemental success needed to take slow steps. Just as how Regina Encarnacion A. Velasquez waited to be 14 years of age to qualify for a major singing contest on Philippine television.

Champion at 14

When she was proclaimed Grand Champion on Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984, she had to wait two years before her first single was even released. She couldn’t even be presented as “Chona” as someone with that name had already been introduced as the country’s answer to both Olivia Newton John and Sheena Easton. She could’ve been them, but she’s already three years too late. Alas, the precocious Chona couldn’t be sold right away. Albeit commercially unsuccessful, she still persevered and would carry on promoting that one song to her name practically in every venue and event available. This is before she was even given a national TV guesting stint as an up and coming singer, notwithstanding settling for a late-night broadcast. Her re-discoverer, talent manager Ronnie Henares, didn’t exactly see her on the telly – he just happened to be in the studio all-mesmerized while she was unsuspectingly rehearsing. And finally, three years since winning the contest, she recorded a full-scale “self-titled” album under the then fledgling Viva Records. “Regine” would sell 20,000 units, enough for an equivalent of a Gold Record award 3 years later.

From Amateurs to selling 8 million records

While Ang Bagong Kampeon was the first televised singing contest Regine joined in, at 6 years old, little Chona was the third placer in The Tita Betty’s Children (radio) Show singing the kundiman torch classic “Buhat.”

Selling her “Iconic” twinbilled concert recently prompted Regine to sing her own oral history where SHE would attest that Sharon was one her strongest influences, fact is - she would first win her first major singing contest with Nora's version of the kundiman torch classic Buhat (over The Tita Betty's Children [radio] Show, third-placer in 1976). She would carry on with the same song to win various amateur contests, including the famed BULPRISA contest as a high school student. The last singing championship of her career would be the Asia Pacific Singing contest where it would be seemingly the first time she showed off her worldclass vocal calisthenics belting Broadway tunes in biblical proportions.

Musical influences and forging her own

As she became a teenager, she would alternately shift her "repertoire" between Didith Reyes, Eva Eugenio, and Tillie Moreno. Regine's earliest musical influences had been deeply entrenched to torch and kundiman up until her very first album. At that time, Sharon has already emerged from being a 12-year old singing sweetheart with “Mr DJ” to becoming the Megastar whose church wedding befitted both of a royalty and a fairy tale, and coming from massive movie hits after hits.

Also, while it seemed anachronistic to consider Mariah Carey as her greatest influence, the latter’s musical style would shape Regine’s later range and vocal artistry.

In “Nineteen 90" she broke out of her mould and "created" the sound she's now known for. As markets proved to be bipolar in nature, and to even test her reach further, she returned to her roots in Tagala Talaga, all-Tagalog cover renditions a year later. Then finally, Regine took the regionals and sold a whopping 1.5 million copies with her 6^th and first international album (Listen Without Prejudice, although it would only sell 100,000 copies locally ).

Just like a superstar

To promote the first single off her debut album, Regine was featured in her first ever movie screen appearance in the forgettable comedy, “The Untouchable Family” in 1988. On the same year, she would star in another comedy, a double-feature, in Pik Pak Boom. Two years later, yet another cameo role was in the offing in another comedy. It seemed her path to transition wasn’t exactly energetic enough to take things to higher level.

Having won the grand title in the Asia Pacific contest, and later taking over the role of Maria Clara in the musical stage adaptation of Noli Me Tangere, Regine’s golden opportunity would come knocking for the second time as another discoverer would see her perform – this time, it was Viva Films’ Vic Del Rosario. Right there and then, she was offered to take on the lead role of the remake of a remake (Wanted Perfect Mother, Brocka’s first film, was a reimagining of The Sound of Music).

As history unfolds and the hands of time finally pushing her to the top, both Regine’s music and movie careers would go hand in hand upwards the pinnacle. She would be recognized as both a critically acclaimed and highly successful box office actress, as her power pop stardom peaked, expanded, and thrived.

And just like her idols - Sharon, Nora, Kuh Ledesma, Mariah, and Barbra – she’s now up where they are now, and she remains followed, emulated, and adored.

Shoot beyond limits with Vivo V17 Pro dual front camera, exclusive selfie apps

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:57:00 +0000

The mobile phone market has been focusing more and more on their camera game over the last few years and has made leaps in advancements that we no longer even need a separate camera for daily events and travels.

In recent years, advancements in optics technology and software development have given birth to front-facing cameras that offer better resolution and image quality, as well as AI-enhanced photography apps. These, in turn, have transformed selfie shooting, from a mere trend, to a skill, even an artform.

Today, companies like Vivo, are taking the lead in pioneering technology that enhances the smartphone experience. This includes taking selfie shooting to new and higher levels.

Just a few months after unveiling its V15 Pro with the world’s first 32MP elevating selfie camera and an AI triple rear camera, the leading global technology company has already launched V17 Pro, the second flagship smartphone in its V series of mid-range smartphones.

Now, improving from its predecessor, the V17 Pro boasts of another world’s first, an exclusive pair of front cameras—a 32MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture and 8MP 105-degree super-wide-angle camera—which ensures clearer and fuller selfies, in whatever environment.

Much like the V15’s selfie optics, the V17 Pro’s dual front cameras are tucked behind the smartphone’s notch-less Super AMOLED Ultra FullView™ Display, nestled in a wide pop-up mechanism that elevates as quickly as it retracts.

With the premium smartphone’s dual elevating selfie camera, users will never need selfie sticks to capture “groufies” or the splendid panoramic view behind them. All they have to do is access the super-wide-angle camera and “shoot beyond limits”.

For nighttime selfies, the front camera gets ample support from Selfie Softlight that lights up dark images and an exclusive Super Night Selfie mode which captures and combines multiple frames into one image to make one’s face stand out, especially in low-light conditions.

There is also a “Pose Master” feature which suggest several poses to match various photo scenes and backgrounds, to make one’s selfies even more creative.

Aside from its elevating dual selfie camera and AI powered and enhanced selfie apps, the V17 Pro also boasts of AI quad rear cameras—48MP main camera, 8MP super wide-angle, 2MP bokeh, and 2MP super macro camera—which can capture super macro images from a distance of just 4 cm., and super wide clear images, even in dark surroundings.

A selfie (right) using the Vivo V17 Pro’s Super Wide-Angle camera captures a fuller background, compared to a typical selfie.

MMFF 2019 final four entries complete line-up announced, Culion vs Mindanao possibly up for Best Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 07:52:00 +0000

Highly pressured to surpass last year’s all-time high box office record of more than 1.0 billion ticket sales, this year’s edition of Metro Manila Film Festival just announced the final four entries that complete the annual holiday festival of commercially viable films. MMFF will run until January 7, 2020.

Completing the Magic 8 are 5) CULION (Alvin Yapan) starring Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano, Jasmine Curtis, Joem Bascon, Nico Locco, Mike Liwag; 6) MINDANAO (by Duterte enabler Brillante Mendoza - ed) starring Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon, 7) WRITE ABOUT LOVE (Crisanto Aquino) starring Rocco Nacino, Miles Ocampo; and 8) 3POL TROBOL, HULI KA BALBON (Rodel Nacianceno) starring Coco Martin, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, and Jennylyn Mercado

Mindanao, Juday, and Brillante

Duterte enabler (ed) Brillante Mendoza's Mindanao was recently screened at the Busan International Film Festival to a rousing early acclaim. Screen Daily gave it a glittering review, "This is not a film which leaves any emotional button unpushed. The film’s main asset is the presence of actress Judy Ann Santos, who is luminous in the role of the mother, Saima. Santos’ considerable star power domestically and elsewhere should boost the film’s commercial prospects. That said, international audiences may struggle to unpick the picture’s message, and may find the rather overbearing use of terminal cancer in a four-year-old as a device a tad manipulative."

Culion, the return of the historical epic period drama

A period drama from the comebacking Alvin Yapan, which is also executive produced by its lead actress Iza Calzado, has quite made a buzz in the past week. Expect more about this film very soon.

First four

It can be recalled that the MMFF selection committee revealed its first four entries last July, including 1) Miracle in Cell #7, a family drama directed by Nuel Naval and starring Aga Muhlach and Bela Padilla (originally, Nadine Lustre who backed out recently due to medical reasons), 2) Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity, a family comedy directed by Linnet Zurbano and starring Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza, 3) The Mall, The Merrier (aka Momalland), a fantasy movie directed by Barry Gonzales and starring Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis, and 4) Sunod (which replaced the Kris Aquino-starrer Kampon) a film directed by Carlo Ledesma starring Carmina Villaroel and Mylene Dizon. These entries are purportedly selected based on the submitted scripts. The final four entries are chosen based on the finished product. Also, in July, a “second MMFF” was proposed by MMFF Executive Committee Member Senator and the president's ongoing aide (ed) Bong Go. It has been announced today that MMFF Summer Edition will take place starting 2020.

Notable exclusions

ISA PANG BAHAGHARI (Joel Lamangan) starring Nora Aunor, Phillip Salvador, and Michael De Mesa failed to make the cut, which is quite a shocker as this has been hyped since its inception.

Eclipsing artistry

Originally, Metro Manila Film Festival was a 9-day film event to commemorate the third year of Martial Law. The Augusto Buenaventura-megged/Joseph Estrada-starrer Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa won the first ever festival Best Picture. MMFF is also said to have ignited more the film rivalry between Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, which reached its tipping point when the former won the singular Best Performer award at the 1978 MMFF edition for Eddie Garcia’s Atsay.

Through the years, the MMFF has earned the ire of critics and cineastes for being just another platform for big commercial films to lord over the audiences and box office, thereby eclipsing the artistic and creative merits of more deserved submissions. It should be noted and cannot be denied that MMFF also ushered in the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema when films like Lupita Concio’s Minsa’y isang Gamu-Gamo, Eddie Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon Paano Kayo Ngayon, Lino Brocka’s Insiang were produced and submitted to the 1976 MMFF edition, sweeping all the awards.

However, in 1983, on its 9^th edition, MMFF started getting controversial for their decisions when Lino Brocka (“Hot Property”) lost the Best Director award to Willy Millan “Bago Kumalat ang Kamandag.” And it was further degraded, when the quartet of thespians from Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s seminal classic film Karnal, including Phillip Salvador, Vic Silayan, Charito Solis, and Cecille Castillo received zero-wins.

MMFF has always been marred by controversies, if not completely disgraces. While a surprise upset is sometimes a welcome retuning (Baldo Marro winning both Best Actor and Best Director for Patrolman in 1988), it also stirred a defeating thought when the selected entries could not even be half-digested to merit a default victory (all four major awards were deemed unbestowable among the 1994 finalists). On the other hand, as “open-mindedness” was given a slight chance to arrest the pressure and clamor that previous “basura” editions had garnered, an “indie-only” week was given to the very well-reviewed 2016 edition. However, the abysmally low-turnout was deemed attributable to this sudden “audacity” which prompted the next year’s edition to return to its traditional “qualification.”

From Nora, Brocka, to Vice Ganda

Vice Ganda movies have already been synonymous to MMFF top-grossing comedy, regardless of their dubious artistry. This year, the “unkabogable” star, is bannering yet another surefire comic-hit with the fantasy movie The Mall, The Merrier to be directed by Barry Gonzales (Fangirl Fanboy, Fantastica). The Showtime main host will team up with co-host, Anne Curtis.

Back in the day, MMFF means you either are rooting for a Nora movie or a Brocka-directed melodrama. Both legendary in their respective cinematic departments, Aunor and Brocka had fielded numerous entries through the years. But as Brocka passed in 1991, and Aunor in the twilight of her box-office career – MMFF has not, unfortunately, become a free-for-all ball, not just for the stars, but mostly in essence a competition among studio film producers. While independent film productions, once in a while, would make the cut – it is curious to state that supposedly even a laissez-faire like MMFF could not afford in their mandate to protect them to play the fair game.

MMFF 2019 Final Four to be revealed Wednesday; Culion hangs on for a much deserved slot

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 01:17:00 +0000

The last four finalists for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival will have been revealed by Wednesday, although the selected ones may be informed as early as this afternoon. One of the strongest contenders is touted to be the most important film of the year, which is literally a comeback of huge proportions for many aspects of production. Having been embroiled in a sticky controversy a few years back, writer and director Alvin Yapan banners a translation to the screen of a Ricky Lee screenplay of the historical drama, Culion. It is about the forgotten period in Philippine history when a small island town in Palawan became a leprosarium which earned a sort of infamy and a transitory migration of colonial rule in the country. A few weeks back, Culion has already gathered quite a stir of polemics when actor-in-hiatus John Lloyd Cruz voiced out his frustrations over the term “comeback” as he maintained that his appearance in the film is just a small cameo, while the filmmakers insisted his participation is very vital to the story.

To address both their excitement and concerns of clarification, producers Gillie Sing and Shandii Bacolod hosted a small dinner presscon at the posh Novotel in Araneta City attended by select members of the media. Presented are the real main draws of the film – its three main actors. Mike Liwag, Nico Locco, and Joem Bascon enthusiastically dined and talked with the press relating personal and professional matters relating to their major contribution to the film.

Mike Liwag, whom after strings of leading roles in short films and minor supporting roles in films, will take on his biggest break in years. He related that the film challenged him physically and emotionally that taking a month-long break was necessary to recuperate. Liwag shared that after years of trying and hoping his huge arsenal of talents will be enough has realized that projects came pouring in only after improving his physique and carefully taking control of what he posts on his social media accounts. He is now being noticed as a major hunk in the making. Liwag, who is also a theater veteran, also dabbles in modeling.

Nico Locco, an international male fashion figure, quite made a fodder of viral notoriety when he was entangled in a love-scorned affair with an ex-flame, a celebrity herself. Originally identified as Nico Fowler, he is an Italian-Canadian part-time actor from the USA who made a huge leap to the Philippines and became a toast of local advertisement industry. Locco is also an in-demand events host. He plays an American soldier in Culion.

Award-winning actor Joem Bascon revealed to DLIST.PH exclusively that he has unending faith to the team-up of producer Bacolod and filmmaker Yapan and is very much willing to do more films with them regardless of controversies and differing public opinions. Bascon was the lead actor of Oro, an MMFF finalist in 2016. In Culion, Bascon plays the husband of lead actress Iza Calzado. He revealed that he shared many intimate moments with the versatile actress in the film as their characters remained steadfast into building their family in spite of their shared afflictions.

Producer Gillie Sing talked to DLIST.PH and raised her concerns about the chances of Culion making it to the MMFF final four. A housewife and mother of three children, Sing invested well to create iOptions Ventures which hopefully will produce more independent films after the projected maiden success of Culion.

Executive Producer Shandii Bacolod, who is one of Manila’s fashionable celebrities, a producer and filmmaker in her own right, is in-between movie projects and other media endeavors.

"Culion is very special to me. It’s also my comeback to the MMFF, and what huge tasks I had to undertake to mount this monumental period drama that will become a perfect reminder for all of us why we make movies to the service of the Filipino audiences,” Bacolod shared.

UE CFAD films make waves here and abroad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 03:16:00 +0000

Article by Seymour Barros-Sanchez

Student films from the University of the East College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design are gradually making their presence felt in the international and local film arena.

This year, “Yero” (Corrugated Galvanized Iron) won Best Short Documentary at the third 21 Islands International Short Film Festival in New York. The 13-minute documentary also competed recently at the 21st Ismailia International Film Festival for documentary and short films in Egypt and is part of the official selection of the exground filmfest 32 in Germany from November 15 to 24.

A final project for the video production class under Prof. Richard Legaspi, it reveals the harsh conditions inside a corrugated-iron recycling factory, as seen through the life of two workers, Armando Bucog and Rowil Galicia. UE CFAD Advertising Arts graduates John Lanbert Rafols, Jay Condeno and John Nico Nunag documented the daily struggle of the workers inside the hazardous environment, as they scavenge through metal scraps without safety tools or protection for themselves from persistent hazards and imminent danger.

“Yero” also vied for honors at the 30th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or Gawad Alternatibo at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at the 6th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition or Nabifilmex 6 in Compostela Valley.

Meanwhile, “How the Beasts Got Hyped” by Elvin Jay Macanlalay, Bryan Marticio and Mars Sanchez was part of the official selection of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival in India, the Kinolikbez X Documentary Film Festival in Russia, the first Philippine International Film Festival in Korea, the 17th Hyperfest International Student Film Festival in Romania, the AFFF Athens Fashion Film Festival in Greece, the Lift-Off Global Network – First time Filmmaker Sessions in the United Kingdom, and the 2019 Music Shorts Film Festival in the USA. Like “Yero,” it also competed at Nabifilmex 6 and 30th Gawad Alternatibo, among others.

The documentary, also a final project under Prof. Legaspi’s class, focuses on the daily routine of “hypebeasts” or people who are “beasts” (obsessed) about the “hype” (in fashion) and their mutual interest in street-style fashion, which provides a sense of community among its followers. Originally focused on showing the day-to-day activities of a group of eccentric kids, it has evolved to become a story that recognizes the importance of collective identity, camaraderie and solidarity in the face of animosity, or just simply rediscovering a lost freedom.

Another UE entry, the animated film “Maling Akala: Ang Misteryo ng Unamuno” by Macanlalay and Arvileen Yongzon, has been recently nominated in AnakTV’s Sinebata 2019. Produced by Piko Productions as a requirement for Prof. Ronwell Bacani's class, the five-minute animation takes on a legendary Philippine mythical creature named Bungisngis and a mischievous child named Ron Ron, as they journey through the woods after a calamity hits their village, Unamuno. Their paths cross and they go on an adventure together.

“Maling Akala” also vied for awards at Nabifilmex, Gawad Alternatibo, the student category of Pagwanawanan Film Festival, second Manila Student Film Festival, Recoletos Film Festival, 11th Philippine Animation Festival or Animahenasyon 11, and CineKasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival. It was also exhibited at the Sinehan sa Summer 2019 in New York and is one of the 20 finalists in the open category of the 6th Urduja Film Festival in Pangasinan this month.

“Yero,” “How the Beasts Got Hyped,” “Maling Akala” and “Dumbo,” another animated film project under Prof. Bacani's class, represented UE in the first Cinestudyante Film Festival at Santolan Town Plaza from September 25 to October 1.

“Dumbo” is directed by Jonica “Nica” Aque based on the story and character design by Ariane Semana, produced by Zyon Kierulf, edited by Kim Bautista, production design by Charl Cercado Poyaoan and cinematography by Jessa Victoriano and Matthew Bautista Adolfo. A short traditional animation about a kid who unknowingly becomes depressed from feeling left out, alone and from having inattentive parents, which are too much for him to bear, it was also nominated at AnakTV’s Sinebata 2019.

Another UE student work, Rexie Robles Tamayo’s “Mga Bangkang Papel sa Sapang Delubyo” will compete in the short film category of the 26th Annual Filipino International Cine Festival or FACINE in San Francisco, California on October 26. The short film revolves around Tutoy, a naïve child with a penchant for Greek mythology, who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a tragedy and feuding siblings.

Culion vies for MMFF 2019 slot as John Lloyd Cruz screeches a surprise comeback

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:10:00 +0000

Segregation and Culion Leper Colony

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is a long-term infection by the bacteria called “Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis.” This Infection often causes damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes – which in effect a person loses the ability to feel pain. A person afflicted often feels weakened and complains poor eyesight.

By the time of American occupation, there had been 1,500 annual cases of leprosy in the country. To arrest this health crisis with no effective treatment yet established, the colonial government’s immediate solution is isolation.

After a long and careful search for the most suitable leprosarium to initiate the segregation via the Philippine Commission Act 1711, more than 370 patients arrived on the island of Culion, in Palawan to start living in an institutionalized remedial segregation amidst the resistance of the locals and the patients themselves. Knowing the Americans’ inherent proclivity to public relations, they would send out agents to socialize the image of Culion and its inhabitants. After 30 years, with the advancement of treatments, Culion saw the decline of its population.

From Apartness to Belongingness

In 2018, the Culion Museum and Archives was officially nominated by the Philippines in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register – if considered, it will be the fifth internationally recognized documentary heritage of the Philippines, which could increase Culion town's achievability to become a world heritage site.

Culion – The Movie

Culion, which is produced by iOptions Ventures and Team MSB under the very controversial and multifaceted Shandii Bacolod, is world premiering its Official Teaser Trailer today, September 30. In an effort to reach out its full intentions to participate to the characteristically mass-oriented Metro Manila Film Festival in December, Culion held a Grand Media Launch at the illustrious Holiday Inn Galleria at the Ortigas Business District. The launch was attended by its main actors Iza Calzado Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Meryll Soriano, Suzette Ranillo, Joem Bascon, Nico Fowler, VJ Mendoza, and Mike Liwag, among others. Ms Gillie Sing is the Executive Producer.

Culion, following the timeline of the leprosarium's decline between the mid-1940s and before the Japanese Occupation, was translated to the screen from a script by award-winning writer and mentor Ricardo F Lee. This grandiose period drama is the comeback project of filmmaker/professor Alvin Yapan. Culion is being distributed by Viva Entertainment.

Bacolod relates, "I honestly believe that the purpose of this film is to make everyone remember a forgotten story. More than a tragedy, Culion is a story of human spirit, resilience and triumph."

Here's the synopsis:

This is as much the story of three women as it is the story of Culion. In the 1940s, Anna, Doris and Ditas are three leper patients who live in Culion at a time when the disease is practically a life sentence. No cure has yet been found, and no one is allowed to leave. You live and die there. It is why the place is called the Land of the Living Dead.

Anna never loses hope that soon a cure will be found, even when her baby is taken away from her. Doris believes in the myth that a beautiful diwata will soon heal the place. Ditas keeps attempting to kill herself, helpless against the onslaught of memories from the outside world. Together the three friends try to negotiate a life of stigma that seesaws between hope and despair, redefining their roles as women, mother, friend, and human being. In the end they prove that neither disease nor death can erase their humanity and their capacity to endure.

Here’s the trailer:

And here's the halting shocker of a comeback cameo:

Dreamanila International Film Festival to be held May 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 13:09:00 +0000

The Dreamanila International Film Festival seeks to introduce audiences to diverse, independent, and contemporary films from around the world. The Second Annual festival will be a three-day event showcasing the intercontinental works of filmmakers from all over the world. Panel discussions, guest speakers, film production and screenwriting workshops, and networking events are expected to boost the festival’s overall attendance.

There will be a networking event with cocktails and appetizers, which will feature an advanced screening of a prestigious independent film. All three-day programs will host short and feature-length film screenings and a special film industry guest will be invited to conduct a panel discussion.

There will also be screenwriting and filmmaking workshops, another panel discussion, award presentation, and after-party on its final day. The projected dates are May 22-24, 2019. Final venues and city-host will be announced soon. The expected overall attendance is 500-1,500.

Founder and Festival Director Archie Del Mundo said that Dreamanila does not just exist to provide screening venues, but it also fosters creative and professional support to masters and emerging filmmakers to showcase their films to the world with the purest and most creative visions and intentions. The Festival features a host of screenings, symposium panels, educational programs and workshops, Q&A portions, and marketing and distribution assistance.

Del Mundo added, “Manila, as the Philippines’ most exciting historical capital, will provide sociocultural exchange of ingenuity, concepts, and market-building potentials for cultural artists and workers. Dreamanila will guarantee a conducive place for audiences and filmmakers to engage with one another.”

In 2018, the founding edition of Dreamanila International Film Festival showcased over 30 films – 15 shorts and 15 films – both screened live and online among jurors and attendees at the then newly installed CBRC Dream Theater in Espana, Manila. This year, Dreamanila will be projected and carpet-rolled in its new home. Film scholar and microcinema programmer Jerrick David will be the Overall Program Manager.

Tapped as the Creative and Marketing Director, filmmaker and entrepreneur Charliebebs Gohetia, whose film competed last year, made a throwback to the inaugural film event. “Filmmakers from USA to Iran, and as far and as exotic as Nigeria to homeland Philippines participated last year. On our 2nd edition, we intend to triple our selections and multiply our venues with the help of sponsors and hosts.”

Award winning filmmaker Joselito Altarejos assumed the position of Head Programmer and Cultural Exchange Director. He shares, “the heart of the Festival continues to beat in order to establish a wider reach in discovering more independent filmmakers with ardency of collective, fundamental, and original visions. We will greatly appreciate your support so this massive and significant endeavor can push through with its advocacies.”

The Dreamanila International Film Festival offers multilevel sponsorships to individuals and organizations to help support its mission to promote the artistic works of international independent filmmakers and to enhance the arts and culture community in Manila and its nearby cities, and the other regions.

Starbucks’ autumn-inspired beverages are coming our way for a limited time only starting Sep 10

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 10:02:00 +0000

While Pinoys may not experience autumn at home, Starbucks is bringing everyone the smooth and creamy flavors of fall with its brand new beverages that are perfect to enjoy during this cool time of the year. Available for a limited time only starting September 10.

A returning favorite is the Asian Dolce Latte is made with rich shots of premium espresso. However, the added kick to the beverage is the specially-developed sweet dolce sauce which perfectly blends with creamy steamed milk, giving it a rich, velvety texture. For the final touch, the beverage is topped with Turkish coffee grounds.

Giving customers a taste of flavors from all over the world, Starbucks is also taking inspiration from the iconic Irish Cream Coffee by incorporating delicious Irish Cream to two indulgent beverages.

The Irish Cream Coffee Jelly Frappuccino® is an instant pick-me-up, crafted with signature Coffee Jelly Frappuccino® infused with Irish Cream, topped with a smooth and rich espresso whipped cream, and dusted with finely ground espresso powder. There’s also the Irish Cream Cold Brew, made with a custom blend of Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee, slow-steeped, then topped with a float of Irish Cream, creating a silky smooth coffee experience.

Step into your favorite Starbucks and let each smooth sip of its handcrafted beverages give you the autumn feels!

CIMB Bank Announces 500,000th Customer, expands strategic partnership with GCash

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 10:05:00 +0000

CIMB Bank Philippines (CIMB Bank PH) announced that it has garnered 500,000 customers, approximately six months after opening its doors for business in the Philippines. The milestone was reached anchored on a strong proposition of co-creation and partnership between CIMB Bank and GCash.

The all-digital, mobile-first CIMB Bank PH, was launched in early 2019 with a goal of bringing a unique and differentiated banking proposition to Filipinos. Anchored on a DNA of strong strategic partnerships and solving customer pain points digitally, CIMB Bank PH had forged a partnership with GCash, to allow GCash’s customers direct, paperless and seamless access to savings account services, a product termed GSave. GCash is an epayments platform owned by Mynt, the revolutionary fintech startup of Globe Telecom, Ayala Corporation and Ant Financial, an affiliate of Jack Ma’s Alibaba Group.

Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz, Group CEO, CIMB Group, who was in Manila to celebrate this milestone said, “CIMB Bank PH is surely the fastest growing bank in ASEAN, a wonderful achievement, and a strong testament of things that can be achieved in the regime of digital-only banks. We are motivated by this and will continue to innovate for our customers. Well done to the teams.”

In line with this, CIMB Bank PH and GCash also announced that the GSave bank account will be exclusively offered only on the GCash platform. The companies also said they will be working together to make added suites of financial services products available to GCash customers in the future. These services will be announced in due course.

Zafrul added, “The partnership with GCash was central to us achieving this milestone. It is a live case study of bank-tech partnerships, a combination of banking expertise and technology platform plays, and the opportunities it allows both parties to access. I look forward to developing more propositions with GCash to further establish our mobile banking presence in the Philippines.”

Anthony Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of GCash affirmed its shared mission with CIMB Bank to increase accessibility of financial products and services for all Filipinos. “The acquisition of 500,000 users is a clear testament that the partnership between GCash and CIMB Bank through GSave is a success. We welcome this achievement and the deepening of our collaboration with CIMB Bank, and assure our users that we will continue to provide more innovative services to address the banking and financial needs of Filipinos who aspire for financially better lives for their families.”

The 500,000 GSave users are now enjoying the benefits of CIMB’s savings account, which is available as the Save Money feature on the GCash app. GSave offers an interest rate of 3 percent per annum, which is more than ten times higher than those interest rates offered by most Philippine banks.

Additionally, GSave does not require an initial deposit or maintaining balance, nor does it impose service charges for transactions—greatly reducing the barriers for ordinary Filipinos to open and maintain a savings account.

Check out the new Starbucks beverages and nautical-themed merchandise

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 00:11:00 +0000

Starting June 4, Starbucks PH will release nautical-themed merchandise that are perfect not just for your collection but to carry around and use for those frappuccino orders to further eradicate our dependence on single-use plastic. The collection comes with a quirky card that features a whale diving into the ocean with its tail sticking out against the sailor stripe design, available for only a minimum P1,000 activation.

Interesting new drinks will also be released for a limited time. Starbucks is transforming the usual coffee break into an indulgent escape with the Ultra Caramel Coffee Sphere Frappuccino, an upgrade on the classic Coffee Frappuccino but with a refreshing pop to it - small coffee spheres bursting with Starbucks Brazilian Coffee. The delectable blended beverage is topped with a dollop of whipped cream and even more coffee spheres.

For customers with fruitier cravings, there's the new Watermelon and Lychee Aloe Frappuccino, a drink that looks and tastes like a slice of watermelon. The zesty blended beverage is made with watermelon juice blended with chia seeds, layers of floral lychee-infused whipped cream, and diced lychee aloe. With stunning layers of red, white, and green, this drink will satisfy both taste buds and your Instagram feed.

Watch the American Idol Performance and Finale Shows Live on Sony Channel

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Sun, 19 May 2019 12:04:00 +0000

Watch the excitement directly from the US with Sony Channel’s live broadcast of American Idol’s performance and finale result shows this Monday, May 21st (MLA)! After an exciting and unpredictable journey, America has voted for the top three hopefuls who will be performing next week to take this season’s American Idol crown:

18-year-old Gabby Barrett’s (@gabbybarrett_) magnetic personality and powerhouse vocals have received high praise from the judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

Country singer, Caleb Lee Hutchinson (@calebleemusic) has been the hot favourite this season with his deep, soulful vocals and boyish charms.

Maddie Poppe (@maddiepoppe), a 20-year-old student who has a very distinct voice, stood out from the rest of the competitors with her unique take on popular songs.

Watch the live broadcast of the performance show on Monday, May 21 at 8am (7am JKT/BKK) and the finale result show on Tuesday, May 22 at 9am (8am JKT/BKK) on Sony Channel.

If you can’t get enough of their spectacular performances, tune-in to the encores of the performance show on Monday, May 21 at 6pm (5pm JKT/BKK) and 9.45pm (8:45pm JKT/BKK), and the finale result show on Tuesday May 22 at 6pm (5pm JKT/BKK) and 9:45pm (8:45pm JKT/BKK)

GAWAD URIAN 2019: Trans Actress makes history as critics finally nominated her for Best Actress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 May 2019 01:39:00 +0000

A transgender actress makes history as the first to be placed among the Best Actress nominees at the Gawad Urian of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Iyah Mina, a stand-up comedian-turned independent film actress, has been recognized for her performance in the film Mamu: And A Mother Too. It can be recalled that Mimi Juareza, another transgender actress, was nominated instead in the Best Actor category in 2014 for her brilliant performance in Eduardo Roy’s Quick Change. Misgendering, according to Trans rights advocates is considered a form of abuse, discrimination, and attack. Juareza took home three more nominations in the misgendered category and an ironic victory at the Cinemalaya as "Best Actor."

According to Health Line, misgendering can have negative consequences for a transgender person’s self-confidence and overall mental health. The government is primarily pinpointed as guilty of misgendering as they continue to deny issuing trans people IDs listed with their affirmed gender. Healthline continues that the act of willfully misgendering trans people puts them at risk of outing them to people. As explained, no one has the right or responsibility to expose a transgender individual without their expressed consent. Depending on their desire to be out or not, it’s only their decision to tell the public.

Iyah Mina is nominated along with other cisgender actresses including Ai-Ai delas Alas, School Service; Perla Bautista, Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon; Anne Curtis, Buy Bust/ Sid and Aya; Glaiza de Castro, Liway; Maribeth Fanglayan, Tanabata's Wife; Celeste Legaspi, Mamang; Nadine Lustre, Never Not Love You; Bela Padilla, Meet Me in St. Gallen; and Pokwang (Marietta Subong), Oda sa Wala.

It can also be remembered that Mina became the first trans woman to win the Best Actress award in the country at the Cinema One Originals in 2018.

Here are the other films and performances nominated:

Best Picture

A Short History of a Few Bad Things
Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Buy Bust
ML
Signal Rock

Best Director

Whammy Alcazaren, Never Tear Us Apart
Keith Deligero, A Short History of a Few Bad Things
Lav Diaz, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Alec Figuracion, The Eternity Between Seconds
Denise O'Hara, Mamang
Carl Joseph Papa, Paglisan
Chito S. Roño, Signal Rock
Erik Matti, BuyBust
Benedict Mique, Jr., ML
Irene Emma Villamor, Meet Me in St. Gallen

Best Actor

Carlo Aquino, Meet Me in St. Gallen
Christian Bables, Signal Rock
Dingdong Dantes, Sid and Aya
Ketchup Eusebio, Mamang
Eddie Garcia, Hintayan ng Langit
Eddie Garcia, ML
Miyuki Kamimura, Tanabata's Wife
Tony Labrusca, ML
Victor Neri, A Short History of a Few Bad Things
Dante Rivero, Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon

Best Supporting Actress

Pinky Amador, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Bituin Escalante, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Cherie Gil, Citizen Jake
Daria Ramirez,Signal Rock
Nova Villa, Miss Granny

Best Supporting Actor

Arjo Atayde, BuyBust
Nonie Buencamino, Citizen Jake
Teroy Guzman, Citizen Jake
Joel Lamangan, School Service
Victor Neri, BuyBust
Romnick Sarmenta, Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon
Lou Veloso, Citizen Jake

Best Screenplay

Dwein Baltazar, Gusto Kita with all my Hypothalamus
Lav Diaz, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Alec Figuracion,The Eternity Between Seconds
Paul Grant, A Short History of a Few Bad Things
Erik Matti & Anton Santamaria, BuyBust
Benedict Mique, Jr., ML
Rody Vera, Signal Rock
Irene Emma Villamor, Meet Me in St. Gallen

Best Production Design

Popo Diaz, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Michael Espanol & Roma Regala, BuyBust
Roy Lachica, Goyo
Martin Masadao, Mamang
Mark Sabas, Signal Rock
Aped Santos, Liway
Thesa Tang, Never Tear Us Apart

Best Cinematography

Neil Bion, BuyBust
Neil Daza, Signal Rock
Nap Jamir, Tanabata's Wife
Larry Manda, Ang Panahon ng Halimaw
Pao Orendain, Meet Me in St. Gallen
Sasha Palomares, Never Tear Us Apart
Rommel Sales, The Eternity Between Seconds

Best Editing

Gerone Centeno & Tom Estrera, Citizen Jake
Keith Deligero & Maria Estela Paiso, A Short History of a Few Bad Things
Alec Figuracion, The Eternity Between Seconds
Jay Halili, BuyBust
Carlo Francisco Manatad, Meet Me in St. Gallen
Carlo Francisco Manatad, Sid and Aya
Carlo Francisco Manatad, Signal Rock
May-i Guia Padilla, Tanabata's Wife
Mikael Angelo Pestano, ML

Best Music

Jake Abella, Aria
Pearlsha Abubakar, ML
Jamaar Ajero et al, A Short History of a Few Bad Things
Kurt Alalag, May-i Guia Padilla & Mark Tan, Tanabata's Wife
Teresa Barrozo, Mamang
Teresa Barrozo, Paglisan
Malek Lopez & Erwin Romulo, BuyBust
Malek Lopez & Erwin Romulo, Never Tear Us Apart

Best Sound

Aian Caro, Lamberto Casas, Jr. & Albert Michael Idioma, ML
Jason Conanan, Daryl Libongco & Mikko Quizon, Meet Me in St. Gallen
Whannie Dellosa & Steven Vesagas, BuyBust
Albert Michael Idioma, Signal Rock
Malek Lopez & Erwin Romulo, Never Tear Us Apart
Rico Mambo & Angeli Sarmiento, A Short History of a Few Bad Things

Natatanging Gawad Urian: Gloria Sevilla

Gawad Urian will be held on June 18 at the UPFI Film Center.

International Best Actress Winner Anna Luna stars in Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon, showing May 8

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 May 2019 10:25:00 +0000

Five Continents International Film Festival Best Actress Winner Anna Luna (for Maestra) is co-leading the pack of independent film actors in Nestor Abrogena’s Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon. The film about former lovers reconnecting and finding their own selves is showing nationwide starting May 8, 2019. This is supposedly the sequel to Abrogena’s 2015 film, Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa picking up the romantic timeline 5 years after. Luna is now being paired with Nicco Manalo. Completing the casts are Alex Vincent Medina and Emmanuelle Vera. Indie thespian Star Orjaliza is also part of the stellar cast.

Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon is produced by TBA Studios (the makers of megahit Heneral Luna among others). TBA Studios is an independent film production company dedicated to making high quality films and promoting Filipino filmmakers worldwide. TBA also runs one of the most successful microcinemas in the country, the Cinema 76.

Anna Luna, who was also nominated best actress at the 2018 Philadelphia Independent Film Awards (PIFA) (for her performance in the 2018 independent film Maestra), has also done a similar romantic chamber drama, the screen adaptation of Vince De Jesus’ stage musical Changing Partners in 2017. Luna will be next featured this August for Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2019’s Ani: The Harvest.

Nicco Manalo and Emmanuelle Vera reunite and reprise their original roles as former lovers Sam and Isa. The Red Carpet World Premiere was held at the UP Film Center in Diliman, Quezon City on May 6, 2019.

Here's the Official Trailer of Nestor Abrogena's Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon: A

CANNES 2019: Piolo Pascual is an activist, murdered Salvadorian priest paid tribute in Lav Diaz' Ang Hupa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:03:00 +0000

Contemporary Master filmmaker Lav Diaz returns to the most prestigious film festival in the world, the Cannes, with his latest film ANG HUPA (The Halt) to represent the best of Philippine Cinema. Diaz’s new oeuvre could be the most profoundly resonating among his list of historico-political films.

This, according to source, even has a futuristic touch to it, aiming to fight for real freedom and a better Philippines. One character is said to be Diaz’s tribute to an El Salvadorian Archbishop who was murdered while celebrating the mass in 1980. Father Romero will be played by Diaz’ regular thespian Noel Miralles. There is a 15-minute scene that features Miralles doing a zen meditation. His real-life counterpart is said to be very vocal about his stand against poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture.

Mainstream actor Piolo Pascual who topbills the film will be playing the role of a political activist. Other actors in the casts are Joel Lamangan, Pinky Amador, Shaina Magdayao, Mara Lopez, Hazel Orencio, Ian Lomongo, Joel Saracho, Bart Guingona, Susan Africa, Ashton Llarenas, Earl Ignacio, Adrienne Vergara, and iconic musician Ely Buendia.

Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 14 to May 25 at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu will serve as jury president. American film director Jim Jarmusch's ensemble zombie comedy film The Dead Don't Die will serve as the opening film of the festival. Cannes 2019 pays tribute to femme auteur Agnes Varda.

Here are the other films competing

Competition

The Dead Don’t Die (dir: Jim Jarmusch) – opening film

Atlantique (dir: Mati Diop)

Bacarau (dir: Kleber Mendonça Filho & Juliano Dornelles)

Frankie (dir: Ira Sachs)

A Hidden Life (dir: Terrence Malick)

It Must Be Heaven (dir: Elia Suleiman)

Les Misérables (dir: Ladj Ly)

Little Joe (dir: Jessica Hausner)

Matthias and Maxime (dir: Xavier Dolan)

Oh Mercy! (dir: Arnaud Desplechin)

Parasite (dir: Bong Joon-ho)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (dir: Céline Sciamma)

Sibyl (dir: Justine Triet)

Sorry We Missed You (dir: Ken Loach)

Pain and Glory (dir: Pedro Almodóvar)

The Traitor (dir: Marco Bellocchio)

La Gomera (dir: Corneliu Porumboiu)

The Wild Goose Lake (dir: Diao Yinan)

The Young Ahmed (dir: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne)

Un Certain Regard

Adam (dir: Maryam Touzani)

Dylda (dir: Kantemir Balagov)

A Brother’s Love (dir: Monia Chokri)

Bull (dir: Annie Silverstein)

The Climb (dir: Michael Covino)

Evge (dir: Nariman Aliev)

Liberté (dir: Albert Serra)

Invisible Life (dir: Karim Aïnouz)

Jeanne (dir: Bruno Dumont)

Room 212 (dir: Christophe Honoré)

Papicha (dir: Mounia Meddour)

Port Authority (dir: Danielle Lessovitz)

Summer of Changsha (dir: Zu Feng)

The Swallows of Kabul (dir: Zabou Breitman & Eléa Gobé Mévellec)

A Sun That Never Sets (dir: Olivier Laxe)

Zhuo Ren Mi Mi (dir: Midi Z)

Out of competition

The Best Years of a Life (dir: Claude Lelouch)

Diego Maradona (dir: Asif Kapadia)

La Belle Époque (dir: Nicolas Bedos)

Rocketman (dir: Dexter Fletcher)

Too Old to Die Young – North of Hollywood, West of Hell (TV series – dir: Nicolas Winding Refn)

Midnight screenings

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (dir: Lee Won-Tae)

Special screenings

Family Romance, LLC (dir: Werner Herzog)

For Sama (dir: Waad Al Kateab, Edward Watts)

Que Sea Ley (dir: Juan Solanas)

Share (dir: Pippa Bianco)

To Be Alive and Know It (dir: Alain Cavalier)

Tommaso (dir: Abel Ferrara)

Critics Week

Competition

Abou Leila (dir: Amin Sidi-Boumédiène)

Land of Ashes (dir: Sofía Quirós Ubeda)

A White, White Day (dir: Hlynur Pálmason)

I Lost My Body (dir: Jérémy Clapin)

Our Mothers (dir: César Díaz)

The Unknown Saint, (dir: Alaa Eddine Aljem)

Vivarium (dir: Lorcan Finnegan)

Opening film

Litigante (dir: Franco Lolli)

Closing film

Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (dir: Xiaogang Gu)

Special screenings

Heroes Don’t Die (dir: Aude Léa Rapin

Tu Mérites un Amour (dir: Hafsia Herzi)

Directors’ Fortnight

Alice and the Mayor (dir: Nicolas Pariser)

And Then We Danced (dir: Levan Akin)

Blow it to Bits (dir: Lech Kowalski)

Deerskin (dir: Quentin Dupieux) – opening film

Dogs Don’t Wear Pants (dir: Jukka-Pekka Valkepaa)

First Love (dir: Takashi Miike)

An Easy Girl (dir: Rebecca Zlotowski)

For the Money (dir: Alejo Moguillansky)

Ghost Tropic (dir: Bas Devos)

Give Me Liberty (dir: Kirill Mikhanovsky)

The Halt (dir: Lav Diaz)

The Lighthouse (dir: Robert Eggers)

Lillian (dir: Andreas Horwath)

Oleg (dir: Juris Kursietis)

The Orphanage (dir: Shahrbanoo Sadat)

Les Particules (dir: Blaise Harrison)

Perdrix (dir: Erwan Le Duc)

Sick Sick Sick (dir: Alice Furtado)

Song Without a Name (dir: Melina Leon)

Tlamess, (dir: Ala Eddine Slim)

To Live to Sing, (dir: Johnny Ma)

Wounds, (dir: Babak Anvari)

Yves, (dir: Benoit Forgeard) – closing film

Zombi Child (dir: Bertrand Bonello)

Special screenings

Red 11 (dir: Robert Rodriguez)

The Staggering Girl (dir: Luca Guadagnino)

FOX produces its first local film “Maledicto”

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 13:02:00 +0000

Some of my all-time favorite series were produced by FOX - 24, Fringe, The Sarah Connor Chronicles to name a few. So I got pretty interested when it was reported that FOX produced a film locally.

Fox Networks Group Philippines is poised to give us a good scare with its first-ever locally-produced horror film Maledicto, set to show in cinemas nationwide this coming May 1. Co-produced by Cignal Entertainment and Unitel, and directed by Mark Meily, Maledicto is a chilling tale that will surely get under your skin.

Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Networks Group Philippines, Jude Turcuato, shares his excitement for the upcoming film:

"Maledicto is a really big feat for FNG, being the first ever film we’ve produced locally, with an all-Filipino cast at that. With Maledicto under our belt, we’re hoping to elevate Filipino cinema to one of a Hollywood pedigree.”

Maledicto stars Tom Rodriguez as Father Xavi, a former psychologist who becomes a skeptical exorcist following the tragic death of his sister, Mara (played by Inah de Belen). He meets Sister Barbie (played by Jasmine Curtis-Smith), a young nun who has the gift of charism (I had to look this one up and it means "grace or talent granted by God to a special person". Together, they face the case of Agnes (Miles Ocampo), a seemingly perfect teenager who starts manifesting demonic behavior that rocks the foundations of the church.

Other cast members include Eric Quizon, Martin Escudero, Franco Laurel, Nonie Buencamino, Liza Lorena, and Menggie Cobarrubias.

The lead actors have also expressed enthusiasm on being part of FOX’s first film, saying it was an opportunity to play roles that stray from the norm of romance and loveteams. They have happily accepted the challenge, and are excited to bring the characters to life.

Turcuato adds, “We have always prided ourselves in creating original content that would speak to our audience on a personal level, and I feel that Maledicto will do just that, because faith and belief are things that are innate in almost everyone. More than a horror movie, it is an invitation to look inside ourselves and assess what we truly believe in. We hope that this film will offer a fresh perspective.”

Follow @maledictomovie on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

Starbucks unveils 'A Day in The Island’ collection, new frappuccinos for Summer 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 12:40:00 +0000

This year, summer was welcomed by Starbucks PH via an island carnival event dubbed as the Siren's Island. New drinks, food items, merchandise, and card designs were unveiled along with the announcement of the rollout of reusable cups and straws (yey!).

Starting April 9th, Starbucks is serving a new set of beverages that every dessert lover would love - the Triple Mocha Frappuccino, Dark Caramel Coffee Frappuccino, and the Red Velvet Cake Cream Frappuccino. And for those who want to feel the tropical vibes, Starbucks also offers a limited-time beverage that is perfect for the scorching PH summer – the Mixed Berry Frappuccino with Pomegranate Pearls. The smooth and fruity beverage is made with mixed berry sauce blended with velvety milk topped with cream.

Starbucks Card collectors have two new card designs to watch out for - the Popsicle Card and a Botanical Card. Both are available for an initial activation fee of P300.

There will also be new Starbucks merchandise to help you feel summer-ready wherever you go. The ‘A Day in The Island’ collection transports customers straight to the beach with its gradient designs depicting island scenes from sunrise to sunset and tropical plants.

And finally, a double star promo is scheduled for Mobile App users for the following dates when you order the specified drink of the day:

April 9 Triple Mocha Frappuccino blended beverage

April 10 Dark Caramel Coffee Frappuccino blended beverage

April 11 Red Velvet Cake Cream Frappuccino blended beverage

April 12 Mixed Berry Frappuccino

Cross-posted at dalebacar.com

38th Season of Survivor now airs on JackTV

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 00:26:00 +0000

Emmy Award-winning reality competition, Survivor is now on its 38th season. Themed “Edge of Extinction,” this season features 14 new castaways divided into two equal tribes, the Manu Tribe and the Kama Tribe. With four returning players taking a second shot at the game. The returning castaways are Joe Anglim (“Worlds Apart,” “Second Chance”), Aubry Bracco (“Kaoh Rong,” “Game Changers”), Kelley Wentworth (“Second Chance,” “San Juan del Sur”) and David Wright (“Millennials vs. Gen-X”).

A new twist to this season is the introduction of the island known as “Edge of Extinction,” which severely tests the will of the castaways to be the Sole Survivor and what they are willing to endure to make that happen. Those who can endure the emotionally and physically difficult challenge will be given a shot for one of them to get back in the game and continue their quest to be the ultimate winner.

“Survivor continues to reinvent itself with new energy, and this season we’ve added a new secret game-changing twist,” said executive producer and host Emmy Award winner Jeff Probst. “After being voted out, players will be faced with a decision to either go home or go to the ‘Edge of Extinction,’ where they will be pushed further than ever before for a chance to get back in the game.”

These new and returning castaways will be forced to compete against each other with the same ultimate goal: to outwit, outplay and outlast each other, and in the end, only one will remain to claim the title of Sole Survivor. The show films in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, and is hosted by Jeff Probst.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction airs every Thursday via satellite at 3PM with a primetime telecast at 8PM exclusively on JackTV.

For more details kindly visit JackTV on jacktv.ph and don’t forget to like us on Facebook at @solar.jacktv, follow us on Twitter @JACKTV and on Instagram @JACKTVNETWORK to get the latest updates on your favorite shows, promos, and upcoming events!

JackTV is seen on SKYcable Ch. 51, Cignal Ch. 126, Cablelink Ch. 36, GSAT Ch. 61 and EasyTV Ch. 2.

5 Plus Introduces New Crop of ESports and Gaming Talents

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 00:19:00 +0000

After its recent launch as the go-to sports channel for a younger and more engaged free TV audience, 5 Plus will now amplify its gaming content by introducing a dynamic set of esports and gaming talents to help navigate viewers as well as solidify the channel as the home of gaming in the Philippines.

For the first-ever esports franchise league in the country called The Nationals, a full-scale commentary team made up of the best local esports casters will follow the action, game after game.

For the ongoing DOTA 2 leg, Sam Nopueto (Wolf), Aries Alejandro (Kalbz), Neil de Guzman (Midnight), Jaz Comoda (Heneral Tuna), and Rain Manaig (Rain) will be at the helm.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Tekken leg will feature Ron Muyot (Hot-E), Poch Estrada (_pochspice), Paul Fuentes (Poru), and Pica Lozano (Pica); While Manjean Faldas (Manjean), Shin Boo Ponferrada (Sh1n Boo), Gian Bernardino (Ilustrado), Em Dangla (Kaisaya) and Lhea Lei Pelaez (Yasumeow) will highlight the action for Mobile Legends.

The Nationals esports correspondents Eileen Shi, Alyzza Taylor, Mika Fabella, Tonie Moreno, and Dan ‘Leo’ Cubangay will join the casters in each game day as the league’s version of courtside reporters. With their mix of hosting and reporting backgrounds from both sports and gaming programs, the correspondents will be in the middle of all the action, giving updates and reactions straight from the trenches.

The Nationals will be aired every Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 4PM to 7PM, and Saturday & Sundays 10AM to 1PM.

And finally, 5 Plus introduces six new VJs that will anchor the channel’s gaming content: Gino Quillamor takes time off from his DJ duties (and his PC) to get in front of the camera for 5 Plus; Host and commercial model Bea Benedicto brings in her own brand of energy; And content creator and TV personality Kim Cruz takes on VJ duties for a new and exciting audience.

Brand presenter and former MTV VJ Jodie Tarasek may be new to the 5 Plus family, but is no doubt an avid gamer herself; Host and commercial model Ariana Conechado will make 5 Plus her next stop; And host and Mobile Legends streamer RJ Arroyo takes on a bigger and more animated gaming audience.

Catch them throughout the day as they talk about all things esports and gaming only on 5 Plus.

Swosh - the new laundry service app that you have got to have

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 01:38:00 +0000

Living in the Metro isn't always easy. Moreso for urban professionals who live independently. You have your work and life balance to juggle along with responsibilities, bills, chores, and the undying traffic that always gets in the way, eating up our precious time.

Good thing, we live at a time when app-based services actually help make our lives easier. Heck, they have become integral for us to even have a life where we can still enjoy and not worry about our endless to-do lists.

When in Manila, I have to have the following apps: GRAB/Angkas for transport, Honestbee/foodpanda for food and grocery deliveries, Eatigo/Zomato for discounts, GMovies to avoid the pesky movie queue, Grindr for entertainment (I kid, I kid), and recently, Swosh for laundry/dry clean services!

I discovered Swosh from a social media post raving about their service. Tested it out on a dirty pair of white sneakers that came back like it was new! I am sold!

Swosh connects you to multiple partner shops in your area so that allows them to cover all of your laundry needs - that includes dry cleaning, ultra-sonic shoe cleaning, and they even cater to pet items. Laundry is also super affordable at about P150 per bag of up to 8 kg. That is less than P20/kg! They pick-up and deliver on a specified date/time, and they have trained staff with real-good customer service skills which is a breath of fresh air because my old laundry service would reply to me with "Baka mamaya," when I ask for my laundry to be picked up.

Swosh is available in Google Play and the App Store. You may follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@swosh_philippines) and Twitter (@swoshph) for updates and promos.

Cross-posted at dalebacar.com

The Marison Hotel – Luxury Redefined

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:24:00 +0000

If you ever wish to catch glimpse of the famous Mayon Volcano in its original home before it gets moved to Naga (I swear this was funny in 2018) or simply experience the history-rich Legazpi City, consider staying at The Marison Hotel.

Strategically located in the heart of Legazpi, The Marison Hotel is built to be the premium gateway for tourists and business travelers in the Bicol region. Situated just a quick five-minute drive from the Legazpi Airport, it’s easily one of the most centrally-located hotels in the city.

“We aim to give our guests the best hotel experience,” says Ms. Daisy So, the President and CEO of The Marison Hotel. “Apart from being the perfect base for anyone who wants to see the beauty and splendor of Legazpi, we offer maximum comfort and convenience for the whole family. The hotel is here to provide a luxurious experience for everybody, making it the best place to truly feel the warm Bicolano hospitality.

(From L-R) Albay Provincial Media Bureau Chief Danny Garcia, The Marison Hotel Chairperson Lolita Uy, Department of Tourism Region 5 Director Benjamin Santiago, The Marison Hotel President & CEO Daisy Uy – So, and Legazpi City Vice Mayor Bobby Cristobal lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the launch of The Marison Hotel, in Legazpi City, Albay last February 5, 2019.

The Marison Hotel is a four-storey complex boasting 118 huge and elegantly-furnished rooms that showcase beautiful and contemporary design, arguably among the best in the region. It is one of the biggest hotels in Bicol — and the biggest in Legazpi.

All guest rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a desk, free WiFi, and a private bathroom. Some rooms are also fitted with a terrace for guests to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Legazpi skyline.

Attractions like the famed Mt. Mayon, magnificent Cagsawa Ruins and pristine Sumlang Lake are only less than an hour away from the hotel, as well as Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave and the Vanishing Island. In addition, the Redemptorist Church is just right across the hotel.

The scenic Legazpi Boulevard, the city’s business district and port area, is a popular spot for tourists as it offers a beautiful view of Mt. Mayon, Albay Gulf, and the Kapuntukan Hill — is also within the hotel’s vicinity.

Other must-see tourist destinations are the Quintinday Green Hills, the Kawa-Kawa Hill and Nature Park, both less than an hour drive away, Vera Falls, and Joroan Church, which are about an hour drive.

The idea behind The Marison Hotel, according to So, is to create a top-notch hospitality experience for its guests. Some of its impressive amenities that will surely make their stay in Legazpi extra memorable include their two outdoor swimming pools (one adult pool and one kiddie pool), a fitness center, a fully-equipped Executive Board Room that accommodates as many as 24 people, and a Functional Hall for formal meetings, seminars, and parties that caters up to 120 people. They also offer complimentary transfers to and from the Legazpi City Airport. And on top of that, to accommodate guests arriving in the city on early morning flights, the hotel offers free early check-in, subject to room availability.

Adding to these amenities are three dining options inside The Marison Hotel. Its main restaurant, the IL Morso Italian Restaurant, is the perfect place for guests to enjoy some of the best Western dishes in the area, from pizzas and pastas to steaks and mouth-watering desserts. The Sans Cafe & Bar, on the other hand, offers a quiet respite for travelers who simply want to relax over a cup of coffee. Those looking for a nightcap after a busy day of exploring the city can visit the hotel’s Chilo Bar to enjoy its impressive array of mocktails, cocktails, wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages — with a view of the majestic Mt. Mayon in the background as a bonus.

“The opening of The Marison Hotel is a testament that the Bicol region has come into its own as a prime tourist and business destination in the country,” So adds. “Last year, tourist arrivals in Bicol hit over one million — an unsurprising feat considering the unique beauty the region has to offer, yet an impressive achievement nonetheless. We enter the hotel industry with the firm belief that Bicol — especially Legazpi, has a lot to offer to both its local and international visitors. We are not only very eager to provide a premium hotel experience to our guests, but The Marison Hotel also looks forward to helping the Bicol Region welcome a much bigger tourist base in the years to come.”

The Marison Hotel is located at Corner Imelda Roces Ave, Legazpi City, Albay. For reservations, call (052) 732 7777 or email reservations@themarisonhotel.com. Visit facebook.com/TheMarisonHotel for more information.

Cross-posted at dalebacar.com

Empowered women and the technology that powers them

noreply@blogger.com (Dale) — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 22:39:00 +0000

Women’s Month celebrates the strength and savvy of empowered women—and raises awareness that women can be strong and successful. In a world where mobile technology is a growth catalyst, Burlesque.Ph and Open Now’s Trisha O’Bannon sat down with Argomall to share how she uses technology to provide a safe space for sex education, and tell us how she chooses her devices. (WATCH the video interview here: https://youtu.be/rufYgSBWb04)

Trisha O’Bannon

A 24-year-old writer by profession, O’Bannon is part of Burlesque.Ph advocates for sex positivity, body positivity and women’s and LGBTQ rights. She started an alternative sex education platform with one of her friends called Now Open, “where Filipino youths—especially female Filipino youths or queer Filipino youths—can learn about sex education that’s totally lacking in schools or their families.”

At Burlesque.ph she advocates for “a woman’s choice to do with her body what she wants, and it’s such a great roster of beautiful, strong, empowered women” with “different body types, different aesthetics, different personalities.”

O’Bannon and a friend of hers are building the Open Now website, “but, at the moment, we’re operating over Twitter,” their “platform of choice.”

“These advocacies are actually very personal to me, since I’m obviously a woman and I’m part of the LGBTQ community.”

O’Bannon told Argomall that “what keeps me going is I have people messaging me on Twitter, usually very, very young girls who are not even of age—usually 16 or 17—telling me that they’re so scared to be judged by their families, or, even worse, disowned or hurt by their families because of these feelings that they have that are completely normal.”

For her, the Women’s Month celebration “recognizes that women are at a disadvantaged position in society. It brings more awareness to people who might not realize that it’s a problem.”

O’Bannon uses technology pass on her learning: “Now we’re at an age where information is so readily available and it’s not so much an issue of access to information as knowing where to look and knowing which people to trust.”

She asks people she trusts for advice before buying a phone: “I have a friend that, no matter what he recommends to me, I basically take it because I trust him and he knows what he’s talking about.” At Argomall, our Argonauts are eager to help online tech shoppers find the perfect device for them.

O’Bannon replaces her smartphone every two years. “Battery life is very important for me,” she said. “I’m a very heavy user of my phone—data’s on all the time, full brightness—so I need it to be able to last very long.” Processing speed is also important, and “a nice camera wouldn’t hurt.”

When shopping online, she told Argomall, “take your time. Don’t rush your decisions. That applies in real life as well. Learn as much as you can so that when you make your decision, you’re making it with confidence.”

A decade from now, O’Bannon mused, she would like to be remembered “as someone who was at the forefront of women being more sexually empowered, or at least less judgmental about women who are sexually empowered.”

Press Release by Argomall