From 2020 Vision to a New Contemporary”. ManilART"23!

The country"s national art fair proudly announces its milestone 15th year with the theme "A New Contemporary.” This marks the culmination of a series of themes that ManilART explored over the most recent years, emphasizing the legacy and tradition of Philippine art, while embracing new perspectives and the incorporation of new media.

Leading up to this milestone and beyond

In 2020, the art fair faced the year"s unprecedented challenges head-on with the theme 2020Vision for a Future Reimagined, ready to take on the country"s evolving artistic landscape. In2021, Continuing Legacies highlighted the art fair"s journey as a platform for the arts, celebrating tried and tested methods and paying homage to the artists behind its success. And in 2022, Forging Futures captured the spirit of progress as the fair began to navigate a post-pandemic world, ushering in a new era of artistic exploration.

This year signals "A New Contemporary" as ManilART continues its commitment to excellence, built upon each iteration of its evolving journey–bridging traditional and contemporary,  providing a space for an ever-expanding spectrum of old and new media expression in the visual arts.

From functional to phygital: offerings at ManilART"23

At ManilART'23, there"s surely something for everyone. The art fair shall showcase a diverserange of exhibits, featuring both traditional and interdisciplinary expressions. Attendees can explore captivating canvas-based and sculptural works, as well as delve into the world of 

functional and technology-based art. The fair also embraces various media, including automotive art and design, digital art, sound art, and emerging forms like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and phygital media.

ManilART also returns as a festival and fellowship for all art lovers via the grand gala opening, as well as VIP vernissage, artist night and various planned social and artistic engagements for collectors, artists and art aficionados. The milestone 15th year also celebrates the fair"s

uninterrupted annual staging and having come out more responsive to the times.

A new art world of interconnectivity

Having gone through the crucible of global challenge, ManilART"23 retains the gains of being thrust onto the online sphere and continues to develop its online viewing platform and portals. These digital spaces allow for simultaneous, multi-location and satellite exhibitions, offering a larger showcase that brings art to wider audiences, allowing them to engage with art from the comfort of their own spaces.

ManilART"23 shall continue to partner with satellite exhibitions around the country as well as expand its onsite offering through collaborations. In the lineup include projects with Museo Orlina, The Estate, Silangan Art Fair, Barasoain Church and the Manila Clock Tower.

As the flagship project for Museums and Galleries Month of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, ManilART"23 continues to abide by its mandate to strengthen creative economy and promote Philippine visual artistry through supporting art galleries, museums, and associated institutions.

Elevate Your Experience at ManilART 23’s Estate Lounge

Step into a realm of sophistication and luxury at the fair’s Estate Lounge, proudly presented by The Estate Makati. This premium offering by SM Development Corporation defines modern luxury nestled at the heart of Makati’s Central Business District. After a long day of strolling  through the art fair, you can look forward to unwinding in the most elegant manner, courtesy of  The Estate’s touch of refinement and sophistication.

Soak in the sights and spirits at the Estate Lounge’s sculpture wine fountain – a masterpiece by none other than Ramon Orlina, making its grand return after years to claim its place as the centerpiece. This elegant experience is supported by Novellino wines.

Tradition Meets Innovation with Our Partners

ManilART’23 takes center stage as the flagship project of the Museums and Galleries Month, a tradition proudly upheld for fifteen years to the day. This legacy marries artistic heritage with the forward-looking spirit of the New Contemporary.

Among its esteemed partners, you’ll find the Museo Orlina, Galerie Du Soleil, Manila Clock Tower, Barásoain Church, and Loyola Retreat House, each hosting satellite exhibits. From the iconic Museo Orlina in Tagaytay to historical treasures like the Clock Tower and Church Museum, there’s a place for every art enthusiast within the embrace of this new contemporary movement.

This year"s participating exhibitors are OMV Art Gallery, Galleria Nicolas, M Gallery MNL,Ysobel Art Gallery, AT Art Gallery, Renaissance Art Gallery, The Artologist Gallery, Art for Space Gallery PH, Gallery du Soleil MNL, Portrait Artists’ Society of the Philippines, Inc., Galerie Raphael, Gallery Nine, Annual Sculpture Review, Espacio Manila, Artes Orientes, Historia Arts, 371 Art Space, Village Art Gallery, Drybrush Gallery, Art Circle Gallery, Rayos Del Sol Gallery, Art/Space* Galeria Bañez, NAMI Art Gallery, Galerie Artes, G9Online, Daloy Likha Art Gallery, Artalyer Art Gallery, and Visual Central Art Gallery.

ManilART"23 will be held from from October 11 to 15, 2023 at the SMX Aura ConventionCenter, Taguig City.

ManilART"23 is supported by The Estate Makati, SMDC, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Museums and Galleries Month, BAGO, SMX Convention Center Aura, Ladder Productions, Museo Orlina, Novellino Wines, Grentek Solutions Inc., Vision, Think Big Taguig, I Love Taguig, SM Aura Premier, Future Studios, Phoundry, BDO Credit Cards, Ticketbooth.ph, Giffard, Via Mare, Sebastiao Cocktails, ANC, Daloy Likha, Cebu Daily News, Inquirer.net, Preen.ph, Inquirer POP!, Be An Inquirer, Scout, nolisoli.ph, The Manila Times, WhenInManila.com., SMNI Channel, DZAR 1026, Metro Style, People"s Journal,FrontpagePH, Klik.PH, Experience Travel & Living, & Pilipino Mirror. by Rissa Coronel

𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 B𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 R𝗶𝘀𝗲, B𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗛 F𝗶𝗹𝗺 T𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺

𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙩𝙞, 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨—A Film heritage building will soon rise in the historic Walled City of Intramuros in Manila as the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its infrastructure arm, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), formally sealed a 22-year agreement with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Tuesday (26 Sept.) at the DOT Central Office in Makati City. 

The building, which will occupy the 800 sqm lot along Sta. Lucia St. in Intramuros, beside “Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus”, and TIEZA's Light and Sound Museum, will be designed in such a way that it will house a cinematheque, film museum/gallery, film and media library, film storage/vaults, and film scanning and restoration room. It will also accommodate FDCP offices, lounge areas, board room, as well as a merchandise shop and a cafe. The said property will be utilized with consent from the Department of Finance (DOF), the registered owner of the lot. 

The ceremonial signing of the MOA was led by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, TIEZA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Lapid, and FDCP Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tirso Cruz III, witnessed by DOT Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan, TIEZA Assistant COO Jetro Lozada, and FDCP Executive Director Dan Morales. 

"𝘐 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘋𝘊𝘗 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘡𝘈 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯,” the tourism chief began her address during the MOA signing.  

To recall, FDCP chair Cruz first came to DOT to share his project proposition and other aspirations for the film industry back in August.  

“𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮,” the tourism chief noted, citing as well that the partnership is included in the Marcos administration’s push for transformative tourism.  

But she expanded that this current collaboration with the FDCP goes beyond the establishment of the building, but toward the growing of the creative industry in the Philippines.  

“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘋𝘊𝘗, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘛, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘡𝘈 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰,” she added.  

For his part, TIEZA COO Lapid expressed his appreciation to Secretary Frasco for her openness and support. He likewise noted that the partnership with the FDCP is a manifestation of the collective commitment of the DOT and TIEZA in preserving the legacy of Philippine cinema. 

“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢. 𝘐𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘔𝘖𝘈 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴,” he said. 

FDCP chair Cruz also thanked both the DOT and TIEZA, saying that the ceremonial signing between the agencies is a “collective dedication to safeguard and further the Philippine film heritage.” 

“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦; 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘭𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦,” he said.  

The agreement involving the film heritage building shall be effective until February 25, 2045, but is also subject to renewal of the parties involved.  

#LoveThePhilippines #BagongPilipinas

Message of Israeli Ambassador during the Rosh Hashanah event at Pandesal Forum

        

Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year is a time of rejoicing and serious introspection. This is one of Judaism’s holiest days. Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” the festival begins on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls during September or October.

Rosh Hashanah 2023 begins on the evening of Friday, September 15, and ends at sundown on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. This high holiday is a time to do self-reflection of the previous year and an opportunity to make decisions for the coming year.

As we enter this new phase, the Embassy of Israel looks back on the fruitful year we had here in Manila. The recent visit of Israeli FM Eli Cohen signified the strong relations between Israel and the Philippines. It further strengthened our bilateral relations and the areas of cooperation such as agriculture and water, trade and economy, innovation and technology, and defense, among others. The Embassy is working closely with the Philippine government to reap the fruits of the high-level visit.

Another important visit we sponsored is with Deputy Director of the Volcani Institute of Israel Prof. Uri Yermiyahu to talk about Agriculture with relevant agriculture leaders, departments, and agrimovers in the Philippines. This is one way to answer the call of President Marcos for Israel to do more in agriculture.

In the coming new Jewish year, we are working on many economic and defense cooperation between our nations. This year, we are expecting delegations including a water roadshow, emergency response delegation, and agtech roadshow. We are also expecting a visit of the Israel Asia Chamber of Commerce to the Philippines. Another economic event happening next month is the first Israel-Philippines Joint Economic Committee in Jerusalem.

A delegation from Israel’s Minister of Defense International Defense Cooperation is currently in the Philippines to strengthen further the defense cooperation between our nations. Another high-level delegation from the Israeli Ministry of Defense-SIBAT will be paying a visit to the Philippines soon, which is a manifestation of our close defense partnership.

This year, as we enter the post-pandemic year, the Embassy has been more active in other areas to bring Israel and the Philippines closer. We recently participated in the Manila Improv Festival and held a side event for the Israeli Improv group which is dedicated to the OFWs in Israel and to remember the late DMW. Sec. Ople. Annually, the Embassy participates in the Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education. This year, we built a mini-library called Jerusalem Learning Resource Center in Barangay Bagong Tanyag Annex A in Taguig. We work closely with the DepEd, and we actually agreed on commemorating together the International Holocaust Remembrance Day every January.

MASHAV – Israel’s agency for International Cooperation, has been offering training programs for Filipinos to go to Israel. Some of the training courses are about environmental challenges, flood forecasting, intensive fish farming, inclusive Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities. We are happy that some Filipinos got accepted as MASHAV Scholars.

In the coming new Jewish year, we will also enhance the level of interaction between our countries and people. We are working on promoting the innovation and technology of Israel to different academes around the Philippines. The Embassy will soon be bringing back the Israeli film festival which was halted by the pandemic. We also encourage cultural exchanges, just like the upcoming concert of Julie Ann San Jose, Rayver Cruz and Boobay in Tel Aviv.

In October, we are expecting Filipino delegations to join the Agritech 2023 in Israel which is one of the most important exhibitions in the fields of technology, irrigation, fertilization, agricultural mechanization, water and food. Agritech is also a leading platform for global exhibitors presenting the best innovative technologies in the field of agriculture.

The Israeli Embassy is working on more projects and events that will further enhance the relations of Israel and the Philippines. On behalf of the Embassy, I thank everyone for joining us today. Our media friends play a very important role in promoting the historically friendly relations between Israel and the Philippines.

Shana tova! Maraming salamat!

MEDIA FELLOWSHIP TO UNPACK UNHEALTHY FOOD MARKETING TARGETING CHILDREN LAUNCHED

Pasig City - Public interest law group ImagineLaw on Monday invited Filipino journalists to produce stories and reports through a media fellowship that will shed light on the advertising and marketing of unhealthy food to children. 

“Unhealthy food marketing harms children,” said ImagineLaw Executive Director Atty. Sophia San Luis. “It increases their risk of being overweight or obese and leads to other diet-related diseases,” she added, citing a study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). 

The said media fellowship, dubbed as ‘Bawas Patalastas’, seeks to deepen the public’s understanding about the issue and initiate conversations through stories, features, or reports.  The fellowship will accept seven (7) Filipino journalists, called ‘Fellows’, who will receive a grant of up to PHP 60,000 for research, editing, and publication of their desired stories. 

The fellowship is open to all journalists, whether employed by a media outlet or freelancer, who work in television, print, radio, and online. 

“Media plays an important role in creating an environment that encourages children to make healthy choices,” San Luis said. “The stories and reports produced by the Fellows will help us craft a policy proposal that will regulate unhealthy food marketing targeting children,”

Interested journalists can apply through https://bit.ly/ILMediaFellowship until October 5, 2023. On top of the cash grant, the Fellows will also receive briefings and review sessions from experts and fellow journalists on the topic. 

The Fellowship proper is from November to December of this year and is being conducted in partnership with Gugma PR, a public relations group helping advocates, movements, and changemakers build impact through empathic communications.

[Proposed caption: ImagineLaw invites journalists to a media fellowship that will help unpack unhealthy food marketing targeting children. Interested journalists can apply through https://bit.ly/ILMediaFellowship until October 5, 2023.]

DTI Secretary Pascual Eelcomes Digital Payment Platforms for MSMEs

MAKATI CITY – On 21 September 2023, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DTI E-Commerce Division and GoDigital Pilipinas Movement Inc., for the upcoming Cashless Expo 2023. The DTI Chief underscored that this partnership is vital to the Department’s mission of promoting the benefits of adopting digital payments, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).   

Secretary Pascual said, “This multifaceted approach in encouraging small businesses to adopt digital payments is aligned with the goal of the government to promote digital inclusivity through innovation to ensure that local enterprises remain globally competitive. Through a whole-of-government approach, the DTI will partner with both public and private stakeholders to foster digital transformation and wider accessibility for our enterprises.”  

The objectives of the MOA are: (1) to increase digital payment adoption by merchants, and (2) to encourage cashless transactions among consumers. Following the e-Commerce Philippines 2022 Roadmap launched earlier in [month] last year, this agreement further strengthens the aim of the Department in promoting digitalization and financial inclusion among merchants and consumers.   

The Cashless Expo 2023, scheduled on 17-19 November 2023, is a collaboration between the DTI Digital Philippines E-Commerce Division and the GoDigital Pilipinas Movement. It aims to ramp up efforts to increase digital payments across the nation. The event is supported by other government agencies such as the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), along with the private sector and digital payment enablers. 

The Cashless Expo 2023, the first cashless expo in the Philippines, will be a three-day trade show that will feature micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that pioneer entirely cashless transactions. It will also showcase businesses using digital payment methods like e-wallets, debit/credit cards, online bank transfers, and QR codes or Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to enable contactless transactions.  

The DTI Chief stressed the significance of digital transformation to enable MSMEs to be globally competitive, saying, “This event takes us one step closer to our goal of encouraging the adoption of digital payments across all industries. As the DTI works on a science, technology, and innovation (STI) driven approaches, we encouraged both public and private sectors to work with us in ensuring that digital transformation will happen in the Philippines.”    

ENSAYO Creative Hub, Critical to PH Creative Industry’s Global Competitiveness – DTI Chief

PASAY CITY–During the launch of the ENSAYO Creative Hub on 22 September 2023 held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual underscored the vital role of the creatives industry in strengthening the Philippine economy. Secretary Pascual emphasized that through the launch of this hub, Filipino creative talents will be nurtured to be globally competitive.  

“Our creative industries have always been a cornerstone, adding billions to our GDP, providing livelihoods to millions, and painting a vibrant image of our culture on the world stage. Yet, like any masterpiece, there are challenges that cast shadows on its brilliance. ENSAYO stands as our answer to these challenges, offering resources, training, and market accessibility to ensure our artists and creative firms don’t just survive but thrive,”   Secretary Pascual stressed.  

The DTI Chief emphasized that the ENSAYO Creative Hub is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering the growth and fame of the Philippine creative landscape. Further, according to the Secretary, this Hub represents the Department’s transformative initiative aimed at boosting the country’s creative industry.

To further promote the Philippine creative industry, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group commissioned the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC)-Global MSME Academy to establish the ENSAYO Hub. This hub is aligned with the objectives of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA) to uphold the protection and strengthen the rights and capabilities of various stakeholders within the creative sector. 

Further, the Hub is in support of PCIDA by empowering creative talent as it will provide a co-working space equipped with tools and equipment, enhancing the creative industry’s design thinking capabilities. Secretary Pascual stressed that capacity-building offered by the Hub will provide entrepreneurial and technical training programs to creative workers to ensure that they acquire the skills needed to excel in the global market. Finally, through networking and collaboration, the Hub aims to strengthen the ties between the creative industry ecosystem. 

The DTI Chief emphasized that ENSAYO represents the collective efforts of the public and private stakeholders to nurture and empower the creative industry, as part of the long-term vision of #TrainingForNationBuilding. Further, he shared that through this initiative, the nation is poised to unlock the full potential of its creative talents and enhance its global presence, enriching both cultural and economic landscapes. 

Secretary Pascual underscored that ENSAYO Hub offers a fertile ground with resources, guidance, and boundless possibilities, saying, “Through this hub, we’re tapping into the talents of our people and we’re setting them free. We are unleashing their limitless potential, amplifying their voices, and ensuring that the world not only hears but reveres them. This is our contribution to the rich tapestry of our culture and the robust engine of our economy.”  

Also present during the event were Congressman Christopher V.P. De Venecia, DTI CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, Director Lilian G. Salonga, and Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong. 

YOUth Can Make It Happen: BOI Highlights Young and Talented Workforce in PH’s Game Development Industry at PGDX 2023

With the country’s young and talented workforce, the Board of Investments (BOI) expressed its optimism on the promising potential of the country’s game development industry during the first Philippine Game Development Expo at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on August 18, 2023. 

MAKING IT HAPPEN IN PH’S GAME DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY: The Board of Investments (BOI) participates in the Philippine Game Development Expo (PGDX) 2023 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, running from August 18 to 20, 2023. 

FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE PH’S GAME DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY: BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa underscores the immense talent and skills of Filipino game developers and animators in her remarks on the first day of the PGDX 2023. 

Throughout the three-day event, the BOI had a booth to connect with game developers and pitch business opportunities through incentives available to them. It joined the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) in sending messages about the government’s efforts in promoting and improving the country’s game development industry. 

The event, which was organized by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), brought together game developers and enthusiasts to promote the numerous opportunities in the game development and animation industry of the Philippines.

In her opening remarks, Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa recognized the pivotal role of the game development sector in the country’s economy, being known as one of the higher-value segments of the IT-BPM industry. 

“We recognize the notable contribution of the game development industry to the Philippine economy and quality employment of Filipinos,” she told the attendees. 

In 2022, the digital interactive goods and service activities, which include Game Development and Animation, contributed over Php325 billion or over 20% of the country’s GDP. In terms of employment, the digital interactive sector recorded a growth rate of 4.5%, providing a total of 388, 828 jobs.

Notably, the BOI official introduced the “YOUth Can Make It Happen” Campaign, which is aligned with the BOI’s investments promotion campaign “Make It Happen in the Philippines.” 

The campaign advocates promising opportunities in the game development for the youth with the belief that by providing competitive career options for the younger generation, the better it will be for the future of the country’s economy. In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and GDAP, video was produced to raise awareness among secondary school students about the Philippine Game Development Industry.

“Through this initiative, we hope to inspire and motivate young people to explore the opportunities available, pursue their dreams, and turn them into reality,” she said. 

The BOI pledged to help move the industry to higher levels of growth and achieve its roadmap targets by continuously replenishing the pool of qualified labor and consequently reducing the training costs of local companies. To this end, the BOI has partnered with academic organizations to implement projects and programs that will pave the way to graduates’ employability and fulfill the needs of industries. 

In particular, the partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to strengthen industry-academe linkages resulted in the conduct of the National Skills Mapping and Survey on Human Resource Development Needs of the IT-BPM sector. Published in June 2022, the report underscored the concern about the readiness of talent entering the workforce in the game development industry.

The report confirmed the need for proactive government interventions to equip students with the necessary skills for the future. It emphasized the reskilling and upskilling of the industry workforce to remain competitive globally. 

As such, the BOI has also been coordinating with DepEd to implement relevant initiatives through their upcoming collaboration program on “Kids for the Future of Philippine Industrialization” to support learners and educators in expanding their knowledge of industry trends, technologies, industry skills, and competency requirements and challenges, among others. 

Other government officials who also delivered their presentations to express  their support to GDAP were  Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, and Director Emmy Lou V. Delfin, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte of the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and Director Jo-Dann Darong of the DTI Competitiveness Bureau. 

On the other hand, Mr. Alvin Juban and Mr. James Ronald Lo, the chairman and the president of GDAP respectively, said that various government agencies, including the BOI, have been supportive of them for a very long time to bolster the country’s game development and animation industry. 

In PGDX 2023, participants engaged with, experienced, and learned more about game development. Other activities conducted were a series of workshops, interactive activities, panel discussions, and B2B opportunities.  

Tingin Film Festival 2023 Returns to Red Carpet Cinema, September 22-24

Locarno winner Nelson Yeo’s ‘Here is Not There’ leads selections

A project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Tingin Southeast Asian Film Festival resumes its physical screenings this September after migrating online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported under NCCA’s Culture and Diplomacy program, Tingin is the country’s longest-running and only film festival dedicated to Southeast Asian Cinemas. Tingin aims to strengthen the ties of Filipinos and their neighbors in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region through film.

Themed “Swipe Right: Southeast Asia in Love,” the 6th iteration of Tingin returns to the Red Carpet of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, in Mandaluyong City, on September 22-24, 2023. Admission is free. Short film selections will also be available for free on Vimeo and on SolarFlix, from 29 September to 1 October and 7-8 October, respectively. This three-platform feature is unique to Tingin, and was pursued to ensure the festival’s wide reach. 

“NCCA’s Culture and Diplomacy Program remains committed to projects which familiarize the cultures and cinemas of Southeast Asia to Filipino audiences. We hope to enrich the cultural vocabulary of Filipino moviegoers, especially film students and the youth, one Southeast Asian film at a time. This year, we are beyond thrilled that Tingin will have three platforms (the cinema, online and television) on which to showcase the region’s best films,” said Mariel Nini, officer-in-charge of the Sentro Rizal International Cultural Affairs Office of the NCCA.

The festival theme was chosen based on numerous requests over the years. “This year’s Tingin pries open the region’s conventions and modern reinventions of relationships. While some believe that romantic love merely reinforces oppressive relations and reactionary values, it has the potential to be a liberating force. The festival this year gathers films that explore the complex experience of love and that ultimately celebrate its redemptive power,” said Maya Quirino, Tingin festival director.

The festival will open with the Philippines’ Gameboys: The Movie, the sequel to the beloved BL (boy love) online series. Gameboys follows young gamers as they navigate the challenges of sustaining a relationship amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indonesia’s Yuni, by award-winning filmmaker Kamila Andini, is about a young girl who is caught between social pressures and her dreams. Tingin is the Philippine premiere of Yuni, a critical darling during its festival circuit run. The two films comprise the full-length section of the festival.

The short film selections of Tingin are led by Here is Not There, by Singapore’s Nelson Yeo. Yeo recently bagged top prizes at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival, in Switzerland, for his first feature film, Dreaming and Dying. Here is Not There is about two migrant workers falling in love and dealing with the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy.

In Viet Nam’s Touch, by Pham Linh, a young man discovers, to his alarm, the beginnings of attraction to his male roommate.

Bangkok Department tells the story of two mall workers who, after meeting while throwing trash, go on a date across Thailand’s so-called forever city. Sunrise in My Mind, from Cambodia’s Danech San, captures the strange realization of mutual attraction between a salon worker and a delivery man. 

In Perhaps That Elephant is Still Asleep, filmmaker Yoeng Kuok Hong unveils the story between a Chinese boy and a Malay girl falling in love in—and unraveling the myths of—the mystical Elephant Village in southern Malaysia.

Two best friends run away in Myanmar’s Evening Clouds to escape their individual fates. In Atrophy, the entry from Brunei, a couple’s union seems to be picture-perfect, until conflict over money starts to build. Meanwhile, a young man receives a mission from an alien in Lao PDR’s Tuktuk of the Fifth Kind.

Tingin is exclusively distributed by Solar Entertainment, Inc. For more information, please follow Tingin’s official pages (@tinginfilmfest) on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Twitter.. 

Michael Cinco Launches Couture RTW After Successful Metaverse Fashion Gala

MANILA, Philippines – All eyes were on Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) as world-renowned Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco showcased his iconic style in the digital and physical spaces. Following the event, Dr. Sayed Ali, co-founder and managing director of Michael Cinco Couture, announced the launch of the designer’s first couture ready-to-wear collection, along with a perfume and jewelry line. 

“It’s not normal ready-to-wear,” said Ali, during a PBW panel entitled, ‘Fashion Digital Runway’. “It’s couture ready-to-wear, with a touch of Michael Cinco Couture, but the price is very affordable.”

Bringing Fashion to the Digital Space

Host and eventologist Tim Yap moderated the discussion with Ali, Blockchain Council of the Philippines founding VP Chezka Gonzales, and Xctuality co-founder and CEO Warren Woon, whose company was responsible for bringing Cinco’s creations to the digital world. 

“We wanted to bring together the physical elements of the gowns with elements of the Metaverse and NFTs,” said Woon, before sharing that the designer’s gowns are so unique that it took some time to translate them into the digital format.

Showing the Possibilities of Blockchain Technology

Based on reactions from the audience and on social media, the event was successful in  presenting the possibilities of bringing art to the digital space, not the least of which was helping creatives reach a younger, wider demographic

For Gonzales, who’d helped conceive the event, the Metaverse Fashion Gala was an event over a year in the making. She cited the value added by placing Cinco’s pieces on the blockchain, stating that, “Recreating Michael’s fashion in the Metaverse and authenticating them with NFT’s helps give consumers the value they really deserve.

Running concurrent with the Gala was the sale of both featured pieces and iconic designs from Cinco’s portfolio, with proceeds benefitting the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Global Reskilling Movement. 

Now on its second year, PBW is dedicated to shining the spotlight on how blockchain technology is evolving the way we live, work, and play. PBW runs from September 19-21 at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom. For tickets or more information, visit www.pbw.ph 

IRRI collaborates with Shell for Research to lower Methane Emissions in Rice Cultivation

MANILA, Philippines ~  The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has entered into a three years non-binding agreement with Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd. to conduct upstream and adaptive research aimed at developing novel and comprehensive farm-level innovations that can reduce methane emissions from rice production.

Worldwide, rice production contributes about 8% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use Change. This corresponds to about 16% of emissions from the agricultural sector. Methanogenesis in rice production comes primarily from anaerobic conditions in flooded rice fields.

Though some aspects of methanogenesis and GHG emissions in rice are being studied by several groups around the world, there has not yet been a holistic approach that comprehensively addresses the combined effects of the environment, management practices, and rice varieties on GHG emissions and rice performance (yield). The understanding of how to maneuver the processes of methanogenesis is still limited, which hampers the development of novel applications and methodologies.

The Reducing Methane Emissions from Rice (REMET-Rice) Project is a 3-year non-binding Research Agreement between IRRI and Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd. that aims to reduce/mitigate emission from rice cultivation process by improving agronomic performance. Various innovations to be studied include varietal improvement, influencing the soil microbiome, soil amendments, methane inhibitors, adapted crop/soil/water management, and other related technologies.

Under the non-binding Agreement, Shell will provide support for REMET-Rice’s methanogenesis research activities and can leverage research deliverables into scaled-up projects. 

“The foundational research we will be doing will be key to improving understanding of the variability for GHG emission among different rice ecosystems,” said Dr. Ando Mariot Radanielson, REMET-Rice Project Lead and IRRI Senior Scientist for Climate Change Mitigation in Rice Systems. “Not just for targeting technologies and options in mitigation, but also in generating new knowledge to inform the development of novel solutions that will ensure mitigation benefits and sustainability for various systems of rice production - for yield, quality, resource use efficiency, and environmental impact.”

“This is a real frontier project that aims to generate new knowledge about the methanogenesis processes in rice,” said Dr. Bas Bouman, IRRI Research Director for the Sustainable Impact for Rice-Based Systems (SIRS) Directorate. “We will link scientific upstream research to the development of practical and scalable crop management recommendations that can be used by farmers to reduce the emission of methane and other greenhouse gases while safeguarding yield and income. It is crucial that any solution will benefit small-holder farmers.”

"Tackling climate change is an urgent challenge. Shell aims to contribute to a net-zero world, where society stops adding to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. This project will help unlock the pathway for emission reductions and carbon sequestration through management of the methanogenesis process in rice with the help of solutions based on agricultural amendments, methane inhibitors, varieties and agronomy, as well as development of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) for GHG measurement", said by Stephen Fowler, VP Chemicals, DS Process & Bio Technology, Shell Plc.

Learn more about Shell’s Nature-based Solutions and IRRI’s GHG Mitigation research. Discover more climate change innovations and technologies at the 6th International Rice Congress.

Shell’s net-Zero Emissions Target

Shell’s operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2 and Net Carbon Intensity (NCI) targets over the next ten years.  However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target and 2035 NCI target, as these targets are currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.  

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Big tech makes money while stripping our democracy

MANILA, Philippines – How can one keep democracy safe from the darker sides of social media, artificial intelligence, and society’s hunger for engagement? If you ask former US secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton, it’s high time that unregulated big tech companies are held accountable for the dangers that they enable.

“When you strip it all away, the big tech companies are making as much money as they can,” Clinton said at Rappler’s Social Good Summit on Saturday, September 16.

“And we already know that in order to make that money, they strip us of our data, they strip us of our privacy, and they are sadly stripping us of our democracy, our citizenship, rights and obligations which require some shared foundation of facts, evidence, and truth,” she added. 

Clinton, whose career in public service spans decades, knows better than most how dangerous technology and social media can be when it’s weaponized to spread disinformation and misinformation. 

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She was at the center of disinformation attacks during the 2016 US presidential campaign that pitted her against Donald Trump, who she describes as “a very willing user of disinformation, propaganda, and incitement.” The campaign was also marred by allegations that communications firm Cambridge Analytica harvested data from millions of Facebook accounts to sway voters in favor of Trump – a controversial strategy that may have been first tested out in the Philippines. (READ: Exclusive: PH was Cambridge Analytica’s ‘petri dish’ – whistle-blower Christopher Wylie)

“In the United States, we saw firsthand the alarming power of disinformation – weaponized and amplified by social media in our 2016 elections. It remains a threat for the elections coming up in 2024 and beyond,” Clinton said.

AI may cater to people’s worst selves

Clinton also addressed concerns about generative artificial intelligence as a new tool in the arsenal of disinformation operators.

“When artificial intelligence becomes fully deployed in political campaigns…how will we even know who we’re looking at, who we are listening to?” Clinton said.

Already, active disinformation has gotten a powerful boost through AI-assisted tools. Nowadays, almost anyone can use AI-powered image manipulation and voice cloners to make convincing fakes of people’s faces and voice, allowing disinformation to spread at a scale and speed never seen before. (READ: AI-enabled disinformation: Waging an unviable war of scale)

And while artificial intelligence can certainly become a great force for good, there’s a bigger danger that it will only amplify people’s worst selves.

“It will cater to the worst of our nature – not the best – because what we’ve learned from technology and success in the cyber arena is that the more negative a message, the more controversial and shocking the message is, the more view and clicks it will get. And the more chance there will be to sell ads against it,” Clinton warned during the summit.

Social media can deepen the divide

Meanwhile, the deep scars left by big tech on society are seen clearest on social media, where many of these attacks are launched in the first place.

Clinton herself knows what it feels like to be in the firing line, having been “ground zero” for online assaults on women leaders. 

“The amount of misogyny and sexism on social media, I think, is certainly well known to all of us now,” Clinton said. “Once a woman is targeted [online], the actual threats to her security increase.”

One way out of this, Clinton said, may be to limit the time people spend pressed against their screens and on social media, which she warned is a “drug of choice” that can sway emotions and thinking in ways people may not even be aware of. 

But beyond actions on the individual level, Clinton stressed that government should put greater regulatory pressure on these companies and hold them responsible for turning technology into a force for good. After all, the burden should not be on the individual to limit themselves because of the dangers brought by big tech.

“We can’t just tell women that they have to bear all the risks when the incredibly powerful machinery that has been built – that we all hope would have so many positive effects, which it does – has now this very dark impact on women’s safety, their physical safety, their emotional and psychological safety merely by expressing their opinions, by taking a stand, by running for office, by making an unpopular decision,” Clinton said.

The way forward

Where, then, is the way forward? For the veteran Democrat, tech companies must realize how their algorithms – whether intentionally or not – perpetuate sexism, anger, and social division.

The world is already late in regulating social media and artificial intelligence, but Clinton is still hopeful that discussions with CEOs of major tech companies can persuade them to take voluntary measures to prevent the misuse of technology in the run-up to the 2024 US presidential elections.

“The Biden campaign is trying very hard to at least get the tech companies to exercise some self-regulation, some sense of responsibility,” she said.

But even after the looming elections, the battle won’t be over. Governments around the world will need formal regulations – something with actual teeth – to turn tech for good. And to set up effective laws, politicians will need to bring cybersecurity and generative AI experts on board.

“We need more practitioners and experts on the side of reform in governments, in legislatures across the world to be able to go toe to toe,” Clinton acknowledged. “We need more people on the front lines in order to help make this a fair fight when it comes to legislation and regulation.” – Rappler.

THE COUNTRY’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY TRADE EVENT, PHILENERGY SET FOR MARCH 2024!

Informa Markets, together with main industry stakeholders is proud to launch PhilEnergy 2024. PhilEnergy is a new stand-alone energy trade event and will take place in SMX 

Convention Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines from March 20-22, 2024.

PhilEnergy, formerly known as RE EE Philippines, was previously co-located with the established Water Philippines trade show. Now, with strong policy emphasis towards clean energy, energy efficiency and a sustainable net-zero future in the Philippines, it is time for an independent comprehensive energy showcase.

As the renewable energy sector expands and new means to use energy more efficient are developed, the Philippine government gears up to establish secure, sustainable, and 

resilient energy strategies. There is also significant interest from international innovative energy players originating from Canada, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and other countries to develop and strengthen relations in energy sector in the Philippines.

PhilEnergy will highlight innovations and advancements in the energy and power sectors, connecting international suppliers to local and regional buyers in the field.

The three-day exhibition will feature conferences and seminars from PhilEnergy’s supporting organisations, together with its strategic partner, Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance Inc. (PE2) and its industry partner Society of Philippine Electrotechnical Constructors and Suppliers Inc. (SPECS).

"PhilEnergy remains a valuable event for us because it focuses the spotlight on energy efficiency as an excitingly new and progressive industry within the broader energy market of the Philippines.” said Mr. Alexander Ablaza, President of PE2.

One of the PhilEnergy highlights is the Energy Efficiency Day 2024 Conference, PE2’s annual event to engage a whole-of-society response toward mainstreaming energy efficiency as the economy’s first fuel, which will take place during the 1st day of the show. SPECS, on the 

other hand will organise a Construction Forum during the 2nd day of PhilEnergy.

According to SPECS president, Engr. Ariel Duran, "As the world evolves in the new technology era, PhilEnergy is a good platform to help SPECS members and the electrical industry, specifically to engage or find new partners and suppliers for their business opportunities to keep pace with the rapid changes and prosper in the face of increasing competitiveness and for the growth of the country as a whole.”

About Informa Markets

PhilEnergy is organised by Informa Markets, a division of Informa plc. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our 

portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. 

For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

Conference to highlight mining’s role in sustainability, climate change response

After a four-year hiatus, the metallic mineral resource industry's leading stakeholders are set to reconvene for the highly anticipated Mining Philippines 2023 International Conference and Exhibition.  Slated on September 19-20, 2023 at the Edsa Shangri La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, the event is expected to reignite discussions on the future of the minerals development industry. 

With the theme "Seeing Green: Shaping a Sustainable Minerals Development Industry," the conference will bring together a diverse assembly of participants, including government officials, private sector representatives, academics, indigenous communities, and mining host communities. Their collective objective: to chart a path towards maximizing the potential of the mining sector while addressing market dynamics, industry trends, internal capabilities, environmental concerns, and economic impacts. Collaboration among these stakeholders will be a key focus, with emphasis on the need for a holistic and sustainable approach to mining operations. 

The conference's opening ceremony on September 19 will feature a keynote address by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.  Canadian Ambassador David Hartman and Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, representing two of the world’s biggest mining jurisdictions, for their part, are expected to provide insights on the importance of mining to socio-economic development and their countries’ close relationship with the Philippines, particularly in improving mining’s ESG performance.   

Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual will likely discuss his department’s initiatives to attract investments in the mining sector. DENR Undersecretary Annaliza Rebuelta-Teh is expected to focus her presentation on strategies for measuring and mitigating the impacts of mining, ensuring a sustainable and responsible approach to mineral extraction. 

Organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), the two-day event will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices within the mining industry.  

"If allowed to flourish, mining will bring about improvement in the quality of life in host communities,” says Michael Toledo, COMP chairman.  “A robust mining industry will undoubtedly help our country overcome the lingering economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  We are in a good position to contribute in a big way to the global energy transition in response to climate change, and we look forward to discussions on this subject during this conference.” 

 

COMP vice chairman Gerard Brimo, on the other hand, underscored the industry's commitment to sustainability: "We've embraced the principles of ESG for more than a decade now. Our adoption of the Towards Sustainable Mining initiative manifests our commitment to further align the environmental protection and social development efforts of our members with global standards.” 

On September 20, the sessions – to be headlined by Manny Pangilinan,  chairman of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and of Philex Mining Corporation – will be directed on such topics as ESG, strategic communication, and fiscal mining policy

“The Business of Football” Conference to Return to Manila this November 10!

MMC Sportz to stage 2nd edition with LALIGA signing on as one of the key partners for the regional conference

13 September 2023 - Manila, Philippines:  “The Business of Football” (BOT) conference is to return for its 2nd edition to Manila on 10 November 2023. Hosted by MMC Sport, at Manila, the event will once again bring together the South-East Asian football community to discuss key topics related to league development, sponsorship, technology, development while also recognizing key contributors and achievers form the industry.

Over 200 delegates and senior industry experts from federations, leagues, clubs, rights holders, brands, organizers, agencies, media, and other football community stakeholders are expected to attend the Manila event, which has already secured key partnerships with LALIGA, Blocksport, ASN & Raffles Makati with more to be announced shortly. 

“We are proud to have the BOT return to Manila, the first of its kind after the pandemic. There has been so much happening in the football arena that it’s time to shed light on some of the recent developments which have a direct impact on SE Asian football in general, states Eric M. Gottschalk, CEO of MMC Sportz. 

“As compact schedule will feature topics related to the recent FIFA Woman’s World Cup and the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifications, discuss the upcoming presidential election in the Philippines and other regional federations, take a closer look at the impact of crypto & blockchain in regards to new revenue streams for rights holders and the endless opportunities for successful fan engagement. 

Youth and talent development are key for any federation, so we will also look at the importance of academies, development pathways and the need for more competitions in SEA. And my personal highlight will be the recognition of some of the key contributors to the development of Asian football in recent years, as there is always a need to celebrate the achievement of some of the great performances and initiatives from around the region.”

Key sessions will be conducted by LALIGA on their key support to local development initiatives in different South-East Asian markets,  Asia Sponsorship News which will launch the Asia football sponsorship report and the presentation by Blocksport on the power of blockchain technology and the massive opportunities for new revenue streams and new fan engagement strategies for Clubs and leagues.

LALIGA is a returning partner to BOF with its Managing Director for SE Asia, Japan & Korea, Ivan Codina, being excited about their participation: “The Business of Football” conference is an important platform for LALIGA as well as for the South-East Asian football community. It’s a get-together to share and exchange knowledge and ideas for the greater good of our sport. 

This also falls in line with LALIGA’s objectives around its Glo-cal strategy, focusing on hyper localized engagements, activations and content. We look at different ways to raise the profiles of our clubs and the league through strategic partnerships on a global, regional and local level As well as a constant commitment to be at the forefront of the football industry, as we have recently demonstrated with the launch of our new brand and the pioneering strategic agreement with EA Sports.”.

The one-day event is scheduled to take place from 9:00am until 5:00pm at the Raffles Makati with a mix of presentations, keynotes, panel discussions as well as plenty of networking breaks. Tickets will be available shortly through the online portal of MMC Sportz with delegate passes priced at Php2,850.00 (USD 50.00) per person including of all conference session, networking breaks and lunch.

ABOUT MMC SPORTZ ASIA:

MMC Sportz Asia is a Dubai and Manila-based sports marketing agency with focus on providing specialized marketing and communication solutions to governing bodies, federations, rights holders and brands within the sports and entertainment industry in the Middle East and South East Asia. 

Current and past marquee projects include SPIA Asia – Sport Industry Awards and Conference (SPIA Asia since 2015), staging of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in 2014 in Singapore, Manila, Delhi and Dubai, working with the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) prior to staging of the Baku 2017 Islamic Games as well as the inaugural “The Business of Football” conference. 

PH Gov’t, Groups To Join World Peace Summit in KoreaTo Build Multidimensional Strategies for Institutional Peace

As the Philippines celebrates the National Peace Consciousness Month this September, key officials from the government, academe, religion, media, women groups, and youth groups will fly to South Korea to attend the 9th Anniversary of the HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) World Peace Summit.

HWPL, an international peace non-government organization in special consultative status with UN ECOSOC, will be expecting 1,800 global leaders to participate in the four-day event from September 18-21.

This 9th-anniversary celebration will look back on the achievements of the past 10 years and discuss the theme of “Implementation of Multidimensional Strategies for Institutional Peace.”

Leaders in politics, education, religion, women’s groups, youth groups, and the media from around the world will participate in discussions aimed at implementing strategies within each sector’s initiatives. The sessions will cover various agendas, including the spread of a culture of institutional peace, the expansion of comparative scriptural studies, long-term peacebuilding through education, and the development of policies for promoting a culture of peace.

Among the officials from the government who have confirmed their attendance are National Commission for Culture and the Arts Commissioner for the Sub-commission on Cultural Dissemination Carlo B. Ebeo; National Book Development Board Governor Mary Ann Ordinario; National Book Development Board Project Management Officer Charmaine Concepcion G. Capuchino and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Administrative Officer V Ms. Michelle J. Negrido.

Local government officials who will be joining the event include Maguindanao Municipal Vice Mayor Elizabeth Mangudadatu; Kapalong Davao Del Norte Municipal Mayor Maria Theresa Royo-Timbol;  Municipality of Kapalong Davao Del Norte Executive Assistant Mary Caress Timbol; National Amnesty Commission (NAC) Commissioner Atty. Nasser Marohomsalic; Buluan, Maguindanao Municipal Vice Mayor Rhamla Kadalim. Former Maguindanao Congressman Esmael Mangudadatu also confirmed his attendance.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will also send officials to be headed by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, Al Haj.

Women’s group representatives include Zonta Club of Metropolitan Pasig Past President Ruby Bañares-Victorino, and National Federation of Women's Club Vice President Erlinda Olivia Tiu, among others.

From the academe are Philippine Christian University - College of Law Dean, Bishop Justice Raoul Victorino ; and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Commissioners, Dr. Ronald L. Adamat and Dr. Jo Mark M. Libre, DPA, among other high ranking school officials, principals and master teachers.

Religious groups like Catholic, Methodist, Hinduism, and Islam will also have their representatives in the said event. Among them is Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro Archbishop-Emeritus Antonio Ledesma who has been part of the peace works with HWPL since 2013. 

The concept of “Institutional Peace” as proposed by HWPL, advocates for international agreements aimed at establishing sustainable peace with frameworks based on the principles outlined in the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The DPCW is presented as a tool of peace continuum from prevention and resolving conflicts to further promoting a culture of understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples.

HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasized that the participation of people from all around the world is absolutely necessary to achieve peace, stating, “We (HWPL) have circled the globe 32 times to carry out the work of peace. The ultimate goal has been achieving peace. Whether it's within families, schools, or any other organization, peace is a vital need. Not a single person has rejected the idea of peace. Therefore, I firmly believe that peace will be attained.”

For further information and news about the upcoming event, please visit http://worldpeacesummit.org/ 

Israel Dedicates Improv Show to OFWs and DMW Sec. Ople

The Israeli Embassy in Manila dedicated an improv show featuring the Israeli improv group Duda to honor the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel and to commemorate Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople.

“Secretary Ople's life was dedicated to advocating for OFWs. In my close collaboration with her, I had the privilege of witnessing her unwavering commitment and compassionate leadership. Her unique blend of pragmatism and empathy made her a formidable advocate for OFWs. Together, we faced numerous challenges, driven by our shared commitment to enhance the lives of these unsung heroes. Her legacy of compassion, justice, and solidarity continues to inspire us all,” Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss expressed.

Ambassador Fluss also highlighted the OFWs in Israel who are hardworking, compassionate, and notable for their world-class care.

There are around 30,000 Filipinos working as caregivers and hotel workers in Israel. The Israeli government is working closely with the Philippine government, especially with the Department of Migrant Workers, to ensure that their rights are protected and respected. They are provided with medical insurance, pension fund, yearly leave with pay, and all of the social rights given under Israeli labor rules. The labor market in Israel is regulated by the rights of the employees.

In attendance to the improv show held on the evening of the 6th of September were family and friends of then Sec. Ople, officials from the DMW, members of the diplomatic community, government officials, relatives of the OFWs in Israel, and friends of the embassy. Duda presented a show based on the stories of some OFWs in Israel that the group interviewed prior to their performance in Manila.

Improvisation or improv is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters, and dialogue of a story are unscripted and created spontaneously by the performers.

Duda was one of the groups that performed at the Manila Improv Festival which is the biggest improv festival in Asia. The group performed on the opening night last September 8 in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati. This is the second time for Duda to join the improv fest in Manila, the first one was way back in 2019.

In addition to their performance shows, the group also introduced improv to children at White Cross Orphanage in San Juan City and held an applied improv workshop with the medical practitioners from different hospitals in Manila and some members of the Philippine Navy. 

Sika Philippines Debuts Sika Applicator Partners Club with Exclusive Privileges

Philippines, September 2023 – In line with its commitment to sustain its strong relations with local industry stakeholders, Sika Philippines debuts its newest project Sika Applicator Partners Club (APC), an affiliation dedicated exclusively for its loyal partners in the construction field. With the core goal to elevate the technical expertise and service of selected specialty contractors engaged in Engineered Refurbishment, Waterproofing, Roofing, Sealing & Bonding and Flooring, Sika APC stands as a professional platform for holistic network among customers of related professions all over the country, which comes with exclusive perks and rebates.

Sika APC, set in a new web platform and soon in downloadable app, promotes the digitalization of the construction industry, with convenient access to information and provision of A-to-Z construction solutions. Sika Philippines taps on professionals and related artisans for collaborative partnerships with aligned visions towards sustainable innovations and adaptation to transitioning world of construction.

“We are one with the industry in the advocacy of improving technical competencies of applicators on Sika product application,” Building Systems Trade Marketing Senior Manager, Alainne Leonardo claims.

Through the exclusive Sika APC network, members can indulge on perks such as access to technical documents, webinars, and updates on latest innovative technologies in the construction chemical market and recognitions based on sales performance and timely projects.

Easy transaction process:

Click ‘Place a Request’

Type (drop down list)

Club Points Redemption

Complaint

Demo and Mock-up

Marketing Materials

Meeting

Product Presentation

Product Sample

Training

Online and on-site product and service training workshops are offered for members through the respective target markets sub-application field such as concrete repair, structural strengthening, waterproofing, finishing, roofing, flooring and more. Members can also benefit from rebates, ranging from 0.5% to 2% depending on the amount and purchased products.

Sika Applicator Partners Club encourages trusted clients to enroll for prequalification and membership particularly for applicators with a good reputation and a minimum 1.2 million potential sales on specialty products. Once declared eligible, the Sika Team will assign a sales member to proceed with the customer accreditation.

New events and additional perks for Sika APC members will be launched in the last quarter of 2023. For interested customers, you may visit https://phl.sika.com/en/sika-applicator/enroll-now-.html

About Sika Philippines

Sika Philippines, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Swiss-based Sika Group, serving the Philippine market since 1994. A major supplier of construction products to various market sectors including cement plants, ready-mix concrete industry, precast concrete factories, building, infrastructure, and industrial, retail and residential projects, it is a global company offering product range of high-quality concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, building finishing solutions, concrete repair and structural strengthening, flooring, roofing and waterproofing systems. The company also specializes in products for commercial vehicle assembly, automotive aftermarket, marine vessels, industrial vessels and façade engineering. phl.sika.com

Panawagan sa Pagdodokumento ng Wika, bukás na!

Ano ang estado ng wikang Mamanwa?

Saang mga dominyo ginagamit ang wikang Kuyunon?

Bakit umuunti ang gumagamit ng wikang Irungdungan?

Paano nagagamit sa edukasyon ang wikang Hamtikanon?

Ilan lámang ito sa napakaraming tanong hinggil sa mga wikang katutubo ng Pilipinas na nais tugunan ng proyektong Dokumentasyon ng mga Wika at Kultura.

Dahil dito, inaanyayahan ang mga mananaliksik na nása larang ng Filipino, Antropolohiya, Lingguwistika, Kasaysayan, at mga kaugnay na disipilina; gayundin, ang mga tagapagsalita ng katutubong wika at kasapi ng katutubong pamayanang kultural na magsumite ng aplikasyon at panukala.

Ang hulíng araw ng pagsusumite ng aplikasyon at panukala ay sa 30 Oktubre 2023. Ang mapipiling mga aplikante ay pagkakalooban ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino ng grant na hindi bababa sa PHP300,000.00.

Layunin ng proyekto na masaliksik o maidokumento ang lahat ng wikang katutubo ng Pilipinas, matukoy at mabalida ang sitwasyong pangwika at pangkultura ng komunidad, at makapaglimbag ng mga manuskrito na tutugon sa kakulangan ng mga pag-aaral hinggil sa wika at kultura ng katutubong pamayanang kultural.

Para sa pagsusumite ng aplikasyon at panukala, i-click ang https://bit.ly/KWFdokumentasyon2024.

Para sa tuntunin, pormularyo ng panukala, gabay na mga tanong, iskedyul ng pagsasagawa ng proyekto, at mga wika ng Pilipinas, i-click ang https://bit.ly/KWFgrantDokumento. 

DTI Secretary Pascual Pinangunahan ang Pamamahagi ng Tulong Pinansyal Para sa mga Rice Retailers sa San Juan

SAN JUAN CITY—Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na magpaabot ng tulong sa rice retailers na naapektuhan ng pagpapatupad ng Executive Order No. 39, pinangunahan ni Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual ngayong araw, 9 Setyembre 2023, ang pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal sa mga kwalipikadong rice retailers sa Agora Public Market sa Lungsod ng San Juan.

Sa kanyang talumpati, binigyang diin ni Pascual na nakahandang umalalay ang pamahalaan sa mga rice retailers na lubos na naapektuhan sa pagtatakda ng price ceiling sa regular-milled rice na PHP41.00 at well-milled rice na PHP45.00.

 “Ang DTI, katuwang ng buong gobyerno, ay magtutulong-tulong upang mabilis na masolusyonan ang mga problema na kailangan nating harapin. Sa pamamagitan ng whole-of-government approach, handang umalalay ang buong pamahalaan upang masiguro ang kapakanan ng mga rice retailers at konsyumers. Lubhang nauunawaan namin ang kalagayan ng bawat isa, kami po sa DTI ay magsusumikap na mas mapabilis ang ating distribusyon sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa,”

Ang pagsisimula ng pormal na pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal para sa mga kwalipikadong rice retailers ay inilunsad ngayong araw sa mga Lungsod ng San Juan, Caloocan, at Quezon na

pinangunahan ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), at ng Department of Agriculture (DA).

Ang Sustainable Livelihood Program (Cash Assistance for Micro Retailers) ay isang programa na pinangununahan ng DSWD katuwang ang DTI at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan sa pag validate sa mga kwalipikadong rice retailers na siyang benepisyaryo nito. Ngayong araw ay namahagi ang DSWD ng tulong pinansyal na nagkakahalaga ng PHP15,000 sa bawat isang kwalipikadong rice retailer.

Kahapon, 8 Setyembre 2023 ay naglabas ang DTI at DSWD ng guidelines upang magsilbing basehan sa pagtukoy ng mga kwalipikadong rice retailers. Ang mga ito ay dapat sumusunod sa EO 39 at:  (1) Rehistrado sa Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO); (2) Rehistrado sa DTI bilang sole proprietor or sa Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) bilang partnership o korporasyon; (3) Mga hindi rehistradong rice retailers na validated ng DTI; at (4) Mga hindi rehistradong rice retailers na validated ng mga market masters na beripikado ng DTI.

Bukod dito, ang naturang programa ay magaganap din sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa upang mas mailapit sa mga benepisyaryo ang tulong ng pamahalaan. Binigyang diin din ng DTI na maaaring magtungo sa pinakamalapit na DTI Negosyo Center o tumawag sa kanilang hotline na 1-DTI (1-384) ang mga kwalipikadong rice retailers na nais mapabilang sa listahan ng mga mapagkakalooban ng tulong pinansyal.

Sa kabilang banda, sinabi rin ni Pascual sa kanyang panayam na, “Ang unang ginagawa ng pamahalaan, sinabi nga ni Asec. Arnel, inaayos natin 'yung production ng rice sa lebel ng farms kasi kung malaki ang ani eh mas mababa ang cost per kilo at mas mababa nating maibebenta 'yung produksyon, so maraming pumapasok doon na factors tulad ng pagkakaloob ng fertilizers, seeds, at saka yung pag-aalaga ng farms.”

Kasama rin ni Secretary Pascual sa naganap na pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal sa mga rice retailers sa San Juan sina DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada Calico, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa, at San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora. 

Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) Encourages Businesses and Academe in Region IX to Innovate Using Additive Manufacturing

“Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a bridge between imagination and reality,” was how AM was described by Mr. Aris Mortalla of DOST Region IX. As a 3D printing hobbyist, Mr. Mortalla shared his personal view on AM or 3D printing, and how it may be utilized by their stakeholders in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

AM stands as one of the pioneering Industry 4.0 technologies offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC). The establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) has seen outputs from various collaborative research and has already manufactured AM products that are being used by its partners. AMCen extends its services not only to domestic manufacturers but also to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across diverse sectors and educational institutions alike.

Driven to make this technology hub and its services known to the public in different regions of the country, DOST-MIRDC features AMCen as one of its offerings in the celebration of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTIW) 2023. 

DOST-MIRDC is currently participating in DOST IX’s RSTIW celebration in Zamboanga Peninsula. 

Engr. Alvin Buison, Senior Science Research Specialist at DOST-MIRDC and a key member of the AMCen project, emphasized during his presentation that AM can be seamlessly integrated into traditional manufacturing processes, “AM is a tool para makatulong sa conventional manufacturing - incorporate it (AM), to help.” He underscored that AM serves as a supplementary tool to enhance conventional manufacturing practices. Its unique capabilities, such as lightweighting features – lattices and topology-optimized geometries, address the needs of industries such as aerospace and automotive, as well as capitalize on the use of fewer materials without sacrificing a product’s quality.

AM is poised to become a catalyst for innovation and community development in Zamboanga. Engr. Buison encouraged attendees to explore innovative applications of AM in their daily lives and local communities.

For businesses, AM technologies offer a cost-effective means of product development. This translates to reduced capital investments and accelerated prototype development, enabling businesses to iterate their products swiftly. Educational institutions benefit as well, with AMCen offering a range of training programs focused on AM technologies and design. This equips the next generation of engineers with essential knowledge of AM technologies.

The forum conducted by the AMCen on Sept. 7, 2023, at the Amphitheater, Dapitan City Hall, Dapitan City, opened opportunities for possible future collaborations between the DOST Regional Offices, academe, and industry. This is also part of AMCen’s efforts in bringing Industry 4.0 technologies closer to communities in the regions. 

Watch out for more DOST-MIRDC activities in the regions, including exhibits and fora in the upcoming RSTIW celebrations around the country.

For more information on the Center’s available technologies and services, interested parties may contact the DOST-MIRDC through mirdc@mirdc.dost.gov.ph. For updates, follow our official Facebook page dostmirdc, and visit our website at mirdc.dost.gov.ph.

by Kai H. Negado

 

Conference to highlight mining’s role in sustainability, climate change response

After a four-year hiatus, the metallic mineral resource industry's leading stakeholders are set to reconvene for the highly anticipated Mining Philippines 2023 International Conference and Exhibition.  Slated on September 19-20, 2023 at the Edsa Shangri La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, the event is expected to reignite discussions on the future of the minerals development industry.

With the theme "Seeing Green: Shaping a Sustainable Minerals Development Industry," the conference will bring together a diverse assembly of participants, including government officials, private sector representatives, academics, indigenous communities, and mining host communities. Their collective objective: to chart a path towards maximizing the potential of the mining sector while addressing market dynamics, industry trends, internal capabilities, environmental concerns, and economic impacts. Collaboration among these stakeholders will be a key focus, with emphasis on the need for a holistic and sustainable approach to mining operations.

The conference's opening ceremony on September 19 will feature a keynote address by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.  Canadian Ambassador David Hartman and Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, representing two of the world’s biggest mining jurisdictions, for their part, are expected to provide insights on the importance of mining to socio-economic development and their countries’ close relationship with the Philippines, particularly in improving mining’s ESG performance.   

Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual will likely discuss his department’s initiatives to attract investments in the mining sector. DENR Undersecretary Annaliza Rebuelta-Teh is expected to focus her presentation on strategies for measuring and mitigating the impacts of mining, ensuring a sustainable and responsible approach to mineral extraction. 

Organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), the two-day event will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices within the mining industry. 

"If allowed to flourish, mining will bring about improvement in the quality of life in host communities,” says Michael Toledo, COMP chairman.  “A robust mining industry will undoubtedly help our country overcome the lingering economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  We are in a good position to contribute in a big way to the global energy transition in response to climate change, and we look forward to discussions on this subject during this conference.”

COMP vice chairman Gerard Brimo, on the other hand, underscored the industry's commitment to sustainability: "We've embraced the principles of ESG for more than a decade now. Our adoption of the Towards Sustainable Mining initiative manifests our commitment to further align the environmental protection and social development efforts of our members with global standards.”

On September 20, the sessions – to be headlined by Manny Pangilinan,  chairman of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and of Philex Mining Corporation – will be directed on such topics as ESG, strategic communication, and fiscal mining policy.