The Japanese Film Festival | EIGASAI 2018

The Japanese Film Festival | EIGASAI will officially kick off with the encore screenings of CHIHAYAFURU Part 1 (ちはやふる 上の句), CHIHAYAFURU Part 2 (ちはやふる 下の句) and the Philippine premiere screening of CHIHAYAFURU Part 3 (ちはやふる 結び) on July 4 at Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2.

The film festival’s opening night will be held on the same day at the Greenbelt 5 Gallery and will be graced by film director Nori Koizumi. He is also scheduled to give Director’s Talks after the screenings on July 6 (Ateneo de Manila University) and July 7 (Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2).

A karuta (Japanese card game as featured in the CHIHAYAFURU film series) demonstration wion July 4 and 5, an hour prior to the CHIHAYAFURU Part 1 & Part 2 screenings at the Ateneo de Manila University.

The 21st Japanese Film Festival | EIGASAI will run from July 4 to August 26, 2018.

OVATION PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS JOHN FORD COLEY LIVE IN STA. ROSA!

 American singer John Ford Coley will be performing at the Santa Rosa Sports Coliseum is Santa Rosa, Laguna on August 11, 2018 produced by Ovation Productions.  John is a classically trained pianist, guitarist, actor and author most known for his partnership in the musical duo England Dan & John Ford Coley.

BELL FILMS LAUNCHES BIG COMEBACK MOVIE: KONTRADIKSYON

BELL FILMS, the film production arm of Universal Records Philippines, has relaunched its operations, featuring their big comeback film “KONTRADIKSYON,” during THE NEXT ATTRACTION concert held on June 30, 2018 (Saturday) at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

ASEAN Para Sport Federation meet in Manila gets a big boost from the International Paralympic Head

Philippines prepares for the 10th ASEAN Para Games as they host this in January 2020. The preparation goes full swing this June with the meeting of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) that will be attended by Heads of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from the 11 member countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste and the Philippines.

Creative Innovators Programme to strengthen design sector

Design Center emphasizes commitment to strengthen design sector hubs in PH through Creative Innovators Programme. Through a collaboration with the British Council Philippines for the Creative Innovators Programme, Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Rhea Matute emphasized the agency’s commitment to creative industries, specifically to strengthen the Philippine design sector, through the country’s various design hubs, that act as valuable catalysts in the
development of vibrant and competitive MSMEs.

 Astoria Hotels and Resorts (AHR) begins the second half of 2018 by garnering even more accolades from one of the most respected organizations in the hospitality industry.
The most recent award is a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor – a recognition of top-notch service based on guest reviews presented to brands around the world. This was received for the second consecutive year by Astoria Palawan, AHR’s eco-friendly resort in Puerto Princesa.

Muslim youth and women break fast together to fight discrimination, celebrate diversity through food

  

QUEZON CITY (June 13, 2018) -- Some 160 women and youth from the Muslim communities of Baseco in Manila, Maharlika Village in Taguig, and Culiat in Quezon City gathered Tuesday for iftar, or breaking of the fast during the holy month of Ramadan, to celebrate diversity through food.

Nine women from the said enclaves prepared and served regional Moro dishes.

Peacebuilding organization International Alert hosted this iftar with support from the New Zealand government.  

During the program, Alert showed "Crescent Feast" a 10-minute documentary on how food promotes cultural understanding and bridges religious divides

Alert's country manager, Nikki de la Rosa, stressed that there is bigger work ahead for women and youth, especially in advocating for the passage of The Anti-Discrimination Bill that would protect the rights of religious and indigenous minorities and ensure equal socioeconomic opportunities for all.

According to de la Rosa, Muslim youth and women experience so much discrimination solely because of their faith. They face difficulty getting jobs if they have Arab-sounding names, or they are not allowed to practice their faith freely – many women are told to remove their hijab in many work places.

De la Rosa said that discrimination stems from common prejudices that non-Muslim Filipinos have towards Filipino Muslims who are deemed violent and untrustworthy and should be avoided.

“Alert believes that sharing food is one way to address this lack of understanding. When introduced to different types of Moro food – whether Meranao, Maguindanaoan, Tausug, Yakan, or Sama – we are opened to new ways of tasting and thinking. We realize that we are more alike than different,” de la Rosa explained.

“Hopefully, we can begin appreciating, instead of fearing or condemning our Muslim brothers and sisters. We will know that there is, in fact, no "other," because we have the same love for food, for gathering, for celebrations, for country,” de la Rosa stressed.

Actor and peace advocate Robin Padillagraced the occasion, which was held at his property, Museo Padilla. He extolled the role that women and youth play in peacebuilding. He said that for him, solidarity meant doing good for others without expecting anything in return. Padilla urged both Muslims and non-Muslims to follow the teachings of their religion and work for peace.

That morning, nine women from said enclaves cooked the celebratory meal at Back of the House Collab Kitchen in Quezon City. The dishes include kapsa, an Arab-inspired chicken and basmati rice dish, Maguindanaoan beef rendang, Meranano piaparan – stewed chicken with turmeric, grated coconut, and coconut cream, and daral -- A Tausug dessert of sweetened young coconut spring