Watch moving stories at the CineFilipino Film Festival, it runs March 16 to 22

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CineFilipino Film Festival organized and led by Unitel Productions, in partnership with the MVP Group of Companies, offers cineastes with more moving stories and a more diverse mix of genres. 

With the theme “Kwento pa rin ang Hari”, these moving stories opens on March 15, will run from March 16 to 22 in select cinemas in the metro. Get ready to experience moving stories at the CineFilipino Film Festival and the awards night will be held on March 19 at Teatrino Greenhills.

Madonna Tarrayo, CineFilipino Film Director and Unitel Productions President and Group COO said “the essence of the story will always be at the core of CineFilipino, and with this year’s various categories, moviegoers are offered a more enriching experience.”

Directors of Feature Length Films

The festival begins with the screening of sociopolitical drama/thriller “Whistleblower”, starring Nora Aunor and directed by Adolf Alix Jr., on March 15, 6:00 pm at Newport Cinema 4, Resorts World Manila. 

Madonna Tarrayo, CineFilipino Film Director and Unitel Productions President and Group COO with Direc Joey Reyes, and directors and stars of Feature Length finalists, during the media conference held at the Plaza Ibarra, Quezon City March 8, 2016.

The film festival's second installment features more categories including, Feature-Length, Documentaries, TV Series and Shorts under which finalists will showcase works in Short Features, Mobile and Online. 

CineFilipino Film Festival attendees can choose from nine Feature-Length films, five Documentaries, five TV Series and 17 films under the Shorts category – 11 Short Features, 5 Online Content and 1 Mobile Content.

In the Feature-Length category alone, moviegoers can surely experience a wide array of emotions and stories. 

In “1st Sem”, first-time film festival directors Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibanez present an intensified love-hate relationship between a mother and son after the latter decides not to pursue college education in Manila. 

In Carla Baful’s “A Lotto Like Love”, moviegoers can expect a different kind of love story as two strangers are brought together in luck and love by a single winning lotto ticket. 

Love in spite of weight issues takes center stage in Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Ang Taba Ko Kasi” 

Alvin Yapan’s “Ang Tulay ng San Sebastian” explores the richness (and reality) of Filipino superstitions. 

Paolo Herras’ “Buhay Habangbuhay” takes on life after death and the importance of moving on and celebrating life despite seemingly bleak circumstances. 

A lesbian woman’s dream of becoming a mother is the subject in Lemuel Lorca’s “Ned’s Project” 

Dave Fabros’ “Straight to the Heart” is filled with uniquely Filipino humor and hugot lines as it explores a situation that has surely crossed the minds of many: what happens when a gay hairdresser slips into a coma and wakes up a straight guy? 

Ice Idanan’s “Sakaling Hindi Makarating” takes the beauty of the Philippines and uses it as a dramatic backdrop for a poignant story of heartbreak and moving on. 

Moviegoers get the privilege of witnessing a touching story about a child with Down’s Syndrome whose dream is to become an artista in Randolph Longjas’ “Van Damme Stallone”. 

Jury deliberations will take place on March 16, 17 and 18; winners will be recognized in CineFilipino’s Awards Night on March 19 at Teatrino Greenhills, which will be attended by the finalists, executives and the film festival’s sponsors and partners.

*Catch the CineFilipino Film Festival on March 16 to 22 in participating cinemas:

- Gateway Cineplex
- Festival Cinemas
- Eastwood Cinemas
- Robinsons Galleria Movieworld
- Robinsons Manila Movieworld
- Robinsons Metro East Movieworld
- Newport Cinemas in Resorts World
 - EDSA Shangri-La Cineplex
- Greenhills Theater Mall Cinema. 

CineFilipino Film Festival partners are Mediaquest, TV5, Cignal, Unitel, Optima Digital, Metro Pacific Tollways, PLDT Smart Foundation and Meralco.

For further information, visit the official website, www.cinefilipino.com.

Play and experience newest mobile game ‘Clash Royale’ with Globe

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Game developer Supercell rolls out ‘Clash Royale’ now available on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets

As the Philippines’ mobile gaming community aggressively grows, evidenced by the success of last year’s Globe #NextLevelKa Clash of Clans Tournament, Clash Royale is said to be the next mobile game favorite.

Play Supercell’s latest release 'Clash Royale' that is finally available on both Android and iOS. Coming from the success of Clash of Clans, Supercell is again dominating the mobile gaming platform with Clash Royale’s fresh game format set to attract new and avid gamers alike.

Initially launched on iOS for iPhones and iPads last January, Supercell finally announced the availability of the game on Android devices. 

Globe Head for Games Jake San Diego, Globe SVP for Consumer Mobile Marketin Issa Cabreira, LotusFlare's Nick Thackar, Supercell Global Business Expansion Director, Erlend Christoffersen, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan, and Globe VP for Content Jil Go

During the recent visit of Supercell Global Business Expansion Director, Erlend Christoffersen at The Globe Tower, he shared that, “Filipino gamers have shown us immense support that contributed to the overall success of Clash of Clans. And with the release of Clash Royale, we have high hopes that Filipino gamers will equally enjoy playing this new strategy game. We at Supercell will keep focusing on making great games that people will play for years.”

On Globe, customers can play and access Clash Royale on their iOS or Android devices through the GoSURF consumable mobile data promos. Additional purchase of in-game currency is also made more convenient with the reloadable prepaid card, Gcash Mastercard if one is using an iPhone or iPad. On an Android device, customers can also easily buy in-game currency via Direct Carrier Billing where the amount is charged to one’s postpaid bill, or credited from the available prepaid load.

Soon, gamers will be able to play Clash Royale with no data charges on GoSURF50 as it becomes part of the top 10 games with free access on the said promo. Globe will also soon introduce its new promo, GAMES15 which will give customers free access to Clash Royale among other games, for P15/day with 100MB data allocation. 

“Mobile gaming continues to gain ground in the Philippines, and this is why we strengthen our relationship with companies like Supercell to ensure that Globe customers will be able to enjoy the best games on their devices. Clash of Clans is very popular with players in the Philippines and we´re hopeful that they will also love Clash Royale, and Globe will play an active role in providing that access to our customers,” said Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan. 

Competitive gamers can also look forward to the upcoming Pinoy Gaming Festival Summer Assembly. Presented by Globe, the biggest gaming festival this summer is slated on May 6 to May 8, 2016, at SM Cyberzone, SM City North EDSA. It is set to gather thousands of gamers from all over the country for three days of intense online competition that will include the battle for Clash Royale. 

Clash Royale is the fourth mobile game developed by Supercell, following the success of its other games Hay Day, Boom Beach, and Clash of Clans. Clash Royale combines card collecting with strategy to be able to level up and win battles. 

Founded in 2010, Supercell is a mobile game developer based in Helsinki, Finland, with offices in San Francisco, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing. Its games are available for tablets and smartphones using both iOS and Android operating systems. 

To know more about Globe Prepaid and how to access and play the top mobile games on your device, visit www.globe.com.ph/gosurf. To register, just text the keyword GoSurf50 and send to 8888.

Bigger Red Ribbon’s Ensaimadas that boost in cheesy goodness

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For ensaimadas, bigger is definitely better, as Red Ribbon introduces its bigger ensaimada that boosts in cheesy goodness.

We Filipinos love to snack. Whether it’s before lunch or after, we always make it a point to make time to indulge in our need and love for snacks. While most snackers will say that they give in to the munchies because of real hunger, many admit that snack time is the perfect moment to take a break from work or school, and just socialize over a favorite pastry or bread. 

And no one can argue that of all the many snack options kids and adults love, the classic ensaimada is still a popular choice today. However, not all ensaimadas are created equal.

There’s the usual ensaimada and then, there’s the Red Ribbon Ensaimada. Red Ribbon’s staple pastry has long been a mainstay in our lunchboxes for the young and the young-at-heart. Whether it’s enjoyed as a snack or as a dessert, people cannot resist this all-time pastry favorite.

Now, Red Ribbon has just succeeded in making something already so good, so much better. The new Red Ribbon Ensaimada is now bigger and bursts with cheesy goodness that no one can resist.

Red Ribbon’s Ensaimada still packs the same goodness Pinoys have always expected and come to love. It still has that same soft, melt-in-your-mouth pastry, well-balanced sweetness and the right cheesy goodness that is so affordably priced at P25.00 only. 

“We are always thinking of ways to improve our offerings in response to what our customers want,” said Ned Bandojo, Head of Marketing of Red Ribbon. “The cheesy ensaimada promises to deliver what our customers have long come to expect from us and more. We want to give them more reasons to enjoy the company of family and friends and to make every day moments more special through our quality products.”

With Red Ribbon’s bigger ensaimada, snack time is sure to be more enjoyable, memorable and delicious.

Red Ribbon’s Ensaimadas are available in all Red Ribbon stores nationwide.

Public elementary schools in Mega Manila to receive over 5,000 digital pianos

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For years, Placido del Mundo Elementary School (PDMES) in Barangay Talipapa has been joining various competitions to uphold the institution’s honor—one of which are school choir competitions held by both public meets and the private sector. 

Assistant Principal Adela B. Lacaba recalls that the school’s glee club has been practicing without the aid of a piano. “Matagal nang walang matinong piano and PDMES at dahil sumasali kami sa mga competitions gaya ng National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) at Voices in Harmony, mahirap mag-rehearse ng walang piano,” said Lacaba.

As music teacher and choir director Shermaine Bulante pointed out the need for a piano is imperative not only to teach basic music to young learners but also to support the choir group’s rehearsal after school hours. With nothing but the willing hearts of 40 students, she had to manage.

“Para maging familiar ang mga batasa lessons na tinuturo ko, dinadala ko nalang ang sarili kong keyboard para at the same time, makapag-practice din kami ng choir. Dahil dito sa keyboard na ito, marami na din akong nabigyan ng lessons sa mga batang gustong matutong mag-piano,” Bulante shared.

PDMES is one of the many schools in the metro that had been entering nationwide primary-level choir competitions without proper musical instruments to facilitate their rehearsal. To address this, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Booyoung Company Korea turned over 5,000 digital pianos and 50,000 metallic boards to elementary schools across the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Southern Tagalog regions.

Despite the shipping costs, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Lusitro FSC was keen on distributing the digital pianos and metallic boards to improve music education among primary school students.

“As we continue to distribute the digital pianos to many other schools, at least 5,000 elementary schools and at least 50,000 metallic boards to our learners, we are certain that the music of both Filipinos and Koreans will resound so much better in the world allowing us to create a whole new global community where we are all brothers and sisters. Hopefully, the first note and the music that we will start will be one through the kindness and generosity of the Booyoungcompany and most specially, Dr. Lee.” Luistro said.

Booyoung Company Chairman Dr. Lee Joong-Keun emphasized his belief in education and has been exerting efforts to providing children all over the globe the learning environment that they deserve.

“We hope that this donation could contribute to the development of the educational infrastructure of the Philippines to help the children grow to be the leader of national economic development. We will do our best to contribute to expand cultural interchange with all of the world, and pay more attention to improvement of educational environment and support to help the future generation to grow up as a global leader.” said Joong-Keun.

The project also aims to reaffirm the friendship of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, that was established during the end of the Korean war in the 1950s. Discussion on the donation began in 2014 between the two parties and was assisted by the Korean Embassy of the Philippines.

“Napakalaking tulong po ang magkaroon ng sariling piano ang school. Hindi lang ito magiging ginahawa para sa aming mga music teachers, kundi para na rin sa aming mga studyante na hinangad maging parte ang musika sa kanilang buhay hanggang sa paglaki nila,” Bulante said.

Workshop on Vocal Production for Musical Theater at the CCP

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An intensive Workshop on Vocal Production and Interpretation for Live Stage Performance for musical theater actors will be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on April 26-May 1, 2016. The Workshop will be conducted by musical director, vocal coach, composer, pianist and educator from New York Carmela Sinco. The Workshop will be limited to only 15 participants.

The Workshop module will be conducted in the manner of a masterclass and will focus on each of the particular abilities of the 15 individual participants who will receive intensive training on vocal production and interpretation for live stage performance. The participants may choose to focus on songs sung in musicals, operas, and/or art songs. The Workshop will end with a Culminating Program on May 1, 2016.

Ms. Sinco has a Master of Arts in Music Theory and Composition (New York University), a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance (University of Hawaii) and years of private studies with composers and pianists (solo and collaborative) in New York City, Hawaii and Europe. Ms. Sinco has worked in various musical theater and operatic productions, cabaret and vocal concerts in Europe, Asia and in the USA. As a composer, her credits include having composed and produced the music for documentary film and television series aired on PBS, CUNY TV, various local stations and film festivals in the USA and abroad. She has also composed works on commission by musicians of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Her one-act opera, Raya and Sag-In, with music, story and libretto by Ms. Sinco, had its world premiere production in NYC in 2009. As an educator, Ms. Sinco has worked with students of all levels and ages privately, semi-privately and in classes throughout the tri-state area, addressing her students’ goals and aspirations be they professional or simply for enjoyment and fun.

As a pianist, her performances have taken her around the US and across borders into Europe, Asia and Africa playing in music festivals and other concerts and events. As a music director, band leader, orchestrator, music arranger and keyboardist, she has worked with modern music production companies and off-Broadway productions in New York City. Experiencing New York City and all its music activity, she has also been keyboardist and vocalist for various independent original rock and funk bands performing in the New York City and New Jersey club scenes.

She has run her vocal workshop for live stage performance twice in Manila, first during the New York-Manila Musical Theater Workshop organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2014 and again for Tanghalang Pilipino in 2015, targeting advanced and professional level performers. Most recently she ran a version of the same workshop for vocalists in Kampala, Uganda in December 2015 where she has also been developing music educational systems addressing different levels and cultural influences for the last two years. Recently she has also served as a consultant for a NYC education company, helping them develop a music academy curriculum in Vietnam.

Ms. Sinco is composing the music for her second opera on commission, with a world premiere performance scheduled for February 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

Acceptance to the Workshop will be based on the merit of submitted applications. Deadline for submission of applications is on April 12, 2016. For fees and other information, please contact the CCP Artist Training Division at 832-1125 loc. 1604/1605 or email (ccp.artist.training@gmail.com).