Canva introduces Canva Eskwela, a page featuring free and visually engaging content especially tailored for educators and learners in the Philippines.
As Filipino teachers and students kick off yet another school year in virtual classrooms, online design platform Canva offers resources to make learning and interacting more engaging this back-to-school season with Canva Eskwela.
For many Filipino teachers, connecting with their students has become extra challenging with the absence of physical interaction, making learners more prone to fatigue and lack of focus. With Canva Eskwela, teachers can create fun and compelling presentations as well as activities to encourage more lively class discussions.
The Canva Eskwelapage features free and visually engaging content especially tailored for educators and learners in the Philippines: from desktop organizers and lesson plan templates, to presentations and ice breakers to make virtual classes more interactive and fun.
“Through Canva Eskwela, we want to express our deep appreciation for our teachers and students who push themselves to teach and learn as we navigate the new normal. We know it is especially challenging for our teachers to reach out to students and inspire them to get excited about school while we continue to hold classes online,” expressed Canva Country Manager Yani Hornilla-Donato. “We want to support them through locally relevant digital education resources that they can easily access for free.”
Canva is known for being user-friendly and accessible even to those with no design background and it is even more convenient for educators to create content from scratch with Canva Eskwela so they can save time and focus on other tasks.
With Canva for Education, students and teachers can also access easy-to-learn resources such as videos and audio recordings that contain tips and guides on designing their materials. Teachers can also find a community where they can share stories and best practices and support one another on the Canva for Filipino Teachers Facebook group.
Despite the challenges of adapting to a virtual setting, PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders has successfully integrated strategic innovations to its curriculum that would help aspiring singer-songwriters enhance their skillset and be part of a progressive learning experience.
Facilitated by some of the Philippines’ most respected educators, artists, and music leaders via Zoom, the country’s premier songwriting competition continues to hold a series of lectures and workshops for a period of four months (from July to October 2021) to put a spotlight on the next generation of OPM stars and future music industry fellows.
PhilPop Program and Marketing Manager Gab Cabangon reiterate that the team has always believed in the importance of opening several opportunities for the attendees to learn different aspects of music outside of songwriting. “We wanted to give the fellows options, guides, and tools that could help them with the direction on their music journey. The additional skills that they learn from this could help them evolve as practitioners in the music industry and further fuel their passion and love for the craft of music. Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt to also encourage songwriters to learn how to write songs to make society a better place for everyone.”
Marlon Barnuevo, PhilPop finalist 2013 and one of the resident coaches, considers PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders as one with the most mature curriculum for a songwriting camp. “Aside from the fact that most of the coaches came from the acclaimed Elements Songwriting Camp, all the past PhilPop boot camps provided valuable knowledge that allowed the teaching contents to be refined into what we are currently delivering now.”
Given the virtual format of this year’s Bootcamp, the coaches have tweaked some of their best practices to adhere to a more inclusive learning environment. As a college educator, Marlon has been doing full-online modality since the pandemic started, so there was a little adjustment on his part when it comes to delivering lectures for the PhilPop DigiCamp participants.
“PhilPop has also successfully adapted the synchronous-asynchronous method of delivering lectures, which is now a very common approach in all academic institutions around the country,” Marlon beams with pride. “What I had to adjust to, and what I sorely miss is the absence of face-to-face fellowship activities. In all the previous camps, it has always been a tradition to hold jamming sessions every evening over food and drinks. This form of fellowship is what’s missing in this year’s camp.”
In order to compensate with the need to make the songwriting mentorship more interesting, PhilPop coaches provided a workshop-based approach to give participants an inclusive and well-rounded perspective on different areas and fields in the music industry such as songwriting, music production, digital marketing, and advocacy writing—to name a few.
A first-time coach herself, University of the Philippines instructor and Baihana member Krina Cayabyab shares that aside from making slides and presenting music during her lecture, she made her sessions more informative by giving clearer pointers that are essential for interacting with the current creative and digital economy.
“I believe this virtual setting has given more flexibility and opportunity for the participants to sink deeper into their work and absorb discussions further, and make the most out of these in their own time, capacity, and space,” says coach Krina. “Though it might be challenging in some circumstances, collaborating with fellow participants and meeting them virtually, I think, still achieved much of the DigiCamp’s objectives. It’s really like accomplishing tasks through today’s reality, and the DigiCamp has made it happen as effectively as it can ever be.”
Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and composer Thyro Alfaro is generally satisfied with how the participants took the new format this year despite the prolonged period of remote learning. “I think they’re enjoying the process,” the two-time PhilPop winner explains. “I can hear it in their songs that they’re really applying what we’re teaching.”
Yumi Lacsamana, another acclaimed pop/R&B multi-hyphenate and two-time PhilPop grand champion, echoes Thyro’s observation, pointing out how her mentees have managed to adapt easily in a virtual setting. “It’s not the same but it’s more challenging on their part collaborating with the other fellows virtually. And the outcome is pretty good.”
Yumi emphasizes that some of her best moments during the DigiCamp as a mentor includes seeing the participants grow as artists and turn their songs into a fully realized material that has potential to be massive. In terms of personal adjustments, Yumi makes the most out of her time holding a more relaxed conversation with the participants regarding what needs to be improved on their songs. “It felt like we’re not in a camp. It’s more of like we’re just in a video call talking to a friend and asking/giving an advice.”
Notwithstanding some minor drawbacks of remote learning, the DigiCamp proves to be a game-changing alternative for the traditional setup as it supported collaborative and higher-level learning through breakout room sessions, and fostered a virtual learning experience that allows participants to learn at their own pace. To quote Marlon Barnuevo, “If I were to gauge how much the participants were able to ‘step up and deliver’ through the quality of their most recent song submissions, I’d be proud to say that the entire PhilPop team has been very successful in meeting its goals.”
PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's virtual event is co-presented by MAYNILAD, SMART, MULTISYS, TUNECORE and BELIEVE.
DITO Telecommunity, the country’s newest telco player continuously accelerates its service to provide stronger connectivity to various communities nationwide. As a part of its mission to enrich Filipino lives through digital innovations, DITO agreed to provide an easy gaming experience with UniPin. The partnership kicks off from October 11, 2021.
The partnership between DITO and UniPin will enable DITO users to purchase game vouchers directly through UniPin. UniPin is a leading digital entertainment enabler with more than 10 years of experience in providing reliable game vouchers from the most favorite game publishers around the world. This will ensure easy and safe gaming top-up wherever and whenever.
As the payment option to gaming vouchers becomes available, it can be selected in each transaction under the SMS Mobile Payment (DCB) on web checkout on the UniPin website. The amount of purchase will be deducted from DITO phone balance. Some popular game vouchers that can be purchased are Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Nintendo eShop.
Jasper Evangelista, DITO’s Brand & Marketing Director explains the partnership as an embodiment for both company’s vision, “DITO and UniPin share the same vision which is to provide the best digital services to every Filipino in the country. As we believe that the gaming community in the country has been growing steadily, we want to support them with the best access to gaming experience possible through the partnership,” said Evangelista.
Ashadi Ang, UniPin’s CEO mentioned the high-speed data service and value to the community are matched to UniPin’s goals for the gaming community, “As a part of the gaming community, our audience truly appreciates the speedy data service and DITO’s support to esports in general. UniPin is optimistic that the partnership will benefit gamers in the Philippines and grow the country’s esports scene,” add Ang.
DITO has previously showed massive support to gaming communities through esports tournaments. DITO also placed high hopes for esports in the Philippines to grow competitively with other countries in the region. The partnership is also expected to gain more interest from gamers, especially within Millennials and Gen Z age group.
More details and information related to the partnership can be found through UniPin Philippines Instagram account @unipin_ph or UniPin website http://unipin.com and through @DITOPhOfficial’s social media pages or www.dito.ph.
ABS-CBN’s newest pop rock diva launches her debut single
Breakthrough star Gigi de Lana gives an excruciating new meaning to the popular Pinoy slang “Sakalam,” which serves as the title of her debut single released under Star Music.
“Sakalam” is a power rock ballad that lyrically tackles a person’s struggle to let go of a broken relationship despite the detachment of her partner. The term is an inverse of the Tagalog word “malakas,” adding more emphasis to the emotional grief caused by the separation as depicted in the song.
“Habang kinakanta ko 'yung ‘Sakalam,’ nasasaktan ako. Nilalagay ko 'yung sarili ko sa song kasi gusto kong kantahin na punong-puno ng soul. Sobrang nakaka-relate kasi sa mga pinagdaanan ko rin sa buhay,” shared Gigi.
She also expressed an encouraging message to listeners who are experiencing heartbreak. She said, “Even though ‘sakalam’ talaga siya, pansamantala lang ‘yang nararamdaman mo. Itong song na ito, hindi lang tungkol sa heartbreak. May binibigay din itong positive vibes.”
Aside from being the first original song of the newest pop-rock diva, “Sakalam” also serves as the first single off her debut full-length album set to drop in 2022. As of writing, the song is currently listed at the top spot of Spotify Philippines' Fresh Finds playlist.
The Star Magic artist and RISE Artists Studio talent performed and recorded “Sakalam” with The Gigi Vibes band members Jon Cruz, Jake Manalo, LA Arquero, and Romeo Marquez. The track was written and composed by Romeo with Erwin Lacsa, with Jon serving as its arranger, and ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo as its producer.
Last August, Gigi announced many of her exciting projects lined up for the remaining months of 2021, led by her participation in the Filipino music festival “1MX Dubai” and the staging of her very own “YouTube Music Night” digital concert both in December.
A simple matter of lost and found becomes a dangerous obsession. How far would you go to hold on to the ones you love?
Starring Hugh Jackman (Logan, X-Men franchise), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible movies), and Thandiwe Newton (HBO’s Westworld, Solo: A Star Wars Story), Reminiscence, an action thriller written, directed, and produced by Lisa Joy (HBO’s Westworld) is now streaming in the Philippines on HBO GO.
Nick Bannister (Jackman), a private investigator of the mind, navigates the darkly alluring world of the past by helping his clients access lost memories. Living on the fringes of the sunken Miami coast, his life is forever changed when he takes on a new client, Mae (Ferguson). A simple matter of lost and found becomes a dangerous obsession. As Bannister fights to find the truth about Mae’s disappearance, he uncovers a violent conspiracy, and must ultimately answer the question: how far would you go to hold on to the ones you love?
Known for her extensive work on the HBO science-fiction drama series HBO’s Westworld, Reminiscence marks Joy’s feature film directorial debut. The film was produced by Joy, Jonathan Nolan, Michael De Luca and Aaron Ryder. The executive producers were Athena Wickham, Elishia Holmes and Scott Lumpkin. Several HBO’s Westworld collaborators comprised Joy’s creative team, including director of photography Paul Cameron, production designer Howard Cummings, editor Mark Yoshikawa and composer Ramin Djawadi, along with costume designer Jennifer Starzyk.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
All during her first pregnancy, Lisa Joy was never far from her laptop. The coinciding moments of profound loss following the loss of her grandfather and the prospect of new life stoked the creative sparks that compelled her to explore the overriding theme of memory within a wholly-created and genre-bending world. The filmmaker says, “Some of the most incredible moments of our lives are locked in our heads; they’re the stories that we revisit again and again, that make our life worth living. Sometimes, those stories aren’t shared by anyone else and so when you go, they go. In the end, I think we all become stories. We coalesce into a couple sentences over generations, and I’ve always thought, ‘Try to make it so your sentences are good, that you add more joy into this world than you took from it.’
A New Kind of Noir
For all the cinematic acumen and film references present in Joy’s work, it is surprising that she did not grow up steeped in the art of cinema. Her real instruction in and appreciation for the classics began when she was in college, working as an au pair in her senior year to “finance working for literary magazines in New York.”
When her young charge had been tucked in for the night and his parents had gone out, Joy would hole up in bed and watch old films. She confesses, “Film noir really spoke to me, the same way that mythology spoke to me. They are both about complex people in a world that can be dark, cruel, lawless. There are no clear-cut heroes, no clear-cut victims. The complexity of those characters navigating that world, that’s what I was drawn to. In writing ‘Reminiscence,’ I wanted to delve even deeper into that complexity, twisting around traditional notions of noir… starting with the term ‘noir’ itself. We’re used to those kinds of films being very dark and for me, I wanted it to be flooded with light and natural beauty, because sometimes the darkest things hide in the most beautiful surroundings.”
Assembling a Memorable Cast
In the case of her leading man, the filmmaker’s reputation opened the door, but the goods—even the promise of them—sealed the deal. Hugh Jackman tells, “When I met with Lisa, she had shown me some of the visuals and I understood what the movie was about in general, but I hadn’t seen the script. And I was already excited about it. I was excited about the world of the film. I was excited about the character and about her as a writer-director. I think she’s incredibly talented, but when I met her in person, she just gave off an air of confidence and surety, not only about the material, but how she was going to tackle it. Her passion for it. It’s a rare thing for me to just have that instant sort of gut feeling that ‘I’ve got to do this’ and, to be honest, I felt that 20 pages in when I later got the script.”
Rebecca Ferguson likewise responded to Joy and her way with words, both spoken and on the page. Ferguson says, “Lisa’s way of writing—there’s a poetry, a musicality without sounding ridiculous. It makes me, as an actor, want to be absolutely truthful to each and every word. I think, other than the writing, the first thing I fell in love with was that Mae was portrayed in many different ways. She’s portrayed through others’ ideas of her. Her existence is defined by each person who thinks they see her. Talking to Lisa, it became, who is Mae? What is her true identity? When does she let things slip through the cracks? I’d never done something like this before.”
For the part of Watts—Nick Bannister’s support and colleague in one package—Joy turned to the “inimitable” Thandiwe Newton. Newton reveals, “When Reminiscence came along, it took me a week just to wake up to the fact that Lisa wanted me to be a part of her first feature. I don’t think it’s an obvious choice to have me in the role, but that’s where magic kind of happens—when you’re entrusted to do something bold, something different, to use my skills as an actor to transform. With Watts, I got to explore and play a personality that I don’t think I would’ve necessarily gotten the opportunity to do.”
The film stars Cliff Curtis (The Meg, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Oscar nominee Marina de Tavira (Roma), Daniel Wu (TV’s Into the Badlands, Warcraft), Mojean Aria (TV’s See and Dead Lucky), Brett Cullen (Joker), Natalie Martinez (The Stand and The Fugitive series), Angela Sarafyan (HBO’s Westworld) and Nico Parker (Dumbo).
Stream or download Reminiscence and catch indelible performances from Thandiwe Newton and Angela Sarafyan across three seasons of HBO’s Westworld on HBO GO. Download the app at the App Store or Play Store on your device.
You can also access HBO GO via Cignal or at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/. HBO GO can be accessed via Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
