French Film Festival, one of the highlighted events of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations

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Highly-acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert and popular French actor Lucas Bravo were in town for the festival

As part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippines diplomatic relations, the French Film Festival brings to Manila a fresh selection of French and Filipino films at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas from October 22 to 30, 2022. The curated movies are composed of current releases and new ones that came out in the last two years.

Award-winning and accomplished French actress Isabelle Huppert and French actor Lucas Bravo who became popular for his portrayal of Gabriel in the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris engaged moviegoers, fans, and the media in a brief interview about their movies that were screened for the festival. 

Huppert and Bravo are part of the cast of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Anthony Fabian. About Joan by Laurent Larivière and Promises by Thomas Kruithof are the two most recent films starring Huppert. She is also the main actress in Brillante Mendoza’s Captive.

Filipinos and the French share a passion for moving images. Soon after the Lumière brothers invented cinema, Pathé projectors found their way to the Philippine islands and soon enough Filipinos were making films already. The French Film Festival has been bringing some of the most critically acclaimed and crowd pleasers to the discerning Filipino audience in search of movies that look into social issues, family values, and beautiful scenery that are close to the heart.

Opening the festival, Eiffel by Director Martin Bourboulon recounts the building of the Eiffel Tower inspired by a love story. The selection includes Lost Illusions by Xavier Gianolli, Farewell Mr. Haffmann by Fred Cavayé, set in Paris during World War 2, Notre Dame on Fire by Jean-Jacques Anneaud about the incident that damaged another historical monument in the center of Paris, Him by Guillaume Canet on the life of a music composer, Paris Memories, remembering Paris under terrorist attacks, a sequel to the popular French agent OSS 117: From Africa with Love. Rise by Cédric Klapisch tells an inspiring story about a ballet dancer.

The French Film Festival is also the event that brings together France and the Philippines with the screening of Filipino films that have gained recognition by the French audience. Like On the Job by Erik Matti which was shown in the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. OTJ Missing 8 will be screening also in the festival.

In the height of the pandemic, Director Sigrid Bernardo flew to Paris with actors and crew to shoot Walang Kaparis, produced by Piolo Pascual. While the film is still in post-production, it paves the way toward co-productions between France and the Philippines.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines under the Chairmanship of Tirso Cruz III will strive to work toward the signing of a co-production agreement between France and the Philippines that will open more opportunities for collaboration between filmmakers and more French and Filipino movies in the near future.

Catch all the films here https://bit.ly/FrenchFilmFest25

The 25th French Film Festival in the Philippines is organized by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, Philippine Embassy in France, Alliance française de Manille, INSTITUT FRANÇAIS, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Greenbelt, QCinema, San Miguel Corporation, Olympia Violago Power, Raffles Makati, VPF Creative Marketing Communications, Reality MM Studios, PLDT, Smart Communications, Inc., SSI Group, Inc., Lacoste, Filmloft OPC, and RSVP FILM Studios, Phils.

Jollibee teams up with Bench for new 'LOVE PINOY' Shirts

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IMAGE Jollibee

Two of the country's proudly Filipino, world-class brands are teaming up to launch the exclusive and limited-edition Love Pinoy shirts! 

Every Pinoy across the country can now easily show pride in who they are and express their love for everything Pinoy in this new collection from the country's number one fast food chain Jollibee and leading clothing and lifestyle brand Bench.

The collection consists of 4 designs, with 2 designs each exclusively available at Jollibee stores and Bench official retail and online stores. The shirts available in Jollibee come in different styles in red or white, with the "Love Pinoy" statement present on both designs. This is seen more prominently at the back of the red shirt, while the Jollibee mascot is featured at the front of the white shirt so Pinoys from all walks of life can have different styling options to choose from.

Jollibee customers can get their own Bench x Jollibee Love Pinoy shirt for only P455 when they order any Jollibee food item via Dine-in, Take Out, Drive-Thru, and Delivery in participating Jollibee stores nationwide from October 30 to November 4, 2022. Those who would love to get first dibs on the shirts can also get their own as early as October 29, exclusively via the Jollibee Delivery App.

IMAGE Jollibee

To promote the collection, both Jollibee and Bench tapped its common endorser, Francine Diaz, to be the main face of the campaign. Back in June, Francine was also among the young artists featured in Jollibee's Independence Day campaign, making her the perfect choice to embody the 'Love Pinoy' messaging.

Don't miss this chance to proclaim your love for all things Pinoy and collect all 4 designs of the limited-edition shirts from Bench and Jollibee! For more info and updates, follow Jollibee on Facebook, and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @Jollibee.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo’s The Granary Serves Heritage Cuisine on a Modern Table

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We know that dining is a multisensory experience, but with Ilonggo cuisine, it becomes completely immersive because every bite brings with it the unique character and charm of the region’s culinary history. 

Chef Ariel Castañeda of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, knows this well, having been born and raised in Iloilo City and exposed to authentic Ilonggo cooking all his life. When he took over the reins of the hotel’s kitchen as Executive Chef in December of last year, he made it his mission to promote heritage cuisine not only to the visitors of Iloilo, but also to Iloilo’s younger generation by introducing creative ways of presenting heirloom recipes and serving them in a contemporary setting that’s worthy of global recognition. And his first step towards achieving this is by revamping the a la carte menu of Richmonde’s all-day dining restaurant, The Granary.

Inspired by the concept of a “modern Filipino table”, the young Executive Chef gave innovative twists to a number of well-loved and popular Ilonggo fare while retaining the essences that made them famous. For instance, the typical pancit molo would consist of a garlicky soup with wonton dumplings. 

Pancit Molo Xiao Long Bao

Batchoy Ramen

In Chef Ariel’s reimagined version, the savory broth and diced pork and shrimp are placed inside the wonton to make a Pancit Molo Xiao Long Bao. Another soup favorite, batchoy, gets a Japanese makeover. The Batchoy Ramen looks like a ramen with its spring onion, nori, and seven-minute egg, but still tastes like batchoy with its broth, lechon kawali, grilled barbecue pork liver, and egg noodles.

 Linagpang na Ilonggo Inasal

Dinagyang Adobo Ilonggo

The menu also features dishes famous for the region’s distinctive cooking techniques like the Linagpang na Ilonggo Inasal where slices of chicken and pork roulade are grilled and added to a linagpang broth with blistered tomatoes; and the Dinagyang Adobo Ilonggo where chicken and pork are combined in a roulade and cooked in annatto sauce and topped with crispy shallots that look like a festive headdress.

Native to the islands of Panay and Negros is the batuan fruit which is a common souring agent in Ilonggo cooking. Thus, it is but natural for Chef Ariel to include Sinigang sa Batuan in the menu. This rich broth which you can enjoy with shrimp, salmon, lechon kawali or beef ribs, is guaranteed to hit the spot when you’re craving for some soupy comfort. But batuan is not just for soups and entrées. 

Batuan & Guimaras Mango Pavlova

To demonstrate its versatility, Chef Ariel combined batuan compote, fresh Guimaras mangoes, goat cheese, and meringue shards to create a one-of-a-kind dessert, the Batuan & Guimaras Mango Pavlova. There’s even a batuan-flavored French macaron!

Baked Talaba Bombs 

Other must-try items on the menu include Baked Talaba Bombs (fresh oysters, milk butter and garlic confit served on white lava stones), L3 or Latik, Liempo, Lukon (puree of kalabasa, coconut milk, lechon kawali, sea prawns, and market vegetables), Green Curry Seafood Adobado (flash-fried sea prawns, butterflied squid, market fish fillet and mussels in Ilonggo green curry), and many more. Richmonde’s signature dishes and local & international favorites are also available.

“As Ilonggos, my kitchen team and I are honored to present our own interpretation of the dishes, ingredients, and flavors we grew up with to our fellow kababayans. With our modern take on classic Ilonggo fare, we hope to bridge the gap between the past and the present,” shares Chef Ariel. General Manager Natalie Lim adds, “There is no replacing Iloilo’s treasured original heirloom recipes. We, however, believe in keeping these fresh, exciting, and interesting. This is our way of preserving the legacy of the region’s food culture.”

Indeed, every item in the new menu of The Granary is an ode to the rich culinary origins of Iloilo and an exciting preview of the future of Ilonggo cuisine. Visit The Granary now and experience for yourself a deliciously unforgettable gastronomical journey in time.

The Granary is open daily from 6am to 10pm. For inquiries and table reservations, call +6333 328 7888 or message Richmonde Hotel Iloilo on Facebook @RichmondeHotelIloilo.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is the first hotel outside Metro Manila of local real estate giant, Megaworld Corporation. With its strategic location within the modern 72-hectare development of Iloilo Business Park, coupled with its world-class facilities, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo elevated the standards of the hotel industry in Western Visayas when it opened in 2015. Richmonde is among the growing number of homegrown brands under the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group. For more information on Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, log on to www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph and for the latest news on the hotel, follow @RichmondeHotelIloilo on Facebook and Instagram.

Camp COMCO honored at IABC Quill Awards for its program for communication students and graduates, opens application for its Cycle 19

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The International Association of Business Communicators’ (IABC) 19th Philippine Quill Awards recently bestowed top honors on Camp COMCO Mentorship Program, the groundbreaking and proprietary talent incubation initiative, industry linkage course, and apprenticeship platform of trailblazing inter-regional integrated communications agency COMCO Southeast Asia.

Camp COMCO won Excellence Awards in Internal Communication for “Camp COMCO House Wars – The Force of Learning in New PR and Smart Social” and “Igniting the Alumni Culture – The Camp COMCO Alumni Society”. It also bagged the Excellence Award in Communication Training and Education for Camp COMCO House Wars and Merit Award in Internal Communication for “Celebrating the Alumni Culture – The Camp COMCO Alumni Society Unity Games”. Ultimately, Camp COMCO earned one of the highest honors in Quill Awards as it received the finalist citation for the much-coveted Top Award in Communication Training and Education. Launched in 2016, Camp COMCO Mentorship Program also won the 2019 IABC Quill Award of Excellence in Communications Training and Education and the 2019 Gold Anvil Award in Specialized Public Relations Program.

One of the many reasons why the program is vastly successful is because it strategically and structurally covers training in diverse communication areas empowered by the COMCO’s culture of mentorship. Camp COMCO apprentices are assigned to their respective mentorship houses – House Bearcat, Hawksbill, Flying Fox, and Whaleshark where they are co-trained by their respective house stewards alongside mentors from COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, Camp COMCO Alumni Society and the industry. These young talents go through the process of Skills Calibration, Strategic Communications Immersion, and a Specialization Elective.

In House Wars, the culminating activity of the Camp, the apprentices through their mentorship houses are given the opportunity to use what they have learned in the program and develop communication proposals for some of the most renowned brands in the industry. Some of the brands and organizations that have participated in House Wars were Starbucks, FWD Insurance, Theo & Philo Chocolates, CARA (Compassion and Responsibility for Animals) Welfare Philippines, and ABS-CBN, among others. The houses compete for the best communications proposal to be presented and pitched to the brand, and the winning house will be declared as the House Wars Champion!

Over the past 6 years, Camp COMCO Mentorship Program has already produced 100 graduates from 18 cycles. Graduates of the program become members of the Camp COMCO Alumni Society and continue to be involved in many of the organization’s initiatives, such as the COMCOlidays with Kids outreach program, emergency response fundraisers (e.g. for PGH during the COVID-19 pandemic and for Tuguegarao Bloggers Society during Typhoon Ulysses) and Camp COMCO Unity Games. Camp COMCO alumni have become top caliber young professionals and many of them are now award-winners and are holding key positions in COMCO as well as in other companies and sectors in the industry.

“I’ve done many projects throughout my career but bringing Camp COMCO Mentorship Program to life is probably my proudest accomplishment. Camp COMCO is designed to give the best internship or apprenticeship for aspiring communication professionals as I believe that a good mentorship program is the one that will fully prepare these students and young practitioners, provide them with the best jumping board for the practice of our craft, and ultimately help them define their future,” said COMCO SEA Group Chief Executive Director and Camp COMCO Mentorship Program Creator and Head Mentor Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy,

Camp COMCO Mentorship Program is now accepting young communications talents for its 19th cycle. If you think you have the edge to become the next communication rockstar, send your application and curriculum vitae (CV) to headquarters@comcomundo.com or commandcenter@comcosea.com.

To know more about COMCO Southeast Asia, visit comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcosea, and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

The eco-friendly Nokia X30 5G and dazzling Nokia C31 are now up for grabs in the Philippines

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HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, brings to the Philippines its newest smartphones – the Nokia X30 5G and Nokia C31 for Filipino fans who desire to play the long-game.

The most eco-friendly Nokia smartphone yet, the Nokia X30 5G sports a new planet-friendly design made of robust and recycled materials but with zero compromise on performance including the best-ever PureView photography.  The best of the C-series at an accessible price point, the Nokia C31 presents signature durability, improved 6.7” HD display and long-lasting three-day battery life¹ with AI-powered battery saving features.

Ravi Kunwar, Vice President APAC & GCR, HMD Global:

“At HMD Global, we are thrilled to introduce a phone that is eco-friendly to its core. Nokia X30 5G combines our passion for helping our users keep their devices for longer without costing the earth. The Nokia X30 5G will also be available in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand.”

Sancho Chak, General Manager, Pan Asia, HMD Global:

“We at HMD Global believe Filipinos should be able to enjoy a great mobile experience that delivers the longevity that fans have come to expect from a Nokia phone. We are delighted to introduce the Nokia X30 5G that not only is eco-friendly to its core but also delivers the best Pureview photography. And the Nokia C31 that is a true testament of the C-series which is all about making quality and durability accessible devices.”

The most eco-friendly Nokia phone yet – inspired by nature, built to protect it

●       Love it: Made with 100 percent recycled aluminium and 65 percent recycled plastic, Nokia X30 5G delivers the brand’s smallest eco-footprint to date and brings premium features including the best ever PureView photography

●       Trust it: Nokia X30 5G comes with three years of monthly security updates¹ and signature two-day battery life²

●       Keep it: Nokia X30 5G has been built to push the limits of smartphone life-expectancy. It is protected by a big three years of warranty³ and delivers 3 OS upgrades. Plus, it's designed for every-day life, with a robust metal frame and a tough display

The Nokia X30 5G is HMD Global’s most eco-friendly smartphone yet right through to the box it comes in. Designed in Finland with less plastic and fewer chemicals, the smartphone is built from a 100 percent recycled aluminium frame and 65 percent recycled plastic back.The reduced packaging size – made possible by the decision to remove chargers from X-series to tackle e-waste – saves on transportation CO2 emissions. Using 100 percent FSC certified and 94 percent recycled paper box, HMD Global seeks to promote responsible forestry and support the circular economy. This all means that Nokia X30 5G delivers the smallest eco footprint of a Nokia phone to date.

Packed with new, game-changing features

Take breathtaking imagery with the big pixel 50MP PureView camera which uses AI and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to capture content in even higher detail. The Nokia X30 5G features an all-new, intuitive dropdown menu giving users faster access to most used camera settings. Capture Fusion brings the power of the main camera to the ultra-wide-angle shots, for more details in the centre of the picture. While Night Mode 2.0, with Dark Vision, Tripod Mode and Night Selfie, give sharper and more vibrant shots even after sundown.

Nokia X30 5G’s camera is also protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass with DX+, permitting 98 percent of all light through the lens to deliver industry-leading optical performance and scratch resistance.

Sporting the best display on a Nokia phone yet, Nokia X30 5G with its 6.43” 90Hz PureDisplay delivers a smoother, more responsive experience. The AMOLED PureDisplay technology means more brightness and vibrant colours to make streaming, scrolling, browsing, and holding the device a joy.

Power up faster than ever before with 33W fast charging and enjoy its signature two-day battery life remaining healthy even after years of charging. Equipped with Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 695 to optimise the potential of 5G, Nokia X30 5G is ready for long-term use.

Safe, secure and up to date for years

The Nokia X30 5G comes with standard three OS upgrades so users can enjoy new features way beyond Android™ 12. Equipped to store the most private and personal information securely, the device has up to three years of monthly security updates guaranteed for the user’s peace of mind. HMD Global’s activation and device performance data are all stored on servers in Hamina, Finland and protected by rigorous European data laws.[KB(TH2]

For businesses – Nokia X30 5G is verified by Google Android Enterprise Recommended.

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^[1] Avoided emissions are calculated extending the life of a Nokia X30 5G from 3 to 4 years. For the conversion of avoided emission we used the United States Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator (available at: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator#results)

The best of the C-series at an ultra-friendly price point

●       Love it: Nokia C31 comes with Android 12, improved 6.7” HD display and triple rear and selfie cameras powered by Camera by Google

●       Trust it: Nokia C31 sports AI-powered three-day battery life¹ and two years of quarterly security updates for maximum security

●       Keep it: Nokia C31 has superior durability with IP52 protection from the elements from one of the toughest manufacturing standards in the world

The Nokia C31 is always robust and reliable. A device that’s beautiful to look at and tough under the surface, the Nokia C31 has met industry-leading durability standards required by HMD Global, so users know it can handle life’s most hectic moments, courtesy of IP52 protection and the durable build quality.

An incredible three-day battery coupled with AI-powered battery-saving technology ensures Nokia C31 is one’s trusted partner to do and go wherever they want. Super Battery Saver mode lets users choose where energy savings should be made, so they can still access the key feature needed when they’re running on low battery.

Capture all memories in dazzling quality and enhance day-to-day experiences

Nokia C31’s triple rear and selfie cameras powered by Camera by Google delivers incredible images day or night – including beautifully blurred portrait shots on the selfie camera and powerful night imagery. Fans will never be surprised by the “storage full” notification - Nokia C31 tells exactly how much storage users have left for all of their memories.

The improved 6.7” HD display brings users' experiences to life in brilliant definition, whether when streaming their favourite show, answering emails on the sofa, or taking a trip down memory lane looking through photos. It also comes with the GoPro Quik App pre-installed so users can shoot, edit and share their creativity from anywhere.

Reliable security features

As concerns about how companies use personal data continue to grow, Nokia C31’s updated privacy controls give users power over their own information. The device’s security is convenient with its fingerprint sensor and face unlock that works even with a protective mask on, for quick yet secure access. Signature HMD Global security promises are included as standard, so fans can get two years of quarterly security updates.

Optimal android innovations

Taking full advantage of Android 12, the Nokia C31 lets users enjoy the newest innovations from Google. Dynamic colour personalities, the look and feel of the phone based on its wallpaper, and conversation widgets put the people users care about front and centre on the home screen. This form of software with less preloads means one can maximise their data plan and storage.

Pricing and availability

The Nokia X30 5G comes in 8/256 GB memory and storage configurations, and in Cloudy Blue colour. The device can be purchased for Php 27,990 and will be available first on Lazada.

The Nokia C31 comes in 4/128GB memory and storage configurations, in Charcoal and Mint colours is priced at Php 8,490.

The devices will be available in all Nokia mobile authorised resellers online and physical stores nationwide starting October 28, 2022.