Teen girls reported higher levels of exposure to contraceptive information across all sources than did teen boys, while teen boys were more likely to receive superficial information and “safe sex sound bites” from several sources, including family members.

A new breed of Philippine film makers is using the country’s social ills as inspiration, transforming real-life tales of corruption, violence and abuse into award-winning movies internationally. Filipino indie directors have become a staple on the world’s film festival circuits, helping ignite a new golden age in the local industry. For Pepe Diokno (left), indie films are a vehicle to promote change in a country where corruption and poverty is rife.

This year’s much awaited Cinemalaya Film Festival runs on weekdays beginning July 20 Tuesday until July 30 Friday, boasting 14 new features and 10 shorts competing in 3 different sections.

A celebrated author of children�s stories and literary professor from the University of the Philippines, Eugene Evasco has further cemented his stature in the world of Filipino literature as he joins this year the ranks of Palanca Hall of Famers.

ARTS & CULTURE   By Ayi Muallam  |  President Arroyo signed into law on Thursday Republic Act 9521 or the National Book Development Trust Fund Act, which aims to provide Filipino authors reasonable amounts of money to help them complete their manuscripts for publication.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today urged the government to take aggressive steps for the recovery of Philippine cultural and art treasures that were carted away by foreigners during the colonial era.
Pimentel proposed that the National Commission for Culture and the Arts should be empowered and given additional funding to undertake efforts for the return of these …

Many years ago, he was famous as Rustom Padilla. He was also married to an actress, Carmina Villaroel. In 2002 he left for the U.S. to study film. At the same time he reflected on his life and began to grow in understanding and conviction until one day he decides to come out and in his own words, “accept who I am.” This was Rustom Padilla then and Bebe Gandanghari today.