Provence France 1872 unfolds before our very eyes on the 1st of October 2008 at the University of Makati Grand Theatre. An inspiring musical opus, presented by AGHAM Theatre Company, the same group that brought you the highly successful original Filipino pop-rock opera “Sakdal” and the mythological fantasy “Alamat”, is once again in the works [...]

Statement by Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
WASHINGTON, Aug 29, 2008 — For the second time in a month, Philip Morris International has had to withdraw sponsorship and promotion of a concert in a developing country after coming under international criticism for engaging in cigarette marketing that appeals to children.
This time, Philip [...]

The report provides powerful scientific evidence and guidance to governments around the world on how the tobacco industry uses and manipulates the media to encourage tobacco use and effective steps governments can take to protect the health of their citizens.

“Shorts,” a short film about a young copywriter/production designer who seems to have gone crazy, will compete in the 12th Thai Short Film and Video Festival, which will run from August 29 to September 14 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, Pathumwan Junction.
Seymour Barros Sanchez’s “mockumentary” will vie for the award in the festival’s [...]

Health advocates led by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Alliance Philippines (FCAP) hailed as victory for the health sector
the pull-out of a tobacco company from the much-awaited Eraserheads
reunion concert this weekend.
Amidst this, FCAP lauded the Department of Health for standing firm in
its position against the involvement of Philip Morris Phils.
Manufacturing Inc. (PMPMI) in the concert.
[...]

Richard Legaspi’s “Ambulancia” and Seymour Barros Sanchez’s “Shorts” were selected for screening in the Bite the Mango Film Festival which will run from September 19 to 25 at the National Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
As part of the official selection, both short films are eligible for the Golden Mango Award which [...]

“Ambulancia,” a short film written, directed, and produced by Richard Legaspi, will compete and have its German premiere at the 32nd Open-Air Film Festival Weiterstadt, which will take place from August 14 to 18 on the arcadian site of the Braunshardter Taennchen.

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an international anti-smoking group, has likewise praised singer Alicia Keys for forcing ****** to withdrawal as sponsor of her concert in Indonesia.

Butil ng Buhay
Airing on May 26, 2008, GMA 7
Monday night after Saksi
At a time of national rice crisis, the town of Lucban shows off its rice abundance as it stages its grand annual festival, the Pahiyas. Nothing will stop their tradition of turning palay into exquisite outdoor decor. But will a storm punish Lucbanins for [...]

The New York Times called it a “rambunctious, noisy film.” One critic thought it was “a shabby piece of video verite from the Philippines” and wondered why it “inexplicably” competed in Cannes. The critic of cinematical.com headlined her review “Live from Cannes: Gratuitous Yuckiness…”and goes on to narrate why, for the first time, she walked out of a screening at a festival. And, according to the critic, it was not just because of the sight of a boil being popped using a Coke bottle — no pun intended — but also because of the gratuitous and exploitative sex scenes in the movie. Yet another critic called it the worst film in competition in Cannes in recent memory.

LITTLE DIVA. Charice Pempengco, the Filipino child-diva, has been wowing audiences around the world ever since she guested on the Ellen Degeneres show. Next month, she will be guesting on “Oprah” in an episode on child prodigies. (Photo courtesy of www.charicepempengco.com)

More details here .
Below is a teaser of the episode.

Looking for the perfect way for your kids and teens to enjoy the
summer despite the heat? Tired of cooking up creative strategies to
keep them occupied during these idyllic months of being away from
school?
Worry no more!
Enroll them now at UP Film Institute’s Summer 2008 Multimedia
Workshops! Included in this summer’s roster of short courses are the
following specially [...]

Beat the heat and feel good this summer with UP Film Institute’s distinct screenings.
To jumpstart the film series is Jeffrey Jeturian’s Reality TV-inspired “Bikini Open” with its pointed commentary on mass media.
Sizzlers from Hong Kong include “The Fruit Is Swelling” and “Bug Me Not” with the latter doubling as UP Film Institute’s own special homage [...]

Airing on April 7, 2008, Monday late night after Saksi
In the most recent sanitation survey of the Department of Health, a huge chunk of our population still lacks a very important facility in their homes: the comfort room!
But what’s more surprising is this: majority of residents even in developed urban areas still do not have [...]

March 25, 2008
Dear friends,
If you haven’t been on a tour of the National Museum, well, here’s your chance. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the museums are (the former Finance Building and the former Legislative Building) with its extensive renovation inside yet keeping with its neo-Federal Style architecture outside.
There’s fifteen galleries [...]