Filipino Films from Cignal Entertainment Receive Accolades in Italy

Luck has come our way as the Philippines through Cignal Entertainment's movies bag awards at the recent 19th Asian Film Festival in Italy. This is a big win not just for the production of two pieces "Big Night!" and "Resbak" (english title Payback). This happeened last April 7 to 13 this year at Farnese Arthouse in Rome and undoubtedly, has brought honor once again to the country in this Asian exhibition featuring 30 different entries from countries like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, china, Taiwan and Thailand.

"Resbak" director Brillante Mendoza was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Roma Lazio Film Commision. Actors Christian Bables (which did Big Night) and Vince Rillon (from Payback) on the other hand won Best Actor for their respective films that are produced by Cignal Entertainment. News of having these in streaming platforms soon are in the works so that more people would be able to watch it. Payback will be released in the Philippines soon.

For those who don't know, "Big Night!" was previously shown in Metro Manila Film Festival in 2021. This is directed by Jun Lana and had stellar reviews, also won several awards including Best Actor, Supporting Actor, Director, Screenplay, Cinematography, Musical Score, Best Picture and the Gender Sensitivity Award (which was fitting!).

This is a part of what Cignal Entertainment is pushing for. They want to champion fresh, socially relevant and world appealing films and show them to a greater audience. They are thankful for the awards they won in this festival and the ones bestowed to the people who are in these films.

You may visit their official website at www.asianfilmfestival.info for more information about the films and the awards they've given to different films over the years. Congratulations Cignal Entertainment!

Italian Cinema: From Venice to Manila Starts November 14-18

They took some films last year to the Philippines - and this year, they are making it even better.

Why Venice? It is important to take the spotlight because the Venice International Film Festival was done in 1952, the first ever international film festival. This year is also the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and the Philippines. They did a successful one last year and this year they plan to do it in 3 different cities as they showcase 9 films like Una Famiglia, Ammore e malavita, Hannah, The Leisure Seeker, Il Coloren Nascosto Delle Cose, Brutti e Cativi, Gatta Cenerentola, Il Deserto Rosso and Novecento which will be shown in discounted prices of only Php 150 so it could accommodate more people. It will be shown in Central Square in BGC, Greenbelt 3, and in UP Town Center which students and film aficionados will also be able to take advantage of.

FDCP’s Lisa Diño says “It is expensive and almost impossible for them to bring these selection of films to our country. We also see different kinds of animation, we need things like these from different parts of the world. We understand we have the opportunity to grow beyond the 100 years of Philippine cinema. We have films out there but only in festivals, we need to have opportunities to watch these films so we can learn how to do it on the world stage, it’s only Php 150 and I hope people take advantage of these beautiful award winning films.”

Pailo Bertola who will be also teaching the graphic effects masterclass says “Thank you for the opportunity, thanks for the chance to teach students about graphics and effects and working even without a big budget which will help a lot of indie film makers. (FVX Design) The masterclass will be held in UP Diliman, at the School of Design and the arts of St. Benilde and at the Cinematheque of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. We will teach also the business side and commerce.” Aside from him, Davide Mancori and Franco Eco will teach sound engineering and cinematography from November 12-14 in UP, Benilde and FDCP in Manila.

Now you have the chance to see it all, you have to go to the masterclass from 12-14 and watch the films from 14-18, go do yourself a favor and up your game in film making.

KUMAGCOW 

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Villa Del Conte for Valentines Day

This must be a crazy week for guys right now because Valentines season is just right around the corner. The tons of preparations done for that perfect date and the other things that go with it must be really stressful because you're thinking about what clothes to wear, what restaurant to reserve and perhaps what other things you really need to surprise her. 

Well let me tick one thing out of your list and suggest these wonderful chocolates from Villa Del Conte. I've been a fan of this brand since it was introduced to me a few years ago. The chocolate, is superb, but what's interesting is that they kinda surprise me in every packet because sometimes there are almonds, walnuts, fruits, that make this chocolate lovers dream even better. Best of all, it's actually more affordable than those other imported brands you see in department stores even if I consider this already artisanal to begin with. You'll love this Villa Del Conte AMORE Gift Box made by artisans in Padova, Italy. It costs Php880 and for premium chocolates, that's actually cheap.

If you need it, you can buy it off counters at Greenbelt 5 (I go there a lot!), Century City Mall, Shangrila Plaza, Resorts World Manila, Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall and Robinsons Magnolia. You can also call them for bulk orders if you've got a lot of ladies to please! Just search for Villa Del Conte on FB, Instagram and Twitter because all their contact details are all there!

KUMAGCOW

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TCL Shares Life Stories Through Sports

It's another evening with blogger and media friends over at TCL's 35th Anniversary. The well loved TV brand is launching a campaign for families highlighting inspiring stories of athletes in cooperation with ESPN. It's a 4 part web series which they dubbed "Inspiring Bonding Moments featuring world class athletes from the Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Heck, it's got Simone Rota in the lead!

For those who don't know, Simone Rota was abandoned in an orphanage called Buklod Kalinga before getting adopted by an Italian couple when he was 6 months old. They moved to Milan and he grew to have had his first professional football at age 17. He has played for international teams in Italy and Switzerland, but he never forgot about where he came from. So at age 29, he went back to the Philippines to search for his parents and found Sister May of the Buklod Kalinga orphanage. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to find them after several attempts to do so. Later on, he found his affinity with the kids from the center and made it his life mission to run a food program and teach the kids football too. 

TCL stands for The Creative Life and the company believes technology should be used to being people together. As they show the athletes personal stories, they hope we learn the lessons of love, loss, and selflessness. TLC wants to walk the talk, so after this campaign, they are giving Buklod Kalinga sports equipment to encourage the youth to develop their talents in something they are passionate about, and that is sports. You may find these videos over at TCL's Official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/tclphilippines/videos

"TCL manufactures mobile phones, and is the world's 3rd largest manufacturer of TV. They also have renewed their partnership with PBA and will also be doing more sports oriented connections in the coming years." says Eason Kai of TCL Philippines.

KUMAGCOW

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Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil for Dolce Amore

Beaming with smiles, we got the chance to attend the grand press conference of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil starrer Dolce Amore. Sweet love? That happens in a lot of places, different times, different situations. It doesn't matter if you're rich, a princes, or a deadbeat hooker on the street living from what small things they get every night. It encompasses stature, it doesn't look at your resume, they don't even ask for your diploma or GPA when that happens. It just does its thing.

Ms. Cherie Gil was actually on a vacay when she got a call to portray this role. She's going to be the strict mother, rather than a villain in this show. She does actually speak Italian too but does admit she gets a little help from the Italian guy included in the cast. He corrects them all when they need to in the grammar department. It's one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world, that's why Liza also underwent training for that too.

Also in the show is Andrew E. and Sunshine Cruz. They'll also be joined by Kean Cipriano, Bobot Mortiz and Ms. Rio Locsin. They'll be the parents, sibling, which you'll have to watch in the show because they haven't really gotten to know their characters yet because they only shot the trailer and the ones they had to do in Italy. 

This might be a little challenging for Matteo, because he'll play the other guy. Yes, he's going to give Enrique Gil a challenge with Liza Soberano. It'll be a difficult one because his character has the same pedigree, and even lived with her through childhood. Will it be hard to break her parents wishes if they probably have an arranged marriage? How will that change their relationship? and will Liza's character be shocked when they're forced to marry for comfort and business? Or will the damsel in distress prefer Enrique instead?

More Photos Here: