WEST PHILIPPINE SEA | WPS Defenders Premiere on VIVA ONE and DZRH Platforms Today

Just got out of Manila Hotel's Maynila ballroom where WPS : West Philippine Sea Defenders first episode was premiered ahead for members of the press, some Navy men, women and VIP's. We also got to interview a few of their stars before the event and saw entertainment from them as well with "Concert with the Stars" that happened later in the day.

 A part of me wishes to tell you the whole story, but for starters, it's a hodgepodge of reality and fiction. Much of the cast including Rannie Raymundo, Lance Raymundo, Diana Menezes, Ayanna Misola, Mossimo Scofield, Jerica Madrigal, Lala Vinzon, Roi Vinzon, Ali Forbes, AJ Raval, Aljur Abrenica (though he wasn't there), were playing fictional characters that were aimed to protect the country from the hands of the Communist Kingdom of Manchuria. It was a different kind of war because it delved much into "perceptions", which mostly happens on the internet and AI. You'll get worried mostly about how they imply that the enemies are already here, and heavily invested with the real clips from news sourced videos.  I guess that's why they are producing this, to make sure you get the side of the oppressed and make that fire burn inside and do what you can to protect this country of ours... in whatever way shape and form.

 

Here's a few of the stars we got to talk to that afternoon:

 

 

Oh and yes, if you think this is heroic, these artists didn't get paid their talent fees for participating in this. They just sincerely believe in the cause, and even VIVA didn't get management charges to help with this. The film is produced by Dr. Michael Raymond Aragon who leads the Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. movement. He was very excited about this too.

Now if you want to watch it, the series starter will be available today at the VIVA ONE app and DZRH on cable and their free to air channels. They are in the works to also show this in other networks, but while they are in talks, you can see it on the platforms we mentioned earlier. The things we watched was certainly entertaining, but folks can learn a lot from it.

Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea on Discovery Channel

Just got off the press conference on Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea hosted by the office of DS Loren Legarda and the Department of Tourism. This has been attended by several government dignitaries and executives from Discovery Channel where this will be shown this coming March 23, 2022. This documentary is produced by Studio H20 through DS Loren Legarda's office, the DOT and in partnership with the Province of Antique.

 

 

DS Loren Legarda says "I would want to give my full undivided attention to this project which is close to my heart. During the pandemic, we worked on this which delves on marine biodiversity. This is a Senate project with the DOT so funds will be allocated to them. This is not the first I've done with several groups. We have legislated 94 laws, and if mandated there would be a multitude of national parks and they will be given management plans, this will be my legacy. The loss of plants, animals, on land and underwater could be detrimental for the future. I put all it into bills, together with Senator Villar, and covers 2 areas in Antique which will be part of the feature. This houses marine riches, that puts food in the table, and the discoveries of Studio H2O is just a paradise. We give due recognition to UP Marine Science Institute and RARE Philippines, all our 18 Mayors, Vice Mayors, who will enact local versions. What they did was a community based coral reef monitoring, hired and worked with local people, fisher-folks around the designated areas. They discovered areas suitable for coral growth, more places for fish diversities, 2 endangered species found in our waters, and Manta Rays found only in the country. More exploratory dives should be done as more remains to be seen. I would like to do a project with the DOT, the DENR and LGU's."

 

Boogs Rosales of Studio H2O adds "We really worked hard to push through with our shoot, it will be shown on Discovery Channel for two days. We're glad that we got to work with the various government agencies and have this shown to an international audience. As DS, the funding was from their office, through the DOT. It's a process that went through bidding, it was very hard to work on it. Part of the funding went to also showcasing it in Discovery channel, to promote and highlight the province through visuals and our storytelling."   

Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea will be shown on the Discovery Channel this March 23rd at 6:15PM and will be replayed on March 24 at 8:15AM and 11:25AM Philippine time. This will also be aired in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and India where Discovery Channel is available.

Feel It, See It in ADRIFT

A five month journey from the shores Tahiti in 1983, swept away by the winds of the world trying to find a final destination she too doesn't know about. She's Tami, a wanderer, who picked up odd jobs that would take her to the next place she wanted to go to, played by the divergent girl Shailene Woodley, she shared the dream and made that love story she with a brit guy named Richard (played by Sam Claflin) who also made the boat and obviously addicted to sailing - specifically through the horizons, so you can just imagine where that would be. Of course, there would be disaster, otherwise this wouldn't be a movie. 

Of course for non swimmers like me, this might look and feel like a horror flick (totally acheived that), made me feel awful in each scene while in the ocean, especially when she had to go and dive for dear life. This movie though by all means would be good for those who want to see and feel hope, love, being ADRIFT in the middle of nowhere, feeling you would die, no shipping lights, no one knows if you're there and you still want to hope that you'll be fine.

Again it's nauseating, with waves as big as mountains in a category 4 storm, would they be still alive? 

Go watch ADRIFT on theaters, this is distributed locally by Viva Films. You'll never look at peanut butter the same way again.

Set sail! See if you survive. 3/5 Cows 🐮🐮🐮.

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

Diving Resort Trade Show 2016 Philippines

DRT on it's 2nd year, we promise and assure you that this program will be continued because the Philippines has a LOT to offer. - Kat De Castro, DOT Undersecretary

During the Diving Resort Trade Show 2016 they reiterated how much it's MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES and they talked about how suitable it is for the country to be a diving destination. It's a big industry.

Director Verba Buensoceso of DOT says "We brought this here to position the country as a hub for diving and business. Yes, there is a B2B component that will run in 3 days and this is something that we would want to catalyze. Two of the 15 best diving sites are here in the country and we had people come in and discover 100 new marine species. This year, Mike Bartic organized the Anilao critter fest and you'll see the world record biodiversity introduction tomorrow. We also have various destinations in other parts of the world featuring the Philippines as the best diving classroom, diving photography, and we'll service the needs as come. It's possible to dive in the Philippines all year round and we welcome over 60 exhibitors, diving trade agencies, marine conservation organizations and NGO's. We are the only dive b2b meet in Asia, and we'll have familiarization trips so you'll have a first hand knowledge of what we have to offer. We have buyers from around the world and aside from the DRT we organize other events in November, we'll have the 4th Anilao Underwater Competition and we have a lot to do in the next 3 days."

This is one of the largest meets and international show supported by different international organizations. In 2018 there will be 6 DRT shows around the Asian region. It's not just the Philippines that's excited about this and EZ dive Magazine Jason Chong puts it "This is our second year and you've got more diving equipment manufacturers in the show this year, we see the potential for the Philippines to be in the resort and diving business and DRT is here to let people see the Philippines could be a unique place for diving. We can't wait for you to see everything in SM Megatrade Hall today!"

A few days before the show they had some of their experts and photographers go out in the seas of the Philippines. 

Michelle Hall a US Cinematographer and Writer says "The people of the Philippines has great support from DOT and you're lucky. We were here in the 80's and made films around the world, now we're excited to see your seas and a lot has changed. We haven't really been back until this year. In Palawan, I remember my diving gear being moved by an Ox cart. I've been in Malapascua and even though I prefer not having other divers here, it's great to see around 200 divers come down and see marine life. It's a great experience. Sign the petition for Thresher Sharks too and we're going to talk twice this week in the show so come if you want to know what we've been doing the past few years."

Author and Underwater Photographer Scott Tuason adds "Anilao was something I'd out my head in living here and have access to diving and marine environment at our fingertips and it took the world a while to understand what we have here. Now more people are pointing out the special things, like Malapascua, the reefs, it's then that they discovered it's a cleaning station, a great place to start if you want to know biodiversity up close is the Philippines."

Author and Photographer from the US Tim Rock says "You don't have to go far if you want a world class destination. To be part of the DRT today is an honor, you should see the show."

Come to SM Megamall's Megatrade Hall today as the trade show only will be here until Sunday, September 11. There are also a hundred photos from world class underwater photographers displayed so if you want visual inspiration, you should come!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!