Worthy Cause Showcased at TobaccOFF NOW! Film Festival

You're in for a treat this weekend as the TobaccOFF NOW! Film Festival goes on full swing. This is organized by Amber Studios as they partnered with organizations like Metro Manila Film Festival, HealthJustice Philippines, Parents Against Vape, Action for Economic Reforms, Social Watch, Philippine Smoke Free Movement and government sectors Philippine Legislators Committee on Pop Dev. The event was done to host young creators to use storytelling as a medium for social change. 

Participating individuals have undergone workshops under industry experts Jacque Manabat, Chiara Zambrano, Tops Brugada and Jobert Moteras. They created short films with themes involving tobacco, nicotine and vape. It's going to be raw, unique, full of emotions, especially from the POV of the youth. The festival will start on December 13. The shorts will be primarily shown digitally (by next year) but there will be screenings in Cebu, Sorsogon, and other provinces.

Ms. Jacque Manabat says "It's hard to quit, but what I've learned is that you can do it for others, for your loved ones. It's about giving them a better future, the best gift for Christmas. I am leveraging TikTok, to make sure the young ones won't get hitched with the small hints they've done in previous years. We organized this but you are the leaders of your generation, and from the looks of it, the young ones have a bright future, a smoke free future."

This will also be shown in other spots in Manila, Quezon City Film Festival screenings on the 11th and 12th. Updates will be posted on Amber Studios FB page, and the main screening will be done at the MMFF Auditorium at MMDA grounds in Pasig City. From what we've seen during the screening, they're absolutely right in telling us how bright the future of new generation of filmmakers are. All they wish for is a smoke free future, why don't we give them that!

RK Rubber Enterprise Corp. Launches 6th CINEGOMA Film Festival

If you're in the look out for indie films, there's a lot being showcased at the CINEGOMA: RK Rubber Film Festival. It's an open film festival hosted by RK Rubber Enterprise Corporation to feature student and non-professional films that tell stories of resiliency, grit, determination and the Filipino spirit. They are also making sure the film makers are going to be featured in several locations across Quezon City.

This is their 6th installment, so far from the initial 6 films independently produced when they started, they now have a little over 50 films shown in several locations. They also have some of the films released in other provinces like Olongapo City prior to this launch in Quezon City. They also did a parade to promote the CINEGOMA Film Festival around Quezon City Circle grounds with a full on band, street dancers, participants and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe. 6th installment not only means film, but workshops and several mainstream works that are exhibited for the filmmakers and the public.

Xavier Cortez the CEO of RK Rubber who heads the festival says "I feel pressured because of the introduction but this is the 6th year of the CINEGOMA Film Festival. Thank you to the organizers, to the employees of RK Rubber, the production department of the same corp, the logistics department and operations, to RK Rubbers Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, the RK Rubber Davao and to the media who went here for the opening of CineGoma. You are giving them voice, to those who volunteered and supported CINEGOMA and provided expertise and experience, to help make sure we get to understand how go organize this show and emman dela Cruz. We also have the sales department of Manila who got us huge projects to contribute here. If we are this big and do this every year, there will be more than 40 films that will benefit from it. Folks have never got tired of CINEGOMA because the independent and small filmmakers are being given experience, so they too can tell their stories. Each of you have stories, unique ones that can change the lives of others. Because if we do that, there will be a huge impact on communities, and I hope this 6th CINEGOMA becomes bigger in the next few years as we imagined it to be."

He adds "I feel proud that my once schoolmates are now cheering for a person who wants good things to happen with filmmakers. I get teary eyed, because they're so proud of me too. For all who participated, full length or shorts, congratulations to all of you! I'll do my best to make this better, give more opportunities for filmmakers and this is all for you!"

Here's what happened at QCX that morning:

This year's categories are separated into Student, Commercial, Pro, made with AI and RK which are meant for RK Rubber Enterprise employees only. As mentioned by Sir Xavier, prizes amount from 5,000 pesos to 25,000 pesos depending on the award category. This will run from November 24-29, and the awards will be given at the Quezon City University on the last day. Make sure you watch the films at Sine Pop and exhibitions around Quezon City during this time because after all, it's the City of Stars! (Please check schedule on CINEGOMA social channels).

This is certainly a great way to showcase their talents, and hopefully, the ones who have a lot of promise gets noticed especially the students. They were very eager to showcase their work during the festival launch. Congratulations to RK Rubber Enterprise Corporation for mounting this every year!

Campaign Calls for Responsible G@ming

With the unending thirst for all things exciting, the folks from DigiP|us Interactive and Bing0P|us Foundation just recently launched "Pust@ de Peligro". It's a responsible gaming campaign aimed to promote mindful choices when it comes to this community and entertainment platform. 

The campaign starts with three short films which was previewed to the public today, January 23rd at Gateway Mall Cinemas.

This is coined from the term "Petsa de Peligro" when budget seems low right before salary comes in. This time, it is when there are risks involved and you would want to only do it safe, and not put everything out because it's supposed to be just for fun. 

Eusebio Tanco said "We mark a defining moment for the community, to safeguard joy that g@ming brings. The short films we will see today would shed light where our choices matter most. We partner with mental health and financial experts, to make mindful game decisions. It's just a subset of the financial literacy program that we should have, it's a small piece, you need to safeguard your earnings for your daily needs. The decision to save and spend it. A lot of people use it for consumption, for investment, and how it equates to the savings you make. Without investment, there would be no growth. There should always be returns, everyone should know about it. We owe Pagcor for sharing this vision, a community driven approach of responsible gaming to ensure it remains fun and safe. We hope you put the Pust@ de Peligro message far and wide!"

Putting an entertainment fund is essential, should always bring joy not stress. It should always be through prevention, education, intervention so they could be aware, and do it responsibly. Do pause. Set limits and get the right support from friends and family. This will be included in the app, from controls of daily time limits, and things that could help with it.

Teresita Cambe Castillo, Armand Bengco went on stage and talked about it. This is part of the programs they do nationwide. It's a continuous effort for their financial literacy advocacy.

Ms. Teresita said we are a bit late in executing this because of the huge growth, this is somehow a public health issue too. The campaign should have available self care options, to remind people about something reliable. Problems stem when bills don't get paid, if they isolate, dysfunctional behavior, it is stressful. They are doing a great job in doing this."

Sir Armand says "Public and private efforts would cover a broader market. All stakeholders including the company should be in sync because we want to protect players in elements that go with it. This is a reality, and we hope instead of just playing, present a big picture on what would happen. It is entertainment, not a way to manage your finances, one of the things you do that is regulated. This is not an investment, whether you win or not, it should only be for qualified adults."

Ms. Celeste Jovenir and Ms. Angela Winickie added how they are doing this for the first time and how excited they are about how this will now be out in the public. Hope this will resonate not just for their users, but also for the environment they have, to hopefully be less toxic and exist for the long haul. They also said responsible gaming is everyone's responsibility. They want to educate and protect, to multiply the good. This will be shown in YouTube and their social platforms, including mass advertising. Even before they have invested inside the platform, the next step is to empower them while they are doing it on the KYC and a dedicated tab.

The short films were really fun to watch! You should definitely watch it on their channels.