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!

LADLAD PL, STRAP and VERDE Creatives Issue Statement of Support and Call for Action

A few days ago, we got to participate in a talk amongst some of our trans sisters, Ladlad Partylist, Verde Creatives, STRAP, and Commission on Human Rights, about the real issues they go through in life, and even in death which have marred their gender identity, done personal or otherwise especially by media practitioners and government workers.

Using their preferred pronouns should be fundamental, and while I don't forget this part when I write, a lot of tabloid and newspaper writers and editors continue to do that which not only feels hurtful for them, but severely invalidating. 

This is why Verde Creatives, STRAP, Ladlad Partylist and trans organizations have issued a statement about this. It's time we change things to not only promote inclusivity, but put respect especially for transpinays. Not to force, but to consider and put a spotlight and give what is due them. 

In 2025, oppression has no place in society. I'd like to send my support for not jus their cause but simply their human rights. I am also for the passage of the SOGIESC Bill, which has been filed over 26 years ago. That's an adult, and they only ask for equal rights, nothing special, which is mind boggling to say the least.

The talk was certainly a nice venue to explain procedures, on media, social media and the choices we make. I fervently hope people would NOT turn a blind eye about what they are fighting for. Be aware of Live/Dead names, understand that Transpinay lives are also human lives. All they ask is to be treated as equals.

A Plea to Get Movie Goers Back to Cinemas: SRR Evil Origins Showcase Stars for MMFF

Just got out of the Gateway cinemas to cover the grand press conference of Shake Rattle and Roll Evil Origins, a Regal Entertainment entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. The producers Ms. Roselle Monteverde and Atty. Keith Monteverde went up on stage and told us about this big project and how it was mounted despite several challenges in doing another Shake Rattle and Roll movie. 

They required it to be not just different, but connected as far as episodes go. They needed 3 writers and 3 directors to do this and separated them like period films, one takes place in 1775, 2025 and 2050. They also had an ensemble of actors to portray the various characters included in the film. During the press conference, they introduced themselves and expressed how thankful they were just by being part of the iconic horror franchise. Speaking of iconic, one of the films original actress was making a comeback particularly Ms. Manilyn Reynes (who appeared in the Aswang episode of the second installment). Popular loveteams JMFyang, FranSeth is also a part of this film, which would be a litmus test to see if they'd carry the film in its entirety. People were screaming in the cinema with the mere mention of their names, not surprised and hope this equally means they're going to rush to theaters this Christmas too.

FranSeth felt pressured to do good especially since they were able to surprise folks with last year's MMFF entry from the same production. This project is also one of many movies that Richard Gutierrez will be doing with Regal, so staty tuned for the next ones to be released soon. Ms. Annabelle Rama and Zion was in the audience to support him, a touching sight (as I was at their back during the talk).

Here's what happened on video:

While the movie and the rest of the entries are preparing for battle on Christmas Day for the Metro Manila Film Festival, their goal always has been to make sure people would go back to pre pandemic levels of people watching local films. They have the material, the star power and production that can do good, and they hope you'd give them the attention they deserve on MMFF season, and beyond on digital!

ION PEREZ and VICE GANDA are Fitting Endorsers for BELLE DOLLS

I've been covering Beautéderm events for a while now but this has been the most secretive event so far that I didn't know who the new Belle Dolls brand ambassador would be til the last minute. 

Belle Dolls has been a really bullish health and beauty drink brand under Beautéderm corp and I've personally consumed bags of the Beauté Secret Collagen Juice Drink (Strawberry and Lychee flavor) and the Beauté Secret Stem Cell Drink which the new personality will endorse, no other than the Unkabogable Superstar Vice Ganda. Her husband Ion Perez on the other hand will be handling Beauté Secret Black Coffee and the Beauté Secret Healthy Coffee which has Caramel Macchiato flavors in it. 

These products have healthy ingredients that would take care of your gut health, skin, aid in mental clarity, and your lovely nails. The coffee line also has stevia for sweetener, and is healthy which Ion wants so he could take care of himself and Vice too. 

Ms. Rei Tan talked lengthily about how even before this endorsement came, she and Vice have been working together to make sure those who have no access to education will be given the opportunity to go to school and finish their courses. Ms Rei and Vice are very passionate about it, and if this means they'll be helping less fortunate kids gain education, they would be glad to do so. Vice has been taking notes of people who genuinely care for others and he's seen what Ms. Rei has done not only to those who are in the north (as a proud Ilocana) but also those in Pampanga since Angeles City is where the Beautéderm Headquarters is located. Vice also knows how genuine Ms. Rei is because of the several instances they worked together, without any hitches or issues. 

Ion on the other hand may have been nervous knowing about this endorsement, but he became very comfortable because of the fact that owner Ms. Rei spoke Kapampangan, a dialect that they too used in Tarlac where Ion is based. Ion is super into healthy stuff, and told the press that he's been encouraging Vice a lot by changing her lifestyle especially getting enough sleep and watching what she eats and drink. These days, they are prioritizing themselves, because they realized they wouldn't be able to help others if they don't take care of their own health.

Ms. Rei knows that Vice and Ion are real genuine people, and exactly would represent their Belle Dolls brand. She also lauds them for being so confident and very ready to motivate other people using their influence for good. It's also their authenticity that she admires, which she finds on and off camera. With the brand, they could now start seeing the benefits of products where Filipinos would have careful choices and find it available all throughout the Philippines.

Congratulations to Ms. Rei, Belle Dolls, to Ion and Vice too! It just fits like a glove, definitely!