MIDNIGHT GIRLS: Excellent Depiction of Social Issues and Family Relationships

Just by face value, this new film called "Midnight Girls" felt like a dream come true. Imagine putting together some of the country's best actresses who's work speaks largely on their previous projects like Jodi Sta. Maria, Jane Oineza, Sanya Lopez and Loisa Andalio - and then have blockbuster Director Irene Villamor do it at the the beautiful Nagoya, Japan. 

For those who don't know, a lot of entertainers (mostly singers, performers and dancers) went to Japan for work since the 80's, 90's... and it still is happening today. The film gives a glimpse of not just working conditions, but the actual dynamics of family life, of how little appreciation they get from working there, and how their relationships happen in dire conditions because they still want to survive... and take care of the folks back home.

Here's the Mediacon which happened at Gateway Cinemas:

Jodi Sta. Maria is her old self, doing easy work on dramatic moments especially the scenes with Zaijan Jaranilla (where you'll probably cry). I like the character of Sanya Lopez because she's so extra as Trix. Loud but quirky, she absolutely loves to fall in love and wish for the prince charming she deserves. The person playing the Japanese partner of Sanya in the movie is super attractive, but in real life changed the whole conversation they made for the film. Since he's doing theater, he was alarmed that the script contained non conversational Japanese, so they had to do everything from scratch in just 3 days. The whole cast also needed to learn Japanese (hence the long production), but it was essential to understand how they got to talk with their patrons. Jane Oineza's character is interesting, and you'll need to figure out why she's doing a lot of the unnecessary stuff while she's figuring out who she is in the movie. Loisa on the other hand also did good as Bea, and the manner she treated her boyfriend (Miggy Jimenez) made me realize how corny people get at times when we fall in love. Her story was also intense, when people realize the need to work to put food on the table, but this doesn't equate to who you are as a person. A lot of this will be seen on the film when it comes out May 13 nationwide.

This is produced by TJAV Films (who's got a very young producer behind it) and is released in the Philippines by Warner Brothers. This will also be part of the Far East Festival in Italy, so your support is needed for that too. I'd gladly put this at 4/5, for it's excellence in discussing social issues. I'm sure you've got OFW's who've gone through the same and would easily connect with them individually.

Crazy Deal: Mulach Ensaymada To Pay for Diamonds?

Filipino actor and Ensaymada mogul Niño Mulach just got the itch to get himself a prized piece from Maddox Jewelry. So he headed off their main showroom at  J.P. Rizal Street in Marikina City. This was intended as a gift for his wife and he wanted to make sure to get his money's worth so he met with Maddox Jewelry owner Madame Charo Cordial. 

During the meet, Niño suggested he could barter with the jewelry item with his very own Mulach Ensaymada, a delicacy known the world over made in his apartment complex in Cubao, Quezon City. Surprised with his terms, it might actually need a ton of the products to swap with the diamonds, but of course he said he was just kidding. 

Niño actually bought pieces that amounted to PHP 200,000 which he immediately paid for. All these to spoil his wife of course! Ms. Charo on the other hand sees this as another moment to see how she always made the price FIXED for all the pieces she laid out for her streams and avid viewers. People have always loved how her diamonds and gold prices have been appropriately priced (not too expensive). Niño also got his son Sandro during the small talk, they touched largely on the promising actors experience in showbusiness and how the case is still in court. Niño promises how he's going to be behind his son all the way, together with his whole family. 

You too can visit the Maddox Jewelry showroom located at 1011 AZDM Building  JP Rizal Street in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City. See this episode on their YouTube channel on Maddox_Jewelry. They also have it posted on their Facebook page where they do the streams too. 

Meet the Expert: The "Nose Fairy" Dr. Ruthlyn Pecolera-Salvosa

Meeting women that have done remarkable feats is always a good thing. Her story is inspiring, one that could mirror an ordinary Filipino who's life depended on OFWs, pure hard work, and overcoming challenges. She is Dr. Ruthlyn Pecolera-Salvosa, an ENT, a facial plastic surgeon, and a rhinoplasty expert dubbed as "The Nose Fairy" by many. She also did several complex revision surgeries successfully which I deem is important in the industry. 

Dr. Salvosa says "If you look good, there is social advantage. You enhance something, people are naturally drawn to that. The positivity is there, and other things follow."

She adds "Ideally when we see patients, we'd have consultations even before. With social media, they want it to happen immediately but I try to do it the conventional way. Patients appreciate this so they grasp achievable results with the proper treatment plans. I have broken a lot of hearts because it has to fit your personality and anatomy, with your nose, skin and the realistic outcomes.I took a bit of interior design, highlighting focal points, if you fix the nose, you can see everything else is going to be easy. It makes a LOT of difference."

Here's our blog conference organized by the good people of Verde Creatives.

RPS Aesthetics is located at J & S Building, 104 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. They also have branches in Sto. Tomas in Batangas and Angeles City in Pampanga. 

At their clinics, they also have procedures that utilize Galderma products such as Sculptra (collagen stimulators) and Restylane (fillers). So if you're interested, give them a call (02) 7001 3150. Or simply inquire via her Facebook page (search her name) to book appointments. 

It was indeed a pleasure meeting you Dr. Salvosa!

BI's Viado to Meet IBMATA's Ayley To Address PH Border Management Challenges

 

While the Philippines sit on Earth's equator, it's total coastline is 22,548 miles which means management of it would prove challenging for any entity. This week, the International Border Management and Technologies Association's CEO Sharon Ayley will be in talks with the PH Bureau of Immigration very own Commissioner Anthony Viado to take serious steps in addressing what the Philippines is facing with regards to trafficking, security and border practices. 

Ayley says "We hold summits in 5 regions, find information and solutions. Trafficking is an important issue, and there's a need to talk about it, need to communicate not just for professionals but the community. Parents need to talk to children as they are targeting vulnerable people. The best way to protect themselves is by being informed. IBMATA does a series of workshops for this particular subject and this isn't an isolated issue in the Philippines, it is a global problem. The output of that is that technology can help with the problem, to protect the vulnerable people." 

She adds "With advanced analytics and AI tools, it can help us identify unusual travel patterns. It also helps monitoring watch lists, but it's not 100 percent. People in the front lines are working at higher pressure and have to make critical decisions. We need to make sure they have the tools, technology to make sure they have the information and trust their instincts. We need to get them training, help and support that they need."

Here's our talk about PH border challenges, and a few things that the country is doing good at; 

She puts emphasis on the country having multiple ports of entry (we have 7160 islands++) which makes it extra hard to do. She suggests to have it done with standards on each border. With systems in place like biometrics, and e-gates (where I think BI is already doing). This puts legitimate travelers with lesser hindrance so border agents get to concentrate on bigger issues like high risk cases to combat trafficking and other matters. It is here and is happening, we are 2nd globally according to statistics. 

She also suggests data sharing with not just government offices, but other ports elsewhere in the world (with ample security) and see it real time. This also includes biometrics to lessen identification concerns. This will also stop exploitation, and hopefully will put a stop with the issues mentioned earlier. Education, access to information is certainly the first line of defense. They have plans to hold future events and might take on other organization to help host it.

 

Here's hoping that the things they'll be covering this week will get some questions answered and actionable items be accomplished.