Looks like DigiPlus Interactive Corporation has added another feather to their hat as their internet gaming platform called ArenaPlus just gained the nod of the SIGMA Group, the largest events and media org that recognizes the best in tech, digital health and affiliate industries. They were handed the award in Manila during the recent SIGMA Asia Awards 2024 and was noted best in innovations on their platform.
DigiPlus President Andy Tsui welcomed this recognition and said "Thank you SIGMA Awards for this honor as we continue to revolutionize the Filipinos entertainment experience on our platform. We work hard on making sure that are innovations are felt, and hope they see our creativity in everything we have exhibited here."
DigiPlus also participated in the SIGMA Asia Convention, highlighting the things that both BingoPlus and ArenaPlus has accomplished these past year. They also supported the Startup Pitch Section in the event so they could discover more and help others in their respective projects too.
This is just one of the few awards they received this year. They had multiple wins at 9th Global Good Governance Awards last month in Taguig, plus one from Cmbridge Financial Finance Advisory for their Best in class Social Responsibility Campaign, and Excellence in ESG. Congratulations to the men and women who made this possible for DigiPlus!
I distinctly remember watching re-runs of Pieta on television back in the day. It was made by Carlo J. Caparas, and stars Ace Vergel†, Charito Solis† and so many others. The other was for TV with Ryan Agoncillo and the iconic Ms. Cherie Gil†. I was looking forward to see this version of "PIETA" made by director Adolfo Alix Jr. which stars National Artist and Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor and former Congressman and now Councilor Alfred Vargas from Quezon City. During MMFF 2023, they didn't include this film in the lineup. It would have made history to see the legendary actresses battle it out in cinemas, but I guess fate had other plans.
Good news for those who wait as this film produced by Alternative Vision Cinema Inc. and Noble Wolf Films will be shown in January in cinemas nationwide. But before that happens, we got first dibs during the advanced screening last week at Sine Pop in Cubao, Quezon City.
First of all, the cast is a lethal combination. If you could measure acting prowess with a device, it would break if you put them together in one room. With the likes of Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Angeli Bayani, Bembol Roco, it would be a bit impossible not to see how rich their bench is. Also in the cast is Ina Raymundo, Allan Paule, Dan Alvaro, Elora Espano, and Tommy Alejandrino, who will all get themselves involved in the lives of Rebecca and Isaac (played by Nora and Alfred).
This piece is totally different from the Caparas film, and is not in any way related to it. PIETA is written by heavily awarded Jerry Gracio known for his work in several movies, MMK on TV, screenplays and great literary work in Filipino. He's also a Palanca awardee, so you could sense there's great expectations in actually having this written for the silver screen.
Alfred Vargas' character Isaac lives in troubled times. Having spent years in incarceration, he was given a second chance to live a good life. He was in for murder, but remained oblivious about what happened. When he arrived home, his Mom had supposed Alzheimer's disease or some form of dementia. Nora's character Rebecca used to religiously visit him in jail but suddenly stopped, and they attributed it to the condition which he found out after arriving at the ancestral home/farm. He found her there almost completely blind, unaware of who he is, with Beth (played by Gina Alajar) providing care for her.
He was set on now dividing his time in finding out the truth, and see ways on how he could at least get to be recognized by his own Mom. He also knew how his own brother stood witness against him, but he couldn't figure out why. This and all the other complications in his new life happens, right when he thought he was doing good.
The film discusses a lot of social issues, but its main essence lies on the relationship of the Mother and Son. This is their journey to discovering how even if the mind won't recognize who he is, her heart would eventually know. Their attempts to reconnect treads cute to dark poetry, dance and even folk songs. Her singing? Can't tell if she did (as it might spoil things), but it'll fit right with Rebecca's silent moments which you'll find essential. Director Adolf Alix Jr. knows how to set up things on the plot, a lot of which you'll find flipped and reversed.
Putting Ms. Nora Aunor in a film is like an automatic masterclass of sorts. It felt like a treat to see her in PIETA. There's a Filipino term "mata-mata acting" which connotes acting with just the eyes... and how powerful she could encompass emotions with it (let alone do it while blind). She's literally known for that in the industry; and how even without words, she could do it with ease. That's one of the reasons she's adored, and highly regarded by peers. Direk Adolf also emphasized how Ms. Nora doesn't fear CHANGE, they've absolutely done remarkable work and let the eyes talk lengthily in this film. They did the same for Alfred Vargas' scenes and close up shots. Make sure you watch it in cinemas because it'll feel a lot different. They're planning to release this also in streaming platforms so it could get to Noranians around the world.
Here's Director Adolfo Alix Jr. talking about his experience with the cast:
PIETA will be released during the 1st Quarter of 2024. I like what I saw. This acting piece didn't go to the wrong people. It's rare to see an ensemble cast of this caliber to happen in a film.
Looks like BIGO Live is celebrating in a grand way as they hold the first ever BIGO Live Philippines Annual Awards Gala this coming December 23rd at 8PM. This streaming platform has entertained countless Filipinos and connected us to various content creators across the world.
This time, the locals will be given their well deserved recognition especially since hosts, users, agencies and partners have always gotten the community alive and kicking all these years. It will be given to three categories particularly The Host Awards, The Agency Awards, and The Family Awards. Live performances are also going to be seen as The Top Performer of the Night, The Best Team of the Night and The Best MC of the Night will be determined from it. It'll also be done via votes specifically during that day so if you've got someone you love, it's the best time to show your support.
A new innovation will also be launched called "Virtual Love 3D Avatars".
Pretty sick to see how this will pan out as this may change the way
BIGO Live will work especially in the realm of VR, AR and content
creation in the platform. Make sure you are there on December 23, as
I'll be watching too!
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