Dennis Trillo, LJ Reyes and Director Mike Tuviera for The Janitor

Wednesday, October 15, 2014



Director Mike Tuviera (center), Dennis Trillo and LJ Reyes for The Janitor

It's now out on theaters and this might be a little late already to post but here's a rundown of what happened during the blog conference of The Janitor. This is the same film that was shown in Cinemalaya's Director's showcase which stars hunky Dennis Trillo, LJ Reyes and a couple more people from ABSCBN and different networks. It's not usual that you see them in Star Cinema but since the film outfit is the one releasing it in cinemas, we got the chance to talk to them last week. I missed this during that festival so it's a good thing they're releasing it on regular theaters. It's more of a thriller, the plot is also rich with conflicts betweem Dennis and the other characters like Richard Gomez, Derek Ramsey and how the love of LJ Reyes makes it all worthwhile. LJ by the way was also lauded because it made them a bit more human according to foreign critics who watched the film. They also got to be invited in international festivals but they're still finalizing everything so watch out for that.





Dennis said he didn't have any hesitations accepting this film. He says he knows how the indie film industry works and it was more fulfilling for him because he's being praised doing his craft. He's been longing for projects like this and this was some sort of a jackpot for him seeing the roster of artists involved in it. Director Mike says he's flattered that the people have said it looks mainstream but he says he used the same equipment as those used in Hari ng Tondo because they helped each other doing that. LJ wanted to work with Dennis as a leading lady because she has worked with him in the past in supporting roles too. LJ was the perfect pick of Direk Mike, and so was the other characters... like a dream cast. They thought they would not be able to get them but suddenly, they all became available so that was a great thing. Two days before shooting, those impossible ones on Direk's list suddenly all came together, and they haven't even talked about payment yet.

Plan International Philippines and their fight to end Teenage Pregnancy


Carin van der Hor, Plan International's Country Director in the Philippines and Marco Savio, Plan International's Deputy Country Director for Programs.
Alarming. The Philippines is actually leading in teenage pregnancy rates according to a recent survey. Plan International says every hour 576 more babies are born in the Philippines. There is a big correlation between poverty, but the major cause of it is lack of education. Ms. Carin van de Hor of Plan International says even though they are working with local government, and national agencies, it's still not enough and they have to start with something. The National Youth Commission gave them really good numbers that have been put to good use in statistics, then used for other agencies. These teenagers have no access to information and it's time to take action. Aside from that, there should be health reasons why this shouldn't be the case. A 14 year old for example should not undergo birthing yet because their bodies are not ready the child will have growth stunting - and not have life to its full potential. This cycle will keep repeating and if we don't work on the education and awareness of these teens, of which they are part of the demographic. It's a very sad statistic they exclaimed. They work in health, disaster risk reduction and the rest, but they know they had to have a more holistic approach. This is how it's supposed to be addressed.



Marco Savio, Plan International's Deputy Country Director for Programs says "We have education projects and we target areas that are also run by the government and address the reasons why they don't go to school and such. We tailor support to the children and we are doing 15,000 now (just on this project). We are using systems that are already approved by local government. We are helping them to support the children in their areas. There are a lot of problems, in the Philippines, parents know the importance of education and we are working on this. We have never had parents tell us they never want their children to school, like building bridges, pay for transportation, this is where other foundations come in. Right now, we have Dubai Cares here celebrating with us with their CEO. They've funded projects like these and provide for more children in places like Samar, Leyte and others. We measure success by the number of schools completed, the rate and number of graduates, how many of them move on and have highschool or college degrees and other KPI's. "

"We also check their health status, the number of pregnancies, no malnutrition, and the rest. There are different reasons in rural areas, distance and stuff. In the urban areas, the slums, the lack of work, there are a lot of things too. We are working in Mindoro, like with Mangyans, we give them knowledge and give them the ability to have choice. We work with different private organizations and help the government with their own programs. We do that in certain levels. We also work very closely with UN and their other divisions. They don't just fund, they share resources and we put our strengths together. We have stayed here for 53 years and we have a lot of areas that already have seen results. We help them do peer education as well so they can do it on their own. We do a lot of creative work so children go back to school. We support the structure of the community so everyone would be able to benefit. We do this in any given time and move in different areas in the country. We have offices everywhere and we hope to be able to bring these communities to be self sufficient and have all their issues resolved in 10 years or less." adds Ms. Carin van de Hor.

They also held a mini concert in Alabang Town Center that afternoon to bring awareness for the cause.

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Plan International's "Because I'm a Girl" Mini concert featuring Suitcase101 Band and Voces Aurorae Girls Choir. Even if it's raining, they sound heavenly

I hope they get to help more people. Teenage pregnancy is indeed a big issue and we should start to learn how to tell the young ones how to have a healthier lifestyle, a successful life and a great mind to know when they should have their own offspring. Not when they are kids themselves. Thanks to Kairos Solutions and AnakTV also for helping them to reach that goal.


We also had Ms. Mikee Cojuanco Jaworski and the Ms. Earth Philippines candidates helping to raise awareness for the cause. They also had a short bike event in Marikina earlier that day. Mikee believes that aside from the parents, children should have a community of people who they can look up to, to have the knowledge and wisdom that could empower them to be better people. Education should start from the home and she adds that it should be to a point where girls would be able to decypher for themselves a sound decision, a right decision, one that they formulated themselves. In giving them education, she believes that we will get to have them achieve more. On the teenage pregnancy situation in the Philippines, she feel sad because teenagers are not ready because they haven't lived a full life themselves yet. Children should not suffer hunger later on and suffer consequences which their parents have decided on. The responsibility of bringing up a child is big, you can't learn that as a girl if you're still too young and haven't even played yourself and see the world as it is. That is just selfish. They don't know that yet.

She made a really good point. I hope together, these foundations and Plan International would be able to succeed in their goal of bringing the teenage pregnancy rates down in our country. I hope it's not just a dream.

COW

For more information about their cause:
planphilippines
Plan International Philippines
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.plan-international.org/philippines

3 Parties You Should Not Miss During MassKara Festival


I work hard but party harder. This year, I'll be flying to Bacolod to witness the MassKara Festival. It's my first time but I do frequent the place because almost all my relatives are there. I know the arrangements for the streetdance and grand parade are already being done because I know a few who will be part of that. But when the night comes, we don't have to just go home and sleep... we need to party even more!

I've taken the pleasure of listing down 3 major parties that you should not miss during this weekend. You need to be in the most happening places in Bacolod so you would not just sulk in your hotel room while you're on vacation.


Party #1


MassKara Love Dance


On October 17, 2014, head on the Central Football Field in Mandalagan, Bacolod City. The whole place will be transformed into a music festival ground where freedom, expression and screams will be sacred. They will take you to that place where a weekend of party and love converge. It'll happen from 12 Noon to sunrise the next day! I will be there to take photos of people so see you!

Party #2





Cafe Bob's is a landmark in Lacson Street and if you're doing MassKara, you should never miss this 2 day spectacle that will happen on the actual street. They are also bringing in Spectrum Live! They'll be coming in with the best of the best acts in Visayas and Mindanao. DJ's from Spectrum will be spinning right after the sun sets. Lights and sounds on this grand EDM party might not be seen quite a while in this side of the Philippines so if you're into it, come grace the Invasion Tour in Bacolod! This will happen in 2 days, October 17-18 so you've got time to roam around and enjoy this one!


Party #3


This is the BIGGEST outdoor dance festival in Bacolod. Think about the lineup of 35 DJ's, 4 MC's, 2 bands all being done in 4 long nights. From October 16 to 19, you'll have to go out and celebrate their themes Inception, Awakening, Kaleidoscope and the Charter Day Electric Dance Parade. Heck my friend Santi Santos from Manila is also spinning here! Best of all, this party has NO ENTRANCE FEE and will happen on the actual Lacson Street so make sure you join the festivities brought to you by SMART, as they show you how to LIVE MORE!

There will be a designated SMART ZONE along Lacson Street where you can join activities and WIN prizes! For details on how to get tickets to these parties, follow @SmartPromos on Twitter or check out their social media channels below!

COW

For more information about their services:
Smart Communications
Smart Communications
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://smart.com.ph/

2015 Feng Shui Updates from Marites Allen


Ms. Marites Allen, an international Feng Shui expert.
I've never met her in person. I think I've seen her once or twice on TV giving advice to one or more celebrities and telling them about their fortune for the coming year. She also gets to tell them if it's going to be good or bad during that same period. Honestly, I'm a skeptic. I don't believe much in mumbo jumbo. I went inside the hotel to practically see her saying hi to everyone coming in. We exchanged pleasantries, then I went in. I figured I could take time to listen and see how this fares later on.


Aside from her gorgeous green outfit, she was clad in various crystals, charms, jade rings and bracelets. She also had this multiple infinity pendant worn for prosperity. Now I know you must be skeptic too, but think about it. This thing has existed for centuries already, if there weren't any truth to it then it would have been gone a long time ago. They might be telling our fortunes and all but they always say that it's up to us to make our own fortune. This year in fact, she says will be auspicious one because she's seen almost all the elements represented in the destiny chart. It would have been unlucky for some, but she says they always have options. They've got charms to at least help those that would be in the same predicament to at least stay afloat with their life and personal journeys.