NELIA: The only suspense thriller Filipino Film in the 47Th MMFF 2021

 CEBU CITY -- Nelia promises to bring intrigue, suspense, and thrills during the holidays when cinemas nationwide open for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival from December 25, 2021, to January 7, 2022.

In this movie directed by Lester Dimaranan with screenplay written by one of its producers Melanie Honey Quiño Marquez, ‘Nelia,’ is portrayed by beauty queen Winwyn Marquez in the title role.

She is a nurse whose womanly instincts and gut feel are aroused because of the mysterious cases happening in the hospital where she works. To what revelations her curiosity will lead her to uncover, all of it will be unraveled in this contemporary motion picture.

“I was watching from FB Live nung announcement. Kinakabahan ako, kasi syempre mga unang movie na binanggit, napakalaking mga artista at pinaghandaan na mga pelikula rin. Nung biglang binanggit yung synopsis napa-record ako bigla kasi di ako makapaniwala. Mixed emotions talaga. Kabado, tuwa, takot, etc.

Pero sobrang grateful na napili ang ‘Nelia’ dahil, alam ko, buong cast and production, binigay lahat noong ginagawa ang film,” lead actress Winwyn Marquez shared.

‘Nelia’ features an impressive cast of Pinoy A-list actors that include Raymond Bagatsing who plays the role of Dr. Rey,  Dexter Doria, Lloyd Samartino, Dan Alvaro, Ali Forbes, Shido Roxas, and Mon Confiado. Also in the cast are Sarah Javier, April Anne Dolot, Massey Sanshoddin, Red Atienza, and introducing Juan Carlos Galano and Aldwin Alegre.

 

Shot in the picturesque city of Gapan in Nueva Ecija, ‘Nelia’ is the first of many quality and entertaining film offerings from A and Q Productions Film, Inc. The power tandem behind A and Q Productions Film, Inc. are Attorney Aldwin F. Alegre and Attorney Mary Melanie H. Quiño.

 #MMFFNelia is showing in Cinema 2, SM City Cebu starting December 25, 202.  Watch the trailer, click link here https://t.co/6rhjuiFsHM (Photos: SM City)

Childlink notes students performed well even with online classes

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Childlink founder and school directress Maria Theresa Tio said that having online learning is not a hindrance but noted that many students performed well even if the classes were done online.

 Tio explained that the school has been able to keep the students interested in their classes.  “They (students) performed well as long as they are given motivation. We just try to find ways to connect the students with their classmates and with the community,” she said.

Doing online classes also helps Childlink to continuously improve, Tio added that online learning helps the school to be globally-minded. With the Internet, it is easier to reach out to people as the school has been collaborating with different learning institutions abroad.

Although the school implemented online learning, they continue to have activities just like when the classes were still face-to-face. Being online does not stop them from continuing this practice. The school held various activities to allow them to experience the outside world even if they remain in their homes, she added.

Tio revealed that on December 8, 2021, Grades 9 and 10 students had a fruitful and engaging day during an online cultural exchange activity with high school students from Yokkaichi Maryknoll High School in Japan.

The Linkers were given the opportunity to know about the Yokkaichi High School and various cultural highlights of Japan.  In turn, the Japanese high school students were treated to music and poetry performances by the Linkers and watched videos showcasing the Philippines.

Tio bared that the school will be holding their online Christmas program for the entire school lasting about an hour and a half before they join their own celebration by class also online.

Childlink also have plans for more activities during the school year 2021-22. Aside from the activities the school administration will be implementing, the Student Council will also be proposing some activities.

“Every year we really try to come up with new activities, we innovate, try to change something. Every quarter, our Student Council conducts activities approved by the school administration,” Tio said.

Through this practice, she explained that the Student Council develops skills on planning and implementation. Childlink Student Council recently organized various online activities that focused on the interests of the Elementary to High School Linkers.

These activities included the arts, karaoke, dance, and games. All these were intended to promote camaraderie among the Linkers and to motivate the students to participate in different activities of interests.

Meanwhile, Childlink continues to implement community outreach projects. Last week, the school turned over donated items from their students and their families to the Rise Above Foundation Cebu, a non-profit non-government organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for the underprivileged families in Cebu, Philippines.

The donated items included used clothes for children and adults as well as other stuff. There was even a donation for a box full of brand-new toys.

With the school’s innovative approach to learning, it’s no surprise that Tio was recognized as the Most Outstanding School Director of the Year by the Business Achievement and Recognition Awards Council for Business Excellence on October 17, 2021. (Photos: Google Images)

 

mWell PH introduces mWellness Score, a daily in-app health tracker

CEBU CITY – mWell PH by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (PSE: MPI) introduced another milestone with the mWellness Score-- a personal in-app health tracker for free that offers users a guide to developing a healthy physical lifestyle for long-term health, without having to spend on extra gadgets or fitness wearables.

Users can easily generate their daily mWellness Score by simply clicking on the Wellness icon on the app, making it a simple and easy way to help keep fitness and wellness goals attainable.

 

Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation said mWell is here to provide easy and convenient ways to improve overall health. “Through the mWellness Score, mWell shall empower more people to reduce disease risk and live their best life,” Cabal-Revilla added.

The mWellness Score was developed in partnership with an award-winning team of doctors and data scientists from Aktivolabs. “We at Aktivolabs are committed to support mWell’s mission to transform healthcare delivery in the Philippines,” Gourab Mukherjee, CEO & Co-Founder of Aktivolabs said.

Mukherjee said that mWell Score is a great start to this partnership, now every Filipino using just a smartphone can make informed lifestyle choices daily to prevent chronic disease and live longer and healthier lives.

Once activated, the mWellness score measures exercise, light activity, sedentary behavior and sleep every day using data-driven methods. Scoring consistently above 80 indicates a healthy physical lifestyle and lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, Aktivolabs said.

Actress and host Roxanne Montealegre, who is an mWell PH app user, expressed excitement upon discovering this new feature, “Instead of staying seated when working from home, I can do simple stretches even in front of the laptop. I can also take regular breaks and play with my baby, walk around the garden or create fun dance videos! Taking these simple steps will definitely give me a good mWellness Score!”

No need for a drastic lifestyle change. All it takes are a few tweaks to make space for physical activity and adequate sleep regularly. To make the path to fitness more exciting, mWell users can set personalized goals, or interact with others on the app, making wellness organically part of their lifestyle.

They can join the Steps Challenge, take more brisk steps as they increase their daily physical activity and move up the leaderboard. Ranking is based on daily average step count.

Aside from the mWellness Score, mWell has also made available customized fitness and nutrition programs developed by Olympians and exercise physiologists as well as calorie-controlled recipes created by dietitians and nutritionists.

MPIC Chairman, Manny Pangilinan expressed confidence in MPIC group’s newest foray in digital healthcare. mWell continues to respond to the needs of Filipinos in restoring their health guided by our partner-doctors and improving their overall wellness with help from fitness and nutrition experts, he said.

“The fully-integrated experience empowers mWell users to be in full co
ntrol of their health and well-being with just a few clicks, in the comfort of their own home. mWell will be their partner in every stage of their wellness journey,” MPIC President and CEO Joey Lim said.

As it strengthens its wellness offers, mWell continues its mission to restore health through telemedicine. mWell’s growing line-up of partner-doctors includes those from top hospitals such as Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos, Asian Hospital and Medical Center De Los Santos Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital and Marikina Valley Medical Center.

It is supported by industry and technology stalwarts, including CareSpan, Telus, LotusFlare, Aktivolabs and active8me and runs on fast secure payments via PayMaya. (Photos: Google Images)

 

 

Imee Marcos proposes cheaper internet for lifeline rates

CEBU CITY -- Senator Imee Marcos proposed cheaper internet access for low-income groups for more Filipinos can benefit from working, learning, and doing business online via Senate Bill 2101 or the “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.”

The socialized pricing mechanism is a solution amid the slow expansion of free WiFi access in poorer areas and can already be put in place by the government and telecommunications firms, according to Senate Bill 2102.  

The bill prescribes a lifeline rate for broadband and data use based on consumption thresholds of not lower than one gigabyte (1GB) per month. “If lifeline rates are being given to water and electricity consumers, why can’t we give similar discounts for internet access?” Marcos raised.

Marcos added that low-income end-users need more than just the occasional mobile promo, with internet access becoming a necessity just like water and electricity. Work-from-home arrangements, online education, e-commerce and internet banking are here to stay.

 

Although the Philippines ranked 48th overall out of 110 countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index 2021, its internet affordability ranked 72nd - the lowest among the five criteria on which digital well-being was assessed by the Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Surfshark.

In the other four criteria, the Philippines ranked 20th in internet quality, 30th in internet security, 63rd in e-infrastructure, and 67th in e-government. (Photos: Google Images)

 

Help is here with ROVER in times of emergencies, disaster response

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY –A start-up emergency responder group of young professionals and college students can now be tapped by communities and local government units in Cebu to assist them in times of emergency, disaster response and trainings.

The Rescue Operation Volunteers and Emergency Responders Corp., (ROVER) was borne out of need and necessity when these group of friends belonging to different outdoor enthusiast clubs are gathered during emergencies and disasters as volunteers/responders.

   

“The group started with 24 members when we registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as we see the need to be formally organized because we noted that people in the communities are very much lacking and ill-equipped with trainings and skills on emergency responses,” ROVER president John Carl Ngujo said.

Now the group has 53 members mostly air force reservists and volunteer responders having that common advocacy of helping others by sharing their skills and knowledge on everything about survival in times of disasters and emergencies, Ngujo added.

According to Caesar Noel Salvan, ROVER treasurer that the group is a free-standing composite emergency light response search and rescue unit with a purpose to respond to disasters, emergencies, and other major calamities within Cebu.  They are categorized as part of the Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO), and a non-partisan entity.

Some of the members are former Red Cross volunteers, mountaineers, bush craft and survival practitioners, and licensed amateur radio operators. Current members are composed of professional individuals with specific skills in the field of medical, education, finance, engineering, and information technology, he bared.

Most of the funds they use for their operations come from their own pockets and all personal protective equipment (PPEs) used during trainings and response operations are mostly personal ownership of members, Salvan said.

ROVER’s mission according to Salvan is to provide the highest quality and up-to-date emergency medical services available to the communities they serve, as well as facilitate first aid education and basic life support training with core values as Respect for Others, Sense of Ownership, Volunteerism, Education and Training, and Resilience.

Salvan bared that initial plan of the founding members was for ROVER to be a stand-by medic and communicators for big private or public events only. However, there were individuals that took notice of its services and requested to conduct first aid and basic life support training to their organization. Thus, the tag line or what they call their duty “Uncompromising Safety and Readiness” was coined.

Salvan said that ROVER has been conducting trainings on first aid and basic life support to a barangay as requested by their Barangay Captain here in Cebu and every weekend to a technical school in Mandaue City.

ROVER trainings for individuals and companies include Basic First Aid (BFA); Basic Life Support (BLS); Outdoor 101; Wilderness First Aid (WFA); Bush Craft and Survival Skills; Motor Vehicular Accident (MVA) Helmet Removal; Basic Vehicle Crash Rescue Extrication; Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Operation; and Other Disaster Preparedness Training.

The group’s training and other activities that were lined up were put on hold during the lockdown as a result of the pandemic.  But now with the restrictions of movements lifted, some individuals have already expressed interest in joining the group, Salvan revealed.

The group is continuously improving its operations through training, state-of-the-art rescue tools acquisition, and member preparation to provide the best possible emergency patient care and community service.

Since ROVER is just a start-up volunteer group, its limited available equipment and logistics is always a challenge. Thus, they are continuously looking for kind donors for support so they could meet the growing demands for their volunteer services.

Those interested to join or help provide response tools and materials to ROVER can send an email to rover.emergencyrescue@gmail.com or contact mobile numbers 0916-246-2119 (Globe) and 256-4519 (landline).

 

 

 

Camotes Island prepares for influx of visitors, tourists post-pandemic

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

SAN FRANCISCO, Camotes Island—The San Francisco Hospitality Association (SFHA) in Camotes Island is now massively preparing for the expected influx of visitors, tourists and guests as 80 percent of the town’s hotels/resorts, homestays, restaurants and beaches are now opened since September 2021 when health protocols were easing out especially in open destinations such as towns and island travels.

The SFHA organized a three-day #CamotesIslandTour first week of December 2021 for a team of local media, bloggers, photographers and film makers to reintroduce the island’s tourism travel experience and to see the preparations of its hospitality sector to welcome visitors and tourists to San Francisco, Camotes Island.

 

San Francisco mayor Alfredo Arquillano, Jr. in an interview with a team said that the pandemic brought huge setback to Camotes tourism, almost 80 percent of the hotels/resorts and other accommodations here closed during the pandemic.

“The local government of San Francisco aims for a 100 percent vaccination especially among the frontliners in the hospitality industry here. We are now about 30-50 percent in our vaccination efforts for the whole town,” Arquillano said.

By January 2021 sea transport trips to Camotes gradually returned and this time with the SFHA, the four shipping companies plying the Camotes Island routes were sounded off to improve their services for safe and comfortable trips/systems, Arquillano added.

He added that the shipping companies are now committed to establish regular route/trips to Camotes and they are talking to local transport owners for more buses, jeeps and other sustainable forms of transport to the town’s tourism sites.

According to Julito Pulvera, president of SFHA that the first thing the association did was to gather all the hospitality stakeholders here, owners of resorts, hotels, hostels, homestays, beachfronts and restaurants and transport business owners to discuss how they can prepare, promote and improve the local tourism services and hospitality industry in San Francisco.

 “We’ve been mulling to invite you people to promote the resorts, homestays and the Island’s tourism income to help the local hospitality industry to raise issues and concerns and to create a tourism brochure for Camotes Island. Timely for the SFHA to cooperate for this local #CamotesIslandTour,” Pulvera said.

Pulvera bared that the pre-pandemic tourists’ traffic in San Francisco, Camotes was at 70-80 percent active with more than 500 visitors daily and it dwindled to about 100 visitors daily sometime in August until today.

Boboi Costas, a resident of Camotes Island and a staunch advocate for sustainable eco-tourism said that Camotes Island, starting from San Francisco town has what it takes to be a model for a quality destination, safer tourism in the new normal.

“What’s needed is to gather all tourism stakeholders to plan and create one destination for a sustainable island where local communities are trained and equipped with knowledge on resiliency, safety, an island that ca withstand health, financial crisis or dwindling natural resources,” Costas said.

SFHA aims to create a social-economic resilient Camotes with awareness on the quality of tourists, visitors and guests the Island can attract,” Costas added.

Costas went on that the local government and tourism/hospitality stakeholders in Camotes Island also share the same vision, collective vision and it’s just a matter of inspiring and educating them because they all know the benefits of tourism in the island’s economy.

“Tourism policy making must be always based on evidence or science and social dimensions of development.  This is what San Francisco and other towns in Camotes want to achieve once tourism is back on its feet for the islanders,” Costas said.