Martyr or Murderer, the movie for special block screening in Cebu on March 11

CEBU CITY— “Martyr or Murderer", the sequel to Darryl Yap's Mega Blockbuster hit "Maid in Malacañang" is showing in cinemas on March 1, with a special block screening in Cebu City on March 11 at SM-Cinema 7 and as expected, there is great rejoicing over this film coming from the director's followers and supporters who made #MOMTheOfficialPoster trend for two days upon its official release on Monday, January 30.

In a grand media conference on March 11 at Crown Regency hotel & Towers, the MOM stars invited Cebuanos to watch the film saying, it is the 2nd sequel to the trilogy "Maid in Malacanang" story.

Senator Imee Marcos said, this movie reflects how important the family is in times of adversities and victories as well.  "Martyr or Murderer" production is a hybrid of documentaries and creative storytelling of one of the most controversial issues in the life and presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

On his Facebook post, Yap expressed his gratitude for the hype and enumerated the numbers of the reactions and shares that the poster received in just 2 days: nearly 200,000 accumulated reactions on all postings across mainstream media, 54,000 reactions on Vincentiments official pages, 17,000 shares, and 6,400 uploads on personal accounts and pages.

"Martyr or Murderer" recounts what happened to the family before and after EDSA Revolution, a sneak peak to their life in exile, and a brave discussion on the intrigues surrounding Imee Marcos's exploits in Morocco. 

Did she really go into hiding and forge passports? How did her siblings cope with the sudden turn of events? How did the ailing patriarch and his Imeldific wife carry on with their lives after being stripped of power and dignity?

Furthermore, the film aims to provide answers to the unending hows and whys involving President Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos and his greatest nemesis, Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr.

How did all the strife between them start? How was Ninoy Aquino perceived by the people around him? Why was his death blamed on the Marcoses? And all these questions lead to even bigger ones: Who is the real martyr? Who is the real murderer?

Cristine Reyes, Cesar Montano, Ruffa Gutierrez, , Diego Loyzaga, and Ella Cruz reprise their roles as Imee Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos, Bongbong Marcos and Irene Marcos. Isko Moreno plays Ninoy Aquino. Jerome Ponce plays the young Ninoy. 

The powerhouse cast also includes Marco Gumabao as the young Marcos Sr., Cindy Miranda as the young Imleda, Elizabeth Oropesa and Beverly Salviejo as the remaining maids of the Marcos Family, and Rose Van Ginkel as Maricar, Ime's confidante during in Morocco.

Their story continues to unfold on the big screen. Watch "Martyr or Murderer" now showing in cinemas nationwide.

CCLEC wins Gold, Silver Anvil Awards for CCLEX campaigns

​CEBU CITY— The Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) won two awards in the 58th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal, March 8 at Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport City Complex in Pasay City for its communication campaigns. 

“It is our team’s first time to join the Anvil Awards and we are extremely grateful for having received these recognition and honor. These also drive and challenge us to not only continue implementing campaigns that promote our modern and iconic expressway but also execute programs that are relevant to our motorists,” CCLEC President & General Manager Allan Alfon said. 

 

CCLEC’s overall communication campaign that introduced the 8.9-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) was given a Gold Anvil. The campaign introduced CCLEC as a toll facility and made it acceptable to Cebu motorists through the use of digital, out-of-home, and traditional communication tools.  

CCLEC’s use of social media to highlight the benefits of using the expressway was recognized with a Silver Anvil.

The Anvil Award, presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) is given to outstanding public relations programs, campaigns, and tools. It is the symbol of excellence in the field of public relations in the country.

 

CCLEX, which was opened to the public in April 2022 is the first toll road outside of Luzon of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), a publicly listed infrastructure holding company and member of the MVP Group of Companies.

 

CCLEX, which links mainland Cebu through Cebu City’s South Road Properties to Mactan Island through the town of Cordova, is Cebu’s new iconic landmark. It is now the country’s tallest and longest bridge.

 

CCLEX is expected to ease traffic and make traveling more convenient in Cebu. It is also eyed to spur trade and open greater economic opportunities for Cebu and the rest of the Visayas region. (Photos: CCLEC)

JCI Zugbuana launches 4 major projects for women empowerment, dev't

CEBU CITY—The Junior Chamber of International Philippines-Zugbuana launched four major projects “March for Women” in celebration and observance of International Women’s Day on March 8 at the Mercedez Benz showroom, Nivel Hills, Cebu City and one with all women globally to initiate projects that support women’s empowerment, health and wellbeing.

Aileen Tecson, director, JCI Zugbuana said that these four major projects namely; Locks of Love, CAN for Hope, EmpowHer and Women for Women Fashion Show have continuously benefitted women through its various events and activities that concerns women’s health, empowerment, development and livelihood.

“These projects not only celebrate the contribution of remarkable women here but also provide opportunities to uplift women's lives,” Tecson said during the “March for Women” project launch event at Mercedez Benz showroom.

Locks of Love.  This is one of JCI Zugbuana’s legacy projects that involves hair donation drive for cancer patients in need of wigs and this is an all-year-round activity with haircut for free of at least 12-inch long hair in collaboration with David Salon since 2016.  

“Locks of Love” project chair Kimberly Uy bared that JCI Zugbuana received over 98 hair donations in 2022 and so far, 10 wigs have been donated to cancer patients in Cebu.  This year, the project continues its legacy of spreading love, hope, awareness and empowerment “one strand at a time”.

A Can for Hope. This is a donation drive that runs for six months where all proceeds go to the JCI Zugbuana beneficiaries such as Glory Reborn, Zugs Cancer Initiatives and Zugbuana Cares projects. 

A can for Hope project chair, Cathryn Louise Macias revealed that in 2022, it raised some P30K with the 83 cans distributed in stores and in JCI friends’ offices including shipping lines, others.  Macias said, they hope to raise more than P100K this year with 100 cans being distributed in stores from March to October 2023.

Macias bared the amount raised within the six-month campaign is to help women who need special medical treatments and promote maternal care.  Some amounts like, 19 cents are for Antenatal care; 22 cents are for social work program; 20 cents for healthcare workers, nurses and they like; 24 cents for postpartum care; 15 cents for medicines and others. 

EmpowHer Mabolo. This is a Livelihood Skills Training Program for the women and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) youth in Barangay Mabolo to hone their skills for livelihood and ensuring income source for the family. 

Program chair, Jana Marie Pages with members of JCI Zugbuana and Barangay Mabolo councilor Jackson Tudtud signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to undertake livelihood skills training program such as reflexology, candle and or perfume making for the SK. 

“We are targeting 200 women and youth ages 13 up for this year’s training program and we will be having our Women’s Month culminating activity with a livelihood event in Barangay Mabolo on March 26. See you there,” Pages added.

Women for Women.  This is a fashion show for a cause, it’s 2^nd year run spearheaded by the JCI Zugbuana in collaboration with Global Star Motors Corporation | Mercedes Benz Cebu and Clothes for Life. 

The event aims to raise funds for the chosen beneficiaries: C.U.R.E. Foundation, a non-profit organization that rescues and shelters women and children who have been exploited, and JCI Zugbuana's future community development projects.

Project chair, Grace Noelle Te said that the fashion show for a cause exhibits novelty creation from renowned Cebuano designers such as Philip Tampus, Rei Escario, la Coca, and Abello Couture on March 31, at the Mercedez Benz showroom.

Their works of art will be worn by their muses - empowered Cebuanas who have made a high impact in the society and have inspiring stories to share, Te added.

The JCI Zugbuana is a non-profit international non-government organization and an all-female leadership training organization that is dedicated to the development of business and civic leaders for the last 32 years. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

PSN calls on Filipinos to take care of their kidneys to stop chronic kidney disease

CEBU CITY – The Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) is continuously calling on Filipinos to take care of their kidneys to stop the rising chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the country with the increasing number of people requiring dialysis.

In a World Kidney Day lay forum on March 9 at the Archdiocesan Museum grounds in Cebu, local PSN and Department of Health (DOH) officers and healthcare workers reminded Filipinos that the kidneys are important to overall health and becoming informed about CKD is a great first step to prevent or managing the disease.

“All of us need to be informed of the importance of our kidneys to our general health. Everyone needs to be aware of the risk factors and signs and symptoms of kidney disease, and see a doctor for proper diagnosis even those without symptoms but are at risk,” PSN President Dr. Maaliddin Biruar said.

Biruar bared that data from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI that one Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour or about 120 Filipinos per million population every year. Worse, it remains underdiagnosed.

The World Kidney Day is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of kidneys not only to one’s overall health but also to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease worldwide.

The PSN is undertaking a lay forum informing Filipino patients about kidney functions and CKD—its risk factors and causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests for the disease, and golden rules for healthy kidneys.

Biruar said that majority have no symptoms, especially in early CKD, and so it is best to check with doctors if one thinks he/she is at risk adding that risk factors include high blood sugar, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, smoking, age over 60 years, and family history.

“All the more that those with signs and symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, edema, nausea and vomiting, decreased urine, etc., should see a nephrologist,” Dr. Biruar added.

PSN launches #StopCKD campaign

The March 9 lay forum at the Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu also launched PSN’s initiative dubbed #StopCKD, an online self-awareness test to know one’s risk for kidney disease.

“By filling out a simple questionnaire, our fellow Pinoys can find out if they might have silent CKD now,” Dr. Juliet Chua Chong-Noel, President of PSN Central and Eastern Visayas who led the celebration in Cebu.

The questionnaire can be accessed thru https://az.app.box.com/v/know-your-CKD-risk.

According to Dr. Vimar Luz, Head of Cluster of Patient Care and Member of PSN’s Board of Trustees, damage to the nephrons, the functional units that make up the kidneys, cannot be recovered, making CKD lifelong.  But early intervention can improve outcomes, he added.

The consequences of CKD extend beyond the kidneys, including all-cause mortality, hospitalization, impact on multiple organ systems, and progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) requiring dialysis, among others, the PSN said.

Lifestyle change

According to Dr. Luz that apart from getting screened for possible CKD, Filipinos can start following some golden rules for healthy kidneys. “This disease can be prevented. A lifestyle change can save the kidneys. This golden rule will help in keeping the kidneys healthy,” he said.

“Control blood pressure and blood sugar. The target BP should be lower than 140/90 or as determined by your physician. Blood sugar control level is individualized, so see your doctor about it.  And if you’re under medication, take your medicines regularly,” he added.

Luz said another golden rule is to eat a healthy diet of vegetables and fruits; lean meat and fish; whole grains; and low in added sugar, sodium, and fat. Exercising regularly, drinking adequate water volume, quitting smoking, now abusing the use of pain relievers and supplements, and having regular checkups are the other golden rules Filipinos could follow, he added.

“Our kidneys filter around 140 liters of blood daily to create 1-1.8 liters of urine. They’re hard working organs and important to our overall health, so it is best to take care of them,” he continued.

To date, more than seven million have CKD in the Philippines and Filipinos requiring dialysis continue to increase, Luz said.

Citing data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, the medical society said CKD had significantly increased as one of the top causes of death in the Philippines.  In a span of 10 years, CKD jumped from 6th place in 2009 to 4th place in 2019 among the leading causes of death in the country.

For more information on #StopCKD, visit https://psn.org.ph/ and support PSN in stopping CKD through early diagnosis and intervention. (Photos: PSN/Grabs from What's Up Cebu)