11th Cinemanila International Film Festival Showcases Local and International Film Masterpieces

Local and international films enthusiasts took part in celebrating the best of Philippine and world cinema at the 11^th Cinemanila International Film Festival which began last October 15 and will run until October 25, 2009 at Bonifacio Global City and Market! Market! Cinemas in Taguig City.

Around 100 international and local films will be screened in a span of 10 days – from the current toasts of the local indie scene to the award-winners and favorites at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam, Sundance, and Pusan. The festival will also feature workshops, seminars and master classes.

For its opening film, Cinemanila 2009 showcased Director Brillante Mendoza’s latest work, Lola (Grandmother). Director Mendoza’s latest work, Lola, was preceded by his film Kinatay (The Execution of P), which earned him the prestigious Best Director Award at the 62^nd Cannes Film Festival last May 2009. Lola is slated as the Philippine surprise entry in the 66^th Venice Film Festival, (Main Competition) which counts acclaimed filmmaker Ang Lee as Chairman of this year’ jury.

Closing the curtain for this year’s festival is the much-anticipated Himpapawid (Manila Skies) from award-winning independent filmmaker Director Raymond Red.

For this year, Cinemanila introduced a brand new component that will give credit to Philippine Machinima or “machine-animation” or “machine-cinema. The 2009 Cinemanila Machinima Film Festival aims to unearth machinimators and machinima talents in the region and to recognize this growing film making movement. The Machinima Film Festival will be held on October 20, 2009

The 2009 Cinemanila is presented by the City of Taguig, Cinemanila International Film Festival Foundation, Bonifacio Global City, and sponsored by Business World, Manila Bulletin, Solid Video Corporation, TWBA\Santiago Mangada Puno, Chana, Microdata Systems and Mangement, Inc., ClicktheCity.com, Philippine Entertainment Portal, Web Philippines, Inc., The Philippine Star, Spot.ph, UR105.9 Underground Radio, 99.5RT, Mellow 947, and World Cinema Fund.

For more info, contact Cinemanila Secretariat at (632) 392-7935, email cinemanila@gmail.com or visit their website at www.cinemanila.org.

PRSP Held Two-Part Digital PR Seminar

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) held there Professional Development seminar focused on digital PR last September 25, 2009 and October 16, 2009 at the InterContinental Hotel Manila in Makati City.

Aptly titled, “A Whole New World of Digital PR”, the 2-part seminar aims to gather industry experts to discuss and share their insights on the various aspects of online reputation management, the online media as a part of campaigns and strategies to build brand relationships with stakeholders.

Among the list of respected speakers include:

Speaker	Topic
Mr. Jay Bautista, The Nielsen Company Philippines – Media Group Executive Director	The Philippine Digital Landscape: An Assessment
Mr. Mike Palacios, Havoc Digital General Manager	How to use Digital PR Tools Effectively
Ms. Janette Toral, founder of DigitalFilipino.com	Effective Online PR with Bloggers
Mr. Reggie Velasco, Yellow Brick Road Philippines General Manager (Yahoo!)	Digital PR the Yahoo! Way
Mr. Paulo Pangan Yehey! Corporation Digital Strategy Manager	Digital PR Techniques for Politics
Mr. Donald Patrick Lim, Yehey! Corporation Chief Executive Officer	Viral Marketing Techniques for Online Word of Mouth (WOM)
Ms. Aileen Apolo, Google Country Consultant for the Philippines	Using Google Search for Online PR
Ms. Crisela Magpayo-Cervantes, ABS-CBN Interactive Customer Marketing Head	Using Online Communities for Digital PR
Mr. Carlo Ople, Friendster Global Digital Marketing Manager	Using Social Networks for PR

Mr. Donald Patrick Lim, along with Ms. Elaine Uy, Chief Marketing Officer of Yehey! Corporation facilitated the workshop on the process of organizing a blogger event as a tool for brand relations and crisis management.

For more information about the event, contact the PRSP at telefax (632) 638-0012, 638-0010, email publicrelations.prsp@yahoo.com, prsociety.prsp@yahoo.com or visit www.prsp.ph

Social Change as Main Topic at PRSP National Congress

Social change will be the focus of the 16th National Public Relations Congress to be held on September 10 – 11, 2009 at the Manila Hotel in Manila.

Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the event will carry the theme, “PR: Pursuing Reforms, The Social Change Challenge”. The national congress forms part of the activities PRSP annually initiates to mark September as Public Relations Month.

“We’re taking on another serious topic, such as influencing social change, to show that public relations as a communication discipline can also be used to effect meaningful changes in the society. In 2008, the PR Congress tackled the need to protect the environment. This year, we turn inward and assess the kind of changes we need to make as individuals, teams, and organizations,” said PRSP president Butch Raque.

“The topic is also very timely, given that we are on the eve of the national elections where we expect to see personalities mobilizing their respective PR machinery to make a mark on the public’s consciousness and, ultimately influence the voting public in their favor,” added 16th National PR Congress chairman Barbie Atienza. Among the sessions in the two-day congress is a discussion with some of the presidential aspirants. The PR Congress is open to all professionals working in the communication field, members of the academe, as well as students taking up communication courses. Congress fee is P8,000.00, with early bird discounts for those who will register on or before July 31, 2009.

For more details about the 16th National Public Relations Congress, call the PRSP Secretariat at (632) 638-0010.

Experts Shared Views and Practices at 3rd Internet Mobile and Marketing Summit

Internet and mobile marketing experts from all over the world shared their insights and success stories in utilizing the power of the internet and mobile media for marketing purposes during the 3^rd Internet Mobile and Marketing Summit held last August 25 – 26, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Organized by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, the event was guided by the theme, “Digital Delivers”. The informative 2-day conference aims to assess the digital marketing scenario in the Philippines and present relevant studies and practices of marketing and ad agencies that utilizes the internet and mobile.

IMMAP President Arthur Policarpio welcomed the delegates of the event. Nestle Philippines Senior Vice President and Communication and Marketing Service Director Sandra Puno and Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) President Charmaine Canillas delivered the keynote address during the first day of the event. While Unilever Philippines Chairman Fernando Fernandez and Mobile Marketing Association President and CEO Mike Wehrs gave the keynote address during the second day of the conference.

Several notable speakers graced this year’s conference including:

• Ms. Bennett Porter, Head of Marketing Emerging Markets for Yahoo! Inc.,
• Mr. Kent Wertime, Asia-Pacific Director for OgilvyOne Worldwide
• Mr. James Laffery, Ret. Vice President of Procter and Gamble Philippines
  
• Mr. Rahul Vasudev, Director of MediaCom Interaction
• Mr. Jerico Barrera, Client Service Director for Media of The Nielsen Company
• Ms. Teresita Villareal, Marketing Director for Customer Marketing Group of ABS-CBN Broadcasting, Inc.
• Mr. Masaki Iwata, Digital Solutions Producer of Dentsu Japan
• Ms. Riana Roces Trinidad, Co-Managing Partner of Proud Mama Concepts, Inc.,
• Mr. Jose Anton Diaz, owner and blogger of Our Awesome Planet.
  

The second day of the conference was highlighted by a special case presentation courtesy of the 2009 Boomerang Gold Award winners. The winners are:

• Cyber Boomerang Category: Nescafe Palistuhan by Proximity Philippines
• Mobile Boomerang Category: Quaker Oats Eat Well and Win Promo by Proximity Philippines/BBDO Guerrero
• Integrated Boomerang Category: Sandbox by: Smart Communications, Inc. and Wolfpac Mobile, Inc.
  
• Innovation Boomerang Category: Awesome Philippines Second Life Press Conference by the Philippine Department of Tourism and Media Contacts Philippines

The 3rd Internet Mobile and Marketing Summit 2009 is sponsored by OgilvyOne Worldwide, DentsuIndio, Smart Communications, Inc., Business World, Fiera de Manila, MobiThinking, Yahoo! Philippines, Friendster, Inquirer.net, Admax Network, iHub Media, Eyeblaster, Snapworx, Inc., PinoyExchange.com, Adobo Magazine, The Philippine Star, Philstar.com, IT Matters (Special section of Business World), Affle, Business Mirror, Canon, Studio 23, and The Radio Partners, Inc. (Jam 88.3, Wave 891, Magic 89.9, Killer Bee FM, 99.5 RT, and 103.5 Max FM)

For more information about the event, contact Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines at (632) 896-0637, 896-0639 or visit the event website at http://www.interactivesummit.com.ph/.

Digital Art and Design Professionals, Enthusiasts Participated in 14th Graphic Expo 2009

Graphic arts, printing, photography, and creative design enthusiasts and professionals filled the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City for the 14th Graphic Expo 2009 held last June 03-06, 2009.

Organized by Fiera de Manila, Inc., in cooperation with Philippine Center for Creative Imaging and Zone V Camera Club, the event lives up to its reputation as the country’s premier trade show in creative and graphic design, digital photography and imaging, pre-press, print production, large format advertising, web publishing, multimedia, and animation.

The four-day event was filled with seminars on the following topics:

Speaker	Topics
Mr. Jun Miranda, Faculty Member, PCCI	- Color Management Made Simple - Mastering Channels and Masking in Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Advanced Photoshop CS4 for Graphic Designers - Killer Photoshop Tips and Techniques for Photographers - The Secrets to Portrait Retouching - Mastering Color in Adobe Photoshop CS4
Mr. Mario Ramirez, Faculty Member, PCCI	- Beginning Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Upgrading to Adobe Photoshop CS4: What's New?
Mr. Noel Rosos, Faculty Member, PCCI	An Introduction to Premiere Pro CS4
Mr. Reynaldo Mendoza, Jr	Designing for Web 2.0
Mr. Michael Martinez, Faculty Member, PCCI	Migrating to InDesign CS4
Mr. Guillermo Ramos, Faculty Member, PCCI	The Basics and Beyond of Publication Design
Mr. Antonio Bucu, Faculty Member, PCCI	- The Adobe Power Cube of Graphic Design - Guerrilla Graphic Design
Mr. Santiago Lucero, Faculty Member, PCCI	- Final Cut Studio From Start to Finish - Final Cut Studio Tips and Tricks
Mr. AJ Siytangco, Faculty Member, PCCI	- What's New in Maya 2009 - Integrating Maya and Photoshop
Ms. Catherine Crisostomo, Faculty Member, PCCI	Stylizing Photos in Illustrator (Converting Photos to Cool Vector Graphic Images)
Mr. Jon Danao, Faculty Member, PCCI	- Adobe Flash CS4 Cartooning - Energizing Adobe Flash CS4 Projects (with Action Script)
Ms. Ronna Lara-Bes	Integrating 3D Graphics Into Live Action Shots
Mr. Stanley Coloma, Faculty Member, PCCI	After Effects CS4 Unleashed
Mr. Ronnie M. Millevo, MillevoMedia	Making Powerful Corporate Presentation Materials and Web Projects
Mr. Hanz Joseph Dy, Faculty Member, PCCI	- Creating Forms in Acrobat - Multimedia in PDF
Mr. Sonny Leon, Faculty Member, PCCI	- More Power Into Power Point with CorelDRAW - CorelDRAW Cheat Codes: Tips and Tricks
Mr. Christopher Tan	Implementing An Effective Storage Strategy
Mr. John Mateos Ong, Imagine Nation Photography	Wedding and Portrait Photography: Insights, Tips, and Techniques

The 14th Graphic Expo is sponsored by Canon, Hewlett Packard (HP), SII Color Painter, and the following media partners: The Philippine Star, Business World, Business Mirror, Computerworld Philippines, Enterprise Magazine, Philippine Graphic, Hardware Magazine (HWM) Media G8way Corp., PC World Philippines http://pcworld.com.ph/, i-mag Photography Magazine, PC Buyer's Guide, Adobo Magazine, Optimind Technology Solutions, and The Radio Partners, Inc. (Jam 88.3, Wave 891, Magic 89.9, Killer Bee FM, 99.5 RT, and 103.5 Max FM)

For more information about the event, contact Fiera de Manila at (632) 896-0637, 899-2952, 896-0639, 899-6216, 890-2101, fax (632) 890-2101, 896-0637, email fiera@info.com, or visit their website at www.fmi.com.ph.

Blogging Influence Acknowledged at iBlog5

The strong influence of bloggers in promoting brand and stirring public opinion was acknowledged during the iBlog5: 5^th Philippine Blogging Summit held last May 9, 2009 at the Malcolm Theater, University of the Philippines College of Law in Diliman, Quezon City.

Organized by the UP Internet and Society Program, this yearly event began in 2005 when blogging was still unpopular in the country. The event aims to introduce blogging and analyze the possible contributions of bloggers in stirring public opinion. Furthermore, it gives bloggers fresh ideas on how to earn from blogging.

More than 250 bloggers from all over Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and other provinces participated during the whole day summit. During the event, popular personalities from the blogging community shared vital tips and advices on the new forms of blogging. Veteran photo bloggers Mr. Fritz Tentativa and Ms. Faith Salazar of Tanggera.com gave a crash course on photography and proper photo blogging. Ms. Kring Elenzano of Flippish.com along with pop culture blogger Mr. Azrael Coladilla explained and demonstrated the concept and principles behind video blogging. Technology blogger Mr. Edwin ‘Ka Edong’ Soriano introduced a new form of blogging using mobile phones. Mr. Bern Espina of Atheista.net and Mr. Juned Sonido of Baratillo net jointly gave their views on the do’s and don’ts of blogging. SEO tutor bloggers Mr. Winston Almendras and video blogger Mr. Coy Caballes shared tips on how to promote a blog and increase its traffic. Atty. JJ Disini discussed t the legal implications of blogging.

Commission on Election – Education and Information Department (COMELEC-EID) Director Mr. James Jimenez shared the history of the COMELEC blog, bagongbotante.ph and how it helped inform the public about the importance of voter’s registration and the schedule for their respective provinces. Afterwards, Ms. Janette Toral, founder of DigitalFilipino.com gave her insights on how bloggers can make or break the candidacy of a presidentiable or anyone running for public office in the coming election.

Ms. Kristine Mandigma, Editorial Director of Philippine Online Chronicles; Mr. Mannix Pabalan, General Manager of AyosDito.ph; Mr. Lazlo Lim, Business Development Head of Yehey.com; Mr. Jayvee Fernandez, co-founder of BlogBank; Mr. Eric Ramirez, Chairman of Nuffnang Philippines, Mr. Fritz Villafuerte, owner of financial blog Ready To Be Rich; and Mr. Anton Diaz, owner of travel blog Our Awesome Planet discloses valuable tips and tricks on how to improve blog revenue.

The 5th Philippine Blogging Summit is sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc., Philippine Online Chronicles, AyosDito.ph, Jollibee , Yehey.com, 611 Connect , with the support of Alfox Comptuter Center, Philippine Realty TV, and Greatwebhost.com.ph

Cable Television Heads Gathered for PCTA 2009

The country's cable television executives, operators, stakeholders, as well as members of the allied industry gathered for the 17^th Annual Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA) National Convention held last March 11 to 13, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

The annual event, co-presented by PCTA and Solar Entertainment Corporation, in cooperation with Trinity Broadcasting Network - Asia – South Pacific, SES New Skies, and Al Jazeera Network, carried the theme, “Cable TV: Making the Big Difference”.

The event started off with the traditional PCTA Golf Tournament held at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Cavite last March 10, 2009. In the afternoon, a pre-convention session was held highlighting Corporate Social Responsibility, a core topic in line with this year's theme.

Acclaimed speakers from the academe, cable industry, and allied companies such as Prof. Felipe Alfonso, Executive Director of the Asian Institute of Management—Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility Center (AIM-RVR CSR Center); Ms. Maureen Aquino, General Manager of Satellite Cable Network/Infomax 8; Ms. Marivic Gamo, Head of Channels and Marketing of Cisco Systems International; and Atty. Alexander Lacson, author of the national bestseller “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help. Our Country" took time to discuss both corporate and individual social responsibility topics that inspired all the attendees.

Vice President Noli "Kabayan" De Castro served as the keynote speaker during the opening ceremony. In his speech, Vice President De Castro talked about the role of the cable industry in the development of a well-informed and culturally-refined citizenry. The opening ceremony ended with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the exhibit graced by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., PCTA 2009 Convention Chairman Philip Chien, PCTA President Allan Dungao, and special guests.

Forty-five international and local companies took part in the exhibits, which included program providers, technical suppliers, and service providers. Plenary presentations and discussions about the lastes technology in cable broadcast were held at the conference hall. The topics centered on internet protocol television (IPTV), direct-to-home (DTH) service, and Digital Terrestrial TV.

Industry stakeholders also presented business opportunities that will benefit the industry in the coming years such as internet via satellite and digital head end in the sky. Content provisioning and cable advertising were also presented to the delegates. Simultaneously, the PCTA Technical Committee held technical sessions that discussed headend and outside plant preparation, equipment selection, and implementation for digital migration, together with conditional access, set-top box management, and value added services.

The government, represented by the National Telecommunications Commission and the Intellectual Property Office, likewise discussed the role of the state and the government plans on certain technology issues and concerns.

PCTA 2009 was capped with the Cablelympics, a quiz-show type competition participated by technical personnel from different cable companies in the country. This year, 11 cable companies fielded contestants who answered questions in three stages. In the end, Mr. Dindo Amoyo of Negros Cable TV emerged as the champion, besting 29 other contestants. Afterwards, thirty-one regular members and six affiliate members received the coveted PCTA Loyalty Awards for their continuous membership to the association.

The 17^th Philippine Cable Television Association National Convention is sponsored by HBO Asia, TV5Monde, Cable Box Office Shows & Systems Corporation (Cable Boss), Conax, Home Shopping TV Network, Deutsche Welle, Chase Technologies Corporation, Irdeto, Discovery Channel, Eagle's Wings Enterprises, Padi's Point, Reyes Haircutters, Kabayan Hotel, Tamayo's Catering, The Spa, Atrium Hotel, Amity Satellite Systems, Inc., and the following media partners: Philippine Graphic, Business Mirror, TV Guide, Business World, Cable Line, ContentAsia, DZMM Teleradyo, and 97dot9 Home Radio.

For more information about the event, contact the Philippine Cable Television Association at (632) 638-8541, 638-8544, email cableconvention@pcta.org.ph or visit their website at www.pcta.org.ph

Students’ Creative Works Recognized at Third Student Advertising Congress

The creative minds and works of students aiming to become part of the advertising profession were recognized at the Third Student Advertising Congress (SAC) held last February 18, 2009 at the Fleur de lis Auditorium of St. Paul University-Manila.

With the theme, “Advance to the Future”, the congress aims to gear and train the students to be prepared before joining the real world of advertising.

Mr. Dan Villa, Chairman of SAC gave the opening remarks and formally declared the opening of the congress. After which, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim handed to the SAC officers the symbolic key to the city. St. Paul University-Manila President Ms. Wyna Marie Medina welcomed the 1,500 student-delegates from schools, colleges, universities and institutions nationwide offering mass communication, advertising, broadcasting, fine arts, public relations and other allied courses.

Notable personalities in the advertising community shared their knowledge and insights in their field of specialty. These include:

• Mr. Ian Sta. Maria and Mr. Argem Vinuya, Senior Art Directors for DDB Philippines
• Mr. Ronald Esguerra, Marketing Director for MTV Philippines
  
• Mr. Jao Bautista, Copywriter for BBDO Guerrero Ortega
  
• Mr. Joel Limchoc, Executive Creative Director for BBDO Guerrero Ortega
• Ms. Kathleen Mojica, President of Hear! Hear! Radio Specialists, Inc.
• Mr. Ralph Menorca, Marketing Manager of Studio 23
  
• Ms. Lucien Dytioco, VP for Advertising of The Philippine Star
  
• Ms. Cecille Ang, Marketing Head of SM Mall of Asia
  

The highlight of the event was the awarding of the creative competitions. The students created media campaigns for print, TV, radio, Multimedia messaging service (MMS), and online via pop-up advertisement for this year’s live client, Network Sourcing Telecommunications Co. Inc. (NS-Telecom). Students from Lyceum of the Philippines – Manila took home nine awards in print category (first and second place), MMS category (first, second, and third place), online ad category (second and third place), radio category (second place), and television commercial (TVC) category (second place).

The Third Student Advertising Congress is presented by NS Telecom in cooperation with YOU Magazine, Inquirer Job Market Online, Armvet Commercial Press, Negros Navigation, Mocha Blends, Netopia Internet Café, Microsoft Philippines, Inc. , Trabaho.com, E-Games, and the following media partners: The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Libre, Adobo Magazine, Bounce Magazine, The Radio Partners, Inc., (Jam 88.3, Wave 891, Magic 89.9, Killer Bee FM, 99.5 RT, and 103.5 Max FM) 91.5 Energy FM, NU 107, 101.1 Yes-FM, 90.7 Love Radio, DZRH (and all its provincial stations which include: DYBN Cebu, DXBE Davao, DYBE Bacolod, DXKB Cagayan de Oro, DXEL Zamboanga, DXKM Gen. Santos, DXNS Butuan and DYSR Dumaguete), MTV Philippines, and UNTV .