Save Earth, Now

The fate of our home Earth is in great peril. Hundreds of years ago, man launched campaigns that revolutionized the way people live and set standards for coming decades. In fields of science, health care and medicine, technology, territorial expansions, business processes, and everything else in between, they all created impact that shaped our society.

But in the process, it also impacted the environment, a big blow at that. The signs of change are becoming more and more evident over time. Records are set one after another and their results are truly beyond scale.

In the Philippines, in the last couple of years, a rainfall high in last 60 years was recorded in Luzon; extreme temperatures set all over the country this previous summer; and from what happened, it turned into one of the longest dry season Philippines has ever had for a long time.

The rest of the world has had their shares of spells in recent years as well. Coldest temperature set in Beijing in 2008; harsh snowstorms paralyzed key cities like Seoul, New York, Barcelona, and Rome this year; and a raging wildfire turned thousands of acres of farms into ashes in Russia just a few months ago. All these prove that nature is also capable of bringing its own revolution beyond our imagination.

With that being said, there is no better time to act and show concern to our planet than now. We don’t want to wait for the worst to happen, do we?

While the celebration for Earth Month has turned its page in our calendars, let’s not forget its lessons; that all our action, however small they may be, can contribute to the environment’s condition. We don’t need big events to be reminded of what we must to do to save our planet.

This problem is not a mere responsibility of certain groups or organizations, neither of the government alone. It is an issue that affects each one of us, thus everyone must exert efforts to manage the situation that is slowly slipping out of hand.

This year is a pivotal year in our fight to sustainable environment, now that the evidence of our negligence are already surfacing.

Every one of us has role to play in this new revolution against extreme changes in weather condition. There are countless ways to help preserve our environment and alleviate the effects of climate change.

Reduce greenhouse gas emission by turning off the lights that aren’t in use, carpooling or taking public transportation on your way to work, or using energy efficient appliances. Save forest by recycling old newspapers and proper use of office supplies. Minimize pollution by waste segregation and proper disposal of garbage.

These small yet meaningful steps are actually huge contributions in saving Mother Earth. Tomorrow may be too late so let’s make this world better – and I mean right now.

My View H2O

After a successful My View competition for climate change (which I became a finalist), Asian Development Bank has once again opened the doors for concerned individuals who want to share their views on different important matters of the society.

This year's theme is My View H20 (splash*).

My View is a micro documentary competition for anyone who wants to be seen and heard.

You make a 1 to 5 minute digital film all about water, we’ll get the world to watch it and you can win major cash prizes.

Your film can be in any digital video format – you can even use your mobile phone. We accept films in any genre, including but not limited to animation, documentary, drama, experimental, art, testimonial, etc.

Videos can be in any language, though contestants are strongly encouraged to include subtitles and a full length script in English, in order to facilitate public outreach and the contest process.

Spring into action and make your own change!

But wait! Not only you can inspire, you can also get yourself to swim to $2,500. How does that splash sounds to your ear, eh?

For complete contest rules visit Asian Development Bank My View : H2O

Deadline of Submission: 31 Jan 11

Ang Aking Europa

Contest! contest! contest!

While im crossing my fingers on some things I'm doing lately, I still have my hands full, for some reason, to give you information about a number of video contests going on.

The contest is open to all Filipinos, except for officers and staff of organisations and institutions implementing projects and programmes funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. Staff of the EU Delegation, or of EU Member States’ Embassies or cultural institutes.

What's the challenge?

Create an original music video about European Union with the theme "Ang Aking Europa." The video must show the participant's views on the role of EU in the Philippines.

References including video illustrations of the European Union in the Philippines are available here.

General information on the EU is available here.

In creating their music videos, participants should draw upon their own perceptions / impressions about the European Union and its role in the Philippines .

These impressions might for example be drawn from the following:
- What the EU is, what it means to you?
- The European Union’s bilateral relationship with the Philippines, for example through EU-funded co-operation programmes (eg in areas such as human rights, good governance, environment, health, peace-building, sustainable development), humanitarian assistance, trade and investment links, social or educational links, etc.
- The rich and shared cultural values linking the European Union and the Philippines, or the cultural heritage and legacy of the European Union in the Philippines. Music videos may also draw on past and current EU cultural activities in the Philippines, such as “Europe Month celebrations including events and activities attached to the celebrations, for example, “Lakbayin Natin ang EU”, EU Choral Competitions, “Bersong Euro-Pinoy”
Cine Europa, Amazing EU Christmas, Europe Ko To and and “Linggo de Lingua Europa 3″.

3. TECHNICAL AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

a. Any format, camera and/or video editing or authoring software may be used. When selecting the system/s to use, participants must be aware of the need to produce a quality suitable for internet viewing.

b. The video must have a maximum total running time of two and a half minutes, including opening and closing credits.

c. The video must either be:

- uploadin youtube
- submitted to the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines in CD format;

d. . The video must not contain materials (music, images, etc.) which have copyright restrictions, and all materials used must either be original or copyright-free. Any entries which breach this rule shall be automatically disqualified, and legal responsibility for any such breaches shall rest entirely with the person/s who submitted the entry.

e. A maximum of five entries per participant is allowed.

f. The video must not have been previously submitted to any video contest.

g. Participants must fill in a form which can be found here

4. SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES

The naming format should contain the following tag:

AkingEUTitleoftheMTVInitialsoftheauthor”, for example
Aking EU, EU at Ako, JS

Deadline of Submission: 15 Oct 10

Festival ASEAN

An art contest open to entries from all ASEAN countries will be organised in the capital this autumn to enhance mutual understanding among members.
The contest will also mark Viet Nam's position as ASEAN chair this year and its 15th anniversary as a member of ASEAN.

The Photo and Documentary Film Festival on ASEAN Countries is open to all organisations, individuals and writers' groups from member countries.

Submissions may include photos, photo essays, video reports and documentaries featuring ASEAN countries and people as well as unity and co-operation for the sake of regional development among members. The works must not have been entered in any previous international contests.

Submissions can be sent to the Ministry of Information and Communications' Centre for Media and International Communications Co-operation, 61 Tho Nhuom Street, Ha Noi by September 15. The awards ceremony is planned for October, during the 17th ASEAN high ranking meeting in Ha Noi.

Entries may also be sent via email to festivalasean.vn2010@mic.gov.vn

Deadline of Submission : 15 September 10

Nagaraya Nutty and Funny Video Contest

Been a while since I last posted here in Pinoy Film Project. I was so busy with a lot of stuff, most are backlogs. Anyway, here I am and back with some interesting video projects to keep you busy for few days.

First up is from one of my favorite chi-cha's, Nagaraya! The Nagaraya Nutty and Funny Video Contest is craving to see crazy and funny videos of you and your friends while enjoying Nagaraya.

Create the wackiest 3 minute video featuring the crunchiest and nuttiest Nagaraya. The idea must fall under the theme "It's fun to be nutty!" and should only last for 3 minutes.

If that makes us laugh, then you can also laugh away with P50,000!

So what are you waiting for, upload those videos now to itsfuntobenutty.com.ph

Deadline of Submission: 01 Oct 10

Hasik Advocacy Filmmaking Progam

Looks like we have quite a few camps lately, eh? Maybe some of you are already rushing your applications for the national songwriting camp like me, but don’t be too hasty because there is another one to be held at an earlier date, which means earlier deadline of submission. And this time it’s already for the filmmaker. But before I proceed with that, the Elements National Songwriting Camp isn’t only about songwriting, it also includes music video making so it’s not really out of place in this blog site.

Going back, until August 15, 2010, Active Vista is accepting application to their HASIK Advocacy Filmmaking Program. It’s a two-day event, all expense paid (except for transportation), that promises to provide the basics of making advocacy film. It aims to help develop young filmmakers' skills in creating film that would shape the consciousness of its audience. It challenges the budding filmmakers to create films that inspires and promotes positive change.

This learning program will provide learning opportunity to 150 deserving filmmakers under the industry's well established and respected personalities. It will have three batches, each with 50 participants from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Hasik Advocacy Filmmaking Program involves 1) discussion of the power of cinema and its role in society; 2) knowledge sharing on the role of the youth and media in promoting human rights; 3) enhancement of skills on advocacy filmmaking and 4) workshops and exercises that may be of use on the production of feature shorts that may be submitted to the ALAB Short Film Competition of the Active Vista Film Festival.

For more information, you can visit their website here

Deadline of Submission: 15 August 10

Tadhana by Up Dharma Down

I just heard the last few notes of this song on tv and that very moment I told myself I must hear the entire song. Without a second passed, I immediately surf the very end of the cyber space (as if it's that hard) and with my reliable mouse, Eureka! I found the my treasure. The marriage of intoxicating melody and sultry voice is something that you can't even compare. It's more than your addicting drug or your kinkiest night, it leaves you wanting for more.

Sadly (at least on my part), it is an OST of a telenovela so that means everyone in the Philippines and in the world world world will get a part of my treasure. But don't get me wrong, I'm happy nonetheless. Such masterpiece should be shared to all of musicts* like me.

And I was right, by the time I get to the treasure site, a lot of people are already taking shots at pleasure of listening to the song. Imagine putting it on loop for the whole day, I say that should be prohibited, they've gone dependent in such a short time (can't blame them though).

With no further ado, I want to share to you Up Dharma Down's (clap*) new single Tadhana


*Musict - addiction to music.
(I made it myself, may angal?)

1st Elements National Songwriting Camp

I know this has nothing to do with making films but I really wanna share this piece of information to you (even though so far I'm the only one who visits my blogsite). Move over filmmakers for the mean time, songwriters step forward. Now I introduce to you to one of this year's highly anticipated, highly coveted, highly rated event in the music industry, the 1st Elements National Songwriting Camp!

So what is this all about?

Presented by 7101 Music Nation, an organization that aims to develop programs and create platforms that will discover talent and enhance the local music artistry, this songwriting camp will serve as a venue for aspiring songwriters to hone their skills under the watchful eyes of today's, and maybe of our history's, best songwriters, musicians, and artists.

And whose watchful eyes are these?
Let me name a few..

7101 MUSIC NATION TEAM
Julio D. Sy, Jr. - Chief Executive Officer
Twinky D. Lagdameo - Chief Operating Officer / Camp Director
Ryan Cayabyab (Yes the one and only) - Artistic Director / Camp Content Director

SPEAKERS/PANELISTS/MENTORS
Joey Ayala
Gabby Alipe (Urbandub)
Trina Belamide
Rico Blanco
Noel Cabangon
Ebe Dancel (Sugarfree)
Jay Durias
Debbie Gaite (FILSCAP, its not a band)
Gary Granada
Quark Henares

Now, if you are one of the lucky 60 who will be invited to participate in the camp, then you are really lucky. Aside from the top notch skills training, you will also embark on a trip to Dumaguete< Negros Occidental which will become your home for the entire camp.

Deadline of Submission: 22 August 10

ViewChange Film Contest

Success stories in development and innovation are not common nowadays, but not a fad though. So now LinkTV is inviting you to share those stories of success for the rest of the world to know in their ViewChange Film Contest.

The challenge is for you to create a short film, with not more than 5 minutes in length, about the progress of projects that aims to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

If you are up for the challenge then get your thoughts, acts, and film together and you can walk away with a whooping $20,000!



Deadline of Submission: 30 August 10

SM BIGSHOT Film Project

Dreaming of making it on big screen?
Join SM Cinema's BIGSHOT Film Project

Calling all students who has a knack for film making, this is your time to put your talents to a test. Join SM Cinema's BIGSHOT Film Project and get a chance to win P500,000 and an opportunity of lifetime (oh well, maybe not) to get your film shown on Indie Film Fest on January 2011.

Deadline of Submission: 15 August 10