TV host and actor Dingdong Dantes has been named ambassador of this year’s Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival (INPFF), a short film event organized by the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Ayala Foundation.
In a video posted on the filmfest’s Facebook page, the 38-year-old actor invited amateur and professional filmmakers to send their entries.
“Inviting you all to join the Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival 2019. Open ito sa lahat ng mga Pinoy, kahit pa non-professional filmmaker ka o nakatira sa ibang bansa,” Dingdong said.
A known advocate for the arts and the youth, Dingdong first came on board as the host of the filmfest’s gala night and awarding ceremonies last year.
Now on its second year, the INPFF is a nationwide, all-digital competition open to all Filipinos filmmakers here and abroad for original short documentaries. The entries should not exceed five minutes.
Launched in November 2017, the filmfest aims to showcase stories of hope and inspiration to spread positivity among Filipinos.
“It is our hope that through Istorya ng Pag-asa—lalo na iyong Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival—Filipinos will be united around the common values of hope, of perseverance, deep faith, and the goodness of humanity. Because that’s really the underlying theme of every story,” VP Robredo told the press during a conference held Monday.
This year’s participants will win cash prizes and they will get the chance for their short films to be screened at Ayala Mall Cinemas. The winner for Best Film will get P80,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive P50,000 and P30,000, respectively.
Apart from special prizes for Best Script, Best Director, and Best Cinematography, the 2019 INPFF will also give away a People’s Choice Award and a special award from Ayala Foundation.
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Isabella to share stage with mom Kuh at MOA Arena
A big stage and a star-studded occasion serve as a grandly fitting atmosphere for celebrity daughter Isabella to greet her mom Kuh Ledesma on her special day.
The eloquent, spiritually upbeat young woman is largely behind what’s going to happen in tonight’s pop and gospel birthday concert for Kuh, dubbed Mar3ch:16 The Promise, as she directs the program flow to include song numbers and inspirational talks from invited celebrities led by Sarah Geronimo and Daniel Padilla.
The title of the show is a play on the famous Bible verse of John 3:16, as Kuh’s birthday happens to fall on March 16 as well.
Relating her mindset to prevailing issues like depression, family breakups, and drug addition—all expected to be talked about on stage, Isabella expressed, “When circumstantially bad happens, it’s up to you to address the matter. Your mental health depends on the books you read and the stuff you listen to.”
Obviously, Isabella, like her mom, has turned on to bible and uplifting music. With all show proceeds to go to the Holy Bible Giver Foundation which by nature hands out bibles in depressed areas and public schools, all guests are noted for being bible believers.
When asked to talk about something she won over, Isabella quickly responded, “Let’s talk about a subject I personally know well. My parents separated and they’re like two of my bestfriends. At first I was like ‘everything happens for a reason’ and that ‘God has a purpose for this.’ But it wasn’t enough. To recover I needed to eat the right food, listen to the right music, and read the right books.”
She wittily added, “People have suffered from bipolar disorder, which is called manic depression before, and now it is diabetes. And yet the real cure for all these is properly addressing mental and emotional health through spiritual strength.”
The concert is aimed at bringing hope and inspiration to struggling, challenged people and helping the youth have a relationship with God. Teachers, students, parents, and children are encouraged to come. Free seats are available upon reservation and ID presentation.
Other stars to appear at The Promise are Erik Santos, sisters Alex and Toni Gonzaga, Christian Bautista, seasoned actresses Gina Alajar and Maricel Laxa, OPM stalwarts Ray-An Fuentes and Eddie Mesa, and upcoming acts Tim Pavino and the Perkins Twins.
The mother and daughter number is one of the highlights of this production by Headline Concepts International. For tickets call 0917-8139065.
