Multi-Arts portal Pelikulove Launches the “Shout Out Fest” Online Festival from September 19-25 for FREE

Pelikulove, a multi-arts portal which aims to provide arts education and a platform for artistic and socially-relevant content, is launching the first-of-its-kind “Shout Out Fest (Maghayag at Lumikha)” Online Festival from September 19 to 25, 2022.

In cooperation with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the “Shout Out Fest” is a seven-day online festival of short films and stage plays ,a culminating activity of the enrollees of the Pelikulove master classes of National Artist for Cinema and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, and Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Rody Vera. The works are produced in cooperation with regional theater and film organizations and can be viewed for free at pelikulove.com beginning September 19. 

There are three sets of works to be showcased; each set is composed of three productions. 

Set A features the short films  “How to Make an Effective Ad Campaign,” written by Paul dela Cruz and directed by Roman Perez, Jr. of Indiopendent Films and “Hyper Ext”, tackling intimacy issues, written and directed by United Kingdom-based Pinoy visual artist Jovi Saysay, a member of SOA Philippine Studies, University of London; and the short  play “Quarantine 5” , a story of five former activists written by Andrew Estacio and directed by Sari Saysay of Sining Banwa ,Bikol. 

Set B features the short films “No Trespassing” set in the sugar plantations in Iloilo written and directed by Dada Grifon and co-directed by Julius dela Peña of the LaSalle Film Society of Bacolod   and “Till Human Voices Wake Up and We Drown”, about mambabarangs now working as nurse and caregiver, also from the UK group, written by Rogelio Braga and directed by Nyel Camilon, and the short play “Ilaw sa Labas ng Tahanan” , on two women trying to cope with their husband’s deaths, written by B. Salvador and directed by Benjie Kitay of the theater company Yatta in  Dumaguete. 

Set C features the play “When a Manananggal Loves a Man” by Raymund T. Barcelon and directed by Neil Azcuna of Ipag theater company, of MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, and the short films from the UK “Cooking with Love” written by Viva Andra O’Flynn and directed by Delfin Castillo; and  “Libro for Ransom” tackling the theft  of Jose Rizal’s masterpieces written by Ralph Morales and directed by Arjanmar Rebeta. 

Aside from the short films and plays, the “Shout Out Fest” Online Festival will also present virtual learning seminars, talkbacks, Q&As with artists and mentors. Festival visitors will have access to e-books, self-paced courses on playwriting and scriptwriting and other arts and culture-related content. 

Organizers would like to reiterate that the access to the festival’s content is free. However, due to the platform’s limitations, only selected audiences can join through prior arrangements. Early registrants have a chance to avail of  e-books by Ricky Lee, Rody Vera and film critic Joel David ,without any fee.

Shout Out’s board of festival directors include National Artist Ricky Lee,  Palanca Hall of Famer Rody Vera, TV and film director Jeffrey Jeturian, University of London Professor Cristina Martinez-Juan, University of the Philippines director and educator Issa Manalo Lopez,Artistic Director of Harlequin Theater Guild, De La Salle University and Pelikulove’s Program Director Raffy Tejada,  and indie film director and Pelikulove’s Chief Creative Producer  Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil. The festival’s council of evaluators includes film critic Joel David, actress-screenwriter-playwright Bibeth Orteza, and playwright and Ateneo ‘de Manila’s Theater Arts Program Coordinator Glenn Sevilla Mas. 

Pelikulove’s founder and President Ellen Ongkeko Marfil declares, “We are very excited to hold the first ever ‘Shout Out Fest’ as this festival epitomizes Pelikulove’s mission of nurturing an engaging and open environment towards building a creative community. We’d like to show that art is the soul of our lives and it must continue to thrive even in the midst of a pandemic. Now, more than ever, is the time to shout out our fears and triumphs, and shout out for the future.”

For questions and inquiries about the “Shout Out Fest” Online Festival, contact mobile (+63) 923359 6286 or the Pelikulove’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube social media accounts. The festival’s complete schedule is available at pelikulove.com.

Ricky Lee Joins Pelikulove’s “Shout Out Festival” as Member of the Board of Directors

Newly conferred National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Ricky Lee, is one of the Board of Directors for the Shout Out Festival happening this September 19–25, 2022. 

Even after decades of creating and writing award-winning pieces, teaching and mentoring thousands of writers and filmmakers, and inspiring many people with his stories, Ricky Lee isn’t showing signs of slowing down. He continues to write and teach aspiring storytellers—most recently in his series of live interactive writing workshops titled, “Ricky Lee’s Trip to Quiapo,” which happened in November 2021 to January 2022 in partnership with Pelikulove. As a culminating program, Shout Out will feature nine (9) film and theater shorts from the enrollees of his as well as Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee Rody Vera’s writing masterclasses.

The Shout Out Festival

Shout Out: Maghayag at Lumikha is an online film and theater mentoring festival of hybrid shorts organized and hosted by the online multi-arts platform, Pelikulove, with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). 

Pelikulove describes Shout Out as an “education-based mentorship festival,” which is one of the few if not the first of its kind here in the Philippines. The writers of the featured film and theater shorts are given assistance from writing to production and evaluation. 

The festival activities include virtual discussions, talkbacks, and Q&A with the artists and mentors. There will also be an exhibit of other enrollees and partner groups’ short films and recorded plays. 

Ricky Lee is joined by six other Festival Directors, namely: Rody Vera (playwright, Palanca Hall of Famer, founder of Virgin Labfest & Writer’s Bloc), Jeffrey Jeturian (award-winning film and TV director), Cristina Martinez-Juan (professor, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London), Issa Manalo Lopez (theater director, actor, and educator at UP Diliman), Raffy Tejada (theater director, actor, and educator at DLSU), and Ellen Ongkeko Marfil (filmmaker and videographer).

The Shout Out Festival is free! You can join or become a partner by registering online (https://shoutoutfest.pelikulove.com/). For more information and updates, visit the Pelikulove website or follow the Pelikulove official Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/PelikuLOVE). You can also email Pelikulove at pelikuloveofficial@gmail.com.

Palawan Express Pera Padala gives back to UP through the Fighting Maroons

From a single pawn brokering shop in Palawan in 1985 to the fastest growing and leading pawnshop and money remittance network in the Philippines, Palawan Express Pera Padala strongly identifies with the UP Fighting Maroons.

For more than three decades, UP’s performance in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has been sub-par, with only one basketball championship to boast of in the post-war era. For many years, there were winless seasons, empty galleries, less than spartan team funds.

But last year, the University of the Philippines defied expectations by carving a storybook finish in the premiere collegiate league. There were no more tears shed from three different seasons of dismal 0-14 win-loss records. No more lack of team supporters. Against all odds, including a doubtful 1-3 start, the Maroons finally found a way to start winning. They suddenly barged into the semi final round of UAAP Season 81 with hard work, big hearts and a little bit of luck. In fact, the Maroons surprised even themselves when they eliminated twice-to-beat Adamson University from finals contention. And found themselves in the UAAP Finals for the first time in 32 years, against the mighty Ateneo Blue Eagles in the most surprising Finals scenario in ages.

Viewing parties at different campuses were hosted. The UP community rallied behind their soldiers on-court, win or lose. UP fandom grew to phenomenal numbers and the once lowly UP Fighting Maroons became the Cinderella team of Season 81, the darlings of the crowd.

Logistical support for the UP Fighting Maroons reached an unprecedented height in Season 81. The Maroons’ performance in the UAAP seemed to be a Thank You from the team to its partners and supporters for their faith and unconditional love.

In Season 82 even more support came in. Palawan Express Pera Padala (PEPP) came on board as a platinum sponsor to provide not only financial support to the UPMBT, but more importantly to give back to the University, recognizing that helping the UPMBT brings together the UP Community. The founders of PEPP Bobby and Angelita Castro have deep roots in UP and all of their five children are UP alumni. To the family who are certified UPMBT fans, this is more than a sponsorship. This is becoming a part in UP’s quest for the championship.

Alumni and ardent supporters of the UP Men’s Basketball Team all over to the Philippines and around the world could use the PEPP platform to send in donations to the UPMBT through its local and international remittance transactions. For alumni based abroad, PEPP has partnered with 50 international money transfer companies (IMTC) to enable it to payout the money remittance transactions based on IMTC’s instructions. An instant rebate of Php5 is given to the beneficiary when an international remittance is claimed at PEPP.

UP Fighting Maroon Season 82 team captain Noah Webb said, “We would like to thank our sponsors like Palawan Express Pera Padala and the entire UP community. You guys don't know how much we appreciate each and everyone of you and your presence at the games. I know what it's like to see the stands empty and I'm extremely grateful that now they are always full. Thank you for your help in and out of the games. We are grateful for your support.”

The UP Fighting Maroons and Palawan Express Pera Padala officially inked their partnership before the start of Season 82.

STATS Performance Apparel is official UP Fighting Maroons Outfitter and Merchandise Company

STATS Performance Apparel, an athleisure brand under Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), expanded its support for the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) for University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82. Besides the official on-court and off-court wear of the basketball team, STATS will also produce the official merchandise of the UP Fighting Maroons. JHI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) JJ Atencio (left-most), JHI Chief Operating Officer Marcy Venezuela (right-most), STATS Performance Apparel CEO and Art Director Edrin Panganiban (second from right) officially sealed their partnership on Wednesday, April 24 with Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation (NTGBUP), a volunteer group of UP alumni supporting UP’s varsity programs led by its President, Atty. Agaton Uvero (center) at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. Also present at the signing ceremony were UP Head Coach Bo Perasol, UAAP Season 81 MVP Bright Akhuetie, Janjan Jaboneta, Noah Webb, and the Gomez de Liaño brothers, Juan and Javi.

UP Maroons' Inspirational Rise to be Chronicled in New Book

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons surprised pundits by barging into the UAAP men's basketball finals just four years after finishing the annual tournament with just one win—and now one of the rising young sports journalists in the county is going to explain how UP's alumni engineered this amazing turnaround. 

To be penned by columnist Naveen Ganglani, who has extensively covered the Fighting Maroons and the UAAP since 2009, the new book will provide readers with an in-depth look into the events leading to the humble beginnings of Nowhere to go but UP (NTGBU), a group of UP alumni volunteers who dared to believe that they could reinvigorate UP's resource-challenged sports programs. 

"I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to the members of Nowhere to go but UP group, who have given me the opportunity to tell this amazing story," said Ganglani.

The writer, an alumnus of De La Salle University who roots for his Alma Mater’s Green Archers, nonetheless acknowledges that "the rise of the Fighting Maroons in the past five years leading up to their trip to the UAAP Finals is nothing short of phenomenal."

"As an outsider looking in, I hope to convey how the story of a rival school is incredibly inspiring, even to those who do not bleed maroon. I hope to do justice to their story by writing an accurate, comprehensive, well-researched book that will answer many questions about the rise of the Maroons," added Ganglani.

"What were the early challenges the group faced as UP tried to rehabilitate its reputation as one of the UAAP’s cellar-dwellers? What was the motivation behind the bonfire during a one-win campaign which was celebrated in Diliman, but mocked outside of the university’s walls?"

"What led to UP hero and legend Paul Desiderio nearly missing out on the chance to wear the school’s name across his chest? How was a once-in-a-generation talent like Juan Gomez De Liaño brought into the fold? Why was it so important for UAAP MVP Bright Akhuetie to leave a legacy at UP that he chose the school over other suitors? These are just some of the questions the book hopes to answer," shared Ganglani.

Aside from covering the UAAP, Ganglani has also written features and done on-camera reports on the NBA, PBA, FIBA, Philippine Superliga, and many other leagues. In 2015, he was chosen by Nike to be a representative of Southeast Asia to interview Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in his final NBA season. Ganglani also has his own web sports show – Beyond the Sport w/ Navs – and runs a printing business in Manila with his family.

For Ganglani, writing this book on the UP Fighting Maroons’ incredible rise will be the most important project of his career.

“As a sports journalist, my ultimate goal to write a story that can inspire others to rise above themselves, which is what the Fighting Maroons did the last five years with help from the dedicated and passionate UP community. Chronicling that special journey, one that was filled with many unforgettable memories, will be the perfect way to do so,” said Ganglani.

The book, which will be published by the Nowhere to go but UP Foundation, will include exclusive interviews with UP’s coaching staff and players, as well as key alumni from the UP community who helped augment the state university's athletic programs. 

According to NTGBU Chairperson and UP Maroons Manager Atty. Agaton Uvero, "the goal really is to produce a tome that will be enjoyed not only by UP alumni and fans of the Fighting Maroons, but also by those who are looking for motivation to strive for something bigger."

UP Maroons coach Bo Perasol echoed Uvero's sentiments, stressing that "the story of the Maroons is still being written as we speak."

"Nonetheless, UP is in a unique situation as the only state university in the UAAP. As such, its varsity teams face circumstances far different from their counterparts in private schools," said the former Maroon, who graduated from UP Diliman in 1994. 

"It's a very interesting story, and we hope that it will inspire those who face enormous challenges in the pursuit of their ambitions. Nakakaiyak, nakakatawa, nakaka-inspire. Which is why I and the rest or the team are really excited about this project."

From UP Fight to UP Flight

For a time it looked as if the UP Fighting Maroons had nowhere to go but down.

After the 1986 UAAP championship, UP’s performance in the premiere collegiate league could be described as uneventful, even dismal, save for two seasons back in 1996 and 1997 when the team reached the Final Four.

The UP community grew indifferent. And with a string of bottom-dwelling and sometimes winless seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2013, the community seemingly lost all interest. Recruitment suffered. Aspirations towards a championship fizzled out. The UP Maroons continued to battle in the UAAP, but unlike their competition, they appeared less inspired, playing like boys against men.

Perhaps one reason was that the team operated on a bare-minimum budget. This resulted in so-so recruitment and short-term, season-to-season systems that failed to develop the young players from competitors to winners. Eventually, the once-mighty Maroons of 1986 and the late 90’s lost their winning ways, lacked the will to win and sank into a dismal losing culture. Sad but true, but when the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team was mentioned, the name became synonymous with losing.

So pathetic was the Maroons’ ability to win that in Season 77 in 2014, the team and a community of Maroons fans celebrated their lone win of the season against Adamson U with a bonfire at the UP Sunken Garden. The win had snapped a 27-game losing streak and a loss-soaked 720 days. Some ridiculed UP for celebrating mediocrity with the bonfire. Had the team really sunk so low?

In reality, it was the beginning of a turnaround. Following that bonfire, a UP alumnus posted an article on his Facebook account that bemoaned the sorry state of the UP basketball program, citing hungry athletes, lack of resources including transportation, lack of electricity in their quarters and other woes. The Facebook post became viral. The article sparked outrage, concern, then an outpouring of support from the alumni community. That year UP won just 1 game, but that one game meant everything. It changed the mindset of the players, changed the perception of the UP community towards the athletes and gave birth to the biggest and strongest grassroots support base for the team, the nowheretogobutUP movement. That one game became the spark that started the resurgence of the UP Fighting Maroons.

Four years after that fateful day in 2014, the Maroons have thrived. Thanks to a strong team management and coaching staff. Thanks to exciting recruits and alumni, fans, friends and students who rallied to the cause. Thanks to sponsors, supporters and donors who have given in big and little ways, the improvement in the team with regards to coaching, line-up and performance has grown by leaps and bounds.

Through Seasons 78 through 80, the UP Fighting Maroons have become Final Four contenders once again. The team that celebrated on the basis of just one win is now poised to target the Final Four in Season 81 and, who knows? Maybe even the championship.

The UP Men’s Basketball Team got its biggest break in the off-season with the support and commitment of 3M Philippines. The global science company that never stops inventing and applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily has always believed in talent and most importantly, potential. Ariel Lacsamana, 3M Managing Director and a UP alumnus, said 3M became intrigued with the UP team and its story. Through its long and many struggles, the team never gave up. It kept chipping away at its challenges and solved its problems proudly and creatively. 3M loved the grit and the never-give-up attitude of the UP Fighting Maroons and decided it would take a chance on the UPMBT. It formalized a long-term partnership with the team that will support it through UAAP Season 81 and in other leagues that it would participate in as well.

“This is not the first time we are partnering with educational institutions or talent,” the 3M MD said. “We do what we can to support and provide tools, resources and knowledge. We believe that the UP Men’s Basketball Team is talent worth investing in.”

Come September when the UPMBT faces its most important battle which is UAAP Season 81, the team as well as the entire UP community can’t wait to show how grateful they are for 3M’s faith and generosity. The team will fight to show 3M their trust in the team was all worth it. A new winning tradition is here. There’s #nowheretogobutUP

UP Fighting Maroons renews partnership deal with Nxled

Nxled, the leader in next generation lighting, renewed its support for the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team for University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81. The lighting and fixtures company designed for longevity and breakage-resistance committed to help UP breed the next generation of champions and be a part of its bright future. Nxled executive vice president Catherine Tiu-Tan, UP chancellor Michael Tan, and officials of Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation (NTGBUP) -- a volunteer group of UP alumni supporting UP’s varsity programs led by its president, Atty. Agaton Uvero -- officially renewed their partnership by signing a new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Tuesday, July 10 at Quezon Hall of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Also present at the signing ceremony were UP head coach Bo Perasol and his coaching staff, the UP Fighting Maroons and another UP MBT major backer, Ms. Robina Gokongwei-Pe, president, CEO and director of Robinson Retail Holdings, Inc.

*This is Press Release

Philippines Hosts First International Sport Pedagogy Conference on Philippine Soil

The University of the Philippines’ College of Human Kinetics (UP-CHK) and the Sport Management Council of the Philippines (SportPhil) are in deep preparations for the 2016 International Conference on Sport Pedagogy, Health, and Wellness (ICSPHW 2016 — the first-ever 3-day international academic sporting event to be held in the Philippines.

Entitled “P.E. Plus: Retooling Physical Education and School Sports for Inclusion, Development and Competition,” the international confab will be held from November 18 to 20, 2016, at the Celebrity Sports Plaza and the UP campus in Quezon City. Foreign and local sports experts and educators will take part in the event.

The conference aims to highlight the importance of games, play, and physical activity for the development of students and looks to attract P.E. teachers, coaches, instructors, trainers, managers, students, athletes and sports advocates. Participants will hear meaningful and substantial lectures and get training from distinguished sports scholars from all over the world, including the Philippines.

“This year’s conference promises to equip attendees with the latest pedagogy and workshops and will open up opportunities for them to showcase their research papers and posters,” said UP-CHK Dean Ronualdo Dizer. The event is focused on improving sports education in the country.

Since 2012, UP-CHK has been organizing the National Conference on Sport Pedagogy which has been well-attended by physical educators, sport science practitioners, coaches and human movement specialists from all over the Philippines.

Now that it has gone international, the conference has a bevy of 20+ foreign and local speakers, an expected attendance of 850+ participants, and has been endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science (ACESS), among other international institutions.

Co-presented by MILO Philippines, and with GoldToe and Delos Santos Medical Center as its assisting sponsors so far, ICSPHW 2016 is offering special early bird rates to registrants until August 30th. Ticket prices for the 3-day affair are PHP4,500 for local participants and PHP3,000 for undergraduate students. 

P.E. Plus is the International Conference on Sport Pedagogy, Health, and Wellness 2016’s official theme. For more information, visit www.peplus.ph, www.facebook.com/NCSPofficial, or call us at +63977 831 8749.

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About UP College of Human Kinetics (UP-CHK)

The UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics (CHK) is one of the leading academic institutions in the Philippines which offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Physical Education, Sports and Human Movement Sciences. It has produced graduates who are now leaders and key administrators shaping the physical education, sports and exercise programs in various institutions nationwide. Currently it is composed of 33 full-time faculty members who specialize in sports coaching/officiating and instruction, strength and conditioning, dance and fitness instruction, outdoor recreation and management, and sports and exercise psychology.

About Sport Management Council of the Philippines (SportPhil)

SportPhil is an organization that assists and promotes excellence in sport management, science and business – combining foreign and local expertise. Founded by Ms. Geraldine Bernardo, a one-time executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and former national athlete herself, SportPhil is a recognized member of the Asian Association of Sport Management (AASM) and an affiliate of the Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science (ACESS). To learn more visit www.sportphil.com, or call us at +63977 831 8749.

*This is Press Release