Find time for passion, MMFF’s Tagpuan star Alfred Vargas says

By Christine Cudis  

 

MEETING PLACE. In a true-to-life film starred by Alfred Vargas, Iza Calzado, and Shaina Magdayao, the struggles of immigrants and Overseas Filipino Workers are told under the direction of Mac Alejandre. The film Tagpuan was shot in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and in New York. (Screengrab from the movie teaser)

MANILA – Actor-turned-politician Alfred Vargas urged the public to continue doing their passion despite the busy schedule with their chosen vocation.

“It is a different kind of thrill, of happiness that you feel when you do your passion. Kaya kapag may panahon na medyo bakante na pwedeng isingit ang pag-arte, ginagawa ko (Whenever I have a free time, I try to go back to acting),” he said in an interview with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

He added that others should also find the time to do the thing that gives them joy.

The 41-year-old congressman of the fifth district of Quezon City shared during the interview that he quit acting in 2009 to pour all his attention to public service.

He ran for Quezon City councilor in 2010 and officially became an elected public official in the same year.

After one term, he sought for a higher position and won a congressional seat.

“I sacrificed my showbiz dreams, I quit at what I consider the peak of my showbiz career to really get my hands on serving the people. I ran shortly after that, right now this is my third and last term. It is really my vocation,” he said.

Though he felt satisfied doing public service, he always missed acting.

His film Tagpuan is a masterpiece of award-winning screenwriter Ricky Lee.

Vargas said it tackles the “kind of love that really happens in a relationship”.

“Papano na yung pagmamahalan (How will love run its course) without romance, where do I draw the line between love and giving freedom, requirement ba ang magpatawad (is forgiving a requirement),” he said.

He plays the role of a businessman who is seeking for the meaning of life and happiness after his failed marriage with Agnes, the character of Iza Calzado.

In his visit to Hong Kong, he meets a young-spirited overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Tanya played by Shaina Magdayao.

It took about three years for the team to complete the production.

During their filming in Hong Kong at the heights of protests there, Vargas cited the professionalism of his co-workers by showing up on time despite the roadblocks put up by protesters.

They also shot Vargas and Calzado’s scenes in New York pre-pandemic.

He said apart from the true to life challenges of keeping a relationship, the movie also aims to explore the struggles of OFWs and immigrants.

In the recent awarding, the film garnered third place for the Best Picture award while Magdayao snatched the Best Supporting Actress title.

Online streaming

Vargas, meanwhile, said while they first attempted to qualify for the MMFF 2019 screening, the film failed to pass as a finalist.

He said they tried again for the summer edition of MMFF in 2020 which was also postponed due to the pandemic.

"Nalungkot din kami kasi yun yung end goal ang mapakita sa publiko ang ginawa namin kaya I really appreciate what the administration did for their efforts to push through with the celebration of the MMFF via online streaming kasi part na yun ng tradition ng mga Filipino. Kulang ang pasko pag walang MMFF (We were saddened because we were not able to share it to the public. That's why I appreciate the efforts of the administration pushing through the celebration of the MMFF via online streaming because it's already a part of the Filipino tradition. Christmas celebration is not complete without the MMFF)," he added.

The MMFF this year, like all the other events of 2020, is screened online.

It will be accessible to Filipinos here in the country and abroad in the comfort and safety of their homes via upstream.ph.

It has officially aired on Dec. 25 worth PHP250 in the Philippines and USD10 abroad. (PNA)

 

New virus variant: Japan bans entry of foreigners

ANKARA – Japan on Monday suspended new entries of non-resident foreign nationals from “most of the world” as a precaution against a new variant of the coronavirus.

The country has already reported eight cases of the new strain of the virus which was first reported in the UK.

Ban on entry into the country by non-resident foreign nationals will continue until the end of January, NHK News reported.

Scientific analysis has shown the new strain of the infection spreads 70 percent faster than the earlier one.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said the new measure on travel of foreigners was “a proactive measure to protect the people of Japan.”

Urging people to spend a quiet New Year's holiday, Suga asked people “to be sure to do such things as wash their hands and wear masks.”

Under new conditions, Japanese citizens and foreigners with Japanese resident permits returning from the countries where the new variant has been detected are asked to submit a negative virus test result within 72 hours of departure and also undergo a test upon arrival as of Wednesday through the end of January.

At least 20 countries have reported the new virus strain.

However, Japanese authorities said the new rules do not apply to those ten Asian nations with which Tokyo has agreed to a special scheme to ease travel restrictions. China, South Korea are among those nations.

Japan is witnessing record spike in new infections with 3,881 more coronavirus cases reported on Saturday.

The country has so far reported a total of 223,000 cases, including 3,213 deaths due to the Covid-19. (Anadolu)

Happy Holiday!!!

The Sulu 1st Engineering District, MPW-BARMM extends  our Holiday greetings to you and your family.

Wishing you all the best this holiday season and have a blessed  New Year 2021.

Engr, Ajan S. Ajijul

District Engineer

Sulu 1st DEO MPW-BARMM

My X'mas Greetings..

May this Holiday season brings joy and have peaceful celebration... 

Merry Christmas Everyone and Advance Happy New Year 2021...
 

PH to level up food safety standards in tourism

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora 

 MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday formally partnered with the Food Safety & Hygiene Academy of the Philippines (FoodSHAP) to level up its accreditation process in the area of food safety.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two parties was signed by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and FoodSHAP Managing Director Elsie Gatpayat,

Under the MOA, FoodSHAP will offer sponsorship and advocacies in tourism by providing training, assistance, and information to concerned DOT officers and stakeholders free of charge.

This would also include programs on foundations of food safety, basic food safety for food handlers, principles in practice, and other food safety programs that may be identified.

The DOT will receive regular reports and updates as well as request the data or information to enhance educational programming and assist in the development of its accreditation standards.

Romulo-Puyat said the partnership is timely as the Philippines slowly reopens its destinations in accordance with strict health protocols imposed by the government.

"By increasing consumer confidence and patronizing food and beverage outlets, we will spur economic recovery and revitalize the tourism industry," she said.

Gatpayat, meanwhile, said the partnership reflects FoodSHAP's commitment to supporting the development of a "food safety culture" in the Philippines.

"As we are now in the new normal and the tourism sector is significantly hit by the pandemic, promoting the Philippines as a safe destination in the next coming months would be challenging while maintaining international standards," she said.

"As a social enterprise, we are enjoined to live up to our advocacies despite all the challenges brought by the pandemic and that is to raise the awareness of food handlers on food safety," she added. (PNA)

 

Boom in nature-based tourism seen under new normal

By Joyce Ann L. Recamora

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan (Photo: City government of Puerto Princesa)

MANILA – As tourism gradually reopens, the demand for nature-based tourism is likely to increase as people look for safer alternatives in selecting destinations to visit, Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said Thursday.

This said, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is ramping up its efforts to develop new tourism products that would cater to the travelers' preferences amid the pandemic.

"We're working on product development kasi kailangan mag-develop tayo ng mga bagong produkto na angkop sa requirements ng mga travelers under the new normal kasi makikita natin na there is a greater preference for lower density, high-value, mas maraming mga outdoor types of tours (We're working on product development because we need new ones that are fit to the needs of travelers under the new normal. We see that there is a greater preference for lower density, high-value products, majority wants outdoor types of tours)," he said during Thursday’s Laging Handa briefing.

Bengzon is optimistic the Philippines would be able to draw domestic tourists, even foreigners once travel restrictions are eased. He said such preference among travelers could work to the Philippines' advantage given its numerous nature-based assets.

Just recently, the Philippines was recognized as the world's leading dive destination, beating top dive spots such as Azores Islands, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Maldives, and Mexico.

Aside from its promising sites underwater, the country also offers idyllic resort islands, including Palawan, Boracay, and Siargao Island, which was recently cited as one of the best 2021 holiday destinations by Condé Nast Traveller.

Bengzon said the DOT is also banking on local travel to drive the industry's recovery. This as he noted that tourism revenues from domestic travel alone reached PHP3.1 trillion in 2019, much higher than inbound which was pegged at PHP548.8 billion in the same year.

"Mga 85 percent of total tourism revenues are from domestic tourism. So we're also confident na mapapabilis ang recovery ng ating industriya kung matutulungan natin itong mga local enterprises natin (Around 85 percent of total tourism revenues in 2019 are from domestic tourism. So we're also confident that we'll be able to fast-track the industry's recovery if we're going to help our local enterprises)," he said.

Months after the first lockdown was imposed, several Philippine destinations started welcoming tourists, but with certain travel requirements such as the "test-before-travel" rule. (PNA)