DAR, NNC renew
partnership for “Tutok Kainan”
![DAR and NNC Tutok Kainan partnership](tutok-kainan2.jpg)
DAR
Eastern Visayas Regional Director, Robert Anthony Yu, and
National Nutrition Council (NNC) Nutrition Program
Coordinator, Catalino Dotollo Jr., sign memorandum of
understanding (MOU) in support of NNC’s “Tutok Kainan”
Dietary Supplementation Program. |
By
JOSE ALSMITH L.
SORIA
January 18, 2024
TACLOBAN CITY – The
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the National Nutrition
Council (NNC) sealed a new partnership agreement in the
implementation of NNC’s “Tutok Kainan” Dietary Supplementation
Program in Eastern Visayas yesterday morning (January 17).
DAR Eastern Visayas
Regional Director, Robert Anthony Yu, and NNC Nutrition Program
Coordinator, Catalino Dotollo Jr. signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) in a simple ceremony held at the DAR Regional
Office to continue its partnership in the implementation of the
phase six of the “Tutok Kainan.”
Dotollo explained that
nutritionally at-risk pregnant women from 54 municipalities in the
provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar and
Eastern Samar are the recipients of phase six of the said program.
Under this engagement, DAR
will recommend agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs)
that are proximate to the above identified areas capable of
supplying fresh farm products, while NNC will serve as a direct
market buying fresh food items from the ARBOs needed in the
preparation of supplemental food for pregnant women.
According to Dotollo,
“With our ‘Tutok Kainan,’ we also want our ARBOs to have income
while addressing malnutrition and hunger among our children and
pregnant women. It’s hitting two birds with our engagement with the
DAR through their respective ARBOs.”
“Based on experience, our
engagement with ARBOs is better,” said Dotollo. “Kasi presko talaga
ang mga pagkain na ibibigay sa ating mga target clientele,” he
added.
Last year, eight ARBOs
from the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar and Northern
Samar were able to enter into a marketing agreement with NNC in the
amount of P10.2 million for the phase three and five of “Tutok Kainan.”
Meanwhile, Yu commented,
NNC’s Tutok Kainan, “is a golden opportunity to establish new
industries paving a way to new projects, and other enterprises to
cater the entrepreneurial needs of our ARBs and ARBOs.”
![NNC’s Tutok Kainan](tutok-kainan.jpg)
Agusan del Norte
farmers seek to boost harvest processing capacity with new equipment
![ICRC corn mill](icrc-corn-mill.jpg)
Staff
from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
orients the residents of Barangay Puting Bato in Agusan del
Norte about the corn sheller and corn mill during the
handover. (Photo: M.Lucero /ICRC) |
By
ICRC
January 18, 2024
MAKATI CITY –
Around 107 families from the suburbs of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del
Norte, some of whom have been displaced by conflict, are set to
improve their harvest processing capacity after receiving
post-harvest machinery from the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC).
Residents of Sitio Lusong
in Barangay Puting Bato received a corn sheller and corn mill from
the ICRC during a handover ceremony in December 2023, which was also
attended by officials of the local government unit and the City
Agriculture Office of Cabadbaran. The ICRC worked with the
provincial government of Agusan del Norte in completing the project.
The corn sheller is used
to quickly and efficiently separate kernels of the corn from the
cob. The corn kernel is processed into fine powder by grinding it in
the corn mill. The new farming equipment will be operated by the
farmers’ association.
At least 37 families
living in Barangay Puting Bato were displaced from their original
homes due to armed conflict. They lost their sources of income and
are in the process of rebuilding through farming, with the help of
the local government and ICRC.
Apart from the equipment,
the displaced families and host residents received food rations,
farm tools, and seeds such as maize, beans and squash. Last year,
107 households were trained by the ICRC and the City Agriculture
Office of Cabadbaran on contouring techniques, inter-cropping and
post-harvest management techniques. It was also in 2023 when the
ICRC completed the rehabilitation of the village’s water supply
system.
“Armed conflicts leave
severe humanitarian consequences on civilians, such as the loss of
jobs and livelihood. We hope that these farm tools leave a positive
impact on the lives of the people, and pave the way for them to have
a brighter future,” says Ishfaq Muhammad Khan, head of the ICRC’s
Butuan office.
The ICRC is a neutral,
impartial and independent organization with an exclusively
humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and
other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and
dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red
Cross and Red Crescent partners.
About 1 in every 4
families in Eastern Visayas is poor
By
PSA-8
January 18, 2024
TACLOBAN CITY –
Poverty incidence among families in Eastern Visayas in the first
semester of 2023 was estimated at 26.1 percent. This implies that in
the first semester of 2023, about 1 in every 4 families in the
region was poor or have income that were below the poverty
threshold, or the amount needed to buy their basic food and non-food
needs.
![Poverty incidence among families by province](ev-poverty-2023a.gif)
In the first semester of
2023, poverty incidence among families in Samar was estimated at
35.8 percent; Eastern Samar at 35.6 percent; Northern Samar at 27.5
percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 23.8 percent; Southern
Leyte at 16.6 percent; and Biliran at 13.2 percent.
Significant improvements
in poverty situation among families between the first semester of
2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte
(excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Poverty incidence
among families in Biliran dropped to 13.2 percent in the first
semester of 2023 from 22.4 percent in the first semester of 2021.
The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) registered 23.8
percent poverty incidence among families in the first semester of
2023, lower than the 31.3 percent in the first semester of 2021.
Poverty incidence among families in Southern Leyte decreased to 16.6
percent in the first semester of 2023 from 25.5 percent in the same
semester of 2021.
Given the new master
sample, PSA was able to generate reliable statistics down to the
provincial level as well as for highly urbanized cities (HUCs).
Poverty incidence among families for Tacloban City, the lone HUC in
the region, was recorded at 13.2 percent in the first semester of
2023.
Around 34 out of 100
individuals in Eastern Visayas are poor
Poverty incidence among
population in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023 was
estimated at 33.7 percent. This implies that in the first semester
of 2023, around 34 in every 100 individuals in the region belong to
the poor population whose per capita income was not sufficient to
buy their minimum basic food and non-food needs.
![Poverty incidence among population by province](ev-poverty-2023b.gif)
In the first semester of
2023, poverty incidence among population in Eastern Samar was
estimated at 44.9 percent; Samar at 43.5 percent; Northern Samar at
36.2 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 31.3 percent;
Southern Leyte at 23.8 percent; and Biliran at 19.7 percent.
Significant improvements
in poverty situation among population between the first semester of
2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte
(excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Poverty incidence
among population in Biliran dropped to 19.7 percent in the first
semester of 2023 from 30.7 percent in the first semester of 2021.
The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), registered 31.3
percent poverty incidence among population in the first semester of
2023, lower than the 39.1 percent in the first semester of 2021.
Poverty incidence among population in Southern Leyte decreased to
23.8 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 31.7 percent in the
same semester of 2021.
Poverty incidence among
population in Tacloban City in the first semester of 2023 was
recorded at 19.2 percent.
Subsistence Incidence
among Families
The subsistence incidence
among families in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023
significantly decreased to 10.9 percent from the 13.2 percent
subsistence incidence among families in the first semester of 2021.
This figure means that in the first semester of 2023, approximately
1 in every 10 families in the region have income below the food
threshold or the amount needed to buy their basic food needs and
satisfy the nutritional requirements set by the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute (FNRI) to ensure that one remains economically
and socially productive.
![Subsistence Incidence among Families by province](ev-poverty-2023c.gif)
In the first semester of
2023, subsistence incidence among families in Eastern Samar was
estimated at 19.2 percent; Samar at 17.7 percent; Northern Samar at
11.9 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 8.3 percent;
Southern Leyte at 4.9 percent and Biliran at 3.5 percent.
Significant decreases in
subsistence incidence among families between the first semester of
2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte
(excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Subsistence incidence
among families in Biliran declined to 3.5 percent in the first
semester of 2023 from 8.7 percent in the first semester of 2021. The
province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) registered 8.3 percent
subsistence incidence among families in the first semester of 2023,
lower than the 16.0 percent in the first semester of 2021.
Subsistence incidence among families in Southern Leyte went down to
4.9 percent in the first semester of 2023 from 10.4 percent in the
first semester of 2021. On the other hand, subsistence incidence
among families in Northern Samar significantly increased to 11.9
percent in the first semester of 2023 from 7.1 percent in the first
semester of 2021. Samar registered 17.7 percent subsistence
incidence among families in the first semester of 2023, higher than
the 11.7 percent in the first semester of 2021.
Subsistence incidence
among families in Tacloban City in the first semester of 2023 was
recorded at 3.5 percent.
Subsistence Incidence
among Population
Subsistence incidence
among population in Eastern Visayas in the first semester of 2023
was estimated at 14.9 percent. This translates that in the first
semester of 2023, about 3 in every 20 individuals in the region have
per capita income below the food threshold or the minimum amount
needed to buy their basic food needs.
![Subsistence Incidence among population by province](ev-poverty-2023d.gif)
In the first semester of
2023, subsistence incidence among population in Eastern Samar was
estimated at 25.0 percent; Samar at 23.1 percent; Northern Samar at
17.1 percent; Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) at 11.7 percent;
Southern Leyte at 7.6 percent; and Biliran at 5.8 percent.
Significant decreases in
subsistence incidence among population between the first semester of
2021 and first semester of 2023 were noted in Biliran, Leyte
(excluding Tacloban City), and Southern Leyte. Subsistence incidence
among population in Biliran dropped to 5.8 percent in the first
semester of 2023 from 13.1 percent in the first semester of 2021.
The province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City), registered 11.7
percent subsistence incidence among population in the first semester
of 2023, lower than the 21.1 percent in the first semester of 2021.
Subsistence incidence among population in Southern Leyte decreased
to 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2023 from 13.9 percent in the
first semester of 2021. On the other hand, subsistence incidence
among population in Northern Samar significantly increased to 17.1
percent in the first semester of 2023 from 10.6 percent in the first
semester of 2021. The province of Samar registered 23.1 percent
subsistence incidence among population in the first semester of
2023, significantly higher than the 15.4 percent in the first
semester of 2021.
Subsistence incidence
among population in Tacloban City in the first semester of 2023 was
recorded at 5.8 percent.
Food Threshold
In the first semester of
2023, a family of five in Eastern Visayas needed at least P8,955 per
month, to meet the family’s basic food needs. This amount represents
the average monthly food threshold for a family of five. This figure
is 13.3 percent higher compared with the first semester 2021 level
of P7,904.
![Food threshold for family by province](ev-poverty-2023e.gif)
In the first semester of
2023, the average monthly food threshold for a family of five in
Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) was recorded at PhP 9,389; Southern
Leyte and Eastern Samar both at P9,249; Northern Samar at P8,730;
Biliran at P8,378; and Samar at P8,320.
Increases in food
threshold between the first semester 2021 and first semester 2023
were observed in all provinces. Leyte (excluding Tacloban City)
posted the biggest increase in food threshold at 19.8 percent.
Meanwhile, average monthly
food threshold for a family of five in Tacloban City was estimated
at P9,524 in the first semester of 2023. This registered an increase
of 15.8 percent compared with its level in the same semester in
2021.
Poverty Threshold
The average monthly
poverty threshold for a family of five in Eastern Visayas in the
first semester of 2023 was estimated at P12,897, an increase of 14.2
percent from the first semester 2021 level of P11,292. This
represents the amount needed every month to meet the family’s basic
food and non-food needs.
![Poverty threshold for family by province](ev-poverty-2023f.gif)
In the first semester of
2023, the average monthly poverty threshold for a family of five in
Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) was estimated at P13,428; Southern
Leyte at P13,247; Eastern Samar at P13,246; Northern Samar at
P12,517; Biliran at P11,938; and Samar at P11,925.
Increases in poverty
threshold between the first semester of 2021 and first semester of
2023 were observed in all provinces, except in Biliran, which
recorded a 0.2 percent decrease. Leyte (excluding Tacloban City)
posted the biggest increase in poverty threshold at 19.6 percent.
Meanwhile, average monthly
poverty threshold for a family of five in Tacloban City was
estimated at P13,665 in the first semester of 2023. This registered
an increase of 16.0 percent compared with its level in the same
semester in 2021.
Clustering of Provinces
based on Poverty Incidence
All provinces in the
country were clustered from 1 to 5 using poverty incidence among
families as the clustering variable. Cluster 1 comprises the bottom
poor provinces and cluster 5 comprises the least poor provinces.
In the first semester of
2023, Samar moved one (1) cluster lower from its cluster category in
the first semester of 2021. Biliran and Southern Leyte moved one (1)
cluster higher from its cluster category in the first semester of
2021, while the rest of the provinces maintained their first
semester 2021 cluster categories.
Biliran and Southern Leyte
belonged to cluster category 4. Leyte (including Tacloban City) and
Northern Samar were classified under cluster category 3. Meanwhile,
Eastern Samar and Samar were under the cluster category 2
Successful military
operation in Basey, Samar: NPA leader surrenders, high-powered
firearms seized
![seized high-powered firearms](npa-leader-surrender.jpg)
By
DPAO, 8ID PA
January 15, 2024
CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan
City – On January 15, 2024, the troops of the 63rd Infantry
Battalion launched a successful operation resulting in the discovery
of an arms cache linked to the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at
Sitio Bagti, Barangay Mabini, Basey Samar.
Acting on the revelation
gathered from a recently surrendered NPA leader, the 63rd Infantry
Battalion, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Lucio Janolino,
discovered the concealed arms cache. The cache contained four AK47s,
five upper receivers of an M16 rifle, five long magazines, and two
disc type magazines of AK47.
Expressing gratitude for
the surrendered CNT leader's cooperation and sincerity, Lt. Col.
Janolino acknowledges the pivotal role such collaborations play in
the ongoing efforts to end the local communist armed conflict. He
extends an encouraging call for more surrenders, fostering hope for
others in the CPP-NPA ranks will opt to lay down their arms and join
the mainstream society.
Major General Camilo Z.
Ligayo, the 8th Infantry Division Commander, commends the troops of
the 63rd Infantry Battalion for their unwavering dedication and
commendable efforts. Emphasizing the importance of collaborative
endeavors, he states, "With the united efforts of various government
agencies, civilians, and the relentless operations of the Army, we
are poised to bring an end to this decades-long insurgency problem."
“This successful operation
marks a significant stride towards achieving our collective goal of
a peaceful and secure region. The continued collaboration between
the military, former rebels and Local Government Units reinforces
the belief that unity is essential in overcoming the challenges
posed by the communist insurgency,” MajGen. Ligayo added.
Manila FAME brings in
6.6M USD of export sales in comeback show
![Manila FAME](Manila-FAME.jpg)
By
CITEM
January 15, 2024
PASAY CITY – The
40th edition of Manila FAME, a flagship sourcing event of the
Department of Trade and Industry’s export promotion arm Center for
International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), generated $6.6
million export sales, which is a 51% increase from its last
face-to-face edition in 2019.
Manila FAME was
participated by over 200 local exhibitors of home, fashion, and
lifestyle products and attracted more than 4,000 local and
international visitors. The show also generated P44.7 million in
domestic sales.
Coconut slippers from
exhibitor Everything Green emerged as the top-selling export product
with more than $3.3 million in negotiated sales. The coconut
slippers were featured under the Coconut Pavilion, a collaboration
of CITEM with the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and the Design
Center of the Philippines (DCP) in an effort to make use of the
rather discarded husk of the abundant natural material.
Design Commune, a curated
showcase in Manila FAME of home and fashion pieces from CITEM’s
product development program, featured 425 new designs produced by 40
local companies. This year’s edition of Design Commune was led by
renowned product specialists Tony Gonzales, and the tandem of Rita
Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco.
“Through time, the
Philippines became famous because our craftsmen and designers were
able to come up every year with new designs, new ideas, and new ways
of using the materials,” Gonzales shared. He curated home decor,
lighting, and furniture pieces in collaboration with local brands.
Meanwhile, Nazareno and
Lichauco came up with a concept they thought would resonate with
many. “We incorporated a blend of utilitarian and anthropology, but
in a quintessential, Filipino spin to everyday fashion items such as
bags, wearables, and shoes among others.”
“In the special setting
for Design Commune, we wanted the audience to feel like they’re at
an anthropology exhibit,” Nazareno added.
A
celebration of Philippine design excellence
Manila FAME honored
outstanding and innovative product designs in this year’s edition
during the KATHA Awards ceremony titled “Pagsibol: A Gala Night
Celebrating Filipino Design Excellence” held at the National Museum
of Natural History.
The ceremony recognized
the best product designs in the following categories: furniture,
home décor and houseware, lamps and lighting, holiday and gifts, and
fashion.
The gala also had a
fashion show segment that presented reimagined pieces from different
time periods using indigenous fabrics and crafts; and a sartorial
play on the Manila Carnival Queens. Jewelmer, a local fine jewelry
manufacturer, also presented a collection of exquisite jewelry that
pays homage to Philippine heritage and culture featuring the Golden
South Sea Pearl. Pagsibol featured premier brands with curated
fashion pieces that highlight and redefine modern Filipino artistry
and craftsmanship.
Manila FAME
exhibitors to showcase in international trade shows in early 2024
As the launching pad of
Filipino manufacturers and artisans, Manila FAME traditionally
starts the global promotion of locally made export-quality products.
With the conclusion of the country’s premier trade show for quality
home, fashion, and lifestyle products last October, international
buyers and patrons can now look forward to seeing selected local
exhibitors joining overseas trade fairs starting early next year
under the banner DESIGNPhilippines.
Various Philippine
furniture and lighting brands and visual artists are set to join the
upcoming Paris-based trade show Maison et Objet on January 18-22,
2024.
Meanwhile, the successful
debut of Antique and Quirino provinces in Manila FAME 2023 has
prepared them for international participation, along with other
seasoned manufacturers, in the upcoming trade fair Ambiente in
Frankfurt, Germany on January 26-30, 2024.
Seeking the support of
local and international buyers for Philippine exhibitors within and
beyond Manila FAME, CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira
encourages people in the industry to “keep the momentum and continue
elevating Philippine enterprises as they try reaching various
markets around the world.”
Manila FAME 2023 is
organized in partnership with The Philippine Exporters
Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC),
Philippine Airlines, Jewelmer, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS),
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) , DTI-EMB, The DTI Regional
Operations Group (ROG), DCP, Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), The
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), The Province of
La Union, and the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda.
UN Special Rapporteurs
raise concerns on rights violations committed in PH using terror
laws, counterinsurgency measures
Press Release
January 11, 2024
QUEZON CITY – Human
rights alliance KARAPATAN welcomes the public issuance by six United
Nations special rapporteurs led by UN Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights while Countering Terrorism Fionnuala Ni Aoilain of their
communications sent on October 23, 2023 to the Marcos Jr. government
calling attention to human rights violations committed in the course
of implementing the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the Terrorism
Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and Executive Order
68 of 2018 (or the adoption of the National Money Laundering and
Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategy and Creation of the
National AML/CFT Coordinating Committee).
The UN special rapporteurs
had previously requested the Marcos Jr. regime to respond to their
concerns within 60 days. Failing this, the rapporteurs said that
they would publish their letter through their communications
reporting website.
The letter, which was made
public this January 2024, points to the Marcos Jr. regime's utter
lack of interest in addressing the grave human rights issues cited
by the rapporteurs. The letter was also signed by the UN special
rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom
of opinion and expression; the rights to freedom of peaceful
assembly and of association; the situation of human rights
defenders; the rights of indigenous peoples; and on freedom of
religion or belief.
The rapporteurs raised
serious concern over reports that up to 24 individuals have been
victimized and "multiple religious organisations and their members,
as well as other direct service non-profit organisations have been
affected by the alleged measures, in turn hindering access to
Indigenous Peoples, internally displaced persons, human rights
defenders, and women and children, to critical human rights and
humanitarian services."
They pointed out concerns
on the designation of certain non-State armed groups in
non-international armed conflicts (such as the Communist Party of
the Philippines and the New People's Army) as terrorists and linking
the provision of humanitarian activities -- protection and
assistance -- as a form of support for terrorism or to persons or
entities designated as terrorists, saying this "result[s] in the
lowering of fundamental human rights and humanitarian protections
for the weakest and most vulnerable.”
The letter cited that on
at least four occasions, the UN special rapporteurs had already
communicated their concern to the Philippine government over several
human rights violations committed in the context of
counter-terrorism such as arbitrary arrests, enforced
disappearances, killings, fabricated charges and judicial
harassment. They further cited that in April 2020, they voiced their
concern over the designation of individuals and civil society and
humanitarian organizations as “terrorists” pursuant to the
Anti-Terrorism Act, stating that this comprised discrimination
directed at religious and other minorities. Moreover, concerns over
allegations of judicial harassment and red-tagging of seven human
rights defenders and Indigenous leaders of the Cordillera Peoples
Alliance (CPA) were similarly directed to the Marcos Jr. government
in a letter in January 2023.
The escalating human
rights violations documented by Karapatan, including the filing of
terrorism financing charges against yet another development NGO, the
Cebu-based CERNET, is a clear indicator that the Marcos Jr. regime
is all talk and bluster in its claims of adhering to international
human rights norms and covenants to which the Philippine government
is a signatory.
Download:
UN Special Rapporteurs
letter to PBBM
Empowering stories:
Highlights from the 2023 SineMaya Community Film Festival in
Philippine Microfinance
![Sinemaya 2023](SineMaya-2023.jpg)
Mie
Baring (5th from L), Leodeliza Noynay (4th from L) and their
Unit Manager, Bernadeth Nonol (3rd from L) from CARD SME Bank
Salvacion 3P center in Davo del Norte, bagged the Best Film
Award for their film “Pangandoy” during the Sinemaya Film Fest
Araw ng Parangal. The award was presented by CARD MRI Founder
and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip (middlemost),
together with CARD SME Bank President Cynthia Baldeo (2nd from
L), CARD MRI Managing Director Aristeo Dequito (2nd from R)
alongside other MFI’s Heads and representatives. |
By
EDRIAN B. BANANIA
January 11, 2024
SAN PABLO CITY – The Sinemaya 2023: Community Film Festival recently concluded its
second edition at SM City San Pablo in Laguna on December 10, 2023,
marking a significant milestone in the Philippine microfinance
industry.
In this edition, the festival showcased eight inspiring documentary
films created by communities of various microfinance institutions in
the Philippines. The films were screened in various SM Cinemas,
including SM City Manila, SM City Iloilo, and SM City Cagayan de Oro
on November 26, 2023.
The competing entrieswere: Letra by CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)
MSU 2 Center from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Isang libong hakbang
para sa pangarap by CARD Bank Arawan 16 Center from Tiaong, Quezon;
Dahon ng Pag-asa by CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. Poblacion 13 Center
from Cavinti, Laguna; Pangandoy by CARD SME Bank Salvacion 3P Center
from Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Balo by ASA Philippines Purple
Center from Alaminos, Laguna; Pagbangon ng Api by SEDP- Simbag sa
Pag-asenso K25BG Center from Sorsogon; Bunga ng Pag-sisikap by
People’s Alternative Livelihood Microfinance Foundation of Sorsogon,
Inc. Padac Center from Sorsogon; and Kami ay babae, hindi babae lang
by Negros Women For Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. Center 117 from
Guimaras.
About SineMaya
SineMaya, organized by CARD MRI Publishing House, aims to share not
only the stories of CARD MRI communities but also the broader impact
of the microfinance industry on Filipino families and
nation-building. Established in 2017, CARD Publishing aligns with
the goal of creating inspiring narratives to support microfinance
institutions’ mission of poverty eradication. The festival aims to
tap into the creativity and artistry of microfinance clients and
their families in filmmaking, providing training in scriptwriting
and video editing to enhance production quality.
The theme for this year's film fest, "Pagbangon at Pag-asa: Kasangga
ang MFI sa pagharap sa bagong simula", inspired participants to
produce documentaries based on their real-life experiences.
In selecting the winners, the eight documentary films were
deliberated by five judges composed of MiMAP Executive Director Mr.
Jun Jay Perez, APPEND President and CEO Dr. Virginia ‘Jeng’ Juan,
Light Tv Radio Executive Director Ms. Annie Bico Cristobal,Film
Director and Storyteller Mr. Martin Cabrera, and CDC- UPLB Asst.
Professor Mr. John Marvin Embate.
The winners
Pangandoy emerged as the Best Film and bagged the Best Director
award. Expressing gratitude, the documentary film’s director Mie
Baring highlighted the festival's role in showcasing the talents and
skills of microfinance clients beyond their entrepreneurial
endeavors. “We are grateful that clients like us were given the
chance to showcase our talents and skills aside from being
microentrepreneurs,” said Baring.
The documentary film Balo secured the 2nd Best Film and earned
awards for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and
the Founder’s Excellence Award.
Meanwhile, Dahon ng Pag Asa bagged the 3rd Best Film.
Recognizing the holistic approach of microfinance institutions in
community development, several films received Community Development
Awards in categories such as Resiliency, Education, Women
Empowerment, and Financial Inclusion. Below is the full list of
winners:
- Community Development Award for Resiliency: Ang Pagbangon ng Api
- Community Development Award for Education: Isang libong hakbang
para sa pangarap
- Community Development Award for Women Empowerment: Bunga ng
Pag-sisikap
- Community Development Award for Financial Inclusion: Letra
The People's Choice Award, determined by votes from the viewers on
November 26, 2023, was awarded to "Letra”. The film also bagged the
Founder's Excellence Award.
Moreover, Rynzel Joy Gamarcha of Kami ay Babae, Hindi Babae Lang won
the Young Creator Award and the Managing Director’s Choice Award.
The winners received trophies and certificates, products from Mga
Likha ni Inay and CARD Astro Laboratories, international trips, and
cash prizes.
The 2024 edition of the SineMaya Community Film Fest has been
broadened, announced Ms. Marilyn M. Manila, President of CARD MRI
Publishing House. This year, not only Philippine microfinance
institutions but also those in the Southeast Asian Region can
partake in the festival.
The SineMaya organizing team aims to spotlight the global impact of
microfinance in combating poverty in the country through the
production of drama films in 2024.