Going indie

It is undeniable that the recent years have seen a rise in awareness and appreciation among Filipinos towards the arts and culture. Thanks to groups and institutions that support the thriving scene, we will be able to pass down our intact heritage to the next generation.

Take for example Sinag Maynila Film Festival, which aims to support local independent cinema. The festival seeks to inspire, educate and enlighten the viewing public.

Just recently, members of the diplomatic corps, filmmakers, film enthusiasts and corporate executives gathered at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier to celebrate the opening of Sinag Maynila Film Festival. The festival this year was a joint project of Solar Entertainment, Centerstage Productions, SM and Samsung.

Now on its second year, Sinag Maynila featured five films reflective of Filipino culture and themes that presented social issues deserving of discussion among audiences here and abroad. These films were Dyamper by Mes de Guzman, Expressway by Ato Bautista, Lila by Gino Santos, Mrs. by Adolf Alix Jr. and T.P.O. by Joselito Altarejos. These movies were all shown at selected SM Cinemas.

At the opening night, a ceremonial striking of the gong was led by Sinag Maynila Festival director Brillante Mendoza and founder and CEO Wilson Tieng. Tieng also led the toast to celebrate this year’s festival, and to wish Mendoza and his protégé Raymund Gutierrez luck for their entries Ma’ Rosa and Imago respectively in the Main Competition and Short Film categories in the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.

Guests were also introduced to the jury members of Sinag Maynila’s different categories: Kenji Ishizaka, Japanese programming director, film critic, producer and professor of the Japan Institute of Moving Image; Philip Cheah, film critic, programming consultant and advisor to different independent film festivals in Singapore; and Roger Garcia, film critic, author, producer and executive festival director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. Multi-awarded and internationally-acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz, who won the Silver Bear in Berlin Film Festival for his eight-hour film Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, heads the jury of Sinag’s Main Competition.

This year’s film festival introduced two new categories: Short Film Category and the Samsung Cinefone Category. The finalists in these categories were gathered from numerous entries from students and up-and-coming filmmakers.

The jury members for the Short film Category were multi-awarded screenwriter, director and film educator Jose Javier Reyes; director, writer, producer and film educator Mark Meily; and internationally-acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Raymond Red.

Guests also had the rare opportunity to watch the opening film Human, a critically-acclaimed documentary by French environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand, which tells the story of humanity as told by more than 2,000 people from over 60 countries.

Beauty wonders

Skincare goals change over time. These may include wanting to correct an uneven tan, to brighten a dark spot, or to make skin more radiant. Many women often change their skincare ritual as they try different products and methods to discover the best.

To make every woman look and feel beautiful, facial skincare brand Olay provides products to address every need, including whitening.

Olay prides itself in being the “one wash wonder” that promises fair, radiant skin without the pain. During an exclusive preview for beauty enthusiasts, the new Olay Skin Whitening Bar was revealed. It was said that eight out of 10 Filipinas agree that the skincare brand helps to whiten their skin even after the very first use. During the event, beauty queen, model and entrepreneur Valerie Weigmann was introduced as the new face of Olay’s Skin Whitening Bar.

Jia Salindong-Du, P&G country leader for personal care, said, “Olay is built on a deep understanding of women around the world, including the Philippines. Committed to make every woman look and feel her best, Olay provides products to address her skincare needs — from anti-aging to whitening.”

Furry tale

A lot has changed in the pet care and grooming industry since Dogs and the City opened its first store in 2005.

Haydee Chua, the lady behind the one-stop shop, wanted to give the very best for her four-legged friends, but couldn’t find a local shop that met her needs. Trips abroad were spent sourcing and purchasing for her furry ones, which eventually led to the opening of Dogs and the City in Frontera Verde, Tiendesitas, Pasig City. It was then a humble shop that offered pet food, treats and accessories.

It only took less than two years for the pet store to expand, with a bigger space at SM Mall of Asia that opened in June 2007. Other branches followed, even an online shop started in 2013. Now, the store also offers grooming, day care and veterinary services at select branches.

“We cater mostly to dogs and cats in terms of grooming services. Our product offerings are concentrated mostly to dogs and cats, although we also offer fish, hamster and rabbit food and accessories in selected stores,” Chua said.

(Find Dogs and the City at SM Mall of Asia, Forbes Town Center, Eastwood City Walk 2, TriNoma, Lucky China Town Mall, Alabang Town Center, Greenhills Shopping Center, Solenad 3 and Blue Bay Walk. For more information, visit dogsandthecityph on Facebook.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)