Venice Film Festival in Manila

It could be said that the Venice Film Festival in Manila would not have happened if not for an Italian’s obsession to watch a Filipino film. 

When Sergio Boero of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (ICCPI) found out that Lav Diaz’s black-and-white film Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left) won the prestigious Golden Lion award at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, he was dying to see it yet it was not shown in any theater in the Philippines. He soon sought help to bring the oldest film festival in the world to the Philippines so he could watch Ang Babaeng Humayo.

With the help of the Italian Embassy of Manila, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Società Dante Alighieri and ICCPI, the Venice Film Festival happened for the first time in Southeast Asia. 

A red carpet event, held at the Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City, kicked off the festival that showed Italian and Filipino films for five days at the Venice Complex. Italian restaurant Ponte Rialto provided delizioso food for the event.

The film festival was indeed a treat for movie buffs. Among Filipino films featured were Jay, Thy Womb and, of course, Ang Babaeng Humayo. A lot of Italian films that competed at the Venice Film Festival were shown as well.

What was also amazing about this film festival was its minimal entrance fee! Morning shows were free to the public and the afternoon shows had P50 entrance fee. 

Boero said that he will make sure that there will be a Venice Film Festival in Manila every year. We do hope so!

(The Festival was also presented by Bench, Furnitalia, BPI, Trevi Foundations Philippines, Ponte Rialto Italian Restaurant, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Venice Cineplex, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Belmont Hotels & Resorts, Cinema One and C1 Originals.)

My Diamond’s newest endorser Charo Santos.

Brilliant Charo

Shine at every stage” couldn’t have been a more fitting theme to introduce Charo Santos as the newest brand ambassador of My Diamond at an event held at Manila House in Taguig City.

Marketing manager JP Paglinawan said, “Charo is truly a special woman, and choosing her as the newest face of the brand came almost naturally. Like My Diamond, she is true, honest and detailed, possessing beauty inside and out.” Known for her beauty and brains coupled with a heart and grit to lead, Charo carries these fine traits that bear the quality of true brilliance.

There’s a My Diamond jewelry piece that’s perfect for any occasion and personality. Each high-quality piece is created by internationally-trained craftsmen. Moreover, My Diamond only utilizes diamonds that are properly certified and possessing top-tier cut, clarity, color and carat.

Charo said, “You have to feel good about yourself.  Owning a diamond is like friendship — it lasts forever.”

HSBC head of retail banking and wealth management Kris Werner.

The gold standard

HSBC launched its Gold Visa Cash Back Credit Card, a cash back card that gives the biggest rewards for doing the things you love most — dining, shopping and traveling.

HSBC Philippines head of retail banking and wealth management Kris Werner said, “Every year, we think of a product that would address the evolving needs of our consumers.  It’s no surprise they love to dine, shop and travel. At HSBC, we found a way that would cater to these needs and provide a more satisfying reward.”

The HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back Credit Card offers the five percent cash back on dining transactions, 0.5 percent cash back on shopping and traveling, no minimum spend required, automatic crediting of rebates every calendar month, cash back cap of P1,200 monthly, a three-percent fuel rebate at participating Caltex stations, and as an acquisition incentive, you get first meal free worth up to P2,500. The HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back Credit Card enables you to be a practical and sensible consumer, offering the best rebate for things that matter.

(For more information, visit www.hsbc.com.ph/cashback.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)