John Estrada plays real life assassinated mayor

After the successful maiden edition of Istorya ng Pag-asa last year, bigger cash prizes are at stake for the winners of the 2019 Istorya ng Pag-asa (INP) Film Festival.

This was announced by Vice President Leni Robredo at the launch of her office’s pet project which aims to impart positive messages via short films that are three to five minutes long.

“It is our hope that through Istorya ng Pag-asa, lalo na iyong Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival, Filipinos will be united in the common values of perseverance, deep faith and the goodness of humanity because that is the underlying theme of every story,”said VP Leni.

Istorya ng Pag-asa is a nationwide competition for original short films that showcase extraordinary stories of ordinary Filipinos.

Aiming to spread the perseverance, dedication, and warmth of ordinary Filipinos amid life’s adversaries, the INP Film Fest is an all-digital competition that is open to all Filipinos – even non-professional filmmakers and those based overseas – who must tell their chosen true story of hope in a short film.

It aims to become a platform for short documentaries that show true and inspiring stories of hope. The deadline of submission of entries is on March 25. Application forms and other details of the competition can be found at the Istorya ng Pag-asa (INP) website and istoryangpagasa.ovp.gov.ph.

According to VP Leni, they received 73 entries last year which was trimmed down to 15 finalists. Three of these won trophies and cash prizes.

Aside from special prizes for Best Script, Best Director and Best Cinematography, INP is also giving out the People’s Choice Award and a special award from Ayala Foundation, the partner of the Office of the Vice President for this project. Also a partner of the Office of the Vice President is the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Office of the Vice President and the Film Development Council of the Philippines for the second year of Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival (INPFF). The success of the first INPFF in 2018 showed that there is a great interest in stories that offer hope and inspiration for people from all walks of life. For the second year of the festival, we are excited to see young filmmakers share more uplifting stories that will truly make us proud to be Filipinos,” said Ruel Maranan, President of the Ayala Foundation. 

Actor-TV host Dingdong Dantes was chosen as the ambassador of the 2019 INP Festival.

The winner for Best Film will receive P80,000 plus trophy, while the  first and second runners-up will receive P50,000 at P30,000 respectively.

Winning entries will be shown in Ayala cinemas.

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“Ulan,” the newest movie offering from Viva Entertainment starring Nadine Lustre, Carlo Aquino and Marco Gumabao opens today in cinemas nationwide.

This is Nadine’s first solo film without her boyfriend James Reid who admitted in a recent episode of Gandang Gabi Vice that he and Nadine are living together. We wonder how this revelation of James will affect the fate of “Ulan” at the box-office.

Will this help to make people curious about Nadine’s movie and entice them to flock to the nearest theater?

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John Estrada said that one of the best movie roles he portrayed is the film bio of Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili who was gunned down by an assassin while singing the national anthem last year.

The actor said he was inspired by the story of Mayor Halili who is a much-admired public official.

The film bio of Mayor Halili titled “The Last Interview: The Mayor Antonio Halili Story” was directed by broadcaster Caesar Soriano, who was given permission by the late chief executive to do the movie before he died.

Mayor Halili was known for parading drug addicts in Tanauan as a crime deterrent but surprisingly he was tagged as a drug protector.

“The Last Interview: The Mayor Tony Halili Story” will be show on May 22.

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After five exciting Judges’ Auditions episodes, the power now lies in your hands. The top 24 acts are now through to the semi-finals and you decide who to vote to perform at Marina Bay Sands Singapore for the Grand Finals Show.

To vote, tune in to “Asia’s Got Talent” every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and wait for the hosts to announce that voting is open, then go to Facebook and Google to start supporting your favorite acts.

The voting period will be open for four days from Thursday evening when the hosts announce that voting is open, to the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

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