Isang Araw (One day) movie: A certified must-watch

Get your popcorn ready! It’s movie season again, but before you grab your bag and rush to the nearest movie theater to buy tickets to The Hunger Games Sequel: Catching Fire or Disney’s Frozen, you might want to reconsider your plans just now.

If you’re in for an action-packed movie, with the right amount of humor and drama, and a moral back-drop story to ponder on, Isang Araw (One Day) the movie is just right for you. This is the sequel of KuyaDaniel Razons first self-produced movie, Isang Araw Lang back in 2009.

Many movie-goers would line up to blockbuster movies where the same plot never seems to quench their thirst for a good movie over and over again. But, if you’re tired to that same old formula that makes big production companies even wealthier, Isang Araw (One Day) the movie will give you a new perspective on quality film.

Screen shot from Isang Araw official music video

Kuya Daniel with his sidekick Djani and Bayani

Screen shot from Isang Araw Official music video
Ritz Azul with Daria Ramirez

Screen Shot from the movie Isang Araw official music video
Kuya Daniel giving food to Daria Ramirez

Unlike many main-stream movies in cinemas now, the movie has an inspiring plot of how the character of a simple man played by Kuya Daniel Razon himself, stood up to fight for what is right and help innocent people who are persecuted by the many adversaries of good in the film. The film is very realistic and timely especially now that our country has been experiencing several events where the wealthy and powerful abuse their influence to intimidate and harass the poor and meager. People will be pleased to know of one of the main antagonists in the film, Ms. Annette Nepales played by renowned and versatile actress, Ms. Jackie Lou Blanco, who will trigger many associations as the country faces a current issue where the name seems to ring a bell.

Screen Shot from the movie Isang Araw official music video
Jackielou Blanco discussing matters with Ka Rene

Together with Kuya Daniel Razon, Ms. Jackie Lou Blanco, other actors and actresses of great caliber are also part of the film. The casts include Rey PJ Avellana, Jess Lapid Jr., Toby Alejar, Daria Ramirez, Ricardo Cepeda, Eagle Riggs, Lou Veloso, Ritz Azul, Jeffrey Santos, Dennis Padilla, Bayani Agbayani, Dinky Doo, Ryan Ramos, Djani Packing, Long Mejia, Rep. Erin Tanada, Atty. Regie Tongol, Louella De Cordova, among others.

Screen Shot from the movie Isang Araw official music video
Kuya Daniel's close-up shots

Aside from that, the plot of the movie is given justice as the proceeds of the film will go to a very special cause. Charity institutions will be the beneficiaries of the film, truly, Kuya Daniel Razon, together with Brother Eli Soriano, in partnership with UNTV, live up to their advocacy of genuine public service.

With all these in mind, surely, Isang Araw (One Day) the movie is one you should not miss. So, movie-goers and film fanatics, what are you waiting for?

Get your popcorn ready!

PHOTO WALK: LEARNING INSTRUMENT

In terms of scientific knowledge – walking is one of the best exercises as experts would say, simply because it helps the circulatory system function better and as a result it also improves someone’s thinking faculties as the blood delivers oxygen to the brain faster, and thus giving more oxygen to the brain that it needs to consume during a thinking activity. Little we realize that through walking we also get the chance to do other meaningful things like perhaps taking a photo. Walking lets you travel and wander around to see the beautiful gifts of nature, to know the story behind people that you meet in the street, and to make sense of the different realities that unfold in your eyes as you walk, something that you can relate to – photo walking.

On September 20, Friday the group of Mass Communications Technology (La Verdad Christian College- Caloocan) was scheduled for a photo walk activity. The students will now execute all the lessons they have learned during the discussions and seminars in photography. How to make a good angle, how to set the ISO, shutter speed, aperture or in short how to take a perfect picture. Each one of us gets more excited after the activity instructor divided the groups. At 9am all was settled and geared, every group has its team leader (a PHOTOVILLE international member) ready to get it on. 

The first destination is in the vicinity of Intramuros, as the group went on we spotted a child which is leaning in a cemented wall, waiting for the passer by to give him pennies. Not wanting to lose the moment my colleagues rushed to get their cameras, (DSLR and point and shoot) the boy was not that shy he keeps smiling to all those who is after to get a portrait from him. As a token they gave him biscuits and candies. On the other street there are three children playing, the other child- a girl gives attraction to my companions she is very active and loves to pose on every students taking pictures.

However near the children playing, someone attracted me, a woman in her 60’s I bet dressing rugged clothes she was busy arranging garbage. She has a wooden cart full of big black bags, afraid to disturb her I slowly went backwards to take a photo of her, maybe she feels that someone is attentively looking at her she glanced to me 5 seconds, blank face, then turn again to do her stuff. Ironic as it may seems that woman who is already a candidate for retiring to work still needs to convince herself she have to do it, no matter how bright the sun is, no matter how weak her bones is and no matter how the smell and dirt of the garbage penetrates to her nostrils she will do it or else she will be starving.

” Too many subjects, beautiful sceneries”, said by a student who, not from a far, saw a Canadian woman named Marie, a tourist who wanted to visit the beautiful places in the Philippines. She was surprised with the group of boys and girls who run after her who are eager to take pictures of her.

Look. Talk. Walk. Stop.  Shoot.  Even though it gives cramps to our legs and back yet the eyes do not get tired. From the riverside where we found cargo ships and ‘bangka,’ we stayed there and take pictures of a man riding on that ‘bangka.’  However, three young boys who fearlessly dive from the bridge into the water to bathe themselves got the attention of the students and also took pictures of them. Rest for a while then the students went to Luneta Park, and took pictures of pigeons, kalesa, children playing and the dancing fountain.

The last destination was in Manila Bay, the weather is not friendly anymore raindrops started to fall but it did not last long so we are able to get pictures. When I went on walking and looking for my subject three young girls with unwashed clothes perhaps got my attention. They are laughing hard, chasing each other and then keep teasing. I talked to them and asked where they live and said “here” I cannot explain but I am really happy that time I cannot resist myself to take pictures from them. These three young girls also love to pose and asked me and my other friends to take pictures of them.

When I am on my way home, on the LRT all the things that we encountered in our photo walk flashbacked on my mind. I was very happy that our instructor together with his co-photographers allowed us to experience such activity. This event taught me not only the technical aspect in photography rather it opened my eyes and my heart to a reality. I am really blessed I can go to school, eat three (more than three actually) times a day, I have clothes to wear and things I needed. I learn to appreciate more and more as I got to know these things. So walking and taking photos make harmonious relationship, giving us an opportunity to value our nature and to know the story of others and able to help them in a little way we can. It serves as a learning instrument to us in being grateful, Thanked God that I saw the bigger purpose of photo walk. 

FEELING BLESSED

Is it really over? As I was sitting on a pavement outside the convention center in Apalit and waiting for a public transportation vehicle to arrive I try to recall the scenarios happened in the last three days. I remembered the early morning rise (around 2 or 3am), the rushing feeling of going to the bath rooms, the narrow and busy passages that people walks by and by every break time, the lively performance singing songs of praises and most especially the unfathomable teachings that each brethren understood with God’s help. Each scene was pictured in my mind while we wait for almost an hour and a half. I remembered how I prepared a week before the thanksgiving- arranging all the stuffs I need for three days, from clothes to wear, hygienic materials even slippers and handkerchief and most importantly- the heart. I always hear from Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon that one must not have a heavy heart which consist of hatred, jealousy and alike especially when attending occasions intended to worship God. I feel the excitement as I am looking forward to the teaching I will be learning from my preachers. Though three days had rapidly passed I still wanted to reminisce each breathtaking time when Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel explain the topics in the last International thanksgiving.

Once more, an overwhelming experience is what I felt when I witness my brothers and sisters in faith coming from the continents of Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, South and North America, and Australia actively participating in singing songs of praises, moreover how attentive they listen when it comes to the topics being delivered. Distance, time zone and language are not an impediment for the Members of Church of God International to offer the sacrifice of Thanksgiving to God. For the last three days Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel delivered four topics that even a man spent decades in his past religious affiliation can testify they never heard such. With that, I also have the courage to say “So do I”, I hear many teachings of different religions and none of those can be compared to what we have understood with God’s help. The topics discussed were subjects I have not imagined before and it became very clear after Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel talk about. All topics are really striking and much worth for the time the brethren spent. No one can deny the fact that each detail is essential as Bro. Daniel say “Nothing to lose but everything to gain”. There is also a part wherein Bro. Eli told us the authenticity of the Bible, each angle he showed amazed me. If I may describe the feeling I had that time it is mind-blowing. I thanked God for the abundant topics he taught through his preachers, I feel very full not only materially but spiritually. It was also heartwarming when Bro. Eli said that because of faith our brethren are able to endure staying late at night with very little sleep to listen to the teachings.

It came to a point that we need to go home for now because the 3^rd day of thanksgiving ended but before we go to a closing prayer Bro. Eli said he is very thankful that he got to know his brothers and sisters in faith in which these people by faith always help the congregation. Even if I am a little sad because we ended the thanksgiving Bro. Eli already announced the upcoming 4^th quarter of International Thanksgiving in December and still there is regular thanksgiving every Saturdays so nothing to be sad at all. Thanks be to God for I was able to learn these things which are very vital to salvation. As we still wait for the bus until 3am, and thought that maybe it will arrived at 5am we decided to ride on a van. When I walk towards the vehicle I felt the happiness penetrating in my being, embracing such happy memories and as I close the door of the van I can’t help but smile because, again for that moment in time, I am one of the brethren who feel blessed.

UNTV's Plug awarded by UP Gandingan

          A soaring company that aims to produce quality shows and at the same promotes public service- UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 KHz http://www.untvradio.com/ continues to give their audiences informative and educational programs. Having said that, UP Gandingan Awards acknowledged and honored one of the radio’s public service plug Bloodletting as “Most Development-Oriented Radio Plug.” Bloodletting plug exemplifies public service, through its massive campaign to people that 1 bag of blood is a big help for the recipients and how it is also essential to the donors. We cannot deny the fact that many Filipinos are in need of blood bags, each with different cases and situations every day.  And promoting this kind of advocacy plug will also encourage others who are capable to donate blood and help other people.

            UNTV Radio La Verdad http://www.untvradio.com/ public service programs are Ikonsulta mo hosted by Lyn Perez together with Atty. Reggie Tongol that provides free legal advice, health concerning issues and a reserved schedule for government agencies to discuss the documentation and policies of each departments. Other programs are Ask Legal.com, hosted by former human rights commissioner Atty. Wilhelm Soriano which gives awareness to people about legal rights and it also provides time for the listeners to ask questions. There are also programs that offers informative discussion to audiences such as Ano ang Totoo, Bakit, Get it straight, Huntahan in which political and economical issues are being conversed.

            These programs were spearheaded by Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon http://www.danielrazon.com/ together with Bro. Eli Soriano http://esoriano.wordpress.com/ and the Members Church of God International organization http://www.mcgi.org/. Through Isang Araw Lang campaign, which is also conceptualized by Kuya Daniel we from our little ways can help build changes. Thus, we can give evidence that there are still programs that exhibits true public service and promote development in our society. I also hope that there are other company who aill get inspired to show true public service even without cameras or praises from other people. Keep up the good work UNTV Radio La Verdad! http://www.untvradio.com/

WITHOUT PORK BARREL, PUBLIC- SERVICE IS PUBLIC SERVICE.

Damned, abused, deprived- the Philippines suffered a lot of maltreatment from the invaders of Juan Dela Cruz’s land. However, after a long time of suffering, the country was freed from the conquerors but this was not the end of the battle. The Philippines is fighting continuously, one thing is the never-ending issue between the corrupt officials and the masses. Today our country faces a big controversy which is the pork barrel scam. We may ask, what pork barrel means?

In American history, pork-barrel is a term used by the Americans during the civil war the slaves were given pork in a barrel on holiday season as a reward. Although that time it was clearly used as a term for literal pork, today especially in politics it is a different thing.  According to Wikipedia, http://tl.wikipedia.org pork barrel means a lump-sum discretionary fund granted to each member of Congress for spending on priority development projects of the Philippine government, mostly on the local level. In investopedia, http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pork_barrel_politics.asp it is a slang term used when politicians or governments "unofficially" undertake projects that benefit a group of citizens in return for that group's support or campaign donations. Pork barrel is also known as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), form the word priority it must prioritize the needs of the people. But honestly speaking, people are still suffering from poverty because the fund that is intended for the poor and other projects were not being delivered. Though PDAF per se is not bad at all but the people who misused it still it is the root of the corruption in the government. Since the scam was vulgarly discuss by the whistleblowers and pointed out the officials and head of it, the people of the Philippines gone mad and went to Luneta for a million-march to abolish the PDAF.

            Today, the case is still being discuss and little by little the involve senators and officials were being revealed, I just hope that this issue will not be another line up for trash. The Philippines had encountered various problems before and now being forgotten by now. Since the President’s campaign is “Daang Matuwid”, I just look forward for his commitment to his advocacy and him, as a leader of the country must spearhead to solve the case. As I assess this issue I just realize that if these officials real intention is pure public service PDAF is not an appropriate word for them because they can serve without asking money, just like what I have witness with Bro. Eli and Mr .Public service Kuya Daniel Razon they help the unfortunate ones without having pork barrels. 

PANALO MO, TULONG MO: 1st UNTV CUP Inilunsad

                               

Nag-aabang, nanabik, umaambon man ay hindi nagpapigil ang mga taong nakahandang manuood at sumporta sa isang basketball game. Ito ay hindi laro ng Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), University Athletic association of the Philippines (UAAP) o ng National Collegian Athletic Academy (NCAA). Sa pagbubukas ng mga pintuan malakasna hiyawan at palakpakan ang isinalubong ng mga manunuood sa mga kalahok sa inilunsad na kauna-unahang UNTV Cup sa Smart-Araneta Coliseum noong Hulyo 29. Pinuno ng mga taga suporta ng proyekto ang loob ng coliseum, samantala, nagpasimula ang programa sa pag-awit ng National anthem ni Birit Baby Runner Up 2009 Shane Velasco. Sinundan naman ito ng pagpapakilala at Ceremonial Parade ng pitong koponan na mula sa iba’t-ibang sangay  ng pamahalaan kasama ang ilang mga sikat na artista.

photo courtesy of DanielRazon.com

Ang pitong koponan na maglalaro ay ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Philippines (PNP), Supreme Court (SC), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Congress/LGU at PhilHealth. Samantalang mayroon namang mga artistang kalahok din sa bawat koponan na sina Emilio Garcia, James Blanco, Allen Dizon, Jordan Herera, Onyok Velasco, John Hall, Eric Fructuoso, Jao Mapa, Michael Flores, Ervic Vijandre, at ang magkakapatid na Kier, Zoren at Brandon Legaspi. Ang sistema ng liga ay ang tinatawag na “Round Robin Eliminations” dito ang bawat koponan ay makakalaban ang pitong teams. Ang tatlo na may pinakamababang iskor ay matatangal at ang apat na may pinakamataas ang siyang makakasama sa Semi-finals round at ang may dalawa namang pinakamataas na iskor sa apat ang maglalaro para sa kampeonato ng UNTV Cup na gaganapin sa Nobyembre. Ang kampeon ay makakatanggap ng 1 Milyon piso at ang runner-up ay may 500,000 na hindi naman mapupunta sa mga players kundi sa kanilang charitable institutions na kanilang mapipili. Kaugnay nito, sa pagsisimula ng laro sa Araneta sa pamamagitan ng pagbunot ng mga pangalan ng mga koponan at ang dalawang napili na maglalaro ay ang team AFP at DOJ. Pinangunahan naman ni Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon at PBA legend Atoy Co, Commissioner ng palaro ang Ceremonial Jump ball sa pagitan ng AFP at DOJ. Sa 1^st quarter ng laro malaki na ang lamang ng AFP sa iskor na 33/16, hanggang sa ikatlong round ay nanguna sila at nakapuntos ng 86/49. Malakas ang hiyawan ng mga tao ng “depensa” subalit, naipanalo ng AFP ang laro kontra DOJ sa 117/71 na iskor.

Ang UNTV Cup ay isa lamang sa proyektong inilunsad UNTV sa pangunguna ni Kuya Daniel Razon katuwang ang grupo ng Ang Dating Daan at si Bro. Eli Soriano, Presiding Minister ng Members Church of God International (MCGI) na ang pangunahing layunin ay makatulong sa kapwa. Bagaman, pawisan, madapa at mapagod ang mga manlalaro, naglalaro sila hindi para sa kanilang mga sarili ang 1 Milyon piso kundi sa pagkaalooban nila ng mga charities. Gayundin naman, naglulunsad ng mga ganitong proyekto sila Bro. Eli at Kuya Daniel hindi dahil mayroon silang kikitaiin o pakikinabangan kundi dahil nais nilang makatulong. Sa isang banda, hindi din maitatatwa na nailulunsad nila ang mga ganitong proyekto na layon ay makapagpasaya din sa mga tao at makapag-relaks kahit papaano, magkaganun man ang pinakalayunin nila ay maibahagi ang meron sila sa mga kapus-palad at wala na hindi umaasa ng kapalit. 

                                                                                                             (News Feature)

ISKOLAR SA TUNAY NA KAHULUGAN

Talino nga ba ay sukatan ng minimithing edukasyon ay makamtan?

            

Marahil hindi na kaila sa ating pandinig ang mga katagang “edukasyon lang ang aming maipapamana”. Madalas itong wikain ng mga matatanda, ng ating mga magulang. Hyperbole o sa eksaheradong pananalita, “dugo’t pawis” ang ginugugugol upang maigapang at mabigyan ng maayos na edukasyon ang mga anak. 

Historically speaking, ang Pilipinas ay nasa 3^rd world country at ngayon ay maituturing ng developing country. Bagaman, isa ang edukasyon sa prayoridad ng pamahalaan sa financial budget, marami pa ring mga kabataang Pilipino ang walang kakayahang makapag-aral.  May awitin pa ngang “Grade one lang ang tinapos, no read- no write pa…” naglalarawan ito sa matinding kahirapan at kawalan ng kakayahang makapag-aral.

 

Kung ating titignan, may mga batang nakakapagtapos ng hayskul, subalit ‘di na naabot pa ang tertiary level o kolehiyo. Isang paraan naman ang paglalagay ng mga scholarship programs upang makatulong sa mga kabataang nagnanais na makapag-aral subalit walang kakayahan. 

Ano nga ba ang “Scholar”?

Ayon sa Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ang salitang “scholar” ay mula sa orihinal Latin word na schola, Late Latin scholaris, Old-English na scoliere, Old French na escolar at English na school. Ito ay simpleng nangangahulugan sa isang tao na nag-aaral sa eskwelahan. 

Una itong ginamit noong 12^th Century. Sa paglaon ng panahon, hanggang sa ngayon, ang “Scholar” o iskolar sa wikang Filipino ay tumutukoy sa mga taong may mataas na kalidad ng kaalaman at nasa ilalim ng isang institusyon ng akademya. Isa ding kahulugan nito ay mga kabataang tinutustusan ng mga pribadong grupo o ng pamahalaan. Kaugnay nito, sinasala o dumadaan sa screening ang mga estudyante na naghahangad na maging iskolar. Kinakailangan din na mapanatili ang grado na hinihingi ng eskwelahan para makapagpatuloy sa pagiging iskolar.

Subalit, karamihan sa scholarship programs ay pinagugugulan pa din ng salapi gaya ng mga miscellaneous fees na hindi na sakop ng mga nagpapa-aral at nagiging pasanin na din ng mga magulang o tumatayong guardian ng mga estudyante.

Maraming mga unibersidad ang nag-aalok ng mga scholarship programs, sa aking paghahanap natagpuan ko ang isang eskwelahang bago noon sa akin, at masasabi kong kaiba sa halos lahat ng institusyon na nalalaman ko. 

        

                                    photo courtesy of UNTV Web

                            

Isa ako sa nakipila at sumalang sa mga panayam at pagsusulit sa programang alok ng La Verdad Christian College. Lubos ang aking kagalakan at pasasalamat sa Dios na ako ay nagkapalad na makapasa at mapabilang sa hanay ng mga iskolar. Sa La Verdad o LVCC, ay may adbokasiya ang mga nagtatag nito na “Study now, Pay never”. Ang eskwelahan ay nag bibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga kabataan na magkaroon ng access sa libreng edukasyon. Mayroong 2 kurso na pagpipiliin, Mass Communications Technology at Health Care Assistant. 

Ang LVCC, bukod sa Free Education o Scholarship Program ay nagbibigay din ng mga sumusunod. Libreng uniporme, (free uniform) libreng tanghaliaan (Free lunch), Stipend o allowance sa mga walang pamasahe, Libreng access sa mga educational materials at computers. Sagot din ng paaralan ang mga miscellaneous fees. 

Ayon sa Vice-chairman Emeritus na si Kuya Daniel Razon, ang ibang unibersidad ay nag re- require ng masyadong mataas na grado na nagiging isang hadlang para sa ibang mag-aaral na maging iskolar. Kung kaya’t sa LVCC ay binabaan nila ang required grade. Ang nais lang ng mga benefactor’s ng LVCC na sina Bro. Eli Soriano, Chairman Emeritus at Kuya Daniel Razon na maging masisipag ang mga estudyante sa pag-aaral at huwag sayangin ang pagkakataong naibigay. Isa ding layunin nila na kung makapag tapos ang mga LVCC Scholars ay sila naman ang tumulong sa ibang tao na nakikita nilang nangangailangan. 

 

Photo Courtesy DanielRazon.com

Sa aking ikalawang taon sa kolehiyo, marami na akong natutuhan at naranasan samantalang ako’y namamalagi sa LVCC. Hindi lamang akademya ang itinuturo sa amin manapa, lalo na ang mga katuruang mapapakinabangan namin pag-labas namin ng paaralan. Sa nagdaang mga aktibidad, hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na makiisa gaya sa mga pagsulat ng sanysay, debate o talumpatiaan gayundin, sumali ako sa organisasyon ng mga taong interesado sa pagsusulat.

Naniniwala ako sa pamamagitan nito ay unti-unti matutuhan ko ang mga bagay na kailangan at dapat kong malaman. Hindi ko lamang kasi natutuhan ang teknikal na aspeto gaya ng ano ba ang tamang pagbaybay ng salita sa sanaysay o kung tama ba ang pagaayos ng mga ilaw at kable, kundi mas malalim pa na pag aaral.

Sabi nga ng aking guro sa matematika, wala namang equations ka na sasagutan sa trabaho pero ang lundo kung bakit nag-aaral pa din ng Math ay tinuturuan ka kung paano ka magtitiyagang sagutan ang tanong. Kung paano ka haharap sa bawat problemang darating sa’yo. Sa aking palagay, ang malalim na bahagi ng pagkatuto ko bilang isang iskolar ay yung matuto na makisama at makipag-kapwa tao, humarap sa tao, magpaumanhin at pagiging handang matuto. Ang tunay na kahulugan ng Iskolar, bilang isa ding iskolar ay bawat pag-aaral sa akademya man o kagandahang asal ay isang tool na magagamit hindi lamang sa apat na sulok ng paaralan. Ito ay pagsasabuhay ng iyong natutunan samantalang nasa proseso ka ng pag-aaral. Ang bisa ng kaalamang naituro ay makikita sa aplikasyon sa tunay na buhay.

 (Feature Story)