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Cine Europa returns to Philippines with the ‘best of the best’ European films

 

Lara Charmaine Lagorra - The Philippine Star 

Whether through comedy, tragedy, history or documentary, Cine Europa presents stories of love, loss, identity, resilience and transformation. As the festival continues across the Philippines, it reinforces cinema’s role not only as entertainment but also as a shared space where audiences can encounter lives different from their own.

The Cine Europa returns for its 29th edition, continuing its mission of using cinema as a bridge for cultures, ideas and shared human experiences.

The long-running European film festival once again brings a diverse lineup of films from different European Union Member States to audiences across the Philippines through free screenings nationwide.   

This year’s festival will feature 17 full-length feature films and three documentaries, ranging from historical dramas and fiction to adventure and comedy.

“Over the years, this partnership has grown into more than a collaboration,” said Agata Nowicka, deputy head of mission to the Philippines, during the May 14 launch. “It has become a platform of culture, dialogue and storytelling.”   

The 2026 lineup presents a wide range of themes exploring identity, memory, history and human connection.

Poland gives us the selection with “Lampo the Travelling Dog,” inspired by a true story of a train-riding dog forming unexpected bonds, alongside “Lost of Balance,” a psychological drama about a young acting student confronting self-doubt and emotional pressure.

Belgium’s “Head or Fails” presents a raw exploration of instability and consequence, following individuals trapped in cycles of risky decisions.

The Czech Republic has the film “The Waves,” which revisits the Prague Spring of 1968, when journalists at Czechoslovak Radio risk their lives to broadcast uncensored information under Soviet occupation.   The Slovenian film “Hidden People” explores the unexpected connection between two strangers forced into an unusual situation, while Germany’s “Roter Himmel (Afire)” dives into themes of love, ego and creative struggle.

France’s “Un Ours Dans La Jura” introduces a suspense thriller about a struggling couple whose lives spiral into chaos after discovering a large sum of money following a car accident in the snowy Jura mountains.

“Four Mothers” from Ireland features a humorous yet emotional story about caregiving and family responsibility, while Sweden’s “The Dance Club” follows a group of misfit patients at a psychiatric clinic who form an unlikely alliance through a dance group.

The festival will also present Italy’s “Gloria,” which highlights music and artistic expression in a historical setting, while Austria presents “Sleeping with a Tiger and Peacock,” both examining identity, performance and self-discovery.

Spain’s “Campamento Garra de Oso (Bear Claw Camp)” follows a family adventure film about Maia, an imaginative and spirited girl, and Jan, a fearful city boy, who race to save a summer camp threatened by an eccentric builder.

“How Can I Live Without You” from Hungary is about a young woman named Lili, who discovers her mother’s diary revealing a 1990s summer romance at Lake Balaton that leads to emotional awakening across generations.

“Nasty,” a Romanian documentary, details the life and career of tennis legend Ilie N?stase, while Slovakia’s docu “Andy Warhol: American Dream from Slovakia” explores the artist’s immigrant roots and cultural identity.

Ukraine’s “Simple Soldier” is said to deliver a stark portrayal of an ordinary man navigating the realities of war in eastern Ukraine, reflecting the emotional and psychological toll of conflict.

Other featured films include “Summer is Crazy” from Finland, set in the Finnish archipelago during midsummer, where the Eerola family grapples with disappointments after their fine dining restaurant goes bankrupt.

From Cyprus, the film “Maricel” follows a Filipina domestic worker caring for an elderly couple in a remote mountain village, where what begins as a simple caregiving job gradually unveils questions of personal boundaries within the household.

Also featured is “Sentimental Value,” selected by the European Union Delegation, which tells the story of an aging filmmaker who casts his estranged daughter in his next film in an attempt to reconnect.

When asked by The Philippine STAR during an open forum on why cinema continues to matter in today’s world, particularly in relation to the diverse themes explored in Cine Europa films, Katarzyna Wilkowiecka of Poland said, “It’s sometimes nice to go into the dark room where everybody is sitting, enjoying the big screen with great sound, which is also very important. Even if everything is in front of your eyes, you still use your imagination. And then you go home, you discuss it with friends, with family, or even think about what you’ve seen.”

Ireland’s deputy head of mission, Erica Duffy, also noted that cinema becomes a powerful tool for connection, especially when stories like their film “Four Mothers” reflect universal experiences such as caregiving and family responsibility.

“There are ways that we can connect with one another that me standing giving a speech, or my colleagues discussing what our governments are doing to advance our interests and values, cannot achieve in the same way that storytelling does,” she said.

Germany’s First Secretary, Pia Friedrich, also shared how storytelling strengthens memory.

“You can tell a fact, and you will forget it,” she explained. “But when it is told through a story, it provokes emotion, helps us remember and gets us attached to a topic. This is really how storytelling works, and I truly believe storytelling is everything.”

Slovenia’s Ambassador Smiljana Knez added that audiences engage with films for different reasons —  whether to learn about history, discover similarities across cultures or simply enjoy meaningful cinema.

“People may want to learn about history, or feel good, or relate to something they see on screen,” she said, underscoring the varied ways audiences connect with film.

The festival screenings are all free on a first-come, first-served basis. The Manila screenings will be held at Shangri-La Plaza from May 28 to June 3, followed by free public screenings at Rizal Park from June 15 to 20, on specific screening dates, and the lineup of films to be shown each day.

Expanding its reach beyond Metro Manila, the festival will also bring screenings to Tacloban from June 11 to 15 and Cagayan de Oro from June 29 to July 4.

The detailed screening schedules for venues beyond Manila, including the daily film lineup, are still being finalized and will be announced through the festival’s official website in the coming weeks.     

MGI All Stars: Meet the 5 queens competing for the Philippines

 

From left: Fuschia Anne Ravena, Imelda Schweighart, Gazini Ganados, Keylyn Trajano, and Alexia Núñez

Miss Grand International via Facebook, Imelda Schweighart via Instagram

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

May 26, 2026 | 3:02pm

MANILA, Philippines — Preliminary proceedings are underway for the inaugural All Stars edition of Miss Grand International, with participating countries sending multiple names into the mix.

The new competition is open to women and transwomen ages 20 to 40, regardless of marital status, who have competed in or won a previous pageant.  

Another key feature of the pageant is that competing countries can send more than one delegate. This year, there are 58 contestants from 38 territories.

China has the most representatives with six, followed by the Dominican Republic with four and host country Thailand with three.

The Philippines is staking a claim with five beauty queens bannered by the Three Stars and a Sun, each bringing major pageant experience and hoping to go far in the competition.

Here is a rundown of the five Filipina queens competing in the first-ever Miss Grand International All Stars.

Fuschia Anne Ravena

The 30-year-old beauty queen was the first delegate announced to represent the Philippines.

Fuschia was crowned Miss International Queen, the biggest beauty pageant for transgender women, in 2022. She was the second Filipina to win the title after Trixie Maristela in 2015.

Organizers hailed Fuschia as a proud trans Filipina and a global advocate for compassion, inclusion and equality.

"A powerful voice for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, she is also a successful beauty industry entrepreneur and the owner of a premier aesthetic clinic — redefining beauty through purpose, leadership, and lasting impact," they said.

Alexia Núñez

A couple of days later, Filipino-Brazilian beauty queen and actress Alexia Núñez also threw her name into the ring to compete for the Philippines.

Alexia won Noble Queen of the Universe 2025 last November while representing Brazil, competing against other beauty queens representing Filipino communities.

A wellness and sustainability advocate and creative entrepreneur, the 27-year-old is fluent in five languages and uses her voice to champion peace, dignity and women's empowerment.

Her humanitarian efforts have focused on helping Indigenous women and children through education and livelihood initiatives that honor culture while fostering long-term independence.

In showbiz, Alexia appeared on the television show "Batang Quiapo" and the Netflix film "Kontrabida Academy."

Keylyn Trajano

Earlier this year, another trans queen, Keylyn Pan Guevara Trajano, was confirmed to banner the Philippine flag.

Like Fuschia, the 30-year-old has competed in pageants in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

She represented Arabia in Universal Woman 2025, placing in the Top 13 alongside the Philippines' Jasmine Omay.

Both queens won two special awards each, with Keylyn taking the Photogenic and Voice Challenge plums.

Outside pageantry, Keylyn is a television host-actress, entrepreneur and marketing and public relations professional who founded several organizations, some of them aligned with her advocacy for inclusion, equality and youth empowerment.

Gazini Ganados

Probably the biggest name among the Philippine representatives and the country's best bet at winning is Filipina-Palestinian beauty queen Gazini Ganados.

Miss Grand International All Stars marks Gazini's pageantry comeback since she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019, the last national titleholder under Binibining Pilipinas before the local franchise moved to a new organizing body as Miss Universe Philippines.

At Miss Universe 2019, won by South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi, Gazini finished in the Top 20 and won the Best National Costume award.

Before that, she competed in Miss World Philippines 2014 as a teenager, making her one of the Philippines' most recognizable beauty queens.

Organizers said the 30-year-old showcased "elegance, resilience, and dedication to representing women with strength and authenticity" during her pageant run.

Since passing on the national title during the pandemic, Gazini has signed with GMA Network's talent arm Sparkle and made a name for herself in showbiz as a model and television personality.

Imelda Schweighart

The fifth and final Filipina competing at Miss Grand International All Stars is Filipino-German beauty queen Imelda Schweighart, a submission that was not without controversy.

Imelda was representing Kalibo, Aklan, in Miss Universe Philippines 2026 until news emerged that a contestant had been removed from the competition.

Photos of Imelda were no longer included in sponsored pictorials. Come coronation night, weeks after Imelda said she was joining Miss Grand International All Stars, Miss Universe Philippines said the 31-year-old had fully left the contest.

Still, Imelda is entering the upcoming competition with immense experience, having competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2013, Miss Earth 2016 and Miss Universe Germany 2023. She resigned her Miss Earth Philippines title after the 2016 international pageant.

Organizers described Imelda as "a legendary multi-hyphenate and a true icon of her generation" who won her first national crown at 15 years old. She is also an actress, singer-songwriter, music producer and entrepreneur.

"Her journey is defined by resilience, individuality, and authenticity," they added. "Known for her unapologetic spirit and editorial edge, Imelda brings a lifetime of stage mastery to the global spotlight — reminding the world that icons aren’t born, they are made."

Arrivals, registration and primary photo shoots will end on May 17 before pre-pageant activities begin, leading up to coronation night on May 30.

Working from home? How to avoid back pains, tech neck

 

Dolly Dy-Zulueta - Philstar.com  

Working longer hours in a makeshift office may lead not only to mental fatigue and burnout but also lower back pain and “tech neck,” also known as chronic pain in the neck.   

MANILA, Philippines — One of the work trends that have emerged from the more than two-year pandemic is the work-from-home (WFH) set-up. Some offices have stuck to it even after the pandemic has somehow let up and allowed the economy to move forward.

While working remotely may have become a new source of stress for those who have set up makeshift office spaces in their living area or bedroom, especially for those who lack the proper facilities for it, it still has its advantages. For one, it eliminates the need to travel to and from work, thus saving time otherwise wasted in traffic and budget for gas or bus fare. Then there is the versatility of attending to household chores and mommy or daddy time while at the same time being able to fulfill your corporate duties with proper time management.   

But, well, yes, not having the ideal set-up of a real office can take a toll on a WFH employee. Working longer hours in a makeshift office may lead not only to mental fatigue and burnout but also lower back pain and “tech neck,” also known as chronic pain in the neck.

“Poor positioning of work equipment and sitting longer in chairs that were not designed for desk jobs can cause health issues that may get in your day-to-day tasks and affect your productivity, and even make you more prone to injury and fatigue,” said Anne Kathleen Ganal-Antonio, MD, of the Department of Orthopaedics, of Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).

Even after the pandemic, a lot of people will still be doing business straight from their homes. Fortunately, Dr. Ganal-Antonio shared a few tips on simple adjustments that can help get the work done minus the unnecessary aches and pains:

• Create an ergonomic workspace. There’s no need to buy expensive office furnishings to be comfortable while working from home.

“Just improvise,” advised Dr. Ganal-Antonio. “Make sure your computer screen is in front of you at a comfortable viewing height, not in a place where you have to look down. If you use a laptop, prop it up to eye level on a stack of books or a sturdy box, and invest in an external keyboard and mouse. Your forearms and hands must be level and straight when you use the keyboard, and your arm must be close to the side of your body when using the mouse. The more your arm is stretched to the side, the greater the chance of straining your neck and shoulder.”

As for the way you sit, make sure that your hips and knees are level, or your hips are slightly above your knees, she added. “Avoid slouching or leaning forward. Instead, sit with your upper back straight and your lower back curving to the shape of the chair. Use a pillow to support your lower back. Make sure, too, that your feet touch the floor.”

Dr. Ganal-Antonio also recommends using standing tables or a foot stool. “According to the pioneering study conducted by Swedish spine researcher and orthopedic surgeon Alf Nachemson, when we flex forward, more stress is concentrated at the discs, which are the shock absorbers of the spine. It’s best to be slightly reclined, about 110 degrees. You can use standing tables to lessen the stress. Adding a foot stool to alternately rest each foot can also help.”

• Get up. Sitting is the new smoking, as the saying goes, and studies have linked longer sitting time to higher risk of death, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. But standing for long periods has also been associated with varicose veins and back pain. “A Cornell University professor of ergonomics suggests following the rule of 20-8-2: Sit for 20 minutes, get up for 8 minutes, and move around for at least 2 minutes,” Dr. Ganal-Antonio shared.

• Use the break to stretch, roll your shoulders, do arm circles, or touch your toes. “You can also give yourself a reason to stand up and move,” the doctor added. “Place the printer or phone in the other side of the room so you have no choice but to get up and walk when you need them.”

• Work out in your workplace. Start and end your workday with simple yet effective exercises that strengthen your core and target the muscles on your back and shoulders, said Dr. Ganal-Antonio.  “Begin with 10 squats, 10 tricep dips using a stable chair, and 10 wall push-ups. You can also do jumping jacks, push-ups, and crunches to stimulate circulation.”