Maris Racal starrer ‘Sunshine’ to compete in Berlinale

 By: Anne Pasajol 

Maris Racal in “Sunshine.” Image: Instagram/@animastudiosph, @project8projects, @cloudyduckpictures

“Sunshine,” a film starring Maris Racal, is an official selection to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, also called Berlinale, under the Generation 14plus competition.

Production company Project 8 Projects revealed this through its Instagram page on Thursday, Jan. 16. 

“‘SUNSHINE’ IS COMING TO BERLINALE!” it exclaimed.

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“We are proud to announce that SUNSHINE is an official selection at the 75th Edition of The Berlin International Festival under the Generation 14plus Competition!” it stated.

The company also noted that this feat will be the film’s European premiere. 

“Stay tuned—SUNSHINE’s Berlinale screening dates will be announced soon!” it added.  

“Sunshine” director Antoinette Jadaone also shared her film’s achievement via her Instagram page, saying it is her first time to compete in one of the “Big 3” film festivals.

“Received the news last [year]. Kakagising ko lang, [medyo] na-teary eye [ako],” she wrote. “See you in Berlin mga teh!”

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Jadaone disclosed as well that they are currently working on the film’s Philippine premiere.

“Sunshine” had its movie premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last September. The movie was also screened at the Palm Springs International Film Fest in California under the World Cinema Now section earlier this month.

Ditta Sandico weaves her legacy

BY MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ

JANUARY 17, 2025

Valeria wrap, Mariposa wrap and Bella Bonita were reimagined along with a new hand-draped Banaca short dress. —ARTHUR TSELISHCHEV

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Ditta Sandico, pioneer of modern Filipiniana, is celebrating 40 years in the industry. She traces her roots to the mountains of Bulalacao, Mindoro Oriental, where her passion for sustainable fashion was stirred. As a teen in the ’70s, Sandico spent summers with her father, cattle rancher Fernando Hizon-Sandico, who developed agricultural lands. These trips, filled with immersion into the natural world and encounters with the Mangyan tribe, the Hanunoos, deeply influenced her.

Sandico was mesmerized by the fastidious embroidery and weaving techniques of the Mangyan weavers, who became her first teachers. However, as an established designer returning to Mindoro at the turn of the millennium, she was disheartened to discover that these traditional crafts had nearly vanished.

Determined to revive the art of Mangyan weaving, Sandico provided the weavers with materials, introduced fashion colors, and encouraged them to experiment with new designs. Since 2018, she has been collaborating with the Mangyan community on product development for her eponymous label.

The STANDS: An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter

 

January 17, 2025

Casiey Dongallo will no longer power University of the East. (INQUIRER.NET)

Hey there sports fan, We're still in the first month of the new year and things are heating up in the sporting world.  One of the things eagerly being awaited is the return of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and its All-Filipino Conference. That link, by the way, will lead you to a great catchup piece that covers all you might have missed or forgotten during the long break.  Speaking of the PVL, here's a trivia question: Risa Sato, who left Creamline to join Chery Tiggo, played for what school in the UAAP? Check out the answer near the end of this email. The UAAP volleyball tournament, by the way, will kick off in February yet. But this early, a shocking transfer has already hit the tournament. Rising star Casiey Dongallo officially transferred to the University of the Philippines (UP). Her move follows her departure from the University of the East alongside Jelai Gajero. The recruitment of Dongallo, paired with the addition of Obet Vital to UP's coaching staff, has fans buzzing about the team’s prospects in the upcoming season. And if you've been following the NBA lately, you would have certainly come across this: The league delivered a jaw-dropping moment when the Los Angeles Clippers handed the Brooklyn Nets a 59-point defeat, the largest margin in franchise history. This record-setting performance underscores the Clippers' dominance and positions them as serious contenders this season. And more on the international scene: Tennis innovation took the spotlight at the Australian Open, where matches are being animated using Wii-like characters. This unique approach aims to make the sport more engaging for digital audiences, blending traditional gameplay with futuristic technology.

Like this email? Forward it to your friends and let them know that they can sign up here.

Denice Zamboanga is now a world champion. (REUTERS)

Meanwhile... We've started our exclusive content offering on Inquirer Plus with two features on noteworthy achievers. Quentin Millora-Brown has often been tagged as a one-and-done strandout for University of the Philippines. Through postgame dinners with relatives here, the 6-foot-10, high-IQ big man validated what he long knew: He was certainly more than that.  For long, Denice Zamboanga has campaigned for herself. She believed that she deserved a title shot in One Championship. But she was forced to wait a long while to fulfill her dream of becoming the promotional outfit's first Filipino female champion. https://plus.inquirer.net/sports/delayed-gratification. That wait is over.  What we're up to next: The PSA Awards night is looming and we will be bringing you features about the event, which will honor the top athletes from last year. No suspense, though, for the Athlete of the Year award as a certain gymnast with two Olympic golds has put a lock on it. We will continue covering the Commissioner's Cup and bring you the return of professional vollehyball so stay with us on all our platforms for more stories and features. Number of the Week: 50 Career triple-doubles hammered out by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo so far.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Well, for starters, a lot of the players I play against these days now call me ‘Tito’ (uncle).” —Angelo Que, on how much the game has changed since he won the Philippine Open 17 years ago.

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National University. That's the answer to our trivia question above. If you think you can ace this week's quiz, head over to our Viber community, where you can also stay updated on sports headlines! Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. See you next Friday! Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).

Senior citizen activism in the digital age

 

BY SEGUNDO ECLAR ROMERO

JANUARY 14, 2025

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During the recent Christmas holidays, I attended several reunions with my high school and college classmates, now all senior citizens. I also participated in spirited group chats on social media. There was a palpable sense of nostalgia as we reminisced about the “good old days” when student activism was almost second nature—practically a part of the curriculum. These gatherings were filled with insightful observations and lively recommendations on how politicians, institutions, and government agencies should design and implement programs, such as the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program.

What struck me most was the depth of knowledge and networks that these groups exhibited. Many of my peers spoke personally and intimately about various politicians—senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, secretaries, and undersecretaries. This wasn’t mere name-dropping or boasting; many of these seniors had served in high-ranking positions in government, corporate management, or civic organizations. Their connections were real, cultivated through decades of public service and professional experience.

However, a frustrating gap emerged when the discussions moved beyond analysis and commentary to the practical task of crafting policy statements, open letters, or other communications for policymakers. Many senior citizens found themselves at a loss, unsure of how to navigate the modern tools and methods that have displaced the traditional avenues of political advocacy.

 

Music matters

BY ELEANOR PINUGU

JANUARY 13, 2025

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There is a touching viral video of a frail woman in a wheelchair who is gracefully moving her hands to Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” Marta Cinta González Saldaña, a former ballet dancer who was suffering from Alzheimer’s, had already forgotten the many decades of her life, but still remembered the choreography tied to the music. Her case is just one of the many instances where music was used to trigger memories and positive emotional reactions among patients with Alzheimer’s. Though Saldaña passed away in 2019—the same year the footage was taken—the clip continues to resonate deeply with people and helps raise awareness about how valuable music is for those affected by the disease.

Humanity has always intuitively understood the power of music. It enriches our celebrations, comforts us in times of loss, and keeps us company in both the most sacred and mundane moments of our lives. And in recent decades, there has been growing scientific research on the transformative impact of music on our physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.

Early musical exposure is linked to improved developmental outcomes in children. Research from the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that music can accelerate brain development, specially literacy and language skills. Music, as a medium for self-expression, also enables children to better articulate emotions that may be difficult to convey, fostering emotional awareness and self-regulation skills.