Marcos: Brace for a water crisis

By Kristina Maralit  and Bernadette E. Tamayo, Manila Times

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday admitted that the country is facing a water crisis and reiterated the need for the government to ramp up efforts to head it off.

Speaking at the 6th Edition of the Water Philippines Conference and Exposition in Pasay City, the President also announced the creation of the Office of Water Management to deal with the water supply problem.

"When they say water is life, it's not just a cliché, it's a truism. And it is something that we must always keep in mind, especially now. And that's why I just signed an executive order wherein we have created the Office of Water Management," he said.

Malacañang has yet to issue a copy of the circular, which will be in effect until pending bills in Congress seeking to create a Department of Water Management are signed into law.

Marcos said he finds it ironic that the Philippines, being an archipelago, is being confronted with a water supply problem.

"We all know the Philippines is not a dry place, and why do we not have enough water?" he said.

The country must look at other countries like Israel that have efficient systems for water filtration, storage, and distribution, the President said.

Despite mostly being desert, Israel is able to harvest water during the rainy season in collection ponds where fish is also grown. "When the summer comes, they take the water, harvest the fish, and then that goes to irrigation efforts," he said.

Israel is able to harvest fresh water thrice a year. "Every bit of fresh water is used more than once," he added.

The President is pushing for the government to employ modern technology and strategies in managing water resources.

"I happened to have been given the opportunity to walk around a little bit and see some of the exhibitors. And it is very gratifying to note that in fact the technologies that are being used, that are being employed in terms of water treatment, in terms of water management are well-known technologies," he said.

On Thursday, Sen. Mary Grace Poe said the creation of a water management office is a timely intervention to the "creeping water crisis."

Poe said at least 30 line agencies of the government deal with the administration of water, resulting in policy and regulatory conflicts.

"We expect that this development lays down the groundwork for a more integrated and holistic approach to the water problem," the senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Services, said in a statement.

"A whole-of-government approach is also necessary to tackle the issues of sourcing and misuse of water in the country," she said.

Sen. Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano appealed to fellow senators to ensure people's access to clean water.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Cayetano cited the connection of lack of access to clean water to the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She was referring to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Cayetano said the Philippines, being a signatory to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, is committed to integrating the SDGs into the national development plans and policies.

"So it is important that when we think of clean water and sanitation, we must also see it through a gender lens. Like most crises, the effects are never gender-neutral, and the effects on women are proportionally higher than men," she said.

Parts of southern Metro Manila and Cavite serviced by the Maynilad are already experiencing water cut-offs because one of its water treatment plants is being repaired.

On Thursday, the water concessionaire announced that the interruptions will continue even after the Holy Week.

Maynilad Spokesman Jennifer Rufo said the water supply is expected to normalize by mid-April when the Putatan Treatment Plant gets back in operation.

Residents in the affected areas complained that they had been experiencing water interruptions since December.

Maynilad said the problem is partly due to the northeast monsoon or amihan.

Rufo said that the amihan pushes the water of Laguna Lake towards the treatment plant. Because the lake has become shallow due to heavy siltation, sediments on the lake bed are stirred up and clog up the treatment plant.

Rufo said Maynilad is preparing for the dry season when water consumption rises by as much as 6 percent.

Deep wells will help ease the shortage and modular treatment plants are also being built, she said.

92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM: Radio is not dead

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

  

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AT A GLANCE

• TRUE FM is led by news programs that feature up-to-the-minute local and international news, as well as in-depth analysis and commentary
• The lineup also includes "Pinoy Konek" of Danton Remoto which deals with OFW stories and "Sana Lourd" of Lourd de Veyra which tackles "life lessons with a twist." Bro. Jun Banaag with his deep voice has found a new home in Radyo5 with his famous "Dr. Love."

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Just when you think YouTube and social media are what consume most people these days, there are old souls who continue to tune in to the radio. The friendly taxi driver is one example, as well as those living in remote parts who do not have access to TV or the internet.

The people behind the just-rebranded 92.3 Radyo5 TRUE FM believe that radio is far from being a "dying medium."

"Radio is the most affordable medium, especially in a Third World country like us. I believe that everything will fall, but radio will be there, especially in times of emergency and calamity," noted veteran broadcaster Ted Failon who anchors his eponymous Radyo5 morning program with DJ Chacha and the help of his trained mobile journalists or Mojos.

Station manager Cherry Bayle said coming out of the pandemic made them think about adding TRUE FM to the Radyo5 name. She revealed that T in TRUE stands for "Truth in Journalism," R for "Real People and Real Stories" , U for "Unwavering Commitment to Public Service" and E for "Entertaining Shows." The latter is bannered by Cristy Fermin's "Cristy Ferminute" and "Good Vibes" with Laila Chikadora and Stanley Chi.

"We combined FM and AM programming in one station," Bayle pointed out. "It's not just news. We put together entertainment, public service, music, inspiration, anything that people will look forward to in a total radio experience."

TRUE FM is led by news programs that feature up-to-the-minute local and international news, as well as in-depth analysis and commentary. The programming begins as early as 4:30 am with "Bangon Bayan with Mon" by Mon Gualvez and “Radyo5: Balita Pilipinas.”

The lineup also includes "Pinoy Konek" of Danton Remoto which deals with OFW stories and "Sana Lourd" of Lourd de Veyra which tackles "life lessons with a twist." Bro. Jun Banaag with his deep voice has found a new home in Radyo5 with his famous "Dr. Love."

"Hanggang ang Pilipino ay Marites na nakikialam at gustong marinig ang buhay ng may buhay, at gustong marinig ang kasaysayan ng ibang tao which is very normal for Filipinos, our program - Dr. Love - will remain," Banaag commented.

Public service programs in 92.3 Radyo5 include the top-rated "Wanted Sa Radyo" of Sen. Raffy Tulfo, "Sagot Kita" of Cheryl Cosim, and “Healing Galing” of Dr. Edinell Calvario.

Dr. Calvario noted that it was in Radyo5 where her popular program was born and should be relevant up to now, especially with the economic downturn. "People must learn about naturopathy and herbal medicine to save money and maintain their health," she explained.

Do we still have a right to travel?

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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Suddenly, Filipinos have developed a new “fear” of travel – not because of the traffic leading to the airports, the turbulence on the air, or the expensive cost of vacations, but there is a possibility of missing a flight due to the long lines at the immigration counters or the risk of being offloaded.  Once you miss your flight because of these circumstances, say goodbye to your dream vacation and the hard-earned money you used to purchase the airline ticket.

This “fear” has engulfed Filipino travelers after a viral video showed a young lady recalling how she missed her flight after an arduous second interview she had with an immigration officer. The said immigration officer allegedly asked irrelevant questions and demanded to see the passenger’s yearbook, graduation photos, emails, and private messages.

After that video circulated and caught the media’s attention, social media platforms were inundated with horror stories with immigration officers. There were experiences on the rudeness of officers, how travelers were discriminated because of their appearance, how decisions were made because of someone’s education attainment, etc.

Amid all these, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is confident that it is just doing its mandated duties and responsibilities. In fact, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval has been all over the media cycle explaining that all these “SOPs” are meant to combat human smuggling and illegal recruitment. She has repeatedly said that professionals, even from top schools or those who are frequent fliers, are victimized. It is, therefore, the task of the BI to ensure that Filipinos are safe from criminal syndicates.

But where do we draw the line? Where does the “protection of Filipinos” end and “violation of the right to travel” start?

At a recent Senate hearing involving the BI, senators have agreed that the line has been crossed. Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said that the BI’s offloading policy is a “brazen disregard of the constitutionally guaranteed right to travel” and is “even be an outright transgression of the power of the Courts to issue hold departure orders upon cause.” Senator Raffy Tulfo also questioned BI’s offloading authority, saying that he is not against the drive to combat human smuggling, but it “should not trample on the rights of Filipinos — the taxpayers who pay for the salaries of these immigration personnel.”

Based on BI’s reports, there are numerous cases of their officers being able to prevent would-be victims from flying abroad. On the report, however, are also questionable numbers. In 2022, “more than 32,000 Filipinos were deferred departure, with only 472 found to be victims of human trafficking or illegal recruitment.”

What happened to the other 30,000-plus offloaded passengers who have legitimate documents and are just hoping to travel? Were they reimbursed for their plane tickets; was there an apology for the anguish and inconvenience inflicted on an innocent Filipino?

The Lenten week will roll in and passenger departures will be at an all-time high. The BI has revealed some “developments” as there will be retraining of officers, more personnel to serve the counters, and measures to cut the long lines. Sandoval has also advised passengers not to bring their yearbooks and to be at the airport three hours before departure time.

We thank the BI for these reminders. Sad to say, however, that it would take time — and genuine improvements at the immigration counters — to earn back the trust of Filipinos. Until then, diplomas, thesis reports, and yearbooks will be brought at the airports.

Majority of Filipinos personally experienced effects of climate change, survey says

 

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Mar 23, 2023 12:36 AM

  

AT A GLANCE

Ninety-three percent of Filipinos have personally experienced the effects of climate change in the past three years.

Most Filipinos agree that they can do something to reduce climate risk.

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2022 bared that 93 percent of Filipinos have personally experienced the effects of climate change in the past three years.

Of this, 17 percent said they have experienced severe impact of climate change in the past three years, 52 percent said moderate impact, and 24 percent said little impact.

Meanwhile, only six percent did not experience any impact.

According to SWS, the proportion of those who reported personally experiencing the impacts of climate change can be compared to previous surveys on the topic. 

“Those personally experiencing the impacts increased by six percentage points from March 2017 and eight points from March 2013. Those who experienced severe impact of climate change decreased by three points but was offset by an increase of 10 points among those who experienced moderate impact,” it pointed out.

Most Filipinos agree they can do something to reduce climate risk

The SWS survey also found 88 percent agreeing (51 percent strongly agree, 37 percent somewhat agree) with the statement: “People like me can do something to reduce climate risk or risks resulting from climate change.”

Meanwhile, 10 percent were undecided and 3 percent disagreed (2 percent somewhat disagree, 1 percent strongly disagree).

“This gives a net agreement score (percentage of those who agree minus percentage of those who disagree) of +85, classified by SWS as ‘very strong’ (+50 and up). This indicates a very strong personal efficacy to do something to reduce climate risk,” SWS said.

When shown two statements that might best describe one’s outlook on humanity’s control of climate change, SWS found that 76 percent of Filipinos think that humanity could do something to stop or slow down climate change if everyone really tried, while 23 percent think climate change is beyond humanity's control. 

Only one percent of Filipinos are unsure.

High awareness on climate change

The survey also found that 81 percent were previously aware of climate change, while 19 percent knew of it only at the time of the survey interview, SWS pointed out.

It noted that those who were previously aware of climate change increased by seven percentage points from March 2017 and 15 points from March 2013.

SWS also said that there is a “very high” awareness of selected solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

It tested public awareness of selected solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change by selecting items from the United Nations Act Now website about tackling the climate crisis.

SWS crafted them into localized questions for the Filipino experience, and added a question about tree planting and forest protection.

“Percentages of those aware of solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change were very high: 95 percent for planting trees in the right places and protecting forests, 95 percent for saving energy or electricity at home, 93 percent for walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, 91 percent for reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, and 86 percent for throwing away less food,” SWS said

“Majorities of those who are aware of each solution reported that their families engage in the solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change: 88 percent save energy or electricity at home, 81 percent walk, cycle, or take public transportation, 75 percent throw away less food, 74 percent reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle, and 63 percent plant trees in the right places and protect forests,” it added.

The survey found that those aware of each solution who reported that their families might do the solutions are 24 percent for planting trees in the right places and protecting forests, 17 percent for reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, 14 percent for throwing away less food, 13 percent for walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, and 7 percent for saving energy or electricity at home.

Meanwhile, those aware of each solution who reported that their families are not engaging in the solutions are 4 percent for saving energy or electricity at home, 6 percent for walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, 8 percent for reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, 11 percent for throwing away less food, and 13 percent for planting trees in the right places and protecting forests.

The Fourth Quarter 2022 SWS survey was conducted from Dec. 10 to 14, 2022, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, 18 years old and above.

The survey items reported here were non-commissioned. It was done on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service.

Gun ban implemented in Davao for Ironman race

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: Maj. Catherine de la Rey, the spokesman for the Davao City Police Office, announced the enforcement of the regionwide gun ban from March 20 to March 31 due to the scheduled Ironman 70.3.

Speaking at the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing Wednesday (March 22) at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, de la Rey said that Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has suspended the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCOR 4 or PTC 4) in the entire Davao Region.

She said this means that non-uniformed individuals with firearms, even with complete permits and licenses, are not allowed to carry their weapons outside of their respective residences.

"The permit to carry firearms outside of the residence is suspended effective March 20. So, for gun owners, you are not allowed to carry your firearms outside, even if you have the permit to do so," de la Rey said.

She said only police officers, Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, and members of other law enforcement agencies on duty and in uniform during the 12-day suspension are allowed to carry firearms. This is to avoid any firearm-related incidents during the Ironman races.

Random checkpoints have been added outside of the checkpoints in the border areas of the region, de la Rey added.

Violators of the gun ban will have to go back to their area of origin or they may opt to deposit their weapons at the checkpoint areas where they were apprehended. If unable to follow either action, apprehended individuals may have their PTC 4 suspended.

She said the suspension is a great help for the region's security forces as this effectively lessens the threat to look out for.

De la Rey urged everyone to abide by the ban and help the security cluster in maintaining peace and order during the sports event.

"Help the police, the Davao City Police Office — to conduct a peaceful, successful and zero-crime incident execution of the Alveo Ironman 70.3, so let us all work together," she said.

Davao durian exporters eye China market

Davao City is popular for its durian. PHOTO FROM DAVAO CITY WEBSITE

By Janine Alexis Miguel

DURIAN stakeholders in Davao City gear up for the exportation of the province's most abundant fruit in the China export market.

At least 54,000 metric tons of premium fresh durian is estimated to be exported this year in China. This is in line with the export deal secured by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his state visit in China last January.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Puyat, Duyaya and D101 were among the varieties to be exported because of its "golden yellow flesh and pleasant taste."

"I think the Philippines has a very big potential in the export market, especially with our good varieties," said Emmanuel Belviz, Durian Industry Association of Davao City president and Belviz Farms owner.

Belviz also said that this exportation is both a blessing and a responsibility.

Speaking in English and Filipino, Belviz said it is a blessing because they have a market and a good price while it is a challenge because it is an export market.

He added that they needed to produce better fruits and safer food "dahil maraming certifications ang kailangan (because more certifications are needed)."

Another durian grower, Eng Seng Food Products, shared their excitement over the opening of China market for durian exportation.

John Tan, Eng Seng Food Products chief executive officer, said they are excited because China is the biggest market for durian.

"Expect na kung open na ang China market, target namin talaga weekly meron tayong container van export," Tan said, adding that the food company targets to export 300 to 500 container vans of durian for the first year.

Belviz and Tan shared the same sentiment that the production of quality durians lies first in farmers who were trained by the Agriculture department to ensure quality production.

The DA Regional Field Offices are eyeing areas for the expansion of durian production in line with the directives of President Marcos and DA Senior Secretary Domingo Panganiban.

Christ is everything to us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“IF I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.” (Jn 5, 31-32)

These are words of Christ that express his effort to identify who he really is and how he is related to God and us. St. John the Baptist had already given his testimony about him, and during his baptism in the River Jordan, nothing less than a voice from heaven was heard, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3,17) Besides, he did so many miracles and his teachings were so sublime that one can easily conclude that Christ must be at least some special person.

We need to strengthen our belief that Christ is everything to us. He is the God-man that offers us “the way, the truth and the life” so that we can recover our dignity and ultimate identity as children of God, made in God’s image and likeness, and meant to share God’s very life and nature.

We therefore need to develop the instinct of always looking for Christ, making him alive in our life and patterning our life after his. This business of always looking for Christ is a basic duty of ours, a grave responsibility, in fact. Without him, we would just be on our own, relying simply on our own light and powers that, no matter how excellent, can never accomplish our real ultimate need of our own salvation, our own perfection as a person and as a child of God.

We need to look for Christ so we can find him, and in finding him, we can start to love and serve him which is what we are expected to do to be ‘another Christ’ as we ought. This has basis on what Christ himself said: “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you…” (Mt 7,7)

And finding him means that we make Christ alive in our life. He is not just a historical figure. Let’s remember that before he went up to heaven, he promised the coming of the Holy Spirit who would bring to us everything that Christ did and said. More than that, the Holy Spirit brings Christ alive in us.

We just have to remember that with Christ, it is not enough to know him. We also have to love him. With Christ, to know him truly is to love him also. In fact, we cannot say we really know him unless we love him too. 

With him, these two spiritual operations of ours merge into a unity, although they have different directions. In knowing, the object known is in the knower. It has an inward movement. The knower possesses the known object. 

In loving, the lover is in the beloved. It has an outward movement. It is the beloved that possesses the lover. The lover gets identified with the beloved. The lover becomes what he loves. When we love Christ, we are with him, and become one with him.

For this, we need to exercise our faith to the hilt. When we exercise our faith, we enter into a reality that goes beyond what we simply can see and touch and understand. With faith we can have hope in pursuing our ultimate goal of becoming like Christ. With faith we can manage to live the highest virtue, which is charity, with God as its object and others as its unavoidable co-object.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Onward to being a tourism powerhouse?

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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The headline is a question because it remains to be seen if our country is truly serious in becoming a tourism powerhouse. Words, plans, even a President’s directive are all “niceties,” but are we truly ready to match the tourism prowess of Bangkok, Bali, or Hong Kong? Are we putting money where our mouth is? Or are we just daydreaming?

The recent presentation of a “2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP)” is noteworthy, in a way that there will be a blueprint in the coming years on how our tourism sector will be directed and developed. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco’s optimistic assertion of making the country “a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the next five years” is admirable that it should only be natural for all Filipinos to get behind this plan and throw in their support.

The challenges, however, are gargantuan. The lack of airports and road infrastructure in emerging tourism areas, the shortage of hotel rooms for the events industry, and the various perils to safety and security are not something that can be solved in five years’ time. And there are the “irritants” that continue to hound tourism — inefficiency among airport personnel, shortage of skilled hospitality workers, lack of internet access, etc.

Frasco, to her credit, is cognizant of these negative conditions and the need for action to address each one. During the NTDP launch, she said, “We can only truly transform the Philippine tourism industry if we address the prevailing challenges that we face continually across our regions,” noting that the Department of Tourism (DOT) intends to “establish a tourism industry anchored on Filipino culture, heritage, and identity, which aims to be sustainable, resilient, and competitive."

The roadmap, presented by Frasco, identified seven measures to achieve the goal to be a tourism powerhouse, and part of it is improving infrastructure and accessibility. She said the DOT is “working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to negotiate more routes for air and sea travel.”

Under the NTDP, Frasco said DOT will “focus on digitalization, enhancement of the overall tourist experience by incentivizing sustainable travel, and improving safety and security in destinations, etc.” The agency will also tap LGUs in developing more tourist sites and linking emerging ones to key destinations.
“This NTDP will serve as a blueprint for the strategies on how the DOT intends to continue and to grow the impact of tourism upon our economy in the next few years. This will be the guidebook of the industry where we put in place mechanisms for sustainability for many years to come,” Frasco said.

Amid the challenges is good news for the tourism sector. In a statement, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced that “a total of ₱17.7 billion has been allocated in this year’s national budget to fund the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) — this amount is ₱602 million higher than the ₱17.087 billion from last year’s budget.”

This shows that this administration is serious in providing funding support to vital infrastructure projects, which serve as the backbone of the economy and the tourism industry.

So, to answer the question: “Are we headed to becoming a tourism powerhouse?” Based on the plans of the DOT, with funding from the DBM to arm it, and with an administration determined to doubling — or tripling — tourist arrivals, then there is no need to doubt this lofty goal. But again, there’s much work to do and we should’ve already started yesterday.

PBBM calls for respect, understanding as Ramadan starts

BY ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Mar 23, 2023 09:27 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

• Fasting is considered an act of worship and holds great spiritual significance. It likewise reminds them that God is the source of all sustenance.

• Featured photo: Muslims say their earlier prayer inside the Manila Golden Mosque on the first day of Ramadan, March 23, 2023. (Juan Carlo de Vela)

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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has reminded Filipinos about the importance of respect, understanding, and love in a culturally diverse country such as the Philippines, as Filipino Muslims mark the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23.

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I join the Filipino Muslim community here and around the world as they welcome and observe the Holy Month of Ramadan," his message read.

Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

Fasting is considered an act of worship and holds great spiritual significance. It likewise reminds them that God is the source of all sustenance.

According to the President, this season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving is an opportune time to embody the values of discipline, reverence, and humility.

"The spiritual belief that the gate of Heaven is open during this sacred month calls upon our brothers and sisters to purify their souls against the perils of worldly pleasures as well as seek for forgiveness and peace," he said.

In between thanking the Almighty for answered prayers and asking for sustained graces, President Marcos urged Filipinos to also pray for those in deep distress caused by hunger, natural calamities, and unfavorable circumstances.

"The rituals and services during Ramadan remind us of our shared moral obligation-- regardless of faith-- to compassionately take care of each other, uphold our human dignity, and stand in solidarity," he said.

"As a nation enriched with cultural diversity, let us allow our hearts to embrace the profound truth that respect conquers divisions, understanding obliterates prejudice, and love prevails over all," he added.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) also wished for a peaceful observation of Ramadan.

"Hangad namin ang isang mapayapa at makabuluhang buwan para sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim bilang pagkakataon na mag-ayuno at magnilay-nilay bilang bahagi rin ng pagkakaisa natin para sa ating komunidad at bansa (We wish for a peaceful and meaningful month for Muslim brothers and sisters as this serves as an opportunity to fast and reflect as part of our unity for our community and country)," it said.

MOVIEGOER: Cinema '76 new QC home: Cozier, classier, so comfy

BY NESTOR CUARTERO

Mar 23, 2023 07:51 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• TBA Studios President and COO Daphne O. Chiu says Cinema ’76 is ideal for private film screenings, media launches, talkbacks and workshops, live viewing parties, intimate shows, music gigs, gaming events, etc.

• It is also available for theatrical releases, block screenings, cinema rental, film festival venue, premieres, and other special events.

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Janine Gutierrez (Facebook)

Young people, film lovers, and other serious cinephiles have found a new home (how beautiful!) on Tomas Morato Avenue, the heart of the country’s entertainment capital, Quezon City, with the formal opening of Cinema ’76 Café on March 18.

The new Cinema ’76 is a combination of micro-cinema and coffee shop situated in a more sophisticated section of the city.

For one, the Cinema’s new location offers more breathing space and easy accessibility. It has a wide, open-air patio where guests can unwind with a meal or coffee after watching a movie. Both indoor and outdoor dining options are available.

TBA Studios President and COO Daphne O. Chiu says Cinema ’76 is ideal for private film screenings, media launches, talkbacks and workshops, live viewing parties, intimate shows, music gigs, gaming events, etc.

It is also available for theatrical releases, block screenings, cinema rental, film festival venue, premieres, and other special events.

We take note, in particular, of the Cinema’s signature couches, which are like two-in-one love seats, allowing for a cozier ambiance.

Daphne O. Chiu

xxx

Cinema ’76, described as a multi-purpose creative space, is the pioneer micro-cinema in the country, first opened in June 2021 in Anonas, Quezon City.

It was established to celebrate Cinema ’76 Film Society, an informal group of film enthusiasts.
Its new address is on the second and top floor of a low-rise, a short distance from ABS-CBN.

With cinema and theater as themes, Chefs Gene and Gino Gonzalez of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies, designed the café’s menu, taking into consideration the spirit of Cinema ’76 Film Society.

The menu covers a wide range, from cocktails, coffee, and comfort food, spanning American, Italian, Asian cuisines.

Certain orders can also be brought into the theater to complete the movie-watching experience.

At the full-house event, Chef Gene told me, "We have a good mix of new and familiar flavors.” Some dishes reminded me of my favorite Gonzales bistro, the now-classic Café Ysabel in San Juan.

On the menu are dishes called "Luna," chicken tocino with salted egg relish and tomatoes; "Del Pilar," adobo flakes, cream cheese, and pickled onions; and "Quezon," chicken inasal with tomatoes.

There are also various versions of pasta, Truffle Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Croquettes, Nachos, bistro dishes, theater snacks.

Spotted on opening night were Janine Gutierez (who helped cut the ceremonial ribbon), Robert Sena, Laurice Guillen, Ina Feleo, Mercedes Cabral.

A Lion Dance and Movie Trivia Quiz served as event highlights.

Cinema ’76 is now fully operational, with regular screenings of carefully curated films from a wide range of sources.

Check out Cinema ’76 website for the screening schedule.