“A PRIVATE LIFE” Among hundreds of films that were showcased at TIFF50, I intuitively put “A Private Life” (Vie privée) on top of my list, not only because its lead star is the multi-awarded actress and director Jodie Foster; I was, in fact, looking forward to watching her speak full French during the entirety of the film. Indeed,… Read More »
Multi-awarded and internationally renowned auteur Jafar Panahi arrives at TIFF50 with his new masterpiece, ‘It Was Just An Accident’. The revenge thriller has been awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025, adding to his filmography an impressive list of international film festival awards like the Golden Leopard in 1997 for ‘The Mirror’, the Golden Lion in 2000 for… Read More »
The backdrop of a picturesque and breathtaking landscape of the early 19th century Hispaniola exudes a cinematic grandeur that entices the viewer to indulge in the riveting story of the film, “Under the Same Sun” (“Bajo El Mismo Sol”). With award-winning Spanish director and screenwriter Ulises Porra at the helm, he brings an outstanding ensemble of three young… Read More »
Learning disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD affect millions of children worldwide, shaping how they process information, interact with others, and succeed in school. Organizations like Shift Your Thinking are leading the charge to reframe these differences as strengths, not deficits. Learning disabilities are neurological conditions that interfere with a child’s ability to acquire, process, or express information. Dyslexia,… Read More »
Social media is driven by announcements that resemble those made in airports. “All passengers travelling on Air Canada flight 785 to Los Angeles, please proceed to Gate 28 to start boarding.” Constant broadcasting has made social media a stage for announcing new jobs, relationship updates, house or automobile purchases, degrees obtained, restaurants visited, and ‘Where I’m on vacation.’… Read More »
Part 2 – FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA Just like the “70s and ‘80s, the late National Artist Lino Brocka ushered the ‘90s with his last film entitled “Gumapang Ka sa Lusak” under Asian Horizons, together with “Dreaming Filipinos” by Manny Reyes. There was one in 1992, “Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.” by Elwood Perez.… Read More »
Stating that social manners and etiquette are regressing would be stating the obvious. While I blame social media for being the main culprit in shaping today’s society (read: culture), where individualism is promoted over community, other contributing factors to our disharmonization include a lack of education on politeness, COVID isolation having hampered social skills development in youth, exposure to rudeness and… Read More »
Senator Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 1330 proposes using blockchain technology to make every peso in the Philippine national budget traceable, transparent, and auditable—offering a powerful tool to fight corruption and restore public trust. As the Philippines reels from yet another devastating typhoon season, the nation faces a double disaster: not just natural calamities, but a political storm… Read More »
After 1,200 film screenings, multiple gala presentations, and 110 red carpets for eleven consecutive days, TIFF50 concluded by honouring outstanding films during the awards ceremony on September 14, 2025 at TIFF Lightbox Cinema. Filmmakers, accredited press and media, guests, and TIFF organizers gathered together to celebrate. As TIFF’s accredited press, Roberto and I were invited so we obliged.… Read More »
Thanksgiving in Canada traces its roots to 1578, when English explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony in present-day Newfoundland to give thanks for safe passage across the Atlantic. Over time, the tradition evolved, blending Indigenous harvest celebrations with European customs. By 1879, Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday, and since 1957, it has been officially observed on the… Read More »