Category Archives: Awards

Awards, Entertainment, Film and TV, Government, International

Multi-Awarded Director Brillante Mendoza To Direct New Superhero Film, “Digong”

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The cast of “Digong.” (Photo credit: Jayson Javier)

MANILA, Philippines (Manila Bureau ) – Multi-awarded Filipino film director Brillante Mendoza has been chosen to direct a new superhero film, “Digong,” based on the true-to-life story of new Philippine President Rod Duterte and his family.

Mendoza, the only Filipino that has won a directing award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for his 2009 film, “Kinatay,” was Duterte’s one and only choice to direct the superhero flick.

Mendoza’s Ma’Rosa” was also critically acclaimed at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and won the Best Actress award for Jaclyn Jose, another first for a Filipino.

In addition to directing the superhero film, Mendoza has also been chosen to direct President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for July 25 this year.

Aside from the president, others in the cast of “Digong” include his children Sara, Paulo, Sebastian and Kitty; as well as his right-hand man Bong Go and new Philippine National Police Chief General Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa.

“Digong” is a about a superhero family and their allies out to stamp out drugs, corruption and criminality in the fantasyland Pinas.

Mendoza hopes that this new film will finally earn for the Philippines a Best Picture award in Cannes next year.

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Awards, Government, Politics

BIR, Customs And DOTC Heads Cry Foul Over President Aquino’s Presidential Medals

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L-R: Henares, Abaya, Lina

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Outgoing presidents are known for their “midnight appointments,” but Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino will be known for his “midnight awards.”

With less than a week away before his 6-year-term ends and as he turns over the reins of government to Mayor Rod Duterte, Aquino presented 24 presidential medals to members of his cabinet and others in his administration.

On Thursday, June 23, Aquino bestowed two awards – the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Gold Cross Bayani on Cabinet secretaries and the Presidential Medal of Merit on other senior officials.

The President personally thanked his Cabinet members for their service and sacrifices, praising some of them for giving up their jobs and personal time with their families to “bring change” to the country. “I couldn’t have done anything without you,” he said.

But conspicuously missing from his honorees were three of the most popular agency heads of the Aquino administration —  Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Emilio Abaya and Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina.

All three protested their omission from the merit awards and went as far as calling Aquino persona non grata.

Incidentally, the three agencies were named by Duterte as “the most corrupt” agencies in the country. (While the Land Transportation Office or LTO was the third agency mentioned by Duterte, it is under the jurisdiction of the DOTC headed by Abaya.  The infamous Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA, is also under his wing).

By snubbing the three admninistration heads, political analysts have concluded that Aquino agrees with Duterte’s assessment on the three most corrupt agencies in the country.

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Awards, Government, International, Politics

Philippines’ Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman Receives Prestigious Award

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Soliman (Photo source:  metrocebu.com.ph)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – Philippine Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman and six other leaders from government, civil society and the private sector worldwide were recognized today for their work in promoting social accountability as a means to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive growth in their respective countries.

The awards were presented in an official ceremony held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., by the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA).

In recognizing Soliman, World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi said that the secretary  “walks the talk: she translates the practice of social accountability and transparency into concrete strategic activities, which she implements with great commitment and passion.”

Specifically, Konishi cited Soliman for her efforts to hide Manila’s street children and homeless families from visiting dignitaries like Pope Francis and world leaders who attended the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila last year.

“She showed utmost compassion by rounding up homeless families and bringing them to a first-class resort just outside of Metro Manila, for an all-paid holiday.  By doing so, Soliman also helped project a wonderful image for the Philippines — that of a country where there are no poor or homeless people.”

The Adobo Chronicles congratulates Madam Secretary of her award and the honor she has brought to our country.

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