Wednesday, August 12, 2020

International Youth Day: BARMM recognizes young film makers, photographers

Cotabato City  – The best film and photograph entries for the Bangsamoro Short Film Peacetival and Photography Contest were awarded during the regional celebration of the International Youth Day 2020 on Wednesday, August 12, in Cotabato City.

Wednesday’s awarding ceremony was led by the Bangsamoro Youth Commission of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BYC-BARMM).

Short film entry “Inged II: Ukha The Story Untold” directed by Hassanodden Hosni Hashim was awarded Best Short Film and received P200,000.00 cash prize.

Inged II is a movie that captures a story of a young breadwinner who joins an insurgent group with the promise of getting an easy way out of hard life to help his sick mother, never expecting to be involved into a much bigger scheme.

The 2nd Best Short Film or the Grand Jury Prize was awarded to “Displaced” directed by Aedrian Araujo and received P100,000.00 cash prize, while the 3rd Best Short Film or Jury Prize was awarded to “Mael” directed by Prince Nor-Anzarrih Matalam and received P75,000.00 cash prize.

Other technical and special awardees include:
Best Director: Aedrian Araojo of “Displaced”
Best Screenplay: “Mael”
Best Cinematography: “Inged II: Ukha The Story Untold”
Best Editing: “Inged II: Ukha The Story Untold”
Best Poster: “Inged”
People’s Choice Award: “Inged II: Ukha The Story Untold”
Best Performance: Boks Mamadra from “Mael” and Mohammad Kouzbary Lucman Dias of “Inged II: Ukha The Story Untold”

The winners each received a cash prize worth P20,000.00, and the other five film entries also received P20,000.00 consolation prize.

Teng Mangansakan, along with Edward Cabagnot and Joe Bacus were the judges for the film festival. “We hope that the Bangsamoro film makers will be instrumental in reshaping the landscape of our national cinema,” Mangsansakan said.

Meanwhile, winners of the Photography Contest were also awarded. 1st Best Photograph was the “Ilaw ng Tahanan” by Bulawan Dizal. The photograph shows a mother helping her child studying in a candle-lit nipa house.

Dizal said the photo magnifies importance of education in the lives of the Bangsamoro people. “Kahit laki tayo sa hirap, nothing is impossible as long as we support education of our children,” Dizal added.

The 2nd Best Photograph was the “Innocence Pain” by Mohammad Kouzbary Lucman Said, and the 3rd Best Photograph is the entry by Aljiber Ismael. Winners received a cash prize amounting to P20,000.00, P15,000.00 and P10,000.00, respectively. The “Yes for Peace” entry of Farida Dizal bagged the Online Choice Award and received P5,000.00 cash prize.

Ten other photography entries each received P5,000.00 consolation prize.

Mark Navales, together with Bennajar Hajan and Joeffrey Maitem, led the jury for the photography contest.

Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua said the Bangsamoro Government needs inspired and positive-thinking youth in order to contribute in nation-building. Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun also delivered an inspirational message.

“We have gathered here not just to celebrate the creativity of Young Bangsamoro but also to give due regard to our values and morals which these qualifiers have demonstrated,” said Marjanie Macasalong, chairperson of the BYC and Member of the Parliament of Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

“The short film peacetival and photography contest mainstream BARMM community-based stories of peace, conflicts, survival, and hopes,” Nass Dunding, chair of programs and operations of BYC-BARMM,” said.

International Youth Day is an international day dedicated by the United Nations to raise awareness on the cultural and legal issues surrounding the youth. This year’s celebration bears the theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action.” (Bureau of the Public Information)

 

WHO cautions Russia on Covid-19 vaccine


GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday it is following Russia’s progress in developing a Covid-19 vaccine but cautioned that progress in the fight against the virus should not compromise on safety.

Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier announcement that Russia had registered the world’s first coronavirus vaccine, at a United Nations press briefing, a WHO spokesman said the "pandemic is threatening lives and economies.”

“It’s vital that we apply all public health measures that we know are working and we need to continue to invest in and accelerate the development of safe and effective treatments and vaccines that will help us reduce disease transmission in the future,” spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in answer to a question by Anadolu Agency.

The vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center, has officially been registered with Russia’s Health Ministry, Putin told a meeting of members of the government in Moscow.

“We are in close contact with the Russian health authorities, and discussions are going on with respect to possible pre-qualification of the vaccine," Jasarevic noted, adding the pre-qualification of any vaccine needs rigorous review and assessment.

He said as soon as the “absolutely essential clinical trial data” is available, national regulatory bodies need to be ready to review the safety and efficacy data before using it.

“We are following the progress in the development of Covid-19 vaccines and we maintain the draft landscape of candidate vaccines, which is updated every week on our website,” Jasarevic said. “WHO lists 25 candidate vaccines in clinical evaluation and 139 in pre-clinical evaluation.”

He said the WHO has its accelerator program seeking to speed up research for an effective vaccine for all countries.

“At the same time, we are supporting the building of manufacturing capabilities and buying supplies ahead of time so that we have doses that could be equitably distributed in 2021,” Jasarevic said.

The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resources Center said Tuesday the world has 20,113,592 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 737,022 deaths recorded and more than 12 million recoveries.

With 895,691 cases, Russia has the world’s fourth-highest Covid-19 case tally. (Anadolu)

Saturday, August 8, 2020

17 killed as plane skids off runway in India

                                                           (Anadolu photo)

NEW DELHI – Seventeen people, including a pilot, were killed and over 100 were injured after an Air India Express passenger plane with 190 people on board skidded off the runway at the Kozhikode International Airport in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Friday evening amid the rainfall the state is witnessing.

A senior administrative official in the area, K. Gopalkrishnan, told media that 17 people died in the incident.

“As per the flight manifest, there were 190 people on flight AXB-1344 including 174 adult passengers, 10 infants, 4 cabin crew & 2 pilots. ... I offer my heartfelt condolences to their [of those who died] next of kin &pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the country's Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted Friday night.

In another tweet, he said two investigation teams are being sent shortly to the Kozhikode.

“Two investigation teams of professionals from @airindiain @AAI_Official & AAIB will leave for Kozhikode at 02.00 hrs & 05.00 hrs. Everyone has now been rescued from the aircraft. Rescue operations are now complete. Injured being treated at various city hospitals,” he said.

Kerala police Chief Lokanath Behera told Anadolu Agency over the phone the number of injured is not known exactly as they have been taken to various hospitals. “Most of them apparently are injured. I have been told that some of the injured are serious,” he said.

Another police official in the area said the number of injured is more than 100. “They are receiving treatment at the hospitals,” he said.

Puri also said the plane broke into two pieces and the incident will be investigated.

Talking to Anadolu Agency, P.G. Prageesh, the head of the Corporate Communications of Air India Express, said there was no fire at the time of the landing. The aircraft skidded on the runway and fell into the valley next to the airport.

“There were a total of 174 passengers, 10 infants, 2 pilots, and four cabin crews on the aircraft. The rescue operations are on and we have also established helpline numbers for Sharjah,” said Prageesh.

Kerala’s Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan's office said on Twitter that Vijayan has spoken to PM Narendra Modi: “Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to @PMOIndiaShri. @narendramodi ji over the phone. CM informed the hon'ble Prime Minister about the arrangements made for rescue and medical support. The Prime Minister has promised the assistance of the Union Government.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said on Twitter: “Pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Kerala CM @vijayanpinarayi Ji regarding the situation. Authorities are at the spot, providing all assistance to the affected.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote on Twitter: “Saddened to learn of the Air India plane crash in Kerala state leading to loss of innocent lives. May Allah give strength to the bereaved families in their difficult hour”.

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said also on Twitter: "Shocked to hear about the tragic accident of #AirIndiaExpress aircraft in Kerala. My deep condolences to the families of the victims. Wish a quick recovery of the injured."

US Ambassador to India, Ken Juster also expressed grief, saying: "On behalf of the U.S. Mission, we are deeply saddened by the news of the Air India accident in Kozhikode. The victims and their loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers." (Anadolu)

 

Ex-Manila mayor Alfredo Lim dies of Covid-19

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos  


                                                   (Former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim )


MANILA – Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has succumbed to coronavirus disease (Covid-19), his grandson announced on Saturday. 

The death of Lim, 90, was confirmed by his grandson, Paul dela Cruz, in a Facebook post.

Dela Cruz bade farewell to Lim but did not spill additional details about his grandfather’s passing.

“Lolo, maraming maraming salamat sa lahat lahat ng bagay na binigay at naitulong mo sa akin para maging maganda at maayos ang buhay ko (Grandpa, thank you for all that you have done for me to make sure that I would live a good and comfortable life),” he said in his Facebook post.

Dela Cruz also thanked everyone who had shown concern and offered prayers for Lim.

Meanwhile, in a statement, former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said he was saddened by the passing of Lim, his previous rival in mayoral races in the city.

"Naging magkatunggali man kami sa pulitika, alam ko na iisa lang ang aming hangarin, ang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang mahihirap nating mga kababayan, lalo na ang Masang Manilenyo. Hinding-hindi ka malilimutan ng Maynila. Rest In Peace, Mayor Lim (Even though we became rivals in politics, I know we shared the same goal, to give the poor a good life, especially the masses of Manila. You will never be forgotten by Manila. Rest In Peace, Mayor Lim)," he said in a Facebook post.

In a separate statement, MalacaƱang extended its condolences to the family, loved ones, friends and supporters of Lim.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Lim would be remembered for his tough stance against criminality and drugs.

“He (Lim) left a legacy of law and order to his constituents,” Roque said. “We pray for the repose of his soul as we keep the family of Mayor Lim in our thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss.”

Lim’s death came a day after incumbent Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso announced that Lim had acquired Covid-19.

A local news outlet initially reported that Lim passed away on Friday due to Covid-19.

However, Lim’s chief of staff, Ric de Guzman, denied Friday the supposed death of the former long-time mayor.

Before entering politics, Lim was a police officer.

Lim served two terms as mayor of Manila City, from 1992 to 1998 and from 2007 to 2013.

He also became senator and Interior Secretary.

Lim was also a former chief of the National Bureau of Investigation. (with reports from Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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