Filmmaking in Quezon City is the country’s best hope for achieving an increase in patronage of local movies in the coming years. Officials of the Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC) expressed optimism following the production of 27 short films by students from six QC schools as their entries to the first QC Independent Film Festival, despite financial and time constraints.To be held from September 10 to 17 at the Cineplex cinamas of the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, the commission’s initial major project is designed to enable students to express themselves through cinema, as QC Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista pointed out. Bautista is the co-chairperson of the commission while QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte is chair. Commissioners Ric Camaligan and George Estregan Jr. said the film festival will be a good start in developing greater public interest in local films.

Camaligan is president of the National Association of Cinemas of the Philippines and senior executive vice president for entertainment of SM, while Estregan, mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna, is an esteemed actor by profession. Another member of the commission, veteran actress Boots Anson-Roa, is also optimistic that student filmmakers will be able to spur the growth of the local movie industry. She advised the students to connect with their audience so as to make their films very exciting.

There are four categories for the short digital film entries: animation, documentary, experimental, and narrative. Most of the 27 entries are either in the narrative or experimental categories. An awards night will be held at the Gateway Mall on September 17 to give honor to the participants and their respective schools.

Quezon City govt. offers 1.2 million worth of stipends to scholars

A lucky group of scholars were recently granted PHP1.2 million worth of stipend from the Quezon City government.

Of the amount, P900,000 was awarded to the first batch of QC public high school valedictorians and salutatorians, who received a stipend of P10,000 each per semester. According to the Quezon City Hall’s Public Affairs and Information Services Office (PAISO), under the city’s expanded scholarship and youth development program, students who graduated as valedictorians and salutatorians from QC public schools shall be awarded a maximum scholarship grant of P78,000 to cover payment for tuition and other fees, and a stipend of P20,000 a year.

PAISO said the city has about 12,384 scholars. The city’s scholarship program was created in 1991 by virtue of a council resolution to provide financial assistance to deserving but underprivileged QC high school students.

Quezon Memorial Circle touted as Metro Manila’s premier park; QC gov’t to make it center of all its activities

The Quezon City government wants to maximize the use of the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC), which is now undergoing a facelift, as the center of its activities in bringing it a step closer to becoming Metro Manila’s premier park.

This developed when QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte vowed to pour P200 million into the redevelopment of the QMC, which is considered the heart of the city, said QMC Administrator Tadeo Palma.  Since June 1 of this year, the city government has assumed the management of the park from the QC Parks Development Foundation, Inc.

The city government has already commissioned the services of the world-renowned architects Palafox and Associates to prepare a master development plan that would transform the circle into a world-class park.

Tadeo said the redevelopment would include the construction of an underpass from Commonwealth Avenue, the renovation of existing park structures, installation of see-through fences and lights throughout the entire QMC. Park structures and facilities that would undergo improvement will include roads, bicycle lanes, comfort rooms, and other vital buildings in the area.

Palma will also initiate measures to eliminate reported petty crimes such as robbery-holdups and sex activities, which have tainted the QMC’s image for years.