Ninuno Media, a partnership between film director Jason Paul Laxamana and Viva Entertainment, is delving into various fields of entertainment including film, series, graphic novels, comic books, theater, concert, and music. Above all these, the outfit aims to seek out and produce content that is rooted in the Filipino identity.
As a former culture worker in his hometown of Pampanga, Laxamana’s vision is to create entertainment that merges modern sensibilities with Filipino culture and heritage.
After making a name as a filmmaker, he has now come full circle, blending cinematic and culture works.
Ninuno aims to create distinctly Filipino content that has the potential to appeal both to consumers of pop culture and to those who fancy themselves as sophisticated and academic.
“I chose Ninuno as the name of this partnership with Viva because we kind of dedicate it to our ancestors. We are trying to revive the culture, identity, and heritage of our ancestors through this venture,” Laxamana said of Ninuno Media’s inspiration.
In the pipeline are the reboot of Francisco V. Coching’s beloved folk hero, Pedro Penduko starring Matteo Guidicelli; Anitu, a comic book series that explores the precolonial spirituality of Filipinos; Aswang Country, a film that imagines a world dominated by aswangs; and a sequel to the hit romance movie, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella.
Viva Communications has been in the entertainment industry for close to four decades. Viva has been churning out award winning and box office, local and international hits and has launched several artists to stardom through the years.
Currently, Viva has been producing a minimum of three to four film projects a month. Distribution channels now include national theaters, Netflix, HOOQ, and iflix, among others.
Through the combined talent and expertise of Laxamana and Viva, watch out for upcoming projects of Ninuno, as it looks inward to create entertainment that not only Filipinos can proudly call their own, but also entertainment that we can showcase to the world.
“We are doing all forms of entertainment, even online series,” Laxamana concluded.
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Sanicare builds public school classrooms in Cotabato
In General Santos, Cotabato, the teachers and students of Lagao 2nd Bo. Elementary School received a precious gift that will be treasured by many generations to come.
Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (SCPA), makers of Sanicare, Femme, Cheers, Tisyu and many more, partnered with The Hope Foundation and the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide two new classrooms that was turned over to the school last December, 2019.
For the longest time, the teachers and students there were just making the most out of the makeshift classrooms which are not conducive for learning. “Tuwing umuulan, tumutulo ang (tubig sa) bubong,” Jillian says, a grade 2 student.
“Nahihirapan din kaming makinig sa teacher. Hindi kami makapag-aral ng mabuti dahil mainit,” shares another student named Alimar.
The teachers were having a hard time as well because of how close the so-called “classrooms” were to the highway. “Nahihirapan kaming turuan ang mga estudyante dahil sa ingay mula sa sasakyan na dumadaan, at hindi kami nagkakarinigan,” Ms. Amor Pagoda, a grade 1 adviser, explains.
With these two new classrooms, an air of optimism has filled the campus of Lagao 2nd Bo. Elementary School. “Tuwang-tuwa po kami dahil magkakaroon na kami ng bagong classroom. Hindi lang po ito para sa amin, para sa mga estudyante din namin ito.” says Ms. Janet Nunez, a grade 2 teacher.
The young learners can now listen easily to their instructors and participate in class activities because of the comfort that the new space gives.
“SCPA have always been committed to improving the quality of life of every Filipino whether in the hygiene products we offer them or in the programs we support,” expresses Lea Sio Pacis, SCPA Marketing Director.
To learn more about Sanicare, SCPA and its products, you may visit their website at scpa.com.ph.