Hospital dedicated to OF workers soon starts construction

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Friday, February 21, that the construction of the hospital catering overseas Filipino workers will soon commence and is expected to be completed by May of 2021.

Signed the deal were Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Department of Health (DoH) Undersecretary Dr. Lilibeth David, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Chairperson Andrea Domingo and Atty. Ellan Mark Pailan of Bloomberry Cultural Foundation.

TFC and VieShow Cinemas launch strategic partnership with box-office hit “Hello, Love, Goodbye”

One of Taiwan’s biggest names in film exhibition and Philippine’s international multimedia powerhouse officially launch their strategic partnership on February. TFC brings ABS-CBN Films Star Cinema’s phenomenal hit movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye” in Taiwan as it screens on select VieShow Cinemas from February 21-23.

Foreign-language moviegoers are to discover an array of subtitled Filipino motion pictures as VieShow Cinemas begins to carry films distributed by TFC. And what better way to start their love story with Philippine movies than watching the highest grossing Filipino film of all time? Under its belt, the Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards starrer is globally recognized as the highest-grossing Filipino film in the Middle East, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. As of September 2019, the film earned PHP 880.6 million (TWD 521.7 million) worldwide gross revenue.

Filipina rapper Alex Bruce teams up with BTS collaborator August Rigo on “Going Crazy”

Here’s another upbeat jam that embraces a more eclectic sound. Alex Bruce’s second single “Go Crazy” under Sony Music Philippines is a collaboration with Filipino-Canadian songwriter and producer August Rigo, the other half of the songwriting duo behind BTS’s worldwide smash “Black Swan.”

The sophomore track takes listeners to the Filipina rapper’s musical journey and the struggles that she has to overcome in her bid to discover a bigger world outside of dreams and opportunities. “The song is all about me dreaming big,” the young talent reveals in a statement. “It’s also about my vision of how the world will interact with me and my music. Literally, it’s about pushing through my blueprint and perspectives, no matter how hard it is.”

12 Overseas Filipinos in Asia Pacific win as TFC Calendar Stars of 2020, bag glittering prizes

The search has finally come to a close as TFC introduces 12 fresh faces of global Filipinos as the stars of TFC Calendar 2020. During the final quarter of 2019, the online hunt for the TFC Calendar Star was launched via the live streaming mobile application, Kumu. A weekly segment on the said app hosted by TV personality Kaladkaren showcased the candidates who candidly share their interests and quirks to their viewers.

The contest was open to overseas Filipinos of legal age based in countries around the Asia Pacific, except the Philippines. There were 1,140 Filipinos from countries across the Asia Pacific who joined the online popularity contest on Kumu. Engagements in the form of virtual gifts from their audience are converted to points that were tallied at the end of the contest period. The top contenders with the most points were hailed as winners who will be featured in the printed TFC Calendar 2020 as well as its digital version published monthly on TFC Asia. Each of the calendar boys and girls also received a jewelry gift from TFC.

Coco Martin-starrer comedy a hit in Guam, extended in theaters

Nearly one month from its Guam premiere, the box office take of 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon! is still going strong as TFC announces its extended screening in Tango Cinemas.

The action-comedy-romance stars Coco Martin whose long-running primetime police drama, Ang Probinsyano, proves him as one of ABS-CBN’s most bankable actors. In both Ang Probinsyano and 3pol Trobol, not only did Martin demonstrated his knack in acting, he likewise worked behind the scenes as creative consultant and as director under his real name, Rodel Nacianceno.

In 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!, Martin plays Apollo “Pol” Balbon, an aide de camp blamed for the demise of his superior and Executive Director of the National Defense Agency. In order to earn the trust of the slain director’s daughter and ultimately get to the bottom of the case, he transforms into ‘Paloma’— a vixen who wouldn’t mind punching and kicking her way to justice. The all-star cast includes heartthrob Sam Milby, comedienne Ai-Ai de las Alas, singer-actress Jennylyn Mercado, as well as premium actors led by Edu Manzano, Tirso Cruz II, and Rowell Santiago.

CFO Launches Search for Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), though Secretary and Chairperson Francisco P. Acosta, announced today that in recognition of the overseas Filipinos' (OFs) outstanding contributions to national development efforts and their notable achievements in their fields of profession, the Philippine government will confer the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) to honor and recognize OFs and other individuals or organizations who contribute to Philippine development initiatives, promote the interests of the Filipino diaspora, or have exceptionally distinguished themselves in their work.

The schedule of the next awards ceremony is in December 2020, and the deadline for accepting nominations is on 31 July 2020 (Philippine time).

“We know that numerous individuals and organizations in your areas deserve recognition for their positive contributions to the Filipino people, society, economy, and heritage,” said Secretary and Chairperson Acosta.

ABS-CBN International launches new podcast, The Last Piece

You might be familiar with that last piece of food served at a Filipino party. Sometimes, out of shyness or modesty, no one reaches for it. Other times, people will race to grab for it. That last piece represents topics served up in The Last Piece podcast, streaming on Spotify and Soundcloud starting February 4, 2020.

The Last Piece is a digital forum that entertains and informs native-born Filipinos across North America through fun, honest, and candid conversations with influencers and thought leaders that make them proud of their heritage and community.​