Last Updated on Thursday, 24 February 2011 18:34

QEFF 2: A Triumph for Maternal and Child Health

The Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health (QEFF) is a nationwide film-making competition that combines the visual power of cinema with the passions of health advocacy. As a provocative advocacy tool, film is the new face of social awareness and public education. In 2008, QEFF 1 carried the theme “Malayo sa bituka” and brought attention to Filipino notions, behaviors and practices regarding health. The response of various sectors to the film fest was overwhelming and sparked awareness and proactive health reform among local governments.

"Let us further empower millions of Filipinos. Let us set in motion existing alliances. Let us respond to the health challenges faced by our people."

These words from University of the Philippines president-elect Alfredo Pascual about the Festival capture indeed the spirit of QEFF. This 2011, QEFF returns to shine the spotlight on maternal and child health with its theme “Sa ngalan ng ama, ng anak, at ng ina.” QEFF 2 recently concluded with an awards night last February 19 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Ice Idanan, the director of Limang Libo,  is presented with the QEFF grand prize. Presentors include (L-R) Dr. Leonardo Mangubat MΣΦ 1981, DSWD Usec. Celia Capadocia-Yangco, Senator Santanina Rasul, Dr. Alberto Romualdez MΣΦ 1965, Most Exalted Brother Danilo Alpapara Jr. MΣΦ 2011, and Keeper of the Flame Daniel Adrian Dellosa MΣΦ 2013.

Limang Libo by Ice Idanan and starring Cherry Pie Picache won the QEFF grand prize of Php100,000. The film follows the stories of two different people, separated by circumstance, but bound by the tragic nature of their lives. Susan is a midwife who has been left behind by her husband and son, and Manuel is a garbage collector with a near-term pregnant wife but has little to offer his unborn child; their paths cross due to incidents that threaten to push them beyond the brink of despair. Life is put at stake in this brooding depiction of hardships faced by mothers and fathers in bringing children into this world, and the role that poverty plays in posing these challenges.

Last Updated on Saturday, 19 February 2011 00:48

QEFF2 Awards Night and Press Conference to be Held at PICC

Policy-makers and health advocates will gather Saturday, 19 February 2011, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) for the much awaited Awards Night and Press Conference of the 2nd Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health (QEFF). The event serves to honor the exemplary visual artists who best captured the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) theme through their selected media, and also to be an innovative venue for the movers and shakers in health to discuss realities and perspectives in the Philippine health situation

Rep. Gina De Venecia, former DOH Secretary Alberto Romualdez, PMA President Dr. Oscar Tinio, former DOH and DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto, and UP President Alfredo Pascual have confirmed their attendance to the 2nd QEFF Awards night.

QEFF 2, which carries the theme "Sa Ngalan ng Ama, ng Anak, at ng Ina...", shines the spotlight on MCH at such an opportune time when Reproductive Health is undergoing controversial deliberations in Congress. In attendance will be over 200 guests from the various MCH-concerned sectors, creating a conducive environment for meaningful talks toward better health. Rep. Gina de Venecia, Dr. Alberto Romualdez, Dr. Esperanza Cabral, Philippine Medical Association President Dr. Oscar Tinio, and Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto number among the attendees. Highlighting this undertaking by the youth will be newly-inducted UP President Dr. Alfred Pascual.

In the course of the Festival, QEFF 2 was able to gather 28 official film entries, 47 international guest presentations from as far as Prague, and 149 photo entries. Kicking off the QEFF 2 week were more than 30 Film Screening events in host schools and organizations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Awards Night and Press Conference was made possible through the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity and Mu Sigma Phi Foundation, in cooperation with the Jose Rizal Memorial Foundation and Eye Republic, with support from University Physician's Medical Center (UPMC), Muntinlupa City Medical Society, MC MARU, Ling Nam, Department of Health, Deparment of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Association of Communication Educators, UP Center for Gender and Women Studies, and Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations.

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 December 2010 17:27

Quisimbing-Escandor Photo Contest

Last Updated on Saturday, 23 October 2010 17:43

QEFF Videos