MetroBriefs
QC to honor gender-sensitive film
The Quezon City government will be recognizing one of the entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for promoting gender equality on the silver screen. The award for 2011 Most Gender Sensitive Film will be chosen by the city government through the Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Office (GADRCO) headed by Dr. Ruby Palma and the MMFF Board. MMFF entries now include independent films under the MMFF’s New Wave category, giving a wider array of choices. A panel of judges separate from the MMFF’s movie critics has been selected and convened. Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said the panel is composed of leaders in the film industry and gender experts from the city government, academe, nongovernment organizations, media and the education sector. “Such use of the motion pictures will encourage people to veer away from violence and other gender biases against women,” Mayor Herbert Bautista said. GADRCO will also sponsor an essay-writing contest for public school students on the winning gender-sensitive film.—Julie M. Aurelio
Man dies on street
For two hours, a 29-year-old barangay tanod (village watchman) lay dying while a cargo truck driver who was busy fixing a flat tire remained oblivious to his condition in Manila. A roving policeman later stumbled onto the body of Jerry Guilong, a tanod of Barangay 655 Zone 69 Tuesday morning. Senior Police Officer 1 Charles John Duran of the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section said that 25-year-old truck driver Arcie Suarez, a resident of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, first noticed Guilong at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday when one of his vehicle’s tires blew out at the foot of Ayala Bridge near P. Casal Street in Quiapo. Duran said the truck driver and a companion immediately parked their truck to change the flat tire and noticed a man lying on the pavement nearby. Suarez told police investigators that they wanted to check on the man but they suddenly heard him shout at the top of his voice before lying back on the pavement, making them conclude that the man was drunk and wanted to be left alone.—Jeannette I. Andrade
