A Film for Philanthropy: ‘Isang Araw’ Makes Mark as Advocacy Film and Public Service Effort for Yolanda Victims, Charity Works

‘Isang Araw’, the highly-anticipated sequel to 2009’s ‘Isang Araw Lang’ movie, aims to give a fresh insight on the nation’s concerns as well as raise funds for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda victims.

Written and directed by Members Church of God International (MCGI) Vice-Presiding Minister Bro. Daniel Razon, ‘Isang Araw’ follows the story of Daniel, a jeepney driver who extends a helping hand in any way that he can to those around him, even during trying times.

Isang Araw as Advocacy Film

Aside from featuring an all-star cast, the ‘Isang Araw’ film serves as an advocacy film which highlights Bible-based lessons atypical in most films today.

The advocacy film Isang Araw, which started its production last September, is the second directorial project of Bro. Daniel Razon. Both this and his 2009 movie ‘Isang Araw Lang’ aim to share to the public the virtues of goodwill and genuine acts of charity. (Photo by Rovic Balunsay, Photoville International)

“This is one thing that can serve as an eye-opener, for sometimes we tend to be confused because of the sufferings, persecutions and other circumstances— we snap, we get lost and we think of terrible things,” Bro. Daniel shared in one interview.

“Advocacy films are always awakening and are reminders to us all,” remarked premier actress Jackie Lou Blanco as she admired Bro. Daniel for coming up with an insightful movie, which is according to her, “not an easy thing to do.”

Actor Toby Alejar also commended Bro. Daniel for such project, saying that artists should do something that will leave a legacy to people notwithstanding profits or any material gains. “It is only Kuya Daniel who has the guts to create a film with sense,” said the actor.

For the Benefit of Yolanda Victims

Last November 28, UNTV personalities and fans gathered at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel for the film’s special screening and sponsors’ night entitled “Rare Moments with Kuya Daniel Razon”.

The participants of the event are all delighted for having the opportunity to watch the film and at the same time to help the less fortunate.

“The movie was great! It has many values—good values for those who have lost their ways,” said Ms. Adelina Tanuego, one of the film’s sponsor, in an interview

Mr. Edwin Consumo, a sponsor from Nueva Ecija also commended the film, “It was good not only for its Bible-based principles but also for its cause to help the needy and the victims of the recent typhoon Yolanda.”

True to is public service theme, proceeds of the film will go to the continuous charitable programs of MCGI and supported by UNTV such as the free clinic, free college, free legal consultation, free rides, among many others, under the leadership of Presiding Minister, Bro. Eli Soriano.

The sponsors of his film, ‘Isang Araw’, gathered at the Grand Plaza Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on the eve of Bro. Daniel’s 30th anniversary to show their support to the celebrator. The organizers also prepared a special program, a generous meal and a place to showcase the items included in the ‘Isang Araw’ auction for the event’s participants. (Screenshots from UNTV’s Youtube Channel)

The film’s production staff is also organizing an ‘Isang Araw’ auction for the benefit of the recent super typhoon Yolanda’s victims that struck the Eastern Visayas region of the country middle of November. All proceeds of the auction will be given to the victims.

Items to be auctioned off will include clothing worn by Bro. Daniel himself during the making of the film.

A Star-Studded Film

‘Isang Araw’ reunites the memorable characters in the prequel, which include those played by actors Rey PJ Abellana, a power-hungry congressman, Robbie Packing, Daniel’s close friend cum sidekick, and Rene Jose, Daniel’s nemesis in the Drivers Association in their community.

The movie also welcomes back Natasha Ledesma, Gerry Casupanan, and UNTV’s talents Ryan Ramos and Ley-Ann Lugod.

Making the sequel film bigger and better, ‘Isang Araw’ features veteran actors and actresses like Jackie Lou Blanco, Bayani Agbayani, Daria Ramirez, Ritz Azul, Jess Lapid Jr., Toby Alejar, Pinky Amador, Lou Veloso, Ricardo Cepeda, Eagle Riggs, Jeffrey Santos, Dinky Doo, Brandon Legaspi, Kier Legaspi, and more.

UNTV personalities like Louella De Cordova, Rep. Erin Tañada, Atty. Regie Tongol and Bro. Daniel’s wife Sis Arlene Razon, will also play pivotal roles in the movie.

The film Isang Araw is also a celebration of Bro. Daniel’s 30^th year in service to God and to humanity this November.

In a recent thanksgiving celebration, Bro. Daniel, joined by his family and the rest of the Church members, offered songs of praises to God for this milestone. He also sang his newest original composition, “Magpakailan Pa Man” as part of the expression of gratitude to the Lord for another year added to his service.

UNTV Begins the Journey to its Tenth Anniversary with Fresh Charitable Services

Taking public service to a higher level has always been the job of UNTV, a television station commemorating its 9^th anniversary this month. As the countdown towards the celebration of its first decade in broadcast industry commences, it launches its first wave of newest campaigns and projects.

Basketball Event for a Cause

The station’s avid followers are expected to fill the Smart Araneta Coliseum to witness the first-ever UNTV set on July 29. Public servants will take a break away from the office and celebrities will spend a “lights-camera-action-free” night for a basketball face-off intended to give entertainment and at the same time fund public charity programs for the winner’s chosen charity.

You can watch the event’s official video invitation here.

Quality Medical Services for the Indigents

Apart from the intensified free medical and dental services of UNTV, health coupons will also be distributed among the marginalized as a means for them to avail quality hospital services from UNTV-affiliated medical institutions.

According to BMPI-UNTV CEO Daniel Razon, this will be tied-up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government units to help the station in identifying who the recipients of the coupons will be.

UNTV Heath Coupons will be given to selected indigents to help them access quality medical services

The station will also be partnering with the national government through its health insurance program, PhilHealth, to enroll qualified indigents in the said program. The annual premium needed to maintain a PhilHealth card will be paid by the station.

Taxi Drivers Turned Lifesavers

As part of widening the Tulong Muna Bago Balita campaign of UNTV, the public service channel also unveils Rescue Cab (Tulong Muna, Bago Pasada). On this venture, UNTV coordinated with taxi operators and tapped their cab drivers to be trained and be fully-equipped with rescue skills. The concerted effort between the taxi-drivers-turned-lifesavers and the station’s News and Rescue Team is seen to be helpful in reducing the increasing road accident statistic in the country.

Photo courtesy of DanielRazon.com

New Intelligent Broadcast Alternatives

Accompanying the 9^th anniversary celebration of UNTV is the launching of its newest television shows. The station is known for broadcasting intelligent alternatives— programs that are both informative and delightful, and are centered with the channel’s mission of delivering genuine public service. Soon, programs such as “Sinewikain”, dubbed as the first short clip festival on air, and “Justice on Air”, a show dedicated in discussing how equity and justice are governed by the country’s Department of Justice will be gracing the small screen. The all-new “Good Morning Kuya”, the station’s flagship program, will also be released.

Kuya Daniel: “We are expanding our public service initiatives”

With the digitalization of the UNTV’s broadcast operations, the station’s enthusiastic fans can all the more look forward for better journalism. Now that the one channel that gives priority to humanitarian services has turned nine and is just a year away to its tenth year anniversary in the tough broadcast industry, its avid supporters can all the more hope for more ground-breaking advocacies.

“We are expanding our public service initiatives. We want to reach more people. We have started with just a small scope- with the family which is the basic unit of society- and now, we are going community-wide. Then, we will expand to even bigger scope, Godwilling,” Mr. Daniel Razon remarked during the 9^th year anniversary celebration last July 18 in Makati Shangri-La.

For this year, UNTV’s campaigns and projects will revolve around the theme “Inspiring Change, Building Better Communities”.

The Public Service Continues As UNTV Reaches 9th Anniversary

UNTV, the Philippines’ Public Service Channel, gives one big hint that the station is set to intensify its charitable programs and campaigns as it launches the theme for its 9^th anniversary celebration this July, “Inspiring Change, Building Better Communities.”

The station in its budding years has already captured the hearts of many Filipino households. Deviating from the usual small screen banquet, it offers its own roster of intelligent alternative programs and innovative campaigns carrying its prime advocacy: tendering genuine charitable services to humanity.

Its program listing comprises a variety of television shows that are interesting enough to tickle our attention and inspirational enough to satisfy our appetite for enlightening and at the same time entertaining broadcasts. Some of its well-known programs include “Good Morning Kuya”, “Get It Straight with Daniel Razon”, “Manibela”, “Munting Pangarap”, “Klasrum”, “Polwatch”, and “Ang Dating Daan”.

UNTV is also the station that comes into the picture when talking about all-out public service. From the freely given medical, dental, legal and transport services to the inventive mobile-based clinics, educational classrooms and driving and livelihood academy to the ground-breaking Tulong Muna Bago Balita (Rescue First, Report Later) to the establishment of La Verdad Christian School and College, the only academic institution that offers 100% free education, it certainly covers almost all aspects of humanitarian development.

Dr. Daniel Razon, also dubbed as Mr. Public Service Channel, during UNTV’s 8th anniversary celebration at One Esplanade (Photo courtesy of untvweb.com)

With its constant partners and supporters, including the Department of Education, Philippine Red Cross, and the Members Church of God International, the station under the supervision of UNTV-BMPI CEO and Chairman Dr. Daniel Razon has been well-versed in utilizing its scarce resources just to transform its vast vision of a better community into reality.

It has only been nine years, but looking back, UNTV has already touched and inspired many lives. Many households were delighted and informed with the station’s fresh television show alternatives. The marginalized were given medical, dental, legal and transport services for free. Batches of scholars were able to continue on studying through La Verdad Christian School and College. Many were rescued by the reporters, staff and crew who learned first-aid fundamentals via Tulong Muna, Bago Balita. The farthest areas were reached through the mobile-based innovations…You can just imagine how fruitful the next nine years for UNTV will be.

Indeed, with the coming opportunities, the avid followers can anticipate for a wider horizon of public services- may it be in the form of broadcasts or of charitable projects- all gearing towards social welfare improvement.

Aiming to Transform Cab Drivers to Lifesavers, UNTV Launches Tulong Muna Bago Pasada

For the people behind UNTV, the Philippine’s Public Service Channel, even the cab drivers roaming around the busy streets of metropolitan areas have the capability to carry out emergency responses and lifesaving operations. Hence, the launching of its latest advocacy, Tulong Muna Bago Pasada (Rescue Now, Transport Later).

Akin to Tulong Muna Bago Balita (Rescue Now, Report Later), the television station’s innovative journalism campaign that started last 2010, this most recent addition to its list of charitable endeavors aims to impart the value of prioritizing saving lives – whenever at hand- before anything else.

The first batch of cab drivers are now undergoing a series of basic life support training to equip them with the technical know-how needed to perform rescue operations. After this, they will be handed certificates as proofs of their ability to function as lifesavers-on-the-street.

This initiative is UNTV’s answer to the alarming road accident statistics in Metro Manila. According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the total number of road accidents last 2011 numbered to as high as 77, 110. Also, the area is home to major thoroughfares considered by the MMDA as Accident Prone Stretches like Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, Pres. Sergio Osmeña Highway and some parts of EDSA.

“If only all cab drivers will learn rescue, maybe our roads will be safer,” said Mr. Daniel Razon, UNTV’s CEO. Also, he has high hopes that this campaign will not only transform cab drivers into on-field rescuers but into more disciplined citizens as well.

For inquiries, you may contact UNTV through the following numbers: 0938 803 0777 (Smart), 0926 633 5744 (Globe), 0923 416 1377 (Sun) and 441 8688 (PLDT).

Sources:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/statistics

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/road-mishaps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=exINwpNNuRQ