Posted by Elena del Valle on March 31, 2021
![Islands Joshua calls for help](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hmpr_islandsjoshuacallsforhelp300.jpg)
Joshua calls for help
Photos: David Magdael & Associates
Islands, a debut feature film from Martin Edralin, a Filipino Canadian filmmaker, was released this year. The 90-minute film with English subtitles centers on Joshua, a religious Filipino immigrant to Canada, and his parents whose health is declining.
Islands explores first love in middle-age and duty to parents. Issues of the Filipino diaspora in Canada feature in the background. The film was in the 2021 SXSW Film Festival Narrative Competition. According to promotional materials, it was the first-ever Filipino-language narrative feature to premiere in competition at SXSW. It stars Rogelio Balagtas, Sheila Lotuaco, Esteban Comilang, Vangie Alcasid, Pablo Quiogue, Isys Szuky, and Maximus Szuky; and was produced by Martin Edralin, Priscilla Galvez.
His whole life Joshua, a timid, middle-aged single man, has lived with his parents. He pleads with God to find him a wife and is afraid of being without a love interest. When his mother suddenly passes he quits his job to look after his father full-time. Inexperienced at taking care of anyone, including himself, Joshua struggles with his father’s care. A visiting cousin helps Joshua and his dad, and stirs confused emotions in the single man.
![Filmmaker Martin Edralin](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hmpr_martinedralin.250.jpg)
Filmmaker Martin Edralin
A Toronto-based filmmaker Edralin directed Hole, a short film screened at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Hole, won the Grand Prize at Clermont-Ferrand, jury prize at the Seattle International Film Festival, and a Canadian Screen Award. Emma, his second short, was selected among TIFF Canada’s Top Ten and won Best Live Action Short at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
According to the SXSW Film Festival website Islands received Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Performance. The SXSW Film Festival strives “to celebrate raw innovation and emerging talent both behind and in front of the camera.”
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 22, 2021
![Eric Goulder, M.D., founder, Heart Attack Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_ericgoulder250.jpg)
Eric Goulder, M.D., founder, Heart Attack Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio
Photo: Heart Attack Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio
A podcast interview with Eric Goulder, M.D., founder, Heart Attack Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio (HASPC) is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses the link he believes exists between oral and cardiac health with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Eric Goulder worked for twenty years at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He then worked for ten years as a cardiologist, affiliated with Marietta Memorial Hospital, until he opened the HASPC of Central Ohio. According to his bio he is an accredited provider of the Bale Doneen (BD) Method said to be used by “hundreds of practitioners worldwide” and meant to incorporate “the most current, research-based information along with painless non-invasive tests, simple blood tests and genetic information to help predict and prevent heart attacks and ischemic strokes.”
To listen to the interview, scroll down and click on the play button below. You can listen by looking for “Podcast” then select “HMPR Eric Goulder, M.D.” and download the MP3 file to your audio player. You can also find it on the RSS feed. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save it to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the March 2021 section of the podcast archive.
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 17, 2021
![Awake](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hmpr_awake300.jpg)
Awake
Photo: Mhz Choice
Last month Awake, a 16 part series from Lebanon, became available on Mhz Choice, a subscription streaming video on demand service known for its international offerings. According to a press release it is the first Arabic-language release on its platform. Mhz Choice acquired the series from Videoplugger, a United Kingdom distributor. It is in Arabic with English subtitles. The episodes are about 40 minutes long.
Awake, released in 2019, is set in Beirut. It is about Dana (Flavia Bechara), a young woman who wakes up from a coma after twelve years. She is unable to speak or interact with others. Her sisters Lama (Stephanie Atallah) and Jinane (Ruba Zaarour) and family members help her slowly understand what happened to her, unveiling family secrets and how the world has changed. Nadia Tabbara created the series and Mazen Fayad directed it.
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 8, 2021
![John Dunn, author, Drying Up (2021)](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_johndunn2021250.jpg)
John Dunn, author, Drying Up
Photo: Susan Dunn
A podcast interview with John Dunn, author, Drying Up (see Writer examines Florida water issues), is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses the fresh water crisis in Florida with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast. Scroll down for slide materials and Drying Up Handout.
A native Miamian, John has written more than 400 articles for Europe, Overseas Life, Sierra, Florida Trend, Business Florida, and The St. Petersburg Times. He authored 16 non-fiction young adult books. He has also edited a Civil War series for young readers.
In February 2019, Drying Up The Fresh Water Crisis in Florida was selected as winner of the Florida Historical Society’s Stetson Kennedy Award for writing about Florida’s natural environment. The book also won the Bronze Medal in the 2019 Florida Book Awards, Florida Nonfiction category.
To listen to the interview, scroll down and click on the play button below. You can listen by looking for “Podcast” then select “HMPR John Dunn” and download the MP3 file to your audio player. You can also find it on the RSS feed. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save it to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the March 2021 section of the podcast archive.
John Dunn Slides
Drying Up handout
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 1, 2021
![John Incledon, president, Hisamitsu America](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_johnincledon250.jpg)
John Incledon, president, Hisamitsu America
Photo: Andrew Foord
A podcast interview with John Incledon, president, Hisamitsu America, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses his company’s success with topical pain relief products in the Hispanic market with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
John is also chief executive officer of Hisamitsu America. According to his biography he has a broad background in marketing, new product development, management, team building, global commercialization, sales, in-licensing, and acquisitions and divestitures.
To listen to the interview, scroll down and click on the play button below. You can also listen by looking for “Podcast” then select “HMPR John Incledon” and or download the MP3 file to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. You can also find it on the RSS feed. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save it to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the February 2021 section of the podcast archive.
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 22, 2021
![Erika Benson, co-owner, Gokce Capital LLC](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/hmpr_erikabenson250.jpg)
Erika Benson, co-owner, Gokce Capital LLC
Photo: Gokce Capital LLC
A podcast interview with Erika Benson, co-owner, Gokce Capital LLC, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, she discusses how to invest in vacant land in 2021 with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Erika, a former affordable housing director for the City of New York, is now a full-time land investor. The article and podcast with part one of this topic was published January 25, 2021.
To listen to the interview, scroll down and click on the play button below. You can also listen by looking for “Podcast” then select “HMPR Erika Benson” and or download the MP3 file to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. You can also find it on the RSS feed. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save it to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the February 2021 section of the podcast archive.
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 15, 2021
Information provided by Event Partner
![LEAD for Pollinators Webinars 2021](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_leadwebinars.jpg)
LEAD for Pollinators February to December 2021 Webinars
Forty-plus Log-in To Learn Webinars to Inform and Inspire
Continue your beekeeping, gardening, farming, small business, and leadership education during 2021. Forty-plus presentations will inform, inspire, and invigorate listeners. Two series will be presented: Log-in To Learn series and Creating Pollinator Habitat series. Webinars will be held from 8 p.m.-9 p.m. eastern (7 p central, 6 p mountain, 5 p pacific), and feature regional and nationally recognized speakers who are experienced, knowledgeable, and engaging in topics important to beekeeping, pollinator habitat, healthy soils, clean water, community-supported agriculture, leadership, and small business. Registration fee is $10 per webinar. Group rates are available for member associations, clubs, and groups. Live presentations will be recorded and available for individuals on a pay-per-view. For more information about topics, dates, and group rates visit https://leadforpollinators.org/log-in-to-learn-webinars/ or email us at info@leadforpollinators.org
Forty-plus Log-in To Learn Webinars to Inform, Inspire, and Invigorate Feb.-Dec. 2021
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 10, 2021
![This Is How I Grow cover](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_thisishowigrow300-230x300.jpg)
This Is How I Grow cover
Photos: Science, Naturally!
In 2020 Science, Naturally! released This is How I Grow,* a 51-page paperback book by Dia L. Michels for children ages seven to ten. A few months later Así Crezco, a 53-page paperback Spanish language edition of Dia’s book, was published. Full page color illustrations in both were by Wesley Davies. In the books Michels explores the growth process for mammals with short text and illustrations. The books are priced at $12.95 each.
![Asi Crezco](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_asicrezco300.jpg)
This Is How I Grow was translated by The Spanish Group, LLC. According to promotional materials, This is How I Grow received the 2020 Book of the Year award from Creative Child Magazine a Tillywig Brain Child award.
![Illustrator Wesley Davies](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_wesleydavies250.jpg)
Illustrator Wesley Davies
![Dia Michels, author, This Is How I Grow](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/hmpr_diamichels.jpg)
Dia L. Michels, author, This Is How I Grow
Science, Naturally! is an imprint of Platypus Media , LLC. Michels, author of 12 books for adults and children, is publisher of Science, Naturally! This is How I Grow is her fourth science book. New England artist Davies specializes in illustration and comic art. These two titles are a book debut of his work.
*Print review copy and photos provided by publisher.
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Filed Under: Books
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 3, 2021
![Saravati’s Gift](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_saravatisgift300-3.jpg)
Saravati’s Gift by Mayumi Oda
Cover photo: Shambhala Publications, author photo: Cindy Whitehawk
Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1941 Mayumi Oda grew up in a war ravaged country. In time she married an American and became an artist and activist. In Sarasvati’s Gift The Autobiography of Mayumi Oda Artist, Activist, and Modern Buddhist Revolutionary (Shambhala, $22.95),* a 136-page softcover book published in 2020, the Hawaii resident shares part of her life story. The book includes 26 of her color illustrations each on its own page as well as family and personal photos.
![Mayumi Oda](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hmpr_mayumioda_photocreditcindywhitehawk250.jpg)
Mayumi Oda
In Chapter 1 she says she believes we are on the edge of disaster and at the same time poised for positive transformation. In the Afterword she shares her belief that toxicity is everywhere, that there is nowhere without pollution. She mentions having a stroke as she was completing her autobiography and as a result deciding she wants to dedicate the remainder of her life to writing and painting. She was unavailable to respond to email questions per a representative at the farm. A publishing company representative did not reply to email requests.
Oda, a painter, environmental activist, and Buddhist practitioner, describes her years in Japan, her marriage and the death of her son as well as her immigration to the United States, her inspiration and approach to art. In the 1990s, she started dedicating some of her time to activism pro women’s rights, antinuclear causes and anti genetically modified plants, and founded Gingerhill Farm on the Big Island of Hawaii, according to her biography.
*Print review copy and photos provided by publisher.
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Filed Under: Books
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 25, 2021
![Erika Benson, co-owner, Gokce Capital LLC](https://hispanicmpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/hmpr_erikabenson250.jpg)
Erika Benson, co-owner, Gokce Capital LLC
Photo: Gokce Capital LLC
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A podcast interview with Erika Benson, co-owner, Gokce Capital LLC, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, she discusses how to invest in vacant land in 2021 with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Erika is a former affordable housing director for the City of New York turned full-time Land Investor. She used to help New Yorkers find affordable housing, now she helps people around the United States find affordable land.
She keeps an active blog on the company website where she gives out advice on buying and selling land. She has a YouTube channel with over 250 videos that provide tips for land buyers and information on the company properties.
To listen to the interview, scroll down and click on the play button below. You can also listen by looking for “Podcast” then select “HMPR Erika Benson” and or download the MP3 file to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. You can also find it on the RSS feed. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save it to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the January 2021 section of the podcast archive.