Eduksine USA launched, features ‘Thy Womb’ starring Nora Aunor

Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (2nd from left) and Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo (3rd from left) with EdukSine Founder and CEO Karen Salutan-Krukover, FACINE Executive Director Neil Torrefiel and representatives from the California and San Francisco Film Commissions. Photo from San Francisco PCG

SAN FRANCISCO – The startup company EdukSine was recently launched with a film screening of Brillante Mendoza‘s film “Thy Womb,” starring National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall in San Francisco.

Showing its support for Philippine startups in the United States, the Philippine Consulate General hosted the San Francisco launch and the free film screening.

The launch was in support of the Department of Trade and Industry’s “Malikhaing Pinoy” Program for the Philippine creative industry. The film screening was part of the annual observance of the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.”

“Thy Womb,” Brillante Mendoza’s critically acclaimed and award-winning film, tells the story of a Tausug midwife who copes with her infertility as she helps women in her community.

The Consulate partnered with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco-based Filipino Arts and Cinema (FACINE) in hosting the EdukSine USA launch.

Attending the event were Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Vice Consul Hannah Go, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo and representatives from the California and San Francisco Film Commissions.

Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (at podium) delivers welcome remarks at the EdukSine USA’s San Francisco launch and “Thy Womb” film screening at the Philippine Center. Photo from San Francisco PCG

In his remarks, Vice Consul Baccay said San Francisco is the “perfect place” to launch EdukSine as the city “thrives on innovation and diversity.”

“As we expand Eduksine to the United States, we are also showcasing the vibrancy of Philippine culture and the strength of the Philippine creative industries,” he said.

“Filipino artists have made remarkable contributions to global culture…and the world is looking to the Philippines for fresh ideas, unique perspectives and a new wave of talent.”

He thanked New York City-based EdukSine Founder and CEO Salutan-Krukover and her team for their commitment to the Philippine film industry.

Salutan-Krukover delivered a presentation outlining plans to expand EdukSine’s reach in the United States through in-person and online block screenings of independent and socially relevant Filipino films.