Aseneth WAIDE

Creator: Liklik MediaDuration: 7minsRelease Date: Friday October 2nd, 2026Cast: Hane Kokoha, Rima Ravusiro, Eldan Toti, Richard TauregaBeautiful, charming and…happily married? Ambitious public servant, Miri (Hane Kokoha) has a brief misunderstanding with her husband Ben (Rima Ravusiro) but is quickly resolved – thanks to Ben’s smooth talking. Meanwhile, Noah (Eldan Toti) is on the verge of desperation as money lender Peter (Richard Taurega) confronts him about his unpaid debts.A brief introduction to Ben already solidifies him as a terrifying villain not just because of his dialogue but also because of his unanimous presence in reality. Ben’s character is not always meant to be physically imposing in public.But can be charming to the community and abusive behind closed doors. Rima Ravusiro’s short screen time in this episode already portrays the subtle side of emotional abuse – the passive-aggressive digs, the accusations and then the statement of false concern, “I trust you; I just don’t trust everybody else”. Overall, Ravusiro has the potential to make Ben become a realistic and chilling character.Another great addition to this episode is the mention of illegal gambling that is pervasive in urban PNG.With Noah desperate for money and his friend Joe outwardly offering a way that will satisfy the lender’s debts’, the episode shows how financial pressure can push even a good person toward destructive choices.Noah’s unraveling becomes one of episode two’s more fascinating elements, revealing how quickly circumstances can expose the darker sides of a person.On the flip side, the episode suffers from moments of visual-dialogue mismatch, particularly during the money lender’s conversation with Noah about his debt.Peter’s dialogue seems to describe a park or scenic recreational space for children, yet the scene appears to take place at Noah’s house. This disconnect between the dialogue, and setting makes the location unclear and slightly disrupts the scene’s continuity.Additionally, the presentation of Peter’s henchmen in the background feels a little tacky, particularly in the way their costumes and mannerisms lean into familiar gangster stereotypes.Final Verdict:Episode Two delivers strong villain introductions and social commentary, though continuity issues and clichés hold it back.★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Over 300 Grade 10 students at La Salle Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby are sitting their National Examinations today; specifically, Mathematics and Personal Development, following weeks of preparation by teachers and students.Principal Br Antony Samy Pancras said the school began preparing students well ahead of the examinations through weekend and Sunday classes, peer teaching and group study sessions.Br Antony said, adding that he expects the school’s Grade 10 students to perform among the top in the country this year.“We have a great confidence in our students, and I am expecting all of them to proceed to grade 11 this year.”The 303 students, include 146 males and 157 females. Br Antony said the school has maintained strong attendance, with students continuing to attend classes and study together even outside normal school hours.The school has also put El Nino measures in place to support students during the examination period, including water reserves, drinking-water stations, shower facilities and a breakfast program for students who arrive early at school.Br Antony said Grade 12 students have also been encouraged to study at school, where they can use the school’s backup power supply and avoid distractions at home.With student safety, Br Antony highlighted common issues of bag-snatching particularly at the bus stops.“We have encouraged the parents to drop off their kids and pick them up.”He added that the school supports students with basic stationary.In regard to the school’s excellent results, Br Antony credited the school’s strong performance to the teamwork and commitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as the hard work of students.“It’s not a one-man job. It’s everyone’s job.”La Salle joins 84,596 students from the 547 high and secondary schools throughout the country to sit for their exams.

Creator: Liklik MediaDuration: 5mins 52secsRelease Date: Thursday October 1st, 2026Cast: Heidee Woito, Eldan Toti, Hane Kokoha, Tristan MaruLani (Heidee Woito) seems to have it all in terms of a good partner in Noah (Eldan Toti) – loving, hardworking, respectful – and is the envy of her friends. But only Lani knows the extent of the troubles Noah faces – or does she?The creative decision to blend Tok Pisin and English languages anchor the narrative firmly in its cultural context, giving the dialogue an authentic, lived-in feel that resonates deeply with the characters' reality. Rather than feeling forced, the language reflects the way many Papua New Guineans communicate in everyday life.The series also benefits from making Lani a market vendor, a detail that adds another layer of cultural specificity. Her occupation feels recognizably PNG and helps ground her character. Similarly, the costuming and wardrobe choices effectively communicate each person’s economic and social situation. The women’s meri blouses reinforce the local setting, while Lani’s more casual, second-hand clothing contrasts with Miri’s (Hane Kokoha) more professional wardrobe, subtly reflecting their different circumstances. Even Noah’s clothing appears more worn than his wife’s, visually reinforcing his position as an unemployed man without relying solely on dialogue to communicate it.On the other hand, the film’s vertical cinematography suffers from several recurring composition and technical flaws, including excessive headroom and flat staging against distracting background elements like metal fences. Furthermore, poor blocking often allows background bars to awkwardly slice across actors' faces, while harsh outdoor daylight and flat indoor lighting fail to establish a polished, visually engaging cinematic look.Final Verdict:A culturally authentic story that could benefit from stronger visual polish.★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Title: Nelly’s StoryDirector: Jonas SteinackerDuration: 19minsCast: Lilith Häble, Luise Spiegel, Karin Eva Meisel, Björn Büchner, Thomas Kasten, Sebastian Egger, Tom Hanslmaier, Nils StrunkKIDS ARE NOT FOR SOCIAL MEDIANelly’s Story is a short film that shows the life of child influencer Nelly (Luise Spiegel) and her mother Sarah (Lilith Häble) once the cameras are off.Directed by Jonas Steinacker, this 19-minute award winning film, echoes the behind-the-scenes frustration of kidfluencers living under their parent’s supervision.In the beginning of the film, Nelly walks down the stairs, walls surrounded by balloons. Her mother records on her phone while she instructs Nelly to blow out the candles. Everything seems to go well until Nelly refuses to participate because her father isn’t present.Lilith Häble nails the role of a frustrated and panicked mother which may garner sympathy from the audience initially until the film gets to the end and the extend of her obsession with her online life is revealed.The coloring remains dull and grey making the film look depressing.Despite Nelly not being an English film, the situation depicted remains relevant in the era of social media.Verdict: Relevant message, dull tone.Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

High Commissioner of India to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Shri Rajeev Kumar, has recently pointed out the growing opportunities for Papua New Guinean students to pursue affordable and quality higher education during the Study in India Education Fair held on the 22nd and 23rd of September at the Indian High Commission, Port Moresby.Speaking to the audience present, H.E said India’s higher education system offers several advantages, including affordability, scholarships, English-medium instruction and strong programs in fields relevant to PNG’s development needs.“India’s higher education system is one of the largest in the world, enrolling around 45 million students across nearly 70,000 institutions.”The Ambassador identified engineering, information technology, computer science, business administration, health sciences and agriculture as areas where Indian universities have strong programs that could benefit PNG students.He also mentioned scholarship and partnership opportunities, including support from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, as well as programs involving Indian universities and PNG institutions.“This makes quality tertiary education realistic for many families who would find Western options prohibitively expensive.”According to the Ambassador, some Indian universities have provided tuition discounts and other support for PNG students, while provincial initiatives have also created opportunities for students, including those from Flexible Open and Distance Education backgrounds.He said studying in India could also provide young Papua New Guineans with international exposure, practical skills and multicultural networks while allowing them to study at a comparatively lower cost than in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom.“Unlike more expensive Western destinations, this global exposure occurs within a developing-country context that many find more relatable, while still delivering internationally recognized credentials.”The Ambassador said returning graduates could contribute to PNG’s development in areas such as infrastructure, technology, healthcare, agriculture and governance.Koiari Park Secondary School Teacher Mr. Peter Naina, gave positive feedback of the education fair, stating it was a good opportunity for students to explore scholarship options.“Some of these students are really passionate about studying in India.”He added that with the advancement of technology, studying in countries like India is advantageous.“India can offer study options in technology and especially in subjects like AI. Those courses are useful for Papua New Guinea students to gain knowledge in and to also apply it in the country.”Similarly, Grade 11 student attendee, Ethan Robinson spoke of his experience at the fair stating that the fair was a great way to showcase multiple pathways students can take after secondary school studies.“Apart from the universities in Papua New Guinea, we also have options outside, don’t take it for granted.”

A new study by the PNG Business Coalition for Women (BCFW) has found that workplace sexual harassment remains a weighty concern for employees and businesses, affecting worker wellbeing, productivity and staff retention.The Research on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace was conducted across seven major companies and involved more than 700 participants.The research examined the prevalence of sexual harassment, barriers to reporting incidents and the impact of harassment on employee participation, productivity and businesses.BCFW Board Chair Seema Dass Raju said the research was designed not only to document personal experiences of sexual harassment and identify barriers to reporting, but also to examine the economic cost to organisations and provide practical recommendations for workplaces.The study found that 16.3 percent of employees reported experiencing sexual harassment at work, with women twice as likely as men to be targeted.It also found that 20.1 percent of female workers had experienced harassment in their current role, while 46.1 percent of all staff had witnessed or heard about incidents.Despite 91.7 percent of respondents being aware of workplace harassment policies, only 38.1 percent said they knew the exact steps to take when reporting an incident.The research identified several consequences for employees, including avoiding certain people or workplace areas, considering leaving their jobs and taking time away from work.It also found that 94.5 percent of targets identified co-workers as perpetrators, with unwanted jokes or comments recorded as the most common form of harassment.Digital harassment was another major concern, with 40 percent of targets reporting experiencing harassment through digital platforms, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp.Advocacy Officer, Sheena Puayil, stated that employees' willingness to report incidents was strongly linked to whether safe, confidential, and trusted reporting mechanisms were available.Concerns about workplace relationships, retaliation, job security, and a lack of confidence in existing reporting systems were identified as barriers to reporting.The research also mentioned psychological impacts extending beyond people directly targeted by harassment, noting that employees who witness incidents can also be affected.“An interesting finding from the research is that men appear to be more affected by incidents they witnessed than by incidents they personally experienced.”The study concluded that workplace sexual harassment is not only a wellbeing issue but also a business issue, with potential effects on productivity, staff turnover, recruitment and retention.To conclude, Program Manager, Lolowo Gimiseve outlined six main areas of recommendations for employers: policies and procedures; education and training; digital safety; leadership accountability; reporting mechanisms; and support services.“This recommendation provides a practical roadmap for employers to strengthen prevention, improve reporting systems, enhance accountability, and provide effective support to employees.”

Production Team: Liklik MediaCast: Hane Kokoha, Rima Ravusiro, Heidee Weito, Rubu JimmyGenre: DramaTrailer Runtime: 45secsRating: PG/MStreaming Platform/Cinema: TikTok & FacebookRelease/Premiere: [null]October 1st, 2026“You did this to me...Real men don’t hit their wives!”[Back from the Abyss]PNG DRAMA BUILDS ITS STEADY STREAK ON SOCIAL MEDIADomestic violence, marital conflict and tough financial situations, Liklik Media’s latest P-Drama, “Back from the Abyss” brings reality into fiction. A stark contrast from their debut series ‘Love and Coconut’, this newest mini vertical series, is already leaving local viewers on the edge of their seats with just a few scenes.The trailer builds high emotional and physical tension, moving swiftly from a warm family reunion into intense drama, secrets, and conflict.Set against familiar local backdrops and neighbourhood settings – what is PNG without it’s betelnut markets? – It captures an authentic Papua New Guinean vibe with raw acting performances.It keeps any plot twists hidden while clearly announcing that the series premieres on [null]October 1.Overall, it’s a decently crafted trailer, what follows afterwards is completely dependent on the cast and crew of Liklik Media and the audience response.

The National Department of Education has launched its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy and implementation guidelines to encourage fairness, inclusion and accountability across the department.Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra said the policy marks an important milestone for the department and reflects its commitment to strengthening both education services and the way public servants work together.The policy supports the National Education Plan 2020–2029, particularly Focus Area Three, which emphasizes equity.Dr. Kombra said the policy is not about men competing against women, but about ensuring that everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and given a fair opportunity to succeed.“It is about men and women working together, or men and women working together, recognizing each other's strengths, treating one another with dignity and respect, and ensuring that every member of our workforce has a fair opportunity to succeed.”“When we value different perspectives, we become stronger leaders.”“As leaders in education, we have the responsibility to model the values that we expect our schools to demonstrate, and our students to respect fairness, integrity, inclusion, accountability.”He said the policy must be applied across the department, including recruitment, appointments and promotions, with decisions based on performance, qualifications and competency.The policy also recognizes persons living with disabilities, employees from different provinces and cultures, and staff at different stages of their careers.GESI Coordinator Claribel Waide explained that the policy is designed to create an inclusive, safe, accessible and conducive working environment for public servants while improving equity in education and service delivery.She said the policy has four main objectives: creating and maintaining a safe workplace; strengthening fairness and transparency in recruitment and policy development; supporting women in leadership; and strengthening resources for GESI mainstreaming.The priority areas include equity in education and service delivery, employee health, safety and wellbeing, complaints management, professional development and women in leadership.The department acknowledged the contribution of development partners, particularly the Australian Government through the TIE program, to the development of the policy.Waide said the launch is not the end of the process, with the policy now expected to be integrated into the department's everyday management and systems, including school inspections and guidance and counselling.

The National Cultural Commission has been very vocal about the lack of importance and vision placed on the creative sector, which has led to its neglect and underdevelopment.During the recent signing of a K20, 000 cheque to support PNG’s renowned reggae artist Anslom for his trip to Jamaica for an album development, the NCC addressed the trivializing of creative arts in Papua New Guinea.Executive Director for the NCC Steven Enomb Kilanda, said that nobody is interested in studying the arts because they do not realize the economic potential of this area.“Arts industry is where the money is. That's where the huge economic potential is for an emerging country like Papua New Guinea.”“Other countries believe in the artistic potential of Papua New Guinea but not us.”He added that one of the possibilities of this attitude is due to Papua New Guinea being a developing nation, hence a lot of emphasis is placed on other areas of study.“When other resources are depleted, the alternative is the arts.”He challenged young people to think outside the box and not limited themselves in seeking out common forms of employment.“There’s very few students, taking up arts courses – roughly six or seven students.” “Think seriously – take a different direction.”He added that he’s seen arts students get jobs and create jobs for themselves. “Arts students are already employed both locally and internationally, that’s because arts courses are demanded at an international level as well.”David Taim, Executive Manager for Festival, Marketing, Cultural Development, and Art Industry, explained that under the current leadership of Mr. Kilanda, the NCC formulated the National Cultural Policy, 2023-2032, that captured NCC to work in collaboration with education in terms of reintroducing the creative arts courses in the schools.“I believe creative arts subjects were scrapped during the introduction of the outcomes-based education, from primary to secondary levels.”He added that it was also a legacy issue, as Papua New Guinea lacked policy or legislation 50 years ago to protect artists and manage their royalties and benefits. Addressing these systemic legislative and policy gaps will ensure that true economic benefits reach local practitioners and their families, ultimately attracting more talent to the sector.Over the next 50 years, the national government must refocus its priorities to fully capitalize on the economic potential of the country's creative and cultural arts industry.Meanwhile, Anslom said that art gives people identity and as a Papua New Guinean artist he is proud of his art and his identity.

The National Cultural Commission has provided K20,000 in financial support to Papua New Guinean reggae artist and Cultural Ambassador Anslom Nakikus for his upcoming international music engagements.NCC Executive Director Steven Enomb Kilanda announced the funding during a press conference in Port Moresby, saying the Commission will provide K10,000 for Anslom’s trip to Jamaica and a further K10,000 to support his travel from Jamaica to Vanuatu.The financial support comes as Anslom prepares to leave Papua New Guinea for Montego Bay, Jamaica, where he will spend two weeks working with Jamaican musicians and a Jamaican recording label on a new album.Kilanda said the NCC’s support is part of its wider effort to help Papua New Guinean artists gain international exposure and promote the country through music and culture.“Anslom is our official cultural ambassador. He will carry the flag of our country to the international stage.”He also said the music industry has substantial economic potential and that the government and its agencies need to invest in developing the sector.The NCC has supported Anslom on previous international engagements, including trips to India and Hawaii, which Kilanda said helped expose his music and Papua New Guinea to international audiences.“We will continue to give you the strong support and we will push for you to market this country.”Anslom said international opportunities such as these are valuable even when they do not provide large immediate financial returns.“In many cases, the financial return is modest. Accommodation, visas, rehearsals, band costs, and other expenses are taken into account.”“Planti man ol save ting olsem, taim mipla go, ol save givim bikpla mani.” [A lot of people assume that we get paid so much money when we perform internationally].According to Anslom, the greater value lies in the international exposure, relationships and future opportunities that can come from performing and building networks overseas.He said his upcoming Jamaica project is itself the result of relationships developed through previous international engagements.The artist also acknowledged the support of his management, international partners and the National Cultural Commission in helping create opportunities for his music career.Following Jamaica, Anslom is scheduled to perform in Vanuatu on October 10, before travelling to New Caledonia for two shows.He is also scheduled to perform in Brisbane in November and is expected to participate in the Woodstock Festival in Brisbane towards the end of the year.For Anslom, the financial support is part of a wider journey to take PNG music, culture and identity to the world.

British Deputy High Commissioner H.E. Niall Cullens recently visited the Legend FM radio station at PNGFM Ltd in Port Moresby as part of the station’s British Accent Challenge, helping select the winner of the month-long competition.Cullens joined the Legend FM team live in the studio to conduct the final draw, which saw William Aila named the winner of the challenge.The competition was run by Legend FM as part of its July promotions, giving listeners the opportunity to showcase their best British accent or impression.Legend FM’s radio personality Augustine Chalson popularly known as Augie, said listeners were given a sentence each day, taken from a famous song, and challenged to read it in a British accent.Participants submitted their entries through WhatsApp voice notes or by calling the station, with the strongest entries progressing into the final draw.During his visit, Cullens also spoke about the diversity of British accents, explaining that there is no single British accent. He said accents vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while different regions and cities within the countries also have their own distinct accents.Cullens gave examples of regional differences, noting that people from Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham can speak with noticeably different accents. He also pointed out differences between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland, despite the cities being relatively close to each other.Cullens said English has become a global language used across music, film, culture, business and communication.Following the draw, Cullens congratulated Aila and said the winner would be welcomed at the British High Commission for a tour.The visit will give Aila an opportunity to learn more about the work of the British High Commission in Papua New Guinea, the relationship between PNG and the United Kingdom, and to meet staff at the mission too.Augie said the British Accent Challenge was designed as a fun way to engage listeners while celebrating British culture. He said the idea was also inspired by British music, particularly the contrast between the accents of British artists when speaking and how they sound when singing.The challenge also became an opportunity for Legend FM listeners to learn about the variety of British accents.Augie said he was surprised to learn during Cullens’ visit that Britain has numerous regional accents.He compared the differences to Papua New Guinea, where people from different parts of the country also have distinct dialects and ways of speaking.

Director: Spencer Peter WangareCast: Jamuga Stone, Joylene Tanfa, Jeremiah Hauka, Balem Asekim, David KaumaraRating: M | Genre: Crime, Thriller, Urban Fantasy | Run Time: 100minsCinema/Streaming Platform: Paradise Cinema, Coca-Cola Premiere LoungeCRINGY SCRIPT AND DIALOGUE DELIVERY WITH OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING VILLIANS“In the world of Black Python, everyone seems to have a story to tell—but the film struggles to decide whose story matters most.”Streetwise drug dealer, Badu (Balem Asekim) recruits young John after the boy was left homeless. John soon finds himself caught in a complicated world of drug trafficking, corruption and betrayal.The film does not seem to know who its main character is: John, Detective Nina, Badu, or Master? We are introduced to John at the beginning, and this immediately leads audiences to assume that the story will revolve around him. However, as the film progresses, that assumption becomes less certain. Badu appears to play a more central role in the drug-dealing operation, making his actions increasingly significant to the development of the story. At the same time, Detective Nina is introduced as the investigator following the drug-trafficking case, positioning her as another possible central character whose perspective could have driven the narrative. Master, on the other hand, is presented as a black python master, adding another mysterious and supernatural dimension to the story. Because each of these characters is given considerable attention and appears to have their own role in the larger conflict, the film creates uncertainty about whose story we are actually following.Scripting and delivery were painfully average and contained too much English which ruins believability in a Papua New Guinean film. Actors’ lack of fluency in English dialogue was awful to listen to and sounded as though it was read directly off a paper. Only the Tok Pisin dialogue from the background actors sounded natural. Overall, the script and delivery were one of the weakest elements in the film.On the other hand, the way profanity was handled in Black Python, was balanced and enhanced the intensity. Unlike most mature films that just drop random F-Bombs in dialogue, Black Python’s usage of bad language made sense in the scenes where it was utilized.Another particular feature of strength was the film’s supporting villains. Although they weren’t the main villains’, characters X and Big Boss’s female assistant stole the show from the main villain. Their acting was distinctive and had more personality compared to ‘Big Boss’ who seemed more like a caricature.Black Python is an ambitious attempt to push Papua New Guinean cinema into the action, crime and urban fantasy space; there is clearly effort and passion behind its production. However, awkward English dialogue delivery and an unclear central storyline prevent the film from reaching its full potential. While the film introduces several characters and ideas, it struggles to bring them together into a focused and compelling narrative. Despite these weaknesses, the film has moments that work. Supporting villains bring personality and tension to the story, while the controlled use of profanity adds intensity without feeling unnecessarily excessive. The film also deserves recognition for attempting a genre that is still relatively unexplored in PNG cinema.FINAL VERDICTBlack Python is a bold but uneven attempt to bring action, crime and urban fantasy to Papua New Guinean cinema. Its ambitious concept and memorable supporting villains show potential, but the weak scripting, unnatural dialogue delivery and lack of a clear central protagonist hold the film back.Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5