It was one time when I didn’t feel bad when I was told that there were no more tickets available for the film I wanted to watch.
I was so happy seeing the Cultural Center of the Philippines filled with people who love films. It showed that Filipinos yearn for good films. The scene disproved the condescending arguments of producers of silly films that they were just giving the Filipino audience what they want.
Cinemalaya showed that we have an abundant supply of cinema talents.
The much-awaited Cine Malaya festival, a showcase of intelligent and sensible movies by Filipino filmmakers, will be on Aug 2-10 in CCP Theaters and Ayala Cinemas in Metro Manila.
There are 11 films participating. I have marked on my schedule “Hari ng Tondo” by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. Script by Bibeth Orteza.
A grandfather played by Robert Arevalo finds out he lost his fortune the day his granddaughter (Cris Villonco) told him her wedding is not pushing through and his grandson (Rafa Siguion-Reyna) disclosed he is not graduating from college – again.
The patriarch, thinking that his grandchildren’s’ lack of direction in life is due to their sheltered upbringing, he decided to bring them to Tondo, his birthplace.
The Tondo visit not only made an impact on the Forbes Park- bred youngsters but also to the old man who found out that Tondo is no longer the same place as the one he grew up in.
Also starring: Eric Quizon, Aiza Seguerra, Gian Magdangal, Ciara Sotto.
Other CineMalaya entries: “Hustisya” by Joel Lamangan, starring Nora Aunor; “Kasal” by Joselito Altarejos,starring Polo Ravales; “The Janitor” by Michael Tuviera, starring: Dennis Trillo, Richard Gomez, Irma Adlawan;
President Aquino has used every opportunity to justify to the public the billions of pesos that he diverted to finance the Disbursement Accelerated Program or DAP, several projects under it were declared by Supreme Court unconstitutional.
The latest was last Wednesday in Batangas during the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Apolinario Mabini, the brains of the Philippine revolution.
His arguments are warped and many times dishonest.
We expect more of that when he delivers his 5th State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday. It would be another stressful activity for those who have enough of Malacañang’s bewildering arguments for DAP.
President Aquino and his minions should not wave the legal banner about the Chief Executive’s power not to uphold the recommendation of the National Commission on Culture and Arts and the Cultural Center in conferring the National Artist awards to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.
The issue is: did he use that power judiciously in deleting the name of movie actress Nora Aunor from the list submitted by the NCCA and CCP for the National Artist awards?
Press Secretary Herminio Coloma cited the 2013 ruling of the Supreme Court on a 2009 National Artist controversy (former NCCA Chair Cecile G. Alvarez inserted her name to the list submitted jointly by NCCA and CCP to Malacañang which Gloria Arroyo upheld) which, he said, states that the President does not have to justify his decision.
Coloma should be reminded that Aquino is not a King who reigns without accountability to the people.
The press secretary should also be reminded that Aquino won on the platform of transparency. He has time and again told the people, “Kayo ang Boss ko.” He now feels superior over his “Boss” that he does not have to explain his action?
“Lots of love stories, romantic comedies,” he said adding that “We need that.”
So true. With all the horror stories we are getting from newspapers and television, we need a good laugh.
Last Monday, we watched a romantic comedy “20 ans d’écart” (“It Boy”) about an uptight editor of a fashion magazine and her transformation when she met a refreshing 20-year old student.
We hope to catch up with “Quai d’Orsay,” a fun film on French diplomacy.
The festival screening, at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City,started last Monday and will last up to June 15. Tickets are for P100 only.
Chairman Eugenio “Toto” Villareal of The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is not happy with what ABS-CBN in their Pinoy Big Brother reality show did to the two female housemates.
He will meet with “PBB:All In” executives today about its June 4 and 5 episodes wherein Big Brother or “Kuya “ challenged housemate Jamey Jalandoni to pose for a nude painting as part of her weekly tasks.
Big Brother sternly told her: “Marami ang nakasalalay rito; ang inyong weekly task, ang tulong na maibibigay sa pintor at sa kaniyang adbokasiya… Bibigyan kita ng oras para makapag-isip (There is a lot riding on your decision; your weekly task, the help you can extend the painter and his advocacy… I will give you time to think).”
A lot of “educated” people are grumbling as they enumerate what is happening in the country:
• More than 30 people are reported to have been killed in Maguindanao in clashes that erupted immediately after the government signed the last of the annexes in the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
• Hongkong cancelled visa-free entry to the territory for Philippine official and diplomatic passport holders starting February 5 as part of its sanctions against the Philippine government in connection with the 2010 Manila hostage crisis.
Participants will be parents and other family members including kasambahays. A workshop will be held and the output will be presented to networks and movie and TV producers.
This activity is in line with the pro-active role that the current MTRCB leadership is undertaking. It actually started under the term of now Senator-elect Grace Poe which Chairman Eugenio “Toto” Villareal is continuing.
It’s a bit strange to feel thankful to get confirmation that your father was one of those murdered but it’s definitely a step forward in the search for justice for the victims of the most gruesome crimes that this country has experienced.
Ma. Reynafe’s father was photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay. He was included in the list of victims of the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre only last year (July 2, 2012) because his body was never found.
Para bang nakipagsabwatan si Teddy sa mga Marcos na siyang nagpahirap sa mga sinasabi nating “maka-kaliwa” o nga nationalist na katulad ni teddy at ang mga nauna sa kanya na katulad nina dating Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.
Ang litrato nay an ay galing sa isang post sa aking blog:
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/2009/11/05/armida-and-son-carlitos-birthday-party/
Malisyoso naman ang ganung anggulo.
Ang artikulo ay tungkol sa birthday party nina Armida Siguion-Reyna, kilala sa kanyang programa sa television na “Aawitan Kita” at ang kanyang anak, director ng pelikula na si Carlitos, noong 2009.