The First Magic of February

Ah, what perfect timing. Disney decided to release their John Kahrs-directed animated short film, Paperman, just in time for this month. The animation had its premiere as a feature shorts prior to the screening proper of the blockbuster hit Wreck-It-Ralph.

Paperman narrates the would-be love story of George and Meg told over an army of flying paper planes maneuvering through New York skylines circa 1940s. The six-minute film is for the hopeless romantic, the once non-believers, and those trapped in the predictability of their routine office lives. It takes us into a reminder, a perspective that at the perfect timing, one dictated by the Great Storyteller, our own versions of paper planes will eventually lead us into our very Meg or George. Such hope, I tell you.

The film is nominated for Best Animated Short Film at this year's Academy Awards.

Ladies and gentlemen, click here to direct the heart into the short film online release.

NOTES FROM A PINOY SURVIVOR FANATIC

Amidst the beautiful scenery of the Caramoan islands and seascape, Survivor host Jeff Probst introduced the 25th instalment of his hit reality television show with these words:

“We are in one of the most beautiful and remote locations in the world – the Philippines. Here, thousands of islands scattered over the Southeast Asian Sea are home to waters and rainforests filled with countless animals, both beautiful and dangerous. Amidst the serenity of this majestic landscape, furious storms can arrive without warning. It is here where 15 Americans ,already divided into three tribes, have begun the adventure of a lifetime.”

For someone who has been a Survivor fan for almost twelve years now, hearing Jeff Probst remark his opening spiel with the word “Philippines” was indeed a momentous, hair-raising event. Having Mike Skupin (Survivor: The Australian Outback), Jonathan Penner (Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites), and Russell Swan (Survivor: Samoa) return for another shot at the grand prize was another welcome treat for this devoted fan.

In addition, our rich Filipino culture is infused into the aesthetics of the game. The new tribes, for example, are named after animals ever-present in our local folklore – Matsing (monkey), Tandang (rooster), and Kalabaw (water buffalo), or in Jeff Speak, Met-sing, Ten-dang, and Ke-la-baw. Likewise, the new immunity idol (a bust of a Sarimanok), the tribal council area, and even the torches are reminiscent of the designs present in the community of our early ancestors.

This season is indeed a landmark, a history in a making, an avid fan’s dream come true.

I completely remember the first time I got hooked with the show. It was in sophomore high school, with Survivor: Africa, the third season, when I officially declared myself a Survivor fan. I did watch Survivor: Palau Tiga and Survivor: Outback, the show's first two seasons, but only as “a regular viewer”, feeling guiltless about missing an episode. (I had a season marathon after my self-baptism as an avid fan afterwards.)

Back then, Survivor: Africa was shown in Studio 23 and AXN. One episode was aired cumulatively at most ten times in one week for both channels – and I would watch at least seven airings in repeat for just one episode!

Looking back, I can say that Survivor has indeed provided a great foundation in who I am today -  for my strategic thinking skills (how cautious I am in trusting people and watching my back against real people plotting to blind side me), manner of speaking and thought process (how I would talk and reason out in front of the TV set whenever the castaways had individual interviews behind the bushes – a skill which eventually helped me during extemporaneous speaking contests), and my plain eccentric self (how I have my own Survivor ritual which I chant at the beginning of every episode and how I pretend to strategize with make-believe alliances whenever I am alone in the beach during family outings.)

From graduating high school valedictorian to eventually finishing cum laude for my baccalaureate degree in Accountancy, from passing the Certificate in Public Accountancy examination up to my eventual career shift from Associate Auditor to College Professor, from my traditional Jose Rizal hair to my current rebel Mohawk, from my school days in Dipolog to my professional career here in Metro Manila, from every point A to point B, I can say that Survivor has been part of my life. Every highlight in my calendar is punctuated with a Richard Hatch (Palau Tiga), Ethan Zohn (Africa), Rob Mariano (Marquesas), Russell Hantz (Samoa), and every living legend that has ever played in Survivor history.

The show has seen me outwit the challenges of my high school academic adversaries, outplay the broken heartedness of a college romance, and outlast the hardships from my previous place of toil. In that, I am forever grateful.

To Jeff Probst, Mark Burnett, and the entire production team who make every forty-minute episode a thrilling game of rewards, immunity challenges, mergers, and tribal council, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT. MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!  

P.S.

What better way to watch Survivor: Philippines' pilot episode than viewing the show with every Filipino's favorite fast food!

HANAPIN SA SINE ANG NAWAWALA!!!

At last! My favorite Cinemalaya entry will be screened nationwide!

Catch Marie Jamora's "Ang Nawawala" in your favorite theaters starting September 12!

Visit the movie's Facebook fanpage or Tumblr account for more details!

And daming exclamation point!!!

Note: Photo grabbed from the Ang Nawawala facebook fanpage. Ayaw kong ma-Sotto!

MAD MEN QUOTE

REBYU: STA. NINA (EMMANUEL PALO ), KALAYAAN (ADOLFO ALIX JR )

STA. NINA (EMMANUEL PALO)
Tweetnopsis:
Ninanais ni Pol at Madel na gawing santa ang anak na pagkatapos matabunan ng lahar ay buo pa din ang bangkay. Himala! sigaw ng mag-asawa.
Afterthoughts:
Sta. Nina delves around the Filipino's fascination (and fanaticism) with things religious and miraculous - as an entire community embraces and declares the sainthood of Marikit Mungcal, the deceased two-year old daughter of Pol (Coco Martin), whose body remained undecayed following her death a decade ago. The film likewise tackles a dark secret, revealed piece-by-piece as the storyline progresses, which causes a personal conflict between Pol and his immediate family - Madel (Alessandra de Rossi), Josefa (Angel Aquino), his grandmother (Anita Linda), among others.
The film is a modern outtake of Ishmael Bernal's "Himala" but without being a direct copycat. Sta. Nina is a movie of comtemplation as it tries to challenge the viewer on the boundaries of his personal faith - on whether his belief is anchored in the unusual and supposedly miraculous remains or whether his faith goes beyond such physical manifestation.
Favorites:
The crucifixion scene, how Pol's sacrifice on Good Friday seeks inspiration from the scenes of the Stations of the Cross.
Review Hashtag:
#MayHimala 

KALAYAAN (ADOLFO ALIX JR)
Tweetnopsis:
Ang Spratlys. Pinag-aagawan man, isla pa din - maliit,malungkot,nakakabalisa. At ang mga sundalong nagbabantay nito, parang isla na din.  
Afterthoughts:
Kalayaan is a film of loneliness, doldrums, and the battle to keep the mind sane. Such emotions are depicted as the film is rather visual-heavy than script-heavy, devoid of much script and filled with picturesque clips of vast and silent landscape disrupted only by animal sounds and seldom human conversations. The film is ala Survivor save for the tribal council and immunity challenges - although it is made perfectly clear that the marooned soldiers would rather want to be the first eliminated castaways in able to escape the seclusion, the silence, and the hallucinations of mermaids and secret oil reserves.
Favorites:
Zanjoe Marudo as an unexpected comedic relief. Postcard-worthy images.
Review Hashtag:
#TapatMalawakAngPag-Iisip #KalayaanNgaBa

REBYU: APARISYON(VINCENT SANDOVAL), ANG DAYO(JULIUS CENA), BWAKAW(JUN LANA)

APARISYON (Vincent Sandoval)
Tweetnopsis: Sister Lourdes.Pre-martial law.Sis Remy's brother abducted.Convent deaf of the outside world. Nuns pray, the world around them, violent.
Afterthoughts:
However, the film is not mainly about the Martial Law - though the issues surrounding that historical period was embedded in how Sister Remy (Mylene Dizon) and her family coped with the disappearance of her brother. The film is about the rapture of Sister Lourdes (Jodi Sta. Maria), her untimely pregnancy, and how the nuns, cloaked in confinement inside their convent, deal with the controversy.
In that, the events could have happened in the current setting although the Martial Law period may have been chosen as the backdrop for historical appeal. And I did not necessarily comprehend how the film ended, on whether it was a deliberate cliffhanger or not.
Favorite:
The scenes were confined only to the vicinity of the convent and the concrete jungle where the convent is located. It restricts the audience from taking a glimpse of the "outside world" and allows them to view that world within the confines of a distant convent.
Review Hashtag:
#WalangHimala

MGA DAYO (Julius Cena)
Tweetnopsis:Resident card. Green card. Ano-ano ang kwento ng mga pasaporteng ito? Mga susi palabas ng bansa, mga pinto sa pinangakong lupa.
Afterthoughts:

I personally chose this movie because the thought of migrating to a foreign land has been bugging my mind lately. And I hoped that the movie would provide me with answers to my personal questions. However, I left the theater with the same questions at hand, unanswered. 

"Mga Dayo" tries to portray a day-in-a-life storyline of three Filipino immigrants and their struggles to obtain their respective green cards. However, the narratives of the three female leads were underdeveloped. The audience cannot fully understand the immigration stories in one complete grasp. Kulang ang pagkatagpi-tagpi ng istorya. 

Favorite:

The postponed wedding.

Review Hashtag:

#OkayLang

BWAKAW (Jun Lana )
Tweetnopsis:Rene,75,came out out of the closet five years ago.When his dog Bwakaw falls ill,he unexpectedly meets Sol and finds joy in his old gay life.
Afterthoughts:
My initial thoughts on how the film will interpret the life of Rene (Eddie Garcia), a gay man in his seventees, centered on the melancholic portrayal. However, "Bwakaw" narrates Rene's life in a rather unexpected light-hearted manner, with humor placed to twist the sad and inevitable circumstances the lead character has to face everyday - the lonely bed shared with a supposedly miraculous religious image, a lack of companionship  save for his dog and some neighborhood acquaintances, and the constant changes Rene makes with his informal last will and testament.
The film is recommended for all single people - both man and woman, gay and straight. It is a movie of reflection that allows the community to contemplate the personal choices we make in our single lives and in our search for long-term companionship - that the golden years are a product of the decisions we make today. 
Favorite:
The house as a representation of Rene - old, grumpy but hidden with colorful secrets.
Review Hashtag:
#AyawNaNaminMagingSingle #MalungkotPeroMasaya

REBYU: ANG KATIWALA (ALOY ADLAWAN)

Tweetnopsis:
Ruben leaves small town to work as a caretaker for a house owned by a historical figure. He learns about the man. He becomes obsessed. 

Afterthoughts:
Ruben (Dennis Trillo) is assigned as the sole caretaker of the ancestral house of former President Manuel L. Quezon. He discovers similarities between his life and that of the historical figure's, which eventually leads him to become a self-proclaimed fan of President Quezon - as seen in Ruben's manner of speech, his hairstyle, and even with his admiration towards the twenty-peso bill and Quezon-related landmarks.


But the film is more than an ordinary man's fascination with a once influential person; "Ang Katiwala" is a depiction of the current social irony placed in three different settings - the empty antiquated house of the former president, the rural abode of Ruben in Quezon Province, and the squatters area where the lead takes temporary residence upon arriving in Manila. These settings portray the contrast between the dream and the reality of President Manuel L. Quezon's "Message to the People":


"My fellow citizens: there is one thought I want you always to bear in mind. And that is: that you are Filipinos. That the Philippines are your country, and the only country God has given you. That you must keep it for yourselves, for your children, and for your children's children, until the world is no more. You must live for it, and die for it, if necessary."

The two-hour film introduces insights - historical, political, social - without being preachy and boring. These insights are embedded within the narratives of Ruben and the people around him, which makes the film rather engaging and enlightening at the same time.

Favorites:

(1) Ronnie Lazaro's entertaining portrayal of Gimo, the nightshift security guard who regularly exchange conversations with Ruben.

(2) Less is more. The attention to detail - the minute elements of visual framing and the choice to use minimal sound effects - reminds the viewer that Ruben is but a small figure in a gargantuan yet empty mansion.

Hashtag:

#OneHundredMillionPesos  

REBYU: INTOY SYOKOY (LEMUEL LORCA)

Tweetnopsis:
Sumisisid si Intoy sa dagat para sa tahong. Si Doray na babaeng hamog sinisisid ng mga lalakeng uhaw sa laman.Sumisisid sila para mabuhay.

Afterthoughts:
Ordinaryo. Gamit na ang tema ng pelikula - istorya ng mahihirap na kabataang namumuhay sa isang kalyeng dating pinamumuguran ng mga marinong Amerikano. Wala masyadong bagong anggulo, maliban na lang siguro sa paghabi ng kwento ni Doray (LJ Reyes) na kabarkada at love interest ni Intoy (JM de Guzman). Si Doray, isang out-of-school youth, ay napilitang maging isang babaeng hamog upang masuportahan ang pag-aaral ng dalawang nakababatang kapatid. Sa gabi, tinitinda niya ang sariling laman sa mga mangingisda kapalit ng ilang kilong isda na binibenta niya kaumagahan.


Favorites:
Ang pagganap ni LJ Reyes bilang Doray.

Review Hastag:
#LJReyesforBestActress

REBYU: THE ANIMALS (GINO SANTOS)

Tweetnopsis:
Dude, anyare? Partey? You think our lives are like so mababaw ha?! No, pare. Think again. We have problems too. #ConyoProblems

Afterthoughts:
Gino Santos' "The Animals" provides an insight into the lives of the young, rich, and wasted. After viewing the film, one should have a deeper understanding of the so-called "conyo kid problem" - that if one takes his time to analyze this new breed of the affluent and strip them off from their comfort zones - cash, privileges, and social status - one can definitely realize that these kids have vulnerabilities and needs similar to our own, that like social animals, they have a desire for fraternity, for acceptance, and a complicated teenage dream.


Favorites:
The final scene reverts back to the title and ends with an aerial view of a lush green canopy followed by a close-up shot of a decaying bird feasted by a troop of ants, the latter being a visual metaphor to the last scene. It ended where I wanted it to end, a fitting finale for these conyo kids with a wild side.

Review Hastag:
#ButiNaLangIPurchasedAnotherTicket

LABING-ISANG PELIKULA

It's official! The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival starts today!
Out of fifteen New Breed and Directors Showcase entries, I have chosen to watch eleven independent films.
First off, Gino Santos' The Animals.

CINEMALAYA 2012 TICKET PRICES AND SCREENING SCHEDULE LINK

GENERAL TICKET INFORMATION

Regular Price: P150 per head per screening

Discounts: 

50% for Students (CCP Screenings Only)

20% for Senior Citizens

20% Government and Military Personnel

(Please present your ID's. Discounts applicable on regular ticket and for CCP venues only.) 

___________________

FESTIVAL PASSES

(CCP Screenings Only. Discounts not applicable.) 

ONE DAY PASS - P700.00

• admission to 4-6 screenings for one (1) day

• priority lane entry to screening venues

• free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

• non transferable

• admission to CCP screenings only

TWO DAY PASS – P1,200.00

• admission to 4-6 screenings per day for two (2) successive days

• priority lane entry to screening venues

• free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

• non transferable

• admission to CCP screenings only

FESTIVAL PASS – P2,000.00 

• admission to all competition films

• priority lane entry to screening venues

• free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

• complimentary souvenir program and subscription to e-newsletter

• non transferable

• admission to CCP screenings only

FLEXI PASS – P3,000.00

• admission to all competition films

• admission to eight (8) exhibition films of your choice

• priority lane entry to screening venues

• free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

• complimentary souvenir program and subscription to e-newsletter

• non transferable

• admission to CCP screenings only

PREMIUM PASS – P5,000.00

• guaranteed accommodation to all Festival screenings, Congress and Forums

• guaranteed accommodation to the Opening and Closing Awards Nights

• priority lane entry to screening venues

• free seating on a first-come, first-served basis

• access to VIP lounge

• invitations to Festival receptions, parties and special events

• complimentary souvenir program and subscription to e-newsletter

• non transferable

• admission to CCP screenings only

Tickets available at CCP, Greenbelt and Trinoma Cinemas. For more information and inquiry please call CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or 832-1125 local 1406 and 1409

You may view the screening schedules here.

CINEMALAYA 2012: SHOWREEL THREE OF THREE

Here are the five Directors Showcase entries in the 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). A tweetnopsis, or a synopsis in 140 characters or less, provides a brief description of the independent films. The films will be shown at the CCP and select Greenbelt and TriNoma cinemas from July 20 to 29.


BWAKAW
Rene,75,came out out of the closet five years ago.When his dog Bwakaw falls ill,he unexpectedly meets Sol and finds joy in his old gay life.

DIRECTOR: Jun Lana
WRITER: Jun Lana
CAST: Eddie Garcia, Rez Cortez, Gardo Versoza, Soxy Topacio, Armida Siguion-Reyna

KALAYAAN
Ang Spratlys. Pinag-aagawan man, isla pa din - maliit,malungkot,nakakabalisa. At ang mga sundalong nagbabantay nito, parang isla na din.   

DIRECTOR: Adolfo Alix Jr.
WRITER: Adolfo Alix Jr.
CAST: Ananda Everingham, Kiki Sugino, Zanjoe Marudo, Luis Alandy  

KAMERA OBSKURA
A small hole in the chamber cell becomes a prisoner's peep of the outside world. An homage to silent cinema. A film within a film.

CAST: Pen Median, Joel Torre
DIRECTOR: Raymond Red
WRITER: Raymond Red


POSAS
Si Jess, snatcher, notorious ng Quiapo. Kalaban niya ay ang mga pulis. Kung mahuli man, lagot. Waterboarding, torture ang aabutin.

DIRECTOR: Lawrence Fajardo
WRITER: Zig Carlo Dulay 
CAST: Nico Antonio, Bangs Garcia, Art Acuña, Jake Macapagal, Nor Domingo 

MGA MUMUNTING LIHIM
A story of the friendship of four women and the dark secrets kept hidden in a diary written by one of them. 

DIRECTOR: Jose Javier Reyes
WRITER: Jose Javier Reyes
CAST: Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen, Judy Ann Santos






Credits: www.pep.ph

CINEMALAYA 2012: SHOWREEL TWO OF THREE

Here are the rest of the New Breed Category entries in the 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). A tweetnopsis, or a synopsis in 140 characters or less, provides a brief description of the independent films. The films will be shown at the CCP and select Greenbelt and TriNoma cinemas from July 20 to 29.

DIABLO
Kwento ni Lusing at ng kanyang limang magkakaibang anak - sina Ronaldo, Fernando, Alberto, Ruben at Oscar. Kwento ng pamilya, unawa, ng ina.

DIRECTOR: Mes de Guzman
WRITER: Mes de Guzman
CAST: Ama Quiambao, Carlo Aquino, Arnold Reyes, Althea Vega, Roeder Camañag

INTOY SYOKOY NG KALYE MARINO
Sumisisid si Intoy sa dagat para sa tahong. Si Doray na babaeng hamog sinisisid ng mga lalakeng uhaw sa laman.Sumisisid sila para mabuhay.

DIRECTOR: Lemuel Lorca
WRITER: Jerry Gracio (based on a short story by Eros Atalia) 
CAST: JM de Guzman, LJ Reyes, Joross Gamboa, Arnold Reyes

REQUIEME!
Kwento ng transvestite at libing ng isang mamamatay-tao na pumatay 'di umabo ng isang sikat na fashion designer sa Tate. Isang komedya. 

DIRECTOR: Loy Arcenas
WRITERS: Loy Arcenas, Rody Vera (based on a short story by Gina Apostol)
CAST: Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Rez Cortez

SANTA NIŃA

Ninanais ni Pol at Madel na gawing santa ang anak na pagkatapos matabunan ng lahar ay buo pa din ang bangkay. Himala! sigaw ng mag-asawa.

DIRECTOR: Emmanuel Palo 
WRITERS: Emmanuel “Palo, Liza Magtoto 
CAST: Coco Martin, Angel Aquino, Alessandra de Rossi, Anita Linda 

MGA DAYO
Resident card. Green card. Ano-ano ang kwento ng mga pasaporteng ito? Mga susi palabas ng bansa, mga pinto sa pinangakong lupa.

DIRECTOR: Julius Sotomayor Cena
WRITER: Julius Sotomayor Cena
CAST: Sue Prado, Janela Carera, Olga Natividad







Credits: www.pep.ph

CINEMALAYA 2012: SHOWREEL ONE OF THREE

Here are five of ten New Breed Category entries in the 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). A tweetnopsis, or a synopsis in 140 characters or less, provides a brief description of the independent films. The films will be shown at the CCP and select Greenbelt and TriNoma cinemas from July 20 to 29.

ANG KATIWALA
Ruben leaves small town to work as a caretaker for a house owned by a historical figure. He learns about the man. He becomes obsessed. 

DIRECTOR: Aloy Adlawan
WRITER: Aloy Adlawan
CAST: Dennis Trillo, Althea Vega, Ronnie Lazaro

ANG NAWAWALA
Gibson returns to MNL for Xmas after 3 years, a decade after twin bro's death. He struggles about the past, memories and the Xmas cheers. 

DIRECTOR: Marietta Jamora
WRITERS: Marie Jamora, Ramon De Veyra 
CAST: Dawn Zulueta, Dominic Roco, Felix Roco, Buboy Garovillo

APARISYON
Sister Lourdes.Pre-martial law.Sis Remy's brother abducted.Monastery deaf of the outside world. Nuns pray, the world around them, violent.

DIRECTOR: Vincent Sandoval 
WRITERS: Vincent Sandoval, Jerry Gracio, Raquel Villavicencio
CAST: Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon, Raquel Villavicencio, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio

OROS
A story revolving around how the poor earn from staging a fake wake for three weeks. If the poor needs money, they'll use a dead body.

DIRECTOR: Paul Sta. Ana
WRITERS: Paul Sta. Ana, Obet Villela 
CAST: Kristoffer King, Kristoffer Martin, Tanya Gomez

THE ANIMALS
Dude, anyare? Partey? You think our lives are like so mababaw ha?! No, pare. Think again. We have problems too. #ConyoProblems

DIRECTOR: Gino Santos
WRITER: Gino Santos
CAST: Albie Casiño, Patrick Sugui, Dawn Balagot, John Wayne Sace

Credits: www.pep.ph

DON DRAPER SAYS

MadMen Quotes

QUOTE: DON DRAPER