The scorching Saturday sun didn't stop me from walking my way to GMA 7. It wasn't that far from Arlene's house in Baranggay Central where I was staying. Besides, I needed to get my blood circulating since I stopped doing boxing two months ago.

"Wear something that represents your personality", the email from Cine Totoo Programming wrote.  I don't know which clothes would represent my personality. All I know is I love wearing flip-flops. They're comfortable. And I decided against wearing them because it's the contract signing and photoshoot and tv plug shoot. Besides, my sneakers miss my feet already. From Davao, I didn't bring anything fancy to wear so I chose an ordinary shirt with random faces printed on it and wished none of the filmmakers would wear a suit.

"Be there earlier than 1pm as we will start on time", Jenny, the festival's Business Manager kept on reminding me through text days before. I was there fifteen minutes before 1 and I saw Ca, one of the finalists and my film schoolmate in UP, and her partner, Lester. I asked her about her documentary, it's about the concept of rape against women in Bontoc.

And yes. Ca's documentary has a very compelling subject. I began to rethink if I will be able to do my documentary well. Self-pressure. Not good.

The Cine Totoo filmmakers during the photoshoot.
Photo courtesy of Mark Lester Valle.

The orientation started with 10 out of the 11 finalists present. Festival Director Joseph Laban, Nessa Valdellon, GMA News TV Head, Jenny Licen, Cine Totoo Business Manager and a GMA lawyer were present to explain the contents of the contract that we were about to sign. After all our questions were answered, each filmmaker introduced himself and the concept of the documentary.

Bebs' confidence level update: down the drain. Yet I was excited at how different and unique all of our concepts were. I can't wait to see how the stories will be told on film.

After we signed the MOA, we proceeded to the ground floor for the photoshoot, interview and plug shoot.

Behind the scenes shot courtesy of Nessa Valdellon.

Over Amber's pichi-pichi, I got to chat with the other filmmakers and learn a little more about them (aside from the other friends I've known since - JT, Sig and Ca).

The festival will be in August, by the way. Four months of processing the documentary which I am quite skeptical about. The time is short and documentaries take time to make. I think I just need to believe in the power of my concept and I hope I will be able to find compelling subjects to carry the film and their redeeming stories. I also don't know how I would react seeing my face on national television. The thought of it gives me shivers.

I am still nervous about this whole festival, actually. Alright, more excited. Well, I think more nervous. I need to give this my best shot.

So I made it as finalist to the 1st Cine Totoo Philippine International Documentary Film Festival. 

Though I didn't keep my hopes high after the panel interview two weeks ago, I am ecstatic about doing a documentary for the next five months and tell the story of a sport that isn't well-known in the Philippines yet. No, the documentary is not about food. 

I'm also excited to be doing the film with other friends (Carla Ocampo, JT Pandy and Sig Sanchez) and fellow Davaoeno, Nef Luczon who are made it as finalists. too. Here's the complete list:

• Ferdinand Balanag’s “Agbalbalitok”
• Ivy Rose Universe Baldoza’s “Marciano”
• Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez’s “Ang Gitaristang Hindi Marunong Magskala”
• Rafael Froilan’s “Mananayaw”
• Charliebebs Gohetia’s “Kung Giunsa Pagbuhat ang Bisayang Chopsuey” (How to Make a Visayan Chopsuey)
• Richard Legaspi’s “Ang Walang Kapagurang Paglalakbay ng Pulang Maleta”
• Nef Luczon’s “Migkahi e si Amey te, Uli ki pad” (Father said, 'Let's Return Home')
• Carla Samantha Ocampo’s  “Walang Rape sa Bontok”
• Nawruz Paguidopon’s “Trip to Haifa”
• Jan Tristan Pandy’s “Gusto na Umuwi ni Joy”
• Keith Sicat’s “Chronicles of the Komikero”

And here's what my documentary is all about: 

Tchoukball is an indoor sport created in Switzerland by Swiss biologist Hermann Brandt in the 1970s. Discouraging aggressive physical contact in its play, Tchoukball is popular in Europe and several parts of Asia but it has not reached the mainstream consciousness in the Philippines, although a number had been playing it for a few years in the country. In fact, the national team comprise of players from Davao City. It started in Davao City, Philippines in 2010 when a Singaporean Pastor conducting his ministry in Davao City gathered a group of students and taught them the sport. Initially, when the students were busy with their studies, the pioneers of the sport expanded their reach and instead, recruited out-of-school youth to form a team for Davao City.  

Because of Tchoukball’s nature as a non-contact sport and its core value of respect, good relationships and harmony among its players, the sport evolved into becoming a venue of redemption for its players in Davao City. A team and an association were formed and made it an advocacy to be a place of diversity and acceptance for its players, creating a deeper purpose for the sport. In line with its advocacy to be a team with no discrimination, it has attracted a diverse mix of individuals from the different sectors of society that became its members: former drug runners, children in conflict with the law, Pastors, working professionals, businessmen, out-of-school youth, homosexuals, people with special needs (dyslexics, ADHDs), among others. 

In 2011, the team competed in Vietnam and won medals for the country. The team is faced with the challenge of getting the sport into mainstreamconsciousness by teaching it to schools and communities throughout the Philippines. And continue to become a venue of transformation and redemption for its future members. As the team is preparing for a tournament this year, the documentary will follow a number of characters and their daily struggles, not only with the sport but in real life as well, chronicling the ways the sport has inspired them to reform and be more productive members of society. Also, will the team’s struggle with politics within its own association hurdle them in their goals as they prepare to compete for a new tournament this year?

I hope I'll do justice to the team's interesting story!

Last week, I learned that I was nominated for another PMPC Star Awards for Movies for my work in "Dance of the Steel Bars." You know, that film that took me almost three years to edit. It's so good to be cited for your work. 

The awarding will be tonight and unfortunately, I'm still in Davao trying to finish "Chasing Waves" so I cannot attend it. Too bad. It's been a while since I was able to attend one. Good luck to all the nominees!

THE PHILIPPINE MOVIE PRESS CLUB (PMPC), INC.
30th PMPC STAR AWARDS FOR MOVIES 2014
March 9, 2014 at the Solair Resort Hotel, Pasay City.
Television coverage to be aired on March 16, 2014, in ABS-CBN's "Sunday's Best"

OFFICIAL NOMINEES:

MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR:
BEA ALONZO (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
NORA AUNOR (Ang Kuwento Ni Mabuti) 
RUSTICA CARPIO (Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?)
KC CONCEPCION (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
ANGEL LOCSIN (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
VILMA SANTOS (Ekstra)
LORNA TOLENTINO (Burgos)

MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR:

DINGDONG DANTES (Dance Of The Steel Bars)
JORGE ESTREGAN JR. (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
VICE GANDA (Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy)
JAKE MACAPAGAL (Metro Manila)
ROBIN PADILLA (10,000 Hours)
PIOLO PASCUAL (On The Job)
JOEL TORRE (On The Job)

MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR:

ART ACUÑA (Kabisera)
VINCENT DE JESUS (Ekstra)
EDDIE GARCIA (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
SPANKY MANIKAN (Bamboo Flowers)
JOEY MARQUEZ (On The Job)
MARLON RIVERA (Ekstra)
JOEY PARAS (Babagwa, The Spider’s Lair)

MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR:

ANGEL AQUINO (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
JASMINE CURTIS SMITH (Transit)
BELA PADILLA (10,000 Hours)
RUBY RUIZ (Ekstra)
CONEY REYES (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
GLORIA SEVILLA (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
MARICEL SORIANO (Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy)

NEW MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR:

AKIHIRO BLANCO (Mga Alaala Ng Tag-Ulan)
RODJUN CRUZ (I Luv U Pare Ko)
ARKIN DEL ROSARIO (Pagari)
MIMI JUAREZA (Quick Change)
RURU MADRID (Bamboo Flowers)
TEEJAY MARQUEZ (Pagari)
KIKO MATOS (Babagwa, The Spider’s Lair)
VINCE TAÑADA (Otso)

NEW MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR:

MAX COLLINS (Bamboo Flowers)
JASMINE CURTIS SMITH (Transit)
ISABELLE DAZA (It Takes A Man And A Woman)
MEG IMPERIAL (Menor De Edad)
TERI MALVAR (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
LIZA SOBERANO (Must Be Love)
KRYSTLE VALENTINO (Purok 7)

MOVIE CHILD PERFORMER OF THE YEAR:

MARC JUSTINE ALVAREZ (Transit)
ADRIAN CABIDO (Lauriana)
MIGGS CUADERNO (Bamboo Flowers)
RYZZA MAE DIZON (My Little Bossings)
LENLEN FRIAL (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
CHINO JALANDONI (Sonata)
YOGO SINGH (Bamboo Flowers)

MOVIE OF THE YEAR:

10,000 HOURS (Philippine Film Studios, Viva Films, and N2 Productions)
DANCE OF THE STEEL BARS (Portfolio Films and GMA Films)
FOUR SISTERS AND A WEDDING (Star Cinema)
IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN (Viva Films and Star Cinema)
ON THE JOB (Reality Entertainment and Star Cinema)
SHOOT TO KILL: BOY GOLDEN (Scenema Concept International and Viva Films)
MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:

CESAR APOLINARIO and MARNIE MANICAD (Dance Of The Steel Bars)
JOYCE BERNAL (10,000 Hours)
CATHY GARCIA-MOLINA (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
CATHY GARCIA-MOLINA (It Takes A Man And A Woman)
ERIK MATTI (On The Job)
CHITO ROÑO (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)

INDIE MOVIE OF THE YEAR:

ANG HULING CHA-CHA NI ANITA (CineFilipino, Studio 5, and Pixeleyes Multimedia)
ANO ANG KULAY NG MGA NAKALIMUTANG PANGARAP? (LargaVista Entertainment and Film Development Council of the Philippines)
BADIL (Waray Republik and Film Development Council of the Philippines)
BAMBOO FLOWERS (Productions 56 and Film Development Council of the Philippines)
EKSTRA (Cinemalaya Foundation and Quantum Films)
KABISERA (Creative Program, Inc. and Reality Entertainment)
SONATA (My Own Mann Productions, Ruby’s Arms Productions, and Film Development Council of the Philippines)

INDIE MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:

SIGRID ANDREA BERNARDO (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
MARYO J. DELOS REYES (Bamboo Flowers)
PEQUE GALLAGA and LORE REYES (Sonata)
JEFFREY JETURIAN (Ekstra)
JOSE JAVIER REYES (Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?)
CHITO ROÑO (Badil)
ALFONSO TORRE III (Kabisera)

(TECHNICAL CATEGORIES):

MOVIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR:

KEIKO AQUINO and RYLLAH BERICO (10,000 Hours)
CATHERINE CAMARILLO and ANTHONY GUELAN (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
CRIS LIM (Dance Of The Steel Bars)
ERIK MATTI and MICHIKO YAMAMOTO (On The Job)
MEL MENDOZA-DEL ROSARIO (Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy)
VANESSA VALDEZ (Four Sisters And A Wedding)

MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:

RICARDO BUHAY III (On The Job)
MARISSA FLOIRENDO and GILBERTO VISTAN (10,000 Hours)
CARLO MENDOZA (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
EMMAN PASCUAL and RAIN YAMSON (Dance Of The Steel Bars)
MANUEL TEEHANKEE (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
MANUEL TEEHANKEE (It Takes A Man And A Woman)

MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:

WINSTON ACUYONG (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
JOEL BILBAO and FRITZ SILORIO (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
JOEY LUNA (10,000 Hours)
ARTHUR MANINGAS (Dance Of The Steel Bars)
SHARI MARIE MONTIAGUE (It Takes A Man And A Woman)
RICHARD SOMES (On The Job)

MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR:

TERESA BARROZO (10,000 Hours)
TERESA BARROZO (When The Love Is Gone)
CARMINA CUYA (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
JESSIE LASATEN (It Takes A Man And A Woman)
RAUL MITRA (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
ERWIN ROMULO (On The Job)

MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR:

JOYCE BERNAL and MARYA IGNACIO (10,000 Hours)
CHARLIEBEBS GOHETIA (Dance Of The Steel Bars) 
JAY HALILI (On The Job)
MARYA IGNACIO (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
MARYA IGNACIO (It Takes A Man And A Woman)
CARLO MANATAD, JASON CAHAPAY, and RYAN ORDUNA (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)

MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:

AUREL BILBAO (Four Sisters And A Wedding)
AUREL BILBAO (It Takes A Man And A Woman)
CORINNE DE SAN JOSE (On The Job)
ALBERT MICHAEL IDIOMA (Dance Of The Steel Bars)
ALBERT MICHAEL IDIOMA and ADDISS TABONG (10,000 Hours)
ALBERT MICHAEL IDIOMA and ADDISS TABONG (Shoot To Kill: Boy Golden)
MOVIE ORIGINAL THEME SONG OF THE YEAR:

“BAKIT HINDI KA CRUSH NG CRUSH MO?” (Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?) – Lyrics and Music by Jungee Marcelo / Interpreted by Zia Quizon
“HAMON NG BUHAY” (10,000 Hours) – Composed, Arranged, and Interpreted by Chito Miranda
“HUWARANG KABATAAN” (Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir) -- Lyrics and Music by Emlyn Olfindo-Santos / Arranged by Noel Espenida / Interpreted by Fatima Soriano
“MIDAS” (Boy Golden: Shoot To Kill) – Composed by Abra / Arranged by Sonic State Audio / Interpreted by Abra
“PAHAMAK ANG ‘YONG GANDA” (Kimmy Dora, Ang Kiyemeng Prequel) – Lyrics and Music by Vincent de Jesus / Interpreted by Yeng Constantino
“REHAS NA BAKAL” (Dance of the Steel Bars) – Composed, Arranged, and Interpreted by Romano Baesa and Angelo Bitoy of EHP
INDIE MOVIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR:

ALOY ADLAWAN (Bamboo Flowers)
SIGRID ANDREA BERNARDO (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
ZIGCARLO DULAY, ANTOINETTE JADAONE, and JEFFREY JETURIAN (Ekstra)
HANNAH ESPIA and GIANCARLO ABRAHAN (Transit)
WANGGO GALLAGA (Sonata)
JOSE JAVIER REYES (Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?)
RODY VERA (Badil)
INDIE MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:

NEIL DAZA (Badil)
ALMA DELA PEÑA (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
MARK GARY (Sonata)
JUN GONZALES (Bamboo Flowers)
LEE BRIONES (Ekstra)
LYLE SACRIS and BER CRUZ (Transit)
J.A. TADEÑA (Kabisera)
INDIE MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:

POPO DIAZ (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
MICHAEL ESPAÑOL and RASHEM GUMACAL (Kabisera)
JUNJUN MONTELIBANO (Sonata)
ERICSON NAVARRO (Ekstra)
BING SANTOS (Bamboo Flowers)
JAYVEE EDWARD TADURAN (Badil)
THESA TANG (Transit)
INDIE MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR:

TERESA BARROZO (Kabisera)
CARMINA CUYA (Badil)
VINCENT DE JESUS (Ekstra)
DIWA DE LEON (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
MON ESPIA (Transit)
LUTGARDO LABAD (Bamboo Flowers)
EMERZON TEXON (Sonata)
INDIE MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR:

LAWRENCE ANG and KAMILLE LECCIO (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
MANET DAYRIT (Sonata)
VANESSA DE LEON (Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?)
ZIGCARLO DULAY and GLENN ITURIAGA (Ekstra)
SHERYLL LOPEZ and BORGY TORRE (Kabisera)
CARLO FRANCISCO MANATAD (Badil)
JESS NAVARRO (Bamboo Flower)

INDIE MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:

NIOKI AQUINO (Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita)
CORINNE DE SAN JOSE and JEDD DUMAGUINA (Kabisera)
ALBERT MICHAEL IDIOMA (Bamboo Flowers)
ALBERT MICHAEL IDIOMA (Sonata)
MARK LOCSIN and MIKKO QUIZON (Transit)
ADDISS TABONG (Ekstra)
ADDISS TABONG and ALBERT MICHAEL IDIOMA (Badil)

INDIE MOVIE ORIGINAL THEME SONG OF THE YEAR:

“BIPOLOVE” (Shift) – Composed and Arranged by Siege Ledesma, Interpreted by Yeng Constantino
“DI AKO TITIGIL” (Burgos) – Lyrics and Music by Lucien Letaba, Arranged by Melvin Corpin, Interpreted by Beverly Sharon Flordeliz
“MAMAHALIN KITA” (Bamboo Flowers) – Composed and Arranged by RJ Jimenez, Interpreted by Ruru Madrid
“SUKATIN MO ANG MUNDO KO” (Jumbo Jericho) – Lyrics by Sandy Es Mariano, Music by Zyruz Imperial, Interpreted by Zyrus Imperial

(SPECIAL AWARDS):

DARLING OF THE PRESS:

KC CONCEPCION
LUIS MANZANO
VICKY MORALES
PIOLO PASCUAL
JERRY YAP
NORA AUNOR ULIRANG ARTISTA Lifetime Achievement Award – MS. RUSTICA CARPIO

ULIRANG ALAGAD NG PELIKULA SA LIKOD NG KAMERA Lifetime Achievement Awards:
RICKY LEE
PEQUE GALLAGA

DEKADA AWARDS (2003-2013):

ACTRESS:

· JUDY ANN SANTOS
· EUGENE DOMINGO
· AI AI DELAS ALAS

ACTOR:

· AGA MUHLACH
· JOHN LLOYD CRUZ
· JERICHO ROSALES
· DENNIS TRILLO
· PIOLO PASCUAL
· BARON GEISLER

DIRECTOR:

· JOEL LAMANGAN
· JOSE JAVIER REYES
· MARYO J. DELOS REYES
· MARK MEILY
· OLIVIA LAMASAN
· JERROLD TAROG

So I just finished shooting a film - finally, after three years. Well, at least 90% of it because I will still go back to the location tomorrow to shoot inserts and establishing shots and record additional ambient sounds and whatever we can get our hands on.

Willie (soundman) looking surprised at the camera with me on my back
and Orvil (in black), the Production Designer.

The location is a remote community called Panyan, more than two hours ride via motorcycle north of Davao City. It's a part of Baranggay Tamugan in Calinan and its a semi-unexplored terrain with mountains, falls, caves and rivers (which has an alternate route going to Baranggay Tamugan, three to four hours by foot) of which a decade or two ago, massive illegal logging was the main livelihood. Electricity is still absent though the government distributed solar panels to a few households so you can imagine how cold and dark it is at night and the only hobby people do is making babies.

Filjun (in red) and RJ (in blue), the film's main actors.

A story about two kids who grew up in the mountains and their only dream is to be able to get a taste of the beach, we chose this location for its texture and authenticity. Armed with a few equipment and overflowing passion, we spent several days going back and forth the location, enduring almost endless rides through rough roads and unforgiving weather. We scouted locations, searched for actors, immersed with the community, learned their culture.

As the filming nears its end and with so many things that happened during the shoot, I'd say this one's for the books. I'm totally stoked that I've found my rhythm again and will continue to make movies. This year will be my year... again!