When a major Filipino film festival that is supposed to protect its films doesn't hesitate to gobble one or two of its own entries, we know that the Philippine film industry is fucked up.

Here's a bit of history. Last June, MMDA announced its Magic 8 and it didn't originally include 'Honor Thy Father'. So the producers took it somewhere and held their World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last October. It then had its Philippine Premiere when it opened the CinemaOne Originals Film Festival last November. 'Honor Thy Father' replaced 'Hermano Puli' when the latter couldn't finish it in time for the MMFF because their original producers backed out of the project.  'Nilalang', on the other hand, also suffered a setback when its original main actor, Robin Padilla, had to beg off from the project and was replaced by Cesar Montano. 'Nilalang' is distributed by Viva Films and Reality Entertainment for 'Honor Thy Father'. 

A day after the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) premiered all its films on December 25, several theatres started pulling out the under-performers at the box-office: John Lloyd Cruz-starrer 'Honor Thy Father' and 'Nilalang' with Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa. The MMDA has to release their official figures yet but I just based it from this unconfirmed report.

'Nilalang' grossed P299,000 on the first day while 'Honor Thy Father' raked in P386,000. For MMFF, these figures are not at par with their box-office standards. It's not even close. 'My Bebe Love' laughed its way to the bank with reportedly more than P29M on its first day.

During non-MMFF screenings, it is common practice for theatres to pull out a Filipino film from their roster after a dismal first-day box-office performance except for instances when the distributor inks a deal with a theatre chain to screen it exclusively, that's when they are guaranteed a week's screening (or not?). 

This is why producers campaign hard for audiences to watch their films on their first day of screening because this is where the cinemas base their decision if the film gets axed or not. Most of them cannot wait for the weekend - where the audience turnout is usually high - for the film to bounce back. This affects mostly the independent films (non-studio produced films) where the majority of the viewing population don't shed their hard-earned money to watch them in the theatres. 

It is a huge challenge for non-studio produced films to get a distribution deal. It is even harder to secure a playdate. So whether a film will survive a first-day-last-day fate remains to be seen because there isn't much opportunity to find a venue to be screened. Filipino films are indeed not created equal. Can you fault non-studio producers to find venues for their films to be screened? These venues - schools, FDCP cinematheques, international film festivals - are not even enough to recoup their investments. Those local films that are lucky enough to be shown in theatres face an even bigger challenge: convincing audiences to go out of their way to spend money to watch their films in the theatres. Who pays P250 for an indie film when he can watch a pirated version of it in the comfort of his home?

This is where local film festivals play heroes. They are supposed to provide venue for films that are not given the chance to be seen. Well, that only happens in an ideal world. We are in a cutthroat industry and business is business. When 'Honor Thy Father' and 'Nilalang' were pulled out from the theatres and replaced by higher-grossing entries, the more vocal people behind 'Honor Thy Father' didn't take it lightly. They took it on their social media to air their concerns.

Even Direk Joey Reyes, the director of 'My Bebe Love' and Tonet Jadaone, the director of "All you need is pag-ibig" showed their support.

What's alarming about this is that a film's participation in the MMFF does not guarantee that you are protected. I feel for the filmmakers who lose sleep over their fear that anytime, their films are deprived of the chance to be seen by an audience. A chance to be appreciated or criticised. MMDA has the authority to give the MMFF an equal opportunity to be shown for at least a week but they chose to torment the non-performing films instead. If this can happen during MMFF, trust me, it's much worse on regular days. 

So what happens now with 'Honor thy Father' and 'Nilalang'? What about the films that don't get distributed outside of MMFF?

I am glad that the producers of 'Honor thy father' are brave enough to speak up. Someone has to initiate in making a stand and I commend them for doing so. What a sad state for the film distribution business in the Philippines. It is a system that is hard to go against. If theatre owners and distributors continue to eat us all up, the small players, non-studio filmmakers, the audience, the Philippine film industry, everybody are all at the losing end. This is a long battle and this is just the beginning.

  

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

More than 30 plus narrative and documentary short films with running time of 5 to 40 minutes each had to be screened by me and my Mindanao Film Festival (MFF) co-jurors, Arnel Mardoquio (2010 Netpac awardee (prestigious award in Asian cinema), Urian Best Screenplay in 2011, Pandayang Lino Brocka award for best regional short film, Cinema One Jury Prize 2012 and winner of Cinemanila International Film Fest Jury Prize 2012)* and Maria Victoria "Bambi" Beltran (Cebuana filmmaker with Butuanon roots, co-producer of Cinema One’s Dili Ingon Nato, and actress in Confessional and Aberya. She was also the writer of Damgo ni Eleuteria, directed Agokoy, Ugma na Ko Moasoy, a segment of the omnibus Bisayan film Biyernes, Biyernes. She also helmed Pigadagit, a soon-to-be-released Butuanon short film, an execom member representing Visayas at the NCCC Cinema Committee)* with MFF Director Rudolf Alama assisting us last December 8.

We spent more than 10 hours watching the films, indiscriminately screen every detail and making sure nothing was missed. We rated each film according to individual categories. By past midnight, we decided to go somewhere else to grab some beer and started shortlisting the highly-rated films based on the category.

Shorlisting the films over beer with Bambi and Arnel. Photo courtesy of Rudolf Alama.

Shortlisting films for each category left us with around 10-13 films and another round of cuts and deliberation had to be done to finally come up with the nominees. Then after determining the final nominees for each category, the real work began: deliberation.

I think we sifted through each and every aspect of judging. Not all films deserve to be cited to be honest. While some films were excellent, some were short of technical polishing, weak storytelling, telenovela-inspired treatment, careless direction and other traps young filmmakers get into. However, most of the filmmakers for this batch are promising enough, given they learned something from their participation in this year's festival and I hope they will be encouraged to join next year, hopefully submitting more polished works. 

So given what we had to go through judging the competition, I believe we made the right choices. Here are the nominees and winners of the this year's MFF:

BEST FILM 2012

Nominees:

Sintunado-WINNER (Davao City)

El Pundido Luz de Casa - Special JURY Citation (Zamboanga)

Masaligan (Davao City)

El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto (Zamboanga)

Damgo (Misamis)

Bantay (Davao City)

The filmmakers of "Sintunado".
This group is a product of the Guerilla Filmmaking Workshop, the first win after a couple of years.
Photo courtesy of JKR Multimedia.

I think Zamboangueno films had good entries in the festival. (I heard last year's winner was also from Zamboanga). It was so romantic to listen to Chabacano being spoken in a film.

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Nominees:

Under the Purple Sky – Nef Luczon - WINNER (Cagayan de Oro)
Sino – Xeng Epanto (Zamboanga)

BEST STUDENT FILM
Nominees:

Me - WINNER (Davao City)
Puzzle (Davao City)
Salamin (Davao City)
Coffeeshop (Davao City)
Artroom (Davao City)
Labo-Labo (Davao City)

I have to say that I didn't fancy the use of English or Tagalog in these nominated films by students from Philippine Women's College Davao. Somehow, I felt like I was watching films made by non-Davaoenos.

MFF participants receiving their Certificates of Participation.
At far right is Dax Canedo, the one who started it all. 

BEST WORKSHOP FILM
Nominees:

Sintunado - WINNER (Davao City)
Ang Pagpedal ni Elias (Davao City)
Medalyon (Davao City)
Candelario (Davao City)

BEST GUERILLA FILM
Nominees:

Sintunado - WINNER (Davao City)
El Pundido Luz De Casa (Zamboanga)
Bantay (Davao City)
Ang Pagpedal ni Elias (Davao City)
Medalyon (Davao City)
Candelario (Davao City)

Filmmakers receiving their Certificates of Participation

BEST DIRECTOR
Nominees:

El Sentimiento del Maga quieto- Xeph Suarez WINNER (Zamboanga)
Bantay – Gary Bengil Bautista (Davao City)
Puzzle – Lew Andrew T. Avila (Davao City)
Damgo – Mark Gio Amoguis (Misamis)
Sintunado – CJ Liamzon (Davao City)
Me – Alex Angelo Lara (Davao City)

BEST ACTRESS
Nominees:

Somnolence (L.A Subido)- WINNER (Davao City)
Gugma ni Pilo (Jona Gegremosa) (Davao City)
Flora Mae: Ang Biktima – Rosmyra Bacus (Davao City)
Candelaria- Poncia Glaiza Acharon (Davao City)
Pukot – Marilyn Avanceña (General Santos City)

With Fe "Ging" Hyde, Gawad Urian Best Actress for "Sheika".
She was the presentor for the MFF "Best Actress".

BEST ACTOR
Nominees

Bantay (ensemble cast)- WINNER: (Davao City)
- Kenneth Ian Chong, Donn Ahl Catre, Leo Jeorge Bautista, Ferdinand Mesias, Ronald Gary Bautista

Gugma ni Pilo (baby ghost)- Special Jury Citation – Lance Segfried Estellore (Davao City)
Masaligan (Mikael Corro) (Davao City)
Migo Nino (Joshua) (Davao City)
Treynta (James Labrigas) (Davao City)
Pukot (Perry Dizon) (General Santos City)
Flora Mae: Ang Biktima - (Death) – Vergel Bustamante (Davao City)
EL Pundido Luz de casa (father of the gay) – Julius Caesar Alejandro (Zamboanga)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Nominees:

El Pundido Luz de Casa- Aedrian Deniel Araojo -WINNER (Zamboanga)
Migo Nino- Special Jury Citation - Sonny Campaner; Warred Julian (Davao City)
El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto – Vanessa Fate Mora (Zamboanga)
Damgo – GioJoe Amoguiz (Misamis)
Sintunado – CJ Liamzon (Davao City)
Me – Alex Angelo Lara (Davao City)

The Jury decided to cite the screenplay of Migo Nino for capturing the unique Visayan humor by using witty vernacular terms. If the film was edited tighter, it could've been nominated in the Best Film. I heard it received the warmest audience reception during its screening.

From left to right: Jesse Boga, Mindanao Times journalist; Co-Juror Bambi Beltran and Urian Best Actress Ging Hyde before the start of the Awards Night.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Nominees:

Sintunado- WINNER (Davao City)
Coffee Shop (Davao City)
Pagsaha (Zamboanga)
El Pundido Luz de Casa (Zamboanga)
Labo-Labo (Davao City)
El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto (Zamboanga)

Cinematography Coicoi Nacario who presented the award for Best Cinematography.
His recent work was as DOP of the Cinemaone Originals 2012 entry
"Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim" by Arnel Mardoquio.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Nominees:

Sintunado- WINNER (Davao City)
Gugma ni Pilo (Davao City)
Coffee Shop (Davao City)
Art Room (Davao City)
El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto (Zamboanga)
El Pundido Luz de Casa (Zamboanga)
Bantay (Davao City)

BEST EDITING
Nominees:

Damgo- WINNER (Misamis)
Sintunado (Davao City)
El Pundido Luz de Casa (Zamboanga)
Masaligan (Davao City)
Puzzle (Davao City)
El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto (Zamboanga)

Presenting the Best Editing award.

BEST SOUND
Nominees:

El Pundido Luz de Casa - WINNER (Zamboanga)
Masaligan (Davao City)
Damgo (Misamis)
El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto (Zamboanga)
Sintunado (Davao City)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Nominees:

Ang Pagkamatay ni Wonder Woman- WINNER (Cagayan de Oro City)
Pagsaha (Zamboanga)
Somnolence (Davao City)
Goyak (General Santos City)
Nene (General Santos City)

BEST MUSICAL SCORE
Nominees:

Pagsaha- WINNER (Zamboanga)
Masaligan (Davao City)
El Sentimiento del Maga Quieto (Zamboanga)
Damgo (Misamis)
Sintunado (Davao City)
El Pundido Luz de Casa (Zamboanga)
Memo (Davao City)

Presentor for Best Sound, Maki Serapio, who also did the sound for "Ang Paglalakbay...".
He also did additional dubbing for "The Thank You Girls".

SPECIAL AWARDS (NOT DECIDED BY THE JURY)

Memorable Line in a Film - Gugma ni Pilo (Davao City)

Most liked trailer (online voting) - Memo (Davao City)

Best Shoutout Film - Somnolence (Davao City)

I have high hopes for MFF being the only film festival in Mindanao that showcases the films about the region and made by Mindanaoan filmmakers. Hopefully next year, more entries from the other provinces will participate. 

*Source: Mindanao Times

The recently concluded Mindanao Film Festival, which ran from December 4-11, is an annual festival in Davao City showcasing short and full-length films shot and made in Mindanao by Mindanaoan filmmakers. This year, more than 30 short films and documentaries are in competition.

This is a special event for me as I was tapped to be one of the festival's jury. Also, my first feature "The 'Thank You' Girls" (2008) was exhibited in the festival, a chance for Davaoeños to watch the film again on the big screen.

One of the featured filmmakers on the wall outside the Gaisano Mall of Davao Cinema 5 where the films were  shown.

Outside Gaisano Mall of Davao, the festival venue.

"The 'Thank You' Girls on screen.

Denise, the actor on the screencap above, after the Dec. 10 screening of TYG.

Arnel Mardoquio's Crossfire.

Digital projector at Gaisano Mall of Davao Cinema 5.

Some of the staff, crew and actors after the Dec. 5 screening. (From left to right) Willie Apa, Davaoeno film editor, JD, who played the emcee, SunStar Davao columnist Yen Oledan, TYG's Production Coordinator, Sheng, Mindanao Film Festival Saff, Joan Mae Soco who played Adora Gracia, Mindanao Times journalist Jesse Boga, me and Yam Palma, TYG's Assistant Director.

 

 

 

Friends Fritz and Dan who watched the Dec. 10 screening of TYG.

The Grit Project is producing an independent feature film on love, brotherhood, and violence this October 2010. The film is written by Archie Del Mundo and will be directed by award-winning filmmaker Ray Defante Gibraltar [Wanted: Border, When Timawa Meets Delgado]. This will be line produced by film editor, screenwriter, and director Charliebebs Gohetia.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR ACTORS THAT WILL BRING TO LIFE THE FOUR MAJOR CHARACTERS IN THE STORY

TERENCE – around 18-23 years old, well built. He is a neophyte of the most prestigious fraternity in his university. Will agree to partial nudity, male-male love scene

TAD – between 20-24 years old. He is one of the masters of the most prestigious fraternity in his university. Will agree to partial nudity, male-male love scene

MICO - same age as Terence, he is Terence’s best friend. He is also a frat neophyte. Will agree to partial nudity

BOLET – same age as Tad. Tall and well built. He is the grand chancellor of Sigma Theta Omega

Please come to the auditions on SEPTEMBER 18, 2010. 1-6pm

WHERE: PIPERSTORM PICTURES OFFICE [INSIDE 88 FAB SALON]259 JP RIZAL STREET CORNER KALANTIAW STREET [NEAR 20TH AVE], PROJECT 4, CUBAO, QUEZON CITY

IF GOING BY CAR OR TAXI: -From Edsa going South, turn left to Santolan (towards Libis). Turn left to 20th Avenue then turn right to Kalantiaw then turn left to JP Rizal. Makikita agad ang salon.

IF GOING BY JEEP: - Jeep terminal is located beside Farmers at P. Tuazaon Alimall, sakay ng Project 4-20th Avenue jeep. Dumadaan mismo sa harap ng 88 Fab Salon ang jeep.

 

"The 'Thank You' Girls" screening at the Queer Love Festival, ROBINSONS INDIESINE: 

Feb 18 (Thursday) at 12:00PM; 

Feb 19 (Friday) at 7:30PM; 

Feb 21 (Sunday) at 5:00PM.

From the 45th Chicago International Film Festival website, "The 'Thank You' Girls" is summed up as: This celebration of a singular family of drag queens follows a hapless group of beauty pageant contestants who leave the big city in search of fame, glamour, and adoration out in the rural provinces. This lighthearted, brightly colored romp draws us in—past the girls’ glamorous façades to their destructive everyday habits—as they tear through the Filipino countryside.

TYG is part of the festival's World Cinema and OUTrageous sections. Screening schedules:

• Oct 12, 2009 9:30pm – $12/$9
• Oct 17, 2009 10:30pm – $12/$9 Producer Jim Hohl scheduled to attend
• Oct 18, 2009 8:00pm – $12/$9 Producer Jim Hohl scheduled to attend

CIFF is the longest running competitive film festival in the US. By the way, CIFF told me that if you'll come in drag to the Oct. 18 screening, you'll get in for free. Fun di ba! So go na, as in g-o-w!

TYG is the only Filipino film to be exhibited at the 2009 Calgary International Film Festival in Canada.

It will be shown on October 4, 7:00pm at the Eau Claire Market - Cineplex Odeon Screen #2.

If you were trapped in an island, then you should watch...

"The 'Thank You' Girls" opens the LGBT Specials at Cinemalaya 2009 on July 18, Saturday, 9PM at Cultural Center of the Philippines Silangan Hall.

O, pano. Cinemalaya, sambahin niyo ako uli!

For more bisdak pride....

"The 'Thank You' Girls" showing na in Cebu! 

MAY 13-19, 2009. 

Cinema Cebu at Colon St. 

Dali na! Tell your Cebuano friends about it. GO! As in G-O-W!

Nung nasa Davao ako last month habang kumakain sa 24-hours open na Dimsum, nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula sa isang babaeng kakaiba ang accent.

“Ashkamanchatsekwenshelebenchar Charliebebs Goheeey-shaa?”, sabi niya.

“Yeee”.

“Kimealencheraputeluwagaribotushepbalimawarof email hutyeporeswadashipbuliteramidch your film The ‘Thank You’ Girls kirlopenshlakicht nominated”.

Bumagting ang tenga ko sa salitang “nominated” dahil the rest of the sentences, di ko na naintindihan.

“Okay, I will just check my email”, sabi ko, excited.

“Okay, thank you”.

Umuulan. Sumi-cinematic yata ang langit nang mga panahong yun.

“Congratulations! Your film “The ‘Thank You’ Girls” is nominated for Best Cinematography/Editing in the 2008 Asian Festival of First Films in Singapore to be held on December 4-10”.

Huwaw. “Albert [yung Cinematographer], congrats!”, sabi ko sa sarili ko. “Congrats, self”, sabi ko uli sa sarili. Napaisip ako, bakit kaya pinagsama nila ang dalawang categories? Weird lang. Naalala ko na sinubmit pala ni Jim, producer ng TYG, ang pelikula para sa festival na ‘to. Nagpadala agad kami ng mga kinakailangan nilang data mula sa mga nominees.

Cut to.

Tinanong nung coordinator kung ang Cinematographer ba ay first-timer. Malamang hindi. Nakapag-Lav Diaz na nga yun e. E ang editor, tanong niya uli. Malamang hindi rin.

Ang festival pala ay para sa mga first-timers. Pero hindi ba’t ang first time ay kino-consider usually kung ito ay first film ng isang director. But no. Kailangan, first time din ito ng kung sinuman ang nominated sa mga categories. So dapat, first time actor ka, first time director, first time producer, first time cinematographer/editor (pinagsama) at iba pa. Hindi rin kasi masyadong malinaw yung rules nila, akala namin, qualified kami dahil first film naman siya.

Ang ending. Nirevoke ang nomination namin. Hindi raw kasi kami virgin sa pelikula e. Sayang.

Pero ok lang yun. At least, nakakuha uli ng validation ang pelikula kahit papano. Pampalubag-loob sa sarili.

I'm sad (as in may kasamang hagulhol at pagtutulo ng sipon) to inform everyone in Manila that "The 'Thank You' Girls" will not be screened in Robinsons Indiesine on Sept. 24-30 as originally scheduled. Pero it's gonna be shown sometime in October. Still in Indiesine. Kaya medyo matagal-tagal pa ang pagtitiis niyo para maidefine si darkness. Oo. May ganitong pagmomoda ang kamunduhan at hindi ko rin ito maipaliwanag pero konting tiis na lang. Makikita niyo rin ito sa pinilakang tabing. Char.

Hintayin.

SUMMARY FILM CONTACTS

The Thank You Girls

Dragons and Tigers

(Philippines, 2008, 101 mins)

In Visayan with English subtitles

HDCam

International Premiere

Directed By: Charliebebs S. Gohetia

PRODS: Adolfo B Alix Jr, James R Hohl
SCR/ED: Charliebebs Gohetia
CAM: Albert Banzon
MUS: Teresa Barrozo
Cast: Gie Salonga, Pidot Villocino, July Jimenez, Kit Poliquit, EJ Pantujan, Kim Vergara

Dragons & Tigers Award Nominee.

Inner beauty? It’s a hoax! It’s all faked anyway... The "Thank You" Girls follows a gaggle of drag queens and their entourage on journeys from one small-town "beauty pageant" to the next as they compete for the coveted title "Queen of the Third Kind 2008." They play the roles of reigning beauty queens, mostly from the "Third World"; it’s curiously warming to reflect that this Miss Zimbabwe would be Robert Mugabe’s worst nightmare. Mommy Paola (aka Virgil) drives the jeepney and takes advantage of the trip to fly-post “Missing Person” notices: he’s trying to find his former lover Carlos, now married. Chris, one of the queens in the back, looks forward to a rendezvous (or is that a showdown?) with the legendary Adora Gracia, due to host one of the pageants. But there’s no real plot to speak of. It’s essentially a road movie.

Charliebebs Gohetia, the editor of Brillante Mendoza’s films, turns director with this deeply Filipino variation on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Unlike its prototype, it’s not powered by the emotional highs and lows of melodrama. “Deeply Filipino” means laid-back, resigned, defeated--and yet wonderfully resilient. As in all contests, there are winners and losers: “These gays strive hard and still finish last." If you know this unique world at first hand, you’ll feel more at home here than in any previous drag-queen movie. If you don’t, you’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you may even hurl. But you’ll come out a better person.

-- Tony Rayns

Finally, nirelease na rin nila officially. Oh-em-gee. I swear. I'm so loving this.

Sabi nga ni Allyson habang nag-uusap sila ni Mommy Paola sa madilim na bahagi ng pageant sa Bukidnon (in Tagalog):

Allyson: Di ko maintindihan kung bakit dito sa mga probinsya, mahilig sila magpa-MG (Miss Gay) para sa mga first timers.

Mommy Paola: Masarap raw kasi ang first time.

Oo. Eto. Perstyam ito ng TYG kaya masarap (at hihirit akong sana masundan pa, haha). Masarap na masarap, ohyeah. I-access ang press release dito. Opisyal na. TYG competes in the Dragons and Tigers Section sa Vancouver Film Festival. Char!

Vancouver fest unveils Asia-heavy slate
'Longwang Chronicles,' 'Jalainur' set for world premieres
By Adele Weder

Aug 28, 2008, 03:43 PM ET

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver International Film Festival on Thursday unveiled what organizers called the largest slate of East Asian cinema in North America, including world premieres for Li Fifan's documentary "The Longwang Chronicles" and Zhao Ye's "Jalainur," which is set in wintry Manchuria.

The festival, which is set to run Sept. 25-Oct. 10, will screen 73 East Asian films, with 27 international premieres and 18 North American debuts.

The Dragons & Tigers competition for emerging Asian directors includes international premieres for "German + Rain" from Yokohama Satoko and Uchida Nobutero's "Kaza-Aana" (Japan) and Charliebebs Gohetia's "The 'Thank You' Girls" (Philippines) and North American premieres for Emily Tang's "Perfect Life" and Gao Wengdong's "Sweet Food City," both from China.

This year's Dragons & Tigers jury includes Ichiayama Shozo, filmmaker Pe-nek Ratanaruang and critic Elisabeth Lequeret.

Vancouver's 27th installment also has booked an international premiere for the Cuba Gooding Jr. starrer "Linewatch," from Kevin Bray and Sony Pictures Entertainment, and a world premiere for Spanish director Ivan Noel's coming-of-age drama "In Your Absence."

Salamat sa lahat ng nanood ng "Imoral" kagabi bilang closing film sa Cinemalaya 2008. Ininclude na rin dun ang teaser ng TYG bilang panimula. Hindi ako nakapunta kasi I had to meet Jim and Nelson para pagmiting-mitingan ang media-mediahan ng mga bagay-bagay para sa TYG premiere.

Nelson Canlas, maraming maraming salamat!

Nga pala, nakaplano na rin ang DAVAO PREMIERE ng TYG sa August 30. Ikonconfirm ko within this week ang lahat-lahat tungkol sa Davao event na yan.

Balita ko andami raw tao pumunta kagabi sa "Imoral" premiere. Shala. Aba, buti naman at nagpay-off ang kahagardang pag-edit ko sa pelikulang ito (haha, Adolf) bilang sumabay ito sa TYG. Naging imoral tuloy ang buhay ko dahil diyan. Aktwali, ganito ang premise ng pelikula: si Paolo Paraiso (Dante) at si Katherine Luna (Abi) ay mag-asawa. Tapos si Arnold Reyes (Jonathan) ay baklang jowa ni Dante. At ang drama nila sa buhay ay magsama-sama sa iisang bubong at alam naman nila ang relasyon nilang tatlo. Kakaloka. Ewan ko lang kung me ganitong set-up sa totoong buhay pero meron naman daw. Sabi.

Anyway, congratulations sa lahat ng mga nanalo sa Cinemalaya:

Jay - Best Picture, Actor (Baron Geisler), Editing

100 - Best Director (Chris Martinez), Actress (Mylene Dizon), Supporting Actress (Congrats, Miss Uge!), Screenplay, Audience Award

Brutus - Jury Prize, Supporting Actor (Yul Servo), Cinematography (tied with Huling Pasada), Music (Joey Ayala)

Huling Pasada - Cinematography (tied with Brutus)

Baby Angelo - Production Design

Ranchero - Best Sound


SHORTS

Andong - Best Short Film, Screenplay

Angan-Angan - Special Jury Citation

God Only Knows - Audience Choice

My Pet - Special Jury Award (what's the difference with the Special Jury Citation?)

Mark Reyes (hooooottt...) - Best Director


Naisip ko lang kung pumasok sa Top 10 ang TYG, ano kaya mangyayari? Hmmm... Wala lang. Thinking out loud. Tsweh.