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 '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!

Sa lahat ng mga nanood ng “The ‘Thank You’ Girls” sa Indiesine last week, sobrang maraming salamat. Sa mga naghakot, nanghatak, tumulong sa pagpromote, salamat ng marami. Sa mga natuwa at gumawa ng review nila, salamat ng sobra uli. Sa mga hindi pa nakapanood, abangan ang susunod pang mga screening dates. I’m crossing my fingers na sana this time, mas marami pang Robinsons theatres ang magpapalabas. Kaya sa mga friends na nagpalusot at di na nakapanood, may susunod pa kaya wala na kayong excuse na hindi manood. Char.

Generally, maganda naman ang reception ng mga tao. Natawa naman sila at humagalpak sa mga hirit ng mga “TYGs” sa loob at taas ng jeep, lalo na sa stage. Although, may isang komento ang isang acquaintance na hindi ko mapapalagpas. Minessage niya ako sa g4m, sabi niya, nagwalkout raw siya after niya mapanood ang first five minutes ng film. Never daw niya naenjoy ang film kasi Tagalog daw ang subtitles. Sana Tagalog na lang daw ang language na ginamit ko kasi yun naman daw ang national language natin. Ah, ok. Sinagot ko siya ng “salamat sa pagwalkout”. (Me smiley sa dulo). Gusto kong sabihin sa kanyang “sana naman alam mo ang mga pinagsasabi mo di ba?” Ano pa ang point na ifeature ko ang buhay ng mga bakla sa probinsiya at kultura nila kung Tagalog ang ginamit ko. E di, sa Manila na lang sana ako nagshoot.

Actually, napaka-kultural ng humor ng TYG at colloquial ang treatment niya. Na kung hindi ka Bisaya, may mga linyang hindi mo magi-gets dahil hindi ito kayang itranslate sa Tagalog. Eh, lalo naman kung i-English pa. Ano ang pinakamalapit na English translation ng "char"? Ng "yotch"? Ng "maya"? Ng "hugyaw ang show"? Ng "chapter"? At ng iba pang mga lingo na ginamit dun sa pelikula. Kahit ang swardspeak sa Cebu ay ibang-iba sa paraang ginagamit ng mga bakla sa Davao. Kung alam lang niya na nagkahemmorhage ako habang sinasubtitle ko ng English ang TYG no!

At the very least, sa kultura at paraan ng pamumuhay, magkaibang-magkaiba talaga ang mga bakla dun kesa sa mga taga-Manila. For instance, sa Davao, nakalakihan ko ang pananaw na ang bakla, nagdadamit-babae o di kaya iniisip nila na sila ay “a woman trapped in a man’s body”. Ang sexual cruising ng mga bakla dun ay hindi nangyayari sa mga sauna, bars or gym kundi sa mga parlor, sa beauty pageants, sa sementeryo kapag Undas o di kaya sa harap ng saradong sari-sari store. Kadalasan, pinapanimon nila ng Red Horse (dahil malakas ang tama) ang mga lalakeng prospect at nagsisimula ang negotation kapag senglot na ang mga ito.

Lately, napansin ko, hindi na ganun karami ang mga gumagawa ng ganito kasi unti-unti nang ginagaya ng mga bakla sa Davao ang kultura ng mga taga-Manila kung saan ang hooking-up ay nangyayari na sa bars, sauna at gym at ang mga dating nagdadamit-babae ay natuto na ring i-imbibe ang pagiging straight-acting. Ito ang tinatawag ng mga bakla dun na “maya” o ang equivalent na “pamhinta” dito sa Manila. Hindi na straight men ang tinatarget ng mga bakla dun kundi kapwa bakla na rin. Dahil dito, nung ginagawa ko ang research para sa script ng TYG, naghihingalo na ang existece ng gay beauty pageants sa siyudad kasi nga nagiging “maya” na ang mga crossdressers dun at yung mga kontesera ay sa mga probinsya na sumasali, di tulad dati na bawat baranggay fiesta, merong MG.

O ayan, sayo ---- na nagwalkout, inexplain ko na ng buong kaluluwa kung bakit Tagalog ang subtitles ha. Kaya sa susunod na screnings, panoorin mo na ng buo. Teka, kung nagwalkout ka sa first five minutes, pano mo nalamang nonlinear narrative ang ginamit ko sa TYG? Kaw ha...

Para sa mas kaaya-aya at mas masayang panonood ng "The 'Thank You' Girls", isapuso, isaisip at isakaluluwa ang mga tips na ito:

Maghakot ng friends, family, lovers, exes, sexmates, ka-it's complicated at kung anu-anong kategorya ng relationship status. Mas maraming manood kasama mo, mas masaya.

Hangga't maaari, panoorin ang pelikula sa simula hanggang matapos ang pagrolyo ng credits. Mas masaya ito kesa sa panoorin mo mula sa gitnang parte.

I-LSS ang "churchur mega mega chur chur" bago, during at pagkatapos panoorin ang TYG. Sayawin ang steps nito (makikita sa pelikula) kasama ng mga nahakot (refer to number 1). Huwag rin kalimutang i-LSS ang iba pang mga kanta sa soundtrack.

Kung ikaw ay may ambisyong maging beauty queen o isang frustrated beauty queen at ayaw mong ma-thank you girl, imemorize ang mga quotable quotes lalo na sa question and answer portion.

Mamili ng paboritong karakter sa pelikula at irelate ito sa sarili.

Huwag mahiyang tumawa ng balahura. Huwag pigilan ang sarili na mag-enjoy.

Magbasa ng mabilis dahil Tagalog ang subtitle.

Pumili ng isang linya o expression sa pelikula at ipauso ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsasalita nito sa totoong buhay.

Ang pelikulang ito ay hindi lang para sa mga bakla kundi para sa lahat ng sangkatauhan. It transcends beyond gender. Char!

Alalahaning ang pelikulang ito ay ginawa hindi para pagtawanan ang mga bakla kundi para mas i-empower pa ang mga ito.

Kung nagustuhan mo ang pelikula, humayo ka't ipagkalat at ipromote ito sa kakayahang kaya mo. Sa text, sa blog, sa websites, sa egroups, sa tv, sa newspaper. Kung hindi mo naman ito nagustuhan, ipagkalat mo pa rin.

“A comedy, intelligent and interesting. “Thank You Girls” is a cultural snapshot of gay life in Mindanao. The film promises to transcend gender preferences and sexuality. Gays will love it, maybe relate to it, and appreciate the empowering message it delivers. Women will love it for its wit. Straight men will learn from it.”
- Jinggoy Salvador, SunStar Davao

“Watch it because of its original style, freshness, no-stereotype content and real catch of real scenes. It is a good film by story, but blockbuster by style. So, watch it!”
- http://pykmps.multiply.com

“A movie you must, must, must watch. It’s fun, funny, and light-hearted with some moments na nagmo-moment. The movie is full of LOL moments, especially the “question and answer portion” of the pageant. It’s not just for the badets, it’s for everybody.”
http://riajose.wordpress.com/

“I love it so much that I can define darkness now. I just love the film so much that I would want everyone in the world to watch it.”
- http://baklaako.com

“Never laughed so hard at a movie in a long time. The great part of this film was how natural the dialogue was. The witty exchanges felt right at home as if we’ve worn red satin gowns everyday of our lives. Totally laugh-out-loud moments for us and the audience. Loved each of the characters and their plight in life and in love. The actors’ performances were right. Great editing. The pace and energy of the film were infectious. The soundtrack was also very chika bibo.”
- http://paderewski.wordpress.com/

Despite the absence--but not completely--of revolting display of flesh and over dramatic and tired bleak and violence, this one will be taken seriously for its hilarity. From the opening scene, the director succeeded in making his audience forget that the world outside is drowning in its own tragedy. Watch na keyo! Go as in G-O-W!!!
- http://bananachoked.blogspot.com/

“Hilarious and out of this world… The movie offers a chockful of insights on a gay person’s life. It is a light material for some but to those who are struggling to show their “true” colors, this is a must see.”
- http://dramaqueen.davaobloggers.com

“Maganda ang topic at hindi siya seasonal: mga gay beaucon joiners na ang tawag pala sa kanila e "thank you girls" kasi lagi silang natatalo o hindi nakakaabot ng first place. Premise pa lang, panalo na! The acting was good, the lines are witty and funny, lalo na yung nagpapraktis sila ng mga QnA portion while traveling.”
- http://leaflens.multiply.com

“Magaling, magaling, magaling! Ilang beses akong napahagalpak! Kakatawa siya ha! Nakakaaliw ang mga lines. Bentang-benta! At halatang pinag-isipan! Clap, clap, clap!”
- http://princhechafiona.blogspot.com

“Of all the indie films I have watched, I should say that was among my favorites. The music is so good and purely Dabawenyo… I first thought they were songs from Manila or of a foreign band.”
- http://lurins.twistedrumbeats.com

“Funny and interesting. What made it nice is how the movie defined each "beauconera's" desire to be a queen because of the sense of self-achievement next to money. It shows how a backstage looks like during such pageants that most people are not aware of.”
- http://galavantiator.vox.com/

“Beyond its comedy is honesty and seriousness. Would I recommend it to you? Of course yes!”
- http://melbeckham.blogspot.com

Meron na akong nakahandang yearender blog entry eh. Kaso, nasira bigla ang laptop at di ko pa nakukuha sa service center. Siyet. Tagal ko na rin pala hindi nakapag-update. Siyet.

Anyway, eto na. Finally. At finally, ipapalabas na ang "THE 'THANK YOU' GIRLS"! Andyan sa gilid ang trailer o di kaya, pumunta sa website http://thethankyougirls.com.

Robinsons Indiesine, January 21-27, 2009. Hay. Hatak naman kayo para me manood ng pelikula. Ayos? Char.

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.

Seen TYG? Pwes, mas mamahalin mo ang soundtrack ng pinakabaklang pelikula ng taon. Eto, it's your chance to see the bands play the songs in person.

Mapapachur-chur-mega-mega[jerjer] ka sa Haphazard. Mapapapunta ka Anywhere sa Roxymmorons [Roxys!].. Mapapaindak ka sa Fuelled ng Gasulina [ang kantang ginamit sa Hiyas ng Pinya 2008] at syempre, magiging artista ka sa Starsick ng Kampai.

I guarantee a very good night of TYG music on Sept 25 sa Club Dredd as they play their beautiful, beautiful, beautiful songs. Plus the songs I used sa film. Kay go na.

Masaya 'to. Wa char
.

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

After a very successful premiere night last Monday, The 'Thank You' Girls will be screened in Gaisano Mall, Davao City on Sept 10-16.

Wag na papahuli! Idefine na si darkness!

Proudly Davao-made, pumunta na sa Gaisano Mall simula bukas and watch the gayest film ever!!!

Thanks Ben Padero for upsounding! Original blog entry here.

the thank you girls review

i missed the opportunity to work as designer for this movie since it was shooting the same time with serbis. also, i was held back by tvc work from leaving for mindanao ergo i missed working on a fantabulous movie by emotistic centerstage colleague, charliebebs gohetia

yesterday was the thank you girls’ premiere at the UP and carlo and i headed for the theater on the invitation by writer-editor-director bebs. we of course expected the tongue-in-cheek comedy fished out from gay beauty pageants and we were taken in for a roll!

haskang grabe ka-juker! bibo gyud siya, never laughed so hard at a movie in a long time. the great part of this film was how natural the dialogue, both scripted and impromptu, twittered out of the cast’s lip-shimmered mouths. of course in the beginning it takes a bit of time to get used to bisayan gay linggo. hearing them speak in their native tongues and acting out along the billboard-less highways of mindanao, the bantering and witty exchanges felt right at home as if we’ve worn red satin gowns everyday of our lives. lighting and sound technicals aside, this movie is fantabulous from fake diamond tiara to flattened-out yellow spartan flipflops.

among the cast, we laud mommy paula’s natural and realistic approach to her role, her gay mamasan was never sashaying and contrived. i particularly loved both scenes that featured mommy paula and son, chris, driving on the freeway and the backstage scene after the bukidnon pageant. being a bisaya, i enjoyed hearing the dialogue come as natural as air, her exchanges with chris were spot on and their emotions on check and never overboard.

of course, a large part of the movie lived on the glorious top of the jeep, called taplod (top load) in bisayan linggo. the script featured a loadful of MG (miss gay) pageant scenarios, here the thank you girls (linggo for contestants who didnt make it to the semi-finals round, ergo “thank you, girls”) reenact opening spiels and the quintessential question-and-answer round, rehearse, playaround and just about anything they could do there. sometimes witty, sometimes effortlessly stupid, totally laugh-out-loud moments for us and the audience. nagkini-at ang mga bayot sa atop sa jeep bwahaha

the pace and energy of the film were infectious so kudos to bebs the editor. i loved that final scene in fictional cagayan de oro (bebs ha!) with the mirrors, great editing. even the first act of the movie was ultimately made more energetic with the editing and the shifting to and fro scenes from davao to the pageant. the soundtrack was also very chika bibo. all the thank you girls’ characters were wonderfully developed, so kudos to bebs the writer. loved each of the characters and their plight in life and in love. the actors’ performances were right on so kudos to bebs the direction.

bebs is on cloud 9. after his success with writing adolf alix’s daybreak and being solely acknowledged in singapore for editing tirador (tama ba?) plus the pending urian nomination for both tirador and foster child’s editing, he’s soon off to ********* for the city’s international filmfest for thank you girls in september. i cant wait to see what else bebs has up his fuschia colored bead encrusted silk sleeve. dili ni atik-atik gang ha, congrats! ikaw daog, imoha ang korona. rampa bayot! lovett!

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."

Photo courtesy of Ben Padero

Halos isang linggo ako di makatulog. Iniisip ko kung mapupuno ko ba ang Adarna sa premiere night ng TYG o lalangawin ba siya at isang row lang ang mauupuan at ang row na yun ay bakante pa sa harap. Nag-aalala ako kung magugustuhan ba siya bilang ang premiere ay isang napaka-crucial na pangyayari sa isang pelikula at dahil hindi naman ito kalakihang pelikula, I have to rely sa word-of-mouth advertising.

Aligaga. Kailangan mag-color grading. Kailangan maglatag. Kailangan maghatak ng manonood. Kailangan magsubtitle. Maayos, walang typo at hindi text-language na subtitle. At dahil tradisyon ko na ang maghabol ng oras, kahapon lang nagkaroon ng master copy ang pelikula. Dalawang araw kong hindi tinulugan 'yun.

Balak ko pa naman sana bumongga ng todo dahil alam kong may mga camera na magmamatyag. Magpa-makeover, yung tipong di na ako makilala ng mga kakilala ko. Umeport sa damit, yung tipong nasa Video Music Awards ako. Di ko rin naman nagawa. Pweh.

Kahapon ng tanghali, pagkauwi ng bahay galing Ignite, natulog na lang muna ako para di tumuyo ang balat ko at ayokong malosyang-looking. Wa na sa eport ng makeover at fashown. I was just banking on internet advertising at konting print mileage at nang makita ko nung Wednesday na marami naman ang nagpupromote sa mga sites nila, kumampante na ang katauhan ko. (Salamat, guys!)

Nilipad namin lahat ng cast from Davao para ma-experience naman nila ang World Premiere at nang makita nila for the first time yung pelikula. Hindi ko sila nakausap until alas singko y media na ng hapon pagpunta ko sa Adarna para magtechnical test. Maayos naman altough may mga modang hindi lumabas ang tunay na kulay base sa na-grade nang material (feeling ko, maganda pa rin naman na lumabas) at aligaga ang audio (hindi masyado nabigyan ng hustisya ang audio mix ni Sir Ditoy) . Aktwali, hindi talaga ganun kaganda ang acoustics ng Adarna pero kebs na. Maayos akong nakapag-technical test.

Nagsidatingan na ang mga tao ng 6pm. Narealize ko, andami, dami, dami, dami ko palang friends, haha. At kahit hindi ito sex film, maraming pumunta. Sobrang ganda ng ginawa ng UP Cinema na exhibit sa labas. Thanks Jed. May mga expected akong mga tao at celebrities na di nakarating, sayang. At may mga taong matagal ko nang di nakikita na dumating at sumuporta. Grabe, kakatouch.

Mark dela Cruz, maraming salamat sa pagpayag na mag-emcee bilang kinaladkad lang kita 30 minutes bago ang screening, hekhek. Unang pinalabas ang short film ni Leo bilang front act at bilang experimental ang pelikula, nakatulala lang ang audience after the film, haha! Angganda kaya nung film niya. Very internet relationship.

For the first few minutes ng TYG, naging tin can-sounding ang audio. Ulk! Nyetah. Something always goes wrong, divine. E, maayos naman ang technical run so bakit nagkaganun. Si manong mixer talaga! So, kelangan ko siyang aligagain! Tumayo ako at dumikta sa tabi niya para iayos yung mix habang nagpapalabas. Kaya pasensiya kung nagkaganun ang audio sa ibang parts kasi nag-aayos si manong. PERO I ASSURE YOU, HINDI TALAGA PANGIT ANG AUDIO NG TYG, I SWEAR! I paid so much detail sa audio mixing kaya alam kong maayos ang technicals ng pelikula dahil alam ko kung gaano ka-crucial at kaimportante ang sound.

Anyway, habang nagpi-play ang pelikula, natuwa naman ako at tumatawa ang mga tao kahit sa mga parteng di ko inexpect na tatawa sila. Siyempre bentang-benta pa rin ang "define darkness" kahit nasa trailer na 'to. Sabi ni Andrew, dapat nagdala raw siya ng papel at bolpen para mailista ang mga quotable quotes sa MG (Miss Gay), hekhek.

Ayun. Nawala na ang mga masasamang kaluluwang bumabagabag sakin. Maganda ang reception ng mga tao after and tuwang-tuwa si Jim, yung producer, sa resulta. At siyempre, touched na touched ako ke Cranks at Karl sa flowers! Eeeeeh. Mu-miriam Quiambao moment ako, pagkatapos madulas ay tumayo at pumroclaim nang rumirepresent sa all women in the world who stumbled and got up. Ansaya. Tapos, binigyan pa ako ng UP CINEMAsters ng sign book kung saan umemo message ang mga tao.

Oh yeah, Dimen. I'm officially a god. Buwaha. What took you so long to even realize that? Char.

So, ayun. O-opportunitista nako to thank everyone who helped out (no tears).

• Jim for making this happen. You're the one who should be commended.
• Adolf for being unconditional (char).
• Noel dahil lagi kang handang sumuporta at tumulong.
• Staff and crew at actors na rin (isa-isahin ko pa ba kayong ilista?) dahil naging masokista kayo sa panghahaggard ko, haha. And for sticking out with me during our worst times sa shoot, di niyo ako iniwan (emo niyo, tsweh!). Buti na lang at friends tayo kaya kinaya natin ang worst conditions na naexperience natin.
• Nelson Canlas and Michael Cruz.
• Film friends. (wag na kayong magpabanggit ng isa-isa, baka me makalimutan pa'ko).
  
• UP CINEMA. Habac, masaya ako manghaggard diba?
• Chris Fabian dahil lagi mo akong binibigyan ng exposure, hehe.
• Sa mga artists at banda na nagtiwala at nagpahiram ng kanilang mga kanta. Roxys, Haphazard (great meeting you MM, churvaloo girl!), Kampai, Gasulina, Sidecrash, Reggztheory, Lizardchips, Chris Uy, atbp.
  
• Sa mga nag-extra sa pelikula.
• Yam, Yen, AVL, Kuya Roy ng Iwag, Mintal gays.
• Libay Cantor at Nonoy Lauzon.
• Sir Ditoy and Soundcrew Staff.
• Ignite staff. Tom, dubout uli, haha.
  

Sa mga pumunta kagabi:

• UP CMC friends. Klaring, Dan, Emman, Kirkay, Sol, etc.
  
• Davao friends.
• Congress people.
• AJ, Miggs, Princhecha Fiona, Kuya , Geloy bloggers (kahit hindi nakapunta).
• Nestor de Guzman, salamat sa book.
• Ben, salamat sa magandang review! Friend talaga kita.
• Babaylans! Thanks Nicole.
  
• Coco Martin. Thanks, Co at pinakilig mo ang mga bakla dun haha.
• Jerome Romzey at Toni Ikwin.
  
• At sa mga tumulong na nakalimutan kong banggitin, salamat!
  

So.. on to the next destination. Baklain ang buong Davao! At buong mundo na rin. Eto ang mga schedule ng screenings:

Sept 8 - Premiere Night (Davao) at Gaisano Mall of Davao. Tickets at P100.

Sept 10-16 - Regular Showing (Davao) at Gaisano Mall of Davao

Sept 23 - Advance Screening 9:00pm Robinsons Indiesine

Sept 24-30 - Regular screening (Manila) Robinsons Indiesine

Two days to go at kinakabahan na ako.

I swear.