Cinemalaya in Cebu
Watching movies served as my weekend break from studies during my college days. When CDs then DVDs became available, I usually spend a few minutes browsing over the displayed titles.
More often than not, I’ll be bringing at least three titles when I go home. Some of these titles include indie movies that had not been given the chance to be shown in movie houses.
Indies are mostly unlike those exhibited commercially. These don’t bank on kilig factors of popular love teams or on any formula. These are just about anything under the sun that the curious and meticulous eyes of filmmakers see and ordinary folks don’t.
Now here’s good news for indie movie fanatics like me. Cinemalaya, which produces quality and award-winning movies year after year, is coming to Cebu. On Aug. 9 to 14, the 12th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival spreads out to Cebu—out of Luzon for the first time.
Some nine full length feature films and 10 short feature films will be screened in the six-day festival. On opening day, two indies, Dagsin by Atom Magadia and Lando at Bugoy by Vic Acedillo Jr. will be screened. Some stars in these indies will also be coming to Cebu to enliven the occasion.
The other films in the Full Length Feature Category are Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching (Inna Miren Salazar and Dos Ocampo), Hiblang Abo (Ralston Jover), America (Ivan Andrew Payawal), Kusina (David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares), Mercury Is Mine (Jason Paul Laxamana), Pamilya Ordinaryo (Eduardo Roy Jr.) and Tuos (Derick Cabrido).
Among the mainstream stars who act in these movies are Tommy Abuel, Lotlot de Leon, Benjamin Alves and Janine Gutierrez ( Dagsin); Allen Dizon ( Lando at Bugoy); Janus del Prado, Ketchup Eusebio, Odette Khan, Jojo Alejar and Jackie Lou Blanco ( Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching); Lou Veloso and Jun Urbano ( Hiblang Abo); Bela Padilla, Matt Evans and Thou Reyes ( I America); Judy Ann Santos, Gloria Sevilla, Joem Bascon and Luis Alandy ( Kusina); Pokwang and Bret Jackson ( Mercury Is Mine); Maria Isabel Lopez ( Pamilya Ordinaryo); and Nora Aunor and Barbie Forteza ( Tuos).
The 10 films in the Short Feature Category are Ang Hapon ni Nanding (Rommel Tolentino); Ang Maangas, Ang Marikit at Ang Makata (Jose Ibarra Guballa); Bugtaw (Noah del Rosario); Butas (Richard Cawed); Fish Out Of Water (Mon A.L. Garilao); Forever Natin (Cyrus Valdez); Get Certified (Isaias Herrera Zantua); Mansyong Papel (Ogos Aznar); Nakauwi Na (John Relano, Patrick Baleros and Luis Hidalgo) and Pektus (Isabel Quesada).
Another good thing about the festival is that ticket prices will be pegged at P150, much lower than the usual prices. Happy viewing, everyone!
*** Although they said they are both single at the moment, Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson denied that their short-lived romance six years ago had been rekindled while filming Star Cinema’s latest treat, How To Be Yours.
However, they do not ignore each other’s good qualities like Bea seeing Gerald’s being good in time management and in excelling in every endeavor that he puts his heart into.
Gerald, too, sees Bea as very passionate about her work, a good confidant and companion. To avoid awkwardness during filming, the two decided to have a serious conversation before shooting especially in relation to “delicate” scenes.
Gerald described their love scene as “magical.” Well, let’s find out.
I*** The committee that handles the annual Huni Alang Kang Sto. Niño Music Festival (HuNiño) has released the list of finalists recently. These are Sa Imong Kaluoy O Sto. Niño by Richter Alegado and Quennie Rose Ive Alegado; Pagasimbahon Ka O Snr. Sto. Niño (Jundel Bacalso); Batang Balaan ( Ramonito Carbon); Sto. Niño Ikaw Ang Gugma Ko (Fr. Lyndon Ruiz); Sto. Niño Wellspring of Mercy and Compassion (Emmanuel Abellana); Sto. Niño Among Dalangpanan (Russel Alegado and Yoojin Burgos); Kay Diha Lamang Kanimo (Roger Suycano); Ikaw Ang Gisangpit (Romanito Morata and Erwin Maranga); Sto. Niño Ikaw Ang Among Kahayag (Joseph Barulo); Pinalanggang Señor Sto. Niño (Jay-Arr Librando); Pasalamatan, Pagadaygon, Himayaon Ka (Manolito Languido) and Señor Sto. Niño (Socrates Yares).
Keep posted for developments.