Maryo J. delos Reyes to lead filmfest on farmers
While films that focus on farmers and farming are nothing new, director Maryo J. delos Reyes admitted that the Philippine movie industry still has a long way to go when it comes to raising awareness about the local agriculture industry.
“Kailangan nating maipakita sa mga tao kung ano ang mga pinagdadaanan nila at ano ang nagiging kaligayahan nila once they have done their job as farmers,” he said.
Maryo, along with the Universal Harvester Inc. (UHI), recently launched the first-ever TOFARM Film Festival with the theme “The Plight of the Farmer: His Trials and Triumphs.”
As festival director and adviser, Maryo explained they are looking for six films that tackle the life of farmers, noting it could be comedy, romance, thriller or fantasy.
“Maaaring techno-crop na nagtuturo ng farming or isang lalaki na na-in love sa anak ng isang farmer. Anything. Basta lagyan nila ng culture nating mga Pinoy,” he noted.
He added, “Hindi rin naman namin gustong limitahan na puro problema ng farmers ang ipapakita. Hindi puro poverty.” Maryo went on to cite as example the 1959 film “Biyaya Ng Lupa,” a drama that revolves around the life of a Filipino couple establishing a lanzones orchard. “’Yang black and
white film na ’yan ay nagkaroon ng malakas na impact sa buhay ko. Hanggang ngayon naririnig ko pa rin ’yung tuk-tuyuktuk ng mga tao na nagbabantay sa pananim nilang lanzones,” he said.
Maryo said he personally invited directors Mel Chionglo, Peque Gallaga and Lawrence Fajardo to join the festival. “Napapanood ko kasi ’yung films nila kaya alam kong maganda,” he said. “Si direk Lawrence naman pinanood ko kasi ’yung play niya na tungkol sa isang fishing village, at sa mga problema that the characters faced lalo na ’yung sakit na hindi alam kung ano,” he said.
Two things in one go
When he was approached by UHI to help create the festival, Maryo immediately said yes, noting how he could relate to the idea having inherited a farm in Bohol.
“Kasi I also want to make use of the farm at the same time ma-e-exercise ko ’yung aking creative process as director,” he said. “This is like a marriage between my profession and ’yung inheritance ko na mapag-sasama ko ngayon.”
Why Maryo?
Dr. Milagros How, UHI executive vice president, explained why they picked Maryo as festival director and adviser.
“It is because of his vast experience. We believe na through Maryo magiging inspirational ang ating festival,” she said.
She plans to hold the festival annually.
“Kasi gusto namin makita ninyo ang success stories ng ating farmers pati na din ang mga struggles nila at ’yung mga bagay na hindi napa-pansin ng ating mga kababayan,” she said.
Apart from the film festival, TOFARM also has photo and infomercial contests with the theme “TOFARM: Farmers at Work.” They will accept entries till Sept. 30.
The deadline of submission for the TOFARM Film Festival will be on Oct. 16, while the announcement of six entries would be on Nov. 27.
The best TOFARM film will receive R500,000; second best R400,000; and third Best R300,000. Directors will also receive trophies.
The awards night will be on July 16, 2016, 7 p.m. at a venue to be announced later.
‘Kailangan nating maipakita sa mga tao kung ano ang mga pinagdadaanan nila at ano ang nagiging kaligayahan nila once they have done their job as farmers.’