"Ambulancia," a short film which tells of a painful twist in an ambulance driver's belief that a dying patient can be saved by running over stray animals on the streets, won best short narrative in the first Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health held at the Philamlife Center for the Arts, United Nations Avenue, Manila last February 21, Thursday night.

Director/writer/producer Richard Legaspi and production manager Seymour Barros Sanchez were on hand to receive the trophy designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva and a plaque of recognition from Mu Sigma Phi, the first medical fraternity in the Philippines and in Asia.

"Santigwar," an entry of director Gerald Ian Mendez, producer Charlene Obumani, and writer Johner Cañeba of the University of Saint Anthony from Iriga, Camarines Sur, won the grand prize, the Honorato Quisumbing and Johnny Escandor award for best film. "Kasangkapan," directed by Carmelo Soberano of the Marinduque State College, and "Rx: Agap," helmed by King Mark Baco of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, were adjudged best documentary and best experimental film, respectively. Aside from a similar trophy and plaque, the "Santigwar" team will also receive P100,000 in cash while the directors and producers of "Ambulancia," "Rx: Agap," and "Kasangkapan" will each get P50,000. The winners and other film festival finalists were screened from February 18 to 20 at the Cine Adarna in UP Diliman.

"Ambulancia," which stars Alan Paule and Nor Domingo, was previously exhibited in the Young Cinema Night of the 2007 Cinemanila International Film Festival and the Asian Film Academy (AFA) Fellows' Night in Busan, South Korea. Legaspi also had the able support of director of photography Albert Banzon, assistant director Jules Katanyag, AD/producer/editor Anna Isabelle Matutina, co-producer Eloisa Espino-Sanchez, production manager/musical scorer Pam Miras, and production designers Grace Orbon, Sonja Completo, and Benay Reyes.

Legaspi, a faculty of the University of the East – Caloocan College of Fine Arts (UE CFA), was selected last year along with "Ligaw Liham" director of photography Carlo Mendoza as the only Filipinos among the 24 successful candidates from all over Asia who were offered fellowships by the AFA, an educational program that trains aspiring Asian filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts through workshops, one-on-one mentoring and a short film production project, to raise the bar on film production to further the future of Asian cinema. It was held in collaboration with Pusan International Film Festival, Dongseo University, and Korean Film Academy.

Legaspi, UE CFA alumnus and recipient of the UE Award for Exemplary Performance in Visual Arts, teaches Advertising and Painting. He is also a director, assistant director, and production designer for Red Room Productions, Pixel Art Media Production Co., and Digital Cheese. He underwent workshops under award-winning scriptwriter Ricky Lee and directed films such as "Kahon" (official entry to the 2006 Viewpoints of the World Festival, finalist in the End Frame Video Art Project, in competition at the 2006 One Minute International Short Film Festival (OMISFF), Netherlands, and finalist in the Smart Cuts of 2005 .MOV International Short Film Festival), "Pintuan" (in competition at the 2006 OMISFF), and "Makatang Luneta," (third place at the 2006 Cinemadali Film Festival).

The 18th Negros Summer Workshops 2008 will showcase short films. commercial videos, and theatre productions created by students. A panel of notables including film, theatre and print media personalities facilitate the workshops and recognized leaders judge and present special awards.

A special program honoring the best films and videos will highlight the closing ceremonies. Additionally, the program will feature a Media Lab of cutting edge film making technology; Children and Teen Theatres; and a panel series that will bring together leading filmmakers, directors, actors, and writers in the industry.

2008 Negros Summer Workshop will be on April 21 – May 17, 2008
Registration and Enrollment

March 03 - April 19, 2008

The 11th Crystal Piaya Awards
This Php. 25,000.00 video competition is open to all amateur and professional video and filmmakers.

8-35 minute video shorts are judged according to technical quality as well as relevance of its message.

Deadline for entries in the 11th Crystal Piaya Video Competition:

May 12, 2008 – 12:00 nn

Office of the Artist in Residence, USLS

http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/aboutus.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/courses.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/accomodation.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/awards.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/contactus.html

From the same theatre company that staged the critically acclaimed ALAMAT last year at the Music Museum, AGHAM Theatre Company is again set to take the center stage with Patrick Almaden's "SAKDAL," an original Filipino pop-rock musical on the life of Jesus Christ.

The musical has been staged at the Makati Parks and Garden Amphitheatre last 2006 to a resounding success. It has attracted the attention of the University president, Prof. Tomas B. Lopez and City Mayor Jejomar Binay which prompted them to produce it this year.

"SAKDAL," meaning perfect, is an interpretation of the life of Jesus Christ in parallel to our issues today and how his teachings being so needed to be heard now in time of political and economic crisis. Jesus as the center of Christianity is not only a symbol of faith and hope but also a proactive example of reform and movement.

Set in the last few days of Jesus Christ, Sakdal presents a more humane Jesus who is baffled about his mounting popularity among common people. And this popularity drew diverse reactions and concerns among his disciples especially in the part of Judas Iscariot who wants him to maintain a low profile. Through this depiction of Christ, we will highlight the obvious message of life, truly a rude awakening, a reflection on how we are living the life he sacrificed.

With a true to form realistic set, there is no trailblazing statement or justification for the style. It is not abstract; it is not impressionistic or stylized. What you see is what you get. The set plays its role in its true sense. A background for the actors, setting for the period and a visual foundation for the music. Nothing overwhelming. It is as Israel or as "Is-real" as it can get.

The production aims to strengthen solidarity among artistic groups in the University through active participation in the field of arts engaged in the enrichment of genuine artistry of our folk-cultures. "Sakdal" will also coincide with the commemoration of our Lord's suffering this coming Lenten season.

Directed by Patrick Almaden, Sakdal features student-thespians, employees and alumni from the university. This two-hour musical is also supported by the UMAK Chorale, Art Nouveau, and Amor A Bailar, Musicians for Peace, Kundiman, Film Society and The Makati Collegian.

Assistant Director Christoper E. Navarra, Musical Director Paco Almaden, Dance Director Arvind Mandar, Creative Directors Osler Ladia and Agnes Medina, and Lighting Designer Dennis Cruz complete the artistic and production team.

Sakdal performances are scheduled 1pm and 5pm on March 3, and 10am, 2pm and 6pm on March 4, 2008. Admission is free. For inquiries and reservation, you may call or text 0918-2542354 and look for "Tope" or email us thru crisnavarra@gmail.com.

by Fr. Adonis Narcelles Jr. SVD

There is a gentle revolution happening in the Philippines. It is neither political nor economic. The revolt happens in the very heart of filmmaking. Its proponents and followers are the numerous film "guerillas" who have finally found an avenue to express their creativity and freedom. There is a breeze of fresh air which invigorates the contemporary scenario of Philippine Cinema. The Filipino achievement in this era of indie (short for independent), experimental and digital filmmaking has come. "Tirador," in winning the Caligari Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2008, proves that this Pinoy revolution works- in the world of filmmaking.

This "new epoche" of filmmaking in the Philippines brings out a new breed of young and dynamic filmmakers. This is the advent of the independent digital filmmaking. The emergence of affordable and user-friendly digital cameras and editing softwares make this rapid evolution possible resulting to a new film consciousness in the Philippines with a profound interest in festivals abroad, like the 58th Berlin Film Festival. The Berlinale this year was an avenue where the metamorphosis of filmmaking was acknowledge and admired. It was an historical event for the Philippines. This prestigious, glamorous and one of the biggest film festivals in the world recognized the international quality of digital Filipino films. For the first time in the long history of Philippine Cinema that six Filipino films were shown at the Berlinale from February 7 to 17, 2008. Indeed, this Berlinale documents the greatness of this creative spirit present in various characteristics of Filipino filmmaking- experimental, documentary, live musical accompaniment and screening with three projections.

"This is one of the hardest films I have shot." Director Brilliante Mendoza admits the challenges he encountered in making "Tirador" (Slingshot). He spoke before the international audience after the first screening, the European Premiere of his film at the Colosseum Cinema in Berlin on February 9, 2008. He worked on three cameras to shot the scenes in the dangerous areas of Manila, particularly in Quiapo in order to capture the life and operation of poor small-time crooks, the "little criminals" who do dirty tricks to earn money. His guerilla film-making has been recognized around the world. "Tirador" has been shown at film festivals in Toronto, Singapore, Granada, Pusan and in Marraketch where it won the International Special Jury Prize.

Director Mendoza also impressed the judges in Berlin that they awarded "Tirador" with the much-coveted Caligari Award 2008. It is the first Filipino Film to win this award which is given to a film in the Berlinale Category of International Forum of Young Films. It is the most important recognition of a film under this category. This award, given for the 23rd time this year, has been awarded to films which are thematically innovative and stylistically creative.

This award includes an endowment of 4,000 € prize from the sponsors: the Bundesverband kommunalen Filmarbeit, the German Federal Association of 150 cultural cinemas and the film journal "Film-Dienst".

The judges gave the Award to "Tirador" with this reason: "Well-thoughtout paradigmatic sequencing shows daily survival between pickpocketing, gambling, part-time-jobs, arbitrary police acts and corrupt politicians. Dramatic highpoints are blended into scenes of everyday life." Indeed this film blends fiction and reality to portray the life of street criminals who are exposed to crimes, drugs, and abuses. What was originally planned as a documentary film turned out to be a feature film with the local election and the Holy Week as its backdrop. "Tirador" refers figuratively to somebody who makes a hit (tira) which refers to hired killer, drug addict, thief and the like. Director Mendoza workled closely with the film's writer Ralston Joel Jover and even interviewed "little criminals", went to their houses and in places where they do their petty crimes in order to show authenticity in his film which was originally planned to be documentary.

The corruption of politicians and abuses of police officials are also portrayed in the film. The drama of Philippine elections with rampant vote-buying and empty promises of policians were also shown. The movie ends with the little criminals joining the people in a prayer rally in Manila, an event which was attended by senatorial candidates who promised a better life and future for the people.

Director Mendoza was born 1960 in San Fernando, Pampanga and studied Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas. He worked in television and theater before focusing into filmmaking. His fifth major film gathers film legends like Jaclyn Jose, Julio Diaz and several young actors whose films have been shown and recognized in film festivals abroad: Jiro Manio ("Magnifico", Best Children Film at Berlinale 2004), Nathan Lopez ("Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros", Best Children Feature Film and Teddy Award, Berlinale 2006), Kristofer King ("Ang Babae sa Breakwater", Cannes 2004) and Coco Martin ("Masahista", Locarno 2005). His major films which were shown in major international film festivals which include: "Masahista" (The Masseur, 2005), "Kaleldo" (Summer Heat, 2006), "Manoro" (The Aeta Teacher, 2006) and "Foster Child", 2007. Director Mendoza was joined in Berlin by other "Tirador" staff: Producer Ferdinand Lapuz of Centerstage Productions, Script Supervisor Armando Lao and Actor Coco Martin.

Indeed, "Tirador" and the other Filipino films who made it to this year's festival are products of the blooming independent film genre brought about by the prevailing "digital revolution" in the Philippines. Filmmakers are more free to try new tricks and express themselves using unconventional methods. And their efforts and creative achievements are being recognized, if barely at home, then in many international film festivals, like at the Berlinale.

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 11:58am (Mla time) 12/03/2007

FILIPINOS FROM both sides of the network wars won in major categories at the 12th Asian Television Awards, held at the Suntec International Convention Center in Singapore on Thursday.

Current affairs

The GMA 7 documentary show, “Reporter’s Notebook,” topped the Best Current Affairs Program category for its coverage of the war in Lebanon. It bested entries from Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

“Reporter’s Notebook” is hosted by news reporters Maki Pulido and Jiggy Manicad.

Team effort

Manicad, who also produced the winning episode, told the Inquirer via SMS: “It’s a team effort. The feeling [of winning] is great and humbling at the same time. Lebanon was one of the most dangerous coverages our program has [experienced so far]. We never thought we could come up with good material in that situation—especially one that would merit the attention of the Asian TV Awards.”

Co-host Pulido said: “It’s a great high. It doubles the pressure to produce better stories in the interest of our countrymen.”

Program Manager Clyde Mercado agreed. “Serving the people through this show is rewarding enough,” he said, but this [award] is a very special bonus.”

Best news program

The ABS-CBN late-night newscast “Bandila” won Best News Program for its coverage of the Subic Rape Case Promulgation. It bested entries from Malaysia, Taiwan, India, as well as two Philippine news shows (GMA 7’s “24 Oras” and ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol World”).

Said Maria Ressa, senior vice president of ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs: “‘Bandila’ is just a little over a year old, and we are grateful that its work has been recognized by our peers in the region and the world. We wanted to put together our ideas of nationalism with a faster production pace and more succinct and analytical reporting. ‘Bandila’ has already been named one of the Top 4 newscasts in the world by the International Academy of Arts & Sciences, making it the first time ever that a Philippine network has received this recognition at the Emmys.”

Acting trophy

Gina Pareño topped the Best Drama Actress category, besting performers from New Zealand, Thailand, India and Singapore. She won for portraying the troubled mother of three mentally ill children in the “Rehas” episode of ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

“We were only given 30 seconds in our thank-you speech,” recalled Pareño. “I was happy and nervous at the same time. I dedicated my award to my family and our countrymen.”

Same director

The episode was megged by Jeffrey Jeturian, who also directed Pareño in the internationally acclaimed film “Kubrador.”

According to its web site, the Asian Television Awards aims to “recognize and reward program and production excellence” in the region.

Filmmakers and activists screened two films banned by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), "A Day in the Life of Gloria" and "Mendiola", in protest of what they called "repression" by the Arroyo administration.

The "X" rating given by the MTRCB to the two films resulted in their exclusion from a short film festival called "Kontra-Agos" .

The films were shown during a press conference on Friday by filmmakers and activists to express alarm over what they perceive to be an attempt to suppress media coverage of the failed rebellion in Makati led by former Navy officer turned Senator Antonio Trillanes and Army Brigadier General Danny Lim.

Short filmmaker King Catoy said, "Nananawagan kami sa mga kapwa natin artists, i-defy natin ang admnistrasyong ito, this is martial law (We call on our fellow artists to defy this administration. This is martial law)."

During the press conference, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera joined other artists and activists in having their hands tied, recalling images of ABS-CBN reporters and crew who were handcuffed and detained by police in the aftermath of the Makati incident.

Lumbera said recent events, including the so-called "censorship" of an artist's collective in Angolo, Rizal, bear out a clear and present danger to artists and to freedom of expression.

"Mayroon litaw na panganib sa atin. Karapatan natin magkaroon ng layang ipakita ang katotohanan (There is an obvious threat against us. It is our right to have the freedom to tell the truth)," said Lumbera.

MTRCB reviewer Mark Castrodes however dismissed the artists' accusations as baseless conspiracy theories. According to Castrodes, the films were given an X-rating because they put the government in a bad light.

One of the films, "A Day in the Life of Gloria", is in animated format and shows a cartoon caricature of President Arroyo saying "I am sorry" after which her nose begins to grow. It is a scene that recalls the fairy tale character Pinocchio, whose nose elongates whenever he tells a lie.

Castrodes said that contrary to the artists' wild claims, there is no "institutionalized political repression" and that the film reviewers simply did their job.

"We are not in cahoots with anyone else here, for us, it was simply a day's work", he said, adding that the filmmakers could have appealed the rating and asked for a second review but they chose to no longer do so.

hxxp://www.abs-cbnnews.com/ storyPage.aspx?storyId= 100968

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 43, December 2-8, 2007

“The MTRCB will never allow the propagation of films which carries dissenting views to the current administration,” said an independent filmmaker whose work is scheduled to be shown at Indie Sine in Robinson’s Galeria December 5-11 but was rated “X” by the board.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) was criticized anew for censoring two short films created by independent film makers.

Southern Tagalog Exposure’s (ST Exposure) A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo and Sine Patriyotiko’s Mendiola have been rated “X” or disapproved from public exhibition by the MTRCB. Said films are part of an eight-film compilation scheduled to be shown at the Kontra Agos Resistance Film Festival on December 5-11, Indie Sine, Robinson’s Galleria.

In an interview, RJ Mabilin, director of A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo, said that the MTRCB justified the rating by saying that the films “undermine the faith of the people in government.”

An animation, which got an honorable mention award from this year’s Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines, A Day in the Life of Gloria ArroVo is a political satire.

Mendiola, on the other hand, is a short documentary critical of the Arroyo government’s calibrated preemptive response (CPR).

Another short film, Holy Bingo, was initially rated “X” but later got a PG-13 classification. The film,
Mabilin said, is critical of the Catholic Church.

Mabilin said, “It goes to show that there exists institutionalized repression. The MTRCB has the final say whether a film should be viewed or not. It will never allow the propagation of films which carries dissenting views to the current administration.”

In September, the MTRCB also rated “X” the compilation of films titled Rights which deals with the human rights situation in the country.

In an email that reached Bulatlat, award-winning director Carlitos Siguion Reyna said, “This is the
latest instance of broad-sided political censorship, so soon after the “X”-ing of similar political short films in the “Rights”… also, so soon after the content alteration done by the National Press Club of the Neo-Angono Arts Collective’s press freedom mural.”

ST Exposure’s Mabilin said that they will continue to resist all forms of censorship. He said they will continue utilizing alternative venues to propagate their films. In fact, A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo can be viewed via the Youtube since 2005 (http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=5_x6m_LDryE& feature=related)

Siguion Reyna said that this case is “merely the latest illustration of this government’s view on free expression, truth, and transparency.” Bulatlat

A two-day run last month of a rare art exhibit left the public clamoring for another opportunity to view the genius of an "artist of the people's struggle." The event featured some 100 drawings and paintings of a Philippine countryside in resistance, all done by Mindanaoan Parts Bagani.

It was an art exhibit that would have surely sent the big guns of the National Press Club squirming. Now, they can do just that.

Due to popular demand, the works of artist Parts Bagani will again be shown in a four-day exhibit dubbed as "Sining Luwal ng Kanayunan." It shall open with a brief program at 10 AM, November 26, 2007 at Galleria 2, Faculty Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City. A forum on art and the freedom of expression is scheduled at 9 AM on November 29, 2007, Recto Hall, UP Facuty Center. Popular artists have been invited to perform.

While most artists bask in the atmosphere of Metro Manila and the big cities elsewhere, Parts Bagani opted to stay in the countryside where he was born. In Mindanao, he experienced the turmoil of conflicting forces, and painted a terrain of warfare. His works show his fluency in imaging an environment that is taboo for many an artist, but of which he has gained a profound understanding.

His art abounds with scenes of resistance even of warriors in repose, of schools in open bamboo structures in the forest, of people singing songs of victory, of battered shoes and the lowly rice pot. But most of all, there are the endless mountains and hills that have become host to the struggle itself.

The exhibit is sponsored by the First Quarter Storm Movement, Tag-ani Performing Arts Society, Asosasyon ng mga Kabataang Artista, Kritiko at Iskolar ng Sining at Kultura (UP ASTERISK), UP Alay Sining, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Karatula) and the Congress of Teachers for Nationalism and Democracy.

The exhibit is a fund-raising project for the benefit of cancer-stricken UP Prof. Monico Atienza.

Fame is a power many dream of possessing. It is a power Luis Conrado is very familiar with, especially when he assumes his super-powered alter ego Habagat.

Having the power to fly with the eagles, the strength of a hundred men, and the ability to withstand pain and injury can sometimes pale in comparison to the shining, blinding power of fame.

Standing in that blazing spotlight for too long, Conrado does not notice the ones standing in the shadows. The architects of his fame. The ones who hold the true power.

Read the first three chapters of PELICULA at: www.davidhontiveros .com

Also at the site, a gallery of the super-hero Habagat. With illustrations by Carlo Vergara, Ian Sta, Maria, Kajo Baldisimo, Bow Guerrero, Ronnie Tres Reyes, Dennis Crisostomo, Arvie Villenia, Reno Maniquis, Oliver Pulumbarit, Aldin Viray, and Edgar Tadeo.

A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

The seed for Pelicula was innocuous enough: very casual talk about some Internet rumour or other. Somehow, that spark collided with my long-abiding interest in live-action superheroics, and a novel was born.

Having completed the trio of Penumbra novellas (Takod, Craving, and Parman), I felt ready to tackle a longer story, and Pelicula appeared to have enough meat to warrant a novel-length treatment.

What ultimately emerged was not only something I hadn’t exactly anticipated, it was also a lot of things I’d never really attempted before in my fiction: it was a parody, a satire, a romance, and had gobbets of words and dialogue in Filipino and Taglish.

I’m proud of Pelicula, and extremely thankful to three individuals who helped in its genesis and in getting it where it is today: Nida, who saw it first in its entirety and gave it a thumbs up; and Carl and Budj, for all the support and help over the years.

And now that it’s toddling off onto the World Wide Web, I can only hope it amuses, entertains, and enlightens you, just as much as it amused, entertained, and enlightened me, in the process of putting it all together.

David Hontiveros
November 2007

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Hontiveros is a National Book Award-nominated and Palanca-winning writer, with three horror/dark fantasy novellas (under the Penumbra imprint) out in the market. His short fiction has appeared in such publications as Story Philippines, Philippine Graphic, and Chimera, while his articles and film reviews have been published in Philippine Graphic, the Manila Times, Mirror Magazine, and Manual. He currently prattles on about films and TV shows at http://fiveleggediguana.blogspot.com.