Interview
Did you ever see yourself your current position several years ago, when you were still teaching in Xavier School? Definitely not! Never in my wildest dreams, even when I was still a student, that I thought I'd be in "showbiz." hahaha!
organization that I did during Buwan ng Wika, Likas Gilas and ACP, and Christmas Drive, all those I used in marketing and promoting the movie. I was a oneman team when it came to marketing and sales. We simply could not afford to hire anyone else.
How can our readers here in Europe watch, and perhaps even support, independent Filipino films such as "Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe"?
Now that you have achieved considerable success in film production, what are your plans for the coming years? What is your next project, Three ways: 1) By co-producing indie films. If you have the extra if any? We are now finishing our second film. It is entitled Gayuma: Pilgrim Lovers. As “….Fe was drama with a bit of horror, Gayuma is a mix of horror and love story. There are killing moments but also a few scary scenes.
Do you miss teaching?
Yes and no. Right now kasi, I am partnered with a Singapore company who provide educational tours for students. For the Philippines, we came up with social entrepreneurial and social outreach tours. We bring Singapore and Hong Kong students to places like Payatas and Tagaytay where they help with the urban and rural poor. They also learn how different groups and foundations help these groups in a positive and uplifting way. In a way, I get to interact with students and still impart values to them. I also volunteer for the Ateneo Center for Educational Development where we profile public schools. So when I observe classes, that is when I miss teaching the most. However, I get to teach during summer. I hold Filipino enrichment classes for students who would want to get an early start. I focus mostly on the classics like Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere, etc. Because by learning these classics, students learn so much reading and comprehension skills that will enable them to do better in the coming school year. But I do not miss the checking and all the extra work that comes with teaching that are more clerical in nature.
How did your experiences as a teacher help with your (relatively) new career?
A lot. I handled my job as producer the same way I did when I ran the Filipino department in Xavier. I had to manage the people and make sure that everyone is happy with what they are doing. I also had to find ways and means to provide for my director. All the
income, and you feel strongly about a project or a filmmaker, go for it. For just a small amount, a film can actually be made. 2) For filmmakers who get chosen for European filmfests, offer your couch. Unlike other countries, our filmmakers spend their own money if they enter into a film festival. The government only provides reimbursement and it is only for those who get into top festivals. Some are generous enough to provide both airfare and accommodations. Others, especially the big ones, do not even offer accommodations. I have heard of stories where filmmakers had to contend with cup noodles brought from the Philippines simply because they do not have enough money to pay for their food. We practically ate only two meals a day in Cairo simply because those were the only ones provided by the festival. In Chicago, I would buy a footlong using a coupon, have it cut into three pieces and that would be my breakfast, lunch and dinner. 3) By patronizing indie cinema. Just watch. Or buy the DVD. Hold your own festivals or screenings where the filmmakers can earn a few buck or two from the sales. You would be surprise at the quality of some of these indie films. Just by knowing that people watch our movies give us the energy to do some more.
Xavier School in Manila, was founded in 1956 by Jesuit missionaries expelled from mainland China. It has been providing Filipino-Chinese youth with a Jesuit education and Catholic formation. A Xaverian is guided by the 6 C’s – competence, culture, compassion, conscience, character and community. 59