Mindanao Daily Cinema Rehiyon 6 Special

Mindanao Daily NEWS

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February 18-22, 2014

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ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | LIFESTYLE EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE

6 Cinema Rehiyon th

a mosaic of Filipino talents and cultural diversity

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By Stephen J. Pedroza

rom Kalinga in the north and Jolo, Sulu in the south, independent filmmakers converged in Cagayan de Oro City for the Arts month’s biggest celebration of cinematic multiplicity and regional voices.

Under the leadership and auspices of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan’s Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), the five-day festival was packed with left-and-right film screenings, a menu of seminars and workshops conducted by filmmaking stalwarts, a number of special features and a rodeo party, from February 18-22.

A detour from Manila-centric films With the theme, “Filming the frontiers,” this film harvest is one of the few festivals in the country seeking to educate and empower the Filipino audience with pride for local culture and artistic works that exist outside the realm of the capitalistic mainstream cinema.

The director of XCCA and festival head, Hobart Savior believes in the power of independent films in shaping our nation’s psyche and reflections to social atrocities.

“Cinema Rehiyon 6 features filmmaking frontiers that could give positive impact and transform our lives for the better. These films educate us about disaster risk reduction management, climate change, cultural solidarity and other societal issues,” Savior said.

Over the years, Cinema Rehiyon has attracted a growing number of participants, especially students to delve into expressing their creativity through film medium.

“When we initially conceptualized Cinema Rehiyon in 2009, there were a lot of people who were skeptical about it growing but over the years, due to the dedication, love and passion of the filmmakers, curators and others who believe that regional voices must be heard, Cinema Rehiyon has Cinema Rehiyon | Page 2

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February 18-22, 2014

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CINEMA REHIYON from page 1 wonderfully grown,” outgoing chairman of National Committee on Cinema Dr Miguel “Mike” Rapatan said in his speech during the opening ceremony at SM City Cagayan de Oro Cinema 3.

The event offered a total of 98 films (84 short flicks and 14 full-lengths), shown at three different venues— Xavier University Little Theater, SM CDO Cinema 3 and 4. This is the highest number of entries since the inception of Cinema Rehiyon six years ago.

“Every year, the number of films is getting bigger and this shows the vitality of stories from the regions. Cinema Rehiyon has provided opportunities for directors, actors and technical staff to explore, nurture and develop their talents for the love of Philippine cinema,” Dr Rapatan said.

“We need to get the word out that our culture— the Filipino culture— is much more complex, much more diverse and richer than those being shown in the commercial films.”

Bending the classic tale Among the most anticipated films of this year’s Cinema Rehiyon was “Angustia” (Out of the Depths/ Anguish) which director Kristian Sendon Cordero described as a bold love story during the time of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, marred with unconventional elements and explicit twists.

“We have been taught that the colonizers desired us. But here, I wanted to show that we conquered desire and we desired the colonizers also, and that’s the reason why they stayed here for almost four centuries. If we didn’t desire them it wouldn’t last that long,” narrated Cordero, a Palanca winner and assistant professor at Ateneo de Naga University.

“Angustia” is the first movie directed by Cordero, set in 18th century Bicol and formed part of CineMulat-Luzon, the festival’s platform for controversial films (containing ‘obscene’ scenes).

“Hindi lang ‘yung isa and naghahangad, hinahangad ka rin ng hinahangad mo and that would be the source of your anguish, dahil hindi kayang tumbasan ang iyong pagnanasa,” the filmmaker explained.

“It was the native woman who was looking at the colonizer and not the classic thing na sila ‘yung tumingin sa atin, tulad ni Salve na siya’ng tumitingin kay Maria Clara (in Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere”).

Dito ‘yung babae ang naninilip,” he added.

Aside from the steamy shots and ironies, this 2-hour film tackles the plight of the indigenous people of Bicol.

“The film also represents the indigenous people of Bicol, the Agta because they have been marginalized since the time of colonization. Gusto kong maglahad ng kwento tungkol sa kanila.”

Meanwhile, London-educated filmmaker, Grayem Erezo, 25, joined this year’s fest with “Lugdang” (Drowned), inspired by a distressed girl he met at CDO’s Divisoria in 2012.

“She was like mentally drowned,” Erezo emphasized. “I used the word ‘drowned’ because she was drowned physically, mentally and emotionally.

She could not even talk. She lost her family during the flash flood brought about by [Typhoon] Sendong.”

For tackling the aftermath of the catastrophe, “Lugdang” received the 2014 Cinemagis Special Jury Award for Social Responsibility on Climate Change.

For first-time actress Madelyn “Madz” Garcia, acting for Arnel Mardoquio’s “Riddles of My Homecoming” was challenging and daring at the

same time.

The role demanded 22-year-old Garcia to bare skin which she dealt artistically and professionally.

“At first, I don’t want to do it but later on I have to decide for myself; this is my life. This is what the role required me and I wanted to do it,” she said while eliciting a smile.

Filmmakers’ flair On the second night of the festival, the delegates had a street flair around the city with Elite Touring Club (ETC) of CDO. A rodeo party followed at Manresa Farm where the XU Rodeo showcased an exhibition and ceremonial cattle branding.

The party was hosted by Ed Cabagnot, capped with pumping and groovy performances from Upstart Band, Daryl Obelido and Murielle Lomadilla.

It was the first time for a Cinema Rehiyon party to be held at a rodeo arena.

Masterpieces of Gerry de Leon and Eddie Romero In addition, 6th Cinema Rehiyon paid tribute to the birth centenary of National Artist for Cinema Gerry de Leon through a special film-showing of one of his masterpieces, “Banaue,” starring Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon at SM CDO Cinema 3.

A mythical story, “Banaue” was set in the millennial period featuring the Ifugao tribe and the world-renowned Banaue Rice Terraces.

The story plot: “After a long search, Banaue (Aunor) and the Ifugaos made the lush mountains of the northern Philippines their new home. They cultivated the land with their bare hands, carving the mountains into stairway-like rice fields. After years of toiling, the wondrous rice terraces were finished, but tribal wars erupted when the Kalingas invade

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Mindanao Daily

February 18-22, 2014

their territory. In the final confrontation, Ifugao Sadek (de Leon) fought Kalinga Aruk (Ronaldo Valdez) for Banaue’s affection and the right to claim the promised land.”

Including “Banaue,” de Leon has made a total of 71 films before his death on July 25, 1981 with the latter as his last piece.

For the finale of the festival, a re-mastered version of National Artist Eddie Romero’s magnum opus “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon” was screened at SM CDO Cinema 3.

The film chronicles the picaresque adventures of a young, naive country bumpkin named Kulas and his whimsical encounters with denizens of various nationalities – Spanish, American, Chinese, indio – is a metaphor for the Filipino quest for identity at a time when nationhood was still an imagined concept.

This 1976 film was set during the luminal period when the Philippines was in transition from Spanish to American colonial reign.

It swept most of the awards at the 1976 Metro Manila Film Festival, and was subsequently voted Best Picture at the First Urian Awards in 1977.

Behind the scenes This event would not be possible without the dynamic people who put the activities and logistics in place.

Precious Faye Manit, Development Communication student at XU described her experience as a liaison officer as enjoyable and inspiring.

“At first, I was so hesitant to join. Seeing the schedule, it was very loaded but later on we realized that it was really fun,” she said.

Manit added: “Cinema Rehiyon allows the

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independent filmmakers from different regions to showcase their talents and skills. This is also a way to promote Cagayan de Oro City and Mindanao.

Because of Cinema Rehiyon I was total inspired to make a film one day.”

More than 50 student volunteers, performers and staff joined took part to make this national fest a big success.

“What pressures you is what you’ve promised,” the festival director said, expressing his gratitude to all the people behind the event. “This is the fruit of our labor as a team.”

A mosaic of different cultures With screenings expanding every year, local audiences are also growing to level with the rise in film quality.

The festival also featured a menu of seminars and workshops for aspiring moviemakers and actors in CineLikha with veteran actors Leo Martinez and Rez Cortez as resource speakers and mentors.

This year’s CineTalakayan focused on the fusion of DRRM and films to compliment the CineBarangay film-showings held in two communities ravaged by Sendong, Brgy Balulang and Xavier Ecoville, the XU-led resettlement village in Brgy Lumbia.

“Part of CineBarangay is giving the communities a multimedia forum on climate change resiliency and disaster risk reduction management,” Savior said.

For the delegates and guests, Engr Dexter Lo conducted a seminar on DRRM and Films, Leni Velasco on Film and Social Responsibility, Arnel Mardoquio on Film and Social Development and Ellen Ongkeko Marfil on Film Marketing and Distribution. The lectures were held at Pryce Plaza

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on Feb 19.

At XULT, Cinemagis product Jenriel Pons Lagat discussed on “Filmmaking Student: A Film Thesis and Learning Process” where he shared his experiences, struggles and techniques as a young filmmaker.

Dr Paul Douglas Grant and Radel Paredes also glued the audience to their seats with a talk about the history of Cebuano films.

On the edge Cinema Rehiyon formed part of the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF) celebration, “Arts on the Edge” of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in line with Presidential Proclamation 683 of 1991.

Moviegoers were only required to bring personal care items for their admission to the screening venues, which will be donated to the Yolandalashed places in the Visayas.

The festival served as a platform for filmmakers not just to come together but also to share common struggles and challenges and interact with their audience.

Both Dr Rapatan and Savior believe that the interest for regional films among Filipinos must be ignited and rekindled. The challenge now for Philippine filmmaking industry is how to engage the younger generations to Cinema Rehiyon and other festivals alike.

“We are a mosaic of different cultures and we should showcase that to our country,” Dr Rapatan stated.

“Why can’t we tell our own story? Why does it have to be Manila-made?” *** To relive the festival, visit cinemarehiyon.com.

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February 18-22, 2014

Festival Director Hobart P SavioR Festival Coordinator/Production Manager Roan June N Gomez Finance Officer /Deputy Secretary Margie Alberastine Regional Curator Luzon Katrina Tan, Jason Paul Laxamana Regional Curator Visayas Ma Victoria Beltran, Mariano Montelibano III Regional Curator Mindanao Dax Cañedo Rudolph, Ian Alama Head of Secretariat Jean Sophia M Salazar Secretariat staff Arthur Nery Jun Marine Amante , John Vincent Caharian Liaison Officer/Ushering Committee Head Flora Magriña Liaison Team/Staff Cheryl Belarmino Precious Manit, Jinmer Ong, Daniel Talugco Ushering Committee Members JPIA Technical Director Marlowe Chan Film Screening Program Coordinator Lera Fay Cotiangco Assistant Film Screening Program Coordinator Cathy VeleZ, Robbie Rivera Forum and Workshop Coordinator Christine Faith Gumalal Marketing and Promotion Officer Rex Soriano Audience Development Officer Cathelyn Adajar Audience Development Officer Ma Estella Sanchez Media Officer Shaun Alejandrae Uy Publication Officer Vanessa Gorra Web designer/ Lay-out Artist for Festival Catalogue/Festival Shirt Designer Niccu Bagonoc Festival Writers Stephen Pedroza, Althea Dianne Felix Audio-Visual & Graphic Artist Ronald Mastail Socials Coordinator Xyla Mercedita E Gualberto Exhibit Coordinator Ryan Louie Madrid Logo Illustrator & Token designer Pennessencio ‘Nonoy’ Estarte Photo and Video Documentation Eastine Charles Taneo, James Gayloa Sarah Jane Ragay, Kirk Liponhay, Julee Ann Marie Borgouin, Frances Vyne Acenas La Victoria, Mariejo Indira Ghandi Saligumba, Roque Salvo, Lea Cid

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