The other day, my friend brought me to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex in Manila-Pasay. This great structure was built by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1969 to "promote and preserve Filipino arts and culture, and to become a mecca of culture and the arts in Asia." It wasn't my first time in the CCP, as I have seen a number of plays and musicales there, but it was my first time to experience the CCP Main Building - Tanghalang Pambansa this way (as shown in the photo).
Oh, I saw this cute little boy, who is on top of the structure of the CCP. What do you think is he doing? Beats me.
1.) 24K directed by Ana Agabin Manok is a middle-class treasure hunter who’s been digging for Japanese treasure for years. He and his companions are in the final stage of their current site in the mountains of Suyo, Ilocos Sur, an area reputed as a Japanese stronghold during World War II. All the signs at their site indicate that they are certain to find treasure. With their resources nearly depleted, Manok convinces his godfather in marriage, Freddie, to finance the rest of their operations. Manok, Freddie, and another friend, Boyet, journey back to the site hoping that, as their medium predicted, they will find gold before Manok’s wife gives birth in a month’s time.
Getting back to the site turns out to be more difficult than expected. Manok and his companions manage to make it back to the site but in the process stir up some trouble in the community. Soon, mysterious things happen at the site. With each of them becoming more and more paranoid, Manok struggles to keep the group intact long enough to unearth the treasure that he believes is just within their reach.
2.) Ang Nerseri (The Nursery) by Vic Acedillo, Jr. Cocoy ,12, takes on a great responsibility of taking care of his older siblings while his mother, Mai, goes to the province to get money to pay the expensive hospital bills for her three mentally sick children. His mother is gone for two weeks and Cocoy’s struggle in managing his personal, school and home life is a nerve-racking challenge. In the end he faces truth and life head-on as he fights for his own sanity.
3.) Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin Yapan
A husband's love is put to the test when baskets of black fruits kept appearing mysteriously by Fe's doorstep. A wife's loyalty becomes oppressive as a younger lover, Arturo, offers a fantasy for escape. Caught in a society where violence still remains unimaginably real and covertly present, could the imagined be real enough for a woman to assure her survival?
4.) Astig (Mga Batang Kalye) by GB Sampedro
ASTIG (Mga Batang Kalye), written by multi-awarded writer Jerry B. Gracio, produced by Noel Ferrer and directed by GB Sampedro is an episodic tale of four young men whose stories parallel and contrast with the landmarks and various images of Manila. It tells the story of Ariel, a conman who has to leave his girlfriend upon learning that she is in love with him; Boy, an expectant young father who has to sell his body to pay his wife's hospital bill; Ronald, a Chinese mestizo who is coming to grips with his identity; and Baste, an overly protective son of an OFW who has to avenge his sister. The film tells the stories of the tough guys of Manila and their resolve to survive the dirt and filth of the "Distinguished and Ever Loyal City."
5.) Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros Two people. Simon a promising young cop working part-time as a driver of one of the many “undocumented” and ‘illegal’ FX taxis in the metro. And Pedro, a 70 year old ex-convict. An unfortunate incident forces the two together to embark on a road trip across the Historic Philippine East Coast.
But, what was expected as an escape route doomed to be a domino of crime begetting crime, becomes a wagon of life choices to them and to the people they meet. The film takes a look at the paradox of the human condition, and the “grayscale” morality that is today’s Philippines.
6.) Dinig Sana Kita by Mike Sandejas
The film is a love story between a Deaf boy who loves to dance and a troubled rocker girl who abuses her hearing. One lives in the world of solitude and silence, the other in noise and fear. Crossing paths in a Baguio camp that mixes Deaf and hearing kids, both find that they have more in common with each other including a love for music.
DINIG SANA KITA is the first Filipino film to have a Deaf Actor in a Lead role. Romalito Mallari is a Deaf performer that has played several stage productions as actor and/or dancer. It also features several Deaf actors in the cast and ensemble.
7.) Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno
Richard and Raymond are two teenage brothers in Davao City. Richard is the leader of his gang, "Bagong Buwan," while Raymond is just being inducted into rival gang, "Batang Dilim." Complications at a deadly midnight engkwentro (square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother. Meanwhile, the Davao Death Squad lurks the streets. This real-life vigilante group is allegedly backed by the city mayor and responsible for many unsolved murders of teen gangsters. Today, they are hunting down Richard. Will they take the younger brother, too?
8.) Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel
Based on a true story, Last Supper No. 3 is a humorous look at the circuitous path our legal system takes to justice. Assistant Production Designer Wilson Nañawa is tasked to look for a Last Supper to use as a prop for a TV commercial. He finds three, but loses the one owned by Gareth Pugeda. What happens next changes Wilson forever as he spends the next two years entangled in bureaucracy and red tape facing estafa and serious physical injury charges. How will this ordinary man fare against a system he knows nothing about? Will justice prevail for Wilson? Or will he be imprisoned for the loss of Last Supper No. 3?
9.) Mangatyanan (The Blood Trail) by Jerrold Tarog
HIMALAYA “Laya” MARQUEZ has never had a complete dream since she was 12. Something always wakes her up at night. That something used to be her father, the famous photographer DANILO MARQUEZ, whose constant sexual abuse of Laya tore her family apart. Now, at 27, Laya possesses a cold exterior that hides torrents of pain. Working as a travel photographer, Laya is sent to Isabela to capture a rare harvest ritual called Mangatyanan by the Labwanan tribe. What Laya finds there, however, is a severely dwindled group held together by their desperate leader MANG RENATO. Soon Laya senses a strong connection between the tribe’s predicament and her own troubled life. Events spiral out of control as the Mangatyanan crumbles under Mang Renato’s desperate grip and Laya is forced to flee. But something happens that brings her face-to-face with her own demons. Will she finally confront her past or will she keep running?
10.) Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco Sanglaan looks at seemingly simple relationships and uncomplicated events happening in a very mundane institution. A religious and single-minded businesswoman with a losing proposition, afraid of old age. A timid, vulnerable girl hopelessly in love with a high school crush. A security guard whose wife has a fragile heart. A charming and mysterious seaman just passing through. And a loan shark who won’t take “no” for an answer. These are some of the characters that populate the milieu of Sanglaan, a light, funny, poignant and very Pinoy story about hope and redemption.
Cinemalaya 2009 will be held from July 17 to 26, 2009 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) along Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The awards night will be held on July 26, 2009.
Some friends and I planned to watch Lea Salonga's Cinderella, which premieres its Asian tour here in Manila, more or less a month ago. Last night was the official opening of the play. Admittedly, it was a magical night of sound, lights and costumes. I really loved the play. It is my first ever full-blown play with international superstar cast.
Two of the songs that I like the most are "In My Own Little Corner" and "Impossible." These parts of the lyrics struck me the most.
"I'm as mild and as meek as a mouse
When I hear a command I obey.
But I know of a spot in my house where no one can stand in my way. In my own little corner in my own little chair I can be whatever I want to be."
and
"Impossible! But the world is full of zanies and fools who don't believe in sensible rules and won't believe what sensible people say.. and because these daft and dewey eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes impossible things are happening every day!"
Two traits that Filipinos have in common with Cinderella is that we both are "matiyaga" and "pasensyoso" (hardworking and patient). We take in whatever hardships life would throw at us, and we keep on going and going and going like the Energizer bunny. I guess, similarly, the play teaches us, Filipinos, how to love, dream, hope, and actualize and do impossible things in life.
Though I consider myself a Lea Salonga fan, I really haven't seen any of her concerts and theatre shows ever in my life, until yesterday. After watching and hearing her live, who wouldn't love Lea Salonga? I have proven over and over and over again that her voice is just the purest and pristine of all. Congratulations to Bobby Garcia, and of course, Lea Salonga! We are proud of the accomplishments of Filipinos like you! :)
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, presented by Broadway Asia Entertainment and starring world-renowned Filipina artist Lea Salonga, runs July 29-August 24 at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It will then tour other Asian countries like Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Korea. Bobby Garcia leads the powerhouse production team. Tickets are now available at selected National Book Store branches, selected Robinsons Department Stores, Ayala Malls-Greenbelt 1/Glorietta 1, and the Ticketworld office or website. Ticket prices are at P500-P7,000. Call 8919999 for inquiries and reservations.
