amBisyon 2010: Population / Health (Da More Da Meniyer by Erik Matti / Hindi Ako Makatulog ‘Pag Wala Ka Sa Tabi Ko by Jade Castro)

The results of the May 10 automated elections reveal that there is no such thing as a ‘Catholic vote.’ The Catholic Church exhorted its flock to shun candidates who favor the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. Six bishops supported presidential candidate JC de los Reyes but he ended up with the fewest votes. Another presidential candidate who rejected the controversial bill is Manny Villar. The latter was relegated to a distant third place after being a frontrunner in the early months of 2010.

‘President-in-waiting’ Benigno Aquino III was once a firm supporter of the RH bill. He has since modified his stance to ‘responsible parenthood.’ While Erik Matti’s short film takes a swipe at the Catholic Church’s pro-life stand, the film really zooms in on poor stewardship and irresponsible parenthood.

Matti retells the story of Adam and Eve in a paradisiacal place. The couple ends up being guardians of the Garden of Eden. After Adam’s sexual overture gets rejected by Eve, the horny man takes his case to God. The latter reminds the pair of the commandment to ‘go out and multiply.’ The proliferation of humans takes its toll on food resources.

Whatever your take on the effects of a bloated population on the economy, the well-directed film is a campy, entertaining thing to watch. Part of the fun is seeing Richard Somes as Adam. He is hilarious in the scene showing him ranting against his kids who had devoured leftovers. I also loved the animation scenes incorporated in this low-budget film.

The nation’s health budget is the topic of Jade Castro’s short film. During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo there was a drop in the budget allotted to health care.

A male call center agent narrates how the lack of health care insurance affects him and his fellow agents. He casually reveals that lots of sex couplings do happen in the call center industry. The stress of working late nights weakens the immune system of employees. A sizable chunk of their salaries goes to purchasing high-priced medicines.

Filmmaker Castro takes a look at possible alternatives to buying expensive medicines at well-known drugstores. There is a growing network of small drugstores offering cheaper medicines. And, if the prices are still too exorbitant for the poor, then Castro subtly suggests people to start growing medicinal plants and herbs at their backyards.

I’m not a big fan of voiceovers but this film does a neat voiceover job. It helps that the voice seems to belong to a friendly male who loved his grandmother.

amBisyon 2010: PSG Pandesal Sardinas Gatas by Jon Red

One of the great things done by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is ordering the renovation of the Malacañan Museum. The ornate museum contains memorabilia of all 14 presidents of the Philippines and showcases art pieces by National Artists such as Guillermo Tolentino and Fernando Amorsolo.

I joined a walking tour of the museum last month. The first few minutes bolstered my preconceived notions of uber-strict members of the Presidential Security Guard (PSG) unit. Owing to my proletarian countenance, I was accosted by a PSG member at the Mendiola gate. He asked me what are my plans in the Malacañan Palace complex. They let me through and I asked another PSG member for instructions on reaching a certain street. I was surprised when he told me to hop onboard his motorcycle and proceeded to take me to my destination. That bit of kindness completely changed my views of PSG people. Mababait naman pala sila. Hindi pala sila mga robot.

Jon Red’s excellent short film is memorable for showing a PSG member in a different light. Lucas is not just any character; he is one of the guys I’ve seen at the Malacañan Palace compound. These are the guys who are tasked with a thankless job. But, despite that, they still care for their fellow Filipinos and country.

The film begins with Lucas telling the story of a child snatcher coddled by a guardian cop. He remarks that the cop should be held accountable for the bad behavior of the child. He adds that people in power and authority doesn’t need to be the best and the brightest. The only requirement is they should not turn a blind eye on evil things.

The beautiful camerawork by Larry Manda captures the mouth-watering breakfast of Lucas. The food is a far cry from the simple fare he eats in his childhood days. ‘That is part of progress,’ says his companion Chef Punsal. Everybody changes for the better. The definition of progress gets a bit of a tweaking from Lucas when applied to the country’s economic growth. The country is indeed moving forward…but towards a pit.

The best political swipe in the film is at the end when the identity of Lucas’ boss is laid bare. Chef Punsal reminds him to take care of their boss. In a nicely executed scene, Nonie Buencamino brings out the conflicting emotions felt by Lucas with regards his job. Lucas insouciantly says ‘Kailangang bantayan.’ The glazy eyes, hunched shoulders, and bowed head reflect resignation from the PSG member.

Kailangang bantayan. Those two words are perfect advice to Filipinos trooping to voting precincts next week. We need to be alert and thwart any evil schemes of politicians. In 2004, scores of people kept vigil at the precinct levels. All their hardships and sacrifices were obliterated because of a mere illicit telephone call by the President.

Let’s do our bit in ensuring a clean and transparent automated election. I’m still hopeful that a clean and honest May 10, 2010 election will be one of the best legacies of the Arroyo administration.

*********
The television screenings of amBisyon 2010 were abruptly halted because of censorship. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board earlier gave X ratings to two short films. Television episodes containing these X-rated films were subsequently deemed unfit for public viewing.

amBisyon 2010: Justice & Human Rights (Requiem for M by Kiri Dalena / Laro by Emman de la Cruz)

The November 2009 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao is a difficult topic to put on film. The barbarity of the perpetrators is too much to take. The graphic descriptions from news reports are so gruesome it makes the skin crawl. Several victims were beheaded. Some of the women were raped. Corpses and vehicles shared the same vast burial pits, which were creepily prepared days ahead.

Five months later the incident is still big news. Media groups raised a howl over Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s decision to dismiss murder charges against two prominent members of the Ampatuan clan. You can’t blame the media people because 30 of their colleagues died during the massacre. It is the biggest atrocity committed against journalists in years.

One of the amBisyon 2010 films, Emman de la Cruz’s Laro reenacts the November 2009 massacre using action figures and plastic toy vehicles. It is not a great film. Heck, it’s not even one of the better films from the omnibus. But, if we take into account how the Ampatuan clan members played around with the results of the elections in 2004 and the brazenness in which they dispose of rivals and media people in 2009, then the film makes sense. The arrogant members of the clan are so full of themselves that they believe they can toy and bully anyone who gets in their way.

Jailed suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. continues to fool around with the media people. There is a certain smugness in him that seem to say ‘I’ll get away with this.’ He was able to hold a press conference wherein he shared his choice of presidential candidate and senatorial candidates. Andal seems to get a kick being in the media spotlight. Maybe what he needs is a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick in the face.

Kiri Dalena’s Requiem for M deals with a widow’s search for justice. The wailing of Myrna Reblando sends shivers. She gets to see the place where the massacre happened. The image of the backhoe brings up memories of the gory fate of her husband and 56 other people.

Dalena utilized backward playing of scenes. As long as justice has not been served, Reblando and other family members will always look back at the incident and fight for their fallen loved ones.

The two short films are good films. However, I’m recommending a feature film that depicts why incidents like Maguindanao massacre occur. Arnel Mardoquio’s excellent Hospital Boat focuses on political warlordism in Mindanao. It examines the uphill battle by peace activists in the southern island. Try to watch this Urian best picture nominee.

amBisyon 2010: Poverty (Lupang Hinarang Sa Sumilao by Ditsi Carolino / Ayos Ka by Brillante Mendoza)

Poverty alleviation and agrarian reform issues figure prominently in the May 2010 presidential race. Manny Villar bombarded the TV airwaves with pro-poor ads. He presented himself as having come from a family so poor that they didn’t have money to treat his brother. Critics came out to disprove his fairy tale.

A New York Times interview with Noynoy Aquino’s cousin Fernando Cojuangco reveal that Aquino’s vow of redistributing Hacienda Luisita to the farmers within 5 years may be sheer posturing. Cojuangco, chief operating officer of the holding company owning the plantation, said the Cojuangco extended family will not give up the 10,000-acre land or get out of the sugar business.

Politicians prey on the hopes and dreams of poor voters. The National Statistical Coordination Board states that there are 27.6 million poor people in the Philippines in 2006. These poor people live on a little less than 42 pesos a day.

Take a peek into some of their stories…

Lupang Hinarang sa Sumilao (2010, Ditsi Carolino)

The short film is gleaned from a segment of the magnificent documentary Lupang Hinarang. It chronicles the 12-year odyssey of Bukidnon-based farmers to gain back their ancestral lands. 155 farmers walk for miles to fight for a 144-hectare land in 2007. The support of a prominent bishop, politicians, and media compels the government to heed the demands of the farmers.

Filmmaker Ditsi Carolino gave an update on the farmers. Their leader Rene Peñas was assassinated in June 2009. Only a third of the land had been redistributed to the farmers. The fight is not yet over for the Sumilao farmers.

If you want to know why the Hacienda Luisita case is a big political issue, then watch this short film or better yet, watch the original documentary.

Ayos Ka (2010, Brillante Mendoza)

Filmmaker Brillante Mendoza had been criticized for allegedly making ‘poverty porn’ films for international film festivals. ‘Poverty porn’ is a type of film that employs shocking images in showing the misery and suffering of people living or working in hellish, abject conditions. Mendoza countered that he is just showing what is really happening in the country.

One of the things I loved most about the Mendoza films is that despite the grim subject there is some humor or trace of hope shimmering in the films. His latest film Ayos Ka is a wickedly ironic music video. The initial set of lyrics depicts the beauty of living in the Philippines. However, the images tell a different story. Third World squalor is shown for all to see. Kids are scavenging for recyclable items. A snatcher is scampering away with his loot.

There is an unforgettable, powerful scene showing a horde of istambays at a street corner. The accompanying lyrics remind the youth to shape up in order to avoid sharing the fate of these scums. The song ends with a shot of a smiling toddler.

The music video has such an infectious melody that I’ve had a bad case of LSS for days. The images are so brutal that it provokes the viewers to ask why these things are happening in their midst. Hopefully, the pondering viewer will make a wise choice in the coming May 10 elections.

Ayos Ka is a dig on politicians who trumpet economic growth of the Philippines. The economic gains are not trickling down to the ones who need it most. As long as millions of Filipinos are poor, there will also be millions of stories/images ripe enough to be filmed.

*******
What happened to the television screening of Part Two of amBisyon 2010 last weekend? The ABS-CBN News Channel 27 should have informed viewers what was the cause of the non-showing. amBisyon 2010 is a great project. I’ve seen majority of the films and I was hoping to see the other films on television. Will there be a screening in the future?

amBisyon 2010: Education (Faculty by Jerrold Tarog / Wasteland by Ellen Ramos)

The University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) is not under the jurisdiction of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) - UPFI

The UPFI finally bared its fangs and courageously made a stand on the issue of censorship. Before the screening of the amBisyon 2010 short films at UPFI, cinema programmer Nonoy Lauzon read a statement by the institute. It said that any form of censorship and classification runs counter to the academic freedom espoused by the university. UPFI is not, and will not be, under the jurisdiction of the repressive MTRCB. With regards to the issue of holding commercial screenings, Nonoy stated that the Film Theater (now Cine Adarna) is managed and operated by the UPFI as an income-generating unit.

UPFI went on to defiantly screen an X-rated film of AmBisyon 2010 that Friday night (April 9). On that same night, four short films made their television premiere on ABS-CBN News Channel 27. Included in the lineup were the films Faculty and Wasteland.

Faculty (2010, Jerrold Tarog)

UP activists. Academic freedom. Making a stand.

These topics were tackled in the short film by Jerrold Tarog. It is another fine example of Tarog’s ability to input social commentary in his films. The director chose education as his issue because he believes that it is the starting point in bringing about change. The brilliant script is complemented by fine performances by Che Ramos and Bea Garcia.

Two best friends working in an exclusive school in Metro Manila get embroiled in the hospitalization of a student named Julia. The senior student was at a rally when she received the brunt of police brutality. Julia identified Joan as the teacher who exhorted (and probably coerced) the students to attend the rally.

Ria reminds Joan that they are no longer at the University of the Philippines. ‘There are no activists in this school,’ she says. Joan growls back at her friend and points out the need for their rich students to be exposed to social conditions around them. They have the money and network (ie. relatives in government positions) to make important changes in the future.

Ria made a curt comment that the bratty college students do not care about social issues. ‘It is too late to make a change in their behavior,’ she says. Is it really too late? Joan doesn’t think so. The activist makes an emphatic decision at the end.

Social activism has many risks but if activists refuse to make a stand, then who will? If not today, then when will social change start?

Wasteland (2010, Ellen Ramos)

Director Ellen Ramos sees animation as an intimate way of expressing what she wants to convey to audiences. She likes the ability of animation to present serious issues in a lighter vein.

Wasteland takes a look at a scavenger boy’s ordeal in going to school. After a night’s work of retrieving recyclable items from garbage dumps, he gets ready to go to school. In his daily walks, he encounters lots of problems. The rickety school building at the end speaks volume about the state of education in the country.

I adore the feel and pacing of the film. The music and sound effects are okay. But, there’s a tiny thing that marred the film. When the boy started to ascend the stairs his body become longer. I was wondering whether there was a leap from elementary to high school years. But, there wasn’t a change in the time period. The animator had to draw a bigger boy because the steps are too high.

The two short films will be screened once more on Thursday (April 15, 10:30 pm) at Studio 23. Included also in Part 1 are the excellent films of Brillante Mendoza and Ditsi Carolino.

*****
Recommended films about education:
Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong (Mes de Guzman) – Two siblings walk for miles in order to go to school daily

Pisay (Aurelius Solito) – Eight scholars get enmesh in a web of changes during the waning years of the Marcos regime

amBisyon 2010: Television schedules

The best and most promising local filmmakers participated in the amBisyon 2010 project of the ABS-CBN News Channel 27. They created 20 short films that dealt with 10 major issues in the country. These short films are meant to provoke viewers to think… about social change… about the future of the country… about the coming May 10 elections…

amBisyon 2010 had its television premiere last Friday, April 9 at 6:00 pm on ANC Channel 27. It was a fantastic start. The first part showed two excellent short films about poverty and two very good short features about education. I haven’t seen the other four parts but I have a feeling that the first part is the must-see segment.

Part One contains Ditsi Carolino’s Lupang Hinarang Sa Sumilao, an eye-opener on the issue of land reform. The short film is an abbreviated version of her magnificent documentary Lupang Hinarang. The best of the lot is Brillante Mendoza’s Ayos Ka. It is a music video showing scenes of poverty. I had a bad case of LSS after watching the video. The rap song Ayos Ka by Mandarhyme has an infectious melody with lyrics dealing with the positive side of living in the Philippines. However, the images tell a different story. These images contain some of the most horrifying scenes captured in a Mendoza film. I still shudder at the brutal scene showing a horde of istambays at the street corner. I hope the youth get to see this film and the Carolino feature. Also included in Part One are the films of Jerrold Tarog and Ellen Ramos.

Catch the replay of Part One of AmBisyon 2010 on Thursday, April 15 at 10:30 pm on Studio 23.

******

Schedule of television premieres of the other 16 short films (ie. four short films per segment):

ABS-CBN News Channel 27:

Part 2 (April 16, Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Part 3 (April 23, Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Part 4 (April 30, Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Part 5 (May 7, Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

Replays on ABS-CBN News Channel 27:

Part 2 (April 17, Saturday 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Part 3 (April 24, Saturday 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Part 4 (May 1, Saturday 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Part 5 (May 8, Saturday 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

Replays on Studio 23:

Part 1 (April 15, Thursday 10:30 PM - 11:30 PM)

Part 2 (April 16, Friday 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

Part 3 (April 23, Friday 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

Part 4 (April 30, Friday 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

Part 5 (May 7, Friday 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

The White Funeral (1997, Sari Dalena)

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

A lost and troubled bride wanders aimlessly along an expansive white wonderland. Her sister holds the three-meter-long tail of the gown. The latter pauses to take a look at the bouquet thrown by the bride. It is already wilted. The dried branches form a jumbled mess.

A further look at the landscape reveals dried up trees. The whole place seems cursed. Strewn pebbles and stones are all over. A stunning series of images shows how the place was punished. A black-clad malevolent entity is wildly gesturing on top of a church. Sins of unfaithfulness pollute and engulf the whole land. The unexpected punishment comes like a thief in the night. The roaring sound of the torrent, the scary image of the princess of darkness, and superimposed footage of rampaging lahar makes for a memorable, horrific moment.

After the deluge, only a few structures manage to rise above the lahar. There is nary a form of life on the barren earth. Vast farm lands have become a desert. Whole towns are buried and in ruins.

Slowly, there is some life arising. A group of dark-skinned kids crawl towards a gnarled tree. Their faces and bodies transform into a myriad of kaleidoscopic images. A young boy discovers a river and bathes into this refreshing oasis. It signifies the washing of sins from the hearts of the people. Simultaneously, new life springs out from cocoons. Out the people go! Smiling, jumping, and performing a dance of thanksgiving, they were such a joy to watch. It is simply pure bliss captured on film!

Dalena brilliantly used biblical scriptures about people buried in filth and lust, cursed places, and reconciliation to create an inspiring, spiritual movie experience. The uplifting ending resounds to the music of Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria in Excelsis Deo. The excellent music score ups the ante by using Joey Ayala's Walang Hanggang Paalam in the end credits. The Ayala piece has been used in romance films such as Sana Maulit Muli and Donsol but in this film, shot mostly in lahar-ravaged Zambales, the song takes on a new facet. It may also be seen as dealing with God's everlasting love.

A big, big thank you to the UP Film Institute people such as Nonoy, William, Dolly, and Blasilda for persistently screening wonderful films. The short films of Sari and Kiri Dalena serve as a fantastic ender to the celebration of International Women's Month at the UP Film Institute.

Cinemalaya shorts at Pasinaya 2010: CCP Open House Festival

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will be holding its one-day performing arts festival, Pasinaya 2010: CCP Open House Festival on Sunday, February 7, 2010. CCP resident companies such as the UST Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Philippines will perform excerpts of their upcoming shows. Aside from the Resident Company Zone, there will be a Music Zone, a Dance Zone, a Theater Zone, a Literary Zone, a Visual Arts Zone, and the Children’s Zone. Watch as much as you can for only a minimum donation of 20 pesos. Saan ka pa?

The Film Zone features five short films from last year’s edition of Cinemalaya. The recommended films are the winning entries Bonsai and Blogog. Tatang is also worth a view.

Blogog (Rommel Tolentino)

Rommel Tolentino has carved a name for himself as maker of award-winning short films. He won awards for Orasyon (2006) and the rollicking hilarious feature Andong (2008). His latest short film Blogog nabbed the special jury award. It tells the charming story of a boy who picked up a mysterious ball. The object buoys up the spirits and confidence of the bullied kid.

Bonsai (Borgy Torre)

An overweight security guard tries his best to lose some pounds. He is eyeing a beauteous morena. Taking inspiration from the bonsai plant, he goes extreme in his makeover. Richard Somes, director of Yanggaw, does a fine acting job as the obese Rico. Angel Aquino also stars as the object of Rico’s affection.

Tatang (Nico Hernandez)

Tatang is a gritty story about a snatcher’s daughter getting involved in petty crimes. A fateful gunshot will forever scar the delinquent girl.

Si Bok at ang Trumpo (Hubert Tibi)

I barely remember this film. Watch something else at the CCP.

Wat Floor Ma’am (Mike Sandejas and Robert Seña)

Mike Sandejas collaborated with Robert Seña on this over-the-top imagining of a discussion between a former First Lady of the Philippines and a rugged action star. Watch something else at the CCP.


Pasinaya 2010 Information

Cinema One Originals 2009: The films of Raymond Red

The Cinema One Originals Digital Movie Festival 2009 was a veritable feast for movie lovers. A retrospective of works by maverick filmmakers, Brillante Mendoza and Danny Zialcita, was on hand. A welcome surprise is the screening of Raymond Red's award-winning short films.

A Study for the Skies (1988) is a silent meditation on a young man's futile attempts at flying. He tries out several wing contraptions that are similar to those inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. After several failed attempts, the defiant man does a Vitruvian man. An audacious piece of filmmaking, the film won a Best Short award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Anino (2000) is the Cannes-winning short film of Red. It is a wonderful tribute of sorts to Lino Brocka's Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag. A harried and hungry photographer seeks solace at Malate Church. He had not eaten in a day. Upon his exit from the church, a mysterious man in black taunts him. ‘Prayers are useless.’ ‘You’re a thief.’ The words of the enigmatic stranger cling to him like a shadow. The next time they meet, the hapless lens man had all been eaten up by the darkness and filth oozing from all corners of Manila.

Director Raymond Red will once more explore the themes from the short films (ie. flying as a metaphor for escape, and Manila as hell for impoverished people) in his latest film, Himpapawid (2009, Manila Skies). The story deals with Raul Lakan, a downtrodden man who cannot take the ills of the city anymore. He joins a heist that goes badly. Armed with a grenade, he hijacks an airplane. He then parachutes out of the plane with a bagful of loot.

Is Himpapawid the much-awaited masterpiece of Red? No. The acting of Raul Arellano is too loud for my taste. Directing actors seems to be Red’s Waterloo. I’ve read critics' complaints about poor acting in Red’s earlier feature films Bayani and Sakay. I’ve seen both films way back in the 1990s and the only good thing I can remember now is the sound engineering of Bayani.

The short films of Red still linger in my mind. These are prime examples of great filmmaking. Other excellent short films shown at the festival were Anomi, Bulong, and a trio of Cinemalaya winners (Andong, Bonsai, and Rolyo). These short films were sometimes better than the main feature films that they accompanied. The short films of Red and other non-competing films (eg. Tirador and Altar) soften the disappointments I’ve had with the competing entries.

Bontoc Eulogy (1995, Marlon Fuentes)

A fellow film buff and I were talking about the local cinema scene during a lull in screenings at Cinemalaya Cinco. The topic drifted to film critics. Ted pointed out a young guy from the crowd and said that he was Alexis Tioseco. I was dumbfounded. I've seen the guy a number of times but I never knew that he was the film critic/programmer with intelligent things to say about cinema. All along I thought Tioseco was a middle aged man. His intense passion and extensive knowledge of Filipino films belie his true age.

Four months later, I'm sitting at the Videotheque room of the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI). It is the first day of the tribute to the late film critic, Alexis Tioseco. Short films slated for showing were championed by Tioseco in his Fully Booked Film Series. That is what I liked most about Tioseco. Not only did he recommend some truly superb films, he made it a point to share those films via public screenings. The UPFI pays tribute by showing two of these films for free. Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind is a Brechtian film about the ongoing struggle of working-class people in the United States. It is a one-of-a-kind film that will resonate with the activist-students of the national university.

The must-see film is Bontoc Eulogy. Almost an hour in length, it transports the audience back to the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Relying heavily on archival photos and footages, director Marlon Fuentes reconstructs the experiences of 69 Igorots on display at the World Fair. During the event, local inhabitants of the Philippines were dubbed as ‘primitive.’ Archival footage shows the frequent slaying of dogs for food, the mock beheading of enemies, and the ape-like foot structure of the Igorots.

From this faux documentary arises the truth behind the ‘human zoo’ exhibit. The display of so-called primitive Filipinos is an attempt to justify the Benevolent Assimilation project of the Americans started in the late 19th century. American officials believed that the local natives of the Philippines were incapable of governing themselves after the fall of Manila. President William McKinley felt it was immoral to give the Philippines back to the Spanish government. Hence, the United States annexed the Philippines and began its mission of educating and christianizing Filipinos.

The Filipinos bravely fought back despite scarcity of arms. The Americans, already aware of the power of films, created some films that depict Filipinos as bandits. These propaganda films show Filipino troublemakers retreating from the Americans. The fighting was pictured as a mild insurrection by local subjects and not as a war between two nations. Several of these films had Afro-Americans portraying Filipinos.

Bontoc Eulogy starts as a detective story (a middle-aged Filipino immigrant searching for his Igorot warrior-grandfather) and ends up as an examination of the Filipino immigrant experience. Foreign settlers experience the hurt of being called brown monkeys and of being treated as second-class citizens. Several of them inevitably look back to the past in order to survive. They crave for heroes, warriors, and freedom fighters. If they cannot find one, then they will invent one. The short film cites Jose Rizal’s saying, ‘he who does not look back from whence he came from will never ever reach his destination.’

A character from the film states that 'Filipinos are expert in the art of forgetting.' But, Filipinos also excel in remembering. The tribute titled In Memoriam: Alexis Tioseco (1981-2009) will be held at UPFI Videotheque on the following dates: November 24 (4:30 PM), November 25 (4:30 PM & 6:30 PM), November 26 (4:30 PM), and December 3 (4:30 PM & 6:30 PM). Admission is free.

Walang Alaala Ang Mga Paru-Paro (2009, Lav Diaz)

Tasked to create a short film for an omnibus project of the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), Lav Diaz came up with the 59-minute film, Butterflies Have No Memories. He is always pushing his films to the limit. A minute more and it would no longer have been considered a short film. However, the JIFF organizers trimmed it down to 40 minutes in order to make it fit in with two other short films. The longer version is available in the DVD box set released by JIFF.

In the extremely loaded film Butterflies Have No Memories, a bearded man named Ferdinand ‘Pedring’ Belleza is yearning for the return of mining in his town. He worked as chief security officer of a multinational mining company for decades. When it closed down, he lost a well-paying job, as well as his family.

The long-legged beauty Martha is a scion of the mining owners. The family closed the mining company after toxins heavily polluted the river. Their hasty departure turned the former prosperous place into a ghost town.

The return of fair-skinned Martha fuels irritations among local residents. She is likened to the so-called snow from Canada (mine tailings) that triggers skin rashes among the residents. Her former playmates, Carol and Willy, no longer have time to accommodate the young Canadian lady. They are so busy doing household chores or eking out a living. It is ironic that Martha, named after the Biblical character known for her hospitality, is treated badly during her visit.

There is a tinge of envy for the rich, single, and carefree visitor. Some people are more hostile. Pedring hatches a plan to kidnap Martha. His love for money reigns supreme over memories of good times with the family of Martha.

The short film alludes to the destructive effects of mining in Marinduque. Mine tailings caused the biological death of Boac River in 1996. The mining company left the place after decades of operations. Subsequent proposals to re-open the mining site are repelled by the Church and environmentalists.

The hellish effects of mining/treasure hunting were earlier tackled by Diaz in his majestic epic story Ebolusyon Ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino. A female character from the film admonishes her husband to give up mining. 'It is hell,' said the sight-impaired woman. Indeed, the mining area became a burial ground for gold prospectors and treasure hunters. Diaz will return once more to the issue of treasure hunting in a film project titled Agonistes.

Butterflies Have No Memories contains elements one would expect from a Lav Diaz film. Shot in bleak monochrome, the abbreviated film includes a couple of long takes. The lush ambient sound is also here along with scenes featuring animals/insects. I always look forward to the last two elements, ambient sound and inclusion of animals. They play a big part in making Diaz’s films so natural and realistic.

What I didn’t expect is the peculiar, dream-like ending. It features three adult men donning Moriones masks. Their epiphanic encounter with a swarm of butterflies triggers a change of heart for one of them. The sublime last shot is that of a prostrated young man in the middle of the forest while a pair of Roman soldiers looks on.

Lav Diaz is truly a great filmmaker and storyteller, equally adept with short features and epic stories. Butterflies Have No Memories is his best short film so far and one of his most symbol-laden films. It is a wonderful amalgam of mundane and insane images.

Superfan (2009, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr)

Generations of Filipinos have lined up for movies and shows of the Superstar, Nora Aunor. Legions of fans have bought her albums. A devoted few followed her every move. From among these avid, passionate fans, none was as obsessed as Armando ‘Mandy’ Diaz Jr.

Superfan is based on an essay written by Diaz for the book Si Nora Aunor sa mga Noranian: Mga Paggunita at Pagtatapat, edited by Nestor De Guzman (Quezon City: Milflores Publishing Inc., 2005). In the essay titled Himala, Diaz narrated his miraculous devotion to Nora. He started adoring her when he was only 6 years old. The decades-long obsession with the Superstar resulted in a humongous collection of Aunor records and memorabilia. 47 volumes of clippings chronicle the odyssey of Nora from Albay to San Francisco Bay. 10 photo albums capture the highs and lows of the petite actress.

Near the end of the essay, Diaz, who was then only in his late 40s, mentioned that if he dies ahead of Nora, he wants the burial to be postponed until Nora visits his wake. The self-confessed number one fan of Nora died on June 7, 2008 at the age of 48. Nora was then, and still is, residing at the United States of America.

Did Nora visit his wake? The film ingeniously says yes, yes, yes! Three Aunors (a singing child sensation, a popular matinee idol, and a multi-awarded actress) pay respect to their ever loyal fan, Diaz. To paraphrase the title of Nora’s first single under Alpha Records, the Aunors ‘only came to say goodbye.’ With their visit, they rekindle memories of wonderful performances and songs by Nora.

The short film features generous amount of video clips and songs. We see Nora and Tirso Cruz dancing in Guy and Pip. Then, there's the silent showdown between Nora and Vilma Santos in Ikaw Ay Akin. And, who can't forget the scalding bath given by Nora to Phillip Salvador in Bona. The latter film dealt with a superfan who hooked up with a bit player in films. Bona became angry after learning about her idol's plan to migrate to North America.

In Superfan, Mandy Diaz Jr. (Nonie Buencamino) remarks that he will never follow Bona. He will stay loyal to Nora even if she migrates to the United States of America. Nora is, and will always be, in his heart and mind.

The 23-minute film failed to capture the near-mystical devotion of Diaz to Aunor. Only a small part of Diaz’s collection was seen onscreen. The film made up for that weakness by sharing an incident that tells a lot about the relationship of the two. After a big fight with his idol, Diaz threw out some of his collection. He then proudly narrated how Nora went out of her way to make amends. They made peace and he resumed his collection of all Aunor things.

I adored the neat device of having three Aunors visit the wake. That was a nice tribute to Diaz. I thought he really deserved that. After all, Diaz is, in his own words, alone in the ranks of Noranians that truly loved Nora ‘super-to-the-max.’

Andong (Rommel Tolentino, 2008)

Andong is a short-feature film that I want to view again and again. The Cinemalaya 2008 movie is a rollicking take on a boy obsessed with television shows. He spends most of his time outside their home because they don’t have a television. One day, he comes across a man selling a raffle ticket worth 20 pesos. The main prize is a television set. Andong then sets out to raise 20 pesos.

Among the best and memorable Cinemalaya images last year are scenes showing Andong and his younger brother trying to get a glimpse of their favorite television programs. It is achingly painful to watch them peering through a crack or tiptoeing just to hurdle obstacles to their television viewing. It’s a good thing the bittersweet images were followed by rip-roaring funny segments. The movie is a laugh fest to the max. The excellent and award-winning script also dealt with the value of hard-earned money.

The two boys were very good actors. I break into a smile every time I recall the infectious laughter of Andong’s sibling. The trailer is right. It made sense to me after I viewed the short film. The two boys are every parent’s nightmare.

I was surprised at the excellent storytelling of competing short-feature films in 2008. My Pet and God Only Knows are some of the standouts. But, the best is still Milo Tolentino’s Andong. This is the second short-feature film of Tolentino to get the Best Short Film Award at the Cinemalaya competitions. He is now working on a full-length film for the Cinema One Originals 2009 and another short-feature film for Cinemalaya Cinco.