ALEXIS-NIKA. funeral mass tom sat sep5, 9am, Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park. afterwards, cremation at St. Peter, Quezon Avenue.

FEMME TOO FATALE IN DULAANG UP'S "LULU"

Monday, August 31, 2009

Femme too fatale in Dulaang UP’s Lulu

Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8.31.2009

Despite the ample flesh displayed, this play sang the body electric off-key

AT VARIOUS TIMES THROUGH Frank Wedekind’s “Lulu,” which Dulaang UP recently staged for three weeks at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater in UP Diliman, the central character was described as an “angel,” a “miracle” (“isa[ng] himala sa maalikabok na lansangan,” in Joel Saracho’s Filipino translation), a being of “pure passion.”

“Lulu” is a merging of two plays featuring the same character, the titles of which are telling. “Earth Spirit” came out in 1895, followed by “Pandora’s Box” in 1904, the latter inexorably tying the Lulu character with the archetypal woman in Greek mythology.

If all that isn’t persuasive enough, there is Wedekind himself, unambiguous about the nature of his most famous creation: “Lulu is not a real character, but the personification of primitive sexuality who inspires evil unaware.”

The “Lulu” plays, with their fervid glorification of a woman’s sexual rapaciousness and the devastation it wreaks on the world around her, has served as an Ur-text in the evolution of the iconic femme fatale in popular culture—from Marlene Dietrich’s Lola-Lola in “The Blue Angel” to Barbara Stanwyck’s Phyllis Dietrichson in “Double Indemnity” (notice the hommage in names?), from Hitchcock’s gallery of deadly blondes to the Botticelli-tressed Glenn Close as the terrifying Alex Forrest in “Fatal Attraction.”

They all owe a debt to “Lulu,” more specifically to her now-celebrated cinematic embodiment, the Lulu of American actress Louise Brooks in German director G.W. Pabst’s landmark 1929 silent film of “Pandora’s Box.”

Yet to play Lulu as the familiar femme fatale—the way director Dexter Santos’ Dulaang UP production did—is to fall into a trap. The text itself, along with Wedekind’s helpful description, is clear: Lulu is a preternatural creature, above and beyond the merely human—an “earth spirit” who treads the earth but is not of it.

Her “positioning [is] outside of morality, and the issues of guilt and innocence,” said film scholar Mary Ann Doane (in the Criterion Collection DVD release of the film). The destruction she brings isn’t intentional or willful, because, as a “pure presence, a pure image,” she is “a character for whom the past has no weight... a creature of the instant—of instantaneity and spontaneity, ontology rather than psychology.”

In other words, a femme unaware she is fatale.

Iconoclastic
That distinction is crucial. Wedekind, in describing Lulu as “inspir[ing] evil unaware,” designed her to be the apotheosis of erotic representation, but unlike the men and women who would lose their wits over her, her sexual voraciousness isn’t the function of her loins, but the primal expression of her sense of freedom.

While seemingly unmoored from motivational underpinnings, Lulu’s anarchic, iconoclastic nature did have a purpose: It was the shattering blast of modernity Wedekind had lobbed at fin-de-siècle Germany, with its smothering rubric of social, economic and psychosexual conventions—the real aim of his subversive dramaturgy.

Pabst reportedly auditioned numerous women, including Dietrich, before settling on Brooks for his Lulu. The smoldering Dietrich (25 at that time to Brooks’ 21) was rejected because, as Pabst explained, her overripe sexuality, her all-too-seductive look threatened to turn “Pandora’s Box” into a “burlesque.”

Pabst wanted an actress who combined allure and innocence, sensuality and grace. When he found Brooks, he photographed her exactly as Wedekind had conjured Lulu: an ethereal presence, seemingly separate from the common humanity around her, her stunning face—that otherworldly gaze—and lithe figure always more luminous, the light more alive in her presence.

In the face of such vital incandescence, it was easy to believe why men both high and low—and one well-born woman, Countess Geschwitz— would throw themselves at her feet even if it led to ruin and death.

Problematic
Was it too hard for Dulaang UP’s “Lulu” to find an actor of both striking radiance and feather-light charm? It would seem so. Che Ramos, the Lulu of the English version, was a virtual Amazon, hard and cold and cutting, her deep voice and uninflected delivery dragging her character to depths of willfulness and world-weariness it needn’t have plumbed.

The Lulu of the Filipino version is even more problematic. Tuxqs Rutaquio played her as a transvestite—as did Andoy Ranay the role of Countess Geschwitz.

Santos might have been aiming for a layered, more topical reading of “Lulu” in this reworked version. But Wedekind’s material, one of the most indestructibly Expressionist texts in drama with its engorged dialogue and baroque characterization, defies any search for subtext.

So when someone compliments Dr. Schön—a pillar of society who has taken for a bride a man in drag—thus, “Kinaiinggitan ka ng marami dahil sa ’yong asawa!,” the line had to be taken for what it was—not as a winking, sardonic quip, but as a statement of fact. The Filipino play’s severe, somber tone, in any case, indicated it wasn’t playing its ludicrous premise for farcical effect.

The question then: What kind of bourgeois, broken society was this that still required Lulu’s destructive presence, if it had by now attained a level of carnal emancipation that should render the unfettered sexual id Lulu represented all but superfluous?

Poor understanding
On a more basic level, both versions of “Lulu” suffered from the facile decision to play her as a blunt, consciously spiteful figure—a femme fatale no different from the grubby, greedy horde around her.

But even femme fatales have irreducible traits: On top of being enticing, they have to be canny, calculating, mysterious, intelligent, resourceful. What they cannot be is unlikable, or, at the very least, boring. Danger, fascination, desire—these are at the heart of a femme fatale’s hold over her men and her audience.

While Ramos’ all-steel performance vitiated any strain of genuine magnetism, there remained a smidgen of plausibility in seeing her female wiles attract all that mayhem.

The Filipino version, alas, not only pounded plausibility to dust with baffling flourishes, like Ranay’s cross-dressing aristocrat Geschwitz coming out at one point in a pink tutu. It also had Rutaquio’s florid attack—in one scene, he fired a gun then blew the smoke from the barrel, a gesture straight out of B noir or a Tarantino flick—pushing the material headlong into classic Joey Gosiengfiao territory: camp with a straight face. Burlesque, in short.

To this morass, the rest of the cast responded with their own state of disorder: Paolo O’Hara offered a laboriously played Dr. Schön in the English play, a part that thoroughly flew over the head of Ian Lomongo in Filipino. Missy Maramara’s Ring Master garbled her lines, while Jojit Lorenzo’s aced his in the vernacular.

JC Santos was an attractive Alwa, Dr. Schön’s equally besotted son, but he barely connected with his character’s Oedipal core. His English-language counterpart, Gabs Santos (no relation), emoted shallowly but, along with Meynard Peñalosa’s Schigolch, had the clearest diction—small mercy in a play otherwise lost in verbal and dramatic incoherence.

Riveting
Only one actor seemed to find the intuitive truth in her character: Angeli Bayani as the English-version Geschwitz. With riveting stillness, she managed to convey the sense of Sapphic estrangement, the exotic dislocation her character shared with the other, bigger rara avis in the room, Lulu.

Santos did get the externals right. His physical staging was spare yet expansive, getting much of the Expressionistic touchstones right: the raked stage, the massive angled beams, the smoky trapdoors, the shadowy lighting; the jangling, mashed-up guitar-and-violin soundtrack that sounded like a demented cousin to Anton Karas’ zither-playing in Carol Reed’s “The Third Man.”

The one light he needed to get right, though, was the cosmic force that was Lulu. True to their darker tint, Santos’ two Lulus were often smudged in shadow, more grim than beguiling, more earth than spirit.

Despite the ample flesh displayed, this play sang the body electric off-key, neither pulsing with lust nor trilling with passion—a parched, frigid “Lulu.”

FILM CRITIC ALEXIS TIOSECO MURDERED Wednesday, September 2, 2009 6:21 AM From: "Dino Manrique" Tragic news for the filmmaking community. Film Critic Alexis Tioseco and his girlfriend Nika Bohinc were murdered last night at their home at Times Street, Quezon City. I'll just quote Ewong Martinez from his Facebook status: "Just heard this report over DZMM Tele-radyo: One of the maids (Magdalena) was kept in the room and gagged. There are 4 suspects; apparently, the other maid (Criselda) was the one who let in the three robbers. Later, Magdalena heard gunshots when Alexis and Nika had arrived........ The suspects got away with a white Ford Lynx. Magdalena then struggled out and called for help." Let us pray for Alexis, Nika and their families, and for the swift apprehension of the culprits... Dino

Manila - Teaser

Official Selection
OUT OF COMPETITION
Cannes Film Festival 2009

Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Raya Martin

Bicycle Pictures and MJM Production

Written by Ramon Sarmiento and Adolfo Alix, Jr.
Executive Producers: Piolo Jose Pascual and Edgar Mangahas
Producer: Arleen Cuevas
Associate Line Producer: Maxie Evangelista III
Director of Photography: Albert Banzon
Production Designer: Digo Ricio
Editors: Jay Halili and Aleks Castaneda
Music: Radioactive Sago Project
Sound Design: Ditoy Aguila

Cast: Piolo Pascual, Rosanna Roces, Jay Manalo, Alessandra de Rossi

Imoral - Official Trailer

IMORAL

A man...
A woman...
And another man...
a different kind of love triangle.

Starring
Paolo Paraiso
Arnold Reyes
Katherine Luna
Edgar Allan Guzman
Perla Bautista
Cherry Madrigal

Directed by Adolfo Alix Jr
Written by Jerry Gracio
Music by Khavn dela Cruz
Featuring "Kung Ako ba Siya" by Arnold Reyes
Produced by VideoFlick Productions

Panahon Na - trailer

Blue Media Communication
and
Oxin Entertainment Production



Starring:

Joseph Bitangcol
Joem Bascon
Mercedes Cabral
Luis Alandy
Irma Adlawan
Angeli Bayani

Jacq Yu
Joel Molina
Ana Abad Santos
Simon Ibarra
Lance Raymundo
Mads Nicolas
Marj Lorico
Elijah Castillo
Rexcy Evert Mino
Bong Cabrera
Raymund Recto
JR de Guzman
Lara Morena
Leon Miguel
"Hopia"
RR Herrera

Director: Sean Lim
Associate Director: Shandii Bacolod
Director of Photography: Rain Yamson II
Production Designer: Cicero "Ching" Danseco
Production Manager: Charlotte Dianco
Line Producer: Sarah Pagcaliwagan
Assistant Manager: Glenda Resurreccion

Melancholia - sequence

"Melancholia"
2008 Venice Film Festival Best Feature Film, Orizzonti

Starring:

Angeli Bayani, Perry Dizon, Roeder, Raul Arellano, Malaya, Irma Adlawan, Soliman Cruz, Cooky Chua, Yanyan Taa, Emman Dela Cruz, Carme Sanchez, Bodgie Pascua, Earl Ignacio, Lui Manansala, Roence Santos, Martha Atienza, The Brockas

Written, DOP & Directed by: Lav Diaz
Prod Managers: Nina Dandan & Kintz Kintana
Lights: Willy Cruz & George Vibar
Editors: Lav Diaz & Jay Ramirez
Music: Lav Diaz, Cooky Chua, Callalily and The Brockas
Technical Supervisor & Sound Engineer: Jay Ramirez

Kolorete - trailer

KOLORETE
Philippines/2008/Fiction/100'00

Cast:
Roeder Camañag, Jean Judith Javier, Angeli Bayani
Perry Dizon, Chiqui Xeres Burgos, Frank Garcia
Coreen Chan, Edgar Sandalo, Lawrence Roxas, Althea Vega

Credits:
Director: Ruelo Lozendo
Writer: Sherad Anthony Sanchez
DP: Albert Banzon
Art Director: Yeye Calderon
Film Editor: Clang Sison
Music Supervisor: Diwa De Leon
Sound Designer: Earl "Tengal" Drilon
Producer: Ronald Arguelles

32nd GAWAD URIAN - 2009 Nominees

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino has already released the list of nominees for the 32nd Gawad Urian for excellence in filmmaking.

Once again, Indie films dominate this year’s set of nominations.

Here is the complete list of nominees for this year’s Gawad Urian:

Best Picture

Jay (Cinemalaya)
Serbis (Centerstage Productions)
Hunghong sa Yuta (Brothers of the Sacred Heart Youth Ministry)
Melancholia (Sine Olivia)
Boses (Casa San Miguel)
Imburnal (Cinema One Originals and Creative Programs)
Yanggaw (Cinema One Originals and Creative Programs)

Best Director

Francis Xavier Pasion (Jay)
Brillante Mendoza (Serbis)
Arnel Mardoquio (Hunghong sa Yuta)
Lav Diaz (Melancholia)
Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil (Boses)
Sherad Anthony Sanchez (Imburnal)
Richard Somes (Yanggaw)
Tara Illenberger (Brutus)
Adolfo Alix Jr. (Imoral)

Best Actor

Baron Geisler (Jay)
Julian Duque (Boses)
Ronnie Lazaro (Yanggaw)
Coco Martin (Daybreak)
Paulo Rivero (Daybreak)
Timothy Mabalot (Brutus)
Perry Dizon (Melancholia)
Neil Ryan Sese (Huling Pasada)

Best Actress

Gina Pareño (Serbis)
Jaclyn Jose (Serbis)
Judy Ann Santos (Ploning)
Mylene Dizon (100)
Angeli Bayani (Melancholia)
Rhea Medina (Brutus)
Boots Anson Roa (Lovebirds)
Anita Linda (Adela)

Best Supporting Actor

Coco Martin (Jay)
Julio Diaz (Serbis)
Yul Servo (Brutus)
Roeder Camanag (Melancholia)
Archie Aleman (Baby Angelo)

Best Supporting Actress

Tessie Tomas (100)
Katherine Luna (Imoral)
Tetchie Agbayani (Yanggaw)
Aleera Montalla (Yanggaw)
Flor Salanga (Jay)
Agot Isidro (Huling Pasada)

Best Screenplay

Richard Somes and Dwight Gaston (Yanggaw)
Francis Xavier Pasion (Jay)
Armando Bing Lao and Boots Agbayani Pastor (Serbis)
Lav Diaz (Melancholia)
Arnel Mardoquio (Hunghong sa Yuta)
Froilan Medina and Rody Vera (Boses)

The names of the persons nominated for the technical awards below will be given at a later date.

Best Production Design

Melancholia
Yanggaw
Jay
Baby Angelo
Serbis
Hunghong sa Yuta
Ploning
Imburnal

Best Cinematography

Yanggaw
Serbis
Jay
Huling Pasada
Ploning
Melancholia
Boses
Imburnal
Adela
Brutus
Hunghong sa Yuta

Best Editing

Jay
Huling Pasada
Serbis
Yanggaw
100
Motorcycle
Ploning
Imburnal

Best Music

Boses
Concerto
Ploning
Imburnal
Brutus
Yanggaw
Kolorete
Hunghong sa Yuta

Best Sound

Hunghong sa Yuta
Serbis
Ploning
Yanggaw
Boses
Adela
Melancholia

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino is composed of:

Rolando Tolentino, dean of the UP College of Mass Communication (Head)
Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature
Nicanor Tiongson, former artistic director of the CCP and former chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
Mario Hernando, Sunday Malaya editor and MTRCB member
Miguel Rapatan of the De La Salle University
Butch Francisco, columnist and co-host of Startalk
Lito Zulueta, Inquirer lifestyle editor and professor at the University of Santo Tomas
Benilda Santos, professor at the Ateneo de Manila University
Tito Valiente, professor at the Ateneo de Manila University

The awards night of the 32nd Gawad Urian is set for September 19 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Frank Wedekind's LULU

Photography by Jojit Lorenzo. Poster design by Carlo Vergara.

Frank Wedekind's LULU

Start:	Aug 5, '09 7:00p
End:	Aug 23, '09 3:00p
Location:	Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, UP Diliman

LULU is a story of a person who has no qualms about the body and its sexual needs. Lulu, who is the alluring woman in the English version and the captivating transsexual in Filipino, is a being able to explore and express her desires without compromise or guilt. Adored and lusted after by men, women and creatures of the world, she takes them to a dance of bodily freedom, of the mind’s liberation and of utter ecstasy. But like any other person, Lulu searches for the other that could accept and understand her seemingly deviant nature.

In her hunt, Lulu meets a myriad of “civilized beasts”: painters, writers, the educated and the ignorant, the rich and poor men, the young and the dying who are upright and honorable by day but transform to hungry animals in the dark. Lulu embraces each person only to find him or her weak and forever trapped by man’s idea of propriety.

English Cast:
Che Ramos as LULU
Angeli Bayani as GESCHWITZ
Jules de la Paz as GOLL / CASTI-PIANI / HUGENBERG / HUNIDEI
Missy Maramara as JACK / RINGMASTER
Paolo O'Hara as DR. SCHON
Meynard Penalosa as SCHIGOLCH
Gabs Santos as ALVA SCHON
Randy Villarama as SCHWARZ / RODRIGO

Filipino Cast:
Tuxqs Rutaquio as LULU.
Acey Aguilar as SCHWARZ / RODRIGO
Alexander Cortez as SCHIGOLCH
Jules de la Paz as GOLL / CASTI-PIANI / HUGENBERG / HUNIDEI
Ian Lomongo as DR. SCHON
Jojit Lorenzo as JACK / RINGMASTER
Andoy Ranay as GESCHWITZ
JC Santos as ALVA

Direction and Choreography: Dexter M. Santos
Filipino Translation: Joel Saracho
Production Design: Tuxqs Rutaquio
Lights Design: John Batalla
Dramaturgy and Additional Text: Patrick Valera
Sounds Design: J Victor Villareal
Photography and Poster Design: Jojit Lorenzo
Poster Art Direction: Carlo Vergara

LULU will open on Aug 5 and will run till Aug 23 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, UP Diliman.

English:
5 August 7pm - Opening
6 August 7pm
7 August 7pm - Gala
8 August 10am, 3pm
9 August 10am, 3pm
19 August 7pm
22 August 10am, 3pm

Filipino:
12 August 7pm - Opening
13 August 7pm
14 August 7pm - Gala
15 August 10am, 3pm
16 August 10am, 3pm
20 August 7pm
21 August 7pm
23 August 10am, 3pm

THIS PRODUCTION CONTAINS SCENES AND MATERIAL STRICTLY FOR MATURE AUDIENCES.

Please come to the Premiere of "Astig" on July 18, 9pm at the CCP Main Theater. You're also welcome to join us on Fans' Night on July 23, 615pm, also at the CCP Main Theater. I'm selling tickets. :)

EVERYONE, PLEASE PM me your contact #s. my son got my phone and deleted some of my contacts at hindi ko na alam kung kaninong # ang mga nabura. HAY...

Layeta Bucoy's DOC RESURECCION - GAGAMUTIN ANG BAYAN

Start:	Jun 25, '09 3:00p
End:	Jul 5, '09 8:00p
Location:	Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines

With the desire to introduce positive changes to his community, Doc Resureccion ran for Mayor. Unfortunately, his cousin, Boy Pogi Resureccion ran as a nuisance candidate challenging Doc Resureccion's chances. Bearing gifts and promises of a better future, he tries persuading his cousin to withdraw his candidacy only to find out that the community he so wanted to help desires a different path for itself.

Tanghalang Pilipino / Cultural Center of the Philippines / Writers' Bloc



Virgin Labfest V

layeta bucoy's
DOC RESURECCION
GAGAMUTIN ANG BAYAN


riki benedicto / jonathan tadioan
angeli bayani / peewee o'hara / crispin pineda



direksiyon
tuxqs rutaquio



june 25 / 3pm & 8pm
july 3 / 3pm
july 5 / 8pm

tanghalang huseng batute, CCP

DOC RESURECCION - GAGAMUTIN ANG BAYAN

Virgin Labfest 5

Doc Resureccion by Layeta Bucoy, direction by Tuxqs Rutaquio.

Photography by Jojit Lorenzo.

INDEPENDENCIA - Official Trailer

Un Certain Regard, Official Selection, Cannes Film Festival 2009

Independencia
A Film by Raya Martin

Presented by Arte Cinema France, Cinematografica, Atopic, Razor Film, Volya Films
Fonds Sud Cinema, World Cinema Fund, Prince Claus Fund Global Film Initiative, Hubert Bals Fund,
Roadrunner Network

Script: Ramon Sarmiento and Raya Martin
Delegate Producers: Antoine Segovia, Christophe Gougeon
Producer: Arleen Cuevas
Co-Producers: Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul, Denis Vaslin
Production Design: Digo Ricio
DOP: Jeanne Lapoirie
Assistant Director: Armi Cacanindin
Production manager: Rolly Palmes
Editor: Jay Halili
Sound: Arnel Labayo, Ronald de Asis
Music: Lutgardo Labad

The VIRGIN LABFEST 5

Start:	Jun 23, '09
End:	Jul 5, '09
Location:	Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino. Inc. and Writer's Bloc, Inc invite you to
the Fifth Year of the VIRGIN LABFEST!

15 unstaged, unpublished, untested one-act plays
4 full-length plays for public reading
and a book launching:
Mga Piling Dula ng Virgin Labfest: Ang Unang Antolohiya 2005-2008.

The plays feature actors from PETA, Tanghalang Pilipino, Dulaang Gantimpala, etc.

All main entries will be performed at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines)

*****Schedule of SETS of plays with respective writers/directors*****

SET A
"School of Life (Mga Dulang Walang Pinag-aralan) "
TUESDAY, JUNE 23: 3pm and 8pm
SATURDAY, JULY 4: 8pm
SUNDAY, JULY 5: 3pm

featuring:
MPC (Mababang Paarlan ng Caniogan) by Job Pagsibigan, performed by the Sipat Lawin Ensemble

Ang Huling Lektyur ni Misis Reyes by Tim Dacanay, directed by Hazel Gutierrez

Pandaraya by Oggie Arcenas, directed by Roli Inocencio/ JK Anicoche

SET B
"It's Complicated (The Buhul-Buhol Trilogy)"
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24: 3PM and 8pm
FRIDAY, JULY 3: 8pm
SATURDAY, JULY 4: 3pm

featuring:
Salise by J. Dennis Teodosio, directed by Roobak Valle

Ang Mamanugangin ni Rez by Clariza Estuar, directed by Paolo O'Hara

So Sangibo a Ranon Na Piyatay O Satiman A Tadman by Rogelio Braga, directed by Riki Benedicto

SET C
"BloodSports (Trilohiyang Dinuguan)"
THURSDAY, JUNE 25: 3pm and 8pm
FRIDAY, JULY 3: 3pm
SUNDAY: JULY 5: 8pm

featuring:
Kitchen Medea by Kiyokazu Yamamoto, directed by Yoshida Toshihisa

Doc Resurrecion: Gagamutin ang Bayan by Layeta Bucoy, directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio

Asawa/Kabit written and directed by George de Jesus III

SET D
"The Family That ______s Together (Tatlong Dulang Walang Diyos)"
FRIDAY, JUNE 26: 3pm and 8pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 30: 3pm
THURSDAY, JULY 2: 8pm

featuring:
Boy-Girl ang Gelpren ni Mommy by Sheilfa Alojamiento, directed by Carlo Garcia

Maliw by Reuel Molina Aguila, directed by Edna Vida

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by George Vail Kabristante, directed by Paul Santiago

SET E
"Life is a Trap (Three Plays in Search of Escape)"
SATURDAY, JUNE 27: 3pm and 8pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 30: 8pm
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1: 3pm

featuring:
Isang Araw sa Peryahan by Nicolas B. Pichay, directed by Chris Millado

Paigan by Liza Magtoto, directed by Sigrid Bernardo

Hate Restaurants by David Finnigan, directed by J. Victor Villareal

SET F
VLF 4 Revisited (Selected Plays from Last year's Virgin Labfest)
SUNDAY, JUNE 28: 3pm and 8pm
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1: 8pm
THURSDAY, JULY 2: 3pm

featuring:
Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna written and directed by Floy Quintos

Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte by Rogelio Braga, directed by Nick Olanka

Uuwi na Ang Nanay Kong si Darna by Job Pagsibigan from Edgar Samar's story for children, directed by Cats Racsag

***** BOOK LAUNCHING *****

JUNE 23, TUESDAY at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines

15 plays from four years of Virgin Labfest (2005 through 2008)
Major Anthology that includes 6 Palanca Winners, Gawad Buhay Awards for the Theater.
featuring plays by F. Sionil Jose, Nicolas B. Pichay, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Allan B. Lopez, Rody Vera, Liza Magtoto, Floy Quintos, etc

****** STAGED READINGS OF FULL LENGTH PLAYS******

Kataksilan, adaptation of Harold Pinter's Betrayal by Tim Dacanay

Nung Minsang May Nanungkulan sa San Lazaro, adaptation of Alfred Jarry's Ubu Roi, by Joshua Lim So

Breakups and Breakdowns by Joel Trinidad

plus!!!

an improvisational piece by SPIT

for more details please contact CCP-Performing Arts Department:

832 1125 loc 1600 or 1607
look for Nikki or Clottie

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Nonon Padilla and Tony Perez Team Up for PETA’s "SAAN BA TAYO IHAHATID NG DISYEMBRE?"

Start:	Feb 6, '09 2:30p
End:	Mar 15, '09 7:30p
Location:	PETA Theater Center, Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City

PETA brings together two geniuses: Nonon Padilla and Tony Perez, to create a psychological drama masterpiece.

They have previously worked together for "On the North Diversion Road", "Oktubre, Noong Tayo’y Nagmamahalan Pa" and "Nobyembre, Noong Akala Ko’y Mahal Kita"; a collaboration that introduced a new genre of thought-provoking plays – psychological dramas that fascinate and tease the imagination.

Nonon Padilla and Tony Perez started out as young artists working closely with PETA - Nonon, as a noted artist and Founding Director of Tanghalang Pilipino and Tony as a writer and playwright.

Together, they individually produced plays that are raw and rich, unconventional and experimental, but grounded on fundamental themes such as love and friendship.

For the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) 41st Theater Season, the two are back to perfect another work of genius. Preparing their latest opus, the third piece of Tony Perez’s psychological trilogy: "Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?". A story about two friends, Lalaki (Juliene Mendoza, Jack Yabut), and Isa Pang Lalaki (Lex Marcos) and their love affair with the same woman, Babae (Angeli Bayani), who is torn between her feelings for the two.

But "Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?" cannot be easily dismissed as ‘just another love story‘. Aside from the three characters fighting over love—Tony Perez adds another character that creates another dimension to the piece: Isa Pang Babae (Alison Segarra), a clairvoyant young woman from the present who oversees the turn of events, as the three other characters get tangled in a complex web of episodes.

With emphasis on love, truth and sacrifice, "Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid Ng Disyembre?" is a bold and non-traditional production crafted by the country’s most daring writer and ingenious director, Tony Perez and Nonon Padilla. Something—that you sure don’t want to miss.


"Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?" is showing at the PETA Theater Center on February 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-28; March 1, 6-8, 13-15, 2009 (Friday 2:30PM/ 7:30PM, Sat and Sun 10AM /3PM) .

For inquiries call PETA Marketing at 410 0821 or 0917 8044428 or email petampro@yahoo.com.

2009 TOP TWENTY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

2009 Top Twenty Independent Artists
by Donna Villanueva

Young Filmmakers of the Philippines (YFMP)

We are the group of young filmmakers from different colleges and
universities, we firmly believe that independent filmmaking is a great way
for an actor or filmmaker to develop his or her style and abilities
and it's not about a paycheck. Our group did comprehensive research
about our Top Twenty lists of independent artists aged 20 to 40 years
old (10 males & 10 females) that are ubiquitous figure in Philippine
independent cinema.

Our top lists of Independent actors were a mixed batch composed of
mainstream/characte r actors and theater thespians. We accord cinema
and television the same respect and rigor as we do theater. These are
not just entertainment but are art forms as well. Only when we begin
to treat actors as artists can we demand from
them to perform with artistry. We treat movie and television actors
the same way we do our theater actors.

We would like to acknowledge the following Actors who have contributed
to the independent film for the past years;

Ms. Gloria Romero,Ms. Anita Linda, Boots Anson Roa, Barbara Perez,
Caridad Sanchez, Maricel Soriano,Cherrie Gil, ,Gina Alajar, Gina
Pareño, Daria Ramirez, Cherrie Pie Picache, Jacklyn Jose, Rio Locsin,
Tessie Thomas, Susan Africa, Elizabeth Oropesa, Chin Chin Guttirez,
Mylene Dizon, Agot Isidro,Ma. Isabel Lopez, Ama Quiambao, Irma
Adlawan, Shamaine Buencamino, Ermie Concepcion, Anggie Ferro,Malou
Crisilogo, Flor Salanga, Lui Manansala, Mailes Kanapi, Kimberly Diaz,
Ara Mina, Gissele Sanchez, Julia Clarete, Karylle, Ina Feleo, Monica
Llamas, ,Joanne Miller,Ynez Veneracion, Liza Dino, Johnny Manahan,
Johnny Delgado, Robin Padilla, Cesar Montano, Michael V.,Robert
Arevalo, Jaime Fabregas , Michael de Mesa, Dick Israel, Albert
Martinez, Bembol Roco, Joel Torre, Ricky Davao, Mark Gil, Pen Medina,
Gary Valenciano, Nonie Buencamino, Ronnie Lazaro, Rez Cortez,Garry
Lim, Gardo Versosa, Raymund Bagatsing,John Arcilla, Julio Diaz, Allan
Paule, Emilio Garcia, Richard Quan, TJ Trinidad, Ryan Eigenmann, Lou
Veloso, Archie Adamos, Soliman Cruz, Bodjie Pascua, Dido de La Paz,
Fonz Desa, Crispin Pineda, Nor Domingo, Joe Gruta, Jojit Lorenzo, Jake
Macapagal, Perry Dizon, Jess Evardone, Mario Magalona, Ketchup
Eusebio, Jiro Manio, Simon Ibarra, Carlo Maceda, Christian
Vasquez,Nathan, Lopez Lito Caliso and Eddie Garcia.

Last year lists Top 20 independent artists in alphabetical order:
(1)Aguilos Kalila (2) Aquino Angel (3) Bayani Angeli (4) Calzado Iza
(5) Camañag Roeder,(6) Capri Ana , (7) De Castro Glaiza, (8) Dino
Liza,(9) Domingo Eugene (10) Domingo Nor, (11) Eigenmann Ryan
(12)Escano Perry (13) Feleo Ina (14) Galura Alcris (15)Lucero Sid,
(16) Malahay Diana ,(17) Martin Coco, (18)Medina Ping, (19) Quizon
Jeffrey and (20) Sese Neil Ryan.

YFMP names the Top Twenty Independent Artists for 2009 (in
alphabetical order):

No.1 Abalos Jason
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008)
Rakenrol(2008) , Motorcycle (2008)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits
Endo (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits
All About Love(2006), I Wanna Be Happy(2006), White Lady(2006), First
Day High(2006), My Kuya's Wedding (2007)

TV Series:
Vietnam Rose (2005), Ysabella (2007), Eva Fonda(2008)

Jason Abalos is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents
named Star Magic.
Abalos, 22, on August 7, 2008, won the Best Performer award in the
Young Critics Circle Annual Citation held at the Faculty Center
Conference (Pulungang Recto, Bulwagang Rizal) Hall of the University
of the Philippine Diliman, Quezon City. Director Adolf Alix, Jr.
handled him in the indie film "Adela," played by Anita Linda (in the
2008 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival). Abalos was also nominated
at the Urian Awards of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, for
"Endo." He is best known with his role Joel on Eva Fonda.
On October 1, 2008, Abalos won the Best Actor in the 2008 Gawad Urian
Awards for Endo. He presently studies in University of Sto. Tomas.

No.2 Aguilos Kalila (Actress)
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2007):
Sinungaling na Buwan (2007), Haw-Ang (2007), ), Death in the Land of
the Encantos (2007) FROU FROU, Shhhh!....'Wag Mong Sabihin Kay Itay'
(2008)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Inang yaya (2006), Ligalig (2006),

TV Series:
"Lobo" (2008),"Sana' y wala ng wakas" (2003), "Kay tagal kang hinintay"
(2002),

Kalila was a part of Tanghalang Pilipino's Zsazsa Zaturnah (ZeMuzical)
as antagonist, Ang Mga Huwad as Carmen Villa, Queen Femina
Suarestellar Baroux, played Madame Jeanne Forestier in Tanghalan at
Obra's musical adaptation, The Necklace and the Bride in
theInternational Theatre Institute Congress presentation of
BloodWeeding. Other theater credits include Troyanas, Middle of the
Silence, Paglayang minamahal, Ang Pagpatay Kay Luna, Dularawang
Pating, Aguinaldo: 1898, Ulilang Tahanan, El Filibusterismo;
Likhaan's, Noli me Tangere, Magnificat and Disyembre. Kalila is also a
costume designer, singer, painter & graphic designer.

No.3 Aquino Angel (Actress)
Birthdate: 7 February 1973, Philippines

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2007):
God Only Knows (2008))

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Crying Ladies (2003), ICU Bed #7 (2005), Ebolusyon ng Pamilyang
Pilipino (2005), Ina, Anak, Pamilya (2006), Nasaan si Francis (2006),
Kaleldo (2006), Donsol (2006), Pamana, Ang (2006), Faces of Love
(2007), Siquijor: Mystic Island (2007), Kadin (2007),

Mainstream Film Credits
Mumbaki (1996), Bata, bata... Paano ka ginawa? (1998), Serafin
Geronimo, Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion (1998), Sana Pag-ibig na
(1998), Wansapanataym: The Movie (1999), Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay ko
(1999), Minsan, minahal kita (2000), Daddy O! Baby O! ,(2000), Laro sa
Baga (2000), Vida Rosa, La (2001), Beautiful Life (2004),

International Films/TV:
Goodbye America (1997),

T.V. Series:
"Recuerdo de amor" (2001), Hunger Strike (2002) (TV), "Hiram" (2004),
"Etheria: Ang ikalimang kaharian ng encantadia" (2005), "Captain
Barbell" (2006), "Maging sino ka man: Ang pagbabalik" (2007), "Lobo"
(2008)

Angel Aquino is no stranger to the limelight. (Angelita Velasquez
Aquino real name). She finished Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at
University of the Philippines in Baguio City. Starting out as a model,
Angel has metamorphosed into an effective film actress and television
style host. Angel has 2 daughters - Iana (born 1993) and Thea (born
1995). She is warm, open, vibrant and lively. Angel Aquino will always
be one of my favorite models. Her well-chiseled facial features,
fantastic skin tone, and great figure are the foundation of her
beauty. But one element that brings that beauty to life is her
animated personality. Angel is a truly beautiful woman. Angel won Best
Performance of an Actress for "Donsol" from the 2006 Cinemalaya Film
Festival.. Her short film God Only Knows won as Best short film from
the 2008 Cinemalaya Film Ferstival

No.4. Bayani Angeli (Actress)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):
Melancholia (2008), Adela (2008), Kolorete (2008), Aurora(2008)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo (2006), Kwarto (2006), Mga Lunes ng Hapis
(2007), Endo (2007), Death in the Land of the Encantos(2007) ,

Angeli is an apprentice of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actor's Company,
Angeli dreams one day of becoming an Indie princess. As a resident
actor of CCP, Angeli's favorite roles are: Maria Clara's in TP's Noli
Me Tangere The Musical; Mrs. Capulleto in TP's R'meo Luvs Dew-Lhiett;
Induduli in TP's Hudhuhd an Ifugao romance and Pinnochio in TP's
children musical Pinocchio.

In March 2006 she performed in Tokyo, Japan, with the theater company
Rinko Gun/Good Fellow's Inc as part of Philippine Bedtime Stories, a
series of one-act Filipino plays performed in Tagalog and Japanese.
She has also performed with jay Cruz of Dancing Wounded Contemporary
Dance Commune. Her film Mga Lunes ng Hapis (Monday of Sorrow) is
competing in the fourth Con-Can Movie Festival, an online short film
festival in Japan this month. Her film Death of the Land of Encantos
won special from Venice filmfest. Bayani won the Best Actress in the
2008 Cinemanila International Film Festival.

No.5. Calzado Iza (Actress)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008): Kusina (2008) ,
Adela(2008),

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Pinoy Blonde (2005),Blackout( 2007), Mona: Singapore Escort (2007),
Batanes (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Milan, (2004) ,Annie B. (2004), Sabel(2004), Sigaw (2004),
Ispiritista: Itay, may moomoo! (2005), Mulawin The Movie(2005),
Moments of Love(2006), Eternity(2006) , Shake, Rattle & Roll 8(2006),
Ouija (2007), Desperadas(2007) , The Echo (Hollywood Remake of Sigaw)
(2008), One True Love (2008), Scaregiver(2008) , Desperadas 2(2008),
Sundo2009

T.V. Series:
Click (2001). Kung Mawawala Ka(2001), Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man
(2004), Encantadia (2005), Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng
Encantadia(2005) , Encantadia: Pag-Ibig Hanggang Wakas (2006),
Atlantika(2006) , Impostora (2007), Joaquin Bordado(2008) , ESP(2008),
LaLola(2008) , Obra(2008), All About Eve(2008),Encantadi a : Arizonia(2009) ,

Born as Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, she was named in part for the
legendary dancer, Isadora Duncan. Her father is choreographer and TV
director Lito Calzado and her mother was the late
Irish-Spanish- Filipina, Mary Ann Ussher. Iza's brother, Dash, is a
member of Legit Misfitz, a Pinoy rap group.In the late 1990s, she
finished her high school in Miriam College and after which finished
her undergraduate education in the University of Santo Tomas with a
degree in Fine Arts.

Before entering show business, she worked as a dubber. Iza started out
as a guest teen star in the now defunct show, Click, which led to
further roles. Iza won her first ever heroine role through the soap
opera Te Amo with the Argentinean actor Segundo Cernadas.Iza Calzado
bagged her original role in The Echo, the English-language remake of
Filipino director Yam Laranas' horror film Sigaw. Calzado will be
sharing the screen with Hollywood actor Jesse Bradford, who was last
seen in Clint Eastwood's World War II epic Flags of Our Fathers.
Bradford will portray an ex-convict who will get entangled in the
troubles of a battered wife, to be played by Calzado. Although she
will be reprising a role that won her an Urian Best Supporting Actress
award in 2005, she still had to audition. One of her co-stars, Carlos
de Leon, asked her if she is Hispanic because of her facial feature.
She won Best Supporting Actress for 28th Gawad Urian. On January 18,
2008, Iza Calzado won the Model Star Award from the Korea Asia Model
Award Festival.

No.6 Camañag Roeder (Actor)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):
Melancholia (2008), Kolorete (2008)
Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Baryoke (2005), Ebolusyon ng Pamilyang Pilipino (2005), Kagat ng Dilim
(2006), Heremias (2006), Pandanggo (2006), Death in the Land of the
Encantos(2007) ,

Mainstream Film Credits:
Jose Rizal (1999)

Roeder is a multi-talented performer, singer, actor, and dancer. He
recorded three original Filipino albums released under Vicor Music
Company, which include his signature hit, Sana Naman (gold and
platinum) and an international album released in Germany to hiscredit.
He is one handful talents who have successfully made the crossover
from mainstream pop to theater and independent films. He has acted in
over thirty productions ranging from musicals to straight plays. He
gave memorable performances in King and I, Twelfth Night, Aguinaldo
1898, Larawan, Chess, Grease, Once on This Island, Fire, Water, woman,
They're Playing our song, Macbeth, Luna, Carmen, Insiang, Ligawang
Ligaw and Rhythm Method.

He received Best Stage Actor nominations from the Aliw Awards for his
performances Count Dracula in the Tanghalang Pilipino adaptation of
Dracula and Gantimpala National Artist Production Series F.Sionil
Jose's The God Stealer/ Nick Joaquin's The Queen's Jewel. For film, he
got a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in Lav
Diaz's Ebolusyon. Roeder is under Talent Factory management headed by
Ricky Gallardo. In 2007 he won Best actor from Aliw Awards. This year
he was nominated as Best Actor from Gawad Urian for Death in the Land
of the Encantos.

No.7 De Castro Glaiza (Actress)
January 21, 1988

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):
Rakenrol(2008) , Hula (2008), Ultraelectromagneti c Love (2008) , Ang
Manghuhula, (2008),

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Twilight Dancers (2006), Still Life (2007), Batanes (2007),

Mainstream Film Credits:
Cool Dudes (2001), Singsing ni Lola (2002), Miss Pinoy (2005), Close
to You (2006), Sukob (2006), Manay po (2006), Pacquiao: The Movie
•(2006), White Lady (2006), ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (2006),

TV Series:
"Berks" (2002), "Spirits" (2004), "Ikaw ang lahat sa akin" (2005),
"Fantastikids" (2006), "Boys Nxt Door"(2007), "Asian Treasures"
(2007), Sine Novela: Kaputol Ng Isang Awit (2008), Gagambino" (2008)

Glaiza is a television and film actress. Glaiza "Aiza" Galura in real
life was born on January 21, 1988. She is the sister of Alcris Galura.
Dan Alvaro is Glaiza's uncle.Glaiza likes Playing the guitar, watching
TV, reading and swimming. She is a great fan of Hollywood actors
Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst, Gael Garcia Bernal. She
won New Movie Actress of the year (18th Star Awards for Movies
2001)Glaiza is under the management of DMV Entertainment headed by
Manny Valera. This year Glaiza earned nominations from Gawad Urian as
Best Actress for Still Life.

No.8 Dizon Mylene (Actress)
September 6, 1976

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008): Ploning (2008),
100 (2008)

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Utang ni Tatang (2002), Tulad ng dati (2006), Rome and Juliet (2006)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Calvento Files: The Movie (1997), Miguel/Michelle (1998), Magandang
hatinggabi (1998), Gimik: The Reunion (1999), Gatas sa dibdib ngkaaway
(2001), Super B (2002), Agimat, anting-anting ni Lolo, Ang (2002),
Resiklo (2007), Shake, Rattle & Roll10 (2008),

T.V. Series:
"Gimik" (1996), "Saan ka man naroroon" (1999), "Sa dulo ng walang
hanggan" (2001), "Basta't kasama kita" (2002), "Narito ang puso ko"
(2003), "Tabing ilog" (2000), "Agawin mo man ang lahat" (2006),
"Princess-Charming" (2007), "Kokey" (2007), "Dyesebel" (2008),

A superb actress, Mylene Dizon, has revealed that she ran away from
her mother. But, it was an unusual situation. Mylene's parents
areseparated. Her mother has moved to the United States. Mylene is
aware of her strong-willed nature, which she believes she has gotten
from her mom. She admits, she's a loner even when she was still a kid.
She was left home alone all the time. She spent a vacation in America
when she was 18. She worked as a secretary in her mom's physical
therapy business there. She didn't get paid so she ran back to
Philippines with her mom's credit card in her pocket. She has kept
herself alive and well in the raucous carnival world of show business.
Her name had to be associated with the gorgeous faces teeming at the
ABS CBN Talent Center.

In 1997 she won Best New Movie Actress for her 1st film Calvento
Files: The movie. Recently, Mylene Dizon was named Best Actress for
her role in "Rome and Juliet"
from 2006 Cinema One Originals. Mylene is now a character actress in
the entertainment industry. In this year she won Best Actress from
Cinemalaya Film Festival for "100".

No.9 Domingo Eugene (Actress)
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008): Ploning (2008),100
(2008),

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Tuli (2005), Foster Child (2007), Pisay (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Ikaw pa rin ang iibigin (1998), Pagdating ng Panahon (1998), Tanging
Ina, Ang (2003), Malikmata (2003), Volta (2004), Can This Be Love
(2005), D'Lucky Ones (2006), Kapag tumibok ang puso (Not once, but
twice), You Are the One (2006), Txt (2006), Reyna: (2006), Shake,
Rattle & Roll 8 (2006), The Promise (2007), Cute ng ina mo, Ang
(2007), Paano kita Iibigin (2007, Apat dapat, dapat apat: (2007),
Pasukob (2007), Bahay kubo (2007), Katas ng Saudi (2007), Ikaw pa rin,
bongga ka boy! (2008), My Monster Mom (2008), I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and
Love You) (2008), Desperadas 2 (2008), Ang Nanay kong aswang,(2009) ,

TV Series:
"Sa dulo ng walang hanggan" (2001), "Buttercup" (2003), "Tanging Ina"
(2003), "Marina" (2004), "Kampanerang Kuba" (2005), "Kokey" (2007),
"Ako si Kim Samsoon" (2008),

Eugene "Uge" Domingo is a theater, television, film actress. She
obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theater arts from the University of the
Philippines. Eugene is one of the best comedienne's in the
entertainment industry and succeeded in making audience laugh out
loud. Her last theater performance includes Welcome to Intelstar as
MA'AM CHELSEA. She has done more than 30 mainstream films. She wants
to play character roles for future projects. She is noted on winning
the Best Supporting Actress award in the 2007 Metro Manila Film
Festival and 2008 Gawad Tanglaw. Currently, she is seen in TV5. She
won Best supporting actress from Cinemalaya Film Festival for 100 and
earned Best Actress nominations from Gawad Urian for Foster Child.

No.10 Escaño Perry (Actor)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):

Ranchero (2008), Magkaibang Direksyon (2008), Jojo (2009)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Sitak (2005), Mathew, Mark, Luke and John (2005), Geegee &
Waterina(2006) , Compound (2006), Siyudad (2006), Butas (2006), Pinoy
Postcard (2006), Abadeha (2006), Stop Over (2007), Transition (2007),
Elliptical Road (2007), Baliw (2007), Stiryo (2007), Walang Paraiso
(2007), Graveyard Shift (2007), Baliw (2007),Ala Suerte Ala Muerte
(2007), Sinungaling na Buwan (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Frats (1999), Pinay Pie (2003), Malikmata (2003), Batas Militar
(2006), Shake Rattle & Roll 10 (Emergency), Scaregivers (2008)

T.V. Series:
Sugo (2005), I Luv New York (2006), Makita Ka Lamang Muli
(2006),Agawin Mo Man ang Lahat (2006), Super Twins (2007), Lupin
(2007), Zaido(2007), Kamandag(2007) , La Vendeta (2007), Kokey (2007),
Iisa Pa Lamang (2008),Ligaw na Bulaklak(2008) ,Babangon Ako't Dudurugin
Kita (2008), Joaquin Bordado (2008), Gagambino (2008)

Perry is an actor for stage, television and film. He finished Bachelor
of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering in Lyceum
University Manila. He earned his professional theater acting workshop
with Gantimpala Theater facilitated by Bodjie Pascua and has received
his television/film advance and intensive acting training from Ms.
Gina Alajar at MOWELFUND. His film credits include Will Fredo's
Compound was an official selection in 2006 Cleveland and Washington
D.C. International Film Festival and got nominations from Golden
Screen Awards. Perry is also part of Redd Ochoa's Baliw received
special selection in 2007 World film festival in Montreal Canada and
Chennai Internatinal Film Festival in India. He has been part of
Cinemalaya and Cinemanila films such as Sinungaling na Buwan, Walang
Paraiso, Ala Suerte Ala Muerte and Ranchero.

He has portrayed mostly major roles and has done more than twenty
professional plays in his theater projects. He is one of the few young
actors who can do lead and supporting roles and cross over from
theater, television and film. Perry is one of the busiest character
actors on television. He appeared on a number of hit teleseryes and
drama anthologies in ABS-CBN and GMA-7. Recently he played supporting
for two Japanese films entitled Kazuma vs Amusak and Joker The
Brilliant. Perry is under the management of Wings Entertainment headed
by Francis Villacorta.

No.11 Galura Alcris (Actor)
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):
Baby Angelo (2008)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Babae sa Breakwater (2004),Lagusan (2005), Sarong banggi (2005),Pusang
Gala (2005), Batad sa paang palay (2006), Seroks (2006), Endo
(2007),Maikling Kwento (2007)

T.V.Series: Ligaw na Bulaklak (2008), Rakista (2008)
Mainstream Film Credits:Pacquiao: The Movie (2006),Tiyanaks (2007)

Alcris is a film actor. He is the brother of Glaiza de
Castro(Actress) . He portrayed a 14-year old Batad Boy "Ag-ap" in the film
Batad, a high school dropout, is forced to sell produce in the Banawe
market to augment whose big dream is to own a pair of nifty sports
shoes in. He bagged the best actor awards from 2006 Cinemalaya Film
Festival and 2006 Golden Screen Awards for his heartwarming
performance in Batad. He also received Best Supporting Actor
nominations from the URIAN for his performances in Mario O'Hara's
Babae sa Breakwater and for ENDO.

No.12 Geisler Baron
5 June 1982, Philippines
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):
Jay (2008)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Durog (2007), Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo (2006), Taxi ni Pilo (2001)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure (1996), Haba-baba-doo,
puti-puti-poo! (1998), Mahal na kung mahal (1999), Tar-San (1999), Anak
(2000), Jologs (2002), A Love Story (2007), SupahPapalicious (2008),
Torotot (2008), Baler (2008),

T.V.Series: "Gimik" (1996), "Tabing ilog" (2000), "Recuerdo de amor"
(2001), "It Might Be You" (2003), "Vietnam Rose"(2005), "Calla
Lily"(2006) , "Maging sino ka man" (2006), "Pieta"(2008) , Eva
Fonda(2008), Tayong Dalawa (2009)

Baron Frederick von Geisler is half-German. Baron's hobbies include
painting & writing poetry. Older brother, Donald, is a member of the
Philippine taekwondo national team that competed in the 2000 Sydney
Olympics. He was launched as a member of the male trio "Koolits" with
John Lloyd Cruz and Marc Solis. He won an award for 'Best Single
Performance by an Actor' in the recently concluded Star Awards for TV
(2005) for his performance in 'Maalaala mo kaya'.He got Best
Supporting nominations from URIAN for Anak (2000).In this year he won
Best Actor from Cinemalaya Film Festival for "Jay". Jay was included
in 65th Venice Int'l Film Festival, Bangkok and International Film
Festival.

No.13 Lucero Sid (Actor)
March 12, 1983

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) : Aurora (2008),
Bulong (2008),, Selda(2008), Independencia( 2009)

Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Donsol (2006), Tambolista (2007), Siquijor: Mystic Island (2007),
Tagapagligtas (2007),Tukso (2007), Batanes (2007),Selda (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Manay Po 2: Overload

T.V. Series:
"Krystala" (2004), Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia"
(2005), "Prinsesa ng Banyera" (2007), Kokey (2007), Kung Fu Kids
(2008), Ligaw na Bulaklak (2008),

Timothy Mark Pimentel Eigenmann in real life. Once in a while, a new
face comes along in the entertainment scene that truly catches our
attention. The moment we saw Sid Lucero, we knew that he's got it. And
after seeing him act in his very first television drama role, there's
no doubt that Sid will be the next best
young actor of his generation. Sid is being introduced in the much
talked about soap opera "Hanggang Kailan," from GMA-7 and Filmex, Inc.
where he is pitting talents against some of the country's acting
heavyweights like Lorna Tolentino and Christopher de Leon. In the
soap, he plays a lost young teenage boy who is searching for love and
acceptance while in the process of finding himself. If his face looks
familiar, it's because Sid is the son of thespian Mark Gil. The
eyebrows, the nose and the piercing look is so very Mark, and from
that initial episodes that we've seen, the boy has got the same
natural intensity and passion like his dad. We learned that his
manager Ricky Gallardo of The Talent Factory was
responsible in choosing his screen name. Sid Lucero is the name of the
character Mark Gil played in the award-winning Mike de Leon film,
"Batch 81," where Mark was elevated to lead status, and where he met
and fell in love with Sid's mother, the former fashion model and
actress Bing Pimentel.

Sid, together with the other young cast of the soap, had to undergo
intensive training in proper acting techniques with workshop director
Peque Gallaga before facing the cameras. A quick learner, he says that
from the time he started taping, he learned a lot in terms of
motivation, delivery and focus, with the guidance of his directors
Joey Reyes and Mark Reyes. He won Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
for Donsol from 2007 Golden Screen Awards and Best actor from Cinema
One Film Festival for Tambolista. Sid Lucero won Best Actor award in
the 49-year history of the November 14-23, 2008 Thessaloniki
International Film Festival in Greece, regarding film Selda. This year
he got Best Supporting Actor nominations from URIAN for Tambolista and
won Best actor from Manunuri for Selda. Sid is under Talent Factory
management headed by Ricky Gallardo

No.14 Malahay Diana (Actress)
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) : Baby Angelo (2008),
Condo (2008)
Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Tukso (2007),Durog( 2007), Pain Things (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits: My Bestfriend's Girlfriend (2008)

T.V. Series:
Makita ka Lamang Muli (2007), LoveSpell (2007), Ligaw na Bulaklak (2008)

Diana is a freelance theater practitioner. She has acted in various
plays of Dulaang Laboratoryo, Dulaang UP and Tanghalang Pilipino. Her
theater credits include: Cetti's The Queen and the Rebels/ Ang Reyna
at mga Rebelde, Cocteau's The Eagle has Two Heads/ Kamatayan ng
Dinastiya for Dulaang Laboratoryo; Hibik at Himagsikan nina Viktoria
Laktaw, Juan's Shadow's of the Reef/ Mga Anak ng Dagat for Dulaang
U.P.; Euripedes' Troyanas, Himala: The Musical, Pirandello's It is So,
If You Think So/ Yun na Nga, Kung Yun na Nga!, F. Sionil Jose's Mass
for Tanghalang Pilipino. Last Year, she performed Okina and Sisa in
Okina at Ang Paglalakbay ni Sisa sa Laguna; A Noh Play, a joint
project of UP Ceneter for International Studies (CIS), Japan
Foundation and Shizuoka University of Arts and Culture in Celebratio
of Philippines- Japan Friendship year. She has also written and staged
new one-act plays for a thesis production: PIGTAS and hamog na bakal.
She has appeared in some TV programs in ABS-CBN and GMA7.

No.15 Martin Coco (Actor)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) : Serbis 2008,
Daybreak (2008), "Condo" (2008), Next Attraction (2008), Jay (2008)
Previous Years Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Pitong Tagpo (2007), Nars (2007), Tambolista (2007), Tirador (2007),
Ataul For Rent (2007), "OFW" (2007), "Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang
Hanggan"(2007) , "Box Office" (2007), Siquijor: Mystic Island (2007)

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Masahista (2005), Kaleldo (2006),
T.V. Series:
Ligaw na Bulaklak (2008), Tayong Dalawa (2009)

Coco is a film and television actor. He has appeared in several TV
commercials before breaking into showbiz with his debut film Masahista
which won him the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. He
also starred in Kaleldo in 2006. He's the father of a child born on
June 3, 2005 by his co-star in the movie Masahista and ex-girlfriend,
Katherine Luna. Early in 2007, Coco became an exclusive artist of GMA
Network, and appeared in several GMA TV shows starting with "Daisy
Siete Season 15". He is also a member of the boy-group The Studs.

No.16 Reyes Arnold
Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) : Condo (2008),
Barako(2008) , Adela(2008), Imoral(2008) ,

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Pisay (2007), Huling araw ng linggo, Ang(2006), Kagat ng dilim (2006)
Big Time (2005)

Mainstream Film Credits: Luv Text (2001), My Bestfriend's Girlfriend(2008)

T.V. Series:
"I Heart Betty La Fea" (2008), Iisa Pa Lamang (2008),"Krystala" (2004),

Arnold is a familiar face on television, having done ads for several
products like Globe Telecom, Lucky Me, San Miguel and more. However
Arnold is not stranger to the world of theater. Credits include
Dulaang U.P's St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos, Hibik at Himagsik nina
Viktoria Laktaw and winter's Tale: Atlants' Rent, Actor's Repertory's
Romeo and Juliet and florante at Laura; Gantimpala's Grethology,
Kanser, Sinag and pepe and Pilar; Chase International' s Once on this
Island,among Others. He has also produced and composed songs for
Regine Velasquez (Perry's Will), Ogie Alcasid (Hanggang Saan Hanggang
Kailan), Born Diva Album (Di Man Lang Nagpaalam), K and the Boxers
(Ikaw Lang), Anton Diva (Paano Na), Erik Santos( You and Kung Maalala
Mo.) His song Paano Na? won him the siler prize in the 200 Metro Pop
Song Writing Festival, and in 2003, his composition Kung Ako Ba siya?
Won the Texter's Choice Award and was a finalist in the first Himig
Handog Love Song Festival. Most Recently, Arnold got nominations as
Best Stage Actor from Aliw Award for his portrayal Ang Bayot, and
Maranao at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakakabagot na Paghihintay sa
Kanto ng Lanao del Norte.

No. 17. Sese Neil Ryan (Actor)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits (2008):
Huling Pasada (2008)

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Mathew Mark Luke and John (2005), Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
(2005), Kubrador (2006), Graveyard Shift (2007), Seroks (2006), Hawang
(2007)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Caregiver (2008),Aishite imasu (Mahal kita) 1941 (2004),Beautiful Life
(2004), Gatas sa Dibdib ng Kaaway (1999)

T.V. Series: "Pieta" (2008), Prinsesa ng Banyera (2007), Maria Florde
Luna (2007) ), Lupin (2007), Asian Treasure (2007), Makita Ka
LamangMuli (2006), "Etheria: Ang
ikalimang kaharian ng encantadia" (2005),Sugo( 2005), "Krystala"
(2004), "Spirits"
(2004), "Darating ang umaga" (2003), "Buttercup" (2003), "Kay tagal kang
hinintay" (2002), "Basta't kasama kita" (2002), "Sa Dulo ng Walang
Hanggan" (2001)

Neil is an actor for stage, television and film. He obtained a
Bachelor of Arts in Theater arts from the University of the
Philippines. From then on, guided by his mentors, he honed craft by
taking part in various. To new a few, he appeared in Shakespearean
classics such as Othello (Dulaang U.P); Merchant of Venice, Taming of
the Shrew (UP Shakespearean Company); Greek classics like Oedipus Rex
(Dulaang UP) and Troyanas (Tanghalang Pilipino), Kanser (Gantimpala) ,
Laro (Gantimpala) and Asian Drama like St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos
(Dulanng UP); Hudhud (TP), Kanjicho (Dulanng UP), Sepharad: Voces de
Exilio, Basilia ng Malolos ( UPPT), Orpheus Descending (TP) and Sa
Ngalan ng Anak (Dulaang UP) and line producer of the digital film
Laya. He is one of the visible character actors on television.

No. 18. Servo, Yul (Actor)

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) :
Brutus, ang paglalakbay (2008), Dose (2008)

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits: Sa Ilalim ng
cogon (2005), Ilusyon (2005), Kagat ng dilim (2006), Siquijor: Mystic
Island (2007), Graveyard Shift (2007),

Mainstream Film Credits:
Batang West Side (2001), Laman (2002), Naglalayag (2004), Pa-siyam
(2004), Torotot(2008)

T.V. Series:
"Kampanerang Kuba" (2005), "Calla Lily" (2006), "LaLola" (2008),
"Joaquin Bordado"(2008)

Yul is John Marvin Nieto in real life. Yul is now a councilor in
Manila. Yul Servo has been honored in Belgium, where he accepted his
Best Actor award for the film "Torotot" (international title:
"Destierro") . His other film, Brutus, was named Best Asian Film during
the 35th edition of the Brussels International Independent Film
Festival. He is under the management of Maryo J. de los Reyes. He won
as Best supporting actor from 2008 Cinemalaya film Festival for Brutus.

No.19 Soriano Meryll (Actress)
9 December 1982, Philippines

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) : Boses (2008),
Concerto (2008), Ploning (2008)

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Room Boy (2005), In Da Red Corner (2006), Rotonda (2006), Numbalikdiwa
(2006), Rekados (2006)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Lucio & Miguel (1992), Gwapings Dos (1993), Kung kaya mo, kaya ko rin
(1996), Kahit minsan lang (1997), Computer Combat (1997),

T.V. Series:
"I Heart Betty La Fea" (2008), Paalam aking bulalakaw (2008) "Sana ay
ikaw na nga" (2002), "Marina" (2004), "Kampanerang Kuba"
(2005), "Super Inggo" (2006)

Meryll is an actor, image model\product endorser, and TV personality.
She started acting on screen through the kiddie's sitcom "It
Bullingit" with other child star performers on ABS - CBN. Although she
is known as the niece of Diamond Actress Maricel Soriano and First
child of Wowowee host Willie Revillame. She is better known as a
young, bubbly child star who has grown to be a charming, vibrant,
talented serious teen actress and performer. She is
part of ABS-CBN's I Love Betty La Fea and Milk Magic endorser. In 2006
she won as Best Actress in the movie "Roomboy" an entry for
Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and 2007 Best Supporting Actress
from Gawad Urian for Rotonda (2006). She has set to prove that she is
a true Filipino actress in her own special way.

No.20 Jodi Sta.Maria Lacson
16 June 1982

Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits(2008) :

Sisa(2008), Cul de sac(2008), Manila (2008)

Previous Independent Short/ Full Length Film Credits:
Nars (2007), Maling akala (2007)

Mainstream Film Credits:
Mysterio (Uno... dos... tres pilyos!) (1998), Mahal na kung mahal
(1999), Bagong buwan (2001),Anak (2000),Tar-San (1999) Sugatang puso
(2001), Jologs (2002), Noon at ngayon... pagsasamang kayganda (2003),
Birhen ng Manaoag (2005), You Are the One (2006)

T.V. Series:
"Tabing ilog" (2000), "Pangako sa 'yo" (2000), "Darating ang umaga"
(2003), "Kampanerang Kuba" (2005), "Vietnam Rose" (2005), "Walang
kapalit" (2007), "Ligaw na bulaklak" (2008), "Kung Fu Kids" (2008),
"Palos" (2008)

Jodi Chrissie Santamaria-Lacson, sometimes credited as Jodi Sta.
Maria, Jodie Santamaria or Jodi Santa Maria, is a Filipina actress.
She is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star
Magic. She is a Star Magic Batch 7 alumni. Met future husband Pampi
Lacson while at the set of "Tabing ilog" (2000). Pampi was tagged by a
friend in visiting 'Desiree del Valle'. It was Jodi who asked to be
introduced to Pampi. She is married to Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., who
is the son of Philippine politician Panfilo Lacson Together, they have
a son named Thirdy.

Recently she bagged the Best Actress award from 2008 Cinemanila Film
Festival for her outstanding portrayal as Sisa.

The Complete lists of 2009 Top 20 Independent artists in alphabetical
order
(1) Abalos, Jason (2)Aguilos, Kalila (3) Aquino, Angel (4)
Bayani, Angeli (5) Calzado, Iza (6) Camañag, Roeder (Actor) (7) De
Castro, Glaiza (8) Dizon, Mylene (9) Domingo, Eugene (10) Escaño,
Perry (11) Galura, Alchris (12) Geisler, Baron (13) Lucero, Sid (14)
Malahay, Diana (15) Martin, Coco (16) Reyes, Arnold (17) Sese, Neil
Ryan (18)Servo, Yul(19) Soriano, Meryll (20) Sta. Maria, Jodi

"AURORA" fights to be seen

'Aurora' fights to be seen
X marks the spot
By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle and Entertainment Editor
The Manila Times/Reel Views
Friday, January 16, 2009

Adolfo Alix Jr. is an independent director who has shown his artistic range. Donsol, his debut full length feature that was finalist for the Best Picture award at the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and won Special Jury Prizes at both the Asian Marine Film Festival in Japan and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in the US, and Kadin, a favorite at the 2007 Cinemalaya, were tranquil films of idyllic seaside and pastoral panoramic settings. On the other hand, Tambolista, finalist for Best Picture at the 2007 CinemaOne Originals, is a gritty urban survival drama shot in black and white.

In Aurora, he goes deep into the Philippine jungle into no-man’s land where renegade rebels have abandoned all ideology and turned to banditry.

“It’s also a departure from my earlier films because it’s a bit political. I’m always interested in doing something new,” Alix reveals.

Alix also explores an intriguing quandary: relying on your oppressor your very survival. In particular, he dares confront head-on a crime that happens to many female abduction victims which they themselves often hush and hide from even the most investigative reportage: rape.

The quandary and the criterion for artistry and depth in a film dealing with rape is to depict the act as it really is—a form of brutality—and not to inadvertently titillate viewers with gratuitous and superfluous sex-violence scenes or to de-emphasize its importance by demurring and glossing over it. In other words, a film should not turn on or desensitize but rather turn off men from hurting women. Does Aurora pass this criterion? Can it guarantee that no one in their right minds get the wrong ideas from the film?

“When I was thinking of how to do it, I decided it to be more realistic. I wanted to emphasize the brutality more than anything. The intention was to show that it dehumanized the character of Aurora,” Alix explains, adding “When she does something later, then people will understand. It justifies her actions.”

Alix attests, “If it was gratuitous, it wouldn’t have a place in this film. If it was, I would be the first person to cut it.”

However, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) recently classified Aurora as “Double X” for having been evaluated and rejected twice.

Even with an honest depiction of rape that is truly necessary to the narrative, such a movie would still raise another quandary: can we trust viewers above the age of 18—the same adults we have entrusted since the Third Republic of 1946 with voting, marriage and parenthood, internal combustion vehicles and firearms—with such a mature narrative? Or must authorities classify it as “X-Rated”—not fit for any adult to watch?

“I applied for an R-18 rating. For TV, you need censorship because it’s free; you have children watching. But for cinema the idea is classification. Adults can go see the movie by themselves. You can’t pre-judge for the person. He has his right and freedom to see a film he has chosen. The idea of prior restraint is what we are fighting,” he explains.

“Filipinos are mature enough to see films. When they see the films, I don’t think they will be titillated by the film with the way it was shot. You have a psychological problem if you are still titillated. If you find that it is brutal, then you got the meaning,” Alix believes.

“There was no genitalia exposure. The shot in contention is just 27 seconds,” notes the director.

“I am trying to understand why they gave the film a ‘Double X’ rating because I’ve seen some films approved that were merely titillating. It’s always a subjective idea—five people sitting down to watch a film,” he says.

Alix now turns to the office of the President to overturn the MTRCB’s classification. Other films whose classifications have been successfully appealed include Steven Spielberg’s Oscar Award-winning Schindler’s List.

“Since it is a democracy, I am willing to submit my film through that process,” Alix says. He declares that is not willing to reedit or cut away the scenes. “I believe in the integrity of the film,” he attests.

“The films is about a woman fighting oppression and now the film is being oppressed by an institution that is supposed to promote liberalism. The audience has choices,” he opines.

This is all new for Alix; he has never had any of his films classified as “X.” But for lead actress Rosanna Roces, this is all nothing new. She holds the record for having the most number of films successfully reclassified from “X” to “R-18” or restricted for 18-years old and above. Her body of work includes Carlos Siguion-Reyna’s critically acclaimed Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin (1997) and Chito S. Roño’s La Vida Rosa (2002) for which she won Gawad Urian’s Best Actress Award.

Alix reveals, “I was thinking of a project for Rosanna. She wanted to do an indie film. I told her, ‘We can do something different from what you did before.’ I looked at what concept would fit her. Then I remembered stories of women kidnapped in Mindanao. That inspired me.” He notes that the movie title and character name Aurora means “the first light of day”—apt for story on woman enduring brutality in the dark of tropical rainforest.

Cast members include: Angeli Bayani, Best Actress Award-winner at the 10th CineManila International Film Festival for Lav Diaz’s Melancholia (2008); Sid Lucero, Best Actor Award winner at the Gawad Urian and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival for Paolo Villaluna’s Selda (2008); and Kristofer King, critically acclaimed for performances in Mario O’Hara’s Babae Sa Breakwater (2003) and Brillante Mendoza’s Tirador (2007) and Serbis (2008).

Adolfo Alix’s upcoming projects are no less stellar. Manila, a two-part film to be released in the first quarter of this year, is an indie film that stars and is co-produced by Piolo Pascual. Raya Martin directs the first episode and Alix takes the helm for the second. Karera, already in post production, tells the story of a family that lives inside the racehorse track of Santa Ana, also stars Roces as well Jay Manalo who won the Best Actor Award at the 2003 Gawad Urian for Erik Matti’s Prosti. Kalayaan, set to start filming in late February, is about Filipino soldiers stationed in the remote yet hotly contested Spratly Islands.


CATCH THE SPECIAL SCREENING OF "AURORA" THIS MONDAY, JANUARY 19,
7:30 P.M. AT THE U.P. CINE ADARNA.

Lav Diaz' MELANCHOLIA at the UP Film Center

Start:	Jan 15, '09 04:00a
Location:	UP Cine Adarna (Film Center)

Lav Diaz' MELANCHOLIA (Grand Prize Winner, Premio Orizzonti, 65th Venice International Film Festival 2008) will be screened at UP Cine Adarna (Film Center), on Jan 24, Saturday, from 1-9pm.

Tickets at 100php.

Contact Kints: 0905.2404177 for details.

Beyond the Time Barrier
Review by Christoph Huber

Hollywood may have taught us that It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, but
Lav Diaz reminds us that the world is also sad sad sad sad. And if
that repeptition sounds crushing to you (whereas the one in the title
of Stanley Kramer's Hollywood film is just there to tickle), you are
on the right track: Inaugurated by the epic masterpiece Evolution of a
Filipino Family (Ebolusyon ng isang pamilyang pilipino, 2004), the
Filipino's director recent cycle of black-and-white video works, with
their seemingly unwieldy lengths - inbetween seven and eleven hours -
represent a unique achievment and ofer unique experiences in the
history of cinema. Their length is not an affectation, but a
necessity, in reaching for heights of expression that the conventional
(and commercial) "rules" of moviemaking deny. They demand (but also:
allow, for their durational strategy is ultimately liberating)
uncommon dedication and concentration by the viewer, whose patience is
rewarded with a physical experience of time and a stunning, singularly
concrete feeling about their spaces, emotions and characters unlike
almost anything else. The film's world starts to feel lived-in (and in
that sense, Diaz' penchant for unbroken marathon screenings of his
work is all the more understandable: bringing food and other stuff to
the cinema, you have to make the screening room something like your
living room: a lived-in place as well).

Which in a roundabout way, brings us to the ingeniously titled
Melancholia, (after all, already Hippocrates characterized as the
symptoms of melancholia "all fears and despondencies, if they last a
long time" - a perfect match for the director's temporal strategies.)
For Diaz' most recent film, the highlight of the Orrizonti section at
the 2008 Venice film festival, whose main prize it deservedly won, is
on the one hand a deeply moving seven-and-a- half-hour lament about
resistance against all odds following through on the now somewhat
familiar strategies of the filmmakers' recent work. On the other hand,
its remarkable structure and subtle revelations of layers, adopting a
(self-)critical stance (both in respect to its characters as well as
to itself - and both political as well as aesthetic) mark it as maybe
the boldest experiment yet in Diaz's daring reconception of
cinema-as-we- know it.
In the beginng Melancholia may seem linear and following the logic of
a conventional narrative - a tale of a prostitute, a pimp and a nun in
a small town in the Philippines, described with Diaz' characteristic
attention to details and rhythms of life, of perception and thought.
But in the first of two decisive breaks - roughly after a third,
respectively two thirds into the film - these carefully rendered lives
prove to be chimeras made up to deal with the pain of existence and
the throwbacks in the fight for freedom equality. From then on, sounds
and motives (not just visual ones) begin to dominate the flow: A woman
wailing unforgettably in the jungle, her sad ballad haunting the
proceedings, as the losses and crushed hopes of the protagonists
become ever clearer. Ever the commited filmmaker, Diaz not only
insists on the political dimension - for all its depression,
Melancholia is nothing less than a cri de coeur for continuing
revolution -, but also incorporates fascinating detours into the
situation of Filipino filmmaking (reminding one, for instance, of the
crucial Brocka subplot in Ebolusyon).

"Why is there so much sadness and too much madness in this world? Is
happiness just a concept? Is living just a process to measure man's
pain?", asked Diaz in his director's note accompanying the film's
description in the Venice Festival catalogue. The answers to the last
to questions seemingly remain ambivalent: the wounded world of
Melancholia may suggest desperation at times, but the effort of the
characters to struggle on - and the efforts of Diaz himnself, who from
what are nearly no-budget filmmaking circumstances, wrestles a
richness, both philosophical and artistic, that all those pricier
films daren't even dream of - also touches deeply, with a renewed
sense of hope and commitment that remains incorruptible even under the
most adverse of circumstances. Beyond the time barrier, Diaz'
filmmaking manages to open reservoirs mostly untapped by cinematic (or
"visual") art. There is a long sequence of guerillas in the jungle
near the end, whose radical means and spiritual dimension begin to
suggest what Steven Soderbergh recently persumably tried for, and
miserably failed to achieve in his two-part epic about Che (Guevara).
One of Diaz' fighters writes in his notebook: "I now realized the
lyrical madness to this struggle. It is all about sadness. It is about
my sadness. It is all about the sorrow of my people. I cannot
romanticize the futility of it all. Even the majestic beauty of this
island could not provide an answer to this hell. There is no cure to
this sadness." By bearing witness to this sadness, without simply
succumbing to it, by speaking out about to the woes of the world and
our times, Diaz offers a poetic approach that may be somewhat
disillusioned, yet is clearly driven by an unrelenting urge and a
refusal to give in, whether to the (mostly unwritten) laws of the
market, to the (obvious, but mostly circumscribed) failure of
politics, or to the (downplayed) worldwide decline of ideology,
solidarity and humanist values. As Robert Burton noted in "The Anatomy
of Melancholy" back in 1621: "All poets are mad." Lav Diaz may be one
of the maddest of them all.

Christoph Huber

"SAAN BA TAYO IHAHATID NG DISYEMBRE?"

"Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?" will be staged at the PETA Theater Center from Feb. 6 to March 15, 2009, on Fridays at 2:30PM and 7:30PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 10AM and 3PM.

For inquiries or reservations, call PETA Marketing at 410 0821 or 0917-8154567 or email petampro@yahoo.com.

AURORA - UP Special Screening

Start:	Jan 19, '09 7:00p
End:	Jan 19, '09 10:00p
Location:	UP Cine Adarna, Quezon City, Philippines

"AURORA", the controversial independent film of Rosanna Roces, will have a special one-time screening at the U.P. Cine Adarna this January 19th, 7:30 p.m.

The film, directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr., was slapped with 2 "X" ratings from the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) declaring it "unfit for public viewing."

"AURORA" is Roces' first film after La Vida Rosa (2001) which gave her the URIAN Best Actress award. In Aurora, she co-stars with Sid Lucero, who won Best Actor for Selda in the URIAN and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival; Kristofer King, who made waves with his acclaimed performances in Babae Sa Breakwater, Tirador, Serbis and Angeli Bayani who was adjudged Best Actress in the 10th CineManila International Film Festival for Melancholia.

SYNOPSIS:

The film is an intimate portrait of a captor and a captive as they both struggle to survive in the depths of a jungle.
A social worker named Aurora (Rosanna Roces) is kidnapped by members of the Lost Command. After a military raid in the middle of the night, she gets lost in the forest. She walks aimlessly in the thick forest, hoping to find her way out to freedom. She is found by Fadi (Sid Lucero), one of her captors. Aurora tries every way in order to run away. Will she see the break of dawn alive?

See the trailer:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=RW15Y4m-0fI

For ticket inquiries, please call the UP Film Institute at 926-3640.

"AURORA" - Trailer

Help us fight the battle against unjust censorship!

AURORA has been slapped twice by the MTRCB with an "X" rating. We're appealing the decision to Malacanang.

Cast:
Rosanna Roces, Sid Lucero, Kristofer King,
Angeli Bayani

Synopsis:
AURORA explores an intimate portrait of a captor and a captive as they both struggle to survive in the depths of a jungle.

A social worker named Aurora (Rosanna Roces) is kidnapped by members of the Lost Command. After a military raid in the middle of the night, she gets lost in the forest. She walks aimlessly in the thick forest, hoping to find her way out to freedom. She is found by Fadi (Sid Lucero), one of her captors. Aurora tries every way in order to run away. Will she see the break of dawn alive?

Written and Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr.