Day of Valor

Let's remember the 10,000 Filipinos and Americans who marched for 5-6 days without food and water during the World War II.

(photo by Winchell Cheng² Alcantara)

Araw ng Kagitingan ("Day of Valor" in Filipino) is a national holiday in the Philippines which commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II. It falls annually on April 9, and is observed on the Monday nearest that date.

Long Day Sunday

-Yawn- ugh! I was lying butt-raised and still sleepy when my phone rang waking me up. It was Sunday and I have to have a quick breakfast and freshen up because I know, I'll be late if I won't get up. First up, I’ll be a Ninong(godfather) to my friend’s daughter.

Me and my Cheng² went to Holy Cross of Agdao where the baptism will be held.

(Baby Arriane being baptized)


And of course, We went to their place and had lunch.





(I wonder what's in my friends mind while he's with her.. looks like he's up to something.. haha!)

I had to get going later that day. Though I’m tipsy having drank almost a case of Red Horse Grandes, I went to meet my teammates in the production to have some… PIZZA!



So with my Cheng2, we went to Picobello’s. We met Ayyi at the elevator on our way up. Since it was 50% off, we ordered…. 6 flavors of PIZZAS!

And then came Fern, and Sharon.
And they posed! LOL





Whew! We left the place with our tummies full! Did you think we stopped there? Nope! Not yet! We accompanied Ayyi to meet our bosses at MIXFM where they were guests at a Radio Show.


Man! Thatt was a long day..

MarsoKwatro

Before I forget, I'd like to share the trailer of our short film back in 2006 titled "MarsoKwatro" (Fourth of March).

Its a fictional thriller-drama story inspired by the March 4, 2003 Davao airport bombing which have killed 21 people and injured more than a hundred. The story evolved on the lives of three young bloods who struggled in their battles with life and their individual rage against who they believed was their enemy.

We bagged most of the major awards in the annual Mindanao Film Festival that time. Enjoy! :D



Marso Kwatro Trailer - The best home videos are here

Another Film Documentary workshop

INVITATION TO A WORKSHOP

CENTER FOR NEW CINEMA

A new center for the study, production and promotion of cinema is here – the Center for New Cinema!

With a view to improve on the historical developments achieved by motion pictures in the country and explore the potentials cinema faces in the age of digital technology, CNC offers workshops, events and production possibilities.

For its inaugural program, the newly-formed Center offers THE DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP. Held for ten days from 21 April till 2 May, this workshop takes up one of the most difficult forms of filmmaking which is the documentary – a form of cinema that has yet to be brought to full appreciation as a cinematic expression in this country.

Conducted by the country’s prizewinning documentary filmmaker with 15 documentaries to his credit, Nick Deocampo, the workshop has devised a syllabus that takes a serious look at the history, theory and practice of documentary filmmaking. Trained in Paris and New York through French-Government Fellowship and Fulbright Scholarship, Deocampo’s track-record as a documentary filmmaker and film teacher assures a highly enriching workshop experience. Responsible for renewing vigor in the documentary since the Eighties with films depicting life under the Marcos dictatorship (OLIVER, REVOLUTIONS HAPPEN LIKE REFRAINS IN A SONG) to his later films dealing with gay themes (THE SEX WARRIORS AND THE SAMURAI) to modernism in painting (EDADES), Deocampo’s films offer classic examples of the genre. For his life-work in the documentary, he has been invited as international film jury in prestigious festivals in Prague, Yamagata, Berlin, New York, Brussels, New Delhi, Singapore, Rotterdam, Brisbane, and many other festivals.

If you have a burning idea that seeks fulfillment, explore the world of the documentary and find out how cinema can become a potent instrument in your quest to deal with life’s realities!

Details of the workshop, including how to apply, may be found at our website: cnc.net.ph

You may send your inquiries to: center4newcinema@yahoo.com or nick@cnc.net.ph

Or you may text or call: 4347400; 09215546942

CENTER FOR NEW CINEMA

Unit 601, Sterten Place Condominium, #116 Maginhawa St., U.P. Teacher’s Village – East, Quezon City (near BayanTel Building along Maginhawa St.)

Film Documentary Workshop

My good friend Teng Mangansakan II will be conducting a Film Documentary Workshop starting April 12 in Davao City. The Workshop will hold classes and lectures during the weekend of April (April 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27). Documentary projects will be produced in May. These documentaries will be screened during the 1st Salam Mindanao International Film Festival later this year.

Canadian filmmaker Dominic Morrissette (Afghan Chronicles) will be the guest speaker of the Workshop.

Regular registration is PhP1,800 but early birds will have a discounted registration of PhP1,500. Students will enjoy a further reduced PhP1,200 registration.

For more information, please email morofilm@yahoo.com.

How to get to IIPE:

Just For The Grade

What in the world?! how are you gonna be able to convince yourself that yes, its OK to make an AVP for a company that will not pay for anything even just for the equipment to be used?

Yes, its just a school project and we'll be doing it for the grades. But man, i bet they'll use it for their marketing program and show it to the innocent high school students not knowing that the school sucks...

Instead of making an AVP, i made them a 30sec ad. Just for the f*cking grades...wehe!

Biniton

Biniton is a story depicting the process of preparation and cooking of a dish called Biniton that is particular to the community of Saniag, Ampatuan. The process of cooking, in the eyes of an old woman, brings to life the hardships they experienced amidst armed conflict at the same time the process of preparation, through the experience of Amel, her grandson walks us through the current situation of their community. How amidst the hardships and diversity in culture they had all managed to bounce back and become united.


These are the people behind the film (including Sharon who took this shot).


And this is Me giving instructions to the child actors.

The FOUR kids of Saniag


We are still shooting till midnight because we have to! argh!


And we left the place thanking the people of Saniag, Ampatuan who helped us during the shoot.


It was shown in Kontra-Agos Film Festival at Indie Sine, Robinsons Galleria from December 5-11,2007



The Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Robert Desjardins looking at the tarpaulin of my film.


And... tada!! I got the 3rd Place! And the Best Community Story! Congratas to all the winners!

Indeed it was a journey for me and my teammates. Thanks to all who have been with us through thick and thin! Thanks Teng and to the LGSPA peeps! I hope, we hope that it would not stop and more shoots and film to come. Full-length film before 2009 hopefully!

Hidden Paradise

The sun was up when I woke up that sunday morning. It was Easter Sunday. Fernan, was using Jeffy's laptop talking to a friend over the net. I Thought he was going to church that morning that's why am surprised to see him there awake chatting early in the morning after a long night of preparing the food for the next days activity.

I took a shower, geared up, and hurried up to Sasa. As usual we're late. All of them were already there and waiting for the two of us.

We were like gingerbread men in the making, being baked through the heat of the sun. With my beat box in my left hand and the bamboo pole on the other as guide, we went down through the steep path. Flordy even took off her Crocs™ sandals just to get a good grip of the rocky path (She managed to get over the pain caused by the limestones of course!).

After the long multicab ride, not the mention the dusty road that we were like natives from africa wearing their tribal make-ups, plus the multicab breakdown on our way, and of course the steep path, we finally arrived!

The water is bluer than the sky you see... =) All worth it huh? I wanna go back to this place.. with less people around us.. Wanna Join?! hehehe!

Here's some pics for you to enjoy.. (Hopefully!hehe! Photos by: Earl Saavedra and coicoi)

The "Lost Season" cast! hehehehe

I am Lost

"The Campsite" ( =P )

Boracay? Ikaw ba yan? hihihi

Scene Of the Crime Operatives (S.O.C.O.)

It was a dark night. Rain poured and we’re in the middle of a far town. I was about to sleep when I felt something inside me wants to come out. I found out later that Fetus and Adur felt the same. And so we decided to take the risk to go outside our quarters. Raindrops touched my skin and it felt cold. We were like the three blind mice. Thanks to Ayyi’s headlamp I was able to see at least 3 feet away. Still, we went on and went up the hill. When we found the perfect spot, Fetus was faster than a falling star to duck. I already found a place and also joined Fetus. Adur on the other hand was preparing to join us. I was about to unleash the power but…. “Brrrrt!”, the sound of silence was broken by Adur! We burst into laughter while we were unleashing the power. To cut the story short… we lived happily ever after. I hope the S.O.C.O. wouldn’t find the crime scene because we left evidences.

Tungo sa Arakan...

Nagising ako sa tunog ng aking celfone. isinet ko ang alarm nito sa ikaapat na oras ng madaling araw. Agad kong kinuha ang listahan ng mga gamit na ginawa ko bago pa ako natulog ng gabing iyon. Sipilyo, towel, tsinelas, iilang pares ng t-shirt at shorts, pantalon, sabong pampaligo, pangginaw, plato, baso, kutsara at tinidor.


Nirolyo ko ang pagkatupi ng mga damit at towel para magkasya sa bag na hiniram ko sa isang matalik na kaibigan. Naligo, nagbihis.. pagkatapos kinuha ko yung bag ko tsaka ako umalis papunta don sa tagpuan ng lahat ng crew.

Habang papalapit ako, nakikita ko na yung mga magiging kasama ko sa buong panahon na gagawin ang pelikula. Yung iba kumakain ng agahan, yung iba naman ay nagkukwentuhan lang habang hinihintay ang hudyat para sumakay sa van na magdadala sa amin papuntang arakan valley.

“coicoi sa van no. 2 ka” sabi ni drei. Sa harap ng van ako sumakay kasama ng isa pang asst. camera na si victor, habang ang iba naman ay nasa likod.



Tanghali na nang dumating kami sa bahay na tutuluyan namin. Nanunuot ang lamig sa katawan ko pagbaba ko ng van. Makikita mo ang hamog sa unahan. Tulong tulong kami sa pagbaba ng lahat ng mga gamit. Bags, tripod, JIB, mga camera, at mga iba pang kakailanganin namin. Naghanap ng kani-kaniyang pwesto para matulugan ang lahat. yung iba nakahagilap ng matt, yung iba nagsetup ng hammock.. me nakuntento na lang sa sahig pero me carpet naman.. at para sakin.. sa bangko na pinagdugtong ko lang.. masubukan nga ang ganitong setup sa unang gabi.

Walang shoot sa unang araw. kelangang maipwesto ang lahat eh. Syempre ibaba pa yung napakagaang na Generator Set na kailangan buhatin ng walong tao mailipat lang mula sa dump truck hanggang sa kakalagyan nito. Yung mga electrical wirings ng bahay (pano na lang ichacharge ang mga pinakamamahal na celfones dba?), tsaka computer.

Nakapag hapunan na lahat, at naghanda na para matulog ang iilan sa amin.Tinago ko pa nga yung mga goma na pantali ng kutsara at tinidor para di humiwalay sa lunchpack eh, souvenir kumbaga! Inihanda ko lahat ng kakailanganin ni Myk para sa unang sequence na gagawin kinabukasan. Ichinarge ang mga Batirya, isinilid sa bag ang camera at akoy pumwesto na sa aking tutulugan(tulugan nga bang maituturing ang isang silya? hehe).Magiging isang mahabang araw pa kinabukasan alam ko.. call time?? alas sais ng umaga.. whew!! magandang gabi arakan..