Serna: Cebuano-made movies take part in film fest

Thursday, February 9, 2012

“BRAVE, bold and original.” These adjectives describe the 12 movies, some of which had already captured the fancy of local and foreign movie watchers and critics, that will be shown in the six-day Cinema One Originals Festival in Cebu City starting tomorrow, Feb. 11, till the 16th.

Four of the 12 movies are Cebuano-made (Di Ingon Nato, My Paranormal Romance, Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria, and Confessional) with one (Imburnal) from Mindanao, making it a total of five movies using the Visayan (or Cebuano) language.

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The others are also award-winning films in the 2011 Cinema One Originals Festival, like Ka Oryang, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Mga Anino sa Tanghaling Tapat, Cartas de la Soledad, Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa, Sa Ilalim ng Tulay and Big Boy.

Some stars of the above-mentioned projects will grace the opening ceremonies of the film festival. The tentative list includes 7th Cinema One Originals Festival best actress Lilia Cuntapay, Mercedes Cabral, Franco Reyes, Phoebe Kaye Fernandez, Paul Jake Castillo, Publio Briones III and Van Roxas.

Of course, the Cebuano directors like Remton Zuasola (of Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria), Victor Villanueva (of My Paranormal Romance) and Ivan Zaldarriaga and Brandon Relucio (of Di Ingon Nato), to name some, are expected to be present.

In the presscon recently held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, ABS-CBN Cebu talent Phoebe Kaye Fernandez said her character in My Paranormal Romance is almost like her real persona.

Paul Jake said his role is short, but he is hopeful that his portrayal will leave a mark among moviegoers. He is open to similar assignments which, in today’s standards, are classified as indie movies.

Pubs Briones told the entertainment media present that he has a dual role in My Paranormal Romance, that of male and female fraternal twins, for which he earned a nomination for best actor.

Remton, when asked why he did not relocate to Manila where more opportunities are in store for him especially after Damgo won awards in Indonesia, Korea and in the 34th Gawad Urian, opined that he just wants to make Cebuano movies here in Cebu and for Cebu not to experience a “brain drain” of sorts with “ripe” Cebuano talents who shine being relocated to Manila.

Cinema One channel head Ronald Arguelles is hoping the event will help invigorate and revitalize the ailing Visayan film-making industry. He was supported by the above-mentioned directors.

On whether the event will become an annual thing, Arguelles stressed that it will depend on the Cebuano movie-going public’s response.

So to show our support for this undertaking, we had better spare a little amount not only to enjoy good movies but also to contribute in administering the much-needed shot in the arm for the Visayan film-making industry.

Screenings for the 12 movies will entail only P100 each. Not much, huh.

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Director Cathy Garcia Molina who has so far directed box-office hits under Star Cinema wanted to raise the level of excitement in her projects, and so she came up with a more daring portrayal of her stars, Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz, in the movie Unofficially Yours.

As to how daring they went, it’s for us to find out. Unofficially Yours will be shown in movie houses nationwide starting Wednesday, Feb. 15.

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“What’s your number?” is not a pick-up line for a possible romance to be ignited in time for Valentine’s Day. “What’s your number?” is Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu’s grand Valentine beach party with an open bar from 8:30-11 p.m. on the day of hearts.

Flyers for the event say: “Single, taken, boy, girl, straight, gay, young, cougar, celebrity or not” can join the biggest dating game of the season, where the first to find his or her match will win a three-day, two-night stay in a deluxe room.

If, however, they cannot agree or they don’t click, they can divide the prize. Other exciting games with corresponding prizes are in store.