Monday, November 13, 2006 Costanilla: Festival of Cebuano culture By Sam Costanilla Spotlight
THE planned Cebuano Cultural Festival from Dec. 1-3 should be fully supported by the general public if only for its noble intention—which is to uplift, promote and emphasize the cultural wealth of Cebu and the Cebuanos. This is indeed very relevant and important especially at this time when the young generation needs to be educated on the richness and beauty of the Cebuano culture.
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SO when my good friend Nimfa Alo of the University of San Carlos informed me about the Cebuano Cultural Festival, I was excited and thrilled for I know that the event would have a series of appropriate activities that should stress on the richness and beauty of our very own culture. For instance, on Dec. 1, there will be an opening of exhibits at 10 a.m. at the SM City Trade Hall and the showing of the stageplay Elena at the University’s Fr. Rahman Cultural Center (matinee at 3 p.m. and gala at 7 p.m.).
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THEN on Dec. 2, at around 2 p.m. at the University’s Buttenbruch Hall, an interesting symposium on Cebuano heritage and culture will be held with such speakers and topics as Dr. Resil Mojares on Our Heritage is What We Preserve, Architect Melva Java on Cebuano Heritage: Issues and Concerns, Dr. Jocelyn Gerra on Ethnography, Basak Blacksmiths: A Glimpse of Cebu’s Past, Dr. Francisco Nemenzo on The Future of Visayan and Dr. Jose Abueva on Bisaya in the Global Filipino Nation. At around 6 p.m., Dulce, singing champ Jimmy Marquez and other artists will stage a free concert atthe Fr. Bustos gym. Other cultural activities have been lined up for Dec. 3 that include a cultural show at the Fr. Rahman cultural center at 8 p.m. Those interested to participate in and watch the activities are urged to ring tel. no. 253-1000 and look for Nimfa.
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TOPNOTCH movie and television writer-director Carlo J. Caparas and wife Donna were in town recently. The three of us were simply enjoying the nice evening ambience of The Tinder Box in Banilad while discussing some important issues affecting the entertainment industry. The couple also took the opportunity to personally invite me to attend the Gusi Peace Prize annual awarding ceremonies on Wednesday, Nov. 22, atthe Meralco Theater in Pasig city. You see, Direk Carlo is one of the 15 awardees that include prominent figures from Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, USA, Russia, New Zealand, China and India. Direk Carlo will be honored for his work as a filmmaker, novelist and comics writer. Hon. Manuel Morato heads the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation while Hon. Barry Gusi is chair of the board.
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ONE of the foreign awardees to be honored alongside Direk Carlo is Supreme Master Ching Hai who will be awarded for her philanthropic and humanitarian worksin her native Vietnam. I gathered that she is the founder and spiritual leader of the globally known Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association whose main objective is to help victims of different calamities worldwide. As a renowned humanitarian, Ching Hai’s love and assistance has extended beyond all cultural and racial boundaries. I also learned that Ching Hai, after years of trials and tribulations, finally found the Quan Yin Method and the Divine Transmission in the Himalayas that led to her attainment of complete enlightenment.
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BACK to the Caparas couple. Do you know that Donna, who is from Lapu-lapu city, was recently honored by Famas as the country’s most successful actress-film producer? What makes her award very significant is the fact that this Cebuana is the lone recipient of this award in 55 years of Famas’ existence. Can anyone beat that? It should be noted that what Donna got was the Maria Clara Award, the original Famas, for her unparalleled success in producing box-office hit movies.
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SUCH recognition means a lot to our indefatigable paisana. Donna got the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Award’s box-office queen accolade in 1987, 1989, 1993 and 1995. One more award could catapult her to the hall of fame. As her fellow Cebuanos, we should also feel proud of Donna’s achievements in the field of entertainment, specifically in the arena of filmmaking. What I admire in her is her ever-humble ways. Like her husband, the wife has not allowed fame and fortune go to her head. They continue to prove to one and all that humility is always a cherished trait. Cheers to both direk Carlo and Donna!
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THIS aging and sickly radioman and his mistress are occupying a portion of a small-time radio station to the consternation of the staff and employees. Why? The two are utilizing the place like a motel.
