MUCH as I wanted to, I could only manage to watch three out of the nine full-length feature films in the 12th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival which ran in one of the Ayala Center Cebu cinemas from Aug. 9-14.
Worse, most of the awards went to the films that I missed. Whew! Worst, I was not able to watch even one of the 10 short films in the film fest. Sigh!
It was good that I was able to watch Dagsin on the opening day. The movie gave Tommy Abuel a best actor trophy.
The best actress plum went to Hasmine Killip of Pamilya Ordinaryo. The best performance for a supporting actor honor went to four actors, namely: Lou Veloso, Jun Urbano, Leo Rialp and Nanding Josef of Hiblang Abo.
For the supporting actress category, two veteran actresses shared the honor. They were Elizabeth Oropesa of I America and Lollie Mara of Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching.
Mercury Is Mine got the Special Jury Prize while Pamilya Ordinaryo bagged the Netpac Prize. Both are full-length features.
The Nora Aunor starrer, Tuos, got the Audience Choice Feature Film, best sound and best original music awards. I had a feeling the movie would not give the superstar an award and that hunch came true.
Although Nora gave a credible performance, as usual, the story did not give her the chance to shine the brightest.
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While Cebu and other parts of the Visayas-Mindanao areas had mostly fair weather in the last few days, the Greater Manila Area had more rainfall and even had a tornado.
The almost continuous downpour proved to be a bane to the airline industry as many flights had been redirected, delayed and worse, postponed. One of the “victims” was Cebuana singer-actress Vina Morales who was scheduled to have a show at the Teatro Casino at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino last Saturday.
The show was postponed, naturally.
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After a month break, Star Cinema gives its ardent followers a new treat next month with the Kathryn Bernardo-Daniel Padilla starrer, Barcelona–A Love Untold. Director Olivia Lamasan is at the helm.
As the title implies, the movie was shot in Barcelona, Spain (I’m not quite sure if it’s in its entirety though). For this alone and for other reasons, the movie is worth watching especially for the die-hard KathNiel fans.
The playdate is Sept. 14. Of course, Daniel and Kathryn are going to woo their fans through a Cebu visit at SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu on the 12th.
For sure, KathNiel fans will troop to the venues. Wanna bet?
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One of Cebu’s earliest festivals will be held this Sunday. Sadsad Festival of Barangay Poblacion (Oslob) will have its streetdancing starting at 1 p.m. followed by the showdown at the town’s covered court immediately after.
The festival started in 1996 as a highlight of the feast of Señor San Roque but had a short hiatus after it was elevated to town festival for three to four years. In 2014, barangay officials led by Hon. Friedel Nazareno decided to revive the festival to the delight of the residents.
Chants of “Viva Señor San Roque” and “Sadsad” in time with the lively and danceable original festival jingle will surely give a cheerful effect to both the residents and guests alike.
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I’m still not losing hope that I’ll be able to catch the last remaining days of the fifth run of the original Filipino stage musical Rak of Aegis at the Peta Theater in Quezon City.
The story revolves around a family that fell victim to typhoon Ondoy some years back.
The songs of the Aegis were carefully woven into the story. Very creative. I’m crossing my fingers that my plan will materialize.