THE Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (Nabifilmex), this year's host of the Cinema Rehiyon 9, is proof that good things can come even from the worst disasters.
"Cinema Rehiyon 9: No walls, no ceilings" will be held in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, from August 22 to 27, 2017.
The municipality of Nabunturan was all set to drum up interest on their eco-tourism destinations along with other towns in Compostela Valley as the province has cold springs and waterfalls that could easily spark the adventurous spirit of a prospective visitor. And then, typhoon Pablo (Bopha) happened on December 4, 2012, wiping away just about every facility and causing major landslides on what used to be springs and waterfalls.
"Before Pablo, we had tourism meetings to invite people to visit Comval, and then came Pablo, nawala lahat," said Atty. Karen S. Malaki of Nabifilmex, who is the Cinema Rehiyon 9 festival director, in last week's Art Talk at the RBG Bar and Grill of Park Inn by Radisson. Art Talk is a monthly art forum by Free Media, a loose group of Davao journalists.
"Right after Pablo hit town, we started an inventory of the tourist potentials. We didn't have enough tourist resources left, so naisip, let's invite filmmakers from Davao City. A year later, the idea snowballed na," she said.
It was fortunate that their tourism council vice president knew award-winning indie filmmaker and two-time and two-time and a grand prize Palanca Awardee Arnel Mardoquio and Arnel (Arbi) Barbarona (of Tu Pug Imatuy [The right to kill] fame).
Incidentally, Mardoquio's Riddles of My Homecoming was set in barangay Andap, the worst-hit barangay in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, where what used to be a resort row along a barangay road became a swathe of endless boulders. This film won the Festival Price for Cinema One Currents (2013) Best Cinematography for Arnel Barbarona, Bordie Carillo, and McRobert Nacario; Best Production Design for Perry Dizon, Best Music for Gauss Obenza, and Best Director for Mardoquio. It also won the Special Jury Prize for Mardoquio and was nominated for Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Picture. It also won the Gawad Urian 2014 for Best Editing for Chuck Gutierrez and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Production Design, Best Music, Best Cinematogaphy, and Best Sound.
In the summer of 2013, just three months after Pablo, they held the first summer filmfest where they encouraged locals to participate. They were assisted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines-Davao. Twenty filmmakers attended. The seven films made during this summer festival comprised the First Nabifilmex in September 2013.
"When we finished the first workshop, we realized, maraming interested gumawa ng films," Nabifilmex's Bryan Jimenez said in the same forum.
"Four of these seven films were invited for the Cinema Rehiyon 6," Malaki said.
That was their first outing to Cinema Rehiyon, she said, and it was there where they were inspired to make more.
Cinema Rehiyon 9 brings to fore the realities in the regions, not just through the film, but through the manner the films will be shown as well.
With the blurb, "No walls, no ceilings," Cinema Rehiyon 9's unique draw is in the open-air showing.
It's because Nabunturan has no mall, not even a cinema house. Instead, Nabifilmex was able to partner with an Open Air cinema group and also tapped Cinematheque Davao's truck.
There will be an outdoor showing at the park in front of the municipal hall where an inflatable screen will be placed.
"It's having a picnic with family and friends while watching movies," Malaki said.
There are also indoor screenings in functions halls that the organizers booked in Nabunturan. Then there is the Cinematheque truck that will bring the films to the barangays.
Nabunturan is the first municipality that will host the annual national film festival that is a flagship program of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Cinema Committee.
There will be 34 short and feature films from Mindanao by Amaya Han, Shan Hei Sanque, Dax Daddie, Sabrina Garcia Pilones, John Authur Mercader, Juvy Ann Clarito, July Ilagan, Julie Ann Mabida, Kent Xerus Labrador,
Rod Marc Abrina, Louis Lane Usagara, Nickle John Lim, Joey Senday Diego, Carl Hudson Mabanag, Nhia Halcon, Aedrian Araojo, Jill Palarca, Jeffrie Po, Dave Andrew Conde and Kenneth Burcelis, Noeme Gynn Cabaltera,
Jelford A. Teves, Jarell Serencio, Edmund Telmo, Orpheus Nery, Lindon Roy Songahid, Mary Ann M. Gabisan, Rod Villegas, Hamir Achacoso, Racky Malaki III, Christan Alan Toring, Kaye Daga, Al Enruquez, Erl Niko Limos, and Thea Monica Tiongco.
Visayas will have 30 films, while Luzon will have 28 films.