Forty-two (42) Filipino
films were submitted to the Cinema Evaluation Board(CEB)
for evaluation and quality grading for the year 2009. Out of these films, 31 were graded quality: 14 A and 17 B.
For
the month of December, these films have passed the criteria of the CEB.
December
21:
“I
LOVE YOU GOODBYE”
– graded ‘B’
Director:Laurice
Guillen
Actors:Gabby
Concepción, Angelica Panganiban, Kim Chiu, Derek Ramsay
Production:ABS-CBN
Film Productions, Inc.
Synopsis:Lizelle
Jimenez (Angelica Panganiban) and Gary Angeles (Derek Ramsay) are a couple out
to fulfill their dreams together until Gary
suddenly leaves without a word. Lizelle is left devastated. She is rescued by
Dr. Adrian Benitez (Gabby Concepcion). In her loneliness, he showers her with
love and affection and she has never felt so special. There is just one thing
Lizelle is struggling with – fitting into Adrian’s
world. Coming from humble beginnings, Lizelle finds it difficult to belong in Adrian’s high-class
society. As Lizelle tries her best to belong to Adrian’s
world, Gary
comes back to win her love. With Gary’s
return, Lizelle is caught in a tangle of secrets, truths and lies that she has
to confront. In the end, Lizelle has to choose between the two men she loves
the most and eventually face the consequences of her choice.
“ANG
PANDAY” - graded
‘B’
Director:Mac
Alejandre
Actors:Ramon
‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Philip Salvador, Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, Geoff Eigenmann, Robert ‘Buboy’
Villar, Benjie Paras
Productions:GMA
Network Films, Inc. & Imus Productions
Synopsis:For
centuries, the demon Lizardo has been wreaking havoc on the known world. Flavio,
a blacksmith whose parents were killed by Lizardo’s wrath, is keen at avoiding
confrontation. Until one day, he meets the beautiful Maria. They fall for one
another. Perchance, a meteorite crashes into the earth and Maria tells Flavio
that it has chosen him for a new destiny – that of a hero for mankind. Flavio is
hesitant. For her protection, he gives Maria a dagger crafted from the fallen
star’s metal. But unexpectedly, Lizardo’s minions attack and capture Maria. Joined
by his loyal friends, Flavio sets out to find her. They battle all kinds of monsters
and creatures as they traverse the darkest recesses of the earth. Finally, they
find Lizardo’s lair… and Maria. A battle ensues and Flavio is blinded. As he
recovers, he meets Adora who convinces him of his heroism and gifts him his
sight once more. Now more powerful than ever, he returns to battle the evil
Lizardo, to save his bride and the world.
December
22:
“MANO
PO 6: A Mother’s Love” - graded ‘A’
Director:Joel
Lamangan
Actors: Sharon
Cuneta, Christopher De Leon,
Zsa Zsa Padilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Heart Evangelista, Ciara Sotto, Dennis Trillo
Production:Regal
Entertainment, Inc.
Synopsis:Melinda
Uy is a billionaire widow whose life is a rags-to-riches story. The daughter of
a Chinese immigrant and a Filipino small businessman, Melinda had been a victim
of discrimination in the local Chinese community, being only half-Chinese. Melinda
is only in her late teens when she gets married to Alfonso Uy, the scion of the
wealthy Uy clan. But Alfonso’s parents frown upon the marriage, believing that
it is cursed. Disappointed with Alfonso’s choice of wife, they disinherit him. A
widow at a young age, Melinda along with her children, is compelled to live with
her in-laws who maltreat her. One day, Melinda, along with eldest child Carol,
returns to the house of her in-laws from a visit to her mother. Melinda is
shocked to find out that she is no longer welcome. She is driven away after a
failed attempt to take Carol away from her. Little Stephanie, Audrey, and
Walden are left behind in the house of the in-laws. Melinda’s efforts to take
custody of them come to naught her as her in-laws manage to hide the children
from her. Melinda goes through hell in her attempts to take back her children.
But Melinda’s determination is no match for the power of her in-laws. Short of
giving up, Melinda vows to someday take back her children as she channels her
efforts to succeed financially, while continually monitoring the condition of
her three children from afar. Years later, Melinda is now ready to revive her
claim on her children, but years of separation make it seem impossible for her
to win back their love.
Actors:Snooky Serna, Emilio Garcia, Lovi Poe,
Gloria Diaz, Robert Arevalo, Felix Roco
Production:Legalas
Entertainment
Synopsis:Merle
Asero is a nurse who is married to a security guard, Johnny. They have a
17-year-old daughter, Kat, who dreams of taking up medicine. For her daughter’s
dreams to come true, Merle decides to become an OFW to support the financial
needs of her family. Merle asks for her mother-in-law to take care of her
daughter while she is gone. When Merle departs for Italy, Johnny feels abandoned by
his wife. He takes out his anger and depression on his daughter, Kat. He begins
to physically abuse her. When he discovers that Kat is beginning to entertain
male suitors in her school, he is enraged and begins to sexually abuse her. The
mother-in-law is at first ignorant of what is happening in their household but
when she discovers what her son is doing to her grand-daughter, she becomes
helpless. The father threatens her and warns her to stay out of his way. Months
later, Merle returns and discovers that her family is gone. She searches for
her family and is shocked to find out that her daughter is pregnant. When she
realizes that her own husband has impregnated her daughter, Merle plans to
rescue her by taking her away from the clutches of her husband. But before they
could escape, the mother and daughter are locked in the house. Later on, the
mother and daughter escape from the man who has made their lives miserable, but
with tragic results.
JOB OPENING
FDCP Press Release 28 October 2009
The Philippines shines at TIFFCOM
2009
The Film Development Council of the Philippines
(FDCP) set up a Philippine Booth at the TIFFCOM 2009 Marketplace for Film and
TV in Asia held at the Roppongi Hills in Tokyo Japan last October 19 to 23,
2009. TIFFCOM 2009 is the affiliated market of the Tokyo
International Film Festival and is an annual event aimed to
encourage global entertainment businesses by providing an efficient marketplace
in Asia for all content holders and buyers in the world.
Heading the Philippine
delegation was FDCP chairman Rolando S. Atienza assisted by FDCP-PFESO
Executive Director Digna H. Santiago, FDCP Executive Director Lali F. Suzara
and Special Projects Assistant Luigi M. Verzosa.
There were a lot of
inquiries with regard to the Philippine film industry but most centered on
co-production possibilities. These inquiries were from Japan, China and
Malaysia.
Hollywood Reporter
journalist Patrick Frater conducted an interview with FDCP chairman Atienza on
the state of Philippine Independent Cinema. Mr. Atienza was quick to
thank Mr. Frater for the positive review about Manila in his article published
last October 12, 2009 where Mr. Frater wrote about the Philippines’ booming
film industry.
Meanwhile, San Francisco
TV Reporter and Independent producer Roger Garcia interviewed FDCP-PFESO
Exec. Dir. Digna H. Santiago on the upcoming plans of the FDCP in promoting
Filipino films.
A spotlight was set on the
cast and staff of the Filipino film in competition, Himpapawid. They
were the stars of the festival with Himpapawid director Raymond Red
taking the lead with his actors Raul Arellano, Sue Prado and John Arcilla.
(L-R) Himpapawid actors Sue Prado and Raul Arellano, FDCP Exec.Dir.
Lali F. Suzara, FDCP-PFESO Exec.Dir. Digna H. Santiago, FDCP Luigi Verzosa, Himpapawid
actor John Arcilla, Alessandro Productions 24.07 producer Joseph Santos,
Postmanila COO Dave Hukom
FDCPChairman Rolando S. Atienza (2nd from right) in the FDCP booth
with FDCP Exec.Dir. Lali F. Suzara, FDCP Luigi Verzosa and Himpapawid
director Raymond Red
With PIFF Director Kim Dong-Ho (Center) and Himpapawaid Director Raymond Red (2nd
from right). (L-R) FDCP Exec. Dir. Lali F. Suzara, FDCP-PFESO Exec. Dir. Digna
H. Santiago and FDCP Luigi Verzosa.
______________________________
Cinema Evaluation Board 24 November 2009
As
of November 24, 2009, 34 Filipino films were submitted to the CEB for
evaluation and quality grading. Out of these films, 27 were graded quality: 12 A and 15 B.
Local
films graded quality for the month of November:
“DUKOT” was graded ‘A’ last November 10, 2009.
Director:Joel
Lamangan
Actors:Iza
Calzado, Allen Dizon, Gina Alajar, Snooky Serna, Robert Arevalo, Emilio Garcia,
Felix Roco
Production:ATD
Entertainment Productions
Synopsis:A
film on extrajudicial killings and abductions in the Philippines based on true stories.
All the incidents in the film actually happened. It could very well be the
first full-length film to deal squarely with the current phenomenon of human
rights violations in the Philippines.
“WALANG
HANGGANG PAALAM”
was graded ‘B’ last November 10.
Synopsis:The
film tells the story of four lonely souls whose search for the meaning of love
will conclude in tragic self-discoveries. It is a disquieting treatise on how
love, like life itself is underlined and decided by fate.
“BIYAHENG LUPA” was graded ‘B’ last November 18.
Director:Armando
‘Bing’ Lao
Actors:Angel
Aquino, Jaclyn Jose, Eugene Domingo, Coco
Martin, Julio Diaz
Production:Quantum
Films
Synopsis:A
bus takes off from urban Manila to the rustic
southeastern side of the Philippines.
Aboard are passengers from different walks of life, each one with a story to
share: Helen, a married woman having an affair; Alex, an unsuccessful
multilevel marketing newbie; Kardo, an old court interpreter still haunted by
the death of his wife and son; Jinky, a loud gay who gets smitten with the
intense Obet, a young man who is running away from filial duty. Then there’s
Fina, who has regrets about her marriage; Cora, who is still in mourning;
Irene, who is about to leave her son for a menial job abroad; Lilian, the town
gossip in patient search of true love; Anabel, a superstitious pregnant girl;
Micky, a young deaf-mute visiting his mother’s tomb; and Grandma Paz, who has
just been released from prison for drug pushing. The bus gets stoned, an
unlikely romance develops, mangoes are given out, a love song elicit tears, a
man’s butterfly knife – and then a real butterfly – cause commotion, an
incriminating photograph gets lost… this is a journey they will never forget.
In just a single ride, “Biyaheng Lupa”
vividly chronicles the inner lives of ordinary people as they grapple with
issues of love, life and death.
“TULAK” was graded ‘B’ last November 24.
Director:Neal Tan
Actors:Rafael
Rosell, Julio Diaz, Maria Isabel Lopez, Mon Confiado, Ynez
Veneracion
Production:Exogain
Productions
Synopsis:Tikboy
is a typical young boy in a narrow alley where most of the residents are
criminals, immorals, and drug dependents. Orphaned at an early age, his aunt
Lukray, an aging prostitute took him under her wing with her live-in partner
Abdon, a low-ranking policeman, corrupt, fraudulent and a drug pusher. Tikboy
serves as Abdon’s delivery boy in most of his drug deals.
