CEB Update
July 21, 2009
As of July 21, 2009, 18 Filipino films were submitted to the CEB for evaluation and quality grading. Out of these films, 15 were graded quality: 7 'A' and 8 'B'.
Graded `A’ Films
1. JAY
Director: Francis Xavier Pasion
Actors: Baron Geisler, Coco Martin, Flor Salanga, Angelica Rivera, JC Santos
Production: Pasion Para Película
Synopsis: Jay refers to the two protagonists in the film. One is living, the other is dead. The living Jay is producing a documentary on the life of the dead Jay – a gay teacher who was brutally killed. As Jay recreates and examines the life of his subject, his own life is affected as he unravels his subject's hidden life and secret love. The film tells us how media is able to create its own version of the truth. It challenges the audience to be critical and discerning of whatever they see on television or film. Not everything you see is truth.
2. YOU CHANGED MY LIFE
Director: Cathy Garcia-Molina
Actors: John Lloyd Cruz, Sarah Geronimo, Rayver Cruz, Dante Rivero, Rowell Santiago, Matet De Leon, Bernard Palanca, Joross Gamboa, Gio Alvarez, Al Tantay, Irma Adlawan
Production: ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.
Synopsis: It’s been six (6) months since Laida Magtalas won the heart of her prince charming Miggy Montenegro and it has been nothing but roses. Miggy also feels like he’s on top of the world with his family, career and love life on a high. But things are quickly proven not quite what they seem. Miggy gets promoted but is assigned in Laguna. Laida, on the otherhand, is being offered a job in Canada. With their careers leading Laida and Miggy to different paths, their relationship suffers from the pressures of being apart. Will Laida and Miggy be able to keep their happily ever after? Or will they realize, a little too late, that living the dream is actually harder than attaining it?
3. DED NA SI LOLO
Director: Soxie Topacio
Actors: Roderick Paulate, Manilyn Reynes, Gina Alajar, Elizabeth Oropesa, Dick Israel, Perla Bautista, Rainier Castillo, BJ Forbes
Production: APT Entertainment, Inc. / Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.
Synopsis: The story unfolds with the ever observant eye of Bobet, a grandson of the deceased, who, in the process also learns the various complexities of what death could bring to the living members of the family. Through the course of the wake, Bobet is introduced to wakes and its practices. A wake is not a wake if there are no surprises. At the wake comes a mysterious woman whom Isidro explains to his younger siblings as the first wife of their father. The drama unfolds with this revelation. Resolutions and acceptance are but a way to appease the spirit of the dead. In one dramatic moment, Juanito’s children are now one solid family.
4. AGATON AND MINDY
Director: Peque Gallaga
Actors: Louise Delos Reyes, Chase Vega,Cherrie Gil, Dina Bonnevie, Shamaine Centenera, Pilita Corrales, Desiree Del Valle, Audie Gemora
Production: APT Entertainment, Inc. / Directors' Guild of the Philippines, Inc.
Synopsis: What roles does craziness play in making art and making love? The film follows a romance that blossoms between two unlikely partners in the unlikeliest of places. Tonton is quiet and reserved, all rationality; Mindy is impulsive and bubbly, all intuition. He is Moreno, she is mestiza. They meet in a dance class handled by the intimidating, brilliant, and eccentric Tanya Dolokhov, who encourages her pupils to tap into their wild sides of inspiration.
5. KAMOTENG KAHOY
Director: Maryo J. Delos Reyes
Actors: Gloria Romero, Nash Aguas, Robert `Buboy’ Villar Jr., Yul Servo, Anna Capri, Meryl Soriano, Marissa Sanchez, Antón Bernardo, Gerald Madrid, Irma Adlawan, Sharlene San Pedro, Say Alonso
Productions: APT Entertainment & Directors' Guild of the Philippines
Synopsis: The film is based on a true story which happened in a small barrio in Bohol in 2007. Twenty-one (21) pupils died and almost a hundred were hospitalized after eating cassava cakes sold by an old woman, who might have accidentally used pesticide in her ingredients. She has been selling cassava cakes in that school, and has a loving relationship with the children. The film follows a town’s journey from painful trauma towards healing through the intercutting points of view of two (2) of the child survivors, and the old woman vendor. Answers don’t come easy, but in the end redemption arrives for every soul in this town in the form of a final climactic event.
6. BENTE
Director: Mel Chionglo
Actors: Richard Gomez, Jinggoy Estrada, Iza Calzado, Snooky Serna, Emilio Garcia, Glaiza De Castro, Alfred Gatchalian
Productions: APT Entertainment, Inc. / Directors' Guild of the Philippines, Inc.
Synopsis: A back to back treatment of a malaise which has shocked Philippine society for the past so many years: the mysterious disappearances and killings of Filipino journalists and activists. The film focuses on a hard-hitting radio commentator and his conflict with a former classmate who is a suburban town mayor. The radioman’s story runs parallel to the tale of a student-activist on the run with his activist-girlfriend. These parallel stories are interwoven with a third story, that of the former military man, now their would-be assassin. This killer’s unexpected obsession with his wife leads to a climax of murder and mayhem.
7. PITIK BULAG
Director: Gil Portes
Actors: Victor Neri, Marco Alcaraz, Paloma
Production: ALV Events Intl., Inc.
Synopsis: Angelo, an umemployed actor, stumbles on a bag of loot money. Unfortunately, he has left his wallet where he found the loot. The bank robbers discover his address and quickly hunt him down. Kara convinces Angelo to share almost half of the loot with the families of the two (2) murdered security guards and another guard injured in the bank heist. With the robbers hot on their trail, Angelo and Kara embark on charity spree before fleeing to the province where a young daughter is waiting. Unfortunately, the bad guys kill Angelo.
Graded `B’ Films
1. STATUS: SINGLE
Director: Jose Javier Reyes
Actors: Rufa Mae Quinto, Mark Bautista, Desiree Del Valle, Mylene Dizon, Angelu De Leon, Paolo Contis, Rafael Rosell, Alfred Vargas, John Avila
Production: Viva Productions, Inc.
Synopsis: Teodora `Doris’ Mesina, a 30-year-old virgin who’s anxious to get married because she loathes the idea of growing old alone and lonely. With the help of her best pal, the very handsome, very macho but very gay, Randy, the search for the Doris’ husband material begins! Will Doris end up with the drop-dead gorgeous Fil-Am bartender, Hans? Or with the handsome and intellectual Sean? Her zero self-esteemed officemate, Inaki? Or will she in the end, accept the fact that she’s bound to be single forever?
2. WHEN I MET YOU
Director: Joel Lamangan
Actors: Richard Gutierrez, KC Concepcion
Production: GMA Network Films, Inc./Regal Entertainment, Inc.
Synopsis: Benjie, a pilot, met Jenny, a promo girl, and together they prove that true love cannot be stopped by any force on earth. For Benjie and Jenny, they know that love is not about what is right… but is about what is real.
3. PADYAK
Director: Aloy Adlawan
Actors: Jay Aquitania, Irma Adlawan, Rita Avila, Emilio Garcia, Bodjie Pascua, Baron Geisler, Katherine Luna, Arnold Reyes, Hazel Ann Mendoza
Production: Breaking the Box Productions
Synopsis: Noel inherits the pedicab vehicle after the sudden death of his father, a pedicab driver. Unable to pursue his dream of going to college, he takes up the job his father left. In the middle of Noel’s story come three other vignettes that are totally unrelated to him. A series of tragedy takes Noel’s life into its own spin. Noel is left questioning his own existence…Will the world be a different place without a pedicab driver like him? Does his life really matter?
4. SUNDO
Director: Topel Lee
Actors: Robin Padilla, Sunshine Dizon, Rhian Ramos, Katrina Halili, Hero Angeles, Mark Bautista
Production: GMA Network Films, Inc.
Synopsis: In a military operation, Romano almost gets killed but wakes up after staying in coma for several days. His life will never be the same again after realizing that he now has a supernatural gift. He sees ghosts only around people who will soon encounter sudden, tragic deaths. When one is supposed to die from one tragedy and survives, the spirit of tragedy will haunt the survivor until she eventually succeeds. Romano, Louella, and Isabel face the biggest fight of their lives -- how to defeat the wrath of the evil spirit and survive the constant threat of death in their lives.
5. PASANG KRUS
Director: Neal Tan
Actors: Rosanna Roces, Joross Gamboa, Ketchup Eusebio, Empress Shuck, Beejay Morales, Christian Burke, Maricar Santos, Cherish Arnisto, Melissa Mendez, Jao Mapa
Production: Japan Philippines Entertainment, Inc.
Synopsis: The film is an unconventional drama about a mother’s affliction whose life is torn apart when her husband was killed in a horrific situation. Desperate for any kind of help in a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Hermina struggles to flee with her four (4) young children and a baby she carries on. A heartwarming story, it also offers subtle commentary about certain issues on injustices, the abject poverty of human snared in a nasty and cruel environment, and the corruption and loss of innocence of the people where high hopes were destroyed.
6. T2
Director: Chito Roño
Actors: Maricel Sorino, Derek Ramsay, Mike Dela Cruz, Eric Fructuoso, Tetchie Agbayani, Camille Prats, Mon Confiado
Production: ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.
Synopsis: A story of Clair, a woman whose pain from her husband’s breakup leads her to Angeli, an orphan whom she is supposed to bring to the latter’s mother who happens to be an engkanto. Angeli’s mother is off to get her and bring her to the engkanto world. Clair’s sympathy and affection for Angeli makes her resolve to save the girl and make her stay in the mortal world. In the end, Clair promises to take care of Angeli.
7. LITSONERO
Director: Lore Reyes
Actors: Paolo Contis, Karylle, Maricel Laxa, Michael De Mesa, Jun Urbano
Production: APT Entertainment, Inc. / Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.
Synopsis: Fidel is a fresh culinary arts graduate from a Swiss school, working as under-chef in a casino restaurant in Macau. Coming home for his father’s first death anniversary, he is challenged by an uncle reproaching him for forgetting his roots. That no matter how hard he tried, he cannot cook a good lechon which he accepts the wager. His lechon is threatened by the relentless domestic discord. Suspense builds to the film’s heartwarming climax. He leaves his family behind with much hope in his heart, and with a promise to his beloved Carmel that he will soon be back, and this time for good.
8. ASTIG
Director: GM Sampedro
Actors: Dennis Trillo, Sid Lucero, Glaiza De Castro, Arnold Reyes, Edgar Allan Guzman
Production: Backroom, Inc.
Synopsis: An episodic tale of four (4) young men whose stories parallels and contrasts with the landmarks and various images of Manila. The film tells the stories of the tough guys of Manila and their resolve to survive the dirt and filth of the “Distinguished and Ever Loyal City.”
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FDCP Awards Cinemalaya 2009 Finalists
July 16, 2009
Top L-R : Alvin Yapan, Michael “Mike” Sandejas, Giuseppe Bede “GB” Sampedro, Vic Acedillo Jr., Jinky Laurel , Veronica Velasco, Milo Sogueco, Ana Agabin, Jerrold Tarog and Jose Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno
Bottom L-R : FDCP-PFESO Executive Director Digna H. Santiago, Cinemalaya President Nestor Jardin, FDCP Chairman Rolando S. Atienza, FDCP Executive Director Lali F. Suzara
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) awarded the 10 Finalists of Cinemalaya 2009 last Thursday, July 16, 3pm at the FDCP Office.
In simple ceremonies, FDCP Chairman Mr. Rolando S. Atienza together with Cinemalaya President Mr. Nestor O. Jardin awarded the ten Cinemalaya Cinco finalists. The following directors received their Php 100,000.00 each: Ana Agabin for 24k, Vic Acedillo Jr. for Ang Nerseri, Giuseppe Bede “GB” Sampedro for Astig, Jon Steffan Ballesteros for Colorum, Michael “Mike” Sandejas for Dinig Sana Kita, Jose Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno for Engkwentro, Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel for Last Supper #3, Jerrold Tarog for Mangatyanan, Alvin Yapan for Pangangahasa kay Fe and Milo Sogueco for Sanglaan.
This is the second year FDCP awards the finalists and is honored to be a partner of Cinemalaya once again. Cinemalaya, now on their fifth year, has achieved so much and is a testament to the pioneering vision of its organizers, the consistent support of its sponsors and audience and the courageous commitment of the new Filipino filmmakers.
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