Maybe you have not watched Mumbaki (1996), a movie that starred Raymart Santiago as a doctor who returns to his hometown in Ifugao to bury his father, a chieftain killed in a conflict with a rival community.

Perhaps you have not heard of Abong: Small Home (2003), either, a movie by Japanese director Imaizumi Koji and Baguio screenwriter Cristina Segnaken.

Mumbaki was released as a mainstream movie so it is more likely to be known. Abong was only shown in Baguio and other localities in the Philippine Cordillera since it was too small a project compared. OK, it got as far as New York and Bangkok, but you got the point. It was too indie.

Ay Ayeng, on the other hand is something in between: an indie movie premiered in Hawaii and also shown in Berlin, but didn’t get much exposure when it was shown in Manila. Nevertheless, it is in the running for several awards in the 57th Annual FAMAS Awards, namely Best Director (Ed Palmos), Best Actress (Heart Evangelista), Best Supporting Actress (Isabel Lopez), Best Child Actress (Jessica Mae Flores) and Best Child Actor (Alvin Christian Flores).

According to Eduardo Palmos, the director of the movie, the story of “Ay Ayeng” was inspired by the life of Macli-ing Dulag, a tribal leader during the Marcos dictatorship who fought against the destruction of Chico Dam.

Update:

Heart Evangelista grabbed the Best Actress trophy at the 57th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Gabi ng Parangal on Oct. 18. She played the role of a teacher in Mountain Province.

Other contenders for the award were Sharon Cuneta for “Caregiver”, Anne Curtis for “Baler”, Dawn Zulueta for “Magkaibigan”, Judy Ann Santos for “Ploning” and Melissa Mendez for “Kalakal”.

By the way, ever heard of Igorota (1968)?

Kinatay is a movie about 24 hours of a policeman’s life. He gets married in the morning then gets to help the older policemen in raping and hacking a prostitute to pieces then spreading the body parts around Manila.

His last year’s movie was Serbis, a movie about a porn theater in where else but Manila.

Previous Cannes entries from the Philippines
1978 Insiang (Lino Brocka)
1980 Jaguar (Lino Brocka)
1981 Bona (Lino Brocka)
1984 Bayan Ko: Kapit Sa Patalim (Lino Brocka)

Mendoza also directed

• Tirador (2007),
• Foster Child (2007),
• Manoro and Kaleldo (2006), and
• Masahista (2005).

Cannes 2009

Palme d’Or (Golden Palm Award): Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon) by Michael Haneke (Austria)
Grand Prix: Un Prophete (A Prophet) by Jacques Audiard (France)
Jury Prize: Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold; Bak-Jwi (Thirst) by Park Chan-Wook

Un Certain Regard:Police Adjective by Corneliu Porumboiu (Romania) –top jury prize

Philippine entry:
Independencia by Raya Martin, a historical drama starring Sid Lucero and Tetchie Agbayani

Screened with 10 others, but not in competition:
Manila by Adolfo Alix Jr. and Raya Martin, starring Piolo Pascual

Short films:
Sabongero by Filipino-American Janice Perez
Manong Maong by Aissa Penafiel and Miguel Ocampo

62nd Cannes Film Festival
May 14- 24, 2009
France

Short Film Corner
Janice Y. Perez’s “Sabongero”
Aissa Peñafiel and Miguel Ocampo’s “Manong Maong” –animated short

Un Certen Regard (URC)
special section in the Main Competition
Raya Martin’s “Indepedencia”

Special screening
Bing Lao’s “Biyaheng Lupa” — soliloquy
Raymond Red’s “Himpapawid”
Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Raya Martin’s “Manila”

Palme d’Or (in Competition)
Brillante (Dante) Mendoza’s “Kinatay” (“Chop Chop”)

Complete List of Finalists:

• “Los Abrazos Rotos” (Broken Embraces) by Pedro Almodovar (Spain)
• “Fish Tank” by Andrea Arnold (Britain)
• “Un Prophete” (A Prophet) by Jacques Audiard (France)
• “Vincere” (To Conquer) by Marco Bellocchio (Italy)
• “Bright Star” by Jane Campion (New Zealand)
• “Map of the Sounds of Tokyo” by Isabel Coixet (Spain)
• “A l’Origine” (In the Beginning) by Xavier Giannoli (France)
• “Das Weisse Band” (The White Ribbon) by Michael Haneke (Germany)
• “Taking Woodstock” by Ang Lee (Taiwan-United States)
• “Looking for Eric” by Ken Loach (Britain)
• “Spring Fever” by Lou Ye (China)
• “Kinatay” (Butchered) by Brillante Mendoza (Philippines)
• “Soudain le Vide” (Enter the Void) by Gaspar Noe (France)
• “Bak-Jwi” (Thirst) by Park Chan-wook (South Korea)
• “Les Herbes Folles” (Wild Grasses) by Alain Resnais (France)
• “The Time That Remains” by Elia Suleiman (Palestinian)
• “Inglourious Basterds” by Quentin Tarantino (United States)
• “Vengeance” by Johnnie To (Hong Kong)
• “Visages” (Face) by Tsai Ming-Liang (Malaysia)
• “Antichrist” by Lars von Trier (Denmark)

He may have found Katrina Halili very tempting in “Gigil,” the forthcoming movie that pairs them for the first time, but Alfred Vargas stressed to the entertainment press, “LJ Reyes is the only woman in my life right now!”

The actor said this to members of the entertainment press during his 25th birthday party at Aruba Bar alongTomas Morato. (The party was hosted by Walker Undergarments of which Alfred is image model.)

And that’s why it never even crossed his mind to invite to the party any of his ex-girlfriends. It was just unfortunate for the actor that LJ couldn’t arrive with him because she left for Dagupan City (for work) that day.

Alfred said he’s very thankful for all the good breaks he has received in his showbiz career. Still, his birthday wish that night was for more jobs to come his way.

“I wish that I’ll be blessed with more good opportunities and projects so I can save up and someday put up my own business and apply what I have learned from the various jobs I’ve done,” he smiled.

As to whether he and LJ have spoken about marriage, he replied, “Me and LJ have the same thought as to when we should get married. For the both of us, we foresee that five years from now would be the ideal age for us to get married,” he shared.

To mention a few, some of Alfred’s well-wishers during his birthday party were his Walker Undergarments family, Rudy Fernandez, Dingdong Dantes, Christine Reyes and Bb. Pilipinas, Arthur Solinap with girlfriend Jaja of the Jaboom Twins, Hannie Miller, Kris Martinez and Bb. Pilipinas 2006—Universe Lia Andrea Ramos and Bb. Pilipinas 2006–World Anna Maris Igpit.

Speaking of his latest movie “Gigil,” the actor admitted during the movie’s press conference last Sunday, two nights after his birthday party, that working with his co-star Katrina Halili was really a “temptation.” In the vernacular, he expressed that she was “nakaka-gigil talaga.”

“It was really a temptation,” he said especially of their love scene. “But it remained a temptation only because I never put it to action!”

Regarding their so-called “steamy Boracay love scene,” he explained that they were just being actors playing a role. They didn’t even see it as a “too close for comfort situation;” rather they gave an all-out performance to justify their scenes and get their director, Jun Lana’s approval.

Also in “Gigil” are Bianca King, Ketchup Eusebio, Say Alonzo, Gabb Drilon and Boom Antonio. Jun Lana co-wrote the screenplay with Dode Cruz. “Gigil” opens on Nov. 22 in Metro Manila.

In the works for Alfred Vargas is a trip to Malaysia where he will shoot some scenes for GMA Network’s latest “Now and Forever” episode entitled “Muli.” He will be paired with a Malaysian leading lady and will work with a Malaysian cast.

Sumama yata ang loob ni Mike Tan sa pelikula niyang Barang.

Nag-premiere ang initial venture ng Northern Star Production written and directed by Neal Buboy Tan last Monday sa SM North. Late kaming dumating kaya hindi namin nakita kung sinu-sino ang mga nagsidatingang artista although we spotted Mike pati na rin sina Christine Reyes, Ms. Jaclyn Jose and Terence Baylon.

Hindi namin na-sight si Juliana Palermo but then not sure kami kung wala nga siya dahil sa dami ng tao but tita Liza Lorena, a textmate of ours said she was in a taping that night so no show siya.

Now, in fairness to Mike, siya ang may pinakamalakas na hiyawang natanggap sa crowd. Ngunit paglabas niya ng sinehan, kahit buong giliw siyang nagpa-picture taking sa mga utaw at all smile siya sa lahat ng sumisigaw ng pangalan niya, pagkakita sa amin, pabulong niyang sinabi ang tampo niya sa pelikula.

Bakit daw gumamit pa ng ibang boses samantalang nag-dub naman siya for the movie? Ang nakapagtataka pa, halos ka-boses niya ang ginamit hindi nga namin napansin na hindi pala sa kaniya ito, eh.

Oo nga naman, why use another voice kung magkasing boses lang naman?

Bago pa man kami su-milip sa loob ng SM Cinema 7 ay dinig na dinig na namin ang tilian ng mga taong nanonood ng premiere ng pelikulang Barang. Sa lakas ng tili nila, isa lang ang ibig sabihin no’n. Nakakatakot ang pelikula at klik ito sa mga manonood.

Present sa premiere showing ang major cast ng movie like Juliana Palermo, Cristine Reyes, Mike Tan, Terrence Baylon at Jaclyn Jose. Si Neal ‘Buboy’ Tan ang nagdirek ng pelikula na prinodyus naman ng Northern Star Productions.

Walang kasamang escort sa premiere showing si Cristine. Mukhang mas gusto muna niyang mapag-isa ngayon kahit hindi naman namamatay ang tsisis tungkol sa bagong love niya na isang basketball player.

Wala rin kaming balita tungkol sa lovelife ni Juliana.

Anyway, sa Ilocos pa kinunan ang kabuuan ng Barang. Si Gov. Chavit Singson daw ang producer nito. In fact, kasama rin sa movie ang cute na anak niyang lalaki na si Christian Luis.

Hindi rin nagkaroon ng presscon ang pelikula. Ewan namin kung nagtipid ba ang produ or what. Mabuti na nga lang at nag-effort si Tolites na mag-invite ng press for the premiere para naman ma-hype ang pelikula.

Palabas na ang Barang simula ngayong Miyerkules.

Final na, Gigil na uli ang title ng launching movie ni Katrina Halili.

Dahil sa naisulat namin dito sa column namin about the papalit-palit na titulo ng unang pelikula rin ni Jun Lana as director, tinawagan kami ni Roselle Monteverde-Teo, Regal Films’ producer and daughter of Mother Lily Monteverde. Ms. Roselle agreed to our reasoning na kung My Girls ang gagamiting final title ng movie, it wouldn’t pertain to Katrina na or even the two female stars na sina Say Alonzo and Bianca King but to Alfred Vargas na siyang merong ‘girls’ kaya balik na sa Gigil ang title ng movie.

Sabagay, ito naman ang working title ng script nina Jun and Dode Cruz so why not use it na rin dahil may catch naman. Dapat, Binibini ang isa pang title ng movie pero nagkaroon ng Binibini X si Keanna Reeves kaya napalitan ito ng My Girl and then later nga ay ginawang plural na My Girls.

The movie was shot with extensive sequences sa Boracay as the cast and crew stayed there for more than a week. The movie also stars Ketchup Eusebio, Gabb Drillon and Boom Garcia.

Naka-schedule na ring ipalabas ang Gigil this November 15.

Ibig sabihin, magbabakbakan sa sinehan sina Katrina, Anne at Kristine.

Kaleldo (Summer Heat) is neither a thriller nor a horror movie, but it’s opening on Nov. 1. Right after its world premiere in the 1st Rome Film Festival, where it was the opening film of the Extra Section.

The Brillante Mendoza megger for Centerstage Productions also has been invited to the filmfests in Vienna (Oct. 13-25), Hawaii (Oct. 19-Nov. 5), and Cairo (Nov. 28-Dec. 8).

It is about a family orphaned by a mother, 10 years after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Johnny Delgado plays Mang Rudy, whose meager income is derived from wood carving. His three daughters are: Jess (Cherry Pie Picache), a lesbian being discriminated by him; Lourdes (Angel Aquino), a kept woman of her employer; and Grace (Juliana Palermo).

The movie is an acting vehicle. Lutang na naman ang galing sa pag-arte ni Cherry Pie, lalo na sa confrontation scene nila ni Johnny. Tagisan ng talino hindi lang nina Pie at Johnny, kundi naging palaban din sina Angel, Allan Paule at Criselda Volks, who’s very proud of her intimate scenes with Pie.

“Wala namang dapat ikahiya sa eksena namin, we’re both certified girls, walang nadala. Okey lang ’yung kissing scene, hindi ko lang naamoy, nalasahan ko pa!” ang walang-takot na rebelasyon ni Criselda.

Napakaseksi ni Criselda. Inamin niyang she can dance and sing well.

“Does it follow that being a good singer and dancer translates to actually being good in bed?” pahabol na tanong namin sa kanya.

“Actually, hindi naman ako ’yung napakahusay sumayaw or kumanta, but I know I can deliver whenever necessary. But, of course, I’m good in bed, maski itanong pa ninyo kay Cris [Villanueva], ha-ha-ha!” aniya.

Kaleldo is made in the tradition of the critically-acclaimed family-oriented film Tanging Yaman. It was graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Best Picture: Blue Moon
Best Director: Joel Lamangan
Best Actress: Zsa Zsa Padilla
Best Actor: Marvin Agustin
Best Supporting Actor: Johnny Delgado (La Visa Loca)
Best Supporting Actress: Hilda Koronel (Nasaan Ka Man)
Best Screenplay: Allan Tijamo (Blue Moon)
Best Cinematography: Charlie Peralta (Nasaan Ka Man)
Best Production Design: Richard Somes (Exodus)
Best Editing: Marya Ignacia (Nasaan Ka Man)
Best Musical Score: Von de Guzman (Blue Moon)
Best Sound: Addis Tabong (Nasaan Ka Man)

Hosts:
Sen. Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado
Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal
Claudine Baretto and John Lloyd Cruz

Nora Aunor goes digital
Manila Standard Today article by Ricky Calderon

Superstar Nora Aunor’s latest movie titled Care Home premiered at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco recently. This is a movie shot using hand-held mini-DV camcorders. The advent of digital movies somehow changed the landscape of Philippine cinema since last year because of their cheaper costs.

Nora did Care Home while the Filipino superstar was undergoing behavior modification program in Los Angeles, in connection with her arrest at the Los Angeles Airport last year because of allegedly carrying a banned substance.

The movie is about a Filipino caregiver who decides to place her mother in the care home where she works. Mother-and-daughter conflict ensues as the mother feels unloved and rejected while the daughter bears the pain inflicted by her decision.

The movie also stars Gloria Sevilla, who co-starred with Nora in some of her most important movies like Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamu and The Flor Contemplacion Story. Also in the cast are Divina Valencia, Rebecca, Dranreb Belleza, Lailani Navarro, Juni Ranillo, Germaine de Leon Padilla, and Jo Awayan.

Suzette, who co-wrote and directed the movie, is confident the movie will be well-received not only by Nora Aunor fans but by majority of Filipinos in America who are all working hard for their families back home in the Philippines.

A group of Noranians are now working to drumbeat interest for Care Home in the San Francisco area. For booking, inquiries, call 1-650-834-1006 or go to www.carehomethemovie.com.

By the way, is it true that Nora is doing a new movie in the US with, hold your breath, John Rendez as leading man? She also reportedly shot a TV commercial on real estate that is being shown on The Filipino Channel.