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Recent Portraits

September 26, 2012, 2:18 am
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Of all photographic subjects I prefer to shoot portraits or portrait-inspired snapshots, It feels like there is a story hidden and stored in varied human emotions or state of expressions captured on cam. Have not been shooting that much lately, but hoping I can find time to go out and shoot people... with a camera.

Kim Garrido Yap during a Dorothy Perkins shoot for Edge Davao. The pictorial was done
at the Camella Northpoint Clubhouse,  Kim is such a lovely lady, one of my favorite models
(HMUA Alex Monton)


My high school pal Dino during his pre-wedding pictorial,   it was high noon at Waterfront Davao poolside just a few hours before his wedding, I was part of the  entourage being one of the groomsmen,  managed to take a snap of him during the shooting break.


My sister Ria during a shoot for her birthday.  HMUA- Ichiko Nails and Days Spa
2011 Mutya ng Dabaw Irenee Lascuna during a shoot at Atty. Brian Dexter Medija's house,
Brian, my former classmate in law school is also heavily into photography. HMUA Brian Berdos.
Irenee is currently an assistant teacher in a Japan 

A young participant of the street dancing event during the recent Kadayawan. August 18 a hectic day for me that time but I managed to squeeze in  a few hours during the morning to join the throng of photographers shooting the Indak-Indak (street dancing) spectacle.

TV morning girl Cherry Maning, I was tagging along Cherry and her friend Farrah while shopping at Abreeza Mall when I managed to snap a photo of her fitting a lovely pair of  shoes. 



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Boracay weekend

October 23, 2012, 11:26 am
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Though I had planned to visit Boracay many years back It was only just this month when the plan materialized, luckily I was along with a large group of friends from the photography group MCOM (Maniniyot Community) which made the trip pretty memorable.




The trip took us to Iloilo which was the destination of our flight from Davao, since we took the Cebu Pacific Davao-Ilolilo promo fare. Then from Iloilo was a 5-hour van ride to Barangay Caticlan in the town of Malay, Aklan the jump off point to the island.

In the trip I brought my Nikon D90 along with Nikkor 18-55, 55-200 and 35mm 1.8 lenses, hoping to at least immortalize my first trip to the island.


During mornings and afternoons we would walk the long stretch of the famed White Beach, which is perhaps the center of Boracay's tourism industry.


The physical characteristics of White beach (fine sand, gradual sloping) reminds me of Davao City's Times Beach except that Times Beach is black sand and White Beach waters are way pristine clear. But they are similar fine bathing beaches, though sadly we lost Times Beach to pollution and unabated development, hopefully the government can still preserve one of the world's best beaches.


White Beach unimpeded shoreline is a perfect example of a well-managed foreshore area which is a public domain  used in various ways; as a passage way, a recreation area or a buffer zone. More like a four-kilometer park, Boracay's white beach is closely administered by the government with various regulations in place, for example smoking and drinking at the foreshore area is strictly prohibited, tourism police regularly patrol the area.









Beyond the foreshore area are the rows of shops, restaurants and other establishments offering various services. The beach is divided into three boat stations.

We met Kiarja, sitting alone in the beach one fine afternoon. We initially thought
was a Korean since it's a peak season for East Asian tourists in the island, She's
from Legaspi City in Bicol and in her spare time models for photographers in
her hometown. 
In one of the beaches in the island.


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Flick and Reruns: A Secret Affair

October 25, 2012, 7:28 pm
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A film about love and betrayal set in an upper-crust Manila society, A Secret Affair is perhaps Viva' Film's return foray to the glossy dramas which it used to specialize decades ago.

In the eve of their wedding Raffy (Anne Curtis) backs out and takes a short furlough to think about things leaving her fiance Anton (Derek Ramsey) devastated, he later rekindles his one-night stand with Sam ( Andi Eigennman) who is part of Raffy's girl clique. Raffy returns and the couple reconcile much to the chagrin of Sam who would stop at nothing to get her man.



The ensuing situation provides the perfect set-up for one big girl war with bitchy dialogue et. al. And all too sudden in the ending the characters realize their moral lessons learned during the "upheaval."

And I guess this is what bedevils this film, the lack of coherent storytelling. It just saunters from one girl fight into another. A series of melodramatic scenes with an overdose of cringe-worthy speaking lines which seemed out of place with its high society set-up. In the end the "realistic" conclusion seemed illogical and befuddling.

The actors had to contend with the movie's poor material particularly the characters they had to portray are reed-thin, Derek Ramsey's seemed lost in his Anton character and Andi Eigennman acting brilliance is visibly hindered by the way her character was written. Anne Curtis seemed to be predictably trapped in that young rich girl role, shades of No Other Woman and When Love Begins.

However its the real-life mother-daughter tandem of Jacklyn Jose and Andi Eigenmman  which puts their stamp into the film. After watching the movie, I would place Andi as among my current fave Pinoy actors/actresses alongside Nonie Buencamino and Art Acuna.

Technical-wise it's more "glossy" and sophisticated than No Other Woman, There were some superb camera work plus the cinematography which blended well with the aspirational high society setting the film wanted to portray.

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California Diner

November 1, 2012, 11:10 pm
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An invite from a friend spurred me to drop by and visit California Diner, a small resto located at the Metrolifestyle Compound along Jacinto Extension beside Bos Coffee Corner.

One of the co-owners is Tom MacIntosh, who works for a Non-Government Organization serving depressed areas in ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) he says the place is a 60s-inspired outdoor California diner popular among the beach culture in that bygone era. The diner had a vintage feel to it from retro decals  to the Beachboys music played in the cafe.








Tom says his partner, a Filipino who once worked and resided in California inspired the theme of the diner, sort of  to remind him of the place where he once lived. The menu is a mix of American diner staples like hamburgers, chili dogs, french fries and milk shakes; Mexican food such as beef tacos and chicken fajitas.









The De Luxe burger (150 gram beef patty with bacon, cheese dili pickles, lettuce and tomatoes) is a must try    and is a hit among customers.


But no one leaves the diner without having their signature Vanilla Milkshake delectably thick and creamy it could be considered as the diner's star attraction.



I would also recommend their tacos and chicken fajitas these come with Spanish rice and chips, the Mexican menu is taken from Tom's wife Evelyn who had extensive culinary experience in Mexican food aside from having passionate interest in its cuisine, she said that they are still in the process of adding more menu as they are yet to go full-blast with the business.



Tom says the business has been very good and has exceeded expectations, Each dish offered at the California Diner is a good choice on its own, there are certain days when people go for burgers, days when people dig in for tacos or times when the rice toppings are tops.

Tom preparing the increaslingly popular Vanilla Milkshakes
During my visit, the MacIntosh family were there; Tom and Evelyn plus their lovely daughters Connie, Bethany and Katie along with their friends.  It is also a favorite tambayan for the expatriate community in Davao as some of the family's expat friends would come and visit for some friendly chit-chat.



For those wanting to gorge upon popular American/Mexican comfort food with wallet friendly prices, California Diner is now open to serve you. It is located at Metro Lifestyle Compound Jacinto Extension Street just beside Sinangag Express and Bos Coffee Corner.



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Davao's White House

November 4, 2012, 6:41 pm
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Locals called it the white house, built by abaca plantation owner Robert Ker during the American period, the Ker Mansion stood on a hill which overlooks Bajada and served as the landmark for many Dabawenyos particularly as it stood on the corner of Jose P. Laurel Avenue and the road going to Buhangin.

The house and the adjoining lot has been bought by real estate developer Vista Land, which built Camella Northpoint a pine forest-themed condominium residences in the area. Fortunately they preserved the old house which can be considered as one of the few remaining heritage structures in the City.

Ground floor


Second Floor
A few months back the old house was converted into a fusion restaurant run by chefs Cathy Binag and Nino Laus with the help of former congressman Tony Boy Floirendo.


Guests can choose al fresco dining at the veranda area located at the back of the house, which faces the Camella Northpoint condos.

Named as The White House, the fusion resto incorporates Japanese, French and Italian cuisine and is set amidst an old-world environment. The house has been meticulously preserved, a new custom-built kitchen specifically added for the restaurant.

The kitchen, a new extension was built which connects to the old structure to accomodate the top-of-the-line kitchen.

The prime mover of the project is Cathy Binag, image consultant and celebrity stylist who has practically relocated to Davao to run the White House.  Chef de Patron is Niño Laus, one of the celebrated young chefs in the country today. Chef Niño has his own restaurant called Ninyo Fusion Cuisine in Manila and is known to experiment on various combination of different flavors, textures, cuisines and techniques in coming up with original mouthwatering concoctions, a trademark culinary flair he has brought to The White House.

Cathy

chef Niño
Duck Breast Pastrami Salad with mixed greens, grilled watermelon, orange caviar, fried vermicelli in orange amazu dressing wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper.


Trilogy of Foie Gras; Pan seared foie gras set on nasu miso; poached foie gras set on onion steak in teriyaki balsamic sauce; torchon of foie gras with sake poached grape, lavash and dehydrated apple chips.
Smoked Tomato Soup served in crispy tomato bread with Basil shiso broth

Honey Glazed Grilled Salmon; with sweet citrus miso sauce served with light wasabi mashed potato, buttered asparagus and homemade sun dried tomato.

Akadashi Miso marinated Rack of Lamb; with lamb shank hash and blue cheese saffron tortellini; ratatouille set on fried green tea soba; walnuts and dehydrated akadashi miso.



Grilled Wagyu Top Blade with pumpkin risoni
Vanilla Cheesecake


Chefs Nino and Cathy with some members of the Davao media during the Sunday lunch

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Limot, a short film screenplay

December 22, 2012, 8:18 pm
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LIMOT (To Forget) 
by Rudolph Alama


GEORGE is TRICIA’S most ardent suitor. His appeals seemed to be always rejected by Tricia who ends being engaged to her boyfriend named Robert.  However Tricia meets an accident that kills her fiancée, luckily she survives, but the accident leaves her traumatized with retrograde amnesia, a temporary condition where she doesn't remember any of her past memories before the accident.

George sees this as his only chance of being near with Tricia seeing as an opportunity where she does not remember what happened before and how she despises George.

George gets to be closer to an amnesiac Tricia.Helping her recover from the accident he develops a close bond with the girl he loved.

In time Tricia’s memory is getting back, George is faced with the dilemma of trying to hold on and be near to her, or getting out with their friendship before she recovers her memory and remembers him.

George with a heavy heart leaves Tricia, who still does not yet remember the George of the past.


CHARACTERS

George- mid-20s young professional, he works as a sales representative of an I.T. company.

Tricia "Trisha" Laroscain- mid 20s, owns and runs a pre-school.

Glenn- George's closest friend since high school, young professional.

Tina- George's close college friend, who becomes his confidante,  works as a nurse in a private hospital hoping to someday work overseas.

Mr. Laroscain- Openly dislikes Tricia's fiancee, is a close friend of George's dad.

Mrs. Laroscain- Symphathetic to Tricia's fiancee, is not comfortable with George spending time with her daughter.

Dra. Domingo- neurologist overseeing Trisha's condition.

Robert- Trisha's fiancee who is killed in a car crash.

Nikko- Trisha's cousin.

Jane- Robert's sister who wants to reach out to Trish.

Albert- Robert's brother




ACT 1 SCENE 1

FADE IN

SERIES OF SHOTS

1.  HOSPITAL LOBBY
2.  HOSPITAL CORRIDOR
3.  EMERGENCY ROOM
4.  PATIENTS IN A ROOM
5.  NURSES STATION
6.  DOCTORS WALKING


ACT 1 SCENE 2

INT. inside Doctor’s room. Day

Inside the doctor’s suite, DOCTORA DOMINGO, a neurologist, is sitting behind her desk, seated in the room is Mr. and Mrs. LAROSCAIN.

Dra. Domingo
It’s a miracle, that Tricia had survived the crash, considering what had happened to the others.

Mrs. Laroscain
(she’s in near tears, tightly clutching a rosary)
     Doctora, kumusta na ho ang mga findings?

DRA. DOMINGO
Based sa results ng CT scan, the head injuries she suffered were not that serious, we found no significant damage to the brain.  I’m not hesitating to call it as a miracle.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Thank you Lord!

MRS. LAROSCAIN
     Salamat naman, naawa ang Diyos sa amin doktora.




DRA DOMINGO
I agree, mabait talaga ang panginoon.except for a few broken bones walang masamang nangyari sa kanya. However the head trauma she sustained has resulted in what we call retrograde amnesia, a total loss of her past memory. However it is only a temporary condition.
                    

The couple is seen hugging, trying to comfort each other.

MRS LAROSCAIN
Doc, what do you mean temporary? Kelangan pa ba syang gagamutin doc?

DRA. DOMINGO
Don’t worry po, as to all cases of amnesia it is only a transient condition, the period of recovery depends on the trauma she suffered, babalik rin ang memory ng inyong anak, huwag kayong mag-alala, all she needs is the time to rest.


ACT I SCENE 2

EXT. BADMINTON COURT.NIGHT

GEORGE, a salesman in his mid 20’s is talking to NIKKO, a cousin of TRISHA’s who is in his early 20’s


NIKKO
Dead on the spot si Kuya Robert. yung driver ng van pati yung helper sinugod pa sa hospital, pero wala rin. Grabe kasi. Head-on collision.

GEORGE
     Bakit nagkaganun?

NIKKO
Lasing kasi nun si Kuya Robert. Alam mo naman ang taong yun. Tapos ayon sa Police Report; overspeeding siya. Kaya ayun, it’s a miracle nga na buhay si Ate Trish.

GEORGE
     Eh si Trisha kumusta?

NIKKO
Sabi ni Tito Peter na… nagkaroon raw ng amnesia, binisita nga nila Mommy kahapon, ayun ni hindi na raw makakilala.

VOICE OVER (Nikko’s Playmates)
     Nikko, come on let’s play.

NIKKO
     Oh sige, Kuya George, (Nikko proceeds to the court)


LATER OUTSIDE THE BADMINTON COURT

GEORGE is walking, immersed deep in thought

FLASHBACK

TRISHA (OFF SCREEN)
George, why can’t you understand, that I cannot love you, the way you wanted me to.

GEORGE (OFF SCREEN)
Mahal kita Trish. I wish you’d also understand na ikaw lamang ang nasa puso ko.

TRISHA (OS)
George,look I’m going out with Robert, please, please set me free…

BACK TO SCENE

GEORGE looks up to the sky

CU-  starlit sky.




ACT I SCENE 3

INT. TRISHA’s BEDROOM.NIGHT

MR.and MRS LAROSCAIN are looking at TRISH, sleeping gently.

MRS LAROSCAIN
(sitting at the bedside)
Nagtatanong si kumpare kung magkano na ang nagastos natin sa pagpa-ospital kay Trish, babayaran raw nila.


MR. LAROSCAIN
Sabihin mo na hindi na natin yun kailangan, yung pera ibigay nalang nila sa mga pamilya ng driver at nung helper ng van. Bakit pa ba sila mag-aalala dito sa atin?

MRS. LAROSCAIN
Ano ka ba Pedro? Huminahon ka naman. Huwag kang ganyan

Mr. LAROSCAIN shakes his head and leaves the room.


ACT I SCENE 4

INT. COFFEE SHOP. DAY

Inside a coffee shop, GEORGE and his best buddy GLENN a yuppie in his mid-20s and TINA, one of GEORGE’s trusted confidante are talking.

GLENN
Ano? What the hell are you talking about? babalik ka na naman dun sa mga Laroscain para manggulo?

GEORGE
That’s right, babalik ako ulit dun, look at it Glenn may amnesia si Trisha, hindi niya ako matatandaan. This is my chance to be with her. my only chance

TINA
Anong mapapala mo dun? Don’t tell me hindi mo pa rin siya na-get over. Akala ko ba?




GLENN
Hay nako Tins, yan ang akala mo. Pare yang gagawin mo that’s a very bad move. Tsk, Alis na nga ako dito. (leaves the table and the coffee shop).

TINA
     So anong plano mo ngayon?

GEORGE
I just wanted to be close to her. Parang magpapanggap     ako na isa niyang kaibigan… isang close friend.

TINA
(throws a crumpled tissue at George)
     (smiling) goodluck George.



ACT I SCENE 5

INT. LAROSCAIN LIVING ROOM.DAY
    
Inside the living room of the Laroscain. George visits the household. He is talking to Mr. Laroscain.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Oh kumusta na daddy mo? Hindi pa ba uuwi yun dito?

GEORGE
Medyo nagkagulo kasi dun sa Cebu tito, nagaway-away sa inheritance nila lolo. Tine-threaten nga sila dad na kakasuhan raw sila nung isang kamag-anak.

MR. LAROSCAIN
Hay naku, ganyan talaga yan basta inheritance na ang pag-uusapan. Magulo…

GEORGE
     Ah tito, kumusta na ho si Trisha?

MR. LAROSCAIN
She’s fine, nagpapahinga siya ngayon. she’s going to need some time to recuperate. Yung pre-school pina-uubaya muna namin sa business partner niya.



GEORGE
     Tito, ahmmm, magpapaalam sana po ako sa inyo.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Na ano?

GEORGE
If I could visit her every weekend ho, kung ok lang sa inyo and if ok na siya.


(looks intently at George)

MR LAROSSCAIN
(nods his head) its ok with me...its a great help for us. May tiwala naman ako sa iyo George. Tsk (shakes his head) ewan ko ba kung bakit napunta siya kay Robert at hindi sa iyo, things would have been different.

GEORGE
     Ganun ho talaga ang buhay sir.


LATER

STILL IN THE LAROSCAIN’S LIVING ROOM

GEORGE is all alone in the living room, he looks around, surveying the surrounding.

FLASH BACK SEQUENCE

STILL IN THE LAROSCAIN LIVING ROOM

GEORGE is dressed in his casual best. He is holding a bouquet of roses.

MRS. LAROSCAIN
     George

GEORGE
     Ah tita?



MRS. LAROSCAIN
Ano ahmm, busy kasi si Tricia, marami raw siyang ginagawa ngayon, eh ayaw  lumabas ng kuwarto.

GEORGE
Eh ganun ho ba, akala ko kasi libre siya ngayon, iiwanan ko nalang itong mga bulaklak dito, pakibigay na lang po.

MRS LAROSCAIN
     Sorry talaga George ha, ipaumanhin mo na.



LATER outside the street, a few houses away from the LAROSCAIN house, we see GEORGE inside his parked car. From a distance he is looking at a car that had arrived at the Laroscain residence. Then he sees Trisha getting inside the car.

GEORGE
(hits the steering wheel hard with his hands) shit! Shit! Shit!

BACK TO SCENE

CU- GEORGE’s face.

MR. LAROSCAIN (OS)
     George.

GEORGE turns to face MR. LAROSCAIN, then he sees a lady, whose  forehead is covered with bandage, her face pockmarked by bruises. she is TRICIA

GEORGE
(stands up)
     Trish,

 MR. LAROSCAIN leads TRICIA towards the living room.

MR. LAROSCAIN
Trish, this is your friend George. George Padolina Natatandaan mo ba siya?

TRISHA
     George? (shakes her head) hindi ko matatandaan.

MR. LAROSCAIN
He is your closest friend (winks at George) anak siya ng ninong Ferdinand mo.

TRISHA
Closest friend? You are my closest friend? (face is clueless) Sorry ha hindi kasi kita matatandaan.

GEORGE
(surprised at Mr. Laroscain’s description)
     It’s ok, kumusta ka na Trish?


At this point Mr. Laroscain leaves the two.

LATER, at the LAROSCAIN garden,

GEORGE and TRISH are seated at the garden set.

GEORGE
Ayun magksasama tayo sa College, lalo na sa Student Government, ikaw yung Vice-President ng S.G. at ako, ako yung pinapadala ng Computer Science Org namin. tag-ayos sa mga parating nasisirang computer sa office ng council

TRISH is laughing.

GEORGE
     Bakit ka tumatawa?

TRISHA
     Ang rami ko palang hindi natatandaan.

GEORGE
(looking intently at TRISHA)
     Gusto mo pa ba akong magkuwento?

TRISHA
Oo ba. Pero (reluctant) puwede mong ikwento ang tungkol sa aking sarili, please

GEORGE
Alam mo, (clears his throat) sa pagkakakilala ko. Ikaw yung pinakamaganda, pinakamabait, pinakamatalino at pinakasweet na babaeng nakilala ko.

TRISHA
     Ow, Totoo? Ako?

GEORGE
     Oo, ikaw.


ACT 2 SCENE 1

EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE. NIGHT

TINA, GLENN and GEORGE are talking over some bottles of beer.

GEORGE
Pare, I’m so happy right now. Imagine buong araw kaming magkasama sa kanilang bahay.

TINA
     Manlibre ka naman, happy ka eh.

GEORGE
     Waiter!

The waiter approaches

GEORGE
     Isang sisig, saka isa pang round ng beer.

WAITER
     Okey sir, isang sisig at isa pang round ng beer.

TINA
     Oh ano Glenn, talagang maligaya ang ating kaibigan.

GLENN
Uy historical record yan ha. Hindi siya pinaalis ng maaga, hindi nagkulong sa kuwarto ang babae, hindi siya dinededma… bravo (claps his hands) ang galing mong dumiskarte. sa susunod hihintayin ko magka-amnesia ang anak ng boss namin. mestisa yun ah.

TINA
Ano ka ba. Napaka-sarcastic mo naman Glenn, killjoy ka talaga.

GLENN
Isipin mo George, may amnesia si Trisha, eh temporary yun, babalik rin yang memory niya.

GEORGE
Glenn, isisiguro ko, pag maka-recover na si Trisha, ako pa rin ang hahanapin niya.


GLENN
     Tama ka. Libre ang mangarap, inuman nalang tayo.

TINA
Oh, oh Cheers tayo, cheers! Para sa mga grabeng ma-in love at mga mga bulag sa pag-ibig.

THE THREE
     Cheers.

The three toast their bottles.


ACT 2 SCENE 2

MONTAGE OF SCENES

1.  IN THE LIVING ROOM GEORGE GIVES A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO TRISHA
2.  GEORGE AND TRISHA PLAYING JENGA BRICKS
3.  GEORGE TEACHING TRISHA HOW TO COOK
4.  GEORGE AND TRISHA’S FAMILY ENJOYING THEIR MEALS
5.  GEORGE AND TRISHA WALKING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ORCHID FARM
6.  GEORGE AND TRISHA STROLLING DOWN THE BEACH.
7.  GEORGE AND TRISHA WATCHING DVD
8.  GEORGE AND TRISHA GROOMING HER PET POODLE
9.  GEORGE AND TRISHA SEATED IN A GARDEN BENCH TALKING ANIMATEDLY WITH TRISHA LAUGHING

BACK TO SCENE

It is nighttime, TRISHA has fallen asleep on GEORGE’S shoulders while they are watching DVD.

MRS. LAROSCAIN
     George.

GEORGE
     Po?

MRS. LAROSCAIN
     Patulugin na natin si Trish.




GEORGE
Trish. Gising na. lipat ka na sa kuwarto para matulog ka na. Aalis na rin ako.

TRISH
(half-awake)
Aalis ka na? (cuddles George) balik ka ha, ingat ka pauwi, call me when you get home na ha.

CU-GEORGE’S FACE,

GEORGE flashes out his happiest grin.

GEORGE
     OO, babalik ako.


ACT 2 SCENE 4

EXT. LAROSCAINS FRONT GATE. DAY

JANE and ALBERT, Robert’s sister and brother arrives to visit TRISHA and is waiting outside the gate, MR. LAROSCAIN arrives to greet them. ALBERT is holding a box of cake.

JANE
     Good morning po.

ALBERT
     Good morning po sir.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Ah good morning naman. Condolence nga pala.

JANE
Sir, kumusta na po si Trish? we were expecting you and Trish sa libing ni kuya.

MR. LAROSCAIN
Ok naman…medyo masama ang pakiramdam ni Trish nung panahon na iyun, kelangan niya magpahinga. Pasyensya na kayo.

JANE
Sir, pumunta ho kami ditto para magbisita kay Trish, matagal na kasi naming hindi siya nakikita.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Pasyensya na hija. Nagpapahinga si Trisha ngayon.

ALBERT
Eh hindi kami magtatagal sir, gusto lang naming makita si ate Trish.

MR.LAROSCAIN
     Pasyensiya na. nagpapahinga aking anak.

JANE
Ho eh, titingnan lang ho naming siya, eto ho nagdala po kami yung favorite niya na chocolate cake.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Inuulit ko pasyensiya na.

LONG SILENCE, ALBERT AND JANE looks at each other,

JANE
     Sige ho. Sorry po, eto po yung cake

ALBERT hands over the cake box to MR. LAROSCAIN


ACT 2 SCENE 5

INT. DINING ROOM. DAY

At the dining room MR.AND MRS. LAROSCAIN are talking.

MRS. LAROSCAIN
Nagtatampo sa akin si kumare. Bakit ba raw natin inilalayo si Trisha sa kanila.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Anong sinagot mo sa kanila?

MRS. LAROSCAIN
Humingi lang ako ng unawa sa kanila. mabuti naman at naintindihan ni kumare.


MR. LAROSCAIN
     Dapat tumigil na sila sa papunta-punta dito

MRS. LAROSCAIN
Ano ka ba Pedro. For Christsakes fiancé ni Trisha si Robert. Anak na ang turing ng mga Gonzales kay Trisha.

MR. LAROSCAIN
Bah!!, alam mo sa simula pa lang na hindi ko gusto yang Robert na yan, ikaw lamang ang pumilit sa akin.
     Tingnan mo anong nangyari.

MRS LAROSCAIN
Ginagalang ko lang ang desisyon ng anak natin. we don’t have the right to control her.

MR. LAROSCAIN
I’m not trying to control her. Pinuprotektahan ko lang anak natin.

MRS. LAROSCAIN
Ano? Pedro You’re controlling her. you’re isolating her from Robert’s family, tapos pinabibisita mo dito si George, alam naman natin kung paano siya tina-trato ni Trisha. How can we explain everything kung babalik na ang ala-ala niya?


ACT 2 SCENE 6

EXT. RIVERBANK.DAY

TRISHA and GEORGE are having a picnic along the riverbank.


TRISHA
     Sanakada araw parang ganito. Masaya.

GEORGE
     Oo nga,kung puwede lang.


TRISHA
     George, meron ka bang syota?


GEORGE
     Wala, wala akong girlfriend

TRISHA
Bakit? Bakit wala kang girlfriend? Meron ka bang nililigawan?

GEORGE
Wala, meron akong nililgawan pero binusted ako eh. I mean parati akong binubusted.

TRISHA
Ano? sino siya? Kilala ko ba siya? Ang bobo naman ng babaeng yun. Ang tanga-tanga niya, kalimutan mo na nga yun.

GEORGE
(laughing)
Hay nako, in-looove talaga ako sa babaeng iyun. Mahal na mahal ko siya, pero wala. Nasa iba ang puso niya.

TRISHA
Hay naku ipakilala mo nga sa akin yun. Ang tanga naman niya. Hay (lies down rests her head on George’s lap, then closes her eyes.)


CU- TRISHA'S LOVELY FACE, WITH HER EYES CLOSED


ACT 2 SCENE 7

INT. GEORGE’s CAR. DAY

It is late afternoon, GEORGE is taking TRISH home after  the picnic, the car traverses along subdivision street near Trish.

(TRISHA is laughing at GEORGE’s antics, obviously enjoying his company.)

GEORGE
Tapos iyun yung parrot tingin siya sa crucifix, tapos sabay sabi, umorder ka rin pala ng gasul.

TRISHA
Hahaha…(she looks and gazes a house in which they pass) wait George.

GEORGE
(stops the car)
     Bakit anong problema?

TRISHA
(pointing at the house)
Bahay ni Jessa, yung friend ko. tapos, tapos dun (pointing at another house) kina Cris, ang raming poodles nyan sa bahay. sa kanya galing sina martini at sina brandy.

CU-GEORGE’s face obviously worried.


ACT 2 SCENE 8

INT. LAROSCAIN HOUSE.DAY

AT THE LIVING ROOM OF THE LAROSCAINS, GEORGE AND MRS. LAROSCAIN ARE TALKING

MRS. LAROSCAIN
Sabi ni Doktora, unti-unti nang gumagaling si Trisha.  Mabilis raw ang kanyang recovery.

GEORGE
(forces a smile)
     Mabuti naman ho tita na gagaling na si Trisha.

MRS LAROSCAIN
(HOLDS GEORGE’S hand)  Alam mo na kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito George?

GEORGE
     Na kelangan ko na pong magpaalam.

MRS. LAROSCAIN
     Paumanhin George, pero I think it’s time to leave..
Ako nahihirapan ako kung paano ipaliliwanang sa kanya na wala na si Robert. What more, anong sasabihin ko kapag nakita ka niya na nandyan ka pa rin sa tabi.

GEORGE
     Tama ka po tita, naiintindihan ko.




ACT 2 SCENE 9

EXT. SEAWALL. NIGHT

Along the seawall, GEORGE is drinking like mad… he is drunk, he is accompanied by Glenn and another male friend.


FRIEND
     Bai, ok pa ba nang si George? Hubog na kaayo.

GLENN
     Ahh dili na, namrublema lang na sa kasing-kasing

GLENN approaches George furiously drinking.

GLENN
     Huy bai.

GEORGE throws his bottle of beer. crash! the broken bottle is noticeably heard

GLENN
     Huy, masita tayo nyang pinanggagawa mo George.

GEORGE
(his face grimacing in hurt)
True love glenn, I don’t fucking believe it… it’s an illusion. Guni-guni lang natin. naniwala ako nang pagkatagal-tagal, then here we go again walang mangyayari sa atin..

GLENN
Bai, George, (laughs) pare yang true love goes with the right person, nagpakatanga ka lang sa isang tao.

GEORGE
Tama ka, tama ka. pero anong gagawin ko ngayon pare.

GLENN
Useless mag-advise sa iyo, dahil hindi ka nakikinig pare. Ilang beses na kitang pinagsabihan?

GEORGE thugs at GLENN’s shirt


GEORGE
     Tell me now pare, makikinig na ako.

GLENN
Ito sasabihin ko. Get out of her life now, lumayo ka na sa mga Laroscain pare, umalis ka na sa kanya A.S.A.P. yun lang.

GEORGE does a mock salute

GEORGE
     Yes ser.


ACT 2 SCENE 10

INT. LAROSCAIN LIVING ROOM. DAY

GEORGE and TRISHA are watching a comedy movie on DVD. Trisha is enjoying, GEORGE is expressionless, deep in thought smiling only when TRISHA puts a glance on him.

LATER OUTSIDE THE HOUSE’S MAIN DOOR

TRISHA
     Kataw-anan masaydo yung movie noh?

GEORGE
     Lagi.

TRISHA
Oh ano ha! balik ka next week, ipagluluto kita ng favorite mong afritada. Tapos nuod tayo ng iba pang DVD yung kay Will Smith.

GEORGE
Ha eh, kuan Trish,(hesitating) hindi na ako makakapunta next week.

TRISHA
     Ha eh, sa next, next week na lang.



GEORGE
Hindi na Trish… ahmm papunta  na kasi ako Manila. Baka hindi na ako makakabalik.


TRISHA
Ha? Paano na yan? Bakit ka pupunta? Bakit ngayon mo lang sinasabi?

GEORGE
Kuan, ahmmm biglaan, inassign ako ng boss ko dun may malaking project kelangan kasi nila ng marketing officer… kaya ayun.

TRISHA
Hindi ba puwede i-postpone ang pagpunta mo? Wala na kasi akong makakasama dito.

GEORGE
(looks at MRS. LAROSCAIN standing in the background)
Hindi na Trish (voice breaking) importante kasi ang  trabaho hindi mabitawan.

TRISHA hugs GEORGE and weeps, catching GEORGE by surprise whose tears are also falling from his eyes.. composing himself he tries to comfort TRISHA

GEORGE
Trish, mag-iingat ka, huwag mo akong kalimutan ha. At kung matatandaan mo ito balang araw, patawarin mo ako.

TRISHA
     George, ayaw kung umalis ka.

GEORGE distances himself from TRISHA then leaves.


ACT 3 SCENE 1

EXT. OUTSIDE KARL’S KOFFEE.NIGHT

TINA and GEORGE are talking.


GEORGE
We hugged, nagpaalam ako, nag-sorry then umalis na ako. Pure and simple.

TINA
Hindi naman simple yang ginawa mo kanina. tinitingnan kita ang lungkot-lungkot mo ngayong gabi


GEORGE
     Oo, pero I’ll get this over soon.

TINA
Dapat lang noh! It’s long overdue, dapat ginawa mo iyun noon pa. pero alam mo hanga ako sa iyo. Minsan nagdadasal ako na makakita ng lalake na who loves the same way as you have love Trish.

GEORGE
     (laughs) Romantic ka pala na tao?

TINA
     Bakit mo nasabi yan?

GEORGE
     Akala ko kasi pareho kayo ni Glenn.

TINA
Eh bakit romantic rin kami ni Glenn ah? Hindi lang kami martyr na katulad mo.

GEORGE
     Pero alam mo tins, tama ka

TINA
     Tama sa alin?

GEORGE
Why would I settle for someone who is perfect yet just isn’t there.

GEORGE and TINA (chorus)
When we can wait for someone who isn’t perfect but would be perfect for me when I’m loving him.


The two laugh and exchange high fives, GEORGE looks intently at TINA

GEORGE
     You know Tins,

TINA
     Na ano?

GEORGE
I can help but notice, na ang ganda mo pala, pretty in pink.

TINA
     Tapos?

GEORGE
Hindi actually short lang ako sa cash ngayon. Puede pa-utang naman oh?

TINA
Ikaw dyud (jokingly throws a crumpled tissue paper at George)


ACT 3 SCENE 2

INT. GEORGE’s ROOM. NIGHT

2 years has past. George is in his room dressing up, then sits in front of his laptop to read his e-mail.

SUPER-

“TWO YEARS AFTER”

INSERT-

SERIES OF IMAGES OF PICTURE FRAMES IN GEORGE’S ROOM
    
1.  STUDIO PICTURE OF TINA AND GEORGE POSING AS A COUPLE
2.  PICTURE OF TINA AND GEORGE TAKEN IN A PARTY
3.  PICTURE OF TINA AND GEORGE TAKEN IN A VACATION

GEORGE IS reading TINA’S e-mail






TINA (VOCE-OVER)
Happy valentines George, parang kelan lang nang magkasama pa tayo. But I’m thousand of miles away and missing you so badly.  Parati kong kinukurot ang sarili ko, asking if I regretted leaving you. But deep inside I felt I have to move on.
                        (more)



ACT 3 SCENE 3

EXT.MATINA TOWN SQUARE. NIGHT

GEORGE is walking along the festive street of MTS.

TINA (VOICE OVER) CON’TD.

…I am currently following my dream but stuck here aching for you. But sabi nila kung para sa iyo, ay darating sa iyo…  hindi ko alam ano man ang darating… I don’t have the keys to see the future.


Titink, titink. GEORGE’s cellphones beeps. He gets the phone and goes to the message inbox.

INSERT- TEXT MESSAGE

Mts ka na? She’ll mit u at d park. arnd 9

GEORGE walks past BlueGre  coffee shop and sees couples strolling around. He then proceeds to the park. at the park he calls up GLENN.

GEORGE
Hello bro. nandito na ako sa park. hihintayin ko siya dito.

GLENN (VOICE OVER)
Sige, ok yan.  Papunta na raw siya, baka nandyan na siya. Hintayin mo na lang.

GEORGE
Glenn, sino ba itong i-bli-blind date mo sa akin? Bakit ayaw mo ibigay ang pangalan?

GLENN
Basta  bai! Papunta na siya, surprise ko kasi. Basta ok talaga siya.

GEORGE
Eh dude, ibigay mo lang ang pangalan sa akin para hindi ako magmukhang tanga.


GLENN
Basta lagi! Surprise siya. Pumaltos ba ako sa iyo George?

GEORGE
     Eh pangalan lang naman ang hinihingi ko. sige na.

GLENN
     Wag na pare, makikilala mo naman siya eh maya-maya

GEORGE
     Eh pangalan lang niya, maski first name or nickname. 
             
GLENN drops the call.

GEORGE
     Glenn? Hello? Hello?

Unknown to GEORGE his supposed date is standing a few meters behind him.

LADY

Trisha, Trisha ang pangalan niya.

GEORGE hears the Lady, the voice sounded familiar, he turns around and sees TRISHA standing behind him.

TRISHA
Maria Patricia Laroscain. Nakalimutan mo na ako George?

GEORGE
(visibly very surprised)
     Trish?




TRISHA
Oo, ako nga. Humingi ako ng tulong kay Glenn, gusto kasi kitang makausap.

After two long years GEORGE and TRISHA see each other face to face. GEORGE is rendered speechless, TRISHA holds GEORGE’s hands.


LATER

In the park, TRISHA and GEORGE are seated at the park’s bench.

TRISHA
     I was on the verge of backing-out from our engagement.

FLASHBACK

EXT. TIMES BEACH-DAY

MR. LAORSCAIN and TRISHA are walking along TimesBeach, it is early morning. And they have gone jogging.

MR. LAROSCAIN
     Anong problema hija? I can sense something is wrong.

TRISHA stops on her tracks, tears all from her eyes, which MR. LAROSCAIN notices.

MR.LAROSCAIN
     What’s the matter,  hija? Tell me.

TRISHA
Dad I’m falling out from Robert. Hindi ko ata kaya na magpakasal sa kanya. I’m so sorry dad, alam kong two months away na ang kasal. (TRISHA hugs her Dad)

MR. LAROSCAIN
I think you should tell Robert on how you feel, sabihin mo sa kanya anong gusto mong gawin.

TRISHA
Dad, I gave him my word. Saka paano sina Mom at si mama Beth, at kayo? paano na ang kasal.

MR.LAROSCAIN
Trish you marry someone not because you kept your word or you are expected to. You marry someone because you loved him and you want him to be with your for the rest of your life.



BACK TO SCENE

TRISHA
     Unti-unti akong lumalayo kay Robert
Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pero pinilit kong sinasabi sa puso ko na mahal ko pa rin siya.

FLASHBACK

INT. ROBERT’s CAR-NIGHT

ROBERT and TRISHA are inside the car returning home after coming from a party of Robert’s friend. ROBERT is drunk

TRISHA (VOICE OVER)
     Natatandaan ko nung gabi nung aksidente

TRISHA
     Ano ka ba? ikakasal na tayo ganyan ka pa rin

ROBERT
     Trish, paminsan-minsan lang naman to e.

TRISHA
     Anong paminsan-minsan? Eh gabi-gabi na to ah

ROBERT
Ano ka ba. ikakasal na tayo Trish, masanay ka naman sa akin, hindi naman palagian to ah.

The car swerves

TRISHA
(worried about Robert who is driving drunk)
Robert, ibalik mo na itong sasakyan kay Fred, magtaxi nalang muna tayo. Hindi mo na ata kaya.


ROBERT
Sus, kaya ko pa ito. matulog ka na muna, gigisingin nalang kita pag nasa harap na tayo ng bahay mo

TRISHA turns her face away from Robert to the other side of the car.



TRISHA (VOICE OVER)
Iniisip ko nung gabing yun. Kung siya na nga ba ang taong makakapiling ko habang buhay.


ZZZZ. TRISHA hears a snoring sound. She faces Robert and to her shock, sees him falling asleep behind the wheel. She tries to wake him up

TRISHA
     Robert, Robert. Gising.

ROBERT
     Hmmm, hmmm

hooonk, an incoming light truck blows it horns. The incoming light truck’s headlights blinds Robert’s car.

TRISHA
     Robeeeeert!!!!

Crash!! Robert’s car collides with the van.

  


BACK TO SCENE

EXT. MTS PARK.NIGHT

TRISHA
Nagka-amnesia pala ako, nakalimutan ko ang lahat. nakalimutan si Robert. Dumating ka pala sa buhay ko nun.

GEORGE
I’m sorry, kung ginawa ko iyun. Minahal kita nang labis. I took my chance.

TRISHA
(holds GEORGE’s hands) Hindi kita binigyan ng pagkakataon, hanggang sa panahon na iyun.

Hindi ko iyun nalimutan George.


FADE OUT

                           THE END



                                                          






































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Flick and Reruns: The Metro Manila Film Fest

January 1, 2013, 8:58 am
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Got to watch some of the entries in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. Among the flicks were the historical biopic El Presidente, Sisterakas, Thy Womb and The Strangers, some of my thoughts in the films that I watched.



El Presidente: The Story of Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Philippine Republic-  

Finally a mainstream Filipino movie which is a historical epic, One could appreciate the ambitious retelling of one of the most momentous events in Philippine history; the subsequent birth of the First Philippine Republic told through the perspective of the country's first President, Generalissimo Emilio Aguinaldo. One should really appreciate movies that delve into our country's history since they are far-in-between and also it costs so much to produce a period movie.

Alas the movie fails to succeed due to many factors one of which is the movie's lack of narrative focus. It felt like I was just seeing reenactments of various points of history  also I do not know if the film wanted to be an action film with the many stylish fight/battle scenes or a serious historical drama. The film seemed disjointed because of its cinematic ambition. it cannot be helped that ER Ejercito's wooden acting failed to give his character the much needed emotional sympathy. Crappy CGIs also marred the believability of the battle/fight scenes. Some characters were also miscasted particularly Nora Aunor who plays Aguinaldo's second wife.



Sisterakas

If you want guilt-free fun? then go to your favorite cinema and watch Sisterakas. The movie is basically a tale of two half- siblings (Ai Ai delas Alas and Vice Ganda) separated by hatred during their childhood, Totoy (Vice Ganda) vows revenge on his half-sister's family for ruining their life. As fate would have it the two half-siblings would meet again, their lives revolving around the highly glamorous but ultra-competitive world of Philippine fashion where they would also meet the equally campy fashion magnate Roselle (Kris Aquino).

If Sisteraka was a basketball team then Vice Ganda would be the star player of the team. Perhaps 80 or 90% of the laughs belonged to Vice and his wicked ad-libs. Which is a disservice to the movie because if you remove Vice, the film is not that funny. Ai-Ai delas Alas chin (baba) jokes has been done since the 1980s and this is not Tanging Ina series where the material was tailor fit for her. Kris Aquino has that star power but I think she was just coasting along the film as if the film was a satire of her life much in particular to the James Yap jokes which were done in bad taste.



The Strangers

My favorite among the three, The Strangers directed by Lawrence Fajardo is a terrifying tale of a family stranded in a strange countryside. There is a twist in the film and the early parts of the film successfully builds up the tension leading to the twist, There is a Peque Gallagasque touch in the film particularly as Fajardo channels Gallaga's iconic Aswang episode (Shake Rattle and Roll part II) to his film.

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Our Local Cinema: Reaching Out to a wider audience

February 3, 2013, 10:48 am
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Films from Davao block screening 8th Mindanao Film Festival  (photo by Ryan delos Reyes)

After a block screening of Davao-made films during the recently-held Mindanao Film Festival a friend of mine texted me that she had enjoyed the local films she was watching. “Nag-enjoy ako sa mga palabas.”   Her  friend was part of the cast in one of the short films and had decided to watch the block along with her friends.

In another memory, about two years ago, I dragged some of my media colleagues to watch some Cinemarehiyon films (then hosted by Davao City) one of the films they managed to catch was Sherad Sanchez’s “Balangay.” Watching a Sherad Sanchez film is a rather memorable or notorious cinematic experience depending on how well you understood or appreciated it. 

“Ano ba yang pelikula na yan?” Ranted one of my colleague, I tried to explain to her that this film has been critically acclaimed and had been exhibited in several international film festivals, this way I tried to appease her as she was blaming me for dragging her to the cinema and watching the film which she did not understand had wasted three hours of her time.

These instances serve as polar opposites of our regional cinema and best describes the dilemma of festival organizers and prime movers.  Whether to become an honest venue of artistic expression thru the medium of indie filmmaking or to go try and attract a growing audience, an audience still heavily accustomed to watching mainstream Hollywood or Filipino films.

The answer it can be both. How? By just becoming as diverse as possible, never limited to a particular set of film aesthetics or discourse , it should be respectful and nurturing of each filmmaker’s/producers’ cinematic works.

I was watching an entry at a film festival of a local university, it was rather a long short film, basically a love story about two lovers drifting out of love, calling it quits and moving on. The text in the ending credits announced that it was inspired from a true story. During the open forum, the filmmaker on the verge of near tears said it was from his own experience and that making the film was his way of coping from his heartbreak.

How could you not love a film which is spoken from the heart, The beauty of regional filmmaking is that the makers have raw but powerful concepts of their films, primal artistic instinct at best, this combined with passion to make films and run festivals have resulted in Davao being one of the active filmmaking centers in Mindanao.

Thus our film community must never transform into an arthouse clique or a laboratory for clones of mainstream flicks. It should freely reflect our creative ideals, dreams, influences, experiences and aspirations.

We must never alienate the audience and we must also not alienate potential filmmakers, it is thru a welcoming and supportive local cinematic community which can nurture the growth we have experience in the past years.

More filmmakers would mean more audiences but that equation would only be realized if you coaxed them to come out of their shells. - During the 8th Mindanao Film Fest we had the internal organization tagline, Your Film, Your Festival. We mandated participating filmmakers to intensify marketing initiatives as part of their responsibilities in joining the festival, for the filmmakers to bring in the crowd instead of relying largely on the organizers to market it.

The initiative netted some gains, attendance to the festival  increase compared to the previous years, flurry of activities in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and blogsites  generated significant interest.

“O maraming tao.” Tito Marlon told me  during the screening of the Davao Block where we nearly filled the cinema. Tito Marlon, the father of high school barkada and the manager of the Gaisano Mall Cinema who had been actively supporting local indie films particularly the Mindanao Film Fest since the earliest inception had pointed out the lack of promotion and marketing initiatives from the filmmakers during the previous years. “Kahit ano pang ganda ng palabas mo, pag wala ring nanonood, wala rin.” He reminded me in one of our meetings.

Following the successes of film festivals like the MFF we must follow it up with a sustained year-long activity to keep the interest from waning. This means film screenings, workshops, social media activities,  as of this writing I have been invited to a local indie film event  dubbed as the Sulay Sulay: Pasalida sa Davao which showcases several short films from Dabawenyo filmmakers which is hosted by Sa’Less Moozika , a rock bar located at Sales Street.

Alyssa is Typing 

There are some screenings of local films held at the cinematheque, which thankfully is exposing a growing number of audience to World Cinema and hard to find Filipino movies from indie films to revered classics.  But the more important tangible benefit of having a cinematheque is a venue for showcasing locally-made indie films just in case the filmmakers don’t have the resources to have it shown in the malls.

The challenge for us particularly in the Davao filmmaking community is building our audience and capturing it. I believe there are still a large audience out there.

A couple of years ago I once got to talk to one of the leaders in the Chinese community in the city. He surprised me by saying that every year he goes to the Gaisano Mall cinema just to watch the Mindanao Film Festival films along with his family, he was asking me what films would I recommend to him in the MFF because he would be watching it.

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Davao del Norte Sports Complex

March 1, 2013, 1:23 am
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Last Monday (Feb. 25) I was invited to Tagum City for the opening of the Davao Region Athletic Association or DAVRAA.

The regional athletic meet was going to be held at the new Davao del Norte Sports Complex.



Built at a cost of P248-million, the sports facility includes tartan tracks, a 5,000 seater capacity grand-stand, modern lighting facility which enables night games, an aquatic facility plus a basketball gym.


The 11-hectare facility is located at the old sports complex in Mankilam which basically was a grassy field before the Governor decided to build a new and modern sports center.

According to Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, the sports complex is an investment for the future, more than monetary return of investments there is the intangible benefits for the youth of Davao del Norte, a facility where they can train and be molded into top athletes and productive model citizens.

The complex was built using a turn-key approach where the contractor will first shell out the money before they are paid by the provincial government after it is formally accepted by the province.

Trying out the tartan tracks. 

well-lighted field good for night games

Our gracious host Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario
The aquatic facility


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Back to photoshoots

March 1, 2013, 9:46 am
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The past three months prior to February was quite hectic with lots of work and activities, photography had to take a back seat unless it was commissioned projects.

It was only last February when I was able to go back into photoshoots/ fun shoots. Raph convinced me to go with Joemar and his model, a colehiyala named Prexy for a shoot at the former Pawikan Sanctuary.

Prexy hails from General Santos City, she's currently studying at Ateneo de Davao







A week after our shoot with Prexy, the MCOM group held a photoshoot during the aspirants acceptance, an activity where we formally welcome the group's aspirants into the roster of regular members. Part of the activity was a brief talk by freelance stylist and writer Kristine Serrano, who had worked for Manila Bulletin's Style Weekend and Cosmo.ph. Her talk delved into the importance of styling in photography.

Kristine during the talk



On the photoshoot held during the afternoon we had models Kenny and Aubrey.

Aubrey
Kenny





Found new photography styles and techniques while working on the shoots. It's nice to be back clicking.
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Photoshoots and the photographer

March 6, 2013, 1:19 am
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I was tasked to orient the new members at our photography group on conducting photoshoots. As I prepared the materials for the talk, the topic slowly ventured into protocols and ethics, some basic do's and don'ts during the activity.

I have come across written rules on photoshoot ethics laid down by other photography groups for the benefit of their members, our group though didn't have one, but we do subscribe on to unwritten rules particularly on how we interface with  our models/subjects, co-shooters and crew.


In photoshoots, great responsibility lies within the photographer not just in taking good pictures but also that photoshoots are done right.

Here are some of the reminders which I had written down for the talk:

1. Iron out everything (logistics, compensation, accommodation, shoot concept etc) before the actual shoot.

2. As much as possible have a go-see or a look through of the model before the shoot, study or analyze her best angles and features. Let her look over your pegs.

3. In daring or risqueshoots, the model must have prior knowledge of the theme before  going into actual photoshoot. Do not get underage models, if needed secure permission from parents, guardians or relatives. Agree upon a set of protocol during this kind of shoot, it must never degenerate into a free-for-all affair. 




4. If you are a photography club or a regular photoshoot group agree upon a set of protocols or ethics which will govern the behavior of the shooters.

5. Never underestimate the relevance of  conducting a background check on models, make-up artists, co-photographers, crew etc.

6. For those shooting on location, ask permission/coordinate from owners/caretakers of these locales.

7. Scout the shooting location, Keep an eye for details like permits/fees, restrictions, safety and security concerns.

8. Its okay to be practical but when it comes to the crew’s comfort and convenience perhaps you have to spend more. (food, transport etc.)
 * As much as possible do not allow your model   to multitask or be heavily involved in tasks   or chores she/he has nothing to do with
 * Take care of your model as much as you take care of your camera 

9. Photoshoot is everything about respect, earning trust and goodwill. 

10. Respect personal boundaries. Keep everything professional. Remember that any misconduct will have an impact to the photography community as well.
      *Never flirt, take  undue advantage or solicit special favors




10

5

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Escape to enchanting Bucas Grande

April 9, 2013, 7:49 pm
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Located at the northeastern flank of Mindanao under the political jurisdiction of Surigao del Norte province lies Siargao, a group of islands known much as a surfing destination. But unknown to many the Siargao isles also boasts of magnificent coves and lagoons which harbors  very scenic seascapes enough to make your jaws drop in amazement.




Photo from the internet which made me bite Alberto's invite to Bucas Grande

One of these islands is Bucas Grande, lying adjacent to the more well-known Siargao island but located much nearer to the Surigao del Norte mainland (a shorter 45-minute trip from barangay Hayanggabon in the nickel-mining town of Claver).

Bucas Grande is an irregular shaped island, the western side which faces Surigao del Norte is straddled by coves and islets, its numerous emerald-colored inlets provide not just breath-taking sceneries but is also a perfect aquatic playground where one can swim, kayak, snorkel, dive or just chill in some idyllic strips of beach strewn across these inlets.


When my friend Albert had his Shenzhen China trip cancelled due to visa problems, he immediately booked his Lenten vacation Plan B, which was a long-weekend trip to Bucas Grande, he invited me along with some of our photography co-hobbyists to join the trip. For a group of 10 we shelled around P4,500 each which basically covered all the necessary expenses for the trip which includes transportation, accommodation with meals and the tours around the island.

Ian, Alberto (trip mastermind) and Joemar

From Davao we take a 7-hour drive to the town of Claver, the jump-off point is at barangay Hayanggabon, where you take a motor launch for a 45-minute trip to Bucas Grande. There are accommodations in Hayanggabon for van drivers  where they can wait during their clients’ sojourn.

Claver town hosts one of the largest nickel mines in  the country and as you set forth to Bucas Grande one can see contrasting landscapes, the bald, brown mining mountains of Claver and the lush verdant islets of Bucas Grande.

The mountains of Claver, site of a nickel mine.


The boat took us to Tiktikan Lake Resort, which is going to be our home for the holidays. The resort had only two cottages, thus it was not really crowded and at times we felt we had an island for ourselves. Our cottage has a stunning view of a lagoon, which looks more like a lake. There one can rent a small banca and go rowing to explore the lush inlet. The sound of hornbills from the nearby forested cliffs indicated that the place is still rich not just with flora but also of fauna.

Lake Tiktikan Resort

Our cottage overlooking a lagoon

The Tiktikan Lake, where one can go kayaking in its calm waters.



The inlet all by ourselves


The emerald waters of the Tiktikan inlet provided much respite to our urban-weary bodies, hiding in a nearby cove is the Crystal caves where one can go spelunking.

The highlight of the trip was whole day island-hopping. The boat took us to beach strips, much of Bucas Grande are coves with cliffs rising up to the sea, and there are pockets of white sand beaches like the popular Marka-A (named because of an A-shaped  mark, naturally etched on the cove’s cliff) which are pit-stops for island hopping tours. Another trip was at Club Tara, a high-end resort which reminded me of a low-budgeted version of Samal Island’s Pearl Farm Resort, a breakwater cuts off an inlet which provide resort guests with their own virtual private lagoon.

At Marka-A beach. A small strip of beach tucked in a cove.

Club Tara Resort


Another stop was the jellyfish sanctuary; visitors take human-powered small bancas to the sanctuary, where boatmen will guide you to an inlet inhabited by harmless non-stinging jellyfishes. The main highlight of the island tour is a trip to the Sohoton National Park. 



Visitors exiting the jellyfish sanctuary

The Sohoton National Park can be accessed through a cave during high tide, on the other side of the cave you are greeted by scenery much more pristine and virginal than the rest of the Bucas Grande inlets since this place is more isolated than the rest of the island. It is a maze of coves and inlets, where one can get lost if you don’t have an experience guide with you. The forested cliffs is teeming with Philippine Ironwood which said to be one of the hardest hardwood in the entire world.

The cave to Sohoton

Horse-feet marker, a guide for boatmen to point the route to the cave's entrance.

The boat makes numerous pit-stops inside Sohoton, one of which is the Haggukan Cave known for the snoring sound the cave makes because of a natural vacuum. Another cave is named Magkukuob cave known for its stalactites and stalagmites, exiting Magkukuob can be done by jumping off to the inlet through one of its opening.



Our  boatman/guide said that the National Park is an enchanted place the abode of supernatural beings, during the boat ride inside the park, in the middle of a hot summer day, a sudden downpour caught us unprepared, good thing I brought along some plastic bags to shield our cameras. The boatman said the rain which seemed to occur only inside the national park was a sign of the presence of these beings.


Supernatural powers or a wonder of nature, Sohoton and Bucas Grande Island would still cast the same enchanting effect to any traveler who would wander along its coves.






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Flicks and Reruns: It Takes A Man and A Woman

April 12, 2013, 11:47 pm
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The much-awaited third installment to the Laida Magtalas and Miggy Montenegro love story which began in 2008 (A Very Special Love) and in 2009 (You Changed My Life) 2013's It Takes A Man and A Woman caps off the successful cinematic pairing of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz.

Much of the successful partnership can be attributed to JLC, he has the versatile ability to mold with the personality of his leading ladies ( Kaye Abad, Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, Toni Gonzaga, Sarah Geronimo even Solenn Heusaff) sparking that much-needed chemistry, a trait not shared with a present generation of matinee idols whose screen pairings are a hit-and-miss thing. In fact you can compare him to great leading men like  Christopher de Leon, Dindo Fernando, Aga Mulach and Richard Gomez.





The film takes much reference to the trilogy's first film, the more successful "A Very Special Love," sort of going back to the roots. The Montenegro business empire is crumbling with the death of the patriarch Luis Montenegro (played by Dante Rivero) and the burden of saving the family's hold on the empire hangs on the shoulders of a Montenegro bastard, Miggy Montenegro (John Lloyd Cruz) whose sole mission is to secure the license of a popular international magazine enough to impress a board and prevent a take over of a corporate rival.

Laida Magtalas (Sarah Geronimo) returns after a stint in a publishing company in New York, to serve as a consultant to the Montenegro's publishing company, hoping to make it palatable to the publishers of the international magazine. However things aren't as rosy as it seems as the former lovebirds have long separated in not so good terms.

If you like A Very Special Love then this is a wonderful follow-up film. A feel-good romantic comedy whose over-arching theme of moving on and taking second chances is a perfect evolution to the Laida-Miggy love story. Though I wish the movie could have ended during the airport scene. And I felt Sarah Geronimo acted like much a tourist rather than a jaded New Yorker during their scenes in the big apple.








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A tale of two portraits: The Chef and The Actor

May 5, 2013, 7:53 pm
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I had a rare chance of having two well-known personalities as subjects of my portraits. In both instances they were impromptu  mini-pictorials. I really didn't bring my strobes, softboxes, reflectors etc with me and in cases like these you have to maximize either the location's ambient light or your on-camera flash (which is a very useful gear because of its versatility).


GIUSEPPE MORISCO

It was supposed to be a media-lunch, a taste test of the restaurant's menus, I requested chef Morisco if we can have a short pictorial. 

Chef Giuseppe Morisco rose to international fame as one of the Top 10 finalists in the second season  of the  reality TV show MasterChef where people around the world saw him prepare dishes for Chef Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kitchen.

Today, Morisco runs a restaurant in Costa Rica named Amici Restorante, he also manages Food Lover's Retreat which is an all-inclusive food retreat across the world's vacation spots.

Currently Morisco is teaming up with his father Gaitano "Don Beppe" Morisco", who currently resides in Davao City to open an authentic fine-dining restaurant in Davao City.

I used an on-cam flash, bounced off the restaurant's ceiling. For impromptu
photo-shoots such as these, an on-cam flash is a very necessary tool.

"I want people when they walk in here, they think they are walking in Italy." says Morisco. Aside from authentic Italian cuisine, Morisco made sure that the decor and ambiance will remind Dabawenyos about his mother land.

The 40-year old chef started professional cooking a decade ago. His passion aside from cooking is his country Italy which he will never run out of things to talk about. He said he comes from the beautiful Italian region of Puglia whose cuisine figures much in Morisco's culinary influences.

Morisco's says he had learned to love the Philippines comparing it to Costa Rica where he spends most of the year. "Davao is a beautiful town, in five to ten years it will become competitive." the Master Chef finalist describes the City.

Shot on location at Morisco, SM Lanang Premiere. 



XIAN LIM


During a mini-pictorial with Xian, I utilized window-lighting, requested the actor to
sit beside the window. For me nobody beats the quality of window light. 
Xian then living in the United States wanted to play basketball in his native land. Thus armed with a dream he went back to Manila and joined the basketball try-outs at the University of the East eventually making it to the Team B of the school's Red Warriors team.

While playing ball, a talent scout noticed him and invited him for some pictorials and the rest is showbiz history, the 6'2 forward is now a big name actor/celebrity. Basketball's loss is tinseltown's gain.

Shoot location was at Mcdonald's Bajada where Xian graced a meet-and-greet activity with fans. Xian is the ambassador of the food chain's McFloat Rainbow Medley.

His team-up with Kim Chiu is fast gaining waves, "it's the trust, we trust each other, we're comfortable with each other." Xian describes his onscreen team up with Kim Chiu whom he first worked with in the TV series  "My Binondo Girl"  Their love team is currently reaping good TV ratings with the ongoing telenovela "Ina, Kapatid, Anak." 

On the works is Kim and Xian's first film together entitled "Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo." alongside Ramon Bautista, whose book of the same title inspired the film. "Iba thinking niya, something out of the box."  Xian describes his co-star, the great Ramon Bautista.

Aside from being an actor and an erstwhile basketball player, Xian is also an accomplished musician- a pianist, not many know that he also writes and arranges some of the musical scores for Ina, Kapatid, Anak.





For Giuseppe Morisco: a lot of thanks to Marissa Te Eng Fo, Henrylito Tacio, Kelvin Lee and Dr. Escudero

For Xian Lim: a lot of thanks to EON, The Stakeholder Relations Firm, Nina Espiritu, Jolly Macachor, Mcdonald's Bajada staff and crew.



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The Vice and the joke gone bad

May 30, 2013, 11:07 am
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Many years back some of my school friends went to the now-defunct The Venue, dubbed as the Davao City's top nightspot/party place. The structure closed down four years ago and the building now hosts a call center company.

Anyways that particular Saturday had a popular Manila comedian named Vice Ganda (way before she skyrocketed to showbiz fame) headlining a show. One of my friends was not a fan of Vice Ganda's type of comedy bar humor where one would poke fun at personalities and guests for their punchlines.

"Ano bang pinunta natin?" he kept on ranting.

"Sorry ha di ko talaga trip patawa nila." he said. Having been raised in Manila, he was familiar with the urban culture of the big city, one of which was presence of comedy bars as part and parcel of Manila's nightlife which we in Davao at that time were not that familiar.

We treated Vice Ganda's antics as a novelty, we laughed at her jokes especially when she made fun of the unwary guests. My friend since he had no choice as the classroom clique was decided on watching the show could only turn his head in disapproval.

By the time the show was over he decided to lecture the troop over the impropriety of the comedian's antics. Some of us felt that our friend was just KJ or kill joy.

I remembered this amid the flurry of social media responses to Vice Ganda's skit on her Araneta concert, a part of the comedy routine had the comedian skewering GMA Network vice president for news programs and well-respected broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, among the jokes included references to the broadcaster's weight and the sensitive topic of gang-rape.

Skipping over the propriety of Vice-Ganda's joke on Ms. Jessica Soho, I felt the material was weak, it was not FUNNY or it wasn't as funny as other Vice Ganda's comedic materials for her specialty is witty repartee and not engaging in skits, leave that to Pooh and Pokwang or to Jon Santos.

The jokes were flat which perhaps magnified the fury, every joke is a gamble as to how people would perceive it and the consequences of their reactions. Vice Ganda was not the only comedian who felt the fury of a public scorned over a joke gone wrong.


Take the case of Candy Pangilinan who was declared persona non grata by the city government of Baguio when she yelled out at a mall show held in Baguio  "Akala niyo Igorot ako, hindi ako Igorot, Tao po ako." 

Another incident was in the 1970s in Davao City when Dabawenyo Boholanos stormed the cinema showing the comedy film "Bol-anon ko Nyor."  (I Am A Boholano Sir) and nearly lynched the star of the movie Yoyoy Villame. The Bol-anons in Davao City were furious  at the movie as it had made fun of their people.

The script or story was actually based on a compilation of Boholano jokes compiled by its writer Satur Apoyon, a prolific Dabawenyo literary writer and journalist. The movie did not sit well with many Boholanos as they felt it was an act of insult. Because of tremendous pressure the movie bombed at the tills and the producers vowed never to make a film again in Davao City, the Dabawenyo film industry eventually died until it was reborn in the 21st century with the advent of digital regional indie films.










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A tale of two portraits 2: Matteo Guidicelli and Franco Reyes

June 1, 2013, 8:59 am
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I had the opportunity to shoot another batch of celebrities, two Cebuanos who have established themselves in the field of entertainment- there is former race kart driver turned actor and now serious triathlete Matteo Guidicelli and rocker, occasional indie actor Franco Reyes.

MATTEO GUIDICELLI


This Filipino-Italian Cebuano first excelled in karting where he was three-time recipient of Karter of the Year honors.

In 2007 he joined showbiz where he appeared in ABSCBN TV shows Go Kada Go and Kung Fu Kids. He gained popularity when he became part of  primetime TV series Agua Bendita and My Binondo Girl. Matteo also co-hosted the defunct noontime show Happy Yipee Yehey.

He also acted in movies such as My Cactus Heart alongside Maja Salvador and Xian Lim then he also had a role in the Gerald Anderson-Sara Geronimo rom-com flick Cath Me I'm In Love.

He took up the sport of triathlon where he joined numerous races including the tough 70.3 Ironman in Hawaii last year.

Shot using a Nikon D90 with Nikkor 35mm 1.8 lens

Recently he was named as the celebrity member of the Isuzu D-Max cycling team. "Mateo reflects the excellence and toughness of the brand and we are glad to have him with us in Davao." said Kim Liu Isuzu Cars Davao Vice-President.

It was during Matteo's visit to Davao along with his teammates in the Isuzu D-Max cycling team where I managed to sneak in for a mini-impromptu pictorial at SM Lanang's Fountain Court.

FRANCO REYES

Shot using a Canon 500D with a Canon 50 mm 1.8 lens

Another Cebuano, Franco Reyes is the man behind Franco which was originally known as a rock supergroup composed of members from different established bands such as Parokya ni Edgar, Queso and Urbandub. But he decided to take in new members as he found it difficult to sync his bandmates schedules and other priorities.

With new members who can fully focus on the band, Franco has released its new album titled Soul Adventurer. "More laid-back than the first but it still has those heavy riffs." Franco says during the interview at Abreeza Mall.

Aside from music, Franco has also appeared in indie films particularly in Cinema One's zombie flick Di Ingon Nato. He said acting in films was a new and enjoyable experience however he found it difficult adjusting to the unpredictable working schedule of film production, he says his next indie film project would be a cameo appearance in an indie film which will star Kitchie Nadal.









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A tale of two meals

June 10, 2013, 9:15 pm
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A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening of two dining establishments in the city. Which coincidentally were owned by friends. A sumptuous dinner at Barrio Bistro Damosa and a Mexican feast at Izubo.

Barrio Bistro Damosa

Barrio Bistro's popular Three Cheese Pizza


Perhaps our choice tambayan for the ultimate comfort food. Barrio Bistro in Lacson Street, Barrio Obrero was our hang-out for our photography group when we have our monthly meetings.

Among their popular choices include the iconic three Cheese pizza with its rich cheesy variety of cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella- An SOP order during our visits of course the other popular dishes are  their crispy pork belly and BB back ribs.

We later found out that the bistro branched out in downtown Davao at the former Dunkin Donuts outlet along Duterte street, which once held the historic record of selling the most number of donuts among the dunkin donut outlets when it first opened in the late 80s or 90s.

Then another branch opened in the north along Damosa Gateway, a franchise owned by friends Carlo Altavas, Van Uyking and siblings Milou, Manuel III and Christopher Tan.

Along with fellow lifestyle writer Kenneth we visited Barrio Bistro Damosa upon the invitation of good friend Milou Tan-Babol.

According to Carlo, the friends had secured a space at Damosa Gateway, which used to be a former bar and grill, they had hoped to open another bar but they decided that opening a new entity would be a complicated process, so they decided to franchise an established restaurant or bar.

While roaming around the city looking for that establishment they came across Barrio Bistro and fell in love with the place, the food and the concept. And the group arrived in a decision to woo the owners into franchising the outlet which was not difficult as the owner was the godmother of one of the barkada.

After negotiations, the owners decided to entrust the franchise to them and Barrio Bistro Damosa was born.

“We want a resto that is friendly with  an atmosphere of a happy place.” Says Carlo.

Another favorite crispy dinuguan

To suit the market of Damosa Gateway whose nearby IT park  hosts a big call center company, Barrio Bistro Damosa is the only BB branch to open past 12 midnight. By 9 p.m. the ambiance of the bistro changes becoming more of a nightspot, for the nighttime crowd the place offers beer in buckets and pulutan.

The bistro also offers margarita drinks which is a perfect combination alongside its best sellers crispy pork belly, spicy pork ribs, bb back ribs, crispy dinuguan and of course its buy one take one pizzas.

House specialty, BB Back Ribs


Barrio Bistro Damosa on evenings caters to people who would want to chill, enjoy the fresh air of a suburban neighbourhood, listen to live bands within the safe and secure comforts of Damosa Gateway.

 Izubo

Upon the invitation of good friend Dimples Vasquez the following morning I hopped on to a new dining establishment in the southern suburb of Matina.

Izubo owned by Dimple’s husband Chris and Sam Ngujo, is a play of the Filipino word Isubo or to feed.

According to Chris Izubo’s concept is where the flavors of the east meets with the west. The place offers authentic dishes from Singapore (Hainanese Chicken), Malaysia (beef reddang), Chinese and western cuisine along with rich varieties of American and Mexican comfort food.

Chris who is a nurse by profession met Sam while the two were working in Lotus Court in Marco Polo Davao. Together they develop Izubo’s cuisine with Sam in-charge of Asian presentations and Chris inputting western concepts to their dishes.

Chris says Izubo delves more on Asian food in fact one of their signature dishes is the Hainanese Chicken which has earned them a steady clientele. The place offers semi-buffet style or plate-in orders.

But the best part of discovering Izubo was realizing that Chris was one of the owners of the now-defunct Mexican resto Bullfrogs then located at the Matina Town Square, the resto closed in 2001 and it left a huge void among many Dabawenyos including myself who missed their mouthwatering chimichangas, enchiladas and  signature grilled cheeseburgers. And these dishes were concocted by no less-than Chris.

“I was too young then.” Says Chris explaining the demise of their former venture at that time was the only Mexican food outlet in the city. 

But now Bullfrog returns with Izubo and I was fortunate enough to rekindle my passion with their iconic enchiladas and chimichangas.  Also waiting in the wings is the relaunch of the famed cheeseburgers which pioneered the concept of offering grilled burgers in this city.

Izubo's Beef Burritos with Spanish Rice


Izubo is located at KTM business center, McArthur Highway, Matina, in front of Buffet Palace.

Izubo's Chicken Enchilada


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Pinoy Action Stars

June 29, 2013, 1:55 am
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Action films at the heyday of the Filipino movie industry were part and parcel of Pinoy culture. The action stars were considered as showbiz gods, idolized by many. The greatest of them, all the late Fernando Poe Jr. was considered as Da King because of his many blockbuster action movies.

Aside from the Da King there were action stars who paraded on the limelight with their slam-bang multi-million peso productions.


Rudy Fernandez- The late Rudy Fernandez or Daboy as he is fondly called, rose from a teenybopper actor to a certified action star with the film Bitayin si Baby Ama in 1976. Notable films include Ayaw Matulog ng Gabi, Markhang Bungo, Lagalag, Birador and Palaban. His last films signaled the end of the action film era.


Most of his action film characters was a man-on-a-mission kind of guy. A character focused on doing something despite the many distractions along the way.

My favorite Rudy Fernandez Film: Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story 

famous line: "Trabaho lang ito, walang personalan." (Markang Bungo: The Bobby Ortega Story)

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Philip Salvador- A Lino Brocka protege before making a name as an action star, he appeared in 17 Lino Brocka's films, many of the films were critically acclaimed and were the toast of the international film community.



By the mid 80s he starred in action films beginning with Gabi na Kumander, Afuang, Balweg, Boy Negro.

He is the emotional action hero. most of his films have him showcasing his dramatic emotions. His characters are fueled by tragic experiences like injustice. Lately he had reinvented himself as a character supporting actor mostly in drama and the occasional action-adventure films.

My favorite Philip Salvador film: Boy Negro.

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Bong Revilla- He followed the footsteps of his father another great action hero Ramon Revilla Sr. not just in pulverizing bad guys in the silver screen but also by venturing into politics, he is currently a Senator of the Republic.


He started being an action star courtesy of the family's production outfit Imus Productions. Notable films include Boy Tornado, Alyas Pogi 1 and 2, Dugo ng Panday. While Star Cinema celebrates its 20th year it should be noted that its first film was a Bong Revilla's clan war action flick Adan Ronquillo.

Dubbed as the titanic action hero because his movies were big-budgeted productions, for example the Peque Gallaga/ Lore Reyes helmed film Dugo ng Panday was one of the most expensive Filipino film to be made at that time.

He is the family man action star, many of his films revolves around the family like Adan Ronquillo and the Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis series. Lately he has been making big-budgeted family-friendly epic adventure films for the Metro Manila Film Festival  like Exodus, Resiklo, Ang Panday, Ang Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote. 

Some of his roles are messianic in character- viewed as the one who would save the community from oppressive evil, a reluctant or mysterious individual destined to be some sort of a hero (Alyas Pogi 2, Dugo ng Panday, Indio TV series).

Famous Line "Anak ng Teteng" (Alyas Pogi)

My favorite Bong Revilla Film: Resiklo.

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Robin Padilla- He was the bad boy of Philippine movies in reel and real-life, the last of the great action stars in the golden age of Pinoy action movies. He was known for his blockbuster films like Utol kongHoodlum, Bad Boy and Maging Sino Ka Man with mega star Sharon Cuneta.


In 1995 he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegal possession of firearms, courtesy of a law penned by a former action star- Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. the penalty for his crime was lightened and he was released in 1998.

He was Filipino action film's James Dean, a rebellious reluctant hero who won't conform to society's norms and ethics. And beneath the veneer of notoriety lies a chivalrous and courageous individual willing to sacrifice his life and fight for the common good.

Famous Line: "Champion ka talaga! taas ang kamay ko sa'yo! Nagkakgusto na nga ako sa'yo eh! Mahal na nga kita palagay ko! Maging sino ka man!"- (Maging Sino Ka Man)

My favorite Robin Padilla Film- Mistah

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Cesar Montano- A theater actor before he joined the movies. He started becoming an action star in the early-mid 1990s among his action movies include Alyas Waway, Silakbo, Asero, Utol.



His action film character had that street-smart sarcasm which reminded you of Robin Padilla's action hero character. A sort of a bad boy type of action hero.

But playing a toughie action hero was just one  side of a gifted actor, he starred in serious drama films such as the epic Jose Rizal, Muro Ami and Bagong Buwan. Taking a notch higher he had a major part in a Hollywood war movie The Great Raid alongside Benjamin Bratt, James Franco and Sam Worthington.

He is still actively trying to resuscitate the action film genre by producing and starring in films such as the Hitman and Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Stories.

 My favorite Cesar Montano film: Jose Rizal.




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Kristopher Peralta- Finding home

August 19, 2013, 2:31 am
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Had a chance to interview couple Kris and Carla one fine Friday evening at Tienda del Mercado. this article was written for my Sunstar Davao column.

“Go south young man.”  Then American Governor-General Dwight Davis exhorted many Filipinos to settle in the vast untapped lands of Mindanao.

More than eight decades later the call still rings true to many young Filipinos, who have settled in the island not just in search for greener pasture but also to escape the stress and chaos of urban Manila.

One of them is former television and movie actor Kristopher Peralta   who is now actively engaging in several businesses here in Davao City, which he now considers as home.

“It was in November 2012 when we settled here in Davao. But as far as 2003 when I was still active in motorcross I kept coming back here.” Kristopher said.


He says he fell in love with Davao and would love to settle in the land, then he met Carla Angkee who would later become his wife, by chance Carla hails from Davao del Norte.

The young couple had established a Ready-To-Wear business where they sell export over-runs in Greenhills.

“Carla wanted to stay in Manila but I said why don’t we try Davao.” Kris recalls the eventual decision to settle in the city.

“Manila is very stressful, traffic, marami problema, While Davao is very laidback, I really like it here” Kris cites the main reason for going south.

At age 13, Kristopher Peralta entered showbusiness via the hit afternoon television show Ang TV which launched a new generation of showbusiness personalities like Jolina Magdangal, Claudine Barretto, Patrick  Garcia among many others.

His going into showbusiness was inspired by his brother erstwhile actor Kenneth Peralta. Kris’ uncle ABS-CBN senior vice-president Rolly Cruz and Kenneth’s friend Johnny Manahan helped paved the way for his entry into showbiz.

He was cast among popular ABSCBN shows like Gimik, Tabing Ilog and Love Ko Si Babes.  He appeared in movies such as    “Mystrio (Uno... dos... tres pilyos!)”, Ang TV Movie, Asero, Nagbibinata and Now That I Found You.

Kris spent 15 years in showbusiness until he quit in 2007.

“I wanted to try other businesses, I wanted to grow.” Kris recalls his decision. He grew tired of showbiz killer schedules .  “Malaki kita, pero nakakapagod.” he says.

However even before he quit showbusinesses he invested in several businesses one of which was the City Jam bar in Katipunan Quezon City and a billiard hall and restaurant in Cabanatuan, he also went into business dealing with 4x4 vehicle spare parts.

“When I was a kid, I’d really love to do business.” Kris says as to why he went into numerous business ventures.

One of his newest ventures is into farming, he recently bought a farm in Kapalong, Davao del Norte where he plans to raise livestock and organic poultry.

“Davao has lots of room for development and opportunities.” He says.

One of their other ventures is a partnership with young Davao entrepreneurs,a one-stop weekend bazaar named Tienda del Mercado where one can find delicious food, shopping finds and great entertainment.

He says they were originally approached by the group to ask for advice having had experience as regular exhibitors in Greenhills and WorldBex . From consultants they later partnered with the group.

A former 5,500 square meter parking lot in Juna Subdivision was transformed into a food and entertainment destination.

“It’s a family-oriented place where you can bring your family here.”  Says Kris’ wife Carla.

Trying out a concessionaire's barbeque.

Among the plans is to put playground for children and also a space for furniture exhibitors. Also they have just set-up space where one can order fresh seafood similar to Dampa in Paranaque.

Kris says the place is aimed to help start-up entrepreneurs will affordable stalls that can help market their products. He recalls that there were former concessionaires who were able to establish stores because of their exposure at Tienda.

“We have a research team  which look for home-made delicacies and hope to discover budding entrepreneurs.” Carla said. Many of the concessionaires in Tienda are food gourmet stalls which are only found in the bazaar and which makes it a top culinary destination in the city.

Kris says they are trying to establish Tienda del Mercado as a brand and the group is currently studying the proposal of branching out to Tagum and Cagayan de Oro.

Kris and Carla at Tienda del Mercado

Aside from their Kapalong farm and Tienda del Mercado, Kris is also a board of director in the Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative, he is active in pitching local inventions to local government units.  He says their group had supplied dried fish solar driers for Governor Rodolfo del Rosario in Davao del Norte.

When not busy with their work they go to malls or hop in for a trip in Samal Island or in Buda or just chill in Forth and Tay in Damosa. Most often they spend time with friends trying out the numerous delicacies at Tienda del Mercado " Madali lang ako naka-adapt dito” (I easily adapted here) says Kris citing his many Dabawenyo friends.

As for a return to showbiz, Kris says it’s a possibility, as he still receives offers to guest in TV shows and in movies, he say he was supposed to be in the KC Concepcion-Sam Milby movie (Forever And A Day) few years back but a problem in a business in Japan set him back.


 Tienda del Mercado is located at Acacia corner Champaca Street, Juna Subdivision near the Ateneo de Davao Matina Campus 


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Flicks and Reruns: Sana Dati and Ekstra

August 22, 2013, 1:22 am
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Was able to watch two Cinemalaya 2013 movies, Sana Dati and Ekstra. Both were really good movies and copped much of the awards during the recent festival. Sana Dati (Director's Showcase Best Film, Best Sound Design, Best Original Score, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for TJ Trinidad) while Ekstra grabbed Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Ruby Ruiz and star Vilma Santos received Best Actress honors.

Sana Dati


Dennis  (Paulo Avelino)  is a mysterious videographer who still uses a 3-CCD camera in this age  of CMOS video-capable DSLR cameras, he is commissioned to document the wedding day of Andrea (Lovi Poe) and young politician Robert (TJ Trinidad).

That detail about the 3ccd camera will point out that Andrea is not just a regular wedding client and Dennis is not just an ordinary videographer for Andrea,  he an enigmatic character on a collision path to her confused feelings, The 3ccd camera, a relic of an unresolved past something which might alter the present and define her future.

The camera has figured prominently in Jerrold Tarog's works particularly in his critically-acclaimed debut film Confessional. it is some sort of a narrative device to his films, in fact Sana Dati is Jerrold's third installment to his camera trilogy the first was Confessional (2007) then Mangatyanan (2009).

The camera in Sana Dati provides the frame of an imperfect romance; a confused bride, an insecure and somewhat unsure groom and a melancholic videographer, all crossing paths in one day.

The cinematography is just visually stunning, fittingly complementing this smartly-written intimate movie. Make sure to be glued to the movie as it leaves hints and small details for the viewers to pick up and which holds our interest from beginning to end.

Despite characters' emotions being powerful undercurrents there is wonderful restraint among the actors. For a lesser director the movie could go mushy melodramatic but in Sana Dati, subtlety brings much texture to the characters' emotional valleys.

Sana Dati is an engaging romance movie which tackles love at its most fluid state, a dynamic struggle between the heart and the mind, between the past and the present.

*CCD-Charge Coupled Device   *CMOS-Complementary Metal Oxide-Semiconductor


Ekstra


A day in the life of a soap opera extra. Vilma Santos plays Loida a veteran extra who makes a living doing crowd scenes in teleserye projects.

She is involved in a particular teleserye which stars Marian Rivera and Piolo Pascual, unknown to the cast and extras, the production budget had been slashed forcing the production crew to work on a killer schedule which takes a toll on them physically and psychologically, the 'punching-bag' of this super-charged emotional stress-the hapless extras.

I can't help but compare Ate Vi's latest indie flick with screen rival Nora Aunor's recent acting masterpiece in last year's Brillante Mendoza's indie Thy Womb- the two great cinema icons playing out new albeit unglamorous roles; for Ate Guy a Badjao midwife and for Ate Vi, a hardworking television bit talent and the two acquitted themselves really well, in fact  Ate Guy won several international acting awards for her role and for Governor Santos-Recto, winning best actress in Cinemalaya could be the first salvo of several acting awards for her role in the film.

Aside from being a homage to the bit players in the movie and television industry Ekstra is Ms. Vilma Santos acting vehicle, the "star for all seasons" immerses and disappears into her role as the optimistic TV bit player and a single mother trying to make ends meet.

And as common with Ms. Aunor's Thy Womb they were helmed by new unconventional independent directors (Jeffrey Jeturian for Ekstra), if you remember the two actresses blazing away in high-strung acting scenes of glossy dramas many years ago, you will see them acting with grounded restraint and remarkable subtlety particularly the finale scenes of the two movies (Thy Womb and Ekstra) both great actresses communicating through their eyes the plight of their characters.






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