It’s Khimo’s time

October 16, 2024

Khimo Gumatay

‘This year marked a high point as Khimo guested in the concerts of not just one but two OPM icons: Randy Santiago and Dingdong Avanzado.’

Since Khimo Gumatay, or simply Khimo as he is known now, won “Idol Philippines” Season 2 in 2022, his career has been steadily rising. He was signed up by Polaris, ABS-CBN Star Magic’s affiliate that handles the careers of the winners of the company’s singing competitions.

This year marked a high point as Khimo guested in the concerts of not just one but two OPM icons: Randy Santiago and Dingdong Avanzado.

And, in a surprising development, the 25 year-old singer is going to have his first major solo concert, “KH1MO. Emerge. Energize. Elevate,” to be held on October 25, 8:30 p.m. at the Music Museum.

Khimo did not think he would get an offer to do a solo concert this 2024. As he told Malaya Business Insight, “Parang ang goal ko lang this year is makapag-perform abroad and magkaroon ng hit song.” The first goal was achieved in March when he sang to Filipinos in Dubai with other Star Magic artists for a special show with TFC (The Filipino Channel).

Born and raised in West Rembo, Makati, Khimo has always called Makati City his home. His mother is a BPO employee while his father, a former chef at restaurants and hotels, has his own modest catering business.

Aside from being a chef, his father, Rudy, is also a singer. In fact, he was part of The Singing Cooks & Waiters, Atbp. that captivated diners with their delicious food and sweet melodies. Rudy instilled in Khimo a love for singing.

“Simple lang ‘yung buhay namin growing up,” says Khimo. “’Yung trabaho ng tatay ko ang nag-serve sa aming pamilya na makakain kami ng tatlong beses sa isang araw… Pero sa tatay ko rin nakuha ko ang fascination na pwede palang maging trabaho ‘yung pagkanta. Nakita ko siyang mag-perform sa trabaho niya. Kaya palang gumawa ng pera out of singing.”

When Khimo became older, he took on gigs, playing the guitar and singing at debuts and birthdays, and at bars. His smooth voice also became his ticket to a scholarship at the University of Makati (UMak). “Sumali po ako sa choral group,” he shares. “Sa school namin, kapag nakapasok ka sa choral group, equivalent po siya sa isang scholarship.” In 2023, Khimo graduated from UMak with a degree in Political Science, Major in Paralegal Studies.

As his younger sibling is a working student and his older sister is a full-fledged military personnel, Khimo does not feel pressured to be a breadwinner. In any case, he enjoys giving back to his family who nurtures him. Through his “Idol Philippines” prize money and other earnings from singing, Khimo has invested in properties in Bulacan and Antipolo. “I sing for my family,” the young man says with pride. “Bilang anak, it’s my responsibility to help. Iba pa rin ‘yung feeling na nakakatulong. Siguro ito ‘yung best way to give back sa family.”

There are more dreams that Khimo wants to fulfill for his family and for himself. One of these is to have a hit song. He’s working towards that target. Khimo is one of the interpreters of a Philpop Himig Handog song finalist, “Ghostwriter” composed by Kevin Yadao. The announcement of the winners of this songwriting competition is tentatively set for November.

Khimo is thrilled to be among the roster of Philpop Himig Handog 2024 interpreters that include Ice Seguerra, Johnoy Danao, Maki, Moira dela Torre, Jolianne, Ferdinand Aragon, VXON, Lyka Estrella and many notable names in the Philippine music industry.

In the rapid age of social media and digital platforms, Khimo knows he must work doubly hard to find his niche.

“Parang recognized ako pero hindi ko masasabi na sikat ako. For me, success is a process and it is something that must be earned. Fuel ko ‘yun to strive further and move forward,” he concludes.

A showbiz photographer’s softdrink passion

Gay Ace Domingo

October 7, 2024

Sany Chua

Photographer Sany Chua has been in the entertainment scene since the early 1980s. He used to take photos on the movie set. Sexy, drama, action, comedy… he’s documented them all as a still photographer. In the pre-digital age, the shots he took were compiled in albums that were used as references for continuity, distributed to the print media as promotional material, and displayed in photos measuring 8 x 10 inches in the cinema lobbies.

“Bold pa n’un ang mga pelikula na uso,” Sany recalls with a chuckle.

He enjoyed the showbiz atmosphere and his friendly personality was at ease with everyone on the movie set, from the staff to the directors, to the actors and producers.

After a few years, Sany had to shift to his family business. “Kailangang mag-give way ‘yung pagiging photographer ko, ‘yung pagiging artist ko para mag-manage ng piggery ng tatay ko.”

Sany became in charge of his family’s big piggery farm in Bulacan.

He returned to taking photos in the 1990s — the recent heyday of Philippine cinema when the major studios churned out around three movies per month.

Sany was not sure if he still had it in him to take photos. “Tina-test ‘yung kamay ko. Kasi ang tagal (kong nawala) ‘di ba? Parang baka kinakalawang ako,” he admits.

He adjusted quickly. Soon, he was doing work for the big companies like Mother Lily Monteverde’s Regal Films, Robbie Tan’s Seiko Films, Vic Sotto’s M-Zet Productions, Orly Ilacad’s OctoArts Films, and Vic Del Rosario’s Viva Films. Not only that, he occasionally appeared on camera, too. As, what else? But a photographer!

The 2000s saw the rise of glossy magazines and Sany’s byline became a common sight in ABS-CBN Publishing’s glossy titles like StarStudio, The Buzz, and Teleserye Magazine. This paved the way for Sany, or Kuya Sany as he is fondly called, to be closer to both the stars and the movie press who were also covering with him. To this day, Kuya Sany takes photos of his media friends and shares these shots with them.

Aside from showbiz, Kuya Sany’s other passion is collecting Coca-Cola bottles and merchandise. Covering an automobile brand’s event got him started in collecting Mini Cooper miniature die-cast cars. “I met a real Mini Cooper with an awesome driver,” recalls Kuya Sany. “After this, I became a die-cast Mini Cooper collector and then I started collecting Coca-Cola die-cast cars.”

So for almost 13 years now, Kuya Sany’s been building his collection, which includes bottles, cars, glasses and other merchandise. He acquires these by buying from the Internet, purchasing from other collectors, attending events, and directly shopping at souvenir stores during travels. Among his most expensive acquisitions are rare bottles that cost from Php 50,000 to almost Php 60,000 each. He is especially proud of owning a bottle that was released to commemorate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana of Wales and the Coca-Cola Philippines Commemorative opening plant bottles.

There’s a big community of Coca-Cola collectors in the Philippines and in other countries. Kuya Sany is part of the Pinoy Coke Fanatic group and the Coca-Cola Collectors Club Philippines. Through these, he’s not only gained new stuff to add to his collection, he’s meeting other like-minded souls and making new friends. “Nakakatuwa rin malaman ‘yung history ng mga bote,” he adds.

He enjoys visiting what they call Coke Houses, the homes of Coca-Cola merchandise collectors to gaze at these collections. When Coca-Cola collectors from abroad visit Manila, Kuya Sany and collector- member tour the visitors to the Coke Houses in and around the city. “Meron sa Antipolo, Markina, Quezon City, Nuvali, Tondo, Angono at sa Tarlac, he enumerates.

When asked if there is any connection between showbiz and his hobby, he replies, “Wala. ‘Yung kinikita lang sa showbiz, ‘yun ang pambayad ko sa koleksiyon ko.”

Kuya Sany is now 62 years old and a mainstay photographer of push.abs-cbn.com. He and his wife Nimfa (who is also a showbiz photographer) have raised and sent their children to school through their profession. Like a bottle of ice-cold Coke, Kuya Sany can now afford to chill. He says, “Kung baga, napagtapos ko na ang mga anak namin. Parang itong pagiging collector ang kaligayahan ko ngayon.”

Obssesion with youth and beauty

Gay Ace Domingo

October 3, 2024

Celebrities – especially entertainment personalities – have an added pressure that mere mortals may not necessarily experience: that of remaining gorgeous, slim, and youthful.

Being in the limelight has its perks, and its downside, too. And, although taken for granted and very obvious, that is one of the things that the Cannes International Film Festival movie “The Substance” explores. The result is a mixture of shock, gore, excitement, mystery, and, at times, humor. Rarely does a motion picture call for our attention and bring out different emotions. For this reason alone, “The Substance” is a worthy watch. To those of us who know the main star, Demi Moore, from the romantic film “Ghost,” she’s still the glamorous Hollywood celeb we are familiar with. Without a doubt, Demi is the other reason to make time to see “The Substance.“

The story centers on the character of Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a sexy media personality who has made a name as an actress and as an exercise guru. On her 50th birthday, the network boss, played by Dennis Quaid, tells Elizabeth that she is being replaced with a younger, yet-to-be discovered star.

And so begins Elizabeth’s struggle to hold on to her youth, her job and the glory she has known. When she is offered to use a serum to create a youthful version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley), Elizabeth takes the chance. But the procedure is tedious and temporary. The younger version, now named Sue, emerges from the spine to explore the world, while the older Elizabeth lays unconscious and resting. After seven days, they switch back. Elizabeth then regains consciousness as the immobile Sue rests.

Sue eventually takes Elizabeth’s slot in the morning show. Complications arise when the two alter egos develop hate for each other and abuse the substance to their own advantage.

When the supplier of the substance insists to Elizabeth and Sue that they are one and the same, the voice might as well be addressing everyone.

This is when the film becomes more relatable. Most, if not all, have that vain side. This could be as subtle as coloring one’s hair to hide the gray strands, or as drastic as going for cosmetic surgery. Beauty is skin deep, but, admit it, no one wants to look ugly. Yet that is what happened to Elizabeth/Sue, in spite of their efforts.

So, should we embrace ageing rather than fight it every step of the way? “The Substance” by female director Coralie Fargeat seems to say that however you look, it won’t matter. Life, like beauty, is just as fleeting.

Coritha’s legacy

Gay Ace Domingo

September 30, 2024

‘She left behind a musical legacy that will forever cement her place in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) history’

When Filipino music legend Coritha (born Socorro Avelino) passed away on September 27, 2024 due to a lingering illness, she left behind a musical legacy that will forever cement her place in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) history.

A peek into Spotify would show some of the singer-songwriter’s most popular songs: “Oras Na,” “Lolo Jose,” “Sierra Madre,” “Gising Na, O Kuya Ko” and “Awit Kay Leandro.” Of these, “Oras Na” and “Lolo Jose” has the most number of streams on Spotify at 5.3+ million and 3+ million, respectively.

Could the interest in her been prompted by the vlog report back in August? The one by broadcaster Julius Babao, about Coritha’s paralyzed state (due to numerous strokes), the call for donations for her medical care, and her subsequent death?

Maybe.

But even before the rise of the internet, Coritha was already a well-known folk singer in the ‘70s and ‘80s for her haunting voice, poetic lyrics and poignant melodies.

“Oras Na,” an anthem at protest rallies, was used in the soundtrack of “Buy Bust,” a 2018 action film by Erik Matti starring Anne Curtis.

In a discussion on Reddit back in August, netizens talked about their fond memories about Coritha.

“Sumikat yata siya late ‘70s to ‘80s,” said Reddit user tced112.

“I loved her songs and growing up with them – very meaningful!” wrote Angies_Tasty_Foodies.

Coritha was a favorite of radio DJs whose songs were all outstanding, said Prestigious-Ad 6953. “Was also curious what happened to her after her first and only album. Her songs were staples on AM radio up until the late ‘80s to early ‘90s. Was able to listen to the album around since 2010s… I must say it’s a great album. Walang tapon.”

Julius’ vlogs mentioned details about Coritha’s last days and years – of how she lived in a tent when her house burned down, fell into depression before Mr. Luisito “Chito” Santos (an old acquintance of the singer) convinced her to accept his offer to care for her and live with him in Tagaytay. And how she fell very ill because of multiple strokes, became bedridden and couldn’t talk anymore.

“How could this happen to someone we hear singing on radio or TV everyday?” asked Romeo Babao, a retired doctor, producer and sound engineer, on Facebook.

Chito Santos, who adored Coritha until her last breath, described her as “maganda” and “malihim.”

A Google search of Coritha’s photos shows only beautiful images of the long-haired, slim singer-songwriter. Even on a hospital bed with a tube inserted in her nose, she still radiated a certain glow and grace that could only come from living life and practicing her art honestly and generously. Mr. Santos told Julius Babao how Coritha was very helpful to those in need of financial assistance.

Philippine art, music, film are filled with wonderful creatives like Coritha. It should not take a vlog to “put them on the radar” and back into people’s consciousness. Hopefully, through Coritha’s life, we learn to appreciate and value them while they are still alive.

When doctors get sick

Gay Ace Domingo

September 25, 2024

Dr. WILLIE ONG and Dr. GARY SY

‘Doc Gary admonishes us to eat well, maintain a good disposition, avoid vices and to follow the doctor’s orders.’

Among those who were saddened and deeply affected by the news of Doc Willie Ong’s sarcoma (a group of cancers that begin in the bones and the soft connective tissues of the body) was doctor/media personality Gary Sy.

Back in the late 1990s, Doc Gary began his advocacy for public health education as a radio broadcaster, a newspaper columnist and an author of health books written in Filipino, the “Gabay sa Kalusugan” series. In the early 2000s, he hosted a TV program on RPN 9 called “KTV (Kalusugan TV)” with Amy Perez as his co-host.

Whether in print or in broadcast media, Doc Gary can explain complicated medical issues in simple Filipino. Inspired by Doc Willie Ong (whose combined YouTube and Facebook followers are more than 26 million), Doc Gary has turned to vlogging to continue his advocacy.

“Malungkot ako sa nangyari kay Kuya Doc Willie,” said Doc Gary in a Facebook post. “Hindi biro ang ganung sakit. Ramdam ko ang paghihirap niya parehong pisikal at emosyonal…”

Doc Gary and Doc Willie’s bond go way back. In fact, the former regards the latter like an older brother. Doc Gary says in jest “Doctor na si Kuya, medical student pa lang ako.”

But seriously, Doc Gary, the geriatrician, was surprised when Doc Willie, the cardiologist-internist, contacted him in 2018 to guest on his YouTube vlog. Doc Willie and his wife Dr. Liza, showed up in Doc Gary’s clinic the next day to record a video about living a long and healthy life.

“Si Kuya Doc Willie ang dahilan kung bakit ako nasa YouTube,” Doc Gary reiterated. “Sinabihan niya akong mag-YouTube para mas maraming matulungan sa pagbibigay kaalamang pangkalusugan.”

Doc Gary knows how difficult it is to get sick. In 2021, he and his wife got COVID. “Nag-severe COVID (kami),” he told Malaya Business Insight. “So, maraming worries. I know, I understand, kung ano ang feeling ng mga pasyente. Kung ako nga, doktor, nag-worry ako. Paano pa kayo, ‘di ba?”

Doc Gary noted that the pandemic gave rise to diseases affecting one’s mental health. “Marami kasi sa atin ang nawalan ng maayos na buhay. Until now, dala pa rin natin ‘yung anxiety.”

Times have changed yet Doc Gary’s advice and advocacy remains focused on the preventive rather than the cure. “Puros tayo naghahanap ng solusyon sa sakit, which is, I think, wrong.”

He summed up his tips for a healthy life this way: “Number one, ‘yung kinakain mo. Number two, ‘yung ugali mo. Number three, ‘yung mga bisyo mo. Number four, ‘yung tigas ng ulo mo. Even those who are maintaining their medications, they’re not drinking their medication regularly. ‘Pag maganda pakiramdam, nalilimutan ‘yung gamot. Tapos, kapag may naramdaman na, ‘tsaka lang tinutuloy,” he elaborated.

Doc Gary admonishes us to eat well, maintain a good disposition, avoid vices and to follow the doctor’s orders.

As to why his Kuya Doc Willie got cancer, Doc Gary can only utter. “Minsan mapapatanong tayo kung bakit sa matinong tao nangyari ‘yan. Bakit nagkaroon siya ng sarcoma?… May mga bagay o pangyayari na tanging Diyos lang nakakaalam… To Kuya Doc Willie, please rest well. Pagaling ka at huwag mong isipin ang iba kind sarili mo. Kapit lang.”

Cordillera is in his heart

Gay Ace Domingo

September 4, 2024

‘The sights and sounds are comforting and special — allowing me the space to ruminate from an early age about the land and the sacrifices that fortified it. – Don Eblahan’

Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, from La Trinidad, Benguet, is one of the newest Pinoy filmmakers to break into the international filmfest scene. Don’s “Vox Humana,” a short sci-fi drama about an eccentric biologist interviewing a wild man, is making its debut at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “Vox Humana” is one of four movies made by Filipinos that will be screened at TIFF which runs from September 5 to 15; the other Filipino-made films are “Sunshine” starring Maris Racal and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, “Viet and Nam” produced by Bianca Balbuena, and “Bona” directed by Lino Brocka and starring Nora Aunor.

The TIFF hailed Don’s sci-fi short film and described the 28 year-old as “One of Filipino cinema’s most remarkable talents… (He) crafts his boldest vision yet: an utterly distinctive blend of science-fiction allegory and existential drama that yields a profound enquiry into human interconnectedness.”

Growing up in the Cordilleran mountains was certainly inspiring for Don. He told Malaya Business Insight, “The sights and sounds are comforting and special — allowing me the space to ruminate from an early age about the land and the sacrifices that fortified it.”

The indigenous culture would also be reiterated to him in school. “[Regardless of whether] they were Catholic or Christian institutions, deep indigenous values and culture were ingrained (on us, the students). Teachers and staff would remind us of our ancestry each and every chance they would get,” explained Don.

As a kid, Don was shy and somewhat of a loner. He revealed, “When I first moved schools and had a hard time finding friends as a sixth grader, I spent a lot of time in Centermall, the most iconic local shopping center in Baguio.”

There, a mundane activity like lining up to take a jeepney had a profound effect on him.

Don recounted those moments with very visual and poetic detail. “Waiting in lines that stretch as long as the building itself, often wrapping around in corners. This became my routine daily, seeing the sun come down through the tight alleyways and overflowing power lines, often hearing the blaring country music from boom boxes, and avoiding betel nut spit on the ground.”

Those trips trained him to be keen and intuitive. Not only did he take in the sights, he observed his fellow passengers and everyone he encountered. “I people-watched my way through such an exhaustive journey, making friends with people’s personalities without interacting, creating stories in my head about who they are and how they connect to me…. Everyday.”

Aside from having a dreamlike, misty look, Don’s films also tend to be about displaced characters who are finding their way in the world. For instance, his short film “Hilum” is about a young female professional who seeks a shaman to cure her inability to cry. Don’s other short, “Headhunter’s Daughter” – Jury Prize winner at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival – is about an aspiring singer who leaves her family and tries her luck in the city.

“Due to my upbringing, all of my films feature native identities, no matter if it’s a film about indigeneity or not,” he underscored.

Don’s identity comes to fore as he embarks on making his full-length film entitled “Hum.”

The story, he elaborated, “is a loose adaptation of an ancient Ifugao folktale that my ancestors used to tell to explain the sound of thunderstorms.”

For this project, he would like to cast actors with a Cordilleran background. “One of tribal descent or grew up in the northern indigenous regions,” said Don. “While I have a few professional actors in mind to portray our main characters… I am interested in getting to know performers in our industry who share a Cordilleran background as well. Many local actors from the region are very talented so they are definitely in the pool of performers that I would like to involve in the casting process of the film.”

While Don is now based in the US, he continues to tell the stories and experiences of the Cordillera that is close to his heart. “The land inspired me to portray it as how I saw it growing up there, and I want to show it honestly and through memories.”

Trailblazer Wilson Tieng

Gay Ace Domingo

August 28, 2024

Wilson Tieng

Because Boss Wilson’s involvement in Philippine entertainment is varied and spans decades, a book about his experiences is certainly in order.’

Wilson Tieng is a true entertainment mogul.

As president of Solar Entertainment, a TV and movie company, he is responsible for many innovations in the local industry.

He brought in “Amelie,” “Blairwitch Project,” Begin Again,” and other international movies that do not star big names but have interesting and compelling stories that capture the audience’s imagination and have become box-office hits. Boss Wilson – as he is fondly called by his employees – also produced local movies. Boss Wilson was co-producer of “Lagarista”; written by Ricky Lee and directed by Mel Chionglo, it starred heartthrob Piolo Pascual as a film reel courier who transported 35mm movies from one cinema to another in the days when copies were shared among movie theaters.

Boss Wilson’s ETC Channel was groundbreaking for programs like “Glee,” “Project Runway,” “Gossip Girl,” “American Idol” and Turkish soap operas.

Clearly Boss Wilson is not your typical entrepreneur who sticks to formula. The more unique it is, the more he is likely to be interested to support it.

Thus, it may have been no surprise for Boss Wilson to team up with Cannes International Film Festival best director Brillante Mendoza for the Sinag Maynila Film Festival – a showcase of independent works that banner the “Sine Lokal, Pang-International” brand. The independent film fest returns this 2024 after a four-year hiatus for its 6th edition. The festival will run from September 4 to 8 in selected local theaters.

“We created Sinag Maynila Film Festival with the vision to provide a platform for Filipino filmmakers to showcase their talent, and build a community where creativity can flourish,” said Boss Wilson.

Since 2015, Sinag Maynila has nutured film artists who have become notable names in the industry. “We are truly proud of our past winners who have gone to become successful directors and producers,” declared Boss Wilson.

Boss Wilson shares about some of the Sinag Maynila filmmakers who are making waves.

“Zig Dulay, who joined the festival in its first year with ‘Bambanti’ has gone on to make waves on TV, directing teleseryes ‘Maria Clara and Ibarra,’ ‘My Guardian Alien’ and ‘Widow’s War’,” said Boss Wilson. Zig is also the director of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival hit “Firefly.”

Boss Wilson added, “Another Sinag Maynila alumnus taking over primetime with ‘Pamilya Sagrada’ is Lawrence Fajardo. He directed the 2015 festival entry ‘Imbisibol’ that went on to have numerous international screenings.”

Another Sinag Maynila alumnus is writer- director Adolf Alix, Jr. whose show “Lilet Matias, Attorney-At-Law” is also resonating with TV audiences.

“Their journey is a testament to the impact of this festival finding talent and helping cultivate careers,” said Boss Wilson

His advocacy goes beyond the festival as Boss Wilson’s Solar Entertainment company is a consistent distribution partner of Filipino filmmakers for many years now. From Mike de Leon’s “Bayaning Third World” to Paul Soriano’s “Siargao” to Ramona Diaz’s “And So It Begins” and many other indies, Solar helps find audiences for these special movies through screenings in theaters and other venues.

Because Boss Wilson’s involvement in Philippine entertainment is varied and spans decades, a book about his experiences is certainly in order. His team at Solar has been convincing him to write his memoirs. It’s something that Boss Wilson is eager to do. But for now he is still busy helping the Filipino filmmakers whom he has so much faith in.

Sweet victory

Gay Ace Domingo

August 19, 2024

THERESE MALVAR, Photo from Teri Malvarâ€™s Instagram account

‘To Therese, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree as a Magna Cum Laude is a recognition that trumps all her previous awards’

At 23 years old, Therese “Teri” Malvar has numerous awards from various award-giving bodies– Best Actress for the film “Hamog” from the 2016 Moscow International Film Festival, Jury Prize Winner Best Actress for “Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita” from the 2013 CineFilipino Film Festival, Screen International Rising Star from the 2016 New York Asian Film Festival, among other accolades. Therese also won two best supporting actress awards from the 2018 Cinemalaya Film Festival for “Distance” and “School Service.”

Undoubtedly, the GMA Sparkle artist (co-managed with Ferdy Lapuz) is an accomplished actress.

Recently, Therese has added another feather to her already magnificent cap: Magna Cum Laude in Film and Video from Meridian International Business Arts and Technology (MINT) College.

That’s an awesome feat for someone who was initially hesitant to study the said course. “I was scared that if I study something that I’m passionate about, I will eventually lose my love for it,” she told us. “But over years of trying to steer far from it, I realized that there’s nothing else I’d want to do than to tell stories in any medium possible…I believe my purpose in life is to be a storyteller.”

At MINT, Therese was a well-rounded student who excelled in academic and non-academic pursuits. “I was also part of our school’s events production team – MINT PROD. Where I was able to head the Operations Department,” she said.

Therese was also an organizer/ programmer of her school’s Cinemint Film Festival.

To fulfill her requirements, stay on track with her course load, Therese devised her own study tips. “One of them is that I make up a fake deadline for me so I could finish my tasks a day before the actual deadline.”

Perhaps one of the benefits of being an actress mainly for independent films is that Therese could have her fill of edgy roles while enjoying her privacy in public places like her own college. Asked if she had favorable treatment in school by virtue of being an actress, Therese laughingly recounted that her some of classmates didn’t know who she was. “They discovered it later on when my professors mentioned it.”

Her teachers, such as filmmakers Jade Castro, Paolo O’Hara, Ben Padero and Carlo Tabije, understood her work and gave Therese some consideration for her absences, which were not frequent.

Aside from them, Therese gives credit to friends and family who supported her college journey. She said, “Grabe talaga laging pasasalamat ko rin sa mga classmates ko throughout the years, who were always kind enough to tutor me para maka-catch up ako agad. They would even remind me and tell me lessons/homeworks that I have missed nung umaabsent ako.

“Apart from my classmates and family, my workmates and GMA have always been so supportive of my pursuit in studying. Lalo na GMA and Tito Ferdy (Lapuz), dahil sila ‘yung tumutulong sa akin sa pag-ayos ng schedule ko.

“God gave me so much blessings of relationships and connections which would help me continue my school while working.”

To Therese, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree as a Magna Cum Laude is a recognition that trumps all her previous awards. “Muntik na ako umiyak nang malaman ko (na Magna Cum Laude) ako. Dahil iyon talaga ‘yung pinapangarap kong matupad ko sa huli kong taon bilang isang estudyante. I worked so hard to present to my parents a diploma and earn Latin honors.”

Why independent film festivals matter

Gay Ace Domingo

August 14, 2024

Marian Rivera

‘[I]ndependent film festivals must persist and must be celebrated for their contribution to Filipino and even world cinema.’

As the 20th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival closed last August 10, Sunday, another independent film festival, Sinag Maynila, has returned after a four-year break. The 6th Sinag Maynila Film Festival will happen from September 4-8, during which selected finalist-films – documentaries, short films and full-length features – will be shown in several cinemas.

Cinemalaya and Sinag Maynila are just two of the independent film festivals in the country that give voices to Filipino filmmakers, especially the new ones. Cinemalaya offers seed money to its finalists in the full-length feature category, whereas Sinag Maynila accepts finished motion pictures. Another indie film fest, the Puregold Cinepanalo also gives financial grants to its chosen finalists.

Although a number of the films from these festivals do not enjoy a life after the festival run, independent film festivals must persist and must be celebrated for their contribution to Filipino and even world cinema.

So why do independent film festivals matter?

They’re the launch pad of new talents. Before Lawrence Fajardo, Jerrold Tarog, Dan Villegas, Antoinette Jadaone and Zig Dulay found their success as directors of teleseryes and mainstream movies, they found a platform in independent film festivals.

Lawrence, Jerrold, Dan and Zig are alumni of Cinemalaya, with Law and Zig also finalists of Sinag Maynila.

“Law (nickname of Lawrence) directs the teleserye ‘Pamilya Sagrado’ for ABS-CBN and Zig is the director of ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ of GMA and Netflix,” said Sinag Maynila founder and Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng with obvious pride. “Sinag Maynila is happy to be part of their career and their development as film and TV storytellers,” Mr. Tieng underscored.

Those who got breaks from indie film fests are just too many to mention, but we will attempt to list some: Denise O’Hara, Victor Villanueva, Petersen Vargas, Jason Paul Laxamana, Jade Castro, Adolf Alix, Richard Somes, Dwein Baltazar, Samantha Lee.

Indie film fests make it possible for new creatives to emerge, thus infusing Philippine cinema with new blood.

They give chances for new stories to be told. That subject matters not discussed in the mainstream have a chance to be heard is a very compelling reason to justify the existence of independent film festivals.

Take the case of Cinemalaya 2024 Best Picture (Full-Length Category) “Tumandok” by Iloilo-based filmmakers Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay. Their film is about the struggle of the Ati to reclaim their ancestral land. The logline alone plus the non-actors in the cast could be enough for a major studio to turn down the project. But the movie gained wide acceptance in Cinemalaya. In fact, the latest Cinemalaya provided a “home” to stories delving into vital issues: autism, sexual trauma, alternative medicine, election-related violence, missing persons, among others. Not the usual comedy or romance or drama formula, yet motion pictures like these have certainly captured the imagination of moviegoers.

Gone are the days when indies referred to only movies with LGBTQ themes. Indie has become synonymous to the cutting-edge, gritty, and unique.

In his speech at the Cinemalaya 2024 awards night, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chair and CEO Joey Reyes welcomed the diversity. “Philippine cinema is not Manila-centric,” he said. “Philippine cinema represents all regions and languages.”

They show stars like people have never seen them before. You know the line “kakaibang artista ang makikita mo rito” that’s uttered to attract the audience to support a star’s project? That proposition is very correct when applied to mainstream artists doing indie films.

Where else would you see Jasmine Curtis speaking Hebrew like she did in Cinemalaya 2012’s “Transit”? Or JC Santos discovering the ancient art of repairing broken pottery in Sinag Maynila 2020’s “Kintsugi”? Or a disheveled Marian Rivera willingly sustaining cuts and bruises to play her role as Teacher Emmy, protector of the sanctity of the ballot, in “Balota”? (For which, the star won Cinemalaya 2024 Best Actress.)

For actors, roles in festival films flex their skills and give them room to explore, to see what else they can do for the sake of art. As a result, their souls are satisfied and their fans are happier.

They bring people to the cinemas. The Cinemalaya audience lined up the box-office and filled up the Ayala Mall cinemas. Observers believe that the personnel of the Ayala Malls Manila Bay cinema seemed surprised, even overwhelmed by the response. Filmmaker Monster Jimenez posted the following on Facebook on August 11, the last day of the festival. She said, “Dear Ayala Malls Cinemas (and Cinemalaya ): it’s been a long time since napupuno ang mga sinehan ng Ayala. Maybe it’s good to keep playing all the Cinemalaya films.” She then added #extendcinemalaya

Cinemalaya Competition and Monitoring Chair Carlito Siguion-Reyna called the phenomenon “A convergence of the film audience within the diverse spaces where new voices have emerged.”

Whether or not Ayala Cinemas would extend is unsure. What is definite is that Philippine cinema is energized. As Direk Joey Reyes so aptly put it, “Philippine cinema is not dead… It’s just waiting to be reborn.”

The Mother Lily we knew

Gay Ace Domingo

August 5, 2024

‘What we cherish most about working for Mother Lily were those days when we got a peek into her private life’

We worked at Regal Entertainment from around 2003 to 2009 as a publicist, writing press releases for the movies produced by the iconic company founded by Lily Yu Monteverde or Mother Lily as she is fondly called.

We met Mother Lily and her daughter Roselle when we were an assistant editor of Summit Media’s glossy entertainment magazine, YES!, when the YES! team produced a special feature in time for Regal’s anniversary. The cover had Mother and Miss Roselle surrounded by her Regal babies such as Richard Gomez, Maricel Soriano, Dina Bonnevie, and Aiza Seguerra (now Ice Seguerra). I remember Mother brought her own designer St. John dresses for the pictorial. She got glammed up, which was a fresh change from her black pants-and-white polo shirt workday wear.

From then on, we would interview either Mother or Miss Roselle for articles about Regal’s movies.

When we left YES! in 2003, we received a call from Ms Roselle because they needed a writer to chronicle the pictorial and behind-the-scenes shoot of the cast of “Mano Po 2” in Shanghai. Good thing we could go because we had a passport. That trip to Shanghai would be the first time we would go out of the country and it was thanks to Mother Lily. The trip was hectic but fun. No one else but Mother Lily could have assembled a huge contingent composed of big stars like Judy Ann Santos, Christopher de Leon, ZsaZsa Padilla, Lorna Tolentino, Richard Gutierrez, Alessandra de Rossi, Carmina Villarroel, Jay Manalo, and Susan Roces, with more than a dozen entertainment journalists and broadcasters, not to mention makeup artists, production designers, movie production staff headed by director Erik Matti, plus photographer Xander Angeles and his team.

We were so many that the airline upgraded all of us to business class.

“Mano Po 2” hadn’t started principal photography yet, but it was already generating buzz because of that trip that was well covered by media (and also because there was a controversy about Dina being suddenly dropped for the role given to Lorna). That was how Mother Lily promoted her movies: grand, unique, and in advance. She liked to say that the way a movie is promoted is more important than the concept of the film itself.

There were times she would call me with a title in mind, telling me that we should write the film press release based on the title she thought of. We were also working for ABS-CBN Publishing then. My officemate, Aiza Marie, asked if it was really Mother Lily of Regal Films calling me. When we said “yes,” Marie said she found it odd that a busy woman like Mother Lily would make the calls herself instead of a secretary.

Mother Lily embodied the hands-on entrepreneur role to a T. She made her own calls, supervised the promotions of her projects, actively met with her producers and directors to discuss the progress of the movies, organized press conferences. For a time she had a tiangge at her hotel in Quezon City, the Imperial Palace Suites. One of the most vivid memories we have of Mother Lily was of her arranging her “paninda” (kitchen ware, novelty items) at the bazaar like she wasn’t one of the biggest movie moguls of the Philippines.

Writer Dennis Ladaw described Mother Lily as a “producer who doesn’t take her own press release seriously.” Mother Lily liked to hype up her movies so that these would get attention and support. But she would be the first to expose her flaws, like how her white polo shirt had holes, or that the pearl earrings she wore were fake and were just bought from Greenhills. And these she said with a hearty laugh (more of a “hagikgik.”)

What we cherish most about working for Mother Lily were those days when we got a peek into her private life: like the time we accompanied her to her hairdresser Bhoy Navarrete, and the dinners we had at her home in Greenhills. She was actually quiet and reflective when she wasn’t in her producer mode.

When we got busier with freelance work, we couldn’t accommodate writing publicity materials for Regal anymore. But we would still bump into Mother Lily at showbiz events and she would remember we had a preschool like her. We appreciated that she remembered that detail about us. On days we looked relaxed, Mother Lily would tell me, “Blooming ka. Are you in love?” Ninety-time percent of the time she asked that, she was correct.

When Mother Lily’s name is mentioned, people will likely think of her as a strict, loud, larger-than-life movie producer. To us, she will forever be a gentle, perceptive, down-to-earth and no-nonsense lady. We feel honored and lucky to have worked with the one and only Mother Lily Monteverde.

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