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Mario Bautista, has been with the entertainment industry for more than 4 decades. He writes regular columns for People's Journal and Malaya.

Aug 25, 2013

The Film Development Council Presents Ten New Local Films In The Sineng Pambansa Filmfest

THE FILM Development Council of the Philippines will show the ten entries in the All Masters Edition of Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival at SM Cinemas nationwide from September 11 to 17, 2013. These are from country’s most accomplished film directors. Each chosen filmmaker is given a grant of P1.5 million to create their dream projects. The entries are Elwood Perez’ Otso, Gil M. Portes’ Isang Tag-araw ni Twinkle, Joel Lamangan’s Lihis, Jose Javier Reyes’ Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap, Romy Suzara’s Tinik, Maryo J. de los Reyes’ Bamboo Flowers, Mel Chionglo’s Lauriana, Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes’ Sonata, Tikoy Aguiluz’ Eman, Elwood Perez’ Ocho and Chito Roño’s Badil. On September 7, a grand reception will formally kick off Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 at the Atrium of SM MOA.

We just notice that the filmfest lacks proper promotion. The general public is not aware of it at all. Someone told us “sobrang kalat kasi mga namamahala. Dapat, may video for promo ang mga director to be taped on Sunday (yesterday), pinaghanda sila ng mga damit na susuotin. But on Friday, they were told, cancelled na raw due to a technical misunderstanding. Kanya-kanyang promo na lang daw. Pinagma-mall tour sila, on their own. They also have to spend for their own gala screenings. Libre lang ang venue, which is SM, but they have to spend for everything else on their own.”

So far, we have attended one presscon, Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Bamboo Flowers” (financed by Dingdong Dantes) and two press previews, Gil Portes’ “Ang Tag-Araw ni Twinkle” and Joel Lamangan’s “Lihis”. Both are certainly worth watching, with superlative performances. The directors financed the promo from their own pockets. If these two films will be the peg of the rest of the entries, then this Sineng Pambansa filmfest is truly a worthy undertaking and lovers of local cinema like us should support it, even if the FDCP itself does not seem that keen on promoting the entries that they helped produce.

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