GALA SCREENING OF DIGITALLY REMASTERED COPY OF DANNY ZIALCITA'S "KARMA"

The gala screening of Danny Zialcita’s 1981 film “Karma” took place last night at Trinoma Cinema 2.  Among the lead stars, only Ronaldo Valdez attended the event; Chanda Romero didn’t show up and the main lead star Vilma Santos left for Hongkong on the same day to spend her birthday with her family but nevertheless the event was a success, attended by film enthusiasts, bloggers and notably Vilma Santos’ loyal fans from VSSI (Vilma Santos Solid Internationals Fans Club).  The organizers provided cocktails for the guests before screening time and pictorials and interviews followed with Ronaldo Valdez enjoying the spotlight and gamely posed with selfie seekers.

“Karma” is about the reincarnation of two main characters Guada  (Leila Hermosa) and Limbo (Ruel Vernal) who had an illicit affair in the past (many years ago).  Sarah (played by Vilma Santos) is forced to postpone her wedding when her scheduled flight is delayed.  At a hotel  where she is billeted, she encounters Eric (played by Ronaldo Valdez), a regular hotel guest who forces himself on her. Erik wasn't aware that the room was already taken by Sarah. The incident leaves a stigma not just on Sarah but more so on her fiancé Alfredo (played by Tommy Abuel) whose dream of marrying a “virgin” is ruined.  Sarah and Eric crossed path again at a time when their respective marriages were in shambles and both tried to rekindle their aborted affair leaving their respective spouses devastated which eventually led to a series of tragedies as both committed violent suicides.  Eric was killed by his wife Christy (played by Chanda Romero) but hold your breath Eric's character does not end there, as his spirit was presumably reincarnated in the person of Christopher de Leon who survived from similar tragedy.  The movie ends in a scene showing Christopher de Leon playing harmonica while walking at the beach and approached Sarah who was sitting on a rock.  Christopher asked Sarah what's her favorite color (the same question that Limbo and Eric asked Guada and Sarah in their past lives).  The final scene provided "kilig" to the audience but leaves the audience with the question whether Sarah lived happily ever after with the reincarnated soul of Limbo and Eric or was Sarah rewarded with good karma?

It's been sometime that Vilma and Christopher haven't made a movie together and if I am not mistaken the last movie they did was "Mano Po (My Love)" in 2004.  The two movie icons starred in more than 20 successful films making them the most formidable tandem in local cinema.   

The event was organized by Quezon City Film Development Commission in partnership with ABS-CBN Film Restoration Program.  The goal of the ABS-CBN's project is to digitally restore and remaster select Filipino Films from the archives of ABS-CBN and a list of notable films have been digitally restored including Ismael Bernal's "Himala," Mike de Leon's "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising," Laurice Guilen's "Kapag Langit ang Humatol" and Peque Gallaga's "Oro, Plata, Mata" to mention a few.

ON THE SET OF "MAGANDANG BUHAY" - ADVANCED TAPING FOR VILMA SANTOS' BIRTHDAY PRESENTATION

I was invited last week by VSSI Prexy Mr. Jojo Lim to be part of the studio audience for Ate Vi's birthday presentation of ABS-CBN's morning show "Magandang Buhay." My answer was a big yes of course.  VSSI is an acronym for Vilma Santos Solid International which is the most prominent fans club of Vilma Santos.  Ate Vi was scheduled to leave for HK in a week's time so they had to tape the show in advance.  This will be aired on November 2 & 3 i.e. a two day birthday presentation, just in time for Vilma's actual birthday on Nov. 3.

I arrived at the audience entrance at exactly 12:15 (meeting time was 12:00).  We were told that the taping would start at 2:00 pm but as usual, it didn't start on time.  Vilmanians occupied half of the audience lounge (the other half were occupied by "Tawag ng Tanghalan" auditionees and a few seats by Miss Q&A aspirants).  It was interesting to watch the ongoing audition; aspiring singers, young and old, were asked to sing at least 3 songs before a screening judge without music accompaniment at all.

Security at ABS-CBN was tight, but no complaints here, they're just doing their job. I saw some prominent Vilmanians at the lounge including VSSI VP Ed Santiago, Trivia King Alfonso Valencia, Miss Earth swimsuit designer Ricky Abad and Olongapo's City Councilor Edic Piano.  There was also a mini awarding rites organised by millennial Vilmanians headed by Anj Chua (a budding filmmaker) and Kathleen Ocampo Puno.   The poll was conducted online and among the awards given were Selfie King and Queen (Doods and Hilda), Ms. Congeniality (Ricky Abad), "Hahamakin Ang Lahat" (Willie Fernandez) the fan who traveled the longest mile, rain or shine, just to attend a Vilma Santos event.  It was of course just for fun.

After waiting at the audience lounge for an hour or so, we were then escorted by Marshalls to the studio of "Magandang Buhay." The main hosts Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal and Melay Cantiveros were already in the studio.  A very familiar face was very visible in the studio, yes... it's Darla, of course everyone knows who Darla is.  He used to be the creative writer of the defunct "Kris TV" before he handled "Magandang Buhay." There were about 4 big cameras positioned in the studio and the head writer's staff stood beside the cameramen near the stage, each of them holding scripts  serving as an idiot board for the hosts to read from time to time. Another one was assigned for audience control;  he would tell the audience when to clap or applause to make the show look livelier on TV.  So this is how things goes behind the camera.  

A few celebrities came to greet Vilma, among them were Charo Santos, Xian Lim and Roderick Paulate.  There were also video clip greetings from Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, photographer Raymund Isaac (who is one of Vilma's closest friends) and from Vilma's 2 sons (Luis and Ryan).  Charo Santos was actually taping for MMK but when she learned that Vilma was taping at Magandang Buhay studio, she dropped by just to greet her. 

One of the highlights of the show was the surprise Zumba dance number of Ate Vi with the Zamora brothers (Joshua and Jason of The Maneuvers).  Vilma slayed the zumba dance to the tune of "Wonderful World."  Jason told us they had no rehearsal at all but no surprise there since Vilma is a great dancer (remember during her Vilma and VIP days where she would open the show with grand production numbers?).  I have the full video of the dance number but we were told not to post it online before the actual telecast, so be it, we don't want preempt the show.

Please view on this link to watch the dance number

The hosts interviewed Vilma about her humble beginnings and her rise to fame.  She also talked about her family, friends and politics.  After the taping, Vilma left with her sister Emelyn and niece Karla but before this, she instructed Jojo Lim to treat all the Vilmanians for dinner.  The choice was "Gilligans," a popular restaurant nearby.  You may think it is expensive... well not quite, nearly half of the Vilmanians in attendance are in their 60's so we took advantage of the 10% senior citizen discount scheme so it makes a lot of sense.

To sum it up, thank you to VSSI and to "Magandang Buhay" staff for having us and of course big Thank You to Ate Vi.   Once again Happy Birthday to Ate Vi and we wish you good health and more blessings to come.

Film Review: "Respeto"

"RESPETO"

2017 Cinemalaya Film Festival Entry

Starring:  Abra, Dido de la Paz, Nor Domingo

Screenplay: Treb Monteras II, Njel de Mesa

Directed by: Treb Monteras II

Produced by : Arkeo Films

As I was scrolling online the schedule of movies showing about two weeks ago, I figured that "Respeto" was still showing in a few Metro Manila theaters so instead of doing nothing at home one lazy Sunday afternoon, I went to Market Market to catch up with the 4:50 pm scheduled screening.  Another Filipino film, Star Cinema's "Last Night" (starring Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga) was still showing but I opted to watch "Respeto" instead.

"Respeto" won the Best Picture award in the recent Cinemalaya Film Festival.  I actually watched 2 festival entries, these were "Nabubulok" and "Bagahe." I missed to watch "Respeto" or let's just put it this way, I actually overlooked it and one thing, I could only watch 2 films that day.

"Ano ang mas mahalaga sa iyo?  Pera o panalo? panalo o respeto? This is just one of the catchy lines from the movie. You can watch the trailer on this link

Initially, I was given the impression that "Respeto" was all about hard core fliptop battles and hip-hop culture but it's more than just that.  It also tackled real life issues that is prevalent in our present society vis-à-vis drug trafficking, poverty, police brutality, demolitions and political inclinations (depending on which side of the fence you are). 

Abra plays the role of Hendrix, an aspiring young rapper and an orphan entangled by poverty, forced by circumstances to work as drug courier.  He engaged himself on the side, participating in underworld fliptop battles but always end up heckled and loses in the process.  Frustrated to impress and gain respect, he tried to steal ideas of an old man (played by Dido de la Paz), a reclusive poet and owner of a run-down second hand book store.  At one point, the old man confronted him for stealing his ideas but one thing lead to another, he eventually became Hendrix's mentor.  The old man is suffering from mild schizophrenia and had unsettled issues with his son who is a corrupt policeman moonlighting as a drug trafficker.   Hendix's sister and her boyfriend work for the old man's son as drug pushers; the couple stays at home most the time  and uses Hendrix as their errand boy selling prohibited drugs to their customers.  As the drug business slowed down due to looming threat from the authorities, the cop found himself under pressure; he eventually killed the couple in order to silence them from exposing his involvement in drug trafficking.  His next target was Hendrix who hid in the house of the cop's father. The movie ends in a violent but well executed scene with the furious Hendrix killing the corrupt policeman as the latter tried to leave the scene after his father stopped him for attempting to kill Hendrix.  

It is interesting to note that this is Treb Montera's debut film and given the limited budget provided by Cinemalaya, he came up with a realistic and engaging film that's all worth your money and time. A high level of acting ensemble (including participation of real life rappers) contributed to the success of the film.  The role of Hendrix fits Abra perfectly and in many instances, he was just like acting himself throughout the film being a rapper who grew up in the streets.  The movie is not perfect but it certainly gave the audience a breather amidst the series of romcom movies that is dominating the local cinema scene.

Besides the special jury award for best film, "Respeto" also yielded additional awards including best supporting actor for Dido de la Paz and technical awards (best editing, Best Cinematography and best sound).