Movie Review: Ignacio de Loyola

To me what is truly commendable about "Ignacio de Loyola" is the strength and determination it must have taken to produce a movie of this caliber about a Saint in a time when superheroes dominate the box office and romantic comedies still make up most of local cinema. 

It wasn't just the decision to make a movie about the founder of the Jesuits that I admired but it was the impressive production, such as the costumes and sets that were used in the film. It should also be noted that the film was shot in Spain which adds to it being more genuine. 

My first thought about watching the movie was that they should have just had the dialogue in Spanish with English subtitles instead of having it in English but as the movie progressed I just got used to it. 

I guess it was having the dialogue in English which gave the film that "History Channel Documentary" feel. 

In the film, Iñigo (Andreas Muñoz) a brash and ambitious soldier dreaming of bringing glory to his family (he has some Daddy issues). After being crippled under cannonball fire, Iñigo is sent home without the honor and glory he wanted but a broken leg instead. 

During his recovery Iñigo finds Jesus and undergoes a spiritual conversion. He makes the decision to foresake his riches and travel on his own bare feet, just like the saints before him and the rest is history (not without some trials and tribulations of course). 

Some scenes could have been trimmed down for a more concise narrative. It was actor, Andreas Muñoz who really tied the movie together. He was a real presence on the screen and impressively portrayed both the brash soldier and the humble saint. 

The movie has been acclaimed to his using state-of-the-art technology but we couldn't help but notice some technical issues, such as camera focus and an over use of time lapse sequences. 

Post production was done in the Philippines and while the Castle battle scene was a little too heavily filtered you can also really tell where they used the green screens, some of it were a little 'cringy' but still all in all a commendable effort. 

Kudos to the production of the film, even featuring music from Ryan Cayabyab. 

5 out of 10. If you are a fan of history and/or follow the Catholic religion. Then you should check out the locally produced film. I read on social media that this is like the "Star Wars" for nuns and priests and I think that's just super adorable. 

Ignacio de Loyola is now showing in cinemas and is distributed by Solar Pictures. 

Movie News: Here's What We Know About Ma' Rosa

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You've probably already heard that Ma' Rosa earned the Philippines’ first acting award from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Ms. Jaclyn Jose plays the titular role of Ma’ Rosa

Here's what we know so far: 

Director: Brillante Ma. Mendoza

Creative Consultant: Armando Lao

Screenwriter: Troy Espiritu

Director of Photography: Odyssey Flores

Musical Director: Maria Teresa Barrozo

Stars: Jaclyn Jose, Julio Diaz, Andi Eigenmann, Felix Roco, Jomari Angeles, Inna Tuason, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Baron Geisler, Mon Confiado, Neil Ryan Sese, Mark Dionisio, John Paul Duray, Vince Rillon, Mercedes Cabral, AllanPaule, Maria Isabel Lopez, Aaron Rivera, Ruby Ruiz, Kristoffer King, Timothy Mabalot, Luis Ruiz

 

Genre: Drama, Action

Synopsis 1:

ROSA owns a small community convenience store connected to their home in the slums of Metropolitan Manila. Together with her husband, NESTOR, they use their convenient store as cover-up for selling illegal narcotic, Methamphetamines. Their fate changes when their neighbor sets them up for a police raid leading to the couple’s arrest; a ploy for extortion. Backed against the wall, Rosa seeks help from her children, JACKSON, RAQUEL and KERWIN as they do the daunting task to buy their parent’s freedom.

 

Synopsis 2:

ROSA owns a small community convenient store connected to their home in the slums of Metropolitan Manila. Together with her husband, NESTOR, they use their convenient store as cover-up for selling illegal narcotic, Methamphetamines. their fate changes one Saturday night when their neighbor BONG-BONG, who works as a fly-by-night parking attendant, begs her to sell him a small pack of Methamphetamine without knowing that it’s a ploy for a pending buy-bust operation leading to Rosa and Nestor’s warrantless arrest by a police team led by Sergeant CASTOR.

 

The policemen command Rosa to rat-out their source of illegal narcotics as trade-off to their freedom. Hesitant, she has no choice but to call JOMAR, and cooperate with the policemen. But despite latter’s arrest, the policemen inform Rosa and Nestor that they still need to pay 50,000 pesos for their freedom. Backed against the wall, Rosa seeks help from her children, JACKSON, RAQUEL and KERWIN as they do the unthinkable. Jackson sells all their appliances while Raquel painstakingly borrows money from their poor relatives. On the other hand, Kerwin sells his body to his gay benefactor – all of these just to buy the freedom of their parents.

 

Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes

 

Released by: Centerstage Productions thru Solar Pictures

 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marosafilm/

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/marosa2016

Official Hashtags: #MaRosa

 

Link to view TRAILER on YouTube: http://bit.ly/MaRosaTrailer

The film will be released in local cinemas on July 6! 

 

Movies: "Heneral Luna" Cast Meets Audience After Cinema '76 FreeScreening

During the Araw ng Kagitingan celebration of Cinema '76, audiences were treated to more than just a special free screening of 'Heneral Luna' when the cast and producer (John Arcilla, Epy Quizon, Mon Confiado, Leo Martinez, Bing Pimentel and E.A. Rocha) spent some quality time with a 'full house' audience, answering questions and sharing some thoughts and insights on the game-changing film.

With the elections just around the corner, the film stirred some patriotic emotions, leading to an emotional question and answer portion. 

There were a lot of questions raised as to the significance and relevance of the film, in a critical time in our history. Sadly, it's 118 years later and we are still asking the same question:

"Bayan o Sarili?" 

There is some assurance knowing that there are films like these that ignite much needed love for our country. I was happy to see a group of students, choose to spend their Saturday morning there with us, reliving the country's past and wishing the best for its future. 

This could be a good turning point for Filipino Cinema and the fact that there is dedicated venue like Cinema '76 whose singular mission is to 'create a new theatrical distribution platform for filmakers while developing its appreciative audience' 

The Cinema aims to screen rare films and classics 'via retrospective programs and tributes to film legends.' No need to depend on commercial and traditional cinemas when looking for local insightful films. Make sure to like and follow Cinema '76 on social media for updated schedules. It was our first time in the Cinema and the fact that it was on Araw Kagitingan just makes it all the more meaningful. 

CINEMA ’76 TO HOLD FREE HENERAL LUNA SCREENING TO COMMEMORATE ARAW NG KAGITINGAN on SATURDAY, April 9

San Juan, Manila -- Cinema '76 Film Society is the latest addition to Metro Manila's ever-growing list of cinemas.  Cinema '76 is a micro-cinema dedicated to bringing the latest Filipino independent films as well as English and foreign-language films to its discriminating movie audience.

 

This coming April, Cinema ’76 screens some of the best works from some of the country’s top artists and filmmakers. Currently ongoing is a tribute to the late film and television director Francis Xavier Pasion. Pasion made a mark in the film industry through his award-winning Cinemalaya films “Sampaguita, “Jay”, and “Bwaya”. These films will run in Cinema ’76 until April 7.

 

From April 8-15, Cinema ’76 will host a retrospective on the life and works of Rudy Fernandez. Kicking off this retrospective is the documentary “The Last Pinoy Action King.”  The film, co-directed by Australian filmmaker Andrew Leavold, chronicles the life and times of Fernandez, one the country’s most beloved film heroes.  Fans of Fernandez can catch his other iconic works such as "Bitayin si Baby Ama," "Tatak ng Yakuza", “Sandakot na Bala,” "Baun Gang," and “Bingbong Crisologo."

 

Acclaimed director Elwood Perez take center stage as Cinema ’76 screens two of his recent masterpieces “Otso” and “Esoterika: Maynila” from April 15 thru 21.  Starting April 22, you can catch Cesar Hernando’s erotic pyscho-thriller “Gayuma” starring Benjamin Alves, one of the selections from last year’s QCinema Film Festival, and his acclaimed short films “Maalinsangan Ang Gabi” and “Kagat Ng Dilim” starring Piolo Pascual and Yul Servo. 

 

Rounding up the Cinema ‘76’s line-up for the month are works from award-winning director Raymond Red. His critically acclaimed films “Himpapawid” and “Kamera Obscura” will be screened from April 29 to May 5 along with his newly, digitally-restored short film “Anino,” a winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or—the highest prize awarded at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

 

As a special treat to movie fans and in celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan, Cinema ’76 will hold a free screening of “Heneral Luna” on Saturday, April 9. Moviegoers can have a chance to meet-and-greet the producers and cast members of the film, who will be present during the event. This would also be the perfect opportunity for “Heneral Luna” fans to buy the last remaining copies of the film’s best-selling DVD.

 

Cinema ’76 is located at 160 Luna Mencias St., Barangay Addition Hills, San Juan City. For the complete movie schedule guide, contact (02) 398-1939 or visit www.facebook.com/cinema76fs 

Sinag Maynila Heads for its Second Year

Sinag Maynila Festival Director Brillante Mendoza & CEO and Founder Mr. Wilson Tieng

Since its successful inauguration last March 2015, the first set of featured films have debuted in various international film festivals. “The exposure of the filmmakers in other countries brings pride and honor to Sinag Maynila and to the Filipino Filmmakers,” says Festival Director Brillante Mendoza. As we welcome the new year, the independent film festival Sinag Maynila already has a line-up of films to be premiered this April.

Conceptualized and helmed by its CEO and Founder Wilson Tieng, together with world-renowned and internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza, Sinag Maynila gives grants to independent filmmakers so they can develop their individual material to a full-length film for public exhibition. For 2016, the festival has been opened to any Filipino independent filmmaker who wish to apply for a film grant.

Five chosen filmmakers closely collaborated with Tieng and Mendoza. This collaboration resulted in stories that reflect the Filipino culture while illustrating messages that will resonate globally.


MRS. by Adolf Alix Jr.
70-year-old Virginia shares the old ancestral house with Delia, her ever-loyal maid. Delia is marrying her long-time boyfriend, Rene, and tearfully confides to Virginia that she wants to go home to her parents in the province to start a new family life with him. Haunted by a past that Virginia tries to conquer—her only son Sonny Boy who disappeared years ago, what follows shows a portrait of a woman and a mother trying to juggle the sad realities of life in a cycle of life and death. “MRS.” stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Lotlot de Leon, Rosanna Roces, Anita Linda, Mark Herras.


EXPRESSWAY by Ato Bautista
A syndicate old-timer named Ben needs to do one last assignment before the boss he works for grants him his much delayed retirement. Assigned to be his partner is the neophyte Morris, a trigger-happy, sadist who yearns to impress the syndicate boss. For Ben, this last assignment turns out to be a journey of introspection, self-healing and redemption. With this awakening, he takes it upon himself to pull Morris out of the eventual hell-of-a-life he says he has lived as a hitman. “EXPRESSWAY” stars Alvin Anson, Aljur Abrenica, RK Bagatsing, Kiko Matos, Inez Bernardo, Japo Parcero, Arpee Bautista, Jim Libiran.


DYAMPER by Mes De Guzman
Three friends wait along Dalton Pass every dawn to jump at the back of rice delivery trucks to steal the goods and sell it at the wet market as their means of income. One of them accidentally gets a pack of drugs in one of the trucks they jumped and finds themselves in jeopardy when its owners track them down to retrieve the stash, and gives them a chance to get off the hook by means of taking on a risky mission. “DYAMPER” stars Carlo Aquino, Alchris Galura, Tim Mabalot, Kristofer King, Liza Dino-Seguerra, and Debbie Garcia.


T.P.O. by Jay Altarejos
Teresa is a battered mother in the hands of her husband, Miguel. When their son Miguelito starts to get hurt as violence erupts at its worst, Teresa will seek Temporary Prtotection Order (TPO) against her husband. Meanwhile, Miguel, together with their son, goes through the same long and arduous process of applying for the custody of their son on the town’s most festive and busiest day. When they see each other in the middle of the road, an accident will ensue leaving them both destroyed and at the losing end. The narrative will start repeating backwards, the truth will be revealed with scenes that have yet to unfold. “T.P.O.” stars Oliver Aquino, Mara Lopez, Micko Laurente, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Lui Manansala.


LILA by Gino M. Santos
Jess is a young woman running from her past and moves into the house of a warmhearted landlady. She finds a diary in her room that belonged to an old tenant.  As days pass, strange occurrences ensue and the diary's words take an eerie turn when Jess finds herself in the middle of a malevolent turn of events from a dark past not entirely her own. “LILA” stars Janine Gutierrez, Enchong Dee, Sherry Lara, Miggs Cuaderno, Kate Alejandrino, and Socrates Jose.

The 2nd Sinag Maynila Film Festival will run from April 21 to 26, 2016. For more updates, log on to www.sinagmaynilafilmfestival.com, on Facebook (SinagMaynila), Twitter and Instagram (@sinagmaynila). Subscribe also to the official Sinag Maynila Youtube Account: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZPI6kPKUCsbim9e_qByNQ.

Movie Review: Sakaling Hindi Makarating

I did mention in my previous blog post that I went to High School with the director (now Cine Filipino Best Director) of the award-winning (yes, I will mention "awards" and "Best [insert category]" as often as I can) Indie Film "Sakaling Hindi Makarating", so you might accuse me of being biased with this review and if that's the case, I'll have to tell you that this is easily going to be the most biased review I'm going to write because the movie was beautiful and I loved it! No need to wrestle with my conscience because I would recommend the movie in a heartbeat, without my reputation (for whatever its worth) being tarnished. 

Cielo (Alessandra De Rossi) is picking up the pieces after her boyfriend of eleven years broke off their engagement, two months before the wedding. After moving in her old apartment she begins receiving hand-painted postcards of different places in the Philippines and cryptic messages addressed to a "C" from an "M". With time and money (saved from the would-be wedding in her hands) and some coaxing from her well meaning and friendly neighbor Paul (Pepe Herrera), Cielo sets out to visit the places painted in the postcards, hoping to find the mysterious "M". 

While the 'heartbroken, will travel' plot is nothing new, "Sakaling Hindi Makarating" also puts the dying art of 'letter writing' and 'sending postcards' center stage. With technology making communication easy and instant, we oftentimes take silence and solitude for granted. Some kids today may not even know the anticipation of waiting for a reply from a letter you sent or at the joy of receiving something in the mail. I hope teachers still include Letter Writing in today's curriculum (Someone obviously wasn't listening in class :p) I remember doing exercises for these back in my Grade School days. I used to write letters to my cousin who lived in Parañque while I lived in Antipolo, during the summer. I really hope and pray kids today still know how to write letters, sometimes it reflects in emails I read at work or even in Press Releases I receive (and these are from "Professionals").

 Please don't let it be a dying art, I will rue the day when 'jejemon spelling' becomes the norm  and one letter responses (Yes, 'K' I'm looking at you; becomes acceptable). 

The film gives you a bad case of Wanderlust which is not good for jaded and broke people like me T_T but I'll just look at it as an inspiration to one day, one day get to go on at least that vacation. When the film  moves back to the busy bus terminals in Manila, I'm suddenly revolted with the cars, the buses, the traffic, the pollution and all the buildings, a sight which I see everyday ironically. 

It's embarrassing to say that I wasn't even aware of the colorful Vinta Regata festival in Zamboanga, until I saw it in the film or that Batanes has such beautiful landscapes. The film just makes you want to pack a bag and go! No plans, no itineraries. Just get on a plane, a bus, a boat and just go. Not a bad idea with the many, many beautiful places you can visit in the Philippines. 

In Cielo's travels, she learns how to swim ('We learn how to swim before we learn how to be afraid of the water'), and even how to ride a motorcycle. Along with these new set of skills, Cielo also meets a colorful cast of characters in the places she visits, each one helping her more than she realizes. 

8.5 out of 10, "Sakaling Hindi Makarating" culminates in a fun and refreshing twist, solving the mystery of the postcards and with Cielo finding more than what she intended to when she first set out on her journey. It's a light and reflective piece with beautiful cinematography and impressive sweeping aerial shots, bringing justice to each paradise Cielo visited. 

Congratulations to "Sakaling Hindi Makarating" for winning the following Cine Filipino Awards

2nd Best Picture

Best Director - Ice Idanan

Best Actor - Pepe Herrera

Best Cinematography - Ice Idanan

Best Musical Score - Mon Espia

Best Sound - Raffy Magsaysay

Best Editing - Hannah Espia 

This is the first Inide film I wrote about and I look forward to getting to write more. It's funny how it had to take a High School batch mate of mine to direct one for me to really make time to go to the cinema, even on a hot Sunday afternoon. 

Movie News: Sakaling Hindi Makarating

I started blogging about movies and reviews towards the second half of 2015 and during that time I have mostly been featuring foreign films. Since my news feed are now filled with different movie updates I have started becoming more aware of the local indie film community as well.

I have yet to gain the right means to start covering Indie films but let me tell you, it's no joke attending the screenings, writing the press releases and the reviews and still have work to do but I've got to try right?

I was extra thrilled when I found out that a High School batch mate of mine was actually  directing a film for CineFilipino! I mean - how mind blowing is that right?!

Ice and I weren't really friends in high school, we weren't even in the same class but I just couldn't be more proud and excited for her, I mean how can you wrap your head about a batch mate of yours being a director?! I mean, I don't think I'd even be a good Assistant.

So, I'm writing about her film - Sakaling Hindi Makarating. 

You can check out the details in the images below, it's the most gorgeous Press Release I have ever received <3

Meet the Director: :)