leaflens: UP Film Institute

Showing posts with label UP Film Institute. Show all posts

28 March 2016

Para kay Mang CV

Sinimulan kong buksan ang pahinang ito para magsulat ng isang post tungkol kay Mang CV. Pero parang tila nailabas ko na yata kagabi ang anumang raw emotions na kailangan kong mailabas. Kaya ire-repost ko na lang dito yung nilagay ko sa Instagram/FB kagabi, matapos ko siyang dalawin sa huling pagkakataon sa mundong ito.

Paalam, Mang CV. At salamat. Maraming salamat.

Yung eksenang pasko ng pagkabuhay ngayon pero galing ako sa patay. Paano, nag-roll credits na kasi si Mang CV, dakilang property custodian sa UP Masscomm Film dept kung saan ako nag-undergrad na naging UP Film Institute kung saan ako nagturo. Nakita ko ang parehong side ng film at mahalaga ang naging function ni Mang CV sa buhay film namin, mula sa panahong kinakapa ko ang pag-develop ng Tri-X roll ko sa darkroom hanggang sa naging honor ma-refer ng batchmates mo na "wow para ka nang si Mang CV" dahil kayang-kaya ko nang kapain ang Bolex cam nung nag-spaghetti ang 16mm film sa loob nito isang beses na nagshu-shoot ako ng film thesis ko, hanggang sa pagtambay naming barkada sa room niya after class para manood lang ng koleksiyon ng rare films na di namin nahihiram sa labas tulad ng mga pelikula ni Zhang Yimou, Francois Truffaut at marami pa, hanggang sa inatasan akong maging head ng academic programs and research division ng Film Insti nang naging faculty ako, narinig ko ilang beses sa buhay na ito ang suporta niya na "sige, ako bahala" kapag kailangan ko ng tulong niya. Cool lang siya at mapagpasensiya lagi, kaya kinainis ko nang may isang lecturer dati na nakawala ng library book dahil pinatong daw niya sa mesa ni Mang CV expecting him to return it pero nung nawala, si Mang CV pa ang pinapabayad niya at di niya inako ang kasalanan. Kaya tuwing nakikita ko ngayon ang lecturer na ito, na sinipa namin pero pinulot ng ibang departamento, ito ang naaalala ko lagi. Di ko na alam kung ano ang naging resolusyon doon pero sana ang mga taong tulad ni Mang CV ay nirerespeto. Nalulungkot ako ngayon dahil di man lang ako nakapagpaalam at nakapagpasalamat nang husto o pormal sa mga mabubuting budhi na staff nang bigla akong mag-alsa balutan sa pagtuturo. Pero alam kong alam niyang kailangan ko na kasing tumalilis noon; minsan, kailangan mong mag-exit frame bigla sa ilang eksena sa buhay. Kaya ngayon ako nagpaalam, at alam kong cool lang siyang tatango na "okay lang" sabay ngiti. Paalam Mang CV. Regards mo ko kay Ma'am Ellen, Sir Hammy at Sir Joven diyan. Cut ka na dito, pero take 2 ka na diyan, change location lang. Ingat po.

13 January 2013

Grab. Jump. Be.

Kamusta namang ang pambungad na blog ng bagong taon ay tungkol sa pagkawala agad.

Wala lang, nakakalungkot at nakakabigla lang din kasi kapag may tumatambad sa iyong balitang namatay na si ganun o si ganyan. Lalo na kapag may rele sila sa buhay mo.

Nitong linggong ito lang, early this week if I remember it right, si Susanna yung dati kong bossing na Malaysian sa Isis feminist NGO ay nag-post sa FB na namatay na daw yung isang kaibigan niyang Malaysian feminist din, si Yin San, na mas bata sa kanya at medyo kabatak ko rin ng konti. Nung huli kaming nagkita ni Yin San, andito siya sa Pinas dahil gagawa siya ng docu film tungkol sa women in politics kaya tumutulong ako sa kalakaran. Pero bigla siyang nahinto kasi daw kelangan niyang umuwi dahil sa treatment. Cancer yata ito, sa breast din tulad ni Susanna before, na na-treat naman yata. Sadly, di yata naagapan kay Yin San. Kaya ayun, wala na siya.

Kaninang umaga naman, nakakuha ako ng email tungkol sa isa sa mga best profs ko sa film undergrad ko, si Ma'am Ellen, namayapa na rin. Cancer din siya, matagal na. Di na yata kinaya ng katawan ang treatment. Napasulat nga tuloy ako ng blog tungkol sa kanya sa academic blog ko. Marami ring nagkomento nang i-post ko ito sa FB. Malungkot indeed.

Goes to show that life indeed is short, folks. Kaya kung may nega man, kelangang alpasan natin ito. Tulad nung Biyernes ng gabi, nakipagkita ako at ang isang kaibigan sa isa pang kaibigan dahil heartbroken. Nakipag-break ang jowa niya sa kanya via -- wait for it -- a text message. How idiotic. Over some beers, we were able to characterize this heartbreaker naman at mabuti na-lift namin ang spirits nitong heartbroken. When we were able to piece together a bad puzzle na we said she should be glad it's done, she said "Then it truly is a happy new year." Of course. New year, new beginnings. Lagi namang dapat ganun ang peg. I hope she'll be alright na.

I'm also glad to have interacted with people that matter over the yuletide holidays who are not based here anymore. My sister from California came home and left after the first week of this month. Same with my girlfriend who works abroad. Brief but meaningful encounters naman pareho with these two women I value in my life. Couldn't be happier.

Hanging out with my sis and my cuz in Malate. Glad this happened.

Helped me pagpag family nega with them. The Persian food also rocked.

But there was also a test of my zen mode when another balikbayan came home, but I limited my interaction with her. I think some issues could remain unresolved for a peaceful coexistence na lang. That was the bottomline there. Like I said, minimize the nega na lang, for a better life. Yes, sometimes you really have to choose your battles. Choose to interact with people that make you happy na lang. If not, then kebs.

Also opening the month are good news and hopeful opportunities. Actually, bago pa man nag-wrap up ang taon last year, may mga clues na. Ang isa dun ay travel. My paper got chosen sa isang international conference in Asia kaya may travel na naman tayo in that manner this year. Sana nga maganap ito. Tapos reigniting some old feminist media involvement again na kahit wa datung, happy naman ang mga interaksyones na nagaganap. Beneficial pa rin naman ito for the soul.

Grab by the horn lang lagi beks. Saka let's see where the wind blows this time, this year. This will be a year of many changes for me. Big time. Pinaghahandaan ko na. And I actually can't wait for all of them to happen. Kaya abang-abang na lang tayo at darating din 'yan.

May bago nga pala akong tattoo. Finally, nagpa-tatt kami sabay ni mahal. Ang saya! Bonding. Ang saket! Siyempre. Pero ganda na naman nung gumaling na. At eto, nag-iisip na naman ako ng next tattoo hehe. Pareho daw kami ng design sabi niya. Now that must be love hehe. Sige isip muna ng design.

Ikaw, kamusta ang new year mo so far? Sana masaya din. Let's make the most out of it. Life is short. Ang dami pang kelangang gawin sa buhay. Let's rock and roll!

Here we go!

12 July 2009

UP Film Institute's Change of Management

official notice to all:

This is to announce to everyone the commencement of the terms of the new UPFI management.

Effective July 1, 2009, here are the changes:

-- The new UPFI Director is now Prof. Eduardo Lejano, Jr.
(succeeding Prof. Anne Marie de Guzman).

-- The new UPFI Academic Coordinator is Prof. Roehl Jamon
(succeeding Ms. Libay Linsangan Cantor).

The old "upfi.academic@gmail.com" will no longer be used.
You could reach the Academic Coordinator at the new email
upfi.academiccoordinator@gmail.com.

You can reach Ms. Cantor at her personal email libaylc@gmail.com
or through her multiply account at libaycantor.multiply.com.

-- The new UPFI Theater Coordinator is Prof. Yason Banal
(succeeding Ms. Avie Felix).

The old "upfi.adarna@gmail.com" will no longer be used.
You could reach the Theater Coordinator at the new email
upfi.theatercoordinator@gmail.com.

You can reach Ms. Felix at her personal email avie.felix@gmail.com.

If you have any academic or theater-related concerns,
please contact the newly-appointed professors directly.

The account of com> is still currently up
and will still be moderated by the new faculty coordinators.

You can also add up the newly-created Facebook page of UPFI at the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diliman-Philippines/UP-FIlm-Institute/100469631389?ref=s

Thank you very much for your continued support of UPFI.

-----------

and the unofficial notice to all:

yeheyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! hahahahaha.

freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

hahahahaha!

wala lang. after three years, dami ko kasi gusto gawin. una, simulan ang bagong nobela. um, yes, bago, kasi yung una, er, sige na nga, ire-revise at polish pa. maybe next year, who knows? :)

and then, gala! as in, travel! so kaladkarin niyo na ko sa mga nais niyo akong kasama na lugar teehee... so check na ang baguio. up next, la union beach! and then... i still have that hong kong offer. sige sige, might get that. hehe. hmmm nate-tempt akong sumabit sa plano ng isa diyan na asian backpacking tour chuva. kung kaya ng budget, why not? hehehe.

i'm also starting my PhD. soon.

well, wish me luck! la vita e bella, indeed. :P

workout!

29 May 2009

natapos din si vakler

me at the dumaguete writer's workshop
some ten years ago, as a fiction fellow.

the much-awaited ten--errr, eleven na nga pala--year ordeal was finally put to an end last wednesday afternoon, the sked of my MA thesis oral defense. yes, oral defense as they call it in CAL where i have been taking up my masters degree in english studies major in creative writing at the department of english and comparative literature for eleven years. eleven frakking years, man. kung nanganak ako noong 1998 ay may pinapaaral na akong grade 5 sa elementarya ngayon noh! may ganung factor! hahahahaa. pero tangeeenaaaa natapos din!!!! woot!

sadyang anti-climactic itong defense ko dahil nga sa tagal. nagkaroon pa ng panibagong external conflict at the last stretch of this decade-long dramaturgy of mine during my birthday. poootangeena birthday na birthday ko noong abril, naglalalakad ako para maghabol ng UP officials para sa shortcoming ng isang departamento na di naman ako ang may kagagawan. well, thank goddesses na-achieve naman ang objective, at na-resolve lahat at wala nang loose ends. hay.

happy lang yung defense. my thesis adviser, dr. jing hidalgo, is a longtime teacher and well, colleague na ring matatawag siguro, since 1997 UP national writers' workshop days pa namin in cebu and baguio where i became a fellow. in fact, in baguio, she was the one who encouraged me to take up an MA in CW. i'm glad i took her advice. masaya ang CW life for me heheh. kaya i'm still there now. well, at least part of me does that to this day. yey.

it was a hoot to hear ms. jing do the defending for me sometimes hehe. i so love her. may kinda CL slash CW dichotomy kasing nangyari with the presence of another colleague na naging friend na rin dati, si ruth pison who teaches CL at the english dept. she was my panelista kasi maalam sa gender theories chenelyn. i took my postcolonial literature undegrad back subject under her when i began my MA in 1998 at sobrang aliw ang learning experience doon. happy siya. it was cool to hear the pros and cons of the CL thinking and the CW thinking in one table. super happy learning experience for me. wala, tawanan lang kami ng tawanan in between comments hahaha!

no frills ang defense. no pakain chenes unlike eons ago, kasi nga alam ko, bawal na ito sa kayoopehan. ni magkape nga, ayaw nila, so tipid ako hahaha! ms jing didn't want long elaborate powerpoint presentations so a 2-pager thingie was fine for me, then the rest of the work, sila na gumawa hahaha!

aliw din ang observations ni celeste flores coscolluela, fellow CW major ko na kinontratang maging critique. siya ang nag-provide ng hetero side of comments. well, hetero din naman yung kay ruth pero iba ang atak ng lola mong yon, mas sa teorya-teorya chorva nga at reality of things (mga tanong na "may lalaki bang ganyan?" and stuff. hahaha so ruth! funny.) kaya si cel ang by default na hetero commenter chenes. tapos si vlad gonzales served as the dean's rep at aliw din ang comments niya ha. dami ko napulot kay koya hehe. haylavet. textmates na kami hahaha! chos. dati ko pa namang kakilala si koya vlad, mga panahon pa noong nabuo yung akdang bayan writer's org, short for artista para sa kultura at dalumat ng bayan kung saan kami kasapi. man, sayang talaga yung grupong yon. tsk. oi may bagong libro nga pala si koya vlad published by milflores, buy kayo. buy ako next next week, pahuhupain ko lang ang kaguluhang bookstore dahil magpapasukan na. google niyo na lang yung title, haba e.

aliw din si mam jing sa comments, of course, especially her panalong wrap-up on the "what's next" on my plate chorva. panalo! basta, if you know her, you know na she's a CW-CL goddess by default. kaya nga lagi kapag may nagtatanong sa akin kung sino ang okay kuning titser sa MA doon, lagi kong sinasabing kahit ano'ng ituro ni ms jing, enrollan mo! same comment ko actually yan kay mam betsy enriquez dito naman sa cmc hehehe. basta, alam mong may mga gurong sulit enrollan at kritikal ito lalo na at MA ka at hindi galing sa paryentes mo ang pang-tuition mo kundi sa sarili mong bulsa. poonyemas masakit ang 500 pesos per unit sa MA ha! may 1 or 2 courses nga ako dating nakuhang i wanted a refund, but that's another story na lang for next time.

haaaay... poonyemas puwede na ko mag-kikay ulet! hahaha. hamfanget ko na noh dahil sa thesis na toh!!! okay kaya papagupit na akey, ukay ng new clothes, at back to workout moda olympic level. as in!!! oo vain ako to a certain extent bakit ba! hahaha! and back to my house repairs na din, na inuunti-unti ko dahil mas may kelangang unahin sa buhay minsan, tulad nitong MA.

hm napaisip ako doon sa what's next a. actually, parang alam ko na pero so many colleagues are against it. i want to have a second MA kasi, this time malikhaing pagsulat naman. didibdibin ko ang pagiging bilingual writer literal hehe. wala, gusto ko lang, bakit ba. actually, muntik ko na ngang inabandona itong CW thesis at magshi-shift na sana ko dahil nababagot na nga ako noon sa "philippine literature in english," kung di lang ako tinalakan ng ilang upfi colleagues (even the dean breathing down my neck! dean nic, that was.) at pinandilatan ng mga film dyosas like mam gigi na tapusin mo na yaaaaan hahahaha! salamat sa talak! haylavyoooo all! oo, ganun kami magmahalan sa upfi, karinyo brutal hahaha! chos.

so yan ang life hehe. yes, okay na ko. sobrang okay, pare. SOP. hahaha. chos.

so sa pagtatapos ng post na ito, share ko lang dito yung aking naging super short and sweet na presentation of my thesis project chorvaloo. short and fast lang ito pramis, like hayden kho's "performance." charot!!!

oo bangenge pa ko.

salamat nga pala sa mga friendsheeps ko na bumati sa fezbuk at sa offline life, sa mga actual na dumalo at nanood for moral support or to jot down notes for their own pending MA CW fiction thesis defense hehehe. :)

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MA CW Thesis Oral Defense Presentation
27 May 2009

F L Y L E A F
libay linsangan cantor

This thesis, a collection of 17 short stories, is called Flyleaf. I used the flyleaf metaphor of the blank pages of books where sometimes, as readers, we use these blank pages at the front or back of the book to jot down our notes or thoughts or maybe reactions to what we have read in the book – provided of course we own the book and don’t vandalize others’ property. Sometimes, the notes we jot down surprise us, for they could be rather insightful, meaningful, but most of all, we jot down these notes to sometimes make sense of what we just read. This is what I am hoping my collection would do – make sense
of what it is to be a lesbian in contemporary Philippine society as narrated through the stories in this collection.

In my introductory essay, I tried to locate myself as a lesbian writer in Philippine literature in English. This is because, as I have studied in the past, there is an obvious absence of lesbian voices in this field. I found a handful of stories with lesbian content and also know of only a handful of lesbian-identified writers like myself who create lesbian-themed fiction or creative nonfiction in English. But compared to gay-themed writings or gay-identified writers, we lesbians lag so far behind in numbers.

I also tried to deconstruct what that identity means, to be a “lesbian writer,” to understand where my poetics are rooted or grounded, which I believe is primarily influenced and enhanced by tenets of lesbian feminism. And as a writer, I also wanted to locate where my audience is. I know for a fact that there is an audience out there for this kind of material, an audience primarily composed of women like me – women who identify as women and as lesbians, who look for and yearn to read about themselves and their experiences—or our experiences—in Philippine literature.

I tried to analyze why I write the way I write, as my stories sometimes unfold differently from one another. There are stories that are metafictional and there are stories that are traditional. I concluded that this is because perhaps I also need to relate my stories to a “more traditional” type of audience, the audience I also hope to reach with my stories, which are non-lesbians. But as a storyteller exposed to various media such as cinema, I also like to discover and experiment with new ways of telling or retelling a story, much like how I also like to discover and experiment with new ways of showing a story via the audiovisual medium when I shoot as a filmmaker.

So what kind of experiences and stories are here? In the beginning, I tried to map out the life of several contemporary middle-class educated lesbians living in Metro Manila who work in the fields of media and the arts. But upon my consultations with my adviser, it was best to flesh out just one persona from these different stories, for it was noticed that there was a dominant voice emanating from most of the stories. Thus, the order of the stories were rearranged and presented as how you all read them in the manuscript.

The individual stories narrate one persona’s experiences that span almost ten years, set during this decade. The development is in accordance with the main persona’s discovery of her lesbianism. In the beginning, she is presented as a twentysomething heterosexual woman who discovers that her more authentic sexuality is that of a lesbian. We see this persona undergo happy and horrible relationships; we see her being single alone and being single with friends both straight friends and friends belonging to the LGBT community; and towards the end, we see her as a thirtysomething lesbian at the beginning of a more domesticated life with a partner as they try to begin a family, which includes having a child.

In between these experiences, there are, of course, the staple stories of discrimination directed towards lesbian women (particularly feminine-looking lesbians), and we see how this persona struggled with these discriminatory experiences, particularly being verbally taunted or sexually harassed because she is a feminine-looking lesbian, and even being raped because she is a lesbian, period. As I wanted to reflect real-life lesbian narratives in my fiction, I included a balance of happy stories and not-so-happy ones in order to fully characterize how this certain Filipina lesbian lives in this day and age. //

okay lang mag-comment, kahit nega. ako si miss workshop, kaya you can comment away :)

13 December 2008

UPFI exclusive screening: HIMALA behind the scenes

The UP Film Institute (UPFI), in cooperation with the International Circle of Online Noranians (ICON), will hold free screenings of Sa Likod ng Himala, a movie-in-the-making documentary on Ishmael Bernal’s masterpiece Himala (ECP, 1982), fittingly at the UPFI Bernal Gallery on December 16, 2008 (Tuesday), starting at 7 pm.

In Super 8mm format, this 20-minute documentary was made by the in-house staff of the former UP Film Center (now expanded into the UP Film Institute). It features a rare footage of Bernal in action during the filming of the movie’s momentous stampede scene. The UPFI has preserved the original 26-year-old reel of the film in its archives in almost pristine state—a miracle of sorts

This one-night-only event is meant to honor the film Himala, starring Superstar Nora Aunor and penned by Ricky Lee, for winning the CNN APSA Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time, presented recently at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Screen Awards held in Queensland, Australia (see video).

This special tribute, a surprise year-ender for the UPFI, has been planned even before Himala got the CNN APSA award. “The fact that this Bernal film has been shortlisted with the works of world cinema masters like Akira Kurosawa, Satyajit Ray, Wong Kar-wai, and Ang Lee,” said UPFI Programming Director Nonoy Lauzon, “is a great feat by itself.”

Described by critic Alfred Yuson as “definitely world class,” Himala holds the distinction of opening the 2nd Manila International Film Festival in 1983. It was handpicked by Berlin festival director Moritz de Hadeln, no less, to be part of the competition film selection of Berlin International Film Festival in the same year, the first and only Filipino film so far that competed for the Golden Bear. It then went on to be screened in key Russian cities—Moscow, Kiev, and Alma-ata—before it went to the Chicago International Film Festival where it won the Bronze Hugo Award for Best Feature Film.

Himala has remained as one of National Artist Ishmael Bernal’s most exhibited films in both local and international film events. From the ’80s to the current decade, it has been shown in world’s key cities such as Taipei, Bangkok, Tokyo, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Vienna, and New York. This year, Himala was included in the programs of Berlin Hot Shots Film Festival and Paris Film Festival.

The Bernal Gallery on the same day will showcase a mini Himala exhibit, organized by the International Circle of Online Noranians. The group will also conduct a short program honoring the film and some of the people behind it. In between screenings of the documentary, ICON will also hold activities such as film discussion and forum with distinguished guests.

05 December 2008

2008LGBT MANILA PRIDE MARCH fast facts and guidelines

some notes about the PRIDE MARCH. an educational and worthy read, for all.

see you saturday! the UPFI contingent might join forces with the official UP CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION contingent at the PRIDE MARCH. sama-sama mga taga-peyups!

for those who are wary of being OUTED BY MARCHING and for other REASONS FOR THE MARCH, read this:

2008 MANILA PRIDE MARCH 6 December 2008, 1pm, Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, Philippines

>> Guidelines: Dealing with Media and Press <<

A few guidelines and tips to make your life easier when there are members of the Press hovering at the Pride March assembly.

Say NO if you don't want to be interviewed or photographed. Tell them politely and ask the assistance of the Marshals.

You don't have to give in to the requests of the Press. If they ask you to kiss your partner but you feel you don't want to, then DON'T DO IT! It's your prerogative. Use your better judgment!

The Press does not have the authority to stop the march either to take pictures or ask for an interview. They can interview your group BEFORE and/or AFTER the march.

When delivering your message, remember KISS -- Keep it simple, Sister! Keep it short and sweet!

If you are not sure of your answer, please refer the Press to the TFP Spokespersons. They are at the Registration Table at Remedios Circle.

Be Prepared. Take your time to gather your thoughts when answering questions. Remember that you are representing your group. Always emphasize that it is your opinion (or your group's) and not of the entire community.

10 Fast Facts About the 2008 Manila Pride March

1) What is the Pride March all about?

Pride marches (also known as pride parades, pride events, and pride festivals) started out as gay (and lesbian) freedom marches. These events celebrate sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as the rights, welfare, and culture of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, intersexed, and queers (LGBTIQs).

Early on the morning of Saturday, 28 June 1969, LGBTs rioted following a police raid on a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in New York City, USA. The Stonewall riots are generally considered to be the beginning of the modern LGBT rights movement, as it was the first time in modern history that a significant body of LGBT people resisted arrest and stood up for their rights to exist and celebrate life.

On 28 June 1970, the first anniversary of the riots, the Gay Liberation Front organized the first Gay Freedom March in New York City in commemoration of the Stonewall riots. Other marches were simultaneously held in California, USA and have continued around the world ever since.

On 26 June 1994, the 25th anniversary year of the Stonewall riots, Manila became host to the first-ever Pride March in the Philippines and in Asia. This momentous event was organized by the Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (PROGAY) and was co-sponsored by the Metropolitan community Church (MCC) Manila. On that historic day, Filipino LGBTs braved the rain to march from EDSA down to Quezon Avenue and around the Quezon City Memorial Circle as part of the global commemoration of the Stonewall riots.

In the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 it was ReachOut Foundation International that organized and produced the Manila LGBT Pride March. In 1999, Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines was founded and has been carrying in it march, the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB) crafted by the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB) Philippines. The ADB, still pending in Congress, is authored and sponsored by former Representative Etta Rosales of Akbayan Party-list.

In 2005, at the height of the political crisis rocking the Arroyo Administration, concerned LGBTs came together to organize the First Philippine LGBT Freedom March. The March was aimed at thwarting threats to freedoms and liberties of Filipinos in general and Filipino LGBTs in particular. In response to the Administration’s twin policies of “no permit, no rally” and “Calibrated Pre-emptive Response” (CPR) to organized and peaceful dissent and assemblies, the LGBT Freedom March Organizing Committee formulated the theme “CPR: Celebrating Pride and Rights.” On 10 December 2005, individuals and members of groups and networks Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines and PROGAY marched side by side in the spirit of unity, friendship, and militant glamour along the streets of España and Quiapo underpass all the way to the historical Plaza Miranda. To date, not only is the LGBT Freedom March of 2005 in Manila one of the most socio-politically relevant LGBT marches in Philippine history, it also remains to be the biggest and most diverse LGBT march in terms of participants and audience.

2) What is Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines?

In 1999, Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines was officially founded as an organizing network of the annual Pride March in Manila. TFP is a network of LGBT groups and individuals, as well as of LGBT-friendly groups/individuals, that seeks to promote positive visibility for the LGBT community. This year’s Pride March is particularly significant as it marks TFP’s 10th year which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR60) and the launch in Manila of the Yogyakarta Principles, an international declaration and instrument which affirms sexual orientation and gender identity and expression as part of fundamental human rights.

3) When and where will the 2008 Manila Pride March be held?

This year’s Pride March will be held on 6 December 2008 (Saturday), from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. On-site registration and assembly is from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at the Remedios Circle, Malate or you can pre-register your participation online at www.manilapride2008.com.

The route of this year’s March is: Remedios Circle - Remedios Street - Mabini - Pedro Gil - Ma. Orosa Street. The March will be followed by the coronation of Miss Queen Philippines, the official Pride Queen of the 2008 Manila Pride March, and a brief cultural program showcasing both LGBT and LGBT-supportive talents. The March will culminate in a street party along Maria Orosa Street by the Orosa-Nakpil Courtyard.

4) Why will the 2008 Manila Pride March be held in December?

In 2003, TFP decided to move the Manila Pride March to December primarily to make the event closer to the 1-10 December Human Rights Week, which includes World AIDS Day, International Lesbian Day, and International Human Rights Day. In addition, the Pride Season was also expanded so that pride celebrations in Manila start in June (the International Pride Month) and culminate in the Pride March on the first Saturday of December.

5) What is the theme of the 2008 Manila Pride March?

This year’s Pride March pays tribute to: Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Loves, Our Selves. Thus, the 2008 Manila Pride March is expected to be the most visually spectacular to date. Participants are encouraged to put on our best fairytale and fantasy costume, design our float accordingly, and help transform the streets of Malate into a bursting display of rainbow colors and pride. The March is open to all human rights- and equal rights-believing individuals regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

6) Why should Filipino LGBTs come out and celebrate Pride?

Coming out or “coming out of the closet” describes the usually voluntary public revealing of a person's sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Being "out" is considered the opposite of being closeted and usually refers to sexuality and gender minorities. Coming out is an important process in a person’s coming to terms with her/his sexuality. It's hard not to come out. It's hard to feel fully good about ourselves if we have an important secret that we can't tell anyone. That kind of hiding reinforces the belief that there is something shameful or faulty about being LGBT. In truth, there is nothing wrong with being LGBT. There is something wrong with a world that makes us feel ashamed or afraid because of who we are. Acknowledging a part of ourselves that goes against what most people feel comfortable with is truly a brave thing to do. It doesn't mean that we’re not scared. Being brave is about continuing to do what we need to do -- in spite of the fear.

7) Why should families and friends of LGBTs and other straight people support the Pride March?

The Pride March is a celebration of equality among all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Families and friends of LGBTs and other straight people should support the LGBT community and our cause because we want nothing more than equal rights – that is, to be treated by society with respect and dignity and to be free to love those whom we love.

Our message to our families and friends: do not fear the unknown. Get to know your family member or friend who just happens to be LGBT. We are the same gay father, lesbian daughter, or transgender son that you have always known and loved. Be involved in our lives but respect boundaries. All we want is equal treatment. You have taught us to demand to be treated with respect. That is all we are doing.

8) What does the rainbow flag signify?

The rainbow flag, sometimes called “the freedom flag”, was popularized as a symbol of LGBT pride and diversity by a San Francisco artist in 1978. The different colors symbolize diversity and the flag is used predominantly at pride events worldwide in various forms including banners, clothing, and jewelry. For the 25th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a mile-long rainbow flag was created and post-parade cut up in sections that have since been used around the world.

Originally created with eight colors, the rainbow flag now consists of six colored stripes. Aside from the symbolism of a diverse LGBT community, the colors were designed to symbolize: red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), blue (harmony), and purple/violet (spirit). It is most commonly flown with the red stripe on top, as the colors appear in a natural rainbow.

9) What terms are usually preferred to refer to members of the LGBT community?

The terms lesbian, lesbiyana, tomboy, gay men, bakla or bading are usually preferred to describe someone attracted to persons of the same sex. A bisexual is someone who is attracted to both women and men.

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but is not limited to: transsexuals, cross-dressers, and other gender-variant people. Many transgender people identify as female-to-male (FTM) or male-to-female (MTF). It is suggested that the descriptive term (transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, FTM or MTF) preferred by the transgender person be used. Transgender people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically.

A person need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

10) What terms are generally considered derogatory to members of the LGBT community?

Terms like “fag”, “faggot”, “binabae”, “AC-DC”, “homo”, “sodomite”, “queen”, “she-male”, “he-she”, “it”, “trannie”, “tranny”, “gender-bender” and similar epithets are generally considered derogatory. Because of the clinical history of the term “homosexual”, it has been adopted by anti-gay extremists to suggest that lesbians and gay men are somehow psychologically/emotionally disordered. Filipino gay men may fondly call each other bakla or bading, while Filipino lesbians may jokingly call each other dyke or tomboy and it will not be considered derogatory usage because some terms historically considered offensive have been reclaimed by the LGBT community to disempower hate speech. Hence, it is important to remember that the power of a word is always relative to the context in which it is used.

----------------------------------

learn real life lessons, now.

02 December 2008

UPFI supports the 2008 Manila LGBT Pride March

The UP Film Institute
will have its own contingent

at the upcoming
Manila Pride March 2008,
the 10th year anniversary of the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
pride march in the Philippines.

-- This event will happen on Saturday, December 6.
-- Registration will take place by 1pm and the march will begin about a couple of hours after that.
-- There will be a live variety program after the parade, complete with a beauty pageant crowning, a street party open for all, and an exclusive women's party at Fluid Lounge in Orosa st. around 10pm.

UPFI will have its own contingent at the Pride March.

-- We invite anyone who wants to experience this event to march with us.

-- You don't have to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to show your pride. Having an open mind and an adventurous spirit are what matters most.

-- If you are straight and you believe in human rights for all (women, children, LGBTs) then you are welcome to join our contingent.

Those who want to cover the event (photo or video)

-- Filmmakers and photographers are welcome to shoot the event as it happens.

-- Artists are also encouraged to submit copies of your photos and videos to the organizing committee of the Pride March known as Task Force Pride (TFP). You can contact them via UPFI.

-- Your contribution will mean a lot in the documentation of this 10th year anniversary march.

To join:

-- Simply appear on Saturday at the Remedios Circle in Malate between 1 and 3pm.

-- Look for the UPFI contingent's banner.

-- MARCH!

-- THIS INVITATION IS OPEN TO UPFI STUDENTS, INSTRUCTORS, ALL UP STUDENTS, INSTRUCTORS AND STAFF AS WELL.

-- Individuals who want to march (first-timers and old-timers) but do not have groups, you can march with us, too.

-- To signify your intent to join and for any other inquiry, please email us at upfi.pridemarch@gmail.com.

For more details about the
2008 Manila Pride March,
visit the official website.

21 November 2008

Attention Film 113, Film 114 and Film 131 students this sem

All UPFI students currently enrolled in the following courses:

Film 113 Film Production I (under Nap Jamir)
Film 114 Film Production II (under Ramon Bautista and Melissa Dela Merced)
Film 131 Cinematography (under Nap Jamir)

You are required to attend the Kodak Orientation Day
on Monday, 24 November 2008 from 2pm to 5pm
at the UPFI Theater Division (Videotheque).

Thank you.

13 November 2008

Attn: Former students (F10, F112, F121) - get your papers/scripts

To the students who took the following classes under me:

1st Sem Ay2008-09 (last sem)
Film 10
Film 112
Film 121

2nd Sem Ay2007-08 (last year)
Film 121

Please get your checked papers, exams and full-length screenplays in my pigeonhole.

Salamat.

04 November 2008

UPFI Cine Veritas open call to HR advocates

mula sa aking kapatid sa pakikipagsapalaran sa institusyon ng pelikula...

----------

An Open Invitation to All Human Rights Advocates (Groups and Individuals)

The UP Film Institute wishes your presence in an open discussion regarding the Cine Veritas Human Rights Festival activities and objectives for this year. The said get-together will be held on Friday, November 7, 2008, at 5:30 in the afternoon at the UPFI Cine Adarna Conference Room, UP Diliman.

UPFI shares this upcoming event to individuals and groups who supports and purports human rights in any area of advocacy (wellbeing, democratic rights, environment, gender, political rights, legal, women and children, culture and arts, etc.). We wish to collaborate with groups and individuals who are willing to share this project with us in our perennial vision to further raise awareness on and push forth human rights.

Thank you very much.

Avie Felix
Faculty Coordinator for Theater & Extension Services
UP Film Institute
926-2722 / 926-3640

upfi.adarna@gmail.com

28 October 2008

surrvey for UPFI students: film electives

The UPFI Academic Division is looking into offering another elective film course this second sem. We would like to know if there is enough demand for it to get opened.

The elective proposed is the new Film 159 Film Production Management, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday 8:30-11:30am. Ms. Boots Anson Roa will handle this course if opened.

If you already took Film 183 Film Seminar with the topic Production Management before (especially under Ms. Roa also), you are not eligible to enroll in Film 159 anymore (redundancy).

We need at least 10 enrollees to have this course opened.

We hope to hear from you. Thanks.

08 September 2008

FREE EVENT: GLobal Lens Film Series Sept 10-12

Asia Society & UPFI hold the
Global Lens Film Series Screenings

Asia Society and UP Film Institute present six critically acclaimed Asian films from the Global Lens Collection. Established by the Global Film Initiative in 2004, the series aims to promote cross-cultural understanding by providing moviegoers with access to critically-acclaimed films from developing countries.

The selection gives audiences a glimpse into the lives of ordinary men and women across the region. Helmed by some of the most engaging storytellers in Asia today, these films show Asia in all its diversity – taking viewers through lush landscapes and gritty urban skylines to experience each country’s unique cultural nuances and social concerns.

Screenings and discussions of the Global Lens Collection will be held at the UP Film Institute on September 10, 11 and 12. Admission is free. For film schedules, please contact 926 3640 (UP Film Institute) or 7524374 (Asia Society).

The Global Lens Film Series

September 10:

4pm, Ishmael Bernal Galley, cocktail opening

5pm, UPFI Cine Adarna: Border Café (Iran, 2005, Kambozia Partovi)

7pm, UPFI Cine Adarna: Buffalo Boy (Vietnam, 2004, Nguyen-Vô Nghiem-Minh)

September 11:

5pm, UPFI Cine Adarna: Of Love and Eggs (Indonesia, 2004, Garin Nugroho)

7pm, UPFI Cine Adarna: Dam Street (China, 2005, Li Yu)

September 12:

4:30 pm, UPFI Videotheque: The Bet Collector (Philippines, 2006, Jeffrey Jeturian)

6pm, Ishmael Bernal Gallery: Global Lens Forum with Prof. Patrick Campos and

Mr. Jeffrey Jeturian; followed by a screening of

Let the Wind Blow (India, 2004, Partho Sen-Gupta)

The Global Lens Collection

Border Café (Iran, 2005, Kambozia Partovi)

A young widow takes over her late husband's truck stop café, keeping hidden in the kitchen so as not to cause a scandal in Iran's conservative society. But her brother-in-law, out of familial obligation, wants to take her as a wife and also take over the café. Meanwhile a Greek trucker who is a frequent café customer, is slowly entranced - at first by her sublime cooking ability, and then by her.

Buffalo Boy (Vietnam, 2004, Nguyen-Vô Nghiem-Minh)

In this powerful coming-of-age story set in rural 1940s Vietnam, a young man takes up with a rough band of nomadic buffalo herders and discovers freedom, violence and love - but also secrets about his past that will change his life forever.

Dam Street (China, 2005, Li Yu)

In the early–1980s, Xiao Yun—a sixteen year–old girl living in small riverside town in China—discovers she is pregnant. In the aftermath, her boyfriend leaves her, and she gives birth and is then forced to put her child up for adoption. Ten years later, Xiao Yunn is reduced to working as a singer in a local song and dance troupe. And her only real companion is Xiao Yong, a fiercely affectionate boy who protects her from the critical eyes of the community until a marriage proposal discovers the limits of their friendship, and the depth of her unresolved past.

Let the Wind Blow (India, 2004, Partho Sen-Gupta)

At the height of nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan, Arjun and his best friend, Chabia, weigh their options for the future against the reality of life on the streets of Mumbai. Enticed by the promise of wealth and opportunity in the Persian Gulf, Chabia is eager to leave his job as a mechanic. But for Arjun, who must finish college and care for his mother, the decision is not so easy in director Partho Sen-Gupta's gritty, apocalyptic interpretation of Krishna's counsel to Arjuna, from the Bhagavad Gita.

Of Love and Eggs (Indonesia, 2004, Garin Nugroho)

The ever-surprising Garin Nugroho, angered by a Muslim cleric's call for the banning of a comedy for teenagers, responds by making a censor-proof movie about a working-class community in Jakarta during the Lebaran holiday. Shot entirely in the studio), it lovingly recreates the tone, style and pastel hues of an Indonesian comedy from the heyday of the studio system. his film brings this gentle humor to complex relationships between parents and children, and to social and religious issues of life in and around a Jakarta mosque, through the eyes and voices of children, and the powerful imagery of a prayer rug, young love—and eggs.

The Bet Collector (Philippines, 2006, Jeffrey Jeturian)

Amy, the family matriarch, makes ends meet by running a small convenience store out of her home. But in a struggling economy customers are scarce, and without the help of her husband or pregnant daughter, she is forced to supplement the family income by collecting bets for an illegal numbers game. In this starkly realistic narrative, director Jeffrey Jeturian presents a captivating portrait of a once-proud woman, haunted by memories of a dead son and hounded by the police, and her fragile and lonely life as a kubrador (bet collector) on the streets of Manila.

###

About Asia Society

Asia Society in the Philippines was established in 1999 with a mission to promote understanding of Asia through education. Asia Society presents the uniqueness and diversity of Asian cultures through lectures, exhibitions, films, seminars, conferences, and travel study tours. Asia Society Philippines is a non-profit foundation accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and is supported by membership contributions from foundations, institutions, corporations, and individuals. All donations made to Asia Society Philippines are tax deductible.

To become involved in Asia Society projects, please call (632)7524374 or (632)8108983

The University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) is the first and only degree-granting academic film institution in the country. It is also the only Philippine-member of the International Association of Film and Television Schools (CILECT). For inquiries on events and screenings, contact UPFI at 926-2722/926-3640.

31 August 2008

half down, half to go

it's the last day of august, thank goodness. more than half of the year is done and only the -ber months are left to contend with.

it was a whirlwind of a month. as a lot of lez friends mentioned, there's a sort of break-up season here lately this month. i wonder why.

but yes, i belong to that population that experienced it. the first week was supposed to mark one anniversary (which seemed unremembered) but i found myself cutting it off on the second week. on the third, i rethought it but as i still faced a big, hard and wooden fence, i decided against it. nevermore, to quote edgar allan poe.

indeed. to quote the raven, nevermore.

so here we are.

strange to be sharing this with you all. i dunno.

but as ate shao said, yes, everyday is still a lovely day, kahit single. ayuz. syempre may kasamang plugging aney! go durian dalanghita hehehe!

KERI!

now back to regular programming.

*

half of the heavy work that started last year was over yesterday. it's the upcentennialdigitalfilmcompet. haggard. yesterday, we finally conducted the screening and judging of entries. haggard ever.

but we're happy with the results.

because of that, we decided to unwind and make tuhog another meeting na rin na kasama pa rin sa work load sa theater. workshop season is nearing na kasi, kay we're all preparing for it na.

hay kapuy...

baket bucket? basta ba!

pero masaya nung gabi kasi we decided to unwind nga. while the rest of you folks were in the eheads reunion concert (na haggard din pala kinalabasan, as mama mlou pointed out that people were walking like zombies!) e dun na lang kami nag-happy hour and beer buckets galore sa conspi.

teacher teta and lola libay

as usual, my kabisyo trio plus one were there, at ayan, nagselebra ng instant bday treat kay sustagen kid hehe. ayuz.

flash! drive

aaah sarap mag-unwind grabe! especially after a hard day's work, sobra. hay...

our lighting preference: natural

it was also nice that cynthia was playing that night. nice to hear da ale sing again, and mama malou perc-ing it up yay! kahit may bandage na ang kamay, hataw pa rin!

gumig saglit si sustagen kid,
kasi nakita ni cynthia ahehehe

silip sa judging kanina.

(l-r) with direk jeff jeturian, manunuri ng pelikulang pilipino roland tolentino
and manyunyugi ng pelikulang panget bayli leaflens heeheehee

lafang galore lang din. one thing na okay sa upfi talaga e we heart food, so much hehe. kung may budget! salamat sa doray's kitchen hehe.

nabunutan na ko ng tinik talaga dito. hay... okay, awards night na lang and i am ready to face baguio naaaaaaaaaaaa! o la unionnnnnnnnnnnn! or both!!!!!!!

sama ka?

27 August 2008

only at UPFI: film premiere of "The Thank You Girls" by Bebs Gohetia

let's support charliebebs "bebs" gohetia's first full-length directorial debut. student namin si bebs sa upfi. originally, semi-finalist itong film na ito sa last cinemalaya pero it didn't make the final cut. so heto at tinapos pa rin niya. watch tayong lahat.

mahalin ang sariling atin. tangkilikin ang pelikulang pilipino, lalo na't tungkol ito sa mga taong tulad natin na naisasantabi ng lipunan dahil sa nagmamahal tayo ng taliwas sa kinaugalian ng nakararami.

go.

i so heart the poster design :)

see you thursday!

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A Fabulous Journey with “The ‘Thank You’ Girls”

In gay lingo, beauty pageant candidates who do not make it as semi-finalists are called "backstage

beauties", "clappers" or "thank you girls".

The writer of the box-office hit "Daybreak" and Asian Film Awards nominee Charliebebs “Bebs” Gohetia ventures into his first full-length directorial debut with a fun and funny gay film about beauty pageant losers in 'The ‘Thank You’ Girls” (TYG).

TYG is an interesting, intelligent comedy about six dysfunctional gay beauty pageant veterans who embark on a journey from their hometown Davao City to Cagayan de Oro City to join a big contest riding in a loudly colored orange jeep.

This indie film provides a breath of fresh air from the usual gay films released this year about tragedy and sex. Shot for ten days in the breathtaking landscapes of Davao , Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro, Bebs used nonprofessional Visayan actors for the film, most of them real beauty pageant contestants in Davao .

"In TYG, crossdressing gays are not the subject of ridicule but are portrayed as intelligent, strong individuals who have dreams, aspirations and personal issues like anybody else. This wonderful, colorful side of gayness is rarely explored in films and I hope that after watching TYG, the audience will be more understanding and more accepting of how diverse the world is", Bebs says.

Aside from being Bebs' first full length film, TYG offers other firsts. This is the first production venture of New York based film outfit Brooklyn Park Pictures, the first line producing job of renowned indie director Adolfo Alix, Jr., and the first movie to use Visayan gay lingo as its language.

"What's unique about the film is that it transcends gender preferences and sexuality. Gays will love TYG for its fabulous costumes and its empowering message. Women will love it for its wit. Straight men will learn from it," comments James R. Hohl, the film’s executive producer.

TYG has already been invited to compete at an international film festival in September. But before that, Filipinos will have a chance to watch its world premiere with tagalog subtitles on August 28, 2008, at the UP Cine Adarna (formerly UP Film Center ) at 6:30pm. Tickets are 100php each.

UP Film Institute this September: relax go see queer and classic movies

UP Film Institute this September

September would be another hectic month for UP Film Institute’s screenings.

The Anniversary of Movies; Clash of Cultures/War of the Worlds; Screenings for Film Academy’s Luna Awards; Global Lens Film Series are just few of the month’s variety of programs.

A highlight is the awards night for the UP Centennial Digital Video and Photo Competition.

Apart from main cinema engagement are parallel Videotheque offerings.

CINE ADARNA

Main Cinema Engagement:

Sept 1 Mon

No End to Pink: La mujer de mi hermano (My Brother’s Wife) 2:30/5/7 p.m.

Sept 5 Fri

5:30 p.m. No End to Pink: Adam & Steve

7:30 p.m. No End to Pink: Boy Culture

Sept 6 Sat

2 p.m. No End to Pink: Adam & Steve

5 p.m. No End to Pink: Adam & Steve

7 p.m. No End to Pink: Boy Culture

Sept 8 Mon