25 at 2015

OMG, quarter life crisis. 

Kidding! 

But seriously, it's ringing 2015 in a few hours, and I'm turning 25 in a few days. And I couldn't feel more excited, and afraid at the same time. 

Ask why? Because although 2014 have brought me new experiences--I've went to new places, and met new faces--the year passed rather insignificantly in general. But I am not complaining. I'm even very thankful for everything that has happened in my personal life, family and relationship, and of course my journalism career. 

This is, in a way, an acceptance. That even if 2014 became so-so, 2015 I promise will pave way for greater things. This is the year, and the age, that I will get closer to my other, and definitely bigger dream. 

That's why I am excited and afraid altogether. I pray to God, who has always been so kind and giving, to guide and help me. May things fall into their respective places. 

To 2014, I am saying goodbye to you with no regrets. 

And to 2015, I am ready for you so you better be good! 

Discovering Bohol after the earthquake-Part 2

(Conclusion)

After getting familiar with many of Bohol's more popular sights--like the Chocolate Hills, its tarsiers, and the heritage churches--more adventures await first-time visitors of the province. 

As experienced in the "Countryside Tour" by CCT.168 Travel and Tours Corp., the Visayan island has a rich biodiversity, which many local communities have learned to treasure by showcasing its beauty. At same time, they also protect it and earn from it altogether! 

I believe Bohol is one of the best proofs of how eco-tourism can uplift the lives of people. See, it's an example of a beneficial relationship between human and Mother Earth. 

Appreciating nature

A cruise along Bohol's Loboc River

One of Bohol's most famed eco-destination is its Loboc River, a scenic 11-kilometer stretch of deep green freshwater reflecting the lush forests surrounding it. And what makes the attraction unique to Bohol is that the scenic river can be cruised and enjoyed on board floating restaurants.

Filipinos love to eat, especially when boodle style!

Usually, traditional Filipino food is served in a buffet style by different floating restaurants but for the media group, a fun and delicious boodle fight was arranged. Savored were pork humba, grilled seafood, sotanghon guisado (sautéed noodles), chicken inasal, grilled vegetables and hefty servings of rice. Appetizers and desserts were also prepared. 

At the end of lunch and the three-kilometer cruise going inland, waterfalls await at the base of the mountain. A floating viewing deck is available to snap some shots. If you're lucky, there may be locals who will give you a good photo opportunity like this!

My favorite photo from my 3-day Bohol trip

On the way back to the floating restaurants’ port was a quick stop at the riverside Cotozan Balsa Performers Association for songs and dances from the Loboc community.

Touristy thing. 

While Loboc River is best experienced by day, its counterpart Abatan River is magical by night. 

Running along the towns of Cortes, Maribojoc, Balilihan, Antequera and Catigbian, Abatan is Bohol’s third largest watershed. 

It is famous for thousands of fireflies that live in mangroves. Every night, bandong, or small boat, goes to parts of the river for firefly watching.

To further understand nature, our tour guide Joshue Hinay also took us to the Punta Cruz Watchtower in Maribojoc. There, one can see how the earthquake thrust the seafloor previously submerged in water. After the natural phenomenon, about 5 kilometers-stretch of the southwestern coastline was extended to as much as 50 meters. 

The view from Punta Cruz shows how the earthquake thrust up
the seafloor previously submerged in water

For a culinary experience that is also close to nature, enjoy a dampa-style dining outside Tagbilaran’s Manga Market selling fresh seafood bounty from Bohol’s seas.

Panglao’s wonders

Bohol's tourism industry has come a long way. It started off as a diving spot for Europeans as early as the 1980s. By the 90s, the province became a side trip for tourists of nearby Cebu. By the turn of the 20th century, it finally became a stand-alone destination.

Today, the province has opened up not only to the rest of the country but also to the world thanks to its accessibility, as well as its many accommodations ranging from affordable to luxurious.

Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort offers privacy and quiet

For the DOT fam tour, media participants were billeted at the Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort in Panglao Island, which is on the southwestern tip of the island.

Bluewater Panglao's cozy restaurant invites guests
to have a filling breakfast before a busy day tour

Unlike those situated along the island’s famous Alona Beach—also called the “Little Boracay”—Bluewater Panglao offers privacy set amidst a tropical paradise and white-sand beach. Its well-appointed 54 rooms reflect the traditional but sophisticated Filipino design by artist, furniture designer and craftsman Benji Reyes.

Complementing the overall experience is a restaurant offering international and local fare, a poolside bar, the signature Amuma Spa of the hotel chain, and sparkling swimming pools.

The resort also houses a warm and caring staff that makes it one’s “home-away-from-home” when in Bohol.

On why stay in Panglao instead of the mainland, Joshue pointed out its proximity to Bohol’s countryside destinations, like the Loboc and Abatan Rivers. Connected by two bridges to the mainland, it takes about 30 minutes by private or public transport to get to Tagbilaran City, and one to two hours to reach other attractions like the Chocolate Hills. 

Panglao is also the best starting point to the famous diving spots for underwater adventures. One can go hopping from one island to the next, including Pamilacan, Balicasag, and Virgin islands.

Pamilacan Island is home to two sea sanctuaries
that give a glimpse of just how colorful Bohol's waters are 

The media group was able to explore Pamilacan Island, home to two sea sanctuaries. Through snorkeling, I was able to get a glimpse of how colorful Bohol’s waters are. 

The merienda prepared by the locality

An authentic merienda, featuring boiled earth crops and sweetened fruits paired with the locality’s corncob coffee, was also prepared. 

Pamilacan Island is 45 minutes away by pump boat from Bluewater Panglao. The beach resort also arranges and offers island activities, diving, boat tours, fishing, and dolphin or whale watching, among others.

Another discovery at Panglao was the Hinagdanan Cave, discovered by a farmer during the pre-colonial era to be lying quietly underneath his farm. Then, only two crevices in the roof’s cave served as entrance with bamboos as hagdan (ladders), thus the name.

In modern times, a bigger entrance was made when a big tree was uprooted. Concrete steps were built for tourists to easily come and go. Once inside, there is a hidden crystal clear lagoon with eight-feet deep of brackish water.

A beautiful ending

To conclude the three-day Bohol visit, hosts from DOT together with our local guide, brought the media group to a day tour in the Bohol Bee Farm, also in Panglao.

The Bohol Bee Farm opened in early 2000s as a guesthouse-cum-restaurant serving owner Vicky Wallace’s sought-after cooking. Today, it has grown to a 4-hectare property with villas, swimming pools, organic greenhouse farming, and complementary livelihood and pasalubong centers.

Enter the Bohol Bee Farm!

But despite all its progress, its highlight remains to the restaurant that still serves the recipes of the owner, who also concocts all other edible products—from dips to ice creams—sold in the property.

For the media group to have a filling lunch before leaving Bohol, the farm prepared a buffet of its favorites: organic garden salad, Cabcab appetizer, seafood soup, grilled fish, honeyglazed chicken, spare ribs, seafood lasagna, organic red rice, and homemade breads, dips and ice creams.

(Clockwise from top left) Braised spare ribs, Cabcab with pesto and green tomato,
 seafood soup and grilled fish

No trip is complete without pasalubong-buying. The best place to get souvenirs and delicacies is at Apronia Souvenier Shop near the Tagbilaran Airport.

Be it something historical, cultural, environmental or gastronomical—beautiful Bohol truly has it all. 

(Text originally published for The Manila Times. All photos are mine, taken using Nokia Lumia 1520.)

Discovering Bohol after the earthquake-Part 1

When a 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Bohol on October 15, 2013, many feared that the island's eco-tourism will suffer greatly as death and devastation were reported internationally through heartbreaking images. 

Since the province is now considered one of the best destinations in the country today, the greatest question back then was, "Have you ever been to Bohol?" 

If you answered no, then too bad for you. 

Unfortunately, I was one of those who answered a regretful no. With a heavy heart, I'd think to myself, I should have traveled to the Visayan island way before the earthquake to fully see its beauty. 

Finally from October 1 to 3—two weeks before the earthquake’s first anniversary—I was given the chance to discover Bohol, representing The Manila Times in a familiarization tour sponsored by the Department of Tourism. 

And what I realized was that contrary to belief, Bohol is fast recovering from one of its most difficult ordeals. More importantly, it has remained as beautiful as before with culture and nature melting together in one destination. 

This is my first-timer, firsthand perspective of Bohol. 

(Text originally published for The Manila Times. All photos are mine taken using Nokia Lumia 1520.)

First-timers’ list
The Chocolate Hills and the Philippine tarsiers are always included in the must-see checklist of Bohol first-timers. This is why our tour guide, Joshue Hinay, presented his province’s most famous stars in the best possible ways. 

First was the natural encounter with the tarsiers, the world’s smallest prosimian, sub-order specie of the primates but million years older than monkeys. 

The little creature with amusing features

While many tourist photos circulating the Internet show them posing with or even touching the creature, Hinay discouraged these practices. For him, visitors must opt to go to the 8-hectare Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary located in the town of Corella. Built and sponsored by the non-profit Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc., the sanctuary aims to conserve the Philippine tarsier and its habitat. 

There, Carlito “Lito” Pizarras is waiting to impart his knowledge about the Philippines tarsiers, which he began studying at the age of 13. Now 60 years old, Pizarras continues to learn from the interesting creatures by serving as the sanctuary’s field supervisor since day 1. 

The 'Tarsier Man', Lito Pizarras

His dedication has earned him the title “Tarsier Man,” as well the inclusion of his name to the scientific name of the Philippine tarsier—Tarsius Carlito syrichta. 

Pizarras greeted the media group and shared tidbits of information about the tarsier. According to him, at 4 centimeters max in height, tarsier is a solitary and territorial animal that lives within a 50-square meter area, and hunts within a 1-hectare zone. Being nocturnal, it sleeps by day and hunts by night to eat its primary food, insects. 

After this, an in-house tour guide brought the visitors to the tarsiers, which are resting by then in its natural habitat. Touching is prohibited while noise must be reduced as to not disturb or stress the creatures. Photography is allowed but without flash. 

In parting, Pizarras shared his hopes to further increase the population of Philippine tarsiers in Bohol, which are now over a hundred. 

After the tarsier encounter, up next was the Chocolate Hills experience. While you can always view the wonders of nature from the government-owned and -ran viewing deck—operational again after the earthquake—there is a new place in Bohol that is offering a different perspective.

I love adventures!

This is the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP), a well-built eco-park located in the first barangay upon entering Carmen, if coming from Tagbilaran City. 

“Situated in the most scenic of sites, CHAP offers a fresh angle on the panorama of the hills through its adrenaline-pumping thrills and scenic nature trails,” shared Jing Velasco, the managing director of the property. 

Indeed, visitors of CHAP—just like some of the adventurous members of the media tour—will get their “high” on CHAP’s The Rush, a 550-meter bike zip hanging 150-feet above the ground. While biking, let go of your fears to appreciate the magnificent view of the Chocolate Hills. 

That's me enjoying The Rush! (Photo by Joy Felizardo of gastronomybyjoy.com)

Besides The Rush, CHAP also offers various rope activities like canopy walk, Burma planks, and mini version for kids, among others. To commune with Mother Earth, there are hike trails, a Serpentarium, an animal interaction area, and a camping site.  

Opened only in April 2013, CHAP is owned and operated by Manila-based inventors who want to complement and not compete with what Bohol already has. 

CHAP is well-integrated with its natural surrounding

Velasco explained, “Our philosophy is that everything that we put up in the complex must complement Bohol, environmentally and economically. First, whatever we do is approved by DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] to keep the natural environment of the hills. And second, whatever attractions we have and will have in the future, Bohol doesn’t have yet. This is to encourage tourists to spend and return here.”

Soon, CHAP will launch its Zorb activities. In the future, it aims to build rooms for accommodation. 

Heritage churches 
Bohol is home to some of the Philippines’ oldest churches so it was unfortunate that many were damaged by the earthquake. Some even fell to the ground.

Considered as heritage sites and national treasures by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, these churches contribute greatly to the diverse tourism of the province. 

But as Hinay said, as a way of "turning something bad into good,” he along with fellow tour guides are still bringing tourists to the damaged churches. 

As part of his “Countryside Travel Package”—offered by CCT.168 Travel and Tours Corp.—Hinay brought the media group to the Baclayon Church of Bohol. 

The Baclayon Church

The coral stones of the church collected so that hopefully,
it will to be put up again during the restoration process (Photo by the author)

Officially called the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, it established Christianity in the island when the first Spanish missionaries arrived in 1595. At the place where the first visita was erected now stood the Baclayon Church with destroyed entrance and bell tower. Thankfully, the rest of the Jesuit-turned-Augustinian church was left standing, as well as its old rectory serving as a museum and a school.

The museum containing the church's old relics, statues and paraphernalia is back to operations for tourists, while students have also returned to school. As of the moment, Baclayon community hears mass in a makeshift area just outside their church.

Hinay said that Baclayon Church, along with other churches that can be restored, are now undergoing data-gathering and digital-mapping done by respective local dioceses and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

The Loboc Church

Also seen was the Church of San Pedro in Loboc, the second oldest church in Bohol. Originally built in 1602, the Loboc church was also wrecked like Baclayon but even worse as a part of its roof and walls in the middle part also caved in. 

Last visited was one of the least-damaged, the Sta. Monica Church in Alburquerque, saved by a recent restoration started before the calamity. Not seen, however, were the 17th-century churches of Loon and Maribojoc, both completely turned into rubble. 

The altar and part of the ceiling painting of Alburquerque Church

According to Hinay, the reason why many of the old structures collapsed was because the 2013 quake was unique in a sense that its movement was upward and downward. Because the churches were built hundreds of years ago, they didn't have the technology to be protected from such.

On October 15, all standing churches of Bohol rang their bells at 8:12 a.m. for 33 seconds significantly marking the exact time and length of the earthquake. Afterward, simultaneous masses at 8:15 a.m. were also held.

To be continued...

'Rurouni Kenshin 3': May the legend not end here

It felt so good it was bad. 

That's exactly how I felt when the last frame of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends--a close-up of the beautiful and peaceful face of Kenshin Himura--became black. Could it be the last time I'll see it in big screen?

As the epic conclusion to director Keishi Otomo's trilogy, there's nothing else I and the legion other fans around the globe could ask for. Except for, to hopefully wait for the return of Kenshin, effectively portrayed by actor Takeru Satoh, to big screen.

Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura
 (ALL PHOTOS FROM WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

From the first to the third film, the Rurouni Kenshin saga made a genius and breathtaking live-action adaptation of the manga by author and illustrator Nobuhiro Watsuki. 

In Rurouni Kenshin 3, the much-anticipated battle between Kenshin and his nemesis Shishio Makoto (Tatsuya Fujiwara) takes place, as conclusion to the manga's Kyoto Arc. It opens right after the theatrical run of the second installment Kyoto Inferno.

Will the master teach his disciple the ultimate sword style?

RK3 begins with Kenshin being saved by his master Hiko Seijuro (Fukuyama Masaharu) who fortunately founds him on the shore after being separated with Kaoro Kamiya (Emi Takei) in the vast sea.  

With a mission to stop Shishio's evil plan to overrun Japan, Kenshin begs his master to teach him the ultimate style of their sword technique.

But even before he gets to face Shishio, Kenshin must also defeat other tough opponents including Shinomori (Yusuke Iseya) and Sojiro Seta (Ryunosuke Kamiki). The protagonish also gets to deal with a bunch of Tokyo Police for a light break in the overall brutal and bloody film.

Speaking of action, credit and praise must be given to Kenji Tanigaki, who was responsible for it! Working previously for Chinese action star Donnie Yen, he was able to make legit samurai action that Hollywood can never copy.

His vision, coupled with Otomo's, made American contemporary films with samurai themes like The Last Samurai and 47 Rounin amateurish in terms of sword fighting.

Kenshin vs. Sojiro. Can Kenshin match Sojiro's speed?

For me, Tanigaki's work is best seen not in the final battle between Kenshin and Shishio, rather between Kenshin and Sojiro, who is the considered the speediest samurai in Japan. While the two first faced off in RK2, their fight in RK3 was even more jaw-dropping. Sometimes, the moves were just too fast they're hard to follow. 

Another must-watch is the square-off between the Master Hiko and disciple Kenshin. 

With all these said, I'm sure Ruruoni Kenshin producers are so proud of creating a breakthrough in action cinema. In production notes released by Warner Bro. Philippines, it said: "It’s not just the actors doing wire work on the Rurouni Kenshin sets: the cameras are suspended from wires, too. . . The camera moving together with the performers brings a heightened sense of realism to the scene."

It added: "Rurouni Kenshin is an action movie with a unique sense of timing. The secret to this is ‘point of view’, the relationship between the camera and the actors at any particular time.  This makes for tremendously absorbing shots that put the audience right in the thick of the action."

Executive producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai also noted: "In the new films, the action has more of a 'documentary' quality to it in that the actors are doing more of their own stunts."

So sugoi to Takeru and the rest of his co-actors, particularly Munetaka Aoki who plays the role of Sanosuke Sagara, Kenshin's trusted ally. Why? Because in his Manila visit last month, he revealed that he lost a tooth during shooting! 

All his efforts did pay off in the RK3 because he gratefully provided the comedic reliefs just like in the first two movies. I don't know, for some reason, every time he was in a scene, no matter how action-packed it appeared, it would just elicit laughter from the viewers! So that even if I was not supposed to laugh, I would! Hahaha!

Bless you Munetaka Aoki, aka Sanosuke for providing the laughs

Of course, acting wise, one cannot ignore the compassion and dedication Takeru, our Samurai X in the flesh, gave his character. He breathed life into Kenshin and made it his own. 

I would never forget how he described his relationship with the character when he was here in Manila. He said, "Even now that filming is over, I’m still reacting to Kenshin. As I got deeper and deeper into the character, I became more and more attached to him. It’s like he’s a close friend who lives inside of me. He’s a friend that I love, that I want to protect, that I don’t want to let go. That’s how strongly I feel about him.”

For that, domo arigato Takeru-san. You made every fan girls and fan boys' dreams come true. 

Kaoro happy to see Kenshin alive

As how Kenshin and Kaoru will be reunited again in RK3, viewers must have to wait until the later part. But no fuss because they will be rewarded, even if display of affection is very limited. No hug, moreover a kiss, this time. Perhaps this is being true to the Meiji Era when women are still very much reserved. 

Takeru, Munetaka, Emi and the director all joined the Manila-promotional tour of RK2 and 3 last month. 

Ruruoni Kenshin is indeed ending soon. But I am confident that if we fans, clamored for another arc of the manga to be made into movie(s) too, so strong and passionate, producers will heed to our call once more. 

A week before its showing, I was invited to the advance screening of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends by Warner Bro. Philippines. It officially opens in nationwide cinemas on September 24. 

The epic battle between Kenshin and his evil nemesis, Shishio 

Here are more interesting trivia from the prod notes of back-to-back Kyoto Inferno and The Legend Ends:

• A budget of 3 billion yen. A six-month shoot. A cast of 5,000.
• There were more than 30 locations scattered over 10 different prefectures in Japan, from Yamagata in the north to Kumamoto in the south
• Kenshin alone had over 100 costumes. The changing colors of his costumes play a part in the story, expressing his changing emotional state. He begins at the Kamiya Dojo in red, changing to navy blue as he comes closer to his original "Battosai" killer self, and then to the white of atonement. By the end he is back to his original red.
• Approximately 2,000 logs were used in Shishio's powerful, first appearance. The fiery blast furnace symbolizes Shishio’s gigantic ambition, and the incredible power with which he is prepared to discard everything and advance. 
• "Purgatory," the giant warship, where the story comes to its climax, is a truly enormous set that took five months to plan and build. 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, it is modeled from the largest French, British, and Russian battleships of the time.
• On why show the two-part Kyoto Arc one after the other, executive producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai  explained, "Of course, if the first film hadn't been a success, there would be no second one. But the fact is that even at that point, I wanted to make a sequel. [So] when we started, we realized that there was too much volume in the manga’s ‘Kyoto Inferno’ section to make it into one movie. Since we were following up on a big hit, we thought, 'What the hell, let’s make the sequel into a Part 1 and Part 2.'" 

May director Keish Otomo and producers
team up again for a new Ruruoni Kenshin saga!

Capitol Girl for a Night

In the media industry, the annual media appreciation and costume party hosted by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Group is one of the most anticipated events. 

For one, it is the only few times that the usually casual and laid-back media folks are given the chance to dress up and even look differently--whether glamorous, extravagant or just out-of-the-ordinary!

And another, it gives practitioners of the industry--new or established--the chance to get together with colleague friends, whether they were just together at a recent press event, or more so if they have not seen each other for a long time. 

Lastly, as thanksgiving to their supportive media friends, the hotel group raffles amazing accommodation prizes in its local and international properties. 

I debuted (artista? haha!) at the annual gathering in 2012 when the theme was the 1920s. With little budget and less skills, I must say I was successful and became a legit-looking flapper girl! Hihi! Sadly, I don't have a decent photo . But what made my first time more memorable was that I won a two-night stay at Shangri-La Boracay. Amazing!

This year, the theme was Hunger Games! It's so exciting! 

My colleague at The Manila Times, Sheila, became my partner in crime all throughout the planning up until the execution of our looks. (Our editor was greatly missed btw).

The two of us decided to pull out a "Capitol People" look, not particularly Effie Trinket, who was the most prominent Capitol person in the film. But the vibe and the garb they exuded during the Hunger Games opening or the Victors Party inspired us. 

On the red carpet! :) (PHOTO BY RAFAEL ZULUETA)

With only a week of planning, we began by scouring the best store one could get unusual clothes fit for a costume--the ukay ukay! Believe me, this is effective for those who doesn't want to spend so much for something they would wear only once. 

Sheila and I were successful to get weird looking garments each for P35!!! Woot woot! Her's was the super cool, reversible coat she was wearing. Mine was a magenta dress with Avant-Garde sleeves. 

Yes, that doesn't look like the one I was wearing coz it wasn't. Right after I bought the dress (from HK), I remembered the baby violet chiffon skirt of my prom dress, worn only once almost 10 years ago! 

Remember, bright colors were very prominent at the Capitol. So having a pop of violet in my entire attire was crucial in achieving the Capitol look. 

However, the original skirt reaches up to my ankle, so I sent it over to my seamstress aunt, Tita Amy, for rush repair! 

She did an amazing job, thus the below-the-knee length, and the semi-billowy effect. It was perfect! 

And then for the top, I was so lucky to have in my closet a Pat Santos cropped blouse with over-sized sleeves and geometric prints. The way it was in black and white also complemented the colorful skirt. So it was statement on top, and color at the bottom. 

To complete my ensemble, I bought a bonggang headdress from my trusted specialty store in Market! Market! Taguig. It's where I brought my nice floral accent at the 2012 Shang party. 

This time, I got a big, magenta headpiece with feathers and a big stone in the middle! This was to make up for the lack of wild and colored wig because my hair now is short and jet black. It was the same shade as my peep toe wedge to make a match. 

Finally, I wore my ever-favorite Leg Love leggings for more drama, plus a black gloves to a formal touch. 

For accessories, I borrowed Mama's beaded dangling earrings with the same colors of my entire account, lots of rings, and a golden-studded black clutch by SM. 

Here's my final attire: 

What do you think?! :)

The make-up was another thing! But as I always do, I just watch plenty of tutorials in YouTube and then choose something that will best represent the theme. This time I chose two because I did not just mine but also Sheila's. 

For our Hunger Games Victors Party, I learned from Google pics that there was a lot of colors also! But one YouTube video pointed out that there was a lot of blending out of eyeshadow, which I successfully did on mine. For Sheila, I opted to give her a wild and bright blush on. Also, that one make-up artist said that Capitol People also loved blending. So the colors of our make-up reflected our clothes. 

This is our most decent shot after the make-up session: 

Smile!

I hope you all enjoy reading this, the way I enjoyed the process of dressing and doing make-up. Because, allow me to reveal, that it's my wildest dream to be a stylist and make-up artist! 

Controversies and celebrations at Cinemalaya 2014 awards

(Story originally published for The Manila Times.)

Past and present filmmakers of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival expressed “violation of rights” over the online upload of 2012 and 2013 competition films over the weekend.

Including last year’s Best Film director, Hannah Espia (Transit, 2013), and the first year’s Best Film director, Auraeus Solito (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, 2005), the filmmakers took to the stage of the festival’s awards night on Sunday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

After accepting the New Breed Category’s Best Screenplay award for director Giancarlo Abrahan V’s Dagitab, Espia said, “I want to express my heartbreak over the upload of our films on YouTube . . . To see our films on YouTube is a violation of our rights as artists and filmmakers.” 

Espia, who co-produced Dagitab, added that she and fellow filmmakers are calling for a dialogue. “We cannot stay silent,” she ended her speech.

Meanwhile, Solito, who now goes by the name Kanakan Balintagos, read an official statement from the first batch of Cinemalaya filmmakers.

“We are in solidarity with our fellow filmmakers whose artistic rights were violated when their films were uploaded on YouTube and on the Cinemalaya website without their final consent,” he said in between presenting awards.

It was on Saturday that the 2012 and 2013 full-length films were uploaded at the Cinemalaya website and the personal YouTube account of a certain Janssen Agbada.

In a statement posted by Cinemalaya Foundation in its Facebook account, it said, “Only half an hour ago, we got wind of the fact that Cinemalaya films were uploaded by Janssen Agbada, technical personnel of the Cinemalaya website yesterday. We apologize for this situation which we had no idea of nor we are aware of what or who caused or gave instruction for her to upload the films.”

The films were then immediately removed from the website and the YouTube account was disabled.

But at the awards, Tonyboy Cojuangco, chairman of the Board of Cinemalaya Foundation, claimed responsibility for the act.

In his speech, Conjuangco explained that for the past 10 years, he had struggled to subsidize Cinemalaya. And in the next years, they are predicting that the festival will reach a “plateau.”

In search for ways to make the festival sustainable, Cojuangco gathered a group of experts for discussion. And the uploading of films online was what “they thought was the answer.”

“[By] getting people to get hooked to Cinemalaya product. And the only way to get that is by giving them the chance to watch,” he explained. “It’s either we upload everything, or we upload nothing at all.”

So, he added that they decided to upload all films they had still rights on. Cinemalaya has rights of a film for three years only. 

The foundation, led by its president Nestor Jardin, also apologized to the filmmakers in contention.

A family affair

Hosted by Ina Feleo and Epi Quizon, the Cinemalaya 2014 Awards Night was a family affair.

Feleo, the daughter of the late Johnny Delgado and Cinemalaya’s very own festival director Laurice Guillen, and Quizon, the son of the late King of Comedy Dolphy, noted that this year’s festival presents some of the most trusted families in the film industry like the O’Haras and the Siguion-Reynas.

Making his big screen return after 14 years in the limelight, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna directed Hari ng Tondo, which won three awards in its Directors Showcase category namely, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor for Robert Arevalo and Best Supporting Actress for Cris Villonco.

Carlitos is the son of Armida Siguion Reyna, and Villonco is his niece.

In accepting the awards, film producer and writer Bibeth Orteza expressed delight to see the return of the “Reyna” logo in the big screen.

Meanwhile, sisters Janice O’Hara and Denise O’Hara of the O’Hara clan accepted the Audience Choice award for their film, Sundalong Kanin, in the New Breed Category.

Nora Aunor wins

For the acting awards, Nora Aunor was the biggest winner of the night for her performance in Hustisya, Joel Lamangan’s film for the Directors Showcase.

Her win was much-anticipated as it was her first time to join the indie film festival. She said, “Sa wakas, nagkaroon din ako ng pelikula sa Cinemalaya [Finally, I had a film at Cinemalaya].”

The Superstar continued, “Patuloy po akong gagawa ng pelikulang makabuluhan. Sa mga kabataan, sana magsilbi itong inspirasyon [I will continue to make meaningful films. I hope that it will serve as an inspiration to the youth].”

Under the New Breed category, Actress Eula Valdez won Best Actress for Dagitab in the New Breed category, while Dante Rivero won Best Actor for 1st ko si 3rd in the Directors Showcase.

While Villonco was named the Best Supporting Actress in Directors Showcase, it was young GMA talent Barbie Forteza who accepted the honor in her category. She was in the film Mariquina.

Best Supporting Actors were Miggs Cuaderno, a Kapuso child actor, for his role in Children’s Show (New Breed), and Nicco Manalo in The Janitor (Directors Showcase).

A special award for Best Ensemble Acting went to the cast of #Y by Gino Santos.

Major awards

The major awards of the films last night were spread out in different films under the three categories.

For the Short Films, young director Kevin Ang won Best Director and Screenplay for his film Lola, while Sari Estrada got the Best Film for Asan si Lolo Me?.

Michael Tuviera also received two awards for Best Director and Screenplay for The Janitor, while Joselito Altarejos got the Best Film honor for Kasal under the Directors Showcase.

Kasal is Altarejos’ last gay-themed film, as he said that he had served his purpose for the LGBT community.

Finally among the New Breed entries, Dagitab won Best Screenplay and Best Director, and Bwaya the Best Film.

In accepting the award, director Francis Xavier Pasion also commented on the issue of uploading. He said, “I only have one word, respect. That filmmakers must respect Cinemalaya and Cinemalaya must respect the filmmakers.”

Kidlat Tahimik was honored the 2014 Gawad Balanghai for being the “Father of Philippine Independent Cinema.”

Full list of winners:

Best Film

New Breed: Bwaya

Directors Showcase: Kasal

Short Feature: Asan si Lolo Mê?

Best Director

New Breed: Giancarlo Abrahan V (Dagitab)

Directors Showcase: Michael Tuviera (The Janitor)

Short Feature - Kevin Ang (Lola)

Best Actor

New Breed: Dante Rivero (1st ko si 3rd)

Directors Showcase: Robert Arevalo (Hari ng Tondo)

Best Actress

New Breed: Eula Valdez (Dagitab)

Directors Showcase: Nora Aunor (Hustisya)

Best Supporting Actor

New Breed: Miggs Cuaderno (Children's Show)

Directors Showcase: Nicco Manalo (The Janitor)

Best Supporting Actress

New Breed: Barbie Forteza (Mariquina)

Directors Showcase: Cris Villonco (Hari ng Tondo)

Best Screenplay

New Breed: Giancarlo Abrahan (Dagitab)

Directors Showcase: Aloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera (The Janitor)

Short Feature: Kevin Ang (Lola)

Special Jury Award

New Breed: K'na the Dreamweaver

Directors Showcase: Hari ng Tondo

Short Feature: The Ordinary Things We Do

NETPAC Award

New Breed: Bwaya

Directors Showcase: Hustisya

Best Editing

New Breed: Gerone Centeno (Children's Show)

Directors Showcase: Tara Illenberger (The Janitor)

Best Production Design

New Breed: Toym Imao (K'na the Dreamweaver)

Directors Showcase: Harley Alcasid (Kasal)

Best Cinematography

New Breed: Neil Daza (Buwaya)

Directors Showcase - Mycko David (Kasal)

Best Sound

New Breed: Jonathan Hee and Bryan Dumaguina (Children's Show)

Directors Showcase - Mike Idioma (The Janitor)

Best Musical Score

New Breed: Erwin Fajardo (Buwaya)

Directors Showcase: Richard Gonzales (Kasal)

Special citation for ensemble acting: Elmo Magalona, Coleen Garcia, Sophie Albert, Kit Thompson, Chynna Ortaleza #Y

2014 Gawad Balanghai: Kidlat Tahimik, "Father of Philippine Independent Cinema"

Audience Choice

New Breed: Sudalong Kanin

Directors Showcase: Hustisya

Best Poster Design: Asintado

Canon's Best Cinematography: Kasal (Mycko David)