
Sorry, but I still can't get over Cinemalaya's 5th, or "Cinemalaya Cinco."
Aside from 2009 being generally the most fruitful magic 10 films,
this batch made me feel I am not alone, in my quest for good films,
and, yes, beer.
After the final screenings, lasting till 1030 pm or 11pm, every night,
there was an instinct, unspoken, to go to the Grill Bar across
the Cultural Center of the Philippines, tackily named "Shrimps Ahoy."
Like overgrown college kids, we talked about films, people,
and other impromptu topics which usually arise after the 3rd bottle,
on our way to intoxication. These topics can be crazy, the more
intoxicated we become.
Outside this world, talking to business people, it's hard to talk
about independent cinema. I feel like a solitary voice in the
middle of a Hollywood-blockbuster-bred desert.
It's hard enough to convince the rest of the world to get
out of their "Transformers" and "The Proposal" menu.
It's harder to convince them to watch independent American films,
harder to convince them to watch local mainstream films,
all the more difficult to pull them to watch an independent Filipino film!
But gradually, they can be convinced.
My brother, who's been away for decades,
shun Filipino films, tagging them as slapping, crying, slapstick movies,
until I sent him a DVD copy of Mark Meily's "Crying Ladies."
He simply said, "wow!"
You can't blame him, he grew up seeing "Insiang"
and "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?",
the 70's Golden Era of Philippine Cinema."
I dare not send him "Supahpapalicious" nor "Enteng Kabisote" DVD's.
Now he's craving for more DVD's of independent films, ranging from
"Magnifico" to "Maximo Oliveros."
Back to the main topic, the filmmakers of Cinemalaya Batch 5,
won't simply let go. There's always a reason to see each other once again.
I invited some to screen their films for Leo Burnett's Anniversary,
rightly so, since it is the official ad agency network for the
past two Cinemalayas (2007 and 2009).
Deep within, I knew it was a reason for me to see
my newfound film soulmates, and a reason to
have the happy-go-lucky drinking sessions once again.
I never dared go to U.P. on a rainy, rush-hour evening,
but I did it twice this month, for the love of films,
and its filmmakers. Again, it's an excuse to drink
the "Shrimps Ahoy" way.
Suddenly, I felt so concerned about their films,
from "Engkwentro's" odyssey to Venice,
to "Dinig Sana Kita's" other screenings,
to "Last Supper's" promise of hitting the mainstream audiences,
to "Sanglaan's" underrated achievement, "Mangatyanan's"
often overlooked beauty and sophistication, and "Nerseri's"
high in spite of its very melancholic story.
Suddenly, I felt like each film, was mine as well.
During the Awards Night, I felt like attending the graduation
rites of the child that I never had. I was teary-eyed
and applauding!
Suddenly, I am concerned about the National Artist's awards.
Luckily, I got to write a story with Ina Feleo and Ricky Davao,
to promote Cinemalaya. These two actors make me feel humbler with their kindness, sincerity, selfless passion, and humility, in spite of their obviously
God-given acting prowess.
Perhaps it's the non-show business nature of independent cinema
which make these film lovers, actors, and makers all the more
true, and of higher integrity.
Don't get me wrong, I have met really famous film makers
and celebrities who are as human as anyone else, as dedicated like any
independent film maker.
But the new breed, it's different, it's like a college entrance exam,
there's the vulnerability if one will make it or not. It's discovery,
and learnings, and small victories, and the first time they felt like this,
that spell the Indie Magic.
It's passion that binds them, a thirst for substance,
true to their film vocation, lacking in other vehicles
which give the money, but it's a venue to unleash the soul,
through true, pure craft, and true artistry.
It's the shunning of fame and limelight, so these are
the types of film enthusiasts who you can drink with,
in street seafood grill bars I never knew existed.
They won't be mobbed by the crowds.
So they can still afford to be in a "people's hangout."
They're drinkers after a hard day's work, like the rest of us.
They really love films, like the rest of me.
And this magic combination will make
me drink everyday, toasting to passion
and cinema, and getting to afford to
talk about everyday life as well.
I don't mind having a bigger beer belly if these
are the people I drink with.
If this Cinemalaya hangover is too belated, and long for some,
to us, it's a hangover we don't mind staying up late to, every night,
and waking up with, to realities of the need to survive.
This life is not really about earning money.
This life is about doing what you really like.
It's about sharing whatever talents God has given us.
And it's really about good old bonding over beer,
the Filipino way. There will always be a need for peanuts
with beer, amongst people with same problems and ideals.
Like coffee and cigarettes, films and beer mix well, very well,
when shared with these gifted ones, who keep their feet on the ground.
And yes, they don't mind getting wet under dripping ceilings,
not found in multiplexes, or victory parties in 5-star hotels, but along the streets,
where realities do exist, and where an industry who imitates life on screen,
never lose touch of their humanity, sans blockbuster fame,
sans red carpets, sans TV ratings, sans the limelight.
Thanks for making me a part of Cinemalaya Cinco.
I love you all as much as I have loved films throughout my life.
Now I am beginning to be as mushy as "Dinig Sana Kita's" Mike Sandejas.
And I am also as "chick-flicky" an addict as Borgy Torre.
What can I do? I am a romantic fool, actually.
And I cherish friendships, old and new.
Thanks Cinemalaya Cinco, for welcoming me to your batch.
Should I shed my Jaclyn Jose tear now?
Let's drink to that again, and again, please? Way until Cinemalaya 10?