By: Nestor Cuartero
JUST A THOUGHT: “Do not judge people by messy car! Some things just have to give.” – Nancy Swan Drew
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PH FILMS IN REBIRTH: Philippine movies are experiencing a rebirth.
More and more films are being made these days, most especially from the so-called independent film sector.
For us, films are films no matter where they come from. It is time we started looking at them as just FILMS, and not segregated by a demarcation line that separates one from the other. Meaning to say, mainstream versus indie.
At the end of the day, aren’t they both films?
The coming weeks and months will witness unfolding of various film festivals in the local scene. There’s TOFARM Film Festival, Pistang Pelikulang Pilipino, Cinemalaya 2017,Cinema One Originals Film Festival, Metro Manila Film Festival.
With an average of eight films per festival, that’s easily 45 to 50 films in one fell swoop. What’s even more encouraging is the wide variety of stories and themes tackled in these new films.
Most of them break new ground, dare to be different as their directors experiment with filmmaking techniques and styles.
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PISO EYES MMFF: These days, it isn’t any more uncommon for young or newbie directors claiming that they’re eyeing the MMFF, the mother of all film festivals in the Philippines, as their target. Yes, even by those coming from the not so well heeled indie sector.
One of them is actor-director Perry Escano, who believes he has a good material at hand, one that can attract wide viewership at the MMFF. Perry is talking about “Ang Sikreto ng Piso”, a film he is currently working on.
Piso is actually Perry’s second film, although his first, “Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa”, has yet to be shown.
Guro is one of nine films taking part in 13th Cinemalaya Film Festival 2017, set at the CCP in August.
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FAMILY COMEDY-DRAMA: “Ang Sikreto ng Piso” (The Secret of the Philippine Peso Coin) is a family-oriented comedy and historical film inspired by actual events on the smuggle of the Philippine peso coin in 2006.
The film, says Perry, actor-turned-director, tells a wholesome, charming, interesting story for the Filipino family perfect during Christmas season.
Quezon City Congressman and actor Alfred Vargas leadsthe cast of Piso. Alfred is also the lead player of “Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa.”
Also in the confirmed cast are Beverly Salviejo, Paul Sy (Home Sweetie Home), Lou Veloso, Akihiro Blanco, Andoy Ranay.
Veteran actor Ernie Garcia plays a key role as well as the project’s supervising producer.
“Ang Sikreto Ng Piso” is produced by MPJ Entertainment Productions and JPP Entertainment, owned by beauty queen and fashion designer Joyce Peña Pilarsky, who also portrays Joey Marquez’s wife in the movie.
