By MELL T. NAVARRO
CALACA CITY, BATANGAS — Nakakatuwa kapag ang alkalde ng isang lungsod ay marunong magpahalaga sa kanyang consitiuents at naniniwala sa arts and culture.
Tulad ni Mayor Sofronio Leonardo “Nas” Ona, Jr. ng Calaca City, Batangas.
First time ng aming CreativeTech Productioms in this brand new “city” (last year lamang ito naging lungsod), kahit na nasa-188th na ang kanilang Araw ng Calaca.
Ang office of the Mayor ang may idea ng 10-day festivities here sa event nilang #CalacatcharaFestival2023 dahil kilala ang Calaca City for its yummy atchara — gawa sa papaya, labong, carrots, etc.
Merong sing & dance contest, volleyball & basketball competition, photo exhibit ng mga artists and photographers, horse back riding, car & motor shows, Miss Calaca, Ms Gay Calaca, agri fair, job fair, parade, etc.
Pero andito ang inyong lingkod mula pa nung May 1, and we will be here (naka-check in kami sa Nap Events Place) until May 9 para sa “The Power of Story: Calaca City Film Festival 2023”.
Kasalukuyan itong ginaganap sa City Auditorium, katabi ng Calaca City Senior High School.
More than 100 short films ang nagsumite sa amin to be considered — pero 23 short films lamang ang lumusot sa LGU Committe na pasok sa “theme” na courage and empowerment.
“This film festival is another first for the City of Calaca. As a community, we wish to embrace various forms of art expression and film making is a very powerful tool to get the message across, especially to our young Calacazens who are exploring different fields as a career path.
“Now that we are a city, we are starting to open up new avenues and opportunities for our Calacazens to enjoy and be exposed to other forms of entertainment but with good value.
“We hope this is the start of bigger things and we aim to continue to support this program in years to come,” opening speech ni Mayor Nas Ona nung Opening Ceremony.
FREE admission ang lahat ng film showings, kahit hindi residente ng Calaca, Batangas.
Until May 9 ito at mayroong screening sked ng 130pm and 630pm on weekdays; 3pm and 630pm on weekends.
Ang inyong lingkod at si Direk Pete Mariano (na aking partner sa CreativeTech Productions) ay nagpapasalamat kami sa Office of the Mayor, kay Chai Reforma, Kelly Austria, Ruth Perez, Janine Buño, ang DepEd Batangas, at lahat ng nag-sumbit na filmmakers!
Tatlo ang tampok na award-winning full length films:
Ang “LSS” (directed by Jade Castro, topbilled by Khalil Ramos at Gabbi Garcia as opening film nung May 1.
Ang “Respeto” (directed by Treb Monteras II, starring Abra) na naging mid-festival film nung May 5.
At closing film ang “Blue Room” ni Direk Ma-an Asuncion Dagñalan, starring JK Lobajo.
We hope na maging annual na ang filmfest na ito. Salamat po sa lahat ng mga Calacazens at mabuhay!
