IN THE MIX BY MIC DIAZ
NOW in its second year, the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) once again brought A-Listers, legendary actors, newcomers, filmmakers and community leaders from our motherland and from the Filipino diaspora in a night filled with glitz and glamor that is few and far between in the history of our local community in Los Angeles last March 7 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
Manila International Film Festival Chairman Omen Ortiz affirms that the festival “aims to achieve recognition and to elevate the standards of the Philippine film industry.” One can clearly recognize the recurring themes of advancing cinema, collaboration, representation and working towards placing the Philippines and Filipinos on a global stage throughout the entire festival.
There’s no doubt Filipinos from all over the world love nostalgia and reminiscing about their favorite actors and films from our native land. By the same token, organizers didn’t fall short of looking back and giving recognition where it’s due. Several awards such as the Visionary Award, Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award, Trailblazer Award, Audience Awards and awards in various categories were bestowed in this special night sponsored by BingoPlus, Megaworld International, Lumiché, Philippine Airlines, Delimondo, NBCUniversal, Golden TV, Birns & Sawyer, Rigor M.D., the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry, Stella Rosa Philippines and Mariposa Global Journeys.
Philippine First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos received the MIFF Visionary Award. A stalwart supporter of the arts and Philippine cinema, the First Lady through the freshly minted Cinegang Inc., shines the spotlight on the Philippine movie industry. In an optimistic message, Araneta-Marcos said, “Seeing our countrymen—regardless of where they are in the world—unite in creativity and passion is a testament to the boundless potential we can achieve when we work together.”
Revered and well-loved actresses such as “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos and the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (Mowelfund) Chairman Boots Anson-Roa; matriarch of Regal Entertainment Mother Lily Monteverde and Philippine National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee were each honored with a Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award.
The festival, coming off the heels of the Los Angeles wildfires, which devastated neighborhoods wherein many of our kababayan resided, honored Filipino-American first responders through a heartfelt mini-documentary shown during the tribute gala.
Winner of the MIFF Audience Best Picture Song of the Fireflies received a $150,000 coproduction package deal from Birns & Sawyer, one of the oldest film equipment rental companies in Hollywood, which is run by its CEO Mari Acevedo. The film was also awarded a Special Recognition Award for promoting Philippine music, arts and culture through the retelling of the inspiring story of the Loboc Children’s Choir.
Faith Healers, produced snd directed by Regina Aquino, which tells the story and migration of early Filipino healthcare professionals in America also received a Special Recognition Award.
Trailblazer Awardees include accomplished actress and singer Tia Carrere who is best known for her roles in Wayne’s World, True Lies and Lilo & Stitch, Nico Santos who is known for his roles in “Superstore” and Crazy Rich Asians. The Debut, which is the first Filipino-American film to be released theatrically nationwide in the U.S., celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with a MIFF Trailblazer Award as well.
The festival also paid a heartfelt tribute to the Queen of Philippine Cinema, late veteran actress Gloria Romero.
Stellar performances graced the MIFF gala stage beginning with Sofronio Vazquez, the first Filipino and Asian winner of The Voice USA, Season 26. A dynamic presentation by singer/songwriter duo, award-winning singer/songwriter Deborah Cox and award-winning musical director Troy Laureta, followed suit with an exhilarating rendition of “Magkasuyo Buong Gabi” originally by OPM icon Rico J. Puno and Elisa Chan. MIFF Best Actress Morisette Amon and co-star MIFF Best Supporting Actress Rachel Alejandro along with the St. Genevieve Choir and Immaculate Heart of Mary Choir capped the unforgettable night.
Echoes of hopefulness and jubilation reverberated throughout the entire festival, throughout the theaters, the lobbies, the red carpets and the hallways—a sign there’s a yearning for the glory days of Philippine cinema and a burning desire for Filipinos to make it on the international scene.
On Philippine Cinema and MIFF
Apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas says, “We are being really loud this time and we are really proud of representing out culture. Production is leveling up. This event looks beautiful. We are here to show up and showcase who we are as a culture.”
Actor Arjo Atayde of the film Topakk hopes to touch more Filipinos globally and thinks that this festival provides more exposure for Filipino films to be known worldwide. “Giving the Filipino talents and creatives a platform to showcase what we can do in Hollywood and on a global stage. It’s very instrumental.”
Espantaho actress Janice De Belen “It’s exposure for the many, many talented people that the Philippines has. We have musicians, composers, singers, writers, actors, directors and dancers. In events like this, we have to show off the talent.”
Green Bones actor Ruru Madrid thinks that “Philippine cinema is transcending…We are going up” while his co-star Sofia Pablo thinks “we are underrated, but I hope this is the start, a way to bigger, wider audiences around the world.”
On representation
Multi-awarded singer Deborah Cox asserts, “It’s important for recognition, inclusion. It’s important to show the diversity of everything that we do. Art is not linear. We all have different experiences and it’s important to explore and showcase all the different talents from all over the world.”
Love Hurts director Jonathan Eusebio affirms, “There’s a lot of representation now. It’s nice to have Filipino films brought up to the mainstream. There’s a lot of talent there. It’s nice that we are now getting recognized.”
Experiences on and off camera
MIFF Best Actress Morisette Amon talks about her first acting role in a film, which was a stunning performance in the MIFF Best Picture Song of the Fireflies, and exclaims that she “had the best team supporting me and it’s definitely something that I will bring with me.”
Hello, Love, Again actor Marvin Aritrangco was very happy shooting the film, declaring that the cast “became family. It was a great experience.”
On collaborations
Actor of the highest grossing Filipino film of all time and MIFF Worldwide Box Office Hit Awardee Hello, Love, Again and producer of the film Labyu With an Accent Mark Labella is a pioneer of collaborations between filmmakers from the Philippines and the U.S. and he is “excited to be part of something that’s growing.”
Actor Reggie Lee observes, “People are now starting to talk. People are now starting to talk to each other. Collaboration is important…to combine talent from the Philippines with talent from here. Many actors want to expand their domain. We are at the beginning stage. At the end of the day, it’s going to be about what stories are going to get greenlit.”
Two-time Emmy Award winner, producer and host Marc Anthony Nicolas exclaims, “I love how we don’t have crab mentality. Everyone here tonight is always lifting each other up. We have grown. We have inspired, and it is up to us to make everyone’s dreams come true.”
Regina Aquino, producer and director of Faith Healers, loves “watching all the collaborations happening between the Philippine cinema community in the Philippines and the FIlipino-American creatives here in the U.S. and having this film festival only means that we’ll be collaborating more. Our film made it a point to make sure that we hire creatives in the Philippines (to work) on our film. We wanted to make sure that the film that we are showing here also highlights Filipino cinema talent all over the world. That is why this festival is so meaningful to me.”
MIFF producer Winston Emano is proud of some developments he has seen, “One improvement we’ve seen in terms of collaborations since last year is dialoguing. We’ve established panels and workshops that foster dialogue between peers, filmmakers, film commissions and actors. It’s a bit of a start. This is an opportunity for us to collaborate more.”
Hopes for the future
Actor John Arcilla exclaims, “We are the pioneers (of film) in Asia. I really wish we can also penetrate the global community for a mainstream audience just like the Koreans have it now. That’s the dream. I really wish that we can also be known as one of the best filmmakers in the world, because we have a lot of stories to tell. We have a very colorful culture that we can show the world.”
MIFF Trailblazer Awardee and two-time Grammy Award winner Tia Carrere believes “Philippine cinema is definitely going places. We’re hoping to see our first win at the Oscars.”
Hannah Montana and Camp Rock actress Anna Maria Perez De Tagle-Kline says, “It’s taken a long time for us to come here to celebrate the Filipino-American community in the industry. As much as it has taken a long time, I think it’s a very big step for us. I am very honored and blessed to be part of the community. I’m very open about my being Filipino. I hope more Filipino actors and actresses come out and are very vocal about being proud.”
TV and film personality Bunny Paras wishes to see more films like Espantaho showcasing our pamahiin and old traditions.
MIFF Best Actor Seth Fedelin of the film My Future You encourages young people, “You can do anything. Just see, think and imagine…”
Getting on a Global Stage
The Kingdom director Mike Tuviera asserts that “there is a bigger world out there. There are Filipinos all over the place. There’s an international audience out there. Even if we don’t have the same history, we have shared experiences and commonalities.”
Multi-award winning actress Lorna Tolentino of the film Espantaho says “there should be a collaboration between all of the Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad. A collaboration will make for a higher standard (in filmmaking).
One leaves the festive lobby and hallways of The Beverly Hilton overjoyed and brimming with optimism for the next festivals to come. Yet there is a lingering question that now comes to mind, “What needs to be done to make our mark on a global stage such as the Academy Awards?”
