Hope springs eternal for Philippine cinema with Sine Direk!

Author: Alwin M. Ignacio, Contributor
Column: Life

At the recently concluded Golden Screen Awards, the crowd gave a thunderous applause to movie queen and showbiz icon, the beloved Gloria Romero, when she won the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy in the Joel Lamangan film Fuchsia. The ever-gracious Romero thanked the Entertainment Press Society for the recognition. She could not believe that at age 75 she would won an acting trophy for a role she almost refused.

The foul-mouthed, liberal-thinking protagonist Mameng, the matriarch involved in a bizarre love triangle, was just too much for her genteel ways. Nevertheless, with prodding from her only daughter Maritess, she reluctantly accepted the challenge, not knowing that her gamble would pay off. Aside from Romero’s triumph, the film also garnered the best actor trophy for Eddie Garcia, best director for Lamangan, and best picture for APT Entertainment.

The victory of Fuchsia is a loud and clear indication that not all is lost for Philippine cinema. This is a sign that hope springs eternal for the beleaguered Filipino film industry. The film is just one of the six out-of-the-box, audience-friendly motion pictures that are part of Sine Direk.

Sine Direk is an undertaking of the Director’s Guild and APT Entertainment, whose main objective is to produce films that have not been done before, showcasing the talent and the artistry of six of the most esteemed Filipino directors and some of the most competent actors in show business today. The film festival is a month-long activity that promises to excite the viewing appetites of the public and pull them once more to the cinemas.

The six films

APT Entertainment provided the funds to produce the six films featured in Sine Direk. Aside from Fuchsia, the other Sine Direk entries are Soxie Topacio’s Ded na si Lolo, Lore Reyes’s Litsonero, Peque Gallaga’s Agaton and Mindy, Mel Chionglo’s Bente, and Maryo J. de los Reyes’ Kamoteng Kahoy.

Lamangan’s award winning Fuchsia is about Mameng, a woman who for the past four decades has been living in with Gener (Robert Arevalo), her husband’s best friend. Mars (Eddie Garcia) never communicated with Mameng when he joined the US Navy. Suddenly, he arrives from the States and decides to spend the rest of his ailing days with her. This scenario is where the bittersweet trouble starts.

Dead na si Lolo, by Topacio, is about a boy Bobet (BJ Forbes) who observes the many bizarre and madcap events that transpire during the wake of a dearly beloved, his grandfather. It delves on the many pamahiins in the Filipino lamay, how death becomes a force to resolve conflicts and how it makes a new solid family.

Litsonero is about the homecoming of Fidel (Paolo Contis), a fresh graduate from a Swiss culinary school, who is compelled by his mother Viring (Maricel Laxa) to attend the first death anniversary of his father. Upon his arrival, his Tiyo Pinoy (Michael de Mesa) challenges him to retrace his roots by cooking lechon. The question is, will he be able to muster enough strength to roast a pig?

Gallaga’s Agaton and Mindy is a coming-of-age film about two teenagers who meet in a dance class, and as they learn their pas de deux discover their similiraties, differences and the wonders of young love. Newbie Chase dela Vega is Tonton and Louise de los Reyes is Mindy, with the formidable support of diva Cherie Gil.

Bente, under the direction of Chionglo, is a political thriller about a hard-hitting radio commentator and his conflict with a former friend and classmate who is a suburban mayor. Lending their stellar presence in the film are Jinggoy Estrada and Richard Gomez.

Finally, Kamoteng Kahoy, by De los Reyes, is a film based on a true story which happened in a small barrio in Bohol two seasons ago. Twenty-one pupils died and almost a hundred were hospitalized after eating cassava cakes sold by an elderly woman, who might have accidentally used pesticide in her ingredients. Gloria Romero plays the old lady while Nash Aguas and Robert Villar portray the survivors. Yul Servo plays support.

The galaxy of stars

Aside from the leads and noteworthy supports, a galaxy of stars from film, TV and theater play big and small roles in the six films. They are Armida Siguion Reyna, Iza Calzado and Celia Rodriguez in Fuschia; Gina Alajar, Elizabeth Oropesa, Manilyn Reynes, Dick Israel, Perla Bautista. Rainier Castillo, Roderick Paulete and Perry Escaño in Dead na si Lolo; Karylle Tatlonghari, Gerard Pizzaras, Jun Urbano, Joanne Quintas, Isabela de Leon and Jake Vargas in Litsonero; Desiree del Valle, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Audie Gemora, Miles Kanapi, Pilita Corrales, Ketchup Eusebio, Nonoy Froilan and Dina Bonnevie in Agaton and Mindy; Ricky Davao, Glaiza de Castro, Ryan Eigenmann, Aldred Gatchalian and Snooky Serna in Bente; Ana Capri, Marissa Sanchez, Anton Bernardo, Gerald Madrid, Julio Diaz, Charlene San Pedro and Irma Adlawan in Kamoteng Kahoy.

According to director Joel Lamangan, “Sine Direk not only aims to showcase artistic talent. It also aspires to be a fundraising effort for goodwill. Benefits will be given to the scholarship programs of DGPI, which helps underprivileged children go through school. As a matter of fact, many if not most of the talents involved in the projects worked for a fraction of their usual talent fees. Some even worked for free. All efforts have been made to try to raise as much funds for this good cause.”

He concludes, “To those who are really concerned about the state of Philippine cinema, here is the perfect program that needs your support. Please watch all the films in Sine Direk, this is a very laudable effort. Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!”

All films are exhibited in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, SM Fairview, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Metro East, Robinsons Novaliches, Santa Lucia East Grand Mall, Festivall Mall Alabang, Alimall, and Cinerama. Dead na si Lolo is on May 6, Litsonero on May 20, Agaton and Mindy on May 27, Bente on June 3, and Kamoteng Kahoy on June 10.

Source: The Daily Tribune

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