8 Things About Salamindanaw

The second edition of SalaMindanaw International Film Festival starts tomorrow, November 27. Here are eight things you need to know about the Festival.

1. The redesigned Festival logo features the durian –an enduring cultural symbol in Southeast Asia— with eleven protruding spikes representing the countries of the region. SalaMindanaw envisions to be an important platform in the development of regional cinema in Southeast Asia.

2. For its sophomore edition, the Festival theme shall be ‘Deconstructing Cinematic Space.’ As it continues to celebrate the development of regional cinemas across Southeast Asia, the Festival attempts to veer away from the traditional space of film screening, that is the movie house, and explore alternative and non-traditional screening venues like buses, parks, markets, and barangay centers to bring films closer to the people. The Festival’s main screening venue is in a university because SalaMindanaw recognizes the educational and cultural value of cinema. 

3. The Festival will launch a film magazine, The New Durian Cinema, which is devoted to the discussion of regional cinema in Southeast Asia. It is not enough that we show films, cinema must also become part of a critical consciousness. The magazine hopes to help in the formation of such consciousness.

4. The Festival boasts of the quality and integrity of its film programming. This year, more than 30 films of various lengths, genres and genres will be presented in the Festival. Films will vie for the Golden Durian Award in the Asian shorts and Mindanao shorts category. A Festival prize shall be bestowed to the breakthrough film in the new Philippine Next Cinema section. 

During its inaugural run, the Singaporean film Sayang Disayang (dir. Sanif Olek) had its world premiere in the Festival. It won the jury prize in the Festival. The film is Singapore’s official entry to the Oscars in 2015. Other notable films in the Festival last year include By The River (dir. Nontawat Numbenchapol) which won a special mention at Locarno, Liberta (dir. Kan Lumé) which bagged a special mention in CINDI (Seoul) while War is a Tender Thing (dir. Adjani Arumpac) took home a special mention from Yamagata.

5. Relying on its vision and integrity, the second edition of SalaMindanaw is crowdfunded which means that much of its funding is in the form of donations from its supporters all over the world. 

6. The Festival is a cultural investment for the development of the people of Gensan and the region. The aim is expose more people to diverse cinema as well as educate and provide them the opportunity to better understand the world they inhabit. For this reason, all screenings and parallel activities are free to the public.

7. It is helmed by one of the most important filmmakers in Southeast Asia – Teng Mangansakan. The Festival’s respectability and integrity partly come from who is running it. The vision of the Festival is built upon clear goals and objectives borne out of the Festival Director's instinct, experience and foresight, and the trust and confidence of the Festival Team.

8. The Festival is advised by some of the most distinguished personalities and brilliant minds in world cinema such as Philip Cheah, vice president of NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) and past consultant of the Dubai International Film Festival and Directors Fortnight at Cannes; Paolo Bertolin, Venice International Film Festival delegate for Southeast Asia and consultant of the Doha Film Institute; and Sherad Anthony Sanchez, creative consultant of Cinema One Originals.

This blog post is originally posted in Morofilm by Teng Mangansakan 

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Pepe Diokno visits GenSan

   The GenSan Tourism Council in partnership with the Local Government of General Santos and the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted a filmmaking lesson last November 25, 2014 to the aspiring filmmakers in the city. The tourism council invited Pepe Diokno, an award winning film Director, to share his knowledge and experience in making films. 

   The said activity is part of Visit GenSan, Learn in GenSan campaign of the Tourism Council. It is a Mayor’s Lecture series that aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the ‘Generals’. “The series of lessons that we have conducted is part of ‘Learn in GenSan’ activities,” said Phillip Pabelic, the Vice President of GenSan Tourism Council. “GenSan aims to be the learning hub of Region XII.”

   “This lesson helps cultivate the talents and skills of the ‘Generals’,” Mayor Ronnel Rivera said. “It helps to discover new talents or artists from GenSan. This will able to produce great filmmakers in GenSan.”

   Most of the participants of the said activity are students who want to learn more about filmmaking. 

   During the lesson, Pepe Diokno shared about his latest film ‘Above the clouds’ to the young aspiring filmmakers of GenSan. He also talked about his first film ‘Engkwentro'and his experience in Venice Film Festival. “It’s not about the budget or the equipment,” said Diokno. “It’s the story that matters.”

   Most of the Filipino audiences today have this notion that Filipino movies are “baduy” or “not good” in their taste, that’s why they are not watching and patronizing it. “Is Philippine Cinema dead?” as he asked the participants. The film industry is struggling due to lack of support of the Filipino audience. 

   In the past years, there’s a significant decline of Filipino films being produced in the country. As Diokno explained, its primary reason is more on the economic side of making films. “Before, our government charged 30% amusement tax for movies plus 12% VAT, so the remaining 58% will be divided between the Producer and the Theater owner(s). Fortunately, in 2009, our government lowered it into 10%. In the following years, it slowly gained the confidence of the Filipino Producers and Filmmakers to make films.”

   Pepe Diokno compared the film industry of South Korea to the Philippines. “South Korea invests on their film industry. Their government created Korean Film Council because they know that film is an important cultural and economic resource of their country,” Diokno explained. “They use films to sell their country.” 

   He also emphasized the bad effects of patronizing foreign films. “If you watch too much foreign films, it's slowly changing our sense of identity.” He pointed out that if we watch too much foreign films, we tend to forget who we are as Filipinos. For example, we desire to be white because that’s standard of beauty based on what we see in the movies (or in the media in general). 

   He also talked about the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema. He also shared that the Philippine film industry is considered one of the oldest in the world. “Films are not only for entertainment. It’s a record of our history. It’s a record on who we are,” Diokno asserted. 

   “Please watch Filipino films. Please make Filipino films. Please tell Filipino stories,” as he pleaded. It is important to support our own filmmakers because they are the cultural worker of our country. 

   “Read, Travel and Get Hurt,” as he advised. “The best way to learn how to make film is to make a film.” 

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The Official Trailer of SalaMindanaw International Film Festival 2014

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SalaMindanaw IFF to commemorate Maguindanao Massacre

   General Santos City, PH –The second edition of SalaMindanaw International Film Festival shall present a special section called Cinema and Remembrance to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre.

   The films to be presented in this section are Lav Diaz's 'Mula Sa Kung Ano Ang Noon' (From What is Before), set in a village during the time leading up to the declaration of Martial Law by President Marcos, Rob Jara's 'Maliw' (Soliloquies) about three stories that feature love, idealism, and the politics of memories and melancholia, and how fragments of these are lost and found, Zig Dulay's 'Missing' which recounts the story of Makuy who is one of the increasing numbers of victims of enforced disappearances (desaparecidos) in the country and Herwin Cabasal's 'Pieta' about the lament and struggle of a mother whose son is one of the disappeared.

   The films will be shown on November 28 at 9 in the morning at the Mindanao State University – Graduate School AVR. A forum follows the screening to discuss the role of art and media in the ongoing conversations on the issues of impunity, authoritarianism and democratic rights and principles.

   “We need to confront and reflect on the democratic rights that we are enjoying right now. Rights that are constantly endangered from the ambition of powers that be. Rights that we enjoy because people have sacrificed their lives so that we may have them,” festival director Teng Mangansakan noted. SalaMindanaw is anchored on a vision that includes engaging the public in both popular and critical discourse on art, media and cinema and their transformative power to shape ideas about society.

   On the morning of November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, a convoy was on its way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town, when they were stopped at a checkpoint, kidnapped and brutally killed. Mangudadatu was challenging Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and member of one of Mindanao's leading Muslim political clans, in the 2010 gubernatorial election. The people killed included Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters, journalists, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy.

   The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called the Maguindanao massacre the single deadliest event for journalists in history. At least 34 journalists are known to have died in the massacre.

   One of the chilling effects of the Massacre was the signing of Proclamation No. 1959 on December 4, 2009, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which officially placed Maguindanao province under a state of Martial Law, thereby suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and other rights.

   “We are in a generation that has a very flimsy idea about Martial Law, its atrocities, its effects on people. This should be be part of a continuing discussion that even young people need to be part of,” Mangansakan said.

   SalaMindanaw International Film Festival shall take place from November 26 to 29 in General Santos City.

Contact

Teng Mangansakan 

Festival Director

SalaMindanaw IFF

0917 7620396

SIFF Facebook Page

SIFF website 

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Mindanao Shorts of the 2014 Salamindanaw International Film Festival

These are the SIFF official entries for Mindanao shorts category

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APASOL by Ryanne Murcia (Zamboanga) 

An afternoon of love and farewell as Mark and El, a gay couple, spend their last afternoon together wishing on a tree and waiting to fade with the sun.

KENA (Dream) by Anjeilee Pacuin (Gensan)

A T'boli girl in Lake Sebu sells vegetable to earn her keep. Everyday she only dreams of one thing. To get an education.

END OF WAR by Joe Bacus (Cagayan de Oro)

Set in 2008 at the height of armed conflict between Philippine military and Moro rebel forces, The End of War is a story of a family in Maguindanao caught in the crossfire of a war they never wanted to be a part of.

SAP'NG (Covering) by Rahil Maningcara (Gensan)

This is a story about a Shyree, a Maranao girl who only does what she loves to do to the extent of breaking the laws of Islam. Will she be able to realize her wrongdoings?

MGA PATAY NGA BITOON (Dead Stars) by Amaya Han (Gensan) 

A radio interview starts, welcoming the renowned actress Ash back in Cebu for their latest promotional tour. A question triggers her to recall her former lover, a French college student named Adrian, during her stay in the city years ago.

INUKBAN by Jamir Mallari (Davao)

A story of a man who covered his dreams because of the misfortunes in his life and how he opened it up again and succeeded.

JAMIR by Genory Vanz Alfasain (Alabel, Sarangani) 

A boy is torn between his familial obligation and his dream of having an education. What will he choose?

CRISELDA by Art Orillanida (Gensan)

A documentary that investigates the mythical story of Princess Criselda Simbara Ybarra of Spain, also known as the white lady of Lagao, General Santos City. Despite historians’ attempt to uncover the truth, there had been no solid leads until a woman named Jenny Lopez surfaced claiming to be possessed by the royal spirit. 

ABAKADA NI NANAY (Nanay's Alphabet) 

by Joni Sarina Mejico (Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay) 

A 78-year old lady enrolls herself to school to learn how to read and write.

GOOD MORNING, JOEY by Monalyn Labado (Davao) 

19-year old college girl Joey mirrors the dilemma of most college students. To survive the life away from family and the everyday challenges to get through college.

Source: Salamindanaw International Film Festival Facebook Page 

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Sekreto: The Secret Behind the Music Video

The concept 

   Making music video helps widen my horizon as a filmmaker. ‘Sekreto’, the second music video that I directed aids me in experimentation of different techniques. My passion and their enthusiasm push me to be more creative in conceptualizing it. 

   ‘Sekreto’ is quite different from ‘Pegasus’ music video in many ways. The first one which is ‘Pegasus’ shows more symbolism compare to ‘Sekreto’. Besides the lyrics, genre and its message is not the same. ‘Pegasus’ is more into social commentary while ‘Sekreto’ deals with the internal struggle of a person. Moreover, the first one has a dark humor element embedded on its lyrics while the latter has this melodramic atmosphere that can be easily comprehend by a typical audience. 

   The second music video helps me experiment of the “masa” taste in terms of entertainment. If you notice, ‘Sekreto’ has a simple storyline that can be easily grasped by the broad audience. ‘Sekreto’ is more of a teenage buffer kind of music video that many youngsters today can relate to. 

   Of course, I based its concept to the story of Jamcelle Alorro (the actor) and Jodi Anne Gaquit (the actress) and their unusual relationship as friends. The song was written primarily for Jodi on her 18th birthday (November 5). Jamcelle asked Axl Grico to write a song that is based on their story. The song is intended to be a surprise to Jodi. But since I want the two of them to be the actors for the music video, Jamcelle was forced to admit his plan to Jodi.

Meeting Axl Grico and the gang 

   Axl Grico is quite famous in his own right. ‘Sekreto’ is his third song that has a music video. The first two music videos (and the other video that he acted on it) were all directed by Ariel Lalisan. Ariel was supposed to be directing ‘Sekreto’. Since he is busy on his work and other related activities, Axl asked me thru Facebook if I am willing to direct it. At first, I was hesitant because I did not know him well and I want him to tell Ariel that he wants me to direct the music video. I am thankful that Ariel is supportive to Axl and look forward to see it. 

   When Axl and I got the chance to meet in person, I admit to him that I am different to Ariel. I shared to him that I do not easily make a music video especially if I do not know the artist or if the song is not “cool” for me. I also said to him that it takes days to shoot a music video (case to case basis). I explained to him that there is Pre-production, Production and Post-production stage. Furthermore, I explained to him that I screened actors and rehearse them so that it could not be a burden during the shoot. I also asked him if his lyrics and its music/beat are original. In short, I told him that my background is in filmmaking, and not the typical videography shooting. When he absorbed all of this information and experienced shooting with me, he was shocked because he did not expect that I would be that meticulous in terms of output. Thanks to his interest in music that he still pursue it. 

   Axl collaborated with Joycel Tubao, a young model and singer whom he met in Brigada (TV) Station. Though Joycel has some attitude problem (in terms of professionalism), I am still thankful that the video was finished. On the other hand, I incorporate the talent of Tatz because I can see his potential as a Rap artist. I discovered him when I was a judge in their class presentation. While Raev Yap, the Cinematographer for ‘Sekreto’, is not really into videography. He is the son of Steven Rae Banares (a.k.a Batang Polomolok) and a photographer. He devoted his self to this project because he wants to try and experiment with it. 

The shooting 

   I simplify the production requirement needed for the video. Since it has a limited budget and resources, I try to be more resourceful and creative. We shot it for only two days in their neighborhood. As I have expected, not all of the sequences I conceptualized put into reality. That’s why I device a plan to cover up its lapses. 

The learning experience 

   “Learning is a continuous process”, as the popular adage says. In every film or music video project that I made, I learn new things that can be used in the upcoming project(s). Collaborating with different artists help me grow as an artist. Furthermore, making a music video is a liberating experience because I got the opportunity to experiment and express my ideas freely. I look forward for the next one.


check the music video (below)

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'Jamir' teaser pt1

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ArtVid 1: Steve McRae

This is the first experimental short video created by G.V. Alfasain. ArtVid is a series of experimental videos in collaboration with different artists in SOCCSKSARGEN.

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SalaMindanaw unveils 2014 line up, shifts focus on SEA regional cinema

   SalaMindanaw International Film Festival has announced the official line up of their second edition from November 26 to 29, 2014 in General Santos City.

   The Festival will open with The Sermon of the Contemplative Sinner, a dance film produced by SalaMindanaw in collaboration with Teatro Ambahanon.

   Eleven films will vie in the Asian shorts competition. The films are After The Winter (Jow Zhi Wei, (Singapore-Taiwan-France), Auntie Ma’am Has Never Had a Passport (Sorayos Prapapan, Thailand), Chicken Curry (Lwin Ko Ko Oo, Myanmar), Cita (Andi Burhamzah, Indonesia), Dindo (Martika Escobar Ramirez, Philippines), Geography Lessons (Petersen Vargas, Philippines), Qafas (Prateek Srivastava, India), Somewhere Only We Know (Wichanon Somumjarn, Thailand), Stopping The Rain (Aditya Ahmad, Indonesia), Talking To My Best Friend (Le Nguyen, Vietnam) and Wan An (Yandy Laurens, Indonesia). With the exception of India, all films in the line up are from Southeast Asia.

   “Our programming this year reflects the vision of SalaMindanaw, which is to make the Festival a platform for Southeast Asian cinema,” festival director Teng Mangansakan revealed. SalaMindanaw is the first and only international film festival in Mindanao, the southernmost region of the Philippines closest to Malaysia, East Timor, Brunei, and east Indonesia.

   Mangansakan added that Southeast Asian cinema is particularly thrilling now because of the development of film movements outside of the capital. Indonesia is represented in the Festival by three films made in the Sulawesi city of Makassar east of Jakarta while one of the Filipino entries is a film from the northern province of Pampanga. “It is an exciting time to be Southeast Asian and a regional filmmaker at the same time,” Mangansakan noted.

   Meanwhile, the Mindanao shorts competition line up comprise of Abakada ni Nanay (Joni Mejico, Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay), Apasol (Ryanne Murcia, Zamboanga), Cresilda (Art Orillanida, Gensan), Dead Stars (Amaya Han, Gensan), End of War (Joe Bacus, Cagayan de Oro), Good Morning, Joey (Monalyn Labado, Davao), Inukban (Lew Avila, Davao), Jamir (Genory Vanz Alfasain, Sarangani), K’na (Anjeilee Pacuin, Gensan) and Sap’ng (Rahil Maningcara, Gensan).

   A new section called Philippine Next Cinema seeks to introduce new voices and visions in the host country’s cinema. The line up is composed of Bastes, May Anne M (Bebe Go), Magdalena (Anna Isabelle Estein), Sonata Maria (Bagane Fiola) and The Unforgetting (Carl Joseph Papa). A fifth title shall be announced in the coming days.

   The Gensan Screen Lab, an intensive workshop intended to develop and cultivate new filmmakers in Mindanao, will culminate with the screening of six short films.

   In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre and the little know Martial Law that followed, the Festival will present a special non-competitive section Cinema and Remembrance. The films include Maliw (Rob Jara), Missing (Zig Dulay), Pieta (Herwin Benedictos Cabasal) and the recipient of this year’s Golden Leopard at Locarno Mula Sa Kung Ano Ang Noon (Lav Diaz).

   The four-day Festival will close with Little Azkals, a documentary by Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez whose film Jazz in Love won the NETPAC Prize for Best Asian Film in the inaugural edition of SalaMindanaw.

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'Sekreto'

This is the official music video of SEKRETO by Axl Grico feat. Joycel and introducing Tatz. The music video is Directed by G.V. Alfasain. Enjoy!

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