Philippine National Artists and National Heroes

[JoeyIncali]

Thnx Lili.
Marie still gets royalty from that movie whenever it's shown on tv.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299135/#comment
She's in this movie now.

[Lili]

^ I'll try to get hold of that movie. The reviews were very interesting and enticing. Thanks for the referral, Joey.

[kiretoce]

Didn't know where to post this....I guess here would be just fine.

================================================================


Finally, a museum for Filipino films
By Dennis Ladaw

Believe it or not, in its 100 year history, nobody has ever thought of putting up a museum for the Philippine film industry. Until this year, there wasn’t a place to store and display film movie memorabilia, prints and artifacts.

To remedy this situation, the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation has established the Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula at its own headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City. Film historian Nick Deocampo, the director of the Mowelfund Film Institute, is supervising the project. The said museum is being designed to trace the history of cinema in the Philippines with dioramas and artifacts donated by movie personalities.

At the launching of the project on July 29, Deocampo lamented the Filipinos’ lack of interest in their past and heritage. "We’re all known for our very short memories," he pointed out. "We forget our past, our history, which made us what we are today."

Deocampo noted that establishing the museum at this point is just perfect. "A lot of people were wondering why now, when the film industry is already dying. I say, why not? The industry is indeed dying and what it needs is a museum that would remind us of what it was like before. The only way to salvage this industry is to learn from the past. Recall how they did things then and perhaps we can discover a way to rescue the industry."

A director of short films, theatrical releases and documentaries, Deocampo said only a few people in Philippine cinema have shown interest in its history. "Countless Filipino films made before the war have been lost forever because no one has made an effort to preserve or restore them," he said.

Deocampo could only envy other countries where interest in their respective film industries has remained strong. Actors and directors who passed away several years ago remain revered. Late legends like Garbo or Marilyn Monroe continue to live on in contemporary pop culture and their works are still seen by millions through revivals, television and video.

In contrast, only a handful of Filipinos can recall the acting career of Fernando Poe Sr. "In fact, other countries have proven to be more interested in our films," Deocampo said. "I discovered a copy of one of Poe’s films, Zamboanga (1937), which I thought was lost forever. And where did I find it? At the US Library of Congress in Washington DC! I even have a friend from Thailand who’s doing a research paper on one of our late directors. Has anyone here done that at all?"

He added that contrary to legend, the Filipino’s first taste of films didn’t begin during the American colonial period. The country’s first screening, he said, occurred on January 1, 1897, during the Spanish colonial period. "Almost no one is aware of this," he stressed.

Boots Anson-Roa, Mowelfund’s executive director, echoed Deocampo’s sentiments. "Now’s the right time to open this museum. The only way to go forward is to look back to the past. As the old saying goes, "ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan (a person who doesn’t look at his past will never realize his dream)."

Roa said the museum’s official opening date is August 19. "This is a significant day. It happens to be Quezon City Day, and the city government has been very supportive of this project," she said.

Highlights of the museum include a photo gallery of movie stars, from the first superstar Atang de la Rama to Nora Aunor; copies of fan magazines and movie posters, manuscripts of acclaimed scripts; a display of awards, trophies and medals; replicas of superheroes like Darna and Lastikman, life-size photo reproductions of movie stars like Carmen Rosales and a display of cinema equipment.

A tour of the museum will also include a screening of short films or rare prints of vintage films.

[Lili]

Thanks for posting that Kimber. Finally! I am very enthusiastic about visiting that museum. They should get films from LVN, Sampaguita, Ilang-Ilang productions. I heard the films are soon getting ruined and burnt. It is important to preserve those precious films.

[Lili]

Hey peeps,

We have three finalist in the dance show "So You Think You Can Dance?" namely, Melody (jazz/ballet), Ryan (street/breakdance), and Allan aka Big Poppa (hiphop). They're all great and lovable!

Pinoys really do well in these talent shows -- remember Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco of American Idol, as well as Mig Ayesa of Rockstar INXS?

Proudly Pinoy.

[kiretoce]

I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance?" last night and I'm glad to see some "color" to the group of finalists. Will be ready and more than able to cast my vote starting next week! BTW, Mig on "Rockstar INXS" was really rocking the house last Tuesday night!

[Lili]

Yeah, Mig rocked. He's very cute, too. I'm looking forward to him singing something more mellow and lyrical next time as he promised. I like Jordis but she bombed Tuesday night. I'm placing my bet the blonde guy (I forgot his name) who sang with just his guitar to win it. His style will blend more with INXS -- more similar to the late Michael Hutchence.

Do you watch Big Brother 6? Who do you want to return. I'd go for Kaiser.

[kiretoce]

I think that blond guy's name is Marty. So, you don't think they'll choose Mig? I watch BB religiously, I voted (via text and online on www.rockstar.msn.com) for Kaysar to go back to the BB house. Maggie and her "circle-of-friends" are just plain evil! Although James and his cohort (GF) Sarah are also snakes. Will be watching it tonight and I hope and pray that Kaysar wins the vote!

[Lili]

The way for Mig to win is if all Filipinos vote for him just like how they propelled Jasmine Trias as one of the finalists in American Idol. The producers have a way to block those off come decision time. I think Mig would be better off as a solo singer or as a Broadway rockstar, not as a front man/singer of INXS. At least via this show, he gained international exposure.

Yeah, Maggie is irritating and so smug. Eric (Cap) is so arrogant, too. I wouldn't bank on his being a firefighter to get him back in. I'm crossing my fingers for Kaysar to return to turn the tables around.

[JoeyIncali]

Check this out, Orpheum theater in LA.

[kennethologist]

Originally Posted by Lili

Yeah, Mig rocked. He's very cute, too. I'm looking forward to him singing something more mellow and lyrical next time as he promised. I like Jordis but she bombed Tuesday night. I'm placing my bet the blonde guy (I forgot his name) who sang with just his guitar to win it. His style will blend more with INXS -- more similar to the late Michael Hutchence.

Do you watch Big Brother 6? Who do you want to return. I'd go for Kaiser.

can't relate... but the Philippines will be getting its own franchise of Big Brother! Parating na si kuya sa Pilipinas!

http://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment...05-bigbro.aspx

[kiretoce]

Movie memories
By Bayani San Diego Jr. Inquirer News Service Aug 17, 2005

Finally, if belatedly, a national film museum will open its doors to the public on Aug. 19. Finally, because it is the first of its kind in the country. Belatedly, because Philippine cinema is about 108 years old.

“The first screenings were held at the Salon Pertierra on Escolta Street on Jan. 1, 1897,” according to Boots Anson-Roa, executive director of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. or Mowelfund, which spearheaded the undertaking.

The museum comes a month after the sale of the laboratory facilities of LVN. The fate of the LVN Museum is still unclear.

LVN grant

Anson-Roa confirmed that Mowelfund was discussing with LVN management the possible transfer of the studio’s holdings to the Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula.

“We’ve already received a partial grant from the LVN Museum,” Anson-Roa told Inquirer Entertainment.

Among the LVN mementos are the statue of Togo by Anastacio Caedo and Rogelio de la Rosa’s “Prinsipe Amante” costume. Nida Blanca’s estate donated Oriental outfits.

“For the stars who would lend us their collection, we can draft a Memorandum of Agreement,” Anson-Roa said.

Since the target visitors are primarily students, the museum, which occupies two floors of the seven-story Mowelfund building, presents Pinoy cinema history as a dynamic, colorful, and brisk (one-hour) journey.

There’s an MTV-ish feel to it

Museum curator and artistic director Nick Deocampo made sure to add touches of Pinoy pop culture.

A giant photo of 1950s love team Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa shares the same space as Jolina Magdangal’s mannequin and Machete’s statue.

A separate room will be dedicated to the five National Artists for Film—Gerry de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Eddie Romero—who will share the hall with the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., whom the Mowelfund has nominated as national artist.

A high-wire act is the museum’s attempt to straddle the scholarly and the “showbizzy.”

Deocampo owned up: “If we only wanted to attract fans, we could’ve just filled all the rooms with stars.”

Obviously, this is not the only goal.

“We want to entertain and educate at the same time,” Anson-Roa pointed out. “We want to sustain interest in and awareness on the movie industry at a time when it is beleaguered by numerous challenges.”

“We’re also planning to conduct different symposia and seminars on various topics,” Deocampo said. (Entrance fee is P100 for students.)

Detective work

The museum is a “visualization of my 25-year research,” volunteered Deocampo, who is currently writing a five-volume history of Philippine cinema.

Deocampo was inspired by his visits to various film museums abroad like the Frankfurt Film Museum.

In fact, a major part of the collection was a result of his “detective work” in the United States (at the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress), where he unearthed a treasure trove of trivia, facts and artifacts on colonial cinema.

Juan Torena

In the museum, students will meet Juan Torena, a Filipino who acted in pre-war Hollywood and mingled with the likes of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

“Before Cesar Montano [in “The Great Raid”], there was Juan Torena,” Deocampo quipped.

Deocampo also “rediscovered” child prodigies Josephine Abcede and Pauline Ratilla, who became “international theater stars” way before Lea Salonga.

Also displayed are magazine and newspaper clippings of advertisements for documentaries on turn-of-the-century Philippines that were used as propaganda for America’s “manifest destiny” and eventual colonization of the islands.

“The main intellectual issue that needs to be raised in displaying these artifacts is: What kind of culture are we projecting?” Deocampo said. “The museum is actually a cultural reading of cinema.”

Ang Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula is at 66 Rosario Drive, Cubao, Quezon City.

[Lili]

@Kiretoce: Hey Kimber, did you get to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" last night? Ryan Confreido is BADASS! Ang galing n'ya no? I hope he wins -- from street dancing to suave mambo!

Also, Migs Ayesa of Rockstar INXS sang a superb rendition on Peter Frampton's "Baby I Love Your Way" with just his own piano accompaniment. It brought tears to everyone's eyes even Dave Navarro.

Both of them were judged as having made the best performances in their respective competition shows.

For those who have not seen these shows, these are FilAm contestants who have exhibited such superb talents in performance arts.

[kiretoce]

Yep! I was flipping between FOX and CBS channels last night!

I was floored when I saw Ryan (not GreyX here on SSC ) danced, that was a big change from freestyle break dancing to the intricate and complex dance steps of the mambo. I also laughed when his trademark spiky anime-inspired hair was slicked-back.

Mig on the other hand rocked that last episode of Rockstar INXS! He was chosen to provide the encore for his performance of "Baby I Love Your Way." He had Jordis and Marty (the other two top contenders) sing back-up with him for his encore.

Going back to "So You Think You Can Dance," the other Fil-Ams, Melody did a great job dancing the Jive with her partner, while I wasn't that moved seeing Allan, aka "Big Poppa," with his partner danced a Hip-Hop inspired routine. After watching the show last night I called my classmate in California who is the cousin of Ryan and told her that he did great! It was a delayed telecast in the West Coast.

[KulasKusgan]

parang anime buhok ni ryan.

[Lili]

Why did Ryan C. say that dancing was frowned upon in his home because of religion?

I understand Melody's case because her parents wanted her to take Medicine or Nursing or some such degree. Very Filipino.

You think Big Poppa is leaving? It's hard having his size to do partner dancing but he is very graceful.

[kiretoce]

Ryan's religion (happens to be mine too) is Seventh-Day Adventist, a Judeo-Christian sect, and we are prohibited to dance or go to dance clubs. But that is not the rule or law, we're just strongly discouraged from going to such places and engaging in such activities. My liberal view on the matter is that dance incorporates a wide spectrum, it ranges from the folk dances of one's cultural background, to the more modern and contemporary (maybe even risque) movements.

Young SDAs are of course less conservative today than the generation before them, I personally don't see any harm in dancing, I do it all the time (not really well I might add) to whatever song I happen to hear. It's a form of personal expression and interpretation of the song or music. Of course my parents would have none of that since that's how they were brought up in the religion, but they also know that the times they are a changing and that there a some things that must change, but not to the point of eroding the values of being an SDA.

[Lili]

^ Yeah, you're going to be missing out a lot if you don't dance. As you say, it is a form of expression, actually I think -- a gift from God. Dancing does not have to be sexual. Although, you are right, times nowadays is too permissive. In the dance clubs, you see a lot of bumping and grinding between perfect strangers.

[kiretoce]

The way I see it, I'm not missing out on a lot if I don't dance, how can I "miss it" when I haven't even tried it! But I do dance, well....rather sway and bop my head to the beat rather than gyrate and swivel my hips! And I have been in dance clubs but mostly I'm a fly on the wall watching people on the dance floor. Dancing is a talent, and talents are from God as you have so stated earlier.

[Lili]

Part-Filipina, let's see this rising star named by the New York Post in the Who's Hot Now.



WHO'S HOT NOW

The New York Post
August 18, 2005 --

NICOLE SCHERZINGER
The Pussycat Dolls have long been an outlet for pretty young Hollywood starlets to pretend they're sexy burlesque-style dancers for a night. But now the troupe is aiming to take on the recording industry and become a full-fledged pop act.
The Dolls' debut single, "Don't Cha," featuring Busta Rhymes, seems to be on a never-ending radio loop and is heating up the Billboard charts for good reason - it's the perfect summer mix of rap and dance.
While each of the six group members is a bona fide hottie singer and dancer, the breakout of the group is lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. You may recognize her from her stint in the girl group Eden's Crush (yes, the band that was put together during the WB's reality series "Popstars" back in 2001).
A triple threat - she can act, sing and dance - the 27-year old Scherzinger, of Hawaiian-Russian-Filipino descent, has appeared in movies ("Chasing Papi"), TV (guest-starring on "My Wife and Kids") and was once the vocalist for the rock band Days of the New.

The debut Pussycat Dolls album hits stores on Sept. 13.

http://www.nypost.com/living/27148.htm