11/25/2013

Rescue Cinema: Films for a Cause

I am not much of a movie buff, and I do not call myself as a hardcore movie goer. I don't even know some of the independent films in this country - the latest of which I participated was for this year, when this barista friend invited me to go and watch "films with substance" in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

That date is another story though, but I can note one filmmaker my bookish friend introduced me to - Alvin Yapan - the director behind the film Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, which we both recognized as a work of art.


Dalawang Kaliwang Paa is an independent film premiered at 2011 Cinemalaya Film Festival starring Paulo Avelino, Rocco Nacino and Jean Garcia; directed by Alvin Yapan and produced by Alem Ang, of which the two latter are Filipino Professors in different Universities. The tale of subtlety, of feminist poetry and of LGBT-ish epic, the film have had its encore premiere in the Basement U-view Cinema of Fully Booked High Street, as part of the Caritas Manila's advocacy to support the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.


Fully Booked, Caritas Manila and Seventh Films created a film festival featuring a roster of independent films for people who wished to watch for free, and to donate (in any amount they can) to support the advocacy.

And with that, I watched the film for the first time - and IT WAS, really, A WORK OF ART.

I cannot elaborate much on the film, or give a justified review. What I remembered as an audience is this "Kinukumutan ka ng aking titig" - an opening of a poem by Ruth Mabanglo - and just like that, Mam Karen simply enunciated the opening sequence of a movie goer, fully focused to what is the central plot or what will happen to these characters.

Every minute in the film is fleeting, you see characters speaking, but singing or dancing in the way they move. Combined with powerful literature and music, the movie is so interesting that you want to play it on an infinite repeat. It won't let you rest, it will let you keep on feeling that feels of after reading an interesting poem, or singing the last tunes of an intimate song... 

Yet at the end, it left you hanging.
As I see the young man in gold makeup shed a tear, I was to assume the ending, but I can't. Or I want another twist, but I can't. I simply cannot continue to what Vim Yapan established. At the end of the day, we wanted simply that - left that hanging, leaving the resolution to every audience's imagination.

It was a worthwhile watch. And knowing that you are able to help by simply watching these quality movies, it gave me a feel-good-Friday. :)

I hope that in the future - there will be these film showings that would not only give quality flicks, but also be able to influence the people around us. Kudos for the people behind this drive for a successful event! 



The Help: Books for a Cause

Information Dissemination Duties: as member of the Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books in goodreads who advocates spreading the joy of reading to Filipinos all over the world, I am advertising our drive.

You may go to our facebook page and choose from the donated books that we have, we have a huge array of selections and other prized collections. You may also go to our website to directly communicate with the online administrator and moderators of our online group.
 
The proceeds will go to the victims of the Super Typhoon Yolanda, and we are very hopeful to reach all of them, especially to those localities that are less focused by media and by worldwide organizations. 

[Apologies for the late post / advertisement; but I hope I can be of help inasmuch as I can; even with this simple blog post. Still, kudos to Biena and to all members who pioneered this project!]

11/03/2013

False Reco?

I believe there are no false recommendations in a good read. Yes, a recommendation is subjective in nature, but there are some books that are excellent for some people, while for others... you just MEH about it.

Anyways, I bought this book during a sale in Powerbooks Greenbelt, at the same date that I got my powerbooks membership card~ I got curious about the author because of the recommendations from friends to read his work On the Road, which is also a film available via torrents (haha!). Since On the Road is not on sale, I thought that I may try his other works. The story is poignant, the blurb says. 

So:
RECO + SALE + POIGNANT = SOLD!
Ella was sold to the idea that this maybe part of her matronic reads.

The book was stuck in my office locker for weeks due to many stuff needed to be done... but I finally found the time to fast read over the weekend in my favorite spot - the famous Starbucks drive-thru, Bonifacio Global City. 

"You have to put up with life." -page45
It consisted of more than 40 chapters! And it was about a teenager who fell in love with an Irish lady named Maggie Cassidy. It gives you a background of the events during the 1939's America - the time of Depression, of cotton mills - and of, not exactly western, but countryside setting.

Actually, knowing that this is a love story - I was looking for the poignant parts to where it would give you some fanservice - or maybe the "matronic element" that would bring the reader to the tears. Unluckily, I found none. A facebook friend says that this is an anti-reader... maybe because it will add up to your reading slump, or might make you feel bored. 

For me, I JUST FELT MEH. Like eating a tasteless cake. I wonder why.

But I told you from the start, there is no false recommendation. What we all have is our own personal take to the books we read. 

You might have a different take in Kerouac's craft, but in the meantime, ingest this:
No. Sorry. I am looking for that redeeming point in the novel. But the tone of the story is so dragging and... JUST. NO.

11/01/2013

Not Creepy, but an Undas Read

It's a Mens WorldIt's a Mens World by Bebang Siy

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I thought this book is about mens, being a teenager, and growing up.
I thought this is about crushes, hormonal overdrive, and identity crisis.

But it is. It is a collection of stories, of confessions, and of snippets in Bebang's life.
And maybe now, I can say that I get to know her more.

Nakilala ko rin siya nang higit sa isang pangalan sa aklat.



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