I recently wished for two things: One is that Ethel Booba would run for the Senate…charot!
Second, I wished that the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) would replay the New Moon film series, a collaboration between ANC and filmmakers who have lived through the horrors of war to tell stories of heroism, struggle and healing of the people of Marawi.
The series aired on Monday within the timeslots of Early Edition, Top Story and The World Tonight, and featured the films of Sittie Alyssah and Garal Jan Nino Omelio from Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi and MSU-Marawi Professors Omar Ali (who incidentally is an Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao assistant cabinet secretary) and Ali Yusoph.
Sittie, an AB journalism senior, is behind the film Matou, which is based on the story of Matou Dadayan, a farmer and fisherman living in a small barangay in Marawi City. During the siege, Matou’s wife and unborn child passed away, leaving him alone to take care of their older son.
Garal, also a senior in MSU-Marawi, produced Kanlungan. The film tells the story of teenager Zohmaya and her younger siblings, how they recall a simpler, happier life back when they had not lost their home and lived with different families in the aftermath of the Marawi siege.
Meanwhile, Omar’s film, Suicide Squad tells the story of a group of rescuers trained for natural disaster calamities. Never in their wildest imagination did they think that one day they’ll be saving people from all walks of life. This reminded me of a documentary I super loved, titled The White Helmets.
Anyway, completing the list is Ali’s Islam, which he produced with his wife Sur. Their film tells the story of someone trying to make sense of these virtues, amid living through the dire consequences of war waged by fellow Muslims in the name of Allah.
With the guidance and technical support of ABS-CBN journalists, these young men and women brought forth authentic and unfiltered stories from the ground that enlightened and inspired.
Anyway, a little birdie told me as I’m typing this that these films will be put together into one full episode to be anchored by broadcast legend Tina Monzon Palma and aired soon on ANC.
At least one wish fulfilled.
Now if Ethel Booba can read this….
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THE Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino has announced the nominees in the 41st Gawad Urian, which happens on June 14 at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent, and will air live on Cinema One at 7 pm.
Leading this year’s list is the film Respeto with 12 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Treb Monteras II and Best Actor for rapper-actor Abra. Best Picture nominees Balangiga: Howling Wilderness follows with 10 nominations and Tu Pug Imatuy with nine nominations. The other Best Picture nominees are The Chanters with a total of seven nominations, and Birdshot and Bhoy Intsik, both with six nods each.
Other films which received multiple nominations are Changing Partners, Ang Larawan and Kita Kita with six each.
Gawad Urian 2018 is set to highlight Filipino music in the much-awaited awards night as three of this year’s leading film nominees are musicals: Respeto, Ang Larawan and Changing Partners.
This year’s Natatanging Gawad Urian award will also go to jazz pianist, composer, arranger and musical director Winston Raval (Vanishing Tribe). The musician has handled film scoring for over 20 movies, and he was previously honored as Best Musical Director for Ikaw Ay Akin in the 1977 Urian Awards.
The nominees and winners are chosen by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, composed of reputable pillars in Philippine cinema, led by its president Rolando Tolentino, together with members Grace Javier Alfonso, Butch Francisco, Bienvenido Lumbera, Miguel Rapatan, Benilda Santos, Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, Tito Genova Valiente, Patrick Campos, Shirley Lua and Gary Devilles.
Catch the 41st Gawad Urian on Cinema One (SKYcable Channel 56, Destiny Cable Digital Channel 56, and Destiny Analog Channel 37) on June 14 at 7 pm.
To see full list of nominees, visit www.cinemaone.ph or www.manunuri.com. For other updates, like Cinema One’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Cinema1channel). n