THE Philippines was the “country of focus” at the recently concluded Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
Ten days. Nineteen Filipino films. A record-setting 60-member Philippine delegation headed by hardworking Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Liza Diño-Seguerra, who is so well-loved by the Korean organizers headed by BIFF Chairman Yong-Kwan Lee, international festival heads and A-list cinema representatives from all over the world.
In Busan the FDCP head attended her very first meeting as official member of the board of directors of the Asian Film Commissions Network, a high level group of professional film commissions and support agencies in Asia. Diño-Seguerra also represented the Philippines in a major meeting with Asean film commissions led by the Korean Film Council Head Seok Geun-oh. The meeting aimed to strengthen the Asian film industry and find opportunities to establish a collaborative system among its members.
Actors Joel Torre, Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong walked the red carpet on opening night. Torre flew to Busan for Mike de Leon’s Bayaning 3rd World, de Leon represented Eddie Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Mario O’ Hara’s Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Chito Roño’s Dekada ’70 and Lino Brocka’s Cain at Abel. Andolong was there for Marilou Abaya’s Moral.
These classic movies were part of the BIFF’s special program on the Philippines, billed as “Cinema as a Response to the Nation.” A commemorative book with the same title was launched in simple rites with respected cinema authorities Tito Valiente, Nick de Ocampo and Teddy Co signing the limited-edition copies.
Piolo Pascual missed the red carpet during the opening night but his star shone brightest when he was bestowed the Marie Claire Asia Star award at the Haeundae Grand Hotel. Popular Korean star Nam Joo-kyuk won the Rising Star Award. Pascual was accompanied by good friend and Spring Films co-owner Joyce Bernal.
Another highlight of the BIFF was the awarding
of Bianca Balbuena-Liew as the Asian Film Commissions Network Producer of the Year. Her husband, Malaysian filmmaker Bradley Liew, was beaming with pride when his pregnant wife received her trophy.
GMA star Max Collins also brightened up the festival. She was there for Mike de Leon’s Citizen Jake, which was part of the Window on Asian Cinema section of the festival. Fresh from bagging the special jury prize at the San Sebastian International Festival last month, Brillante Mendoza’s Alpha: The Right to Kill was also included in this section. He was with Solar Films top honchos Wilson Tieng and Butch Ibañez, line producer Carlo Valenzona and actor Vince Rillon.
The BIFF also screened the omnibus three-in-one film of Mendoza, Lav Diaz and Kidlat Tahimik, titled Lakbayan (Journey). The septuagenarian Tahimik made heads turn when he walked in his native Ifugao tribal costume. Diaz was a no show.
Also spotted in Busan was Cebu’s pride Nats Sitoy, who had many shining moments as the lead star of the Japanese film Itoshi No, Irene! and another Cebuano filmmaker, Remton Zuasola, whose award-winning film Damgo Ni Eleuteria was screened. Christian Bables, the lead actor of Chito Roño’s Signal Rock, flew in a day before we left Busan. He said it was his first-ever international film festival. We told him that with his promising talent, Busan will definitely be only the first of many.
We also saw Regal Films producer Roselle Monteverde and actor-director Eric Quizon during the Philippine Night. Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul Hernandez was the special guest of honor. We bumped into Jeffrey Sonora of FPJ Productions, Prof. Edward Cabagnot of the College of Saint Benilde and Madonna Tarrayo of Unitel Productions.
Accidental actress Iana Bernardez of I Love You with My Hypothalamus fame was also in Busan with her director Dwein Baltazar. All smiles were filmmakers Alec Figuracion, Dan Villegas, John Paul Su, Antoinette Jadaone, Ryanne Murcia, Sigrid Bernardo and Sari Dalena. We had the chance to meet promising Filipino youngbloods who are currently studying in Busan, among them Cesca Lee, Petersen Vargas and Jarrel Serencio.
Busan was a huge success for Philippine cinema, one of many highlights as we start celebrating its 100th year. Mabuhay.