BUSAN – The Philippine Night sponsored by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Tourism in Korea held at the elegant Favian Restaurant at the Grand Hotel was well-attended. FDCP Chairman Rolando “Jacky” S. Atienza welcomed the guests, among them the prime movers of the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) and film luminaries from the participating countries. (There were 355 films from 70 countries screened at the recently concluded PIFF.)

In his welcome speech, Chairman Atienza said:

“We thank you for being here with us tonight as we celebrate the signal honor that the Pusan International Film Festival has given the Philippines by naming us ‘country of honor’ this year. We take this as a recognition and acknowledgement by the PIFF, its participants and organizers, of the skills and excellence of Filipino filmmakers and Filipino films.

“It was only four years ago when the Film Development Council of the Philippines first started to participate in the PIFF. There was only one film then – ‘Kubrador.’ In the next three years, the relationship between the PIFF and the Filipino filmmakers has grown more than exponentially so that this year, there are 20 films at the PIFF: 12 in the Retrospective honoring Filipino films, and eight current films – six in exhibition and two in competition.

“It has been a rewarding experience for the Philippines, this relationship with the PIFF. And we thank you, the PIFF, especially Mr. Kim Dong Ho, for the substantial assistance you have extended to the Philippines in helping Filipino films get better known and better appreciated in Asia and internationally.

“We hope that in these coming years, this bond between the PIFF and Filipino filmmakers will continue to grow, to broaden and to deepen. Thank you.”

In his speech, Ambassador Luis T. Cruz extended his warm welcome to all those who took part at the Philippine Night. He noted that for several years now, the Philippines has been active in the PIFF, “participating in several events and promoting not only our rich and varied catalogue of films, but also our country’s equally rich and varied landscapes suitable for location shoots.

“This year, we have the distinction of being chosen as the Country of Honor in the Retrospective Section. The Mabuhay Pinoy Indie Cinema offered a fascinating opportunity to watch 12 classic films – films that have shaped Philippine cinema and continue to inspire current generations of filmmakers,” he said.

He continued to say that “the FDCP – an astute partner of the Philippine Embassy – has a lot to be proud this year. Apart from actively joining the Festival proper, the Philippines is also present in the Asian Film Market and the BIFCOM Location Trade Show. Allow me thus to take this occasion to extend my congratulations to the FDCP for highlighting the depth and range of Philippine Cinema this year at a time when we are also celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and South Korea.

“The cinema has long been a powerful tool for reflecting and influencing the tides of society. The notion of the cinema functioning solely as a provider of entertainment is one which no longer holds true in the contemporary creative world.

“The cinema of today does more than entertain; it also provokes, analyzes, questions, explores new dimensions and ways of thinking. While making us laugh, wonder, and escape into alternative realities, the cinema can also present new ways of perceiving society. It can push the boundaries of conventional wisdom, incite people into action and even fuel an economy,” the ambassador concluded. Interesting, Ambassador Cruz also has a son, Carlo Cruz, who’s a budding filmmaker.

Actors Dennis Trillo and Edgar Allan Guzman, stars of the indie movie “Astig” which was the lone Philippine entry in competition in the new currents section, the director of the movie GB Sampedro, and the supervising producer Noel Ferrer were also present at the Philippine night.

Also present were veteran actress Rustica Carpio (who appears in two of the participating films, “Astig” and “Lola”), Maribel Lopez (star of “Kinatay”), Arlene Aguas, producer of “Ang Babae Sa Breakwater,” Borge Torre (“Bonsai”), and the other members of the Philippine delegation: Digna Santiago, executive director of the Philippine Film Export Services Office; Nestor Jardin, festival director of Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Cinemalaya; Ed Cabagnot, festival programmer; Manet Dayrit of Roadrunner; Roesholm Camaligan, president of the National Cinema Association of the Philippines; Luz Cantor of the Department of Budget and Management; Vicky Belarmino of CCP; Doy del Mundo, Luigi Verzosa, FDCP-PFESO special projects assistant; Maricon Basco-Ebron and Mylo Fausto of the Department of Tourism-Korea; Mitchelle Moreno, Cely Tomas, Emelita Alquiza, Saturnino Velasco, Raymond Red (“Sakay”), Arleen Cuevas, Nick Deocampo (“Oliver”), Ruby Tiong Tan and Jim Libiran (“Tribu”).

Jim is working on his second film entitled “Happy Land,” a film which is also set in Tondo like his first film “Tribu.” It is about the poor kinds in Tondo who, through La Sallean priests learned how to play football and competed with the “rich” boys in private Catholic schools. He “pitched” the idea of the film to prospective co-producers for possible funding at the PIFF.

The Philippine Night reception was attended by over 150 guests led by Kim Dong-Ho, festival director of the 14th PIFF, Kim Ji-Seok, PIFF programmer, and Park Kwang-So, head of the Busan International Film Commission.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Sunday, Oct. 18, go to, Shirley Halili-Cruz, Ernesto Bravo, Jennie Ilustre, Fe Y. Puzon, Rodolfo Torres, Maj. Julian Malonzo, Cora Ruiz, Dra. Violeta Dorado, Ashley Aurora Cortez, Lex Carreon, Rodolfo Alonzo, Reggie Sta. Maria, Sonia Zaldivar-Ronda, Dr. Oscar Lopez, Nellie Bangzon, Gilead Arnaiz, Mary Anne Liza Freking, Mary Anne Gamboa, Jacob Fernandez, Annie de Leon, Steven U. Villareal, Connie Han, Pam Dy, MB’s cash-teller Danilo L. Bricia and Railey Valeroso of Star Magic…