Ben Yalung

With a faculty composed of the country’s top, experienced and proficient filmmakers, the new Asia Pacific Film Institute (APFI) has expanded its training, production and post-production facilities that it is now considered as “the film institute of the Philippines!”

The new APFI complex, equipped with one of the most comprehensive and modern production facilities in Asia, has an 80-seat surround sound theater with emphasis on surround sound technology mixing. APFI also features five studios for both analog and digital media, sound recording and mixing studios with digital audio work stations, animation studio, complete film and video shooting equipment and an on-line color processing laboratory with digital color grading and printing.

Movie director Ben Yalung, who founded the film school, said that the new APFI “is committed to a curriculum which recognizes cinema to be independent, powerful and a unique medium in the world.”

He added that the film school was founded “for the new filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, producers, editors and animators who share a passion for motion pictures and want to learn by making their projects in a ‘do-it-yourself’ intensive program.”

The new APFI offers Modular Courses/Workshops in the whole production spectrum such as four to eight weeks directing, cinematography, basic still photography, screenwriting, editing, pre-post and post-productions, musical scoring, mixing video, among others.

APFI also offers classes in the evening for busy professionals.

The new APFI offers the following curriculum designs: Full-length certificate course covers two semesters and a summer program providing a basic introductory course to hand-on filmmaking, focusing on film directing and socialization; two short-term courses in the form of seminars and workshops; specialization modules with duration of four to six weeks focusing on introductory as well as advanced courses on specific fields directly related to filmmaking; short-term workshops running for two to five days covering weekends also on introductory and highly specialized subjects directly related to filmmaking.

Prospective students are however subjected to screening to check their aptitude.

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Anna Marin will be home for Christmas

She admits that she is loveless but she is not lonely. Over the years, semi-retired actress Anna Marin has learned that oftentimes, one should learn how to go with the flow of the universe.

“I have loved and loved deeply, but some relationships do not last and I have to simply accept that,” she tells us, adding, “There are lessons learned in every relationship and I believe pain always adds character and strength to a person.”

Anna now talks like she has mastered the art of letting go. In a rare interview, she opens up about her life as an actor, her much talked about liaison with the late Fernando Poe Jr., the friends she has kept all these years and how she misses the Philippines.

Anna Marin was in high school when she joined the now defunct Miss Teenage Philippines. She emerged first runner-up in 1974 and this opened a lot of doors for her in modeling which eventually led her to a career in show business.

Former film producer Jesse Ejercito saw the promise in the young high school campus queen and immediately signed her for an exclusive contract with his Seven Stars Productions, introducing Anna in the movie “Menor de Edad” where she joined the stellar cast of the sexy sirens of that era: Rio Locsin and Amy Austria.

Then she became a favorite fixture in the movies of then child wonder Niño Muhlach, appearing in eight or nine hits including “Kwatog” and “Bruce Liit.” She was also a favorite leading lady in both action and comedy flicks. She recalls the leading men she has fond memories of working with: Rudy Fernandez, Jun Aristorenas, and Phillip Salvador. “I was also with Lito Lapid in ‘Tom Cat’ and the ‘Chopstick Kid.’ I think it’s his biggest hit if I’m not mistaken. And they say, I’m a personal favorite of Papang Chiquito.”

One memorable film that Anna holds dear in her heart is Marilou Abaya’s “Moral,” where she acted with some of her best friends in show business: Gina Alajar, Amy Austria, Sandy Andolong and Lorna Tolentino. “That film was a brave attempt to present life during that era and it succeeded because it was such an honest film. Maybe that’s why it was acclaimed.”

But one movie will always remain at the top of her list and this is  “Tatak ng Tondo” with Joseph Estrada and Fernando Poe Jr. The movie also led to a romance between her and Mr. Poe, one that was known in showbiz circles but kept under wraps. “I guess it was the industry’s high respect to Ronnie (FPJ’s nickname) that’s why no one talked about it publicly or wrote about it not until he decided to make a go for the presidency.”

She smiles and narrates, “We were a very ‘private family.’ Ronnie and I had an on and off relationship since I was 17 years old. Our son Ronian was born when I was 19. We tried to make things uncomplicated because the givens were already complicated.”

Anna continues, “Even when we had to come over to the United States because we wanted Ronian to study here, Ronnie would come visit us regularly and we will have the best time together enjoying his vacation.”

Things took a turnaround in 1996 after Ronnie asked Anna to go back and live in the Philippines. “After some time, we started growing apart. And our relationship suffered. I guess it happens to many people.”

Anna eventually drifted out of that relationship and she met someone whom she would eventually marry. “I would often tell him that I wanted a normal family and I would want to marry and get settled. He’d always tell me no. Then when I finally decided to get married in 2001, I wrote him a letter but I guess the letter didn’t reach him on time. He came over the day after I got married. “I came right away after reading your letter yesterday,” he told me. He said he wanted to ask me not to get married but it was too late. I already did.”

Their son Ronian is now a businessman. “Ronian has a tattoo shop and has his own clothing brand called PNP. He lives on his own in Manila. Wala pa siyang asawa kaya hindi pa ako lola!” Anna also has another son Bryan.

Anna keeps herself busy by working as a Sales Director for a “time share” company called Grandview. “Life is so normal here, I wake up early, around 5 a.m. and spend some quiet time in prayer. I cook, I do the laundry, I clean, I also know all the good shopping places kaya if my friends visit, I become an instant guide.”

Anna says life has taught her many lessons. She tells us that she is looking forward to spending the holidays in the Philippines. “Yes, I’ll be home for Christmas!”

‘Twice the Joy’ CD, a perfect X-mas gift

A cheerful giver enjoys the joy of giving with the gift he or she gives, and the happiness that fills his or her own heart.

To delight in the joy of music and share the merriment of Christmas, C.H.I.L.D. Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization, has produced a compact disc, “Twice the Joy,” featuring the piano arrangements and artistry of Ms. Elnora Halili.

The perfect gift to give; the CD was produced under the supervision of Dr. Alexander O. Tuazon, all proceeds will be donated to the department of pediatrics of the Philippine General Hospital and for the benefit of children under their care. The CD may be purchased at the PGH pediatrics department or through the foundation.

Ms. Halili, a classically-trained pianist and graduate of the UP College of Music, has performed with different orchestras and traveled the world with the UP Concert Chorus. An arranger in her own right, she brings to “Twice the Joy” the spirit of Christmas – the enchantment, the nostalgia, the magic – through such popular carols as “The First Noel,” “Deck the Halls,” “Hark the Herald,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

When she is not delighting diners at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Ms. Halili is the “magic ingredient” in private parties where requests for songs from the ’60s to 2009 are always entertained. “It’s twice the joy for me to play and know how people love music,” she says.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 23 go to Ms. Lorna Tolentino, Ms. Marichu Maceda, Daniel “Bitay” Lacson, Leonardo “Remy” Monteverde, Gilopez Kabuyao, Portia Leuterio, Zeny Tengco, Luciano Mangiafico, Lourie T. Escano, Lito Nepomuceno, Mrs. Lourdes Sy, Eduardo Valentin Santos, Jenevieve Louisse Castillo, Joricel Carlynd Espiritu, Roxanne Vivar, Jonas C. Cruz, Charito Corpuz-Doles, Juan Ramesis P. Mayina, and Cesar Sarino. Pamorada-Galicia Nuptials. Engr. Freddie Yap Pamorada, son of Mr. Alfredo Pamplona Pamorada and Mrs. Lydia M. Yap-Pamorada wed last Dec. 19, Dr. Riza Francisco Galicia, daughter of Alcantara, Romblon Mayor Ramon Briones Galicia and Mrs. Belleza A. Francisco-Galicia, at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish in McKinley Road, Forbes Park in Makati City. The reception was held at the Rizal Ballroom C of the Makati Shangri-La.