It’s very interesting to note that there are many of our established stars who wouldn’t say no to appearing in indie films, never mind if the pay is minimal. Actually they don’t get paid sometimes or just gasoline money. They do it for the love of the project, or the director.

This year, the Metro Manila Film Festival pays tribute to indie films by showing five of them a week prior to the festival proper. “This is our way of supporting the independent filmmakers whose films are not shown commercially in our country but are winning awards abroad,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino who is also the overall chairman of the film festival.

The indie films are “Nasaan Si Hefte?,” “Presa,” “Senior Year,” “Rindido,” and “Slow Fade.”

Diether Ocampo plays the male lead role in “Slow Fade” with Precious Lara Quigaman as leading lady. He said he can relate to his role as a frustrated filmmaker who is dying of cancer. Diether’s father died early and he only knew him through his voice in a recording he left for him. Diether plays Darius, a video editor by profession who decides to make videos about himself, his community.

“Slow Fade” is directed by multi-awarded cinematographer Rommel Sales. The story is the recipient of a P1-million grant from Cinemabuhay – a program of the PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) that provides seed money for first-time filmmakers.
“Slow Fade,” the vision of Sales (story/direction) and Paula Sta. Ana (screenplay), is produced in association with Brainchild Studios.

“Slow Fade,” Sales explained, drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including his own although he stressed that he is not in the final stage of his life. “That’s how I started getting different projects, yung maliit lang muna. Nag-e-edit din ako nung mga pinapasa sa aking kasal ng mga kamag-anak. You’re forced to edit it. Hindi ka pwedeng tumanggi,” he said.
Writing the screenplay became cathartic to Paul as it helped him deal with his own loss.

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Director says he deserves his award

When he received his trophy as Best Stage Director (Musical) during the recent Aliw Awards Night, Vince Tañada said “with a humble spirit and with a humble heart, I’d like to claim that I deserve this award!” It was Vince’s second award. The first time he won an award, many eyebrows were raised, and people asked who he was.

Considering Philippine Stages Foundation (PSF) as a “very young theatre company,” the stage director-founder who is also a lawyer pointed out that his group may not be well-known yet compared to some but it did not deprive them of going up the stage and win the trophy.

Only last week, a new feather was added to the PSF’s cap when no less than Pres. Benigno Aquino III recognized the group as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines (TAYO Awards) not only because for staging the well-acclaimed “Ako si Ninoy” musicale but for the numerous recognitions and worthy contributions that the company gave to the yet small industry.

It was the success of this stage play that made the group phenomenal with more than 300 shows to date practically breaking all Philippine theatre box-office records. The stage musical is slated to travel next year to foreign lands, according to the multi-awarded stage director. Tañada who is also a stage actor plays the role of the late Benigno Aquino, Jr. and had done it with flying colors. And to portray as the late senator is a dream-come-true for him.

When asked what makes PSF different from other theatre groups, Tañada said he wants to change the misconception that theater is not financially-rewarding. It depends on the theatre company. I know that the main investment here is talent, and theatre company owners should be more sensitive towards the needs of their actors.

Today, Dec. 21, Dir. Vince Tañada’s PSF is holding a fund-raising affair capped by ballroom dancing for the benefit of the patients at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City.

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UP Madrigal Singers in concert at the CCP

The UP Madrigal Singers will be presented by the Cultural Center of the Phils. and the Rotary International District 3810 tonight and tomorrow at the CCP Main Theater in a year-end concert entitled “Gaudium…The Joy of Giving.”

The concert is for the benefit of the Thallassemia patients of the Dr. Fe Del Mundo Center.

Featured alongside the famed UP Madrigal Singers and choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio are John Lesaca (violinist), and distinguished Madz alumni Sal Malaki (tenor) and Maria Cristina Navarro (soprano).

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 21, go to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Rep. Danilo Suarez, “Starstruck 2” winner Ryza Cenon, Robert A. Alejandro, Eddie Wong, Mila Jorge, Donna Galima, Leslie Anne C. Jao, Ray Maranan, R’U Miranda and Dr. Emmanuel V. Ochoa…