MANILA, Philippines - The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), headed by filmmaker Briccio G. Santos, held recently its second regional film festival under its program “Sineng Pambansa (National Cinema)” in Zamboanga City. Sineng Pambansa kicked off in Iloilo City last January. The Zamboanga Film Festival was hosted by Mayor Celso L. Lobregat. It was held Feb. 23-25 at the city’s Mindpro Cinema 3.

In a press briefing after the signing ceremony at the City Hall, Mayor Lobregat said, “We did not have second thoughts in accepting the proposal of the FDCP to host the film festival… Zamboanga is the cradle of history and culture in Mindanao.” Mayor Lobregat was especially elated that one of the films to be shown is “Zamboanga,” directed by Eduardo de Castro in 1936 and which starred the late Fernando Poe, Sr. and Rosa del Rosario.

With pride, Mayor Lobregat added: “We are very much into promoting our culture and history, especially our language, Chabacano.” The film event was doubly significant as it was held in conjunction with the Dia de Zamboanga Celebration, the inauguration of Zamboanga as a Chartered City.

In his message, FDCP Chairman Santos said, “It is with great pride and achievement that we launch this run of Sineng Pambansa in the beautiful city of Zamboanga… The objective of Sineng Pambansa is simple: To create an audience for Filipino films by providing a venue for them to watch outstanding Filipino films through the cooperation and active participation of the local government. Indeed, through the energetic and tireless efforts of Mayor Celso Lobregat, the city of Zamboanga has inspired us not only with its strong cultural pride, but also with its sense of community.

Zamboanga City was home to eight movie houses before World War II. These included Cine Ideal (built in 1941) which featured mostly cowboy movies, and the films “Tarzan” and “Lone Ranger,” Ever Theater, known for screening blockbuster Tagalog movies, and the more classy Plaza Theater.

According to film historian and writer Nick Deocampo, the phenomenal theater-building in the ’50s happened in many provinces and islands, like Batangas which had 22 theaters, Bohol, 6, Cotabato, 22, Leyte, 21, Mountain Province, 14, Pangasinan, 30, Quezon Province, 30, Sulu, 4 and Zamboanga, 8.

Nick has written that “Zamboanga” was one of four pre-war feature-length films made in the Philippines that survived World War II. The other three were “Tunay na Ina” (1938), “Pakiusap” (1938), and “Giliw Ko” (1939).

“Zamboanga” is considered the “mother of all studio-made films in the country as it was made at a crucial moment in the history of filmmaking in the Philippines. With the establishment of the first film studio, Filip-pine Films, in the country in 1932, Tait and Harris “revolutionized local filmmaking as it ushered in the studio system that made it possible for subsequent native-owned studios like LVN, Sampaguita, Premiere and Libran, to bring Philippine movies to their Golden Era in the ’50s.”

For its significance in pre-war cinematic history, “Zamboanga” was indeed the perfect choice to open the Zamboanga Film Festival. The other films screened were “Sabungero,” by Rozie Delgado and Miguel Kaimo, 2010; “Concerto,” Paul Alexander Morales, 2008; “Halaw,” Sheron Dayoc, 2010; “Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato,” Mes de Guzman, 2010; “Kano,”Monster Jimenez, 2010; “Lumbunan,” Teng Mangansakan, 2009; “Di Natatapos ang Gabi,” Ato Bautista, 2010; and “Emir,” Chito Roño, 2009.

• • •
A homecoming to remember for Young JV

It was a homecoming to remember for Young JV when he visited his hometown Iloilo City recently for the Dinagyang Festival. Truly a pride of the city, Young JV entertained the enthusiastic crowd who welcomed him with open arms so to speak, with highly-charged performances at the SM City Iloilo Mall, SM Car Park, SouthPoint, Griller’s Bar in SmallVilled and “ASAP Rocks Dinagyang” at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

Young JV continues to make waves with his talent in singing and songwriting. He won the Best Male Style Icon and Best Video (for his “Can’t Get Enough” song) in Wave 89.1’s 2nd Urban Music Awards held recently at Eastwood City’s Central Park. His debut album entitled “Ready or Not” has also now reached platinum status.

The year 2010 was a busy year for Young JV. He was the front act for the “Quest Crew Live in Manila” last December, and for “Supafest 2010” which featured foreign artist like Sean Kingston, T-Pain, Flo Rida and Kelly Rowland’s concert held at SM MOA concert grounds. He also performed at the MYXMO 2010 concert which was also held at the SM MOA concert grounds, and at the Sketchers StreetDance Final Battle held at the Araneta Coliseum.
(To get the latest news about Young JV, visit his official website at http://youngjv.com)

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 9, go to Rosemarie Gil, Nonong “Dero” Pedero, Dr. Avelino P. Aventura, Arielle Matias Pizarro, Atty. Zeny Alcantara, Peachy Buan, Queenie B. Naidas, Virgilio Almario, Pat Pecache, Philip Cuazon, Sr., Ida Bata, Agnes Bantugan, Michael Jay Foz, Iris Brillon, Angeli Gonzales of Star Magic and Dr. Rebecca Singson of Makati Med and Asian Hospital & Medical Center… Happy wedding anniversary to Levy and Irene Banag…