At Cannes, Alessandra de Rossi and director Auraeus Solito.

MANILA, Philippines -- Instant karma from nature is what the Palawan word “busong” means. And from the good fortunes that has fallen the movie “Busong,” its director and cast, we can say that their whole experience in the recently concluded Festival de Cannes in France was one positive “busong!”

Let’s start with the intention of the whole film. Its director Auraeus Solito planned “Busong” since 1995. He has since pitched it to a number of producers but no one was interested. It was his dream to make “Busong” for his mother and to showcase the beauty of Palawan. His goal was to present the pristine nature of his mom’s hometown in Puring, Bataraza, Palawan where people believe in “busong.”

“I want to show the magic realism that people from her hometown still believe in. These people believe in both magic and reality,” Solito said.

His intention resulted to his dream film.

“Busong” was picked for Cannes Film Festival’s Director’s Fortnightly and Solito along with his cast and crew left for Cannes May 15, his mom’s birthday!

Alesandra de Rossi’s acceptance to portray the lead role in “Busong” could have also helped in the good karma the film project received. Coincidentally, the role offered to her was in her checklist of roles to play.

In “Busong,” she plays a woman inflicted with wounds on her feet which would eventually grow on her whole body up to her head. According to her, she wore prosthetics which took four hours to put on and another two hours to take off.

“Hindi ko napansin yung hirap dahil sa ganda ng location. Bawat shore na mapuntahan namin iba-iba ang itsura, may mabato o puro shells ang makikita,’’ Alessandra said.

Solito was invited last March to the Hong Kong Film Financing Forum and he attended to pitch the movie. Then representatives from Cannes requested to see the footage of “Busong.” They liked what they saw and asked him to send the edited and cut version. He worked on it for less than a week after he got back from Hong Kong, sent it and then received confirmation.

Asked about Alessandra as an actress, he said “She was uncanny. Her acting was precise and I never met anyone as precise. Since I wrote this I’ve always visualized a morena actress and she was immediately in my mind.”

“Busong” will have a Philippine premiere in July at the 2011 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition wherein it will compete at the Directors Showcase. The 2011 Cinemalaya will run from July 15 to 24 at the CCP.

PAO chief a TV star

If there’s any government official who appears more on TV on a regular schedule, no one can surpass lawyer Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, chief of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

“My appearances on those TV shows is part of our mandate,” she explained. “It is an opportunity for us to explain to the people the functions and responsibilities of PAO.’’

The PAO chief appears regularly as panelist or consultant – no talent fee, of course – in “Face to Face,” weekdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a. m., TV5. She also anchors a show, “Public Atorni,” in ActionTV every Thursday, 8:30 p. m.

A pistol-carrying government official, the PAO Chief said that “threats to her life” have become daily fare. She is however provided with two security men by the Philippine National Police.

Chief Acosta’s dedication as a public servant has endeared her to the masses. This has earned for her countless awards, including the highest presidential award, “Lingkod Bayan!”

With Republic Act No. 9406 enacted recently, PAO is now an independent and autonomous office, making Acosta’s position the rank of a Cabinet Secretary.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 23, go to Sam Milby, Joan Banaga, Elizabeth Chang, Nelia Lim, May Villarica, Mrs. Rita Carlos, Maita Gomez, Pia Pascua, Vida Bañez, Bingle H. Limjuco, Santiago Razon, Rafael Butch Francisco, Genevieve G. Marcos, Blanchi Balamide, and Rochelle Pangilinan of Sexbomb Girls…