Reel Time: Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna

More than just telling a story or highlighting the filmmaker's artistry, a film should be able to connect with its audience. After a long time, unexpectedly, I was again moved to tears in my last trip to the movie house. I saw the restored version of the Carlitos Siguion- Reyna film, "Ang Lalake Sa Buhay Ni Selya" at the UP Cine Adarna.

When this movie was released -- year 1997--- I was just a kid. So this was my first time watching it. Having little appreciation for cinema that time, I'm sure I'd just brush this movie off as a "sexy film."

Taken from the perspective of Rafa Siguion-Reyna, son of Carlitos, who was at the theatre, he confessed that during that time, when he just around 7 years old, his friends were teasing him because his father was making "bomba films." The young Rafa would defend his dad saying, "Hindi bomba film yan! Yan ay freedom of expression!" See? It's not easy to be a filmmaker's progeny.

Fast forward 2015, having taken up film appreciation classes and having seen a variety of movies, plus the fact that I've kinda grown up  (gasps!) and witnessed (and perpetually trying to understand) the dynamics of human relationships, this film, to me now, is more than just showing off flesh and sex scenes. But yes, it does have a lot of "daring" scenes.

At the movie's centre is a simple story that revolves around four central characters, whose need to be accepted, understood and loved is laid out to us right from the beginning. And in the words of the late Princess Diana, it would be difficult if there's "three of us in a marriage." Much so four. In today's Facebook parlance, "it's complicated."

There's a schoolteacher named Selya (Rosanna Roces) whose unrequited 'love' with Bobby (Gardo Versoza), who eventually leaves her, has forced her to run away. She ends up in a town where she meets Piling (Eva Darren), also a schoolteacher, and Ramon (Ricky Davao), a closeted gay man who happens to be a school principal, and is in love with Carding (Allan Paule). Selya and Ramon marries, but she eventually finds out the latter's sexual orientation and true relationship with Carding. Years later, Bobby returns to prove his 'love' for her. With all these happening, they become the talk of the town.

Selya is the lovelorn, whose unrequited love has reduced her to desperation: running away to an unknown place, heeding the advice of a suspicious woman and marrying someone she barely knows. Bobby is the self-centred man, whose primary goal is to meet the needs of the flesh and whose mission is to validate his manhood through his conquests.

Both Ramon and Carding exhibit the idea of a man whose Catholic guilt and moral standards are preventing him from publicly proclaiming an "abnormal" love. Piling is the epitome of the pakialamerang kapamilya, whom we Pinoys are very familiar of.  She's our overly-concerned family member or relative who'd like to take over our lives the moment she thinks we need help. Sort of The Messiah complex.

Writer Bibeth Orteza, wife of Carlitos, penned the screenplay and we can all agree that there's richness to it. Sometimes, we see films and we're told with stories that stand just the way they are. And there are others, like Selya, that's not just a fictitious tale but one that mirrors the society we live in. We see the story unfold but we don't just stop there; we also figure out the metamessages. Also, we see a part of ourselves or someone we know in these characters. And that's why we can all relate to it.

Granted that I find the acting quite hammy, it's all right. The story touches me in great depths, especially on its theme of love, self-worth, acceptance and respect. Anybody who'd like to know Love and its different faces should at least take time to watch this.

Kape't Pelikula at University of the Philippines- Diliman

For a while, it was wonderful to feel like a student again.

Earlier today, I was in the company of film students and movie buffs at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. To be in this crowd, it’s easy to channel the vibe of the undergraduates: ambitious yet happy-go-lucky. It’s infectious.

A seminar that is “Kape’t Pelikula,” it’s unlikely for film enthusiasts like me to pass up this encounter with like-minded individuals over a cup of coffee. Especially if, in this case, visual artist Kiri Dalena, film critic Richard Bolisay and film director and educator Nick Deocampo served as the speakers.

A few days prior, I got an acceptance letter via e-mail saying I was among the chosen few to be part of it. It said registration starts at 9 in the morning. For a night owl like me, this is utter torture, probably like King Sun kissing Dracula. But my desire to attend was so strong, it dragged me there and I was just in time. Did I mention this was all for free? Thanks, UP Cinema Arts Society.

Red Flag. Requiem for M. Memorial for Filipino Journalists. Kiri helmed them all and we were lucky to see snippets of her masterpieces, which backstory she further explained. A self-confessed human rights activist, it is through the arts, including film, where Kiri voices her standpoint. They are all close to home so unsurprisingly, while in the middle of her discussion, she got teary-eyed; a testament of unwavering devotion to her craft and advocacy. This determination, paired with her boldness, is inspiring.

Whereas Kiri catered on experimental documentary filmmaking, Richard’s forte is film criticism mainly accessible through his Lilok Pelikula website. Animated and candid, he got everybody hooked in his discussion on the roles of the critic, filmmaker and the audience as well as the culture of criticism in the country, stressing that Pinoys are mostly balat-sibuyas so to speak.

Recognizing his purpose was to encourage aspiring filmmakers, his best piece of advice is this: Start Somewhere. His best example is fellow UP alumna Antoinette Jadaone who, before making it big in the mainstream movie production, had first exhibited her talent in her earlier short films as a student such as ‘Plano and Saling Pusa. He showed both.

I also witnessed a sneak peek of Nick Deocampo’s 3d documentary on the evolution of Philippine Cinema. That two-minute preview definitely left us hanging. Obviously, his one-hour talk is not enough. I wonder what it would be like to be part of his class, or what if I finally pursue a post-graduate degree on film. By then I could use as a legitimate excuse to devour all those books and documentaries he made, which he was proudly displaying on the table in front of us. “Para akong nagbebenta… mamaya mag-usap tayo,” he quips. And laughter filled the room.

This man is burning with passion. It shows. He confesses, “My main motivation is production of knowledge as well as self-expression.” He adds, “What is the greatest need of this country? Education. Education was my key out of poverty.”

I sat there at a UP auditorium with a touch of wistfulness that takes me back to my student days. How ambitious I had been. How some things changed the moment I had stepped out of the university. But also in that moment, I was filled with hopefulness, rejuvenated that I am not alone in this pursuit. And may be, one day I’ll go back to school and be a student again. Yet if not, I’ll always take pleasure in being a student of Life. 

Taste Buddies at Hole in The Wall Century City Mall with Lovi Poe

There’s a newest hotspot in town that offers a gathering of good food. And our Taste Buddies went there to savor the flavors in this Hole in the Wall in Makati!

Together with Kapuso leading lady Lovi Poe, hosts Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania dined at this latest food concept where they checked out the Mexican-Filipino fusion of Posporo, the do-it-yourself cookies at Scout’s Honor and the East-meets-West menu of Bad Bird.

Our favorite chicken platter… with kimchi or waffle on the side? Bad Bird gives us a choice to go Japanese, Korean or American for our dining experience. See what Lovi has picked!

Tired of your usual chocolate chip cookies? Now, you can make your own at the first ever craft cookie shop in the country! Find out the cookie combination ala Solenn!

Sisig Taco! Soyganisa! Sarsi Adobo Carnitas! Iya has enjoyed the goodness of Mexican and Pinoy street food at Posporo!

Catch Solenn, Iya and Lovi’s lunch date on Taste Buddies this May 9 at 8:45 p.m. on GMA News TV.

Instituto Cervantes Manila Dia Del Libro 2015

A day devoted to books, lovers and book lovers!

That's what Dia del Libro is all about. It's celebrated on St. George's Day, every April 23, when sweethearts are urged to exchange gifts. Hence, the "tradition encourages booklovers from all walks of life to come together and ignite their passion for reading literature." If you want to read more about this, here's something from Philippine Daily Inquirer.

So last April 23, I headed to Instituto Cervantes along Kalaw Avenue, Manila. I almost forgot about the event but upon a last minute check on my planner, I saw my note about Dia Del Libro. It just so happened that I was free that day so I dropped by after my morning appointment. And I was not disappointed.

In fact, I got there about two hours before opening time. Ha ha! Talk about excited. Truth is, I didn't pay attention to the time and other details. All I know is that they were giving away free books. How could I resist? And discounted shirts!

It wasn't my first. Four (?) years ago I attended the event. It was low-key unlike this year's which featured a lot of activities including a live band performance, poetry recitals and free Spanish classes! Plus, they gave red roses to the first 100 registrants. Found out eventually that it's their 10th year. Oh that's why.

I miss going to Instituto because my friends and I used to frequent the place to watch free Spanish or European movies. It was where I got to watch Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes) as well as Sex and Lucia, to name a few. And if I remember correctly, we might have caught some Pedro Almodovar, too.

This year, I spotted actress-host Eugene Domingo, who I heard was studying Spanish there. She, along with the hundreds who signed up, re-wrote by hand the Miguel Cervantes' masterpiece Don Quixote de la Mancha. I approached her and told her how she moved us through her brave performance in the acclaimed Jun Lana film Barber's Tales. She was grateful.

I also got to have some nice talk with strangers who share the same passion about books, as well as the arts. One is Ms. Joy who's teaching Spanish in grade school. Like me, she was an early bird, too. She came all the way from Fairview, Q.C by car. And she told me she had not been around the area so  she got a bit lost.

Another is Michelle who reminded me of Serena Williams. We were seated next to each other... looking around, people-watching. After a while, I initiated the conversation and spoke in English because, to me, she didn't appear like she was a native. She responded in English, too. But we were cut short when I saw my former college professor who was waiting for his friends in grad school.

He and I did some catching up. Apparently, he was learning Spanish, too. But at a different university. I was surprised that a lot of people nowadays are studying languages! Hmm. I wanted to learn Spanish and French. May be it's now the right time to pursue. Ha ha!

He stood up to survey the place and I was left again with Michelle beside me. This woman love to study Russian! I have never met anyone (okay, may be 1 or two) who wanted to do so. She is also taking up Education units at a nearby university. But she's frustrated because her Lit class got dissolved. I would be furious, too, had I been in her shoes. I love Lit.

I wish there would be more events like these. And here's wishing, too, that they're for free! Looking forward to next year's!

Twitter Explodes with McDreamy Shocker

Spoiler Alert. Don't read if you don't want to get spoiled.
Someone, a favorite, from Grey's Anatomy died.
It will break your heart. Just like the rest of the world who took to Twitter their depression.

See below: