CINEMALAYA GOES TO ‘GAPO

“Cinemalaya sa ‘Gapo” opens November 26, 2011 with the gala screening of the award-winning indie film “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” at the Olongapo Convention Center (OCC).

Olongapenos will be treated to a week-long screening of outstanding indie films that competed in the 2011 CineMalaya Independent Film Festival 2011, through the efforts of the Olongapo City Fiesta 2011 Executive Committee, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc.

The City Fiesta committee headed by Councilor James “Bugsy” de los Reyes said that tickets are available at P 100.00 (regular price) and P 80.00 (student price). The proceeds are earmarked primarily for the improvement of the city’s barangay health centers.

“More than just being a fund-raising activity, this project gives our community and those in neighboring towns access to some of the best indie films in the country – allowing them to see a microcosm of Philippine society, the culture and values that shape their lives, aspirations and character,” Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. said.

He stressed that “CineMalaya sa ‘Gapo” underscores the city government’s commitment to the promotion of arts and culture, citing observations that communities with vibrant arts and culture programs are known to be “more refined and therefore more disciplined, more understanding of one another and therefore more cooperative.”

“This is also one way of encouraging Olongapeños to set free the artist in them and, if they are interested in film making and feel that they have the talent, to take the next step towards developing and pursuing their craft,” said De los Reyes.

One of the project’s prime movers, Councilor Edic Piano, was a Mowelfund scholar in film making and taught for 10 years at the UP Film Institute.

Aside from the CineMalaya 2011 Best Indie Film awardee “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank”, CineMalaya sa Gapo will also feature Bisperas by Jeffrey Jeturian (Directors Showcase) and Walang Katapusang Kwarto (Short Feature Section).

Other films to be screened are Niño by Loy Arcenas which won the top prize in the 2011 Busan International Film Festival, Hanapbuhay by Henry Frejas, Patikul by Joel Lamangan, Isad by Adolfo Alix Jr., Nono by Milo Tolentino, Niño Bonito by Milo Tolentino, Busong by Auraeus Solito, Debut by Pam Reyes, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa by Alvin Yapan, Every Other Time by Gino Santos, Boundary by Benito Bautista, Ligo na U, Lapit na Me by Erick Salud, Amok by Lawrence Fajardo, Hazard by Mikhail Red, and Immanuel by Gabriel Puyat.

Screening Schedule:

November 27- Patikul and Niño Bonito at 10:00 am, Isda and Hanapbuhay at 12:45pm; Ang Babae sa Septic Tank and Hanapbuhay at 3:30 pm; Nono and Niño Bonito at 6:15 pm and Bisperas and Immanuel at 8:30 pm.

November 28- Ang Babae sa Septic Tank and Hanapbuhay at 10:00 am, Busong and Debut at 12:45 pm, Patikul and Niño Bonito at 3:30 pm, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa and Every Other Time at 6:15 pm and Isda and Hanapbuhay at 9:00 pm.

November 29- Busong and Debut at 10:00 am, Niño and Debut at 12:45 pm, Boundary and Hazard at 3:30 pm, Ligo na U, Lapit na Me and Walang Katapusang Kwarto at 6:15 pm, Ang sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa and Every Other Time at 9:00 pm.

November 30- Nono and Niño Bonito at 10:00 pm, Bisperas and Immanuel at 12:45 pm, Amok and Hazard at 3:30 pm, Niño and Debut at 6:15 pm, Ligo na U, Lapit na Me and Walang Katapusang Kwarto at 9:00 pm.