Rude World

Davao City: the "Hollywood" of Mindanao

2012-02-25T08:37:00.005-08:00

Shooting a scene at Quezon Park (City Hall) for Bagane Fiola's "Way to the Sunset" (2009)

Having one of the most active filmmaking landscapes in the southern Philippines, Davao City could well position itself as Mindanao's Hollywood albeit on a lesser scale.

For one Davao is not a stranger to film productions, it once had an active Bisayan film industry in the 1950s well into the early 1970s sadly prints of the films from that bygone era has been inexistent with only a few old-timers recalling its heyday.

It was only in the past decade when an active independent digital film movement began to take shape. The rise of guerilla filmmaking style, which refers to micro budgeted hit-and-run film productions using digital video technology has given rise to newer breed of visual artists, the guerilla filmmakers.

In 2003, two Dabawenyo friends, Dax Canedo and Drei Boquiren opened a workshop which they called the Guerilla Filmmaking Workshop to teach interested and budding local filmmakers the intricacies of making films, the workshop's film showcase eventually evolved into the Mindanao Film Festival, one of the longest running independent film festivals in the country.

The workshop provided the core of active Dabawenyo filmmakers who had churned full-length and digital films who have been screened not just locally but also in Manila and other film festivals. Among these included John Paul Seniel, Ronald Gary Bautista, Bagane Fiola and Orvil Bantayan.

Orvil Bantayan's "Mananabang" (2010)

Other notable Dabawenyo local filmmakers included award-winning playwright Arnel Mardoquio, whose Davao shot films are being exhibited in foreign film festivals and has been garnering awards from national award giving bodies, Charliebeb Gohetia whose debut film "The Thank You Girls" was a Davao-shot pink movie screened in various festivals around the world and Sherad Sanchez, whose full-length features shot in Davao have won numerous honors and accolades.

There are other notable filmmakers/film directors with Davao roots which had keenly supported the local film movement among these included Tikoy Aguiluz, Briccio Santos, Yam Laranas and Paul Alexander Morales.

Yam Laranas, a proud product of the Davao City National High School, is the first Filipino movie director to
have his film remade by a Hollywood studio.

What good would a Dabawenyo cinema bring to the city?

One good would be the continued revitalization of the city's culture and arts. Local independent filmmaking has been about synergy with different arts, for instance playwright Arnel Mardoquio has always tapped the Kalumon Ensemble, a performance arts group for his films, then there is his collaborations with iconic Dabawenyo musician Popong Landero who not only provides musical scoring but also is an actor.

Dabawenyo literary pieces such as Macario Tiu's Palanca award-winning short story, "Balyan" has been adapted into a full-length film by Orvil Bantayan titled "Tambara".

A vibrant film industry can contribute to the local economy. Current film productions are no longer your micro-budgeted films they could now involve independent productions with budgets running to several hundred thousands up to a million pesos. There are now film festivals and other similar programs like Cinemalaya, Cinema One and the Film and Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) which are providing grants for the production of independent films, a number of those who availed have been local filmmakers.

Since 2006 there is at least one full-length indie movie being produced in the city annually. These could provide key livelihood opportunities for barangays where the films are shot. Production design could need some carpenters and laborers working in tandem with Dabawenyo artists in building film sets as what was done in Sherad Sanchez 2006 film "Huling Balyan ng Buhi" shot in Marilog.

Several people could be employed to fill in production spots like actors, cameramen, sound crew, musicians, video editors, graphic artists, administrative and logistics staff plus other services like catering and transportation.

Davao's emerging filmmaking industry could provide the much needed boost to Davao tourism particularly in its Life is Here branding campaign. A developed filmmaking industry in Davao City can be a window to the rest of the world.

Interesting locales can be developed as film locations. In Charliebeb's Gohetia's "The Thank You Girls," the film was shot in scenic areas around Buda and Calinan. Bagane Fiola's full-length film "Way to the Sunset" about 60% of it was shot around San Pedro Street.

The Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) property in Punta Dumalag has also been the location of numerous short and full-length films and so are the public spaces around the city like the Peoples Park and Magsaysay Park.

Cinema could be a pivotal tourism economic driver with the holding of film festivals in the city.

2011 Cinemarehiyon Davao City

Film Festivals can contribute a million pesos to the local economy in the form of expenditures like cinema rentals, hotel rooms, transportation, catering and marketing collaterals.

These Festivals can be packaged as a tourism come-on for the city. Cities like Busan in South Korea, Hongkong and Dubai have cashed in on a growing market for film festival tourism.

This coming June, the FDCP in partnership with the City Government and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries is planning to hold the first Davao City International Film Festival. Where national and local movies along with international films from the countries of Italy, France and Czechoslovakia are slated to participate.

Crowds at a film festival

The Davao Cinematheque a 150-seat cinema is scheduled to be finished in time for the film festival though it was originally slated to be opened during the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations. The cinema facility is hoped to connect more Dabawenyos to gems from the country's independent filmmakers, old Filipino movies and the varied works of world cinema. Providing a fresh perspective to an audience regularly exposed to mainstream Hollywood and Filipino studio movies regularly shown on mall cinemas.

Submitted as an entry to the 75th Araw ng Dabaw Blog Competition

Flicks and reruns: Unofficially Yours

2012-02-18T00:51:00.000-08:00

While waiting for my volkswagen bug to be repaired at the neighborhood talyer, I went to a newly-opened burger joint (Backyard Burger) which was just a few blocks away then hied off to the neighborhood mall (SM Davao) to escape the searing saturday noontime weather. So I bought a movie ticket so where I can eat my ordered burgers. Out of the six movies I picked Cathy Garcia Molina's Unofficially Yours

The plot revolves around Mackie played by John Lloyd Cruz, a dentist who engages in a one-night stand with hot sexy chick played by Angel Locsin. Just as the dawn breaks in, the girl is gone and Mackie goes on with his life. He then tries to start a fling with his first passion which is writing and applies gets accepted at Manila Bulletin where he is assigned to the lifestyle section and there he gets to meet again his beach fling.

The movie tells the story of two people brought together by an unconventional relationship that of being f*ck buddies, f*cking friends or FWB (friends with benefits) and the problem commences when one of the partners falls in love despite the other's unflinching stand that the partnership is just all sexual and nothing more.

Since this is a story about essentially two f*ck buddies, this is perhaps Cathy Garcia Molina known for syrupy rom-coms most risque film to date. And fortunately or unfortunately (for hot-blooded males) this is not any film company where you could have numerous scenes of graphic sex. This is produced by the generally wholesome Star Cinema and this film is intended for the biggest chain of wholesome cinema houses in the country SM. There were passionate love scenes alright but none as to merit a censors x rating classification.

Basically the plot revolves around a person's innate need for commitment which no amount of carnal pleasure can satisfy. Unofficially Yours take you right smack into that roller-coaster ride of an unconventional steamy relationship leading past to the expected but poignant finale.

The movie like Star Cinema movies are technically competent, well-acted. But more than that film actually exudes an indie charm into it evident during the first half of the film before the film descends into a flurry of pathos. Angel and JLC along with the rest of the cast played a little more relaxed and at ease in some scenes you'll feel that they were not acting at all particularly JLC's friends played by Panying, Boom Labrusca and Edgar Allan Guzman who starred in an well-reviewed indie film about unofficial relationships Ligo Na U Lapit na Me.

On a sidelight some budding journalists or students can get a few pointers about the workings of the newspaper industry as about 70% of the film is shot in the workplaces of Manila Bulletin. In the story I can relate to Mackie's effort to get his story published in the highly competitive world of a national daily. As a government newswriter I attended a workshop on how our stories can get publish in national dailies. And was ecstatic when one of my stories landed in the regional pages of Manila Bulletin.

Aidx the 17

2012-02-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

I first met this young fellow a year ago during aphotography workshop by noted wedding and fashion photographer Eight Espino. Atfirst he seemed like a curious teenager aching to snap some shots and get a feel of a trendy hobby.

But far from his youthful appearance, 17-year old Aidx Paredes is the current boywonder of local photography his passion and individual sense of style iswinning him fans from young netizens to appreciative fashionistas.

He has been featured in online magazines (Zone and Stached)and has been commissioned to do fashion shoots for Davao’s top fashion stores PickledPink and Soul Lifestyle, an extraordinary feat for a teen photographer.

For Zone mag

“I started back when I was 14” recalls Aidx when I droppedin at the opening of his photo exhibit at Lions Reggae Bar at Juan Luna.

“I was inspired by photos of other people from the ones I’veseen in Flickr, Multiply and Tumblr.” Aidx said. The young teen was enamouredof the images he had seen in photo sharing sites and decided to try the craft.

Among the ones he idolized were David Guison, Mark Nicdao,Tricia Gosingtian, Australian Nirrimiand former Ateneo de Davao’s top fotog and personal mentor Jose Miguel Santillan.

Aidx with JM "roadblock" Santillan

He describes hisimages as a mix of the dark side and the light side, literally and figuratively.He pointedly explains that when one sees the light, the photo is really dark,when one sees the dark side it is really light.

He admits that most of those who have seen his photos do notreally understand his images. “But according to my followers sa internet, it’sbeautiful.” He tells the writer.

Aidx already has a legion of followers and admirers; he hasfrequently visited pages in his website the Young Blood Tumblr account.

A pretty enigma is how I describe Aidx’s photos, lovely and moody, a freeflow of artistic luminescence plus a mixture of youthful creative streak andartistic talent. Exuding a certain character that stands out to be noticed.

Katrin Su for Aidx Photography

As for getting ideas from his shoot Aidx share the fact thathe gets ideas from some photographers then innovate it. “I want their pics withmy style in it.” He says. When he gets a hunch of an idea you will find himshooting with his models. He says that one of his frequent collaborators is hisidol JM Santillan.

Some of his photosare mostly heavy contrast monochromes or Lomograph-inspired photos for his coloredworks.

“I shoot in natural ambient light, I do not use strobes, I usepop up flashes.” Aidx describes his shooting styles. As for shooting locationshis preferences are outdoors. He has histrusty camera, a Canon 550D DSLR.

As for his models he picks his classmates and friends tobecome his subjects. But he particularly names L.A. Subido as his muse.

The muse

Aidx who is currently taking up Mass Communications at Ateneo de Davao would love to continue his passion after his studiesparticularly focusing on advertising. Healso has three goals he aims to achieve before he turns 20.

With his Soul Lifestyle family Mimi and Jun Tupas and James Bautista

“Before 18, I would like to do a photo exhibit, before 1,shoot a short film and before 20 shoot an editorial.” He bares his plans. And with his exhibitattended by close friends, clients, fans, admirers and mentors Aidx hascompleted his first goal, and with the way this young lad is going he could achieve his two other goals ina not so-distant future.

at the exhibit

Aidx sandwiched by this writer (left) and filmmaker/graphic artist Bagane Fiola

For Durian Central Sunstar Davao

photos by Aidx Paredes
special thanks to Bagsy Fiola, Wrap Meting and JM Santillan

Cagayan de Oro on Post

2012-01-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

A month after Tropical Storm Sendong struck the city of Cagayan de Oro and brought forth one of the most deadliest calamities in decades, I visited the City to attend a film festival. The city is slowly getting back on its feet, took out my point-and-shooter (Canon A2200) to snap shots of my visit. This is Cagayan de Oro post Sendong, post-processed.

The City Hall

Pabayo-Divisoria

Ramon Magsaysay monument at Divisoria

Another Divisoria street shot, Divisoria is a park in the center of Cagayan de Oro, home to historical monuments and plazas. On weekends it hosts a night market and a festive night cafe with bands, booze and street food.

Another shot of the City Hall, it is located near the river and was also affected by the floods.

A view from the cab while traversing Carmen Bridge, the river banks along Cagayan de Oro River were the worst affected in the tragedy.

Lumbia Airport tarmac, this reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite Tagalog movies, the FPJ historical action-drama epic "Agila." The scene where Christopher de Leon arrives and is met by a friend at Lumbia before they set off for Iligan to meet his adopted brother played by the late Jay Ilagan. The scene plays out accompanied by the musical score of Ryan Cayabyab's "Iduyan Mo."

From the plane I managed to take an aerial shot of the flood-affected part of the city, look at the shape of the river, just like in Davao City's Matina Pangi flashflood, the rampaging waters just went over the river bend and destroyed houses and structures standing in its path

Davao on Post

2012-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

Shot atop Marco Polo Davao's 14th floor.

Using my Nikon D90 DSLR and a handy Canon A2200 powershot point-and-shooter. I managed to sneak in some street shots of Davao City's Central Business District and did some post-processing tweaks to come out with these images.

C.M. Recto Street, formerly known as Claveria Street, one of the oldest street in Davao City. Vintage 70s processing style.

San Pedro Street, along with Claveria is one of the city's oldest street. Another vintage post-processing style. I desaturated the colors of the photos.

Monument of Peace and Unity and the San Pedro Cathedral. I put flares to make somewhat a
sun in the right corner of the photo and put some drama.

When the Mayor steps out from the City Hall building this is the view that will greet her.

Along Millenium Park you can see the vantage points of two great landmarks, the Ateneo de Davao to the left and Marco Polo at the right. Put some textures in the photos

Roxas, Claveria intersection, this is also Davao City's designated freedom park, I was trying to achieve an 80s style vintage photo.

The Oboza House, a structure built in 1929 by the first municipal mayor of Davao, Alfonso Oboza. Now a French restaurant, the structure lovingly preserved by the new owners. Took this shot while riding a taxi.

A view of Jacinto Extension, I was visiting my friend whose office was located at the fifth floor at the tallest building in the street and managed to snap this shot, post-processed it.

KungKai: The making of a local music video

2012-01-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

It was in July last year during a night-out at Cagayan de Oro's Night Cafe, taking a break after a daylong anti- human trafficking workshop which I attended. Cholo Nuere, a friend way back in law school and who was a fellow workshop participant asked me if I can make a music video for the band of his son Jake.

Babyboomers is the name of the band, formed five years ago, they are starting to make a name for themselves playing 60s and 70s music popular among the babyboomers' generation hence the name. The band is composed of Jake Nuere on vocals, Carlo Dureza on bass, lead guitarist Mark Abella, drummer Poi Munoz and Joe Azurin Drilon on keyboards. Their second lead guitar Mojo Ramirez succumbed to an illness just last year.

jump shot photos by me, edited by Ron Xavier Santos

(from far left) Mark, Carlo, Jake, Joe and Poi

Jeremy Sarmiento, a noted composer, singer and music teacher wrote a song for the band which he titled "Kungkai." I asked Jeremy on the origins of the title. He says that the song started out as a joke to his brother that he could create easily create a song. When the first few lines came out unexpectedly catchy, he expanded it into a whole song and finished Kungkai in a day.

Kungkai nasasaktan
Kungkai iniwanan
Kungkai nasisiraan na ng ulo

Narito lang ako
Tunay na kaibigan mo
Aalalayan ka
Sa tabi mo

Magkahawak kamay
Sipa lata sabay-sabay
Sasamahan kita hanggang mapawi
Ang mga masasamang Kungkai sa buhay

Kungkaw ay masaya
Kungkaw ay natutuwa
Kungkaw ay ok na
Sasamahan pa rin kita
Sa bawat kungkai at kungkaw sa buhay mo

According to Jeremy "Kungkai" means a state of emotional downturn characterized by sadness,emptiness, isolation, dejection, inadequacy, frustration, hopelessness. while "Kungkaw" is Kugkai's exact opposite.

By November last year, Cholo contacted me again, the group he said was deadset on making the video and asked for a meeting on December.

I took on the task of assembling a production crew and chose Bagane Fiola who had made several full-length films, short films and music videos. Bagsy agreed to join the project, he enlisted Wrap Meting, a photographer and DSLR videographer who is known in the blogging community for his work with fashion blogger Cheyser Pedregosa and then there was Mark Limbaga another photographer and videographer who along with Bagsy had won Best Cinematography prize for the 2009 Cinemaone best film Imbunal. For equipment we would be using a two Canon 550D DSLR set-up.

During the pre-production meetings we had agreed to concentrate on visuals and images particularly utilizing the Babyboomers' youthful appearance. The concept was interspersed with images of a clean cut boy band and a melancholic pretty girl.

The video was made to exude a somewhat Tumblrish look with a sprinkle of visual influences from the seminal romance flick 500 Days of Summer.

Some of the photos were post-processed, trying out new pp styles

We shot some of the sequences (band sequence and girl room scenes) at the Abella's house, home of Mark and his parents, who were very supportive and accommodating during the time of the shoot. The rest of the sequences were shot at the Matina Baywalk. (bit of trivia; the Abella's home was the original site of the iconic Harana Restaurant)

Bea Antonio, Jake's batchmate in Ateneo de Davao High played the girl in the video. Finding the right girl for the video proved to be slight problem before production started. Among the early choices was Jake's high school friend Tricia Santos who was part of the Pinoy Big Brother teen edition in 2010. However her tight schedule got in the way and fortunately we got Bea who just lives near the shooting location.

Bea and Jake

Bea is wearing my dri-fit shirt which I bought along as an extra shirt We failed
to inform her of an additional bedroom sequence the clothes she brought were a
bit overdressed for the scene.

Ron Xavier Santos did the styling and make-up during the production and did a great job. transformed Bea from a shy pretty colehiyala to a beautiful belle...

The production went without a hitch, the feared Low Pressure Area (bad weather) did not materialize on that day. And we were able to shoot indoors and outdoors using the best ambient light a great sunny weather can offer. Overall the shoot was a pleasant experience.

After a week of editing Bagsy was able to come up with an edited masterpiece. (watch the video here)

title KUNGKAI
composer JEREMY SARMIENTO
band name BABYBOOMERS
members MARK GENESIS ABELLA, CARLO DUREZA, DAN PAUL MUNOZ, JOSEPH AZURIN DRILON, JASON NUERE, MOJO RAMIREZ†
guest appearance KATRINA BEA ANTONIO
make up artist RON XAVIER SANTOS
producer GEM CACHE PRODUCTIONS
recording studio SOUNDTRACK
prod house STUDIOBUGSY
directors BAGANE FIOLA, RUDOLPH IAN ALAMA
lights/camera MARK LIMBAGA, WRAP METING, BAGANE FIOLA
production assistant JOHN BARREDO
editor/colorist BAGANE FIOLA

Babyboomers and Bea

with friends

Mr. Persistent and the Songstress; Juris and Gavin

2012-01-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Juris and Gavin by Nice Print Photography

“Darling, did you know that something happened to us?

Right before the future and right after the past

Did you smile when you found out what a wonderful thing it was?

We found an everlasting love….”

Everlasting Love

TheCompany

“Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga” as the old Filipino adage would say, for software programmer Gavin Lim his dogged persistence finally netted in his one true love.

“It was in June 2004, he was invited to watch a gig at a bar by a friend. I was a budding recording artist then. He didn’t really know us, just heard of us and had no idea I was the singer when he saw me enter the bar.”Juris recalls her first meeting with Gavin.

Gavin told his friend about Juris and finds her cute; his friend would tell him that she was the band’s singer. After the set, Gavin mustered the courage to introduce himself to the cute singer. And that would be the start of their love story.

“I thought he was good looking, he forget to ask for my number which was a good thing since I don’t want that as well. I’m not really comfortable when someone asks for my number.” Juris recalls that night.

In the age of Friendster, Gavin messaged Juris in the social networking site the night after they met in the gig and asked for her number to which Juris flatly declined.

“It was thru Friendster that he would send messages I would read it then and not reply, unless kung mag thank you ako.

In February of 2005, Gavin would come to their gig, they would meet and there he would personally ask for Juris’ number. He revealed to Juris that he was frequenting their gigs but would not show himself to her. Juris gave Gavin her mobile phone number but would not reply to his SMS.

Two months later, he asked Juris for a date, his last resort as Juris has not shown any interest in him.

“I said I don’t date but just text me, call or go to my gigs. He was a bit hesitant with my answer thinking it was my way of rejecting him but he tried anyway.” Juris recalls.

Since then the two started texting and talking, Gavin would come to her gigs and eventually was finally able to visit her home.

By March the following year, Gavin’s patience finally paid off, the two began a relationship. On January 1, 2011 Gavin proposed marriage to Juris. And last November 19 2011, Juris and Gavin tied the knot at Mary the Queen Parish in Greenhills.

“I was actually calm, didn’t notice that I was teary-eyed when I reached the end of the aisle.” Juris reminisces her wedding day.

If she were to pick a song for Gavin she would choose Everlasting Love by The Company. “Because we found in each other our everlasting love,”Juris says. During the wedding reception no less than The Company performed one of their classic hits.

As for future plans Juris says- “No plans with having children yet but the decision naman has got nothing to do with my career. Few months lang na we hope to spend more time and makalipat na kame sa bahay na talaga (we could move to a house) anytime this year yun.”

Juris Bridal gown by: Tata Galias

Wedding Photos by NicePrint Photography and Mangored

Late afternoon shoot at Sun City

2011-12-09T20:14:00.001-08:00

Just last week we were given three-day leaves in the office which we could use this December. I chose my first day leave on the 8th of December just in time for a photoshoot with Tammy and her two equally gorgeous sisters. Tammy by the way is one of the founders of Maniniyot Community or MCOM of which I am a member.

All seemed well until one of our old vehicles broke down and I had to help fix it up. Thus I arrived at the shoot site in Sun City at around quarter to five. Just in time to shoot for one model. I chose Carla, one of Tammy's sisters.

Sun City is a residential development north of Davao just a short hop off from the Davao International Airport. The area has grassy fields and a sprawling field undergoing site development where perhaps a new subdivision will rise.

Carla looked like a cross between Kristine Hermosa, Ana Roces and Andi Eigenmman depending on what angles you are looking at. Which means I got one terrific-looking model it was like shooting an artista.

I got to play around with strobes, which I further tinkered on photoshop.

I put in some tricks of my own during post-processing. I am more of a pp guy who loves to play around. Whenever I shoot someone I always leave a room where i can put some textures I had downloaded and mixed it up in a composite.

Anyways it was a shoot which you could consider bitin for lack of time.

Model: Carla Llanto
MUA: Jay Alternado
Co-shooters: Raph Banta, Achi Coloma, Joemar Lamata and Jay Alternado.
Location: Sun City Davao

Short Films of the 2011 Mindanao Film Festival

2011-11-29T09:21:00.001-08:00

Penumbra (Director: Rochelle Paula A. Carino)
A young woman is haunted by horrifying premonitions which actually unravels a shocking family secret.

Placebo (Cinesur Film Productions, Director: Dexter dela Pena)
From the Zamboangan team behind the Cinemalaya award-winning film Halaw, comes the short feature Placebo which revolves around Jim a convenience store owner who months after his father’s death mans the family business all by his lonesome. His boring store routine is interrupted when a vixen comes into the store and befriends him.

Lakad (Director: Charles Michael Tolosa)
A troubled man retraces his steps towards an eventual decision which he would ultimately regret.

Overpass (by Melonsheiyk Visuals and Voiceworks Theater Co. Inc. Director: Nef Luczon)
From GMA Cagayan de Oro TV reporter Nef Luczon comes an experimental narrative revolving around a pedestrian overpass which faces a new flyover built in the urban sprawl of Cagayan de Oro City. In the overpass we meet two street musicians who play their unique musical contraptions to beg for alms and a regular passer-by, a young temperamental student radical who wants to start a school demonstration.

Superhero (by GioJoe ProductionZ, Director: Gio F. Amoguiz)
A product of a young filmmaker from Misamis Oriental, the short is a special effects laden presentation about a pesky superhero who never seems to get his act right.

Ti Ho Sognato (I dreamt about You) (by Lamdag productions Director: Kristine Dalis and Roldan Castillo)
A story about two strangers; Franco a young man who writes poems about the lady of his dreams and Cheska, a girl who paints and draws about the man whom she encounter in her dreams. Then one day the two strangers actually meet. As they say destiny is written in the stars.

Disipolo (by Gakit Film Workz Director: John Paul Seniel)
From prolific local indie film JP Seniel comes a story about two rival candidates for the much-coveted position of an army battalion spokesman. The final test for the position eventually unearths the true mettle of these two candidates.

Atong Amigo (by Gakit Film Workz Director: John Paul Seniel)
Local TV reporter and indie filmmaker JP Seniel tackles the virtues of true friendship amidst a brutal insurgency.

Ang Sulat Kang Ondoy (by Gakit Film Workz Director: John Paul Seniel)
Ondoy loves his disabled sister that he would do anything just to make her walk again; a short film about love and sacrifice from Mindanao Film Fest habitué indie filmmaker JP Seniel.

Flutterfield (by Little Peach productions Director Tzaddi Esguerra)
From Iligan City comes a film about a visually impaired child, his hopes and dreams and his yearnings to be free. The film is the filmmaker’s artistic rendition that celebrates the essence of life and how we have taken it for granted.

Tiny and Timoy (Directed by Sonny Campaner)
A humorous take on the life of a lonely security guard and his dog Tiny, a half-breed pup who brings eternal happiness to his master; a short film as what its director describes as a “down-to-earth fiction."

Overtime (by Alvertus Films director: Alberto Egot Jr.)
A dedicated lady employee is haunted by a ghost while working overtime at the office; the ghostly phenomenon unmasks a tragic story of infidelity and misjudgment which alters the employee’s life forever. The film is from another film fest habitué Albert Egot which has helmed works like Bad Jao, Cha Cha and Facebroke.

Top Priority (by Darryl Regner, Director: Rae B. Daddie)
The film revolves around a kidnapped girl who tries to escape from her captors. Her successful escape reveals another important reason why she wants to be free and return home the soonest time possible.

The Photographer Moves (by L Productions, Director: Elle Ocon)

A girl-shy photographer sees a young pretty woman in the park; he struggles for a chance to meet her. Only to realize that the same girl would be their model for a photoshoot; awkward glances leads to an inexplicable reunion between the photographer and his pretty model.

Night Out (director Clarissa Merced)
A group of friends after a night of partying heads out to a known haunted house for some ghost hunting; then a few days after a mysterious murderer hunts down the ghost-hunting barkada one by one.

The Proposal. Network. Endgame ( by Sine Mindanaw, Director: Arnel Barbarona)
Three short film noirs interconnected by a chain of deceptions and murders from Tagum City filmmaker Arnel Barbarona.

Piolo Pascual and the price of loyalty

2011-11-27T15:44:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday's The Buzz had KC Concepcion, one of the showbiz talk show hosts being grilled by co-host Boy Abunda as to the state of her relationship with matinee idol Piolo Pascual. It was one of the most widely anticipated showbiz revelations with many attuned including me waiting for her bombshell

KC Concepcion bared that she and Piolo called it quits; it would have been ordinary news, but many were waiting for the next revelation. Perhaps KC could unmask the enigmatic Piolo Pascual whose sexuality for many years has been doubted and put in question as a gossip fodder.

But the daughter of Sharon and Gabby was cryptic in her answers. She held back what could have been juicy details, drawing a line between what can be said in public and what has to remain private matters (but then why did she grant an interview?) Her cryptic answers somewhat furthered to boost people's doubts as to the masculinity or lack thereof of the actor

I sensed something twistedly wrong in that Buzz interview. The subject was Piolo Pascual one of the contract stars of ABS-CBN and its film company Star Cinema, he was one of its most popular and bankable actors and here is Buzz a production belonging to the same network. The interview was tantamount to like feeding him to the lions or dogs maybe. It was like a military officer all-knowingly sending his best soldiers into an ambush.

I really do not care if he is a closet homosexual or not, or there are other problems which Ms. KC would not dare elaborate on public, but If I were the network I would put a gag order on the two stars and just settle the matter privately. But then there are other reasons, publicity-wise maybe, it just got into trending topic on twitter. But the twisted set of values gleamed from that episode seemed disturbing about these current set of norms when everything is dispensable perhaps to up their ante in the raging network wars.

I once read that the past studio system of the 1950s and 60s as practiced by LVN and Sampaguita films placed great importance in protecting their stars. From the way how they act onscreen to how they project their lives in public, those actors and actresses of that era had protective showbiz parents like LVN matriarch Dona Sisang and Sampaguita boss Dr. Jose Perez perhaps in the later generation they had Mother Lily and her Regal babies or German Moreno and his That's Entertainment talents.

Piolo Pascual would have been a very well-compensated loyal foot soldier to the company that built him up to what he is today. The network also did benefited from the work that the actor gave to them, but the TV interview last Sunday reflected the actor's true value to the giant network. So much for loyalty.

The Kabataan News Network years, pushing the voice of pinoy youth on television

2011-11-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

Atom, Nidjee, Apple, Chiyomi, Albert and Marco during a Manila workshop

"How many times have you heard the saying “children are seen and not heard”? This is true in most of Philippine media where children and youth are often depicted as victims and liabilities. The day-to-day reality of children is seldom reflected, and this can have a profound impact on the formation of children’s values."

Fortunately, there are groups of grown ups who want to give young people a chance to speak out and share their real conditions, issues, problems, joys and triumphs through television. Say hello to the Kabataan News Network (KNN).

Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) with the generous support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), trained young people from eleven areas around the Philippines, called “bureaus”, in the creation of video reports. Youths from the Mountain Province, Capiz, Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga del Sur, Manila, Camarines Norte, Baguio, Sarangani, Dumaguete and North Cotabato underwent an intensive one-week long workshop were they were taught to shoot, interview and write their own video segments. The training helped them develop their ability to seek facts, analyze problems and discuss a variety of solutions with through the people they interview and images they shoot... (from Probe Media Foundation Inc. Website)

This three paragraph description of the Kabataan News Network sums up what the project is all about. The project got started in 2003 under the auspices of then Unicef country communications director Dale Rutstein. In 2004, the supervision of the Davao Bureau was transferred to the Philippine Information Agency XI and I was tasked by our Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena to handle the program as Davao Bureau manager.

Darn, I had to give up a long-planned Bohol holiday just to go to Manila for an intensive TV production training. I remember accompanying Llaben, Jona and Ryan then still in their teens for the training which had us being mentored under the country's top journalists for a crash course on TV magazine production.

Miss Cheche Lazaro on a Manila workshop

Back into Davao, we were joined by Chloe and Apaul which now made up the Davao Bureau. The following years several members were recruited into KNN Davao; Alberto, Marco, Nidjee, Shemie, Nice, Paul, Darel, Mary Ann, Wendy, Modda. Then there were countless trainings and refresher courses under top broadcasters like Ms. Che Che Lazaro, Booma Cruz, Twink Macaraig, Jay Orense and many others.

We were provided with top of the line equipment, Sony TRV cameras and Mini DV players, Seinnhauser and Azden mics and other top-of-the-line gears which is more than enough to comply with the stringent standards of nationwide television broadcast

Then there were the segments which we produced. Even though Davao was laggard among the other prolific bureaus, we still managed to make quality segments, one of which was our in depth feature on Davao's Teen Prostitutes, which was painstaking to make, other memorable segments was a feature on child laborers in Piapi, a feature on Mindanao young filmmakers, the Kadayawan floral float parade and the David Statue at Matina Baywalk which inspired a Probe Team segment.

Jona doing her stand-upper

One of the great joys was finding our produced segments shown on nationwide free television, from ANC and NBN to ABC5 then in 2007 we made a big leap to ABS-CBN and the program was renamed into KX or Kabataan Xpress, but the ABS-CBN's program was short-lived and existed for only one season.

Aside from the in depth learning from TV production which I didn't learn from my communication arts class during college. it also made me realize that the youth needed a voice in the media. their thinking, ideals and beliefs are unique from us adults; previous or traditional TV shows about youths and children were made with adult scriptwriters and production people. Sure these adults can be adept in popular culture but there is a certain aspect in the way of thinking that differentiates adolescent from young adults or those adults which are considered as young at heart.

Being a teenager is not all about age, it is about possessing a certain personality and attitude one which KNN has planned to show. The youth as themselves and not just mouthpieces of their elder adults

Shemie, Marco, Paul, Rhea on a news reporting training

The role of a bureau manager was only supervisory in nature, which meant that we were only responsible for the operations of the bureau but for creative control it all belonged to the youth TV journalists of KNN, the way how they approach, write and produce the story.

The age segment of KNN reporters (13-20 years old) also made shifting members, upon reaching 21 the kids graduate from the bureau and new younger members are taken in where they again will be trained and made to produce segments, each new member injects a certain vibe or interest to the production. For example Chloe loves to make segments about children, Jona loves making videos about the streets, Llaben is inclined into performance arts, Albert is into filmmaking, Marco wants to focus on stories about his local community, Wendy wants to delve into student life while Shemie wants to feature her faith and religion.

As the years progressed, digital technology became more widespread, internet has grown into a more accessible medium. right now kids and teens don't have to join KNN or other youth oriented shows to have a voice of their own. They now can do it online with blogs, podcasts, websites etc. by the time the program ended, Probe Media decided to show KNN or KX on an online media platform.

I was glad that the program ended as it freed up some of my workload. but I miss the camaraderie, the trainings, the shoots, the new people you meet, the hyper teenagers and their very inquisitive and creative minds that latches up stories after stories, ideas after ideas. Or the shy reclusive teens who after opening up gives you an array of perspectives and sensibilities in approaching the story.

"Ang programang Gawa ng Kabataan, Para sa Kabataan." as the show's tagline would say indeed the show was a revolutionary landmark in Philippine TV history, I was glad I became an active participant in the sidelines.

Llaben now works in Philhealth, Marco or Mark Lloyd works for Hedcor, Albert is with Kisan Lu, Chloe is now a pre-school teacher, Shemie is in the United States married to an American, Paul is a Mix FM DJ, Jona is a nurse, Modda is pursuing medicine proper, Darel and Nidjee are finishing their college studies.

Promoting the show at ABS-CBN's Maayong Buntag Mindanao, with supportive host Michelle Robin

Mark doing his TV plug on TV Patrol Mindanao

My exclusive interview with Ms. Bonnie Bailey

2011-11-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

Ms. Bonnie Bailey

Davao City was the last stop of Ms. Bonnie Bailey’s tour around the country. She had been in Manila, Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro and then here in Davao.

Her gig at Waterfront Insular Davao was awaited by many Dabawenyo partyphiles, there wasn’t much of a foreign artist performing here in our city, others who came were nostalgia acts. Bonnie Bailey was younger, her music still fresh and updated as compared to the occasional foreign acts who came to Davao.

Ms. Bailey was known for her signature House hit Ever After. Her popularity rose after being signed with dance label Hed Kandi and is considered a club music icon.

Courtesy of Mr. Kim Liu marketing and sales manager of Isuzu Cars Davao, I was able to wiggle an exclusive interview with Miss Bailey. Kim apart from helping his family’s car business is a part-owner of Amber Ultra Lounge in Taguig's Fort Bonifacio Global City which had hosted several Bonnie Bailey gigs.

Born in Manhattan to a Spanish-Japanese mother and Italian-German father, her earliest inclinations to music was hearing her mom sing in Spanish. Bonnie surmises that her musical genes would come from her Dad’s mother who was a very good singer but had a severe case of stage fright.

“When I was four years old, I would get on coffee tables and sing Shirley Temple songs.” Bonnie recalls her childhood.

When she was 16 years old she met famous record producer Ric Wake who had worked with popular artists such as Taylor Dayne, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.

Bonnie recalls skipping a dental appointment to visit the music producer. She auditioned to Ric where he noted his unique singing voice. It was also in his studio that a then broken-hearted Bonnie would compose two songs despite limited piano knowledge.

Sensing her potential, Ric Wake convinced Bonnie’s parents to let their daughter enroll in a songwriting school in Manhattan. It was in the school where Bonnie learned how to write and create songs. It was also that time when she dabbled in rock acoustic music.

Then she met Mark Doyle, founder of Hed Kandi who enlisted her to be part of the label. She would write her own songs and sing them.

performing Ever After at the Waterfront Insular Tent

“I was very lucky that Mark Doyle loved my lyrics.” Bonnie said. And from 2002 to 2008 she was part of the massively successful Hed Kandi compilation. Churning out hits like Everywhere, Kingdom of Pretty, Rise, Cocoon and the ultra successful Ever After.

“I bring lyrics to House music” Bonnie says of her songwritng. Wherein usual house music would have sparse lyrics, Bonnie brought a full bodied song into it.

The songs are inspired by titles and real-life experiences. Her beach house anthem Ever After was actually culled from her real-life love story. “I was in this relationship, there was a point when things got tough. The song was made to inspire us to work for this relationship.” Bonnie said.

“Now We’re slightly weathered, we’re slightly worn”
Our hands grip together, eye to eye through the storm yet
I still believe in ever after with you…
Cuz life is a pleasure with you on my side
And there aint no current in this river we can't ride
I still believe in ever after with you…”

However despite the massive success of the song, the five year relationship didn’t work out for Bonnie who admits to being a romantic person, and a firm believer in happily-ever-after love stories.

Aside from singing, Bonnie also writes for other artists still sticking to her formula for writing songs. Bonnie says the songs are also a reflection of her old-school beliefs and values. She says she still believe in romance and true love and these are what her songs speaks about.

And much of her songs lyrics finds resonance among her fans in the Philippines. Bonnie says she was pleasantly surprised when people at Hed Kandi told that she is extremely popular in the Philippines.

In 2007 she visited the country and has fallen in love with it. “My favorite place is the Philippines… its because the people here are so warm and sincere.” Bonnie says. She adds that she hasn’t seen a culture so kind and so loving like what she has experienced in this country.

In fact her Philippine visits inspires her to create more songs. In fact another hit “The Kingdom of Pretty” was written after one of her sojourns.

And despite negative image about the region, Bonnie finds Davao beautiful and peaceful; “its spacious and open.” Bonnie remarked while our vehicle passed through the city’s southern suburbs. Though she was warned about the danger in coming to a so-called volatile region. Bonnie said that she wants to meet her Davao fans who had been egging her to come. “I love my fans, I really wanted to meet them.”

At backstage with the author

Currently Bonnie Bailey is signed with Fierce Angel Records under Mark Doyle who was once with Hed Kandi, she will be releasing a double CD compilation; one is a dance CD and the other contains acoustic tracks. She is currently writing songs with other artist one of them is Latin American singer/actress Lucero.

The Bonnie Bailey Ever After concert organizers would like to thank the following generous sponsors; San Miguel Light, Premiere Max Condom, Metro Card Club Davao, Villa Mercedes by Uraya Land, Smart Telecommunications, Dimsum Diner, Ramen Boy, MRD Gempesaw Construction, Chimes Specialty Store, Hotel Esse, Pops Restobar, Oh George Drive-Inn, Coca-Cola, Seraph Production, Waterfront Hotel, Killerbee 89.1.

The Matina Pangi River photoshoot

2011-11-01T00:55:00.000-07:00

Rampaging cascades of floodwaters thundered through the small riverbed, venting its deadly fury in the densely populated downstream areas of Matina Pangi. The June 28 flooding was the worst in recent local history.

Matina Pangi River

Upon the invitation of Sherwin one of my fellow photographers at Maniniyot Community we hopped on one of their sturdy Suzuki Jimneys towards the river quarry site.

The ever dependable 4x4 Suzuki Jimney

According to Jay, Sherwin's cousin who oversees
the quarry, the June 28 floodwaters breached the
riverbanks and extended towards the treeline.

(from left) Rapha, Joemar, Sherwin, Toney, Mikko, Ian

The upstream portion of Matina Pangi River would be our location for a nature-themed photoshoot. We bought in models Mary Claire and Alyssa. Providing the clothes for the photoshoot is young designer Jeffrey Garde of Kata Couture, our make-up artist was Jay Alternado.

Mary Claire

Mary Claire is a 3rd year Mass Comm student at Holy Cross of Davao, is a member of Glam, one of the top modeling agencies here in Davao. I got to meet here when she borrowed my lighting equipment for a school exhibit during their mass comm week.

Alyssa Donig

Alyssa is also a Glam model. I first met Alyssa during a fun shoot at Monteritz. BTW, also with us during the shoot was Prats and Sid, medical students from India, friend of Doc Nunno also an MCOM member. This was sort of a despedida shoot for them as they will be going back to India this November.

I played around with various photography styles. Either shooting in neutral mode or playing with the camera's monochrome mode.

Or breaking some rules on composition

Or doing some weird experiments on my camera like placing a plastic in front of the lens to create a smokey effect.

Though I was focused more on fine-tuning some post-processing techniques which is an accumulation from different photography workshops.

I must admit that I am more of a photoshopper. I want to emulate a certain look from my subjects which photoshop can enhance. Though one of the pitfalls of any post-processing freak is to over-rely on the PP software. For me one must strive to achieve a balance between actual photography and post-processing. One must constantly strive to explore his camera and his software and enhance his shooting techniques and his post-processing styles. For Photography is a dynamic art constantly shifting and changing just like the Matina Pangi River.

SumoSam Davao

2011-10-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday evening I managed to tag-along with friends from Davao media (kuya Awi, Dyan, tatay Rene, Sheila, Derf) for the opening of SumoSam at Abreeza.

SumoSam is a Japanese fusion restaurant created by actor Marvin Agustin along with some partners. The concept is Japanese dishes done with western flair similar to Teriyaki Boy and Davao's own Tsuru.

This is SumoSam's first branch in Mindanao and the ninth across the country. In Davao he is partnered by Carlo Lorenzana.

I just got crazy with their makis, must try is their Dynamite rolls with their salmon skin toppings.

Putting homage to this southern metropolis is their Davao roll, tuna and salmon along with Malagos Garden cheese, I'll consider this as one of my favorite makis.

There is an array of other choices (donburis, tempuras etc) and another return trip this time as a paying patron is a possibility, will be saving out for this perhaps since the price is quite steep for Davao standards.

During the opening I saw Marvin and his dad, based on what I've read, Marvin's dad was incarcerated in prison for over a decade on drug-related offenses but was freed about five years ago. When Danilo Cuyugan was in prison, his son stepped on the role as the family breadwinner, started working as a waiter and a fastfood mascot until he was discovered by a showbiz scout and eventually became a celebrity and successful entrepreneur. An inspiring real-life rags-to-riches success story.

Photoshop Fail!

2011-10-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

"Photoshop Fail" is a term used to describe a failure of epic proportions in the application of photoshop in pictures.

We often use photoshop to enhance photos or to create acceptable forms of art but when it becomes unintentionally ridiculous then it transforms into what we call photoshop fail.

Last weekend the Department of Public Works and Highways became the butt of jokes and the object of scorn when a picture showing three DPWH officials; Underscretary Romeo Momo, Director Rey Tagudando and District Engineer Mikunug Macud inspecting the damaged portion of the Roxas Baywalk and Seawall battered byTyphoon Pedring was uploaded in the DPWH's Facebook page.

Pierre Albert San Diego,a blogger who is a civil engineer by profession noticed that something was not right in the photo. Upon closer examination he concluded that the image was indeed photoshopped in such a crappy manner.

One could see that the feet of the DPWH officials didn't blend well with the background photo which is the Roxas baywalk. In photoshop you can add the qualities of a certain picture in another picture to produce a composite image such as this one. It's a tricky process, you need the eye to see the details and correct technical skills to fine-tune the composite into an acceptable and realistic photo.

In a TV interview, Undersecretary Momo who is no stranger to Davao media as he was once assigned as the DPWH regional director in Caraga said that during that day they were actually inspecting the site but were not standing in that particular area. Some smart guy from the DPWH public information office decided to "impress" upon the officials his photoshop skills and voila it was uploaded on Facebook and the rest is history.

The photo also spawned numerous versions.

DPWH at the last supper

At Leyte beach 1944

DPWH joins the Spartans

No Other Woman extras

Simpsonized

Usec. Momo said that an investigation under the orders of a furious DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson was conducted and the DPWH photoshopper was suspended from his work to await for further sanctions.

It reminded me of a particular story during the time of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on her visit to a far-flung province she noticed that the imposing welcome banner which contains her picture had one serious flaw.... The photoshop artist who made the banner had misplaced her mole infuriating the hot-tempered President.

There are also notable photoshop fails in the world. Before the DPWH photo there was the Chinese highway inspection photoshop fail which showed a group of Chinese officials supposedly inspecting a road project.

While attending the launch of Davao City's new tourism branding campaign I saw this.

I find the head dress in the eagle too tacky, again the "head dress" texture did not blend well to the eagle's head, it stuck like a sore thumb in an otherwise great branding campaign.

SMX in Davao City

2011-09-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, we were invited to a lunch at Roadhouse cafe in SM-City Davao. The sumptuous luncheon along with members of the local media was tendered by SM Hotels and Conventions, a wholly-owned SM subsidiary to update us on their flagship project in the City.

SM Hotels and Conventions vice-president for sales and marketing Lourdes Malindong informed us that Davao City will be having an SMX soon, tentatively by first quarter of next year 2012.

SMX is one of the country's largest convention center. a state-of-the art venue for conventions, trade events and exhibitions, parties and other civic activities. The first SMX was built in the Mall of Asia or MOA with a leasable area of about 9,000 square meters.

The SMX in Davao will be the centerpiece of SM Lanang. It is smaller in size with a leasable area of 5,400 square meters (can be split into three halls with a maximum capacity of 1,800 people each) if combined it can accommodate about 5,000 plus people. This undoubtedly is the largest convention center of its kind in Mindanao.

Davao City despite being one of the highly-urbanized cities in the country lacks civic facilities like large sports complexes and convention centers. The biggest convention facility of Davao City is the Central Bank Convention Hall which can only accommodate 2,000 people. Large conventions usually has about 5,000 people in attendance. one of the reasons the City cannot host large gatherings like the Ad Congress.

SM's plan is to make SM Lanang a one-stop convention complex where people can also shop, dine and sleep. Inside the complex to be connected by walkway is Park Inn of the Raddisson Group, Park Inn is a 204-room hotel known for its radically hip and trendy design. It is the first hotel of its kind to be constructed in Southeast Asia. The hotel would be opened in 2013.

With these developments, expect Lanang area to become the convention capital of Mindanao, adjacent to the SM property is the planned Davao City International Exhibition and Convention Center put up by a group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen. The facility can accommodate about 3,000 to 4,000 people.

Philippine basketball: The road to glory

2011-09-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

It was a heartbreaking finish. The Smart-Gilas Philippine Basketball Team was leading for 38 minutes of play, until South Korean gunners rack up two consecutive three pointers to ultimately snatch the game from us, the score 70-68.

A day earlier, in a battle for the finals slot, a well-disciplined Jordanian team, whom we beat earlier, got their revenge in the most pivotal game of the FIBA-ASIA tournament beating our team soundly 75-61.

The FIBA-ASIA Championships for Men formerly the Asian Basketball Confederation Championships (ABC) is a biennial basketball tournament which seeks to crown the best basketball team in Asia. The Philippines being the premiere basketball power in Asia won four crowns from 1960 to 1973, then China went on to win 1975 to 1983, afterwards the Pinoys won it in 1985 (the last time we won the championship), then again China from 1987 to 2005 (with South Korea winning it in 1997). Iran with 7'3" center Hamed Hadadi won the last two editions from 2007 to 2009.

Our slide from being a basketball power can be traced when the Philippine Basketball Association was formed in 1975. The professional league prevented the country's best basketball players in representing the Philippines in international tournaments.

It was only until in 1990 when we sent a hastily-formed basketball team made up of PBA stars coached by Sonny Jaworski to the Asian Games where we got the silver. But it was a wake up call. The country's best players are no longer Asia's best, the last time the country got a medal in an Asian tournament was 13 years ago when another PBA selection under coach Tim Cone got the bronze in the 1998 Asian Games held in Bangkok.

Internal political squabbles in the Basketball Association of the Philippines, which oversees the national basketball program contributed to the continued decline of Philippine basketball in Asian competitions.

In 2005 the BAP sent a lowly basketball team consisting of criminology students to an international basketball tournament, in that same year the national team was beaten by a basketball team made up of showbiz personalities.

Because of severe incompetence the BAP was suspended by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and a new basketball-governing group the Samahan Basketbol ng Pilipinas or the SBP was organized.

The country was suspended from further participation in FIBA (world governing basketball body) sanctioned tournaments from 2005-2006 following the feud between the BAP and the SBP.

After the suspension, the country sent PBA basketball players in 2007 and 2009 Asian championships, however to our shock and surprise, teams which the country used to beat up are now Asian powerhouses, Iran won the 2007 and 2009 championships while the Philippines had 7th to 8th place finishes.

A long-term national basketball team was formed to be bankrolled by tycoon Manny Pangilinan, its mission was to win the 2011 FIBA-Asia championship, where the champion would get a slot in the London Olympics.

Named after an internet literacy program of Pangilinan's telecommunications company, Smart-Gilas featured several top amateur basketball players among these included UAAP hotshots, Jayvee Casio, Chris Chiu and Mac Baracael. they were reinforced by Fil-Americans Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter and a naturalized American big man which after several choices the team settled for former L.A. Lakers draftee Marcus Douthit.

I had closely followed the tournament and cheered for the team for every victory and defeat. the 4th place finish in the tournament was the highest after 24 years in FIBA-ASIA championship. And the best for every Asian tournament since 2002.

The after the setback, a series of realizations and lesson came for many of us fans and observers of Philippine basketball.

First is that the Middle East countries are getting bigger and better. Iran, Jordan, Lebanon have bigger players owing to their natural Middle Eastern physiques. They now move fast and are very athletic, they are also good medium and long-range shooters. These big fundamentally sound, athletic players have created match-up problems for us in the court.

One remedy is to look for Filipino big men and continually develop them. 6'9" Japeth Aguilar was hardly used in the crucial games owing to his poor performance in important games. We have 7-footer Greg Slaughter who will be part of the next Smart Gilas team another giant is 6'10" Cebuano college star Junmar Fajardo, I believe there are a crop of Filipino giants out there waiting to be discovered.

Shooting skills- The country lacks consistent outside shooters, the last Pinoy hoop gunslinger was perhaps Allan Caidic. During crucial situations countries like Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and China would turn on to their outside gunners like Japan's Takuya Kawamura and China's Sun Yue. This was what happened during the Philippines vs. South Korea bronze medal match where the Koreans simply ran plays for their three-point shooters.

The lack of Philippine shooters could be traced to our style of basketball which involves slashing towards the hoop and other flashy plays, similar to American-style of basketball. However it creates problems when the country takes on larger teams similar to China and teams with very good fundamentals like Iran and South Korea.

Another realization is that we must send the best we have and training them into one cohesive team. The Smart Gilas team was made up of collegiate stars plus some PBA reinforcements, however it could have been different if we send an all-PBA selection under national team coach Rajko Toroman. The Serbian coach who led Iran to their 2007 championship has done wonders with the current line-up of Smart Gilas, what more if he had the best Filipino cagers under him.

But it is easier said than done, the PBA is a business entity, it has its own commercial interests to protect, it had sacrificed a lot when it sent teams to Asian tournaments. But then there is no interest greater than doing it for the Philippine flag.

(photos from smart gilas facebook profile and FIBA-ASIA website)

Matanos, Samal's little secret

2011-09-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

photo by Hannah Cano

They call it Matanos. It's a small beach located at the southeastern side of Kaputian district in the Island Garden City of Samal. Matanos is the name of a sitio or purok under Barangay San Remigio.

It is quite isolated, accessible by not-so good roads which make travel conducive only for sturdy 4x4s or habal-habal motorcycles. It takes about 20-30 minutes of travel from Kaputian poblacion before you reach Alorro Beach. The roads and its isolation makes it a less crowded destination than Samal's west coast.

Because there are no crowds which usher in development, Matanos coastline is relatively unspoiled. There are no irritating jetties that block the beaches, only natural coves provide barriers to more secluded beaches.

A portion of the beach belongs to the estate of the Alorro family. one of the Alorro scions, Gagets is friend of mine. My first visit to the beach was in late 2006, where we got to shoot a short film project.

In 2010, I managed to convince my friends Hannah, Ramir, Marc Faith and Bapi to return to Matanos for a music video project.

The music video was to be entered into a Davao City music video competition. The concept of the video as heavily-inspired by the Judy Ann Santos movie Ploning. Actually Matanos had been the shooting locations of some Davao indie films.

Well aside from the music video, one major reason we went there was really to enjoy Matanos. Aside from the white sand beaches and the clean blue waters the place had a bucolic charm attached to it. It was like going to some sort of an idyllic fishing village far from civilization. It you're tired of the crowded, fenced-in beach resorts of Samal's more popular western coast then you might try to consider taking an alternative track to Matanos.

By the way, Alorro Beach offers cheap but clean and comfortable accommodation facilities like huts (with toilet and bathroom, a choice of airconditioned and non-aircon). Meals can also be arranged. Gaget's mom, prepares one of the best kinilaw I've tasted.

Davao City's largest gymnasium...soon

2011-09-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Davao City with its land area, population, economy and strategic importance in the region should have a large civic center, a coliseum or indoor sports complex that could accommodate at least 10,000 persons.

Unfortunately we don't have large indoor sports centers, our largest one- the Rizal Memorial Colleges Gym can seat about 4,000 people. while the CYO (Holy Cross of Davao College) gymnasium can accommodate 3,000 persons. The City has its newly renovated Almendras gym or the Davao City Recreation Center which is smaller than the CYO.

Other small cities in Region-XI like Digos and Panabo now boasts of spanking new gymnasiums bigger and better than our existing sports facilities. In the year 2000 the City Government under then City Mayor Ben De Guzman took out a loan from Land Bank and started the construction of a P330-million sports complex named as the Artica Dome that supposed to seat around 15,000 people. However politics led to the abandonment of the expensive project. Today Artica Dome is nothing but a white elephant.

Artica Dome

A couple of years ago, Perfecto Alibin Ph.D. president of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) thought of building a large gymnasium for the school, the idea came into fruit when it was backed by then House Speaker Prospero Nograles (also D.C.'s 1st District Representative) who provided the seed fund to start the construction of the said project.

USEP Gymnasium in the lot where the Davao Trade School used to stand

USEP Gymnasium was planned to accommodate 7,000- 8,000 people. It would be airconditioned unlike RMC and CYO which are steaming ovens. It can now host Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games whose Davao sorties are being played in the modern gyms of Digos and Panabo.

The funding for the gymnasium is about P120-million, with P10-million additional funding for 2011 as pledged by Congressman Karlo Nograles, Speaker Prospero's son who won the 2010 elections. According to Dr. Alibin the P10-million will be used to put the finishing touches to the gymnasium as well as adding the PBA-standard basketball court.

The construction of the gym was done in three phases, Phase 1 involved the superstructure and substructure, Phase 2 involved the walls, flooring and bleachers, comfort rooms and the commercial spaces while Phase 3 included the airconditioning, lighting and electrical systems. While Phase 4 would include the finishing works including the provision of a modern basketball court.

Phases 1 and 3 are already complete Alibin said. The gymnasium can already be used minus the basketball court, which he says will be included in the additional budget from Congressman Nograles.The construction took so long because of budgetary problems. but despite the setbacks the project plodded on.

If it will be completed, it will become the largest indoor multi-purpose gymnasium/sports complex not just in in Davao City but also in the whole region. He says a management group will be created to run the facility which will bring in additional revenues to the university.

aircons!!

I hope the gym will be completed the soonest possible time. USEP Gymnasium could provide a decent venue for sports events like PBA games, concerts and conventions. According to then Philippine Sports Commissioner Butch Ramirez Davao City should have at least a 15,000-seater coliseum but the priorities of our city government is focused more on essentials like basic services, peace and order, traffic situation and drainage. Why invest in such a large structure when there are other more important issues to address? that would perhaps explain the development orientation of our present city government that despite being one of the country's highly-urbanized cities, we do not have sports complexes, 10,000 seater-coliseums and convention centers.

The benchmark of all major urban centers is having those modern civic multipurpose infrastructures in place, without one Davao City could make do of what USEP Gymnasium has to offer.

(photos courtesy of the USEP President's office)

A friend, A thief

2011-09-05T18:56:00.001-07:00

One day I got a call from Melissa, who was our model in one of our shoots. Melissa broke down the news, her very close friend Riff, who also served as her make-up artist had been arrested by the police after he stole P130,000 from her dad. She was asking for my help as she knew I was working in the media. She wanted the media to cover the whole incident particularly the arrest and recovery of the stolen money and other goods.

I asked her how did it happen? she said that Riff whom they already considered as part of the family was able to enter their house while they were in a beach outing and stole the money kept in the drawers of the master's bedroom, cash which actually represented the day's sales of her father's business.

Fortunately when they reported it to the police, the investigators were able to zero in on the suspect and that was Riff. By the next morning 12 hours after the crime was committed, Riff was arrested. Recovered from him was half the money he stole (P65k). Plus some items he bought using the stolen money which included expensive cellular phones.

Adding to Riff's woes, one of the recovered cellphone was identified by one policeman as belonging to a couple who a month earlier filed a police blotter, alleging that during their wedding day, their make-up artist carted away an expensive cellular phone and a branded swiss watch. Upon close inspection of the recovered cellphone. It was indeed the one stolen from the couple. Two hours later, the couple joined Melissa's family at the police station to file a complaint against Riff.

Before the family filed a case against Riff, they held a meeting to determine their cause of action against the suspect. Back in their minds they were thinking of forgiving Riff and just dropping the case. Riff is basically a good guy gone wayward, he could use this chance to straighten his life.

I then shared my experiences about a fellow photographer-hobbyist, he had successfully courted and entered into a relationship with one of my female friends and had become part of our clique. He was a very nice and amiable fellow until one day, one of our friends, an American had his wallet containing P15,000 stolen while we were hanging out in the American's house.

At first he was the farthest suspect in our mind, but an incident of theft occurred which involved a common friend and where he was pinpointed as the likeliest suspect. Days later he admitted the crime to my American friend. Fortunately for him no charges were filed provided he pay up the amount he stole.

I told Melissa that no TRUE FRIEND would ever think or do an act like stealing money or valuables from you or your family. Unlike let's say a physical assault ala Mayor Sara, or a verbal defamation where an offense committed could be attributed to rising tempers or "heat of a moment." Theft is a deliberate offense where there is a considerable amount of time spent in planning and executing the crime. The fact that he consummated the crime meant that the criminal did not consider you as a friend or worse hid under the cover of friendship to mask his vile motive.

The ability to overcome emotional attachment and continue with the crime actually shows his veteran criminal instinct. This is the fact with Riff, who also stole expensive items in numerous other instances (Melissa has been flooded with Private Messages from other victims).

As the station commander said, if we just forgive the guy and let him walk out we have no assurance that he would stay in the good path there's a chance that he would set forth to victimize other people again.

"Buti nalang hindi tayo nabiktima." one of my co-hobbyist said when I recalled to him the incident. I've met these guys in photography and had worked with them in some shoots and indeed we were lucky we were not victimized.

The question is how we avoid such incidents from happening. Based on experience culled from my friends including Melissa's I can think of only some pointers.

1. Don't be too trusting--

In photography or any hobby or endeavor we get to meet new friends. Some of which could be so charming and friendly making us relax and lower down our guard, this should not bar you in making friends though, there are many sincere people but there are a few rotten apples. Make your long-time barkada as your yardstick in trustworthiness. Theft manifests in many forms, these would include unreturned borrowed items or unpaid debts.

2. Keep Watch Be Alert--

Keep an eye on your things, don't be burara or clutter-happy. Enact a security protocol during shoots or activities like limiting strangers in the set particularly when it is not an open photoshoot. During open photoshoots, bring what is only needed or necessary since you will have many strangers lurking around.

* names had been changed for privacy of the parties

17th National Crime Prevention Week Sept. 1-7 2011

"PiNoy ako, Crime Prevention Misyon Ko! Knock Out Crime!"

The mansion of Kasuy Street: a tourism attraction

2011-09-02T01:30:00.000-07:00

"Uy saan ba yung mga mansion ni Ampatuan? malapit lang ba dito?" (where are the mansions of the Ampatuans, is it near?)

A Manila-visitor once asked me, while I was driving them around. Minutes later I would obliged my visitors by touring them around Kasuy Street, which has gained notoriety as hosting the sprawling properties of the Ampatuans, The family who ruled the province of Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is currently incapacitated as its main patriarch and his sons are currently detained being the main suspects of the infamous Maguindanao Massacre.

In the last decade, the Ampatuans bought properties in Juna Subdivision, Kasuy Street lying at the southern end of Juna, still had those sprawling vacant lots. A scion bought a lot in nearby Kalamansi Street and built a mansion.

Afterwards the buying spree started, the clan bought vacant lots and houses in Kasuy and Kalamansi Streets. Some of these houses would be used for relatives and quarters for bodyguards.

A portion of Kasuy was practically altered when they decided to tear down the houses they bought. The once familiar houses now an almost barren lot.

The biggest lot which formerly hosted a City Engineering Office gravel dump at the edge of Kasuy became the site of a grand mansion supposedly built by the patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Its grandiosity shocked and scandalized neighbors and Dabawenyos aliked, how could a governor of the country's poorest province build a humongous mansion in an expensive residential subdivision in Davao.

While attending a luncheon presscon hosted by a high official during the time of President Arroyo, a reporter asked me about my "new" neighbors ( we lived in the other side of Kasuy), I told them about the SUV convoys that would pass by our streets, which could rival the Presidential convoy. I told them about the lots being bought left and right in our street. Our conversations would attract some curious ears including the official, who then occupied one of the highest echelons in the land and who is a Dabawenyo.

"Saan yan?" (where is that) the official asked.

"Dun sa kalye nila." (in their street) a media man replied, referring to the street where I lived.

"Sa Kasuy po, dun sa Juna." I told him. Some of the media men then described to the official the breadth and ostentatious grandeur of the Ampatuan mansion.

"Matingnan ko nga, madaanan nga" (I'll take a look) the official said.

We really didn't bother if the official took the time to visit the mansion since nothing was heard from him regarding the Ampatuan's wealth. But it took one horrifying event that will change the mansions' fate.

In November 22, 2009, 58 people including 34 media men that included my good friend Jolito Evardo were killed and mutilated in Maguindanao, in what is known as the Maguindanao Massacre. A grisly crime attributed to the very powerful clan.

The Kasuy mansion was almost completed when the Maguindanao Massacre happened. Construction halted in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Since the massacre, the street has seen relative quiet, gone are the SUV convoys which indicated that the patriarch is visiting, the houses now eerily quiet perhaps waiting for their owners to return while invasive weeds are creeping up transforming the place back into its former state, a jungle.

A few cars would roll slowly by, Must be dabawenyos taking their visitors on a quick trip to the notorious Ampatuan properties.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101123-304735/Darkness-falls-on-Ampatuan-mansions

Jaji: A private affair

2011-08-28T11:13:00.001-07:00

It was a shoot with some MCOM (Maniniyot Community, a Davao-based photography group) friends, our model was Princess Jaji whom we once shot during a photoshoot session with the talents of Infinite Models International, a Davao City-based modeling agency.

We found a perfect location at an old decrepit pension house, Casa Graciana Inn, which is near my sister's spa. It got great ambient lighting because the rooms had wide windows. Some of the shots were taken while I was using my 50mm 1.8, while the other shots had us using strobes.

Our make-up artist was Brian Berdos, whom we also had a chance to collaborate in past photoshoots, he did a great job on Jaji.

Happy Anniversary Maniniyot Community

2011-08-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Over a year ago, I was chatting up with Paolo Miguel Castillo, I was working then with Muzika del Sur as the show's scriptwriter and spiels director and he was the owner of Durian Bar, Davao City's indie rock bar and the producer of one of our segments, the Durian Shake.

Our discussions were normally on Davao's music scene when I happened to ask him about his new hobby which was photography, as I was seeing some of his posted pictures on Facebook, particularly where it featured young pretty models. He then told me about Maniniyot Community which is a small group of photography enthusiasts and hobbyists, I asked if I could join the group. Paolo said that they would be meeting up at SM for their monthly meeting and invited me to join the group and observe them.

One Friday evening,I met the group at SM, there was Raph, Philip Biboso (then the group's president) and Isko- we later motored to Isko and Sheila's house in Ecoland where I met the other members who just came from a shoot. That night I decided to become a member of MCOM, where I would join them in countless photoshoots, meetings, outings, gimmicks, workshops, community services etc.

Now the group is celebrating its 2nd anniversary, old faces have come and gone, new faces emerge either to stay or fade away. Fortunately we did not remain stagnant, we are still growing as a group with new energetic members/aspirants infusing us with fresh pixels.

This year we have also been noticed by the national media, Joemar Lamata's Davao flooding photos got aired on national TV both by GMA and ABS-CBN and our rant against a P2,000 photography-charging resort got us a full-page article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Hopefully we will thrive by the coming years. That our passion will sustain us and that it would still be an open and accomodating venue for all of us to learn, to share and to have fun all in the name of photography.

City Mayor keen on Davao Punch

2011-08-23T02:03:00.001-07:00

Last Monday I attended a press conference by Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, I got to ask her questions about the famous Davao Punch drink. Got to write a news article about it.

Aug. 19 (PIA)—City Mayor Sara Duterte is looking at the Davao Punch not to inflict bodily harm but as a means of providing livelihood for women.

The Davao Punch is the name of a drink concocted by a chef from a Davao-based culinary school. A non-alcoholic drink which combines pomelo, calamansi and guava; its recipe and name are trademarked for use by the City of Davao.

It is also a clever reference to the July 1 incident where the lady City Mayor punched a Court Sheriff after disobeying her orders to delay the demolition of several shanties. Mayor Duterte’s punches caught on video became an instant viral hit in the internet

“We have given the recipes to restaurants and bars but that recipe is reserved they cannot develop that into another drink.” Duterte said.

If they will add alcohol in the punch then they have to rename it. They could not use the name.

The drink is targeted to be a trademark drink of the City similar to the Singapore Sling of Singapore.

She said the City is exploring the tie-up with the Department of Science and Technology particularly in bottling the drink which then can be marketed.

“They said it is difficult to bottle the punch, that is why we are partnering with the DOST for the packaging.”

According to the Mayor, once bottling is perfected and developed the manufacturing of the bottled punch will be given to the city’s women sector as a livelihood program.

Meanwhile, Mayor Duterte said the continuance of the welcome drink booth at the Davao International Airport, where visitors are served with free Davao Punches is subject to the availability of funds coming from the City Tourism Operations Office. (Philippine Information Agency News/RG Alama)

Davao Punch marketing poster by Rhonson Ng and Joji Alcantara

Meeting Atty Raymond Fortun

2011-08-20T23:42:00.000-07:00

When I was in law school, Atty. Raymond Fortun was one of my idol lawyers, particularly during the Erap impeachment coverage where he was part of President Estrada's defense team together with his brother Atty. Sigfrid Fortun, Atty. Estelito Mendoza and Atty. Jose Flaminiano.

Last Friday I got to meet Atty. Raymund as a resource person of a wedding photography workshop. Yessir aside from lawyering he is into wedding photography having done more than 300 weddings way back when he first started out in 2008.

The workshop was conducted by Jaycees Daba-Daba chapter, joining Attorney was Bicolano fashion photographer Juvy Abion who gave us useful tips on fashion photography.

After a lecture on the business of wedding photography, Atty Fortun then showed us his trade secrets in photography; his styles particularly on posing, angles, detail shoots etc.PLUS his love for Canon which is irritating especially if you love NIKON (joke lang)

Going into wedding photography is indeed a serious business, you have to be an utmost professional when going into a venture. You have to be prepared; from being physically fit, observing proper decorum, dress code, hygiene and punctuality then having the right tools on the wedding-day (acquire it or borrow it.)

Also he emphasized on getting it right on the camera rather than over-reliance on post processing (photoshop) then most important of all is to have fun and be creative, go out of the box and be extraordinary because weddings happen only once.

(special thanks to Ria Jose, Juvy Abion, Divine Magtoto, Melody Tinoy, Carmen Smith and Jaycees Daba-Daba)

KADAYAWAN 2011

2011-08-20T22:58:00.000-07:00

I was more of a couch potato during the past Kadayawans preferring to watch it on local television as some networks would provide live coverage on indak-indak sa kadalanan (street dancing) and the floral float parade, two events which are the centerpieces of the festival dubbed as the King of Festivals or the Festival of Festivals.

However when I got into photography, I slowly developed my liking to witness the festivities along the streets. It started last year with my friends from the Bounce workshops, I tried it again this year together with the Maniniyot Community group. Here are some of my photos. (special thanks to shoot buddy Sherwin Estacio for the lens, Sir Bong Aportadera for the media pass, festival director Lisette Marques who is also my high school batchmate and Kasuy Street neighbor, Marc Faith Wales and Ms. Jojie Alcantara for the very informative and sumptuous pre-kadayawan press conferences and the whole Maniniyot Community)

shot using Nikon D90 and nikkor 14-24 f2.8

Exploring Teriyaki Boy

2011-08-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Finally, I got a seat inside Teriyaki Boy. I longed to try TB when it opened last May along with the new Abreeza mall. However throngs of curious mallgoers had crowded out TB thus I had no recourse but to just bide my time until i can return to Abreeza which I don't normally frequent because of the distance from my house and workplace.

One fine Saturday in July together with members of the Davao Bloggers group I finally was able to try out some of Teriyaki Boy's offerings mostly of the Sushi kind.

California Maki

Teriyaki Boy is the current market leader in the Japanese casual dining category. It serves no-frills, delicious, top quality Japanese food with a dash of western influences.

Philly Cheese Steak Roll

At Abreeza's TB branch we were met by their manager Nikki Gotianse Tan, who also writes for a local newspaper. Nikki along with the friendly TB crew gave us some samples of Teriyaki Boy's popular specialties.

Crunchy Tuna Gunkan

Kani Salad

Teriyaki Boy Chicken ( the best!)

Tofu Steak

The dishes we sampled left me an impending feeling that I would return soon to Teriyaki Boy.

Inside the Pastor's Glory Mountain

2011-08-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

It is said to be the largest concentration of pine trees in the whole country. The Glory Mountain of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name above Every Name is a 50-hectare pine forest located in the foothills of Mt. Apo (Barangay Tamayong, Calinan District).

The place is planted to more than 40,000 pine trees mostly Benguet Pine, these pines are mostly 6-year old trees. According to Pastor Quiboloy, the property was once a logged-over area and carefully restored to its pristine state thus he describes the place as a restored paradise.

The Glory Mountain is surrounded by the remaining forests of Mt. Apo National Park and encroaching banana plantations. Inside the forest well-kept lawns and landscaped hiking trails will lead you to the farthest corner of the property.

There is a log cabin inside where the Pastor stays when he visits the place, sometimes he pitches a tent under the pine trees when he feels like camping it out overnight.

Pastor says he plans to open the mountain hideaway to the public if improvements in the area will be completed. Plans are afoot for the development of more trails which can accommodate golf carts as means of transport, the expansion of a small lake in the upper portion of the property. more log cabins, comfort rooms, restaurants and other facilities.

Nestled at around 3,700 feet above sea level at its lowest point to about 5,000 feet asl at its highest elevation, Glory Mountain is Davao City's best kept secret, it is a sprawling pine park. According to one visitor it feels like you are not in the country because of the pine trees.

As to why he planted pine trees? More than aesthetics Pastor ACQ says that pine trees are one of nature's most efficient airconditioners and air purifiers. The Glory Mountain he also said is his contribution to the Government's National Greening Program.

Kadayawan 2011: Access Pass guidelines

2011-08-11T22:18:00.000-07:00

MEDIA

If you are affiliated with a media network:

1. Send your full name, company (TV, print, radio) to duawdavao@gmail.com , joycemariscal@gmail.com or jojiealcantara@gmail.com with your clear ID photo (digital file).

2. Media access pass is free, and will be released starting August 15, 2011 with a sticker to identify individual’s authorized entry.

3. Individual is free to cover all events occurring during the Kadayawan festivities (Aug. 12-21, 2011) for free. These are the core activities stated in the calendar of events attached.

4. Media access pass allows exclusive entries to controlled areas that need regulation, specifically full entries inside barricaded areas of Rizal Park and San Pedro Street on August 20, Saturday, for the Indak Indak sa Kadalanan Parade, and on August 21, Sunday, for the Pamulak or Floral Float Parade. This is due to the new stage in front of the existing park stage that will be built for performers, and a barricade around the stage areas for security purposes. With this setup, media is given top priority on said dates for coverage access.

5. It is recommended to always wear the Access pass at all times during your coverage, for easy recognition by authorities and avoid unnecessary misunderstanding with tight security.

6. Failure to comply with above regulations will not allow media access to specific barricaded areas in Rizal park only during listed dates.

NON MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHERS/CLUBS/HOBBYISTS/TOURISTS

1. Send your full name to duawdavao@gmail.com, joycemariscal@gmail.com or jojiealcantara@gmail.com with your clear ID photo (digital file) and indicate your club, or organization, if any.

2. Due to the limited capacity of risers afforded to visiting photographers who are interested in covering the events, we are charging a fee of P500 for FULL ACCESS PASS and P300 for ORDINARY PASS valid for two days (Aug. 20-21), to regulate the number of people who can enter the controlled areas (see no. 3). The limitation is on a first come, first served basis, and only up to 100 individuals who registered. Your payment will be given receipt by the Duaw Davao Foundation, Inc.

3. This FULL ACCESS PASS is good for two days, specifically full entries inside barricaded areas of Rizal Park and San Pedro Street on August 20, Saturday for the Indak Indak sa Kadalanan Parade, and on August 21, Sunday, for the Pamulak or Floral Float Parade. This is due to the new stage in front of the existing park stage that will be built for performers and a barricade around the stage areas for security purposes. With this setup, media is given top priority on said dates for coverage access.

4. The ORDINARY PASS allows the individual coverage of all areas during the Indak Indak or Floral Float Parade except for the barricaded stage area, which has a limited carrying capacity.

5. Individual is free to cover all events occurring during the Kadayawan festivities (Aug. 12-21, 2011) for free. These are the core activities stated in the calendar of events attached.

6. It is recommended to always wear the Access pass at all times during your coverage, for easy recognition by authorities and avoid unnecessary misunderstanding with tight security.

7. Failure to comply with above regulations will not allow individual the access to specific barricaded areas in Rizal Park only during listed dates.

For more information, call the City Information Office at the Davao City Hall, Duaw Davao Foundation Office or visit the site www.kadayawan.com. You may also call Mike Aportadera – 09237124272.

Lisette Marques

Festival Director, 26th Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2011

Duaw Davao Festival Foundation

Rm 23, City Hall Bldg.,

City Hall Drive, Davao City 8000

Contact numbers: (82) 286 4103 / (949) 199 3999 / (922) 824 0127

Email: duawdavao@gmail.com

Web: www.kadayawan.com

Hiyas ng Kadayawan, the Ten Finalists

2011-08-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ten lovely ladies coming from the ten recognized indigenous tribes of Davao City will vie for the title Hiyas ng Kadayawan. The coronation night will be held in the evening of Aug. 17 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Zarina Mangadto-Maguindanao

Rahima Usman

Norie Fe Licomes-Klata

Mia Rose Apadan-Kagan

Fauzia Jamsuri-Tausug

Judeyn Ogos-Tagbawa

Jhel Ann Oboc-Ovu Manobo

Chenee Samid-Sama

Bernalin Mamboo-Ata Manobo

Lea Jane Benito-Matigsalog

Cash-strapped photography and the Philippine Military

2011-08-03T02:38:00.000-07:00

I had saved enough money to buy a Tamron 70-200 2.8 lens for my Nikon D90. And i'm contemplating in buying one. Hmmm though part of my conscience is screaming at my ears to save the cash and stop buying more photography gear.

While browsing upon some old blogs, I stumbled upon one I made last year which I posted in Tumblr

...Right now i’m salivating over nikon’s newest DSLR the D7000, I am also wishing for a Tamron 28-75 lens and and perhaps my christmas wishlist is a superwide lens perhaps a nikkor 10-24.

but all are just wishlists. I really do envy people who have those top-of-the line tools. How we wish I could get those sharpness, bokeh, range and lowlight capabilities from my current set of tools. I used to own a 2nd hand D40 sold it and bought a D5000, invested in some Nikkor lens, a 18-105 lens, a 55-200 VR and a 50 mm 1.8 prime. And also some nissin and yong nuo flashes.

Photography is about wise investments, you invest in what you need and make do with what you got. Reminded me of an unlikely analogy. One time i covered the search-and-retrieval operations of a missing Philippine Air Force C130 cargo aircraft which crashed over Davao Gulf.

During the early days after the crash, the Philippine Navy borrowed a small speedboat owned by my former college classsmate Carlos Munda, his boat had a fish finder sonar so they can detect the wreckage underneath the water. The fish finder sonar is a very basic sonar used primarily by fishermen to find fish and not to find complicated wreckage.

One day I asked a Navy officer during a press conference why don't they send some Philippine Navy ships to look in the area, specifically a frigate which has sonars used to hunt for submarines.

The naval officer said, they dont have those kind of vessels anymore.
What? you mean our navy has no ships with sonars? I asked

Yes. the navy officer said.

I asked him why doesnt the Navy have sonar? when its a basic equipment for many modern navies?

He just said the navy has no need for sonar. there’s no immediate threat from other countries with submarines he said.

The officer explained that our navy invested in very modest capabilities enough to detect pirates, smugglers, terrorists and other light naval threats. Since it lacks the budget to buy ships, it just upgraded the most essential need of patrolling our waters. And unlike our Southeast Asian neighbors which acquired warships, submarines and aircraft carrier to gain respect or to intimidate other nations.

Our navy with pitiful amount had to make do with something like buy rubber boats for rescue operations and small gunboats for coastal patrol.

There’s a relevant analogy between the experience of the Philippine military and my cash-strapped involvement in this hobby called photography and this is getting to invest wisely in what I really need and not because my fellow fotogs had these.
photography is not about showing off pricey tools, you earn respect through your photos and not because you had these expensive lens and cameras.

Acceptance leads to contentment, know the capabilities of your equipment and learn to love it. For me i just missed my D40, because i just loved how it performed during normal lighting conditions. I had to part it with because i was shooting more and more in lowlight conditions.

During my shoot at the turtle sanctuary I belatedly realized that the nikkor 55-200 lens was crisp and sharp.

Anyway the key is to invest in your skill. it doesn’t take much, it will take some workshops or time for practice. As a photographer said, “Hindi yan sa pana, sa Indian yan.”

And also what really matters is having the passion in pursuing that. passion to develop your eye and the skill. Even if you really got the best equipment in the world if you don’t have the passion to practice and to improve your craft you’d still end up with bad photos.

Reminded me of another analogy, During US-RP Balikatan exercises years ago, a small Philippine Air Force S211 trainer jet was able to shoot down a U.S. Air Force top of the line F-18 Super Hornet jet fighter during an aerial dogfight over Clark...

Anyway nearly a year after publishing that blog, I bought a D90 and a Tamron 28-75. the Nikkor ultra-wide lens remains a wishlist though. While the Philippine military after some tensions in the Spratly Islands has bought a large warship from the U.S. and is in negotiations on leasing some military hardware again from Uncle Sam. This coupled with tough talk from our President regarding our territorial claim on the disputed West Philippine Sea .

kapag tumapak ka sa Recto Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue
-President PNoy

(photo of S211 Warrior taken from the internet)

Flicks and Re-Runs: In the Name of Love

2011-07-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Olivia Lamasan is known for helming high-quality drama flicks like Maalala mo Kaya, Kailangan Kita,Madrasta, Milan among many others produced by the ABS-CBN film company.

In her recent venture Ms. Olivia Lamasan tries to take In the Name of Love into another level far different from the usual stuff currently churned out by Star Cinema.

The film is heavily promoted as the initial pairing of Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin, two of the network’s brightest stars alongside rising actor Jake Cuenca.

In the Name of Love is reminiscent of the 1996 film Bayarang Puso where Aga Muhlach played a dance instructor who falls in love with his matron Lorna Tolentino.

Muhlach plays Emman Toledo a hosto (male version of a pinay japayuki) in Japan, there he meets fellow entertainer Mercedes Fernandez (Angel Locsin). They eventually fall in love. Later on Mercedes accepts an offer to launder money for the Yakuza, hoping to earn big money. Because of an overwhelming concern for his ladylove Emman volunteers to take on Mercedes’ job.

Emman is caught and is sentenced to 7 years in prison; Upon returning to his hometown he tries to put his life back like reforging his bond with long-estranged son who will soon migrate to Australia with his adopted stepfather and then opening up a dance studio.

In a familiar small world plot common in many Filipino movies and teleseryes, Mercedes is in the same town as Emman, however she is set to marry Dylan (played by Jake Cuenca) son of a corrupt and manipulative politico. Dylan is being pushed by his father to run for Vice-Mayor.

While campaigning, a disgruntled citizen nearly assassinates Dylan, he is timely saved by Emman. As gratitude Dylan offers Emman to become a dance instructor to the ball he is organizing in time for his wedding with Mercedes. And there our usual Filipino love triangle unfolds.

Just like in her past films, Ms. Lamasan tackles burning social issues in her films, like the pestering insurgency problem in Kailangan Kita and the travails of Overseas Filipino Workers in Milan. Here she gets to tackle the issue of political warlordism and the plight of OFWs turned mules for criminal syndicates.

The first half of the film, you could sense that if handled right and allowed to take its course. In the Name of Love would have become a great film but alas the film's ending destroyed whatever promised it held.

The first half had leanings of Lino Brocka, it reminded me somehow of Brocka’s Gumapang ka sa Lusak. The movie’s best part was the character of Jake Cuenca, as a spineless young man pushed into the political limelight as a virtual puppet. The movie’s thrust to tackle the dynamics of local politics is noteworthy.

Alas Star cinema is not an indie film company and would not allow its film to go the usual plot route of indie films perhaps they have Cinema One and Skyline productions for that. By some twists in the film, Aga Muhlach’s character a former convict turned D.I. unbelievably was able to destroy a well-entrenched political clan and still get his girl in a perfunctory happy ending.

Davao Quiz Show

2011-07-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Its Kadayawan time, let's test your knowledge on some Davao trivia. Welcome to the Davao Quiz Show

1. Quizmaster: Ang Ilustre ay isang kalye na matatagpuan sa Davao. Ito ay hango sa pangalan ng isang Tao, ang tanong, Ano ang unang pangalan ni Ilustre?

Contestant 1: Felcris, Felcris Ilustre!

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2. Quizmaster: Ang gugulo nyo magsagot ha. ok let's go to Davao history, Sinong Datu ang nakalaban ni Don Jose Uyanguren nang sinalakay niya ang Davao nung 1849?

Contestant 2: Datu Complex

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3. Quizmaster: Eto ay kaisa-isang triple A resort sa Samal island, dinadayo eto ng mga turista, anong pangalan ng resort na eto?

Contestant 1: Paradise

Constestant 2: Blue Jazzz

Quizmaster: hay nako, clue ang last word niya ay FARM, ____ FARM

Contestant1: Gap Farm!!!

Quizmaster: ano ba? nasa Samal siya!!!

Contestant2: Samal Gap Farm

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4. Quizmaster: Sa Davao food category naman tayo. Eto ay isang sikat na restaurant sa Davao, paborito ng mga old timers, nagsisimula sa letrang H. Ah basta maraming masasarap dito....

contestant 1: Hotlegs

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5. Quizmaster: Eto tiyak masasagot niyo. Kung gusto nyo magshopping sa Davao, dito kayo Because "We've got it all For you."

Contestant 1: Lachmi

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6. Quizmaster: Kapag gusto mong mag-shopping ng batik at malong pupunta ka dito. Sikat to sa Davao, isa na siyang landmark

contestant2: Gaisano Mall

Quizmaster: Mali. clue malapit to sa marco polo hotel, nagsisimula sa letrang A

contestant1: Ateneo!

Quizmaster: grrrr, hindi siya school, marami siyang tindahan!!! nagsisimula sa letrang A.

contestant2: ah.. Abreeza!

Quizmaster: Maliit ng konti sa Abreeza

contestant1: Ace Hardware!

-----------------------------

7. Quizmaster: Etong statue na ito ay naging controversial nang itinayo siya ng Queensland sa matina baywalk. Anong pangalan ng estatuwa na hango sa obra ni Michaelangelo?

contestant1: Statue of Liberty!

Quizmaster: Mali. Isa siyang tao, starts with a letter D, nakilala siya bilang magaling na lider. eto ay ang Statue of...

contestant2: Statue of Digong!

Quizmaster: Ali ra gud diri sir, ali ra gud.

------------------------

8. Quizmaster: Kompletohin ang campaign slogan ni former Speaker Prospero Nograles "Change we Need....."

Candidate1: "keep the change"

Quizmaster: wrong!

Candidate2: "Change we need, We have the best."

Quizmaster: Pinaghalo mo naman. Eto ha, Kapag gusto mo nang pagbabago ikaw ay dapat mag....

Candidate1: mag-a-abroad sir!

----------------------

9. Quizmaster: Si Happy L.A ay isang sikat na radio DJ sa Davao nung dekada otsenta, kilala rin siya sa public service dahil nagsilbi siyang councilor ng maraming taon. Ano ang L.A. sa Happy L.A.? pangalan siya ng isang tao.

Contestant 2: Lord Anthony.

-----------------------

10. Quizmaster: Nung dekada 90 eto ang paboritong pasyalan ng mga taga Davao dahil nag-iisa lamang siya sa siyudad. Maririnig mo sa commercial jingle niya ang linyang "____ ____ the PLAZA FOR ALL"

Contestant1: Plaza Roman!!!

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11. Quizmaster: Si Tony Tan Caktiong na tubong Dabaw ay nagtayo ng isang fastfood chain. Eto ngayon ang pinakamalaki sa bansa.Ano ang ang itinayo ni Mr. Caktiong?

contestant1: Colasas

Quizmaster: hindi siya ihaw-ihaw. isa siyang western-style fast-food.

contestant2: Shakeys!

Quizmaster: sikat siya dahil sa kanyang mga burgers!

contestant1: Shakeys and Patties?

Quizmaster: mali. Nagsisimula sa letrang J.

contestant2: Jacks Ridge!

Quizmaster: grrr. maski saan makikita mo ang tindahan niya

contestant1: Taps?

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12. Quizmaster: Ang Bolton Street at Bolton Bridge ay ipinangalan sa dating American military governor ng Davao. Ano ang first name ni Bolton?

Contestant1: Michael... Michael Bolton

Quizmaster: mali. hindi siya singer, isa siyang sundalo

Constestant2: Sgt. Michael Bolton?

Quizmaster: mali na naman kayo. eto clue.ang dali-dali na neto. siya ang iniibig ni Bella.

Contestant1: Jacob.

Quizmaster: Yung nakaaway ni Jacob?

Contestant2: bampira!

------------------

13. Quizmaster: Siya ang kasalukuyang City Administrator ng Davao? initials L.L

contestant2: LL Cool J?

Quizmaster: mali... hindi siya isang amerikano, hindi rin siya isang rapper. Isa siyang Filipina, isang huwarang Dabawenya. kilala rin siya bilang fashionista at kikay.

contestant1: ah si Pilar Braga!

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14. Quizmaster: Eto medyo mahirap na tanong, pagbutihan niyo. Nung 1991 hindi idinaos ang Mutya ng Dabaw dahil sa pandaigdig na crisis. At sa unang pagkakataon nanungkulan ang isang Mutya ng Dabaw ng dalawang taon. Sino ang Mutya ng Dabaw nung 1990 at 1991?

contestant1: MJ Lastimosa

Quizmaster: ang initials niya ay E.M.

contestant2: Emelda Marcos!

-----------------

15. Quizmaster: Isa siyang kilalang musikero na tubong Dabaw. Naging sikat ang mga kanta niyang "Karaniwang Tao" at "Walang Hanggang Paalam" ang initials niya ay J.A.

contestant2: Joey Albert

Quizmaster: Lalake siya

contestant1: Mr. Joey Albert!

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16. Quizmaster: Isang bulaklak na natatangi ang ganda, makikita lamang siya sa kagubatan ng Davao. Ano ito?

contestant1: Gumamela!

Quizmaster: Mas maganda pa sa gumamela, starts with the letter W

contestant2: Water Lily

Quizmaster: sikat na sikat etong bulaklak na eto. binibili siya

contestant1: White flower!

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17. Quizmaster: Ito ay sikat na tindahan sa Davao Chinatown, kompleto siya sa mga bilihin at murang-mura pa, kaya dinadagsa siya ng mga tao. Para makasagot naman kayo, ang pangalan ng tindahan ay may apat na letra, ibibigay ko ang unang dalawa. eto ay D.C., DC_ _

contestant1: DCWD!

Quizmaster: diyos ko! hindi po siya water district

contestant2: DCPO!

Quizmaster: Hindi police station ang hinahanap ko. Eto clue- Isa siyang lungsod sa America

contestant1: Washington D.C.

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18. Quizmaster: Nuong unang panahon, kilala sila sa tribal wars at human sacrifices, isa sila sa mga indigenous people o lumad ng Davao City, nagsisimula sa letter B

contestant1: Bahala na Gang

Quizmaster: ahh Taga Davao sila

contestant2: Bankerohan Boys

Quizmaster: Hindi sila gang, Mababait sila na tao

contestant1: Boy Scout!

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19. Quizmaster: Eto siguro ang pinakasikat na produkto ng Davao. Sa amoy pa lang kilalang-kilala na. Umaapaw ang supply neto tuwing Kadayawan Festival. It starts with the letter D.

contestant 2: Droga!!

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20. Quizmaster: syaro! ito ang pambansang ibon ng Pilipinas, makikita sa Malagos

contestant1: Maya!

Quizmaster: mas malaki pa sa Maya

contestant2: manok!

Quizmaster: wrong... inaalagaan siya ng gobyerno dahil malapit na itong maubos

contestant1: lechong manok

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* ANSWERS

1. Vicente Ilustre

2. Datu Bago

3. Pearl Farm

4. Harana

5. SM

6. Aldevinco

7. Statue of David

8. "Change we need, Change we must."

9. Leonardo Avila

10. Victoria Plaza

11. Jollibee

12. Lt. Edward Bolton

13. Lyka (Zuleika) Lopez

14. Erlinda Mejia

15. Joey Ayala

16. Waling-Waling

17. DCLA

18. Bagobo

19. Durian

20. Philippine Eagle

Berlind is not in Germany

2011-07-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

Davao City is the home to thousands of barbecue or ihaw-ihaw eateries and restaurants catering to a diverse range of classes. From the upscale to the hoi poloi.

Right smack in the middle of the dining scale is Berlind's Ihaw-Ihaw located in a nook along Jacinto Extension (near Central Convenience Store).

The eatery is frequented by students (because of its student-friendly prices) and also by office employees and professionals wanting to gorge on a hearty ihaw-ihaw meal.

Must try ihaw-ihaw or grilled specialties are their pork barbecue at P12/stick, baticulon (chicken gizzard) also at P12/stick and their bariles panga at P80/panga.

Pork barbeque P12/ stick

Tuna panga P80/order

You can also try their kinilaw (P30/order) or tinolang manok also at P30/order.

Together with three of my media colleagues we tried out Berlind's ihaw-ihaw offerings. We ordered 2 tuna panga, 5 pork barbecues, 2 kinilaw plus rice (P5/cup) and a litro of Coca-Cola our total bill was P335. Or P83/person if divided equally between the four of us.

If you're looking for a lunchtime ihaw-ihaw experience without worrying over the price, then you might want to try Berlind's Ihaw-Ihaw .

Majid's Kabab, a taste of the movies

2011-07-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

Of all the countless subjects I have featured in my entertainment column at Sunstar Davao, one of the most memorable was my article on Majid Jadali, proprietor of a Persian kabab establishment at Davao City's Rizal Street which bears his name.

Well before he made his living making those mouthwatering kababs and biryanis he was a former movie actor/stuntman appearing in over 70 foreign and Tagalog movies in the 1980s.

You could see Majid's bygone past when you gaze upon the walls of his establishment, plastered were photos of Majid Jadali- the movie actor. One photo had him posing with movie actress Susan Sarandon whom he worked in one foreign movie shot in the Philippines.

In the 1960s up to the 1980s, the Filipino movie industry was at its peak, it was producing at least 250 movies a year, aside from Filipino movie productions other foreign film outfits also made their films here. You might have heard of Platoon and Apocalypse Now but aside from mainstream hollywood films there were some film companies making B movies, or low-budgeted productions featuring unknown stars or has-beens which were shooting in the country because of the cheap production costs.

"My role was to carry a suitcase full of drugs," Majid recalls his first movie role. Because of his Caucasian features he worked as extras in foreign film companies and Filipino productions needing foreign actors. I saw him once in the Dolphy comedy "Nang Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba" shown on Skycable's Cinema One, where he was a foreign reporter interviewing a pregnant Dolphy.

Majid says he had no recourse but to get into acting because he cannot return to his native Iran after the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. The once European-like country became one of the most conservative and repressive regimes in the world.

"I was a gangster, a Colombian druglord, a rapist , a terrorist, I was really a bad guy." Majid said of his early roles. He had acted alongside the likes of the great Chuck Norris, Chuck Connors (famous for his cowboy roles in the TV series "The Rifleman") and Nicholas Hammond (famous for portraying Friedrich Von Trapp in the very famous Sound of Music movie and played Spiderman in the Adventures of Spiderman TV series in the late 70s).

After several films he developed a great fondness for his job. Work came in droves, he was improving as an actor and his roles were steadily progressing. He was working about four to five movies per month.

In 1989, he played his most memorable Filipino film, the Jean Garcia-starrer Impaktita, where Majid gets to terrorize Richard Gomez and Aga Mulach as the aswang double for Jean Garcia.

Also in the same year he was finally billed as a supporting actor in the foreign movie Black Cobra 2. However it would be the last film he would make.

After the bloody coup attempt against President Corazon Aquino in 1989, the Philippine government suspended all firearms rentals to movie companies. Since Majid was working in action movies, there was no work temporarily. On a vacation to visit his friend in Angeles City, he met an accident. He suffered a hipbone fracture which scarred him permanently, this meant no stunt work for Majid, no action movies.

He decided immediately to cut off his ties with the movie industry and tried his hand in making Pita breads. It was a matter of survival Majid says, instead of wallowing in pity, he had no recourse but to find another line of work even if he had learned to love the movie industry.

Eventually he branch out into making kababs and other Persian delicacies. And in 2001 when he resettled in Davao which is the hometown of his wife, he opened his small restaurant which still is very popular among Dabawenyos.

Indeed the B-movie industry's loss is every kabab-loving Dabawenyo's gain.

The Basic Davao Shooting Guide

2011-07-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Mutya ng Dabaw 2011 and fellow hobbyist Irenee Lascuna

For shutterbugs in Davao City there are a lot of places where you can hold your photo-shoots without shelling out a lot of bucks or going out of the way. Here are some of the places frequented by local photographers because of their accessibility. Some of the information were assembled from shared inputs of fellow Dabawenyo photographers.

Riverfront Corporate Center also known as Speed City-- Still largely undeveloped master-planned satellite city with wide open spaces and grasslands perfect for meadow-themed shoot. No permit necessary. What to bring: It is advisable to bring drinking water to avoid dehydration as there are no stores nearby especially if you are shooting in the middle of speed city.

Gen and Russell engagement sessions, Riverfront Corporate Center

Tribu Kamindanawun--Part of the Riverfront Corporate Center Complex which includes Speed City. Located at the riverside corner of the Crocodile Park. A replica of a tribal village and an art gallery amidst a bamboo forest. You pay P150 per person as an entrance fee. However if you do not want to pay the steep price you can access the area via the Gallery of Davao entrance.

Cosplayer Alben Tan as Eugene of Ghost fighter at Tribu Kamindanawun

Pawikan Sanctuary... A 37-hectare property of the Davao Light and Power Company, it lies at the tip of Punta Dumalag- a small peninsula jutting out of the Matina coastline. It encompasses several ecosystems; beach, forestal area and grasslands. It is also declared as a Turtle nesting sanctuary and is a protected area. You need a permit as required from DLPC (c/o Vic Sumalinog community relations manager) they won't charge fees, just be careful not to disturb turtle nesting areas.

How to get there: You can take a taxi to Seagull beach resort then a little hike to the area. you can also hail a PUJ (Matina Aplaya Route). If you have a car it is advisable to bring one for convenience. Bring drinking water, light snacks, mat and extra shirts.

Mai and Noel s-sessions Pawikan Sanctuary

Nico Palma Gil

Queensland Baywalk Park a.k.a seawall -- The boardwalk was developed by Queensland Properties as a public park with kitschy replicas of Michaelangelo's David and Copenhagen's famed Little Mermaid statues as centerpieces. Great for general-themed photoshoots and engagement session pictorials. No permits, no fees.

How to Get There: Take a cab or a tricycle, towards Queensland Motel.

Marco Polo Hotel-- Great for glamour/bridal shots particularly the hotel lobby and the receiving area of Lazuli Spa. For funshoots (you are not a client of the hotel) MPD charges no fees, just ask permission from the Marco Polo P.R. office, subject to General Manager's approval.

Jes Pat

People's Park-- A 4-hectare public park with lots and lots of greenery. Best time to shoot is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that is when the park closes for daily maintenance where you can have the park all by yourself. Just write a letter to the Park Administrator at least a day before your scheduled shoot.

Kim Laya

Kayie Montejo Pablo

Nadine Maglana

FTC Towers-- A modern building at Mt. Apo street, near Davao Doctors Hospital. Building interiors particularly the reception area/office sports a futuristic look great for concept fashion shoots. No fees, just ask permission from the friendly building management, a fact since they are encouraging photoshoots to promote the place.

Lance Llaban

Darleen Avelino

City Hall/Quezon Park/San Pedro Street area-- One of the remaining structures in the city using an American-era civic architecture (Roman colonnades/columns) great for high fashion photoshoots, photojournalism. No fees, no permits Best time to shoot is Sunday when the place is not busy. WARNING to smoking photographers, don't light your cigarettes in this area, eagle-eyed security are on the look-out for violators.

Sandra Luy Stein

Unfinished Artica Sports Dome - Pan-Philippine Highway (Diversion Road beside Laud Firing Range) Supposedly constructed as a 15,000 seater coliseum but due to political issues was left unfinished. No fees required just a permit required from the City Government (if you will shoot inside the unfinished coliseum) Great for industrial-themed, apocalyptic, grungy-themed photoshoots. What to bring: drinking water, mat, extra shirts.

How to get there: Taxi or much preferably a private vehicle. Just before reaching Gap Farm Resort. Look for the imposing dome as your landmark.

Jen Bangcot

Sun City - Another undeveloped master-planned suburban community with lots of open grassland, site developments, wide roads. located along the northern part of the Pan-Philippine Highway (diversion road just after the new Davao International Airport ), No shooting permit necessary. bring drinking water for convenience.

Carla Llanto at Sun City

Lon Hua Taoist Temple-- Taoist temple located along Cabaguio Avenue. Great for Chinese or Oriental themed photoshoots. No fees, just ask permission from the Davao Chinatown Development Council or the Temple administrator.

Oboza House-- An old house located at the corner of Crooked Road and Rizal Street. A historic pre-war structure. Ideal for vintage shoots. The place has been leased by the Le Neindres and luckily has been preserved and opened to the public. It is now the site of Claude's the French resto. You can ask permission from the Le Neindres for photo-shoots.

Casa Oboza

Buhangin Flyover Park-- Well-kept small park/garden in the middle of the Buhangin Flyover. Open access public park.

old Francisco Bangoy Airport Terminal- An old abandoned airport building. good for grungy fashion shoots. permit from Air Transportation Office c/o Nathan Nazareno.

How to get there: for PUJ take the Sasa Panacan route. Then take the tricycle towards the old airport.

old Airport tarmac-- Utilized by the Philippine Air Force, you can shoot there provided you get proper permission from PAF officials (subject to their consent and strict regulations). Have seen a lot of pre-nups being shot in the under-utilized tarmac where the military aircraft are parked.

Volkswagen Club Davao photoshoot

Sta Ana Wharf--Excellent for Sunrise shoot, prenups, glam and photowalks. There are no fees but if you are bringing a car inside you'd have to pay a fee of P10.

How to get there: If taking a PUJ, look for the Uyanguren (Magsaysay Route) it is beside the Ramon Magsaysay Park.

Felcris/Chimes sidewalk- Located along Sales Street. At night the well-lighted Chimes sidewalk becomes sort of a park where kids gather to play, teens practice their dance choreography for a dance contest or school presentations. Photographers also find the area a great site for night-themed photoshoots and pre-nups. No permit, no fees.

How to get there: If you take a jeep (PUJ) look for the Uyanguren/Magsaysay Route, get-off at the corner of Uyanguren-Sales streets, then walk a block to the area.

Onins-Anne E-sessions

Claveria Street or C.M. Recto Street- One of the oldest streets in the City and was once its busiest thoroughfare until the 1997 financial crisis when some of the business establishments went bankrupt. There is a stretch of abandoned foreclosed buildings along the northern part of the street. Though there are attempts to bring back commercial activity in that section, for the meantime its sidewalks had become a playground for skaters. Great for urban themed shoots, street photography.

Alex Le Neindre, photo by Jose Miguel Santillan

Freedom Park (Clifford Park and Millenium Park, Claveria Street and Roxas Avenue)-- As part of our freedom of speech and free expression, local governments are mandated to designate so-called "freedom parks" where rallies and protests can be held.

The freedom park in Davao City encompasses two different parks; the first one is the Millenium Park located in front of Ateneo de Davao. The other park is Clifford Park named in honor of the U.S. Army forces commander killed in action during the liberation of Davao in World War II. The park is located in front of City Triangle and Marco Polo Davao.

Great for photojournalism particularly when there are rallies and demonstrations around. A nice area for general-themed photoshoots and pre-nups (engagement sessions). No fees, No permits (remember its a freedom park)

Photojourn tip: A good time to shoot for rallies is when a visiting Philippine President is billeted or attending a function at the Marco Polo Davao.

What to bring: Presence of mind or telephoto lens especially when things gets out of control (rallies and demos) stay away from harm's way.

The legendary former Mayor, now Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

Catalina Gardens (Holy Infant of Prague Shrine, Matina Shrine Hills )-- Though the Shrine is basically off-limits to photography activities, there is a park located at the back of the sacred area, it is named Catalina Gardens after Catalina Santos who established the shrine.

Nice area for general-themed photoshoots and practice shots. There is an entrance fee of five pesos. How to get there: The shrine is a Davao landmark, you can take a taxicab or much preferably a private vehicle. For commuters there are tricycles which will take you to the shrine.

There are other public and private places where you can set-up and shoot. This post is open to additional inputs, corrections and suggestions. Happy Clicking.

My body of literary attempts

2011-07-19T23:11:00.000-07:00

While being interviewed by a college student for his term paper on the basis that I was a fiction writer kuno! I was asked about my body of works. I could only cite two of my short stories which got printed in the literary pages of a local newspaper, completely forgetting to cite my other works which are short film screenplays and one attempt at writing a one-act theater play which I had wrote when I was still in high school , I've lost many of these copies, sigh, an attempt to document my humble body of literary attempts

The Scent of Midsummer (1994)- My first attempt at writing a one-act play, actually intending to submit it to Davao circa 1950's Playwriting contest, which involves around plays set in 1950s Davao. The story is about Arturo a high school student in a certain Davao City all-boys catholic school in the 1950s, the protagonist sets his sights on joining a midsummer school soiree, however problems with his very low grades on his chemistry subject threatens to derail his chance of joining this rare social event.

The Only Sin (2004, short film screenplay)- A Spanish-mestizo clan cursed with a vampire-like disease is thought to be wiped out by American colonial authorities in the early 1900s. 90 years later, Marco, a rising crime investigator of the Davao City Police Office is baffled by a series of mysterious killings in which human victims are sucked dry of their blood. On the personal side he is constantly wondering of the refusal of his long-time girlfriend Evelyn in accepting his marriage proposal. A series of events will ultimately connect these seeming distantly-related mysteries. That will put the police officer's heart on the line.

The Routine (2004, short film screenplay)- based on a story by Marco Tamayo. An ambitous yet jobless husband. An unfaithful wife. One family. A murder mystery.

Happy Ending (2004, short film screenplay, short film)- based on a story by Marco Tamayo. Paddocks and Bam, long-time gay lovers struggle to sustain their relationship in a conservative society. Until one day, Bam's wife finds out the gay affair and all-hell breaks loose. Part screwball comedy and part melodrama the film bagged best screenplay and best picture, peoples choice and best actress (for Raissa Banosan) awards in the 2004 Guerilla Film Festival.

Happy Ending 2 (2005, short film screenplay)- Story by Marco Tamayo. Another comedic film project in the vein of Happy Ending. This time a movie about straights. Chris a certified geek, a no-girlfriend-since-birth guy is enrolled by his older brother to some sort of a finishing school where one can become a certified chickboy. In time he becomes a member of the cool dudes- a posse of chick boys known for getting the hottest ladies. Chris falls in love with a member of the Hot-chicks-a clique of It girls. However Chris' dilemma begins when he finds out that she is a girlfriend of one of the cool dudes and knowing the dudes as experienced cheaters, old Chris' views on true love and fidelity gets in the way forcing him to choose what kind of man he really is.

Initial photography was started but was discontinued after we faced legal problems from the first Happy Ending shoot. In July last year, Me and Marco met in the wake of a dear friend Jonathan Porras, who was Marco's inspiration for the story.

To Cross the Line (2005 short story)- Set in Davao Chinatown, Joy, a banker is traumatized by a love gone wrong. Her series of introspections and realizations in a seemingly ordinary afternoon. First published in Dagmay, a weekend literary page for Dabawenyo writers.

The Third Republic (2005 short story)- a coup de tat has installed a military junta in Manila and across Mindanao, the City Mayor of Davao sets up to form a new government, the Republic of Mindanao. Published in Dagmay as a two-part series.

Limot (2006 short film screenplay)- a tale of forgotten second chances. the oft-rejected George masquarades as a close friend to an amnesiac Tricia, figuring out that this is his best, last and only chance to be with the girl of his dreams.

A much-deserved life (2007 short film screenplay)- An eyeball date between an artist and a daughter of a Chinoy businessman results in a realization that the life you want is not really the life you want to live.

Way to the Sunset (2009 additional screenplay and background research. full-length film, participating film to the 2nd Cinemarehiyon Film Festival held in Manila)- Based on the story and script of Bagane Fiola, the plot revolves around Nikka, a nikkei- jin (Japanese descendant) and Hitoshi a Japinoy (half-blooded Filipino) who meets up in a friendly date. A seemingly ordinary day spent around the city unravels the convergent paths of their friendship and the divergent twists of each other's fate.

Anna Sotto

2011-07-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Felt like it was just yesterday when good friend Sarah Hilomen asked me if I could be the photographer for her engagement pictorial sessions with fiance Xandy. Months after their wedding Sarah left Davao for Manila to settle with her husband. One of the things she left in Davao was the local morning TV show Una ka Bai (GMA-7) which she used to host.

Coming in to fill Sarah's hosting job was a 19-year old coed named Angelica Sotto. It was only last week when I got a chance to meet up close and personal with the beautiful Angelica as she was the model for our photoshoot with photographer Eight Espino.

A classic beauty, the cameras simply adored her. One of the loveliest faces in local television.

MUA: courtesy of Ichiko Salon and Days Spa
Location: Ichiko Salon and Day Spa, Juna Ave. Matina.
Prod Asst.: JM Santillan, Seven Espino

Fastbreak reading Pacific Rims

2011-07-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

May 1993, We were seated in lower box seats at the capacity-filled Cuneta Astrodome. Game 2, PBA All-Filipino Finals between San Miguel Corporation and the then Ayala Zobel-owned Purefoods Hotdogs (then sporting the Coney Island ice cream brand). Our seats were a few rows behind the Zobel de Ayalas with patriarch Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala leading his family and a retinue of corporate executives.

As the game wore on, it was thrillingly close, Samboy Lim's daredevil drives always manages to get the dominant San Miguel crowd roaring, while Alvin Patrimonio's trademark post moves would drive Don Jaime Zobel crazy and inspire the lesser-numbered Purefoods fans to cheer for their team and equalize the screams of the San Miguel mob.

This was the glory days of the PBA, The country's richest family and the masa crowd all in one roof. Though with different team allegiances, they were united in one, their love for the game.

In 2005, Rafe Bartholomew came to the country armed with a Fulbright scholarship. His mission was to write one peculiar aspect of our culture- Pinoy basketball. Though the game is still the same as with American and international rules, it has practically evolved into a life of its own.

I've seen and read many attempts on redefining the Philippines and Filipinos taken from a western perspective, that would include foreign-raised Filipino-Americans like Mike Bustos, Christine Gambito of Happy Slip, Tim Tayag etc. But Rafe Bartholomew's Pacific Rims is unique since it aims to dissect our culture through Basketball, which was never really comprehensively written about.

Got his book recently on paperback at National Bookstore and was able to consume it for three days. As a basketball geek particularly a follower of the Philippine Basketball Association, Pacific Rims is a total page-turning revelation particularly his accounts of the Alaska Aces PBA team during the 2007 season where he was taken in as an observer.

From the clownish Willie Miller, the farting Poch Juinio to the seriously stressed import Roselle Ellis; Pacific Rims takes us to the inner dynamics of the winningest PBA team known for its uncompromising blue-collar ways.

All these years I've grown to hate Alaska team for frustrating my favorite team, the Purefoods Hotdogs particularly in several PBA finals during the mid-1990s. but the book somehow tore out a heart for the team which represents the ghost of PBA's glory days (yes I believe the league is on a serious decline).

The book also tries to telegraph the Filipinos love for hoops and how we had transformed it into something that is a part of us. Connecting our nation's history with the evolution of the local game. The author takes his readers on a whirlwind tour of pick-up games and court-side views peppered with different commentaries from different resource persons like sociologists, politicians, sportswriters, business executives and former players.

Involving and funny peppered with Bartholomews observant wit plus some unexpected twist including the time he was asked to act in GMA 7's telenobela Bakekang. Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin' in Flip-Flops and the Philippines Unlikely Love Affair with Basketball is a great bookstore find.

"May DSLR ka na pala, eh di shoot tayo

2011-07-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

The mass accessibility of DSLR cameras has led to the mushrooming number of enthusiasts, hobbyists and new professionals. Many in varying degree of competencies from noobs to more advance users or those already who have elevated it into a form of art or commercial venture.

“Hindi ba’t porke may DSLR ka eh photographer ka na” I once posted a shoutout in my facebook.”

Only to find out that its a knee-jerk reaction to a growing field. Though I had directed it to newbies with big egos as big as their cameras or telephoto lenses. but the phrase tends to unfairly generalize the field of newcomers

In purest terms a photographer is one who takes pictures. He can either be a veteran professional or a 10-year old novice hobbyist.

Let me share how i started into this hobby.

Even before I owned a DSLR, I was somewhat engaged in “professional.” photography since part of my job as an information officer is to take photos using the office-owned prosumer digital point-and-shooter, the photos are then to be submitted it to different media outlets. Many of my photos have come out in newspapers and news websites.

Just like some of my photojournalist colleagues, we always set our cameras to P or Automatic mode and we disdain the use of photoshops. As long as we took care of composition (rule of 3rds, angles etc.) the pics are good to go.

Tatay Rene Lumawag, Bing Gonzales, the late Edgar Arro, Seth delos Reyes, these veteran photojournalists exposed me to the wonders of DSLR and to photography plus the nuances of discipline and responsibility attached to it.

Tatay Rene would offer me an old D70 in which i could borrow to get a feel of DSLR photography. I bought a second-hand Nikon D40 to jumpstart a DSLR hobby.

“Maganda yan na camera.” Kuya Edgar would describe the D40. An entry level DSLR perfect for beginners like me. They were there to assure me that it isnt the equipment but the skills.

“Porbida, shoot ka lang ng shoot. hindi man yan film.” Tatay would scold me one day because he noticed I was not shooting often.

“Wag ka sige bili dyan. masterin mo muna yang camera mo. (don’t always buy, master your camera first) kuya Edgar would admonish me when i would ask him what new lens to buy. at that time I was addicted in buying photography accessories.

Lately some of them would remind me that I have a Nikon D90 and they havent seen me lugging it around. “kapoy dala” I would tell them. “eh akin na lang yun hindi mo naman pala ginagamit.” Sunstar fotog King would tell me (I sold my D5000 to him so i could buy my D90)

One time Tatay asked me if I was selling my D40 (I had sold it already) he said he was looking for one. I asked him why he needs a D40 when he got lots of DSLRs already.

He told me, he wants to help a young man with an eye for photography. The young lad couldnt buy a camera he plans to lend the D40 to him, if he got a camera, a job awaits him in an NGO.

It was not unusual for Tatay, he would always lend a helping hand, many of Davao’s top photographers owe their careers to his help.

Tatay was candid and sometimes brash particularly to fellow photographers. But it was not to thumb them down but to set things right.

“Telebagbag” he would scold a fellow fotog who just wouldn’t learn a thing or two about camera settings. Often he would speak his mind by commenting on the photos posted on Facebook by some of his colleagues.

I learned a thing or two about my mentors/colleagues, Practice humility. Extend your open arms to a person who would want to go to photography, encourage him, respect his gears, his style and his eye and most of all his passion.

Stop frothing such lines as “Hindi porke’t may DSLR ka eh photographer ka na.”

Instead why don’t we just say. “oh may DSLR ka pala, Shoot tayo!!!

John Sayles "Amigo"

2011-07-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last February at the Cinemarehiyon Film Festival in Davao City , I got a chance to meet American film director and noted writer John Sayles.

Mr. Sayles is known as an independent filmmakers in the United States churning out movies far out from the established Hollywood mainstream. He is noted for films like Lone Star, Passion Fish, Silver City, City of Hope and Matewan. His films are said to be socially relevant flicks, reflecting political awareness that resonates through the films’ core.

For example Lone Star tackles inter-racial relationships, Silver City is about electoral politics and Amigo his latest film could be more of a statement to America’s current involvement with Iraq and Afghanistan.

Aside from being a filmmaker, he is also a screen writer. He has penned most of his films and has earned Academy Award nominations for his written works in his films like Lone Star and Passion Fish. He has written also for films like Spiderwick Chronicles and the in production Jurassic Park IV.

During his visit to Davao City where he attended the Taboan Literary forum held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, I got to ask him about his latest film Amigo which was shot in Bohol. The film deals about a small barrio in Luzon during the height of the Philippine-American War.

“I started when I came across it in history books. Didn’t know anything about it.” Says John Sayles about the setting for his film, he calls the Philippine-American War as a forgotten war rarely mentioned in history books.

He says the war at the turn of the century was America’s first imperialistic war. A contradiction to a nation which had successfully repulsed an imperial power and had renounced imperialism.

Sayles also wrote his novel "A moment in the Sun" which is set in the same time as Amigo.

In writing the film he based the story from numerous incidents culled during the war. Among his researches were history books written by American and Filipino authors then those biographies of Aguinaldo and other personalities of the war. The characters in the film were also patterned from notable players during the conflict.

The story of the film revolves around a barrio which was recently garrisoned by American infantry forces led by a battle-hardened Colonel Hardacre (played by Chris Cooper), he leaves Lt. Compton (played by Garett Dillahunt) to take charge of the village who in turn enlists its Rafael, the cabeza del barrio played by Joel Torre as an intermediary between the Americans and the villagers.

However Rafael is torn between his loyalty with the American forces and the Filipino army who also has decided to enforce an equally tough policy against the sympathizers of the enemy.

Colonel Hardacre, the ruthless military commander was patterned after General Jacob Smith, who turned Samar into a howling wilderness in the aftermath of the Balangiga Massacre.

Though he did not intend it to be a statement against the Iraqi invasion; many of those who had watched the films will see the parallelisms between the two wars.

“The only line that is in direct parallel to Iraq is the line winning hearts and minds.” Sayles says. He thought the hearts and minds strategy was a Vietnam War invention until he found out that it was also used in a much earlier war.

The decision to film in Bohol was courtesy of actor Joel Torre who also produced the film. Bohol, John says is perfect because its location could give his sound crew an ample environment without being disturbed by noise which is common in Manila.

“We shot in a pretty quiet village.” John says. As for the crowing roosters and the chickens which could pose problem to a film using live sound recording, they had to relocate them in a nearby village and place them in a “chicken condominium”.

About 90% of the film crew were Filipinos the only American crew took charge of the sound.

We were able to put together a real good film crew. Sayles said it was only during the shoot that he realized the Philippines had a real film industry with competent technical people.

The film costs around $1.5 million which is way cheaper than those period films produced by mainstream Hollywood studios.

Amigo is a must see film especially for students equally ignorant of this obscure phase of our history. The last Filipino film to tackle this theme was Raymond Red’s Sakay which was made in 1993. It is interesting to relate it with America’s war against terror and her engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, some sort of a Michael Moore anti-war documentary but one which we as Filipinos could clearly relate to.

The film’s cast include American actors Chris Cooper (The Kingdom, Bourne Identity,The Patriot ), Garett Dillahunt (No Country for Old Men, Burn Notice, Terminator: The Sarrah Connor Chronicles) DJ Qualls (The Core, Delta Farce) and Filipino actors, Joel Torre, Bembol Roco, Rio Locsin, John Arcilla and Pen Medina.

Fighting Form

2011-07-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

One time I covered a meeting between the City Mayor and officials of the Army's 10th Infantry Division at the old Central 911 office along Ponciano Street which was then being used as a temporary conference room.

During the media interview, the lady Mayor was asked about the city's peace and order situation, I remember not paying attention to the long-winded answer, my mind drifting off somewhere, but all I remember was her phrase "unsa man karatehin nako sila." Then to the surprise and amusement of the reporters she playfully executed a karate strike stance matching it with the yelp "hiyaaa" which elicited guffaws and laughter from the media group.

"Mangarate man jud diay ni si Mayor oh! usaba daw usaba daw. " (The Mayor really does karate, do it again) one newspaper reporter asked for a repeat.

Maulaw ko. (I'm shy) The Mayor replied returning back to her schoolgirl shy but dignified demeanor.

"Usaba daw, usaba daw, sayang wala nako nabantayan" photojournalist tatay Rene asked her to do the same pose to which she politely refused.

For a time we saw her impromptu karate stance as an isolated childish prank, a moment when she put her serious politician bearing down and showed her childish human side for a few seconds.

Last July 1, I got to see her fighting form again on TV where she sucker punched a court sheriff in the middle of a violent demolition. This time not in a display of joviality but rather blinded by rage and anger.

The incident showed to the world that we have a fighting mayor just like her legendary father. In a nutshell it showed us on television how the wild west (Davao) was won and transformed from one of the most dangerous cities in the country to its most peaceful and progressive. It was made by a dynastic succession of leaders levels apart from traditional political dynasties. These were the leaders who talk the talk and walk the walk, legends in their own right.

But I do hope that the need for these type of wild west political leaders will end soon. As a modern cosmopolitan City we need to embrace leaders that are strong not because they can engage in fistfights or shootouts but rather in their firm, incorruptible adherence to the rule of law and to the institutions which it represents.

5-0 2.0

2011-06-28T02:27:00.000-07:00

I remember way way way back then, Sunday evenings were spent on watching Hawaiian 5-O then shown on GMA-7. I was about 2 or 3 years old then and could hardly remember the show but I could still vividly recall listening and liking the iconic Hawaii 5-O theme music composed by Morton Stevens.

It was my lolo's favorite TV show and during quiet evenings he would routinely play the 5-O theme on his vinyl player.

The show disappeared in the early 80s, I only caught up with it decades later when I was still in law school. Before hopping off to bed after an evening of studying, I would catch re-runs of the show at around 3 am then shown on a cable channel. The reruns featured the early years of the highly popular cop show set in Hawaii where it ran for 12 seasons from 1968-1980. The plot revolves around a Hawaiian police task force led by Steve Mcgarett (played by Jack Lord) supported by detectives Danny Williams (James Mcarthur), Chin Ho (Kam Fong) and Kono (Zulu) as they go around solving crimes happening in the State.

30 years after ending its TV run, Hawaiian 5-0 is again resurrected this time under Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman who were known for their splendid work in the film reboot of Star Trek in 2009.

Hawaiian 5-0 (the O is replaced by the numeral Zero) is a reboot of the original series particularly the characters of the first 7 seasons. Alex O' Loughlin plays Steve Mcgarett, Scott Caan is Danny Williams, Daniel Dae Kim of Lost plays Chin Ho while Grace Park essays the role of Kono.

Infused with resources and a track record of successful creativity, the reinvented Hawaiian 5-0 is one of the rare instances when a reimagined or rebooted franchise seems to be better than the original. Fast-paced and at the same time gripping, it is packed with sufficient dosage of firepower and action along with interesting plots and subplots that will perhaps keep me glued to this show for many seasons.

Larisa Oleynik the cute girl in the 90s TV show The Secret of Alex Mack and the Heath Ledger movie 10 things I hate About You is all grown up in the show playing a widowed CIA agent with recurring guest appearances. Sean P. Diddy Combs had a meaty role in one episode.

My favorite episode would the case where the 5-0 team took down a group of Filipino terrorists who had kidnapped the daughter of a U.S. Ambassador.

Winding down its first season, Hawaii 5-0 is shown on Velvet and AXN channel on Skycable.

A memorable hollywood interview in Diwalwal

2011-06-17T01:19:00.000-07:00

(Because of my work with the Philippine Information Agency, I sometimes get to climb up the fabled mountain of gold, Mt. Diwalwal. In one such occasion, we met up with hollywood actor Josh Hartnett in 2007 while he was shooting the film "I come with the Rain". Got this recollection from my old multiply account)

Josh Hartnett

It was 4 p.m. when I got a call from Kuya Dennis of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. the scheduled meet and interview was a go. it was a hush-hush affair, only the two of us were allowed to go up in the mountains of Diwalwal for the interview. I just learned ate Edith of Philippine Star was already in the area, she was one of very few persons granted permission.

Mr. Josh Hartnett, star of hollywood blockbusters like blackhawk down, Pearl Harbor and 40 days and 40 days along with many films was filming in the gold mining area of Diwalwal. the movie entitled "I come with the rain" was directed by acclaimed Vietnamese film director Tran Anh Hung who is renowned for his film "The Scent of Green Papayas."

we reached Monkayo (the nearest town center to Diwalwal) by 9 p.m. and managed to get habal-habal (motorbike transport) to go up for an hour drive. it was in the middle of the night. I was apprehensive of the trip up, since the area is an active New People's Army stronghold and bandits and robbers may be prowling the road. plus the road at some stretches was terrible, felt like I was riding a motocross rally. but fortunately the night was peaceful and trip was safe.

We reached Pink House Lodging House, a spartan lodging establishment which was home to the crew and staff of the film including Mr. Hartnett and director Hung. The lodging house was filled with people comprised of the community, the crew and the military personnel. it was some sort of a celebration as the film had wrap up its shooting in Diwalwal. we later found out that Mr. Hartnett had chunked in about $300 from his own money to buy beer and lechon for the party.

We got to interview Mr. Hartnett, face-to-face with a hollywood star. but the actor was down-to-earth and kind. no pretentious moviestar air. he reminded me of talking to my American Rotex classmates. a few sips of beer and the interview rolled. he said that he the shoot in Diwalwal was great. the crew was fantastic and the people of the community were terrific, although he was uncomfortable by the army security. He said he liked diwalwal, describing it as a "gorgeous part of the world." he told us of a waterfalls where they shot near the mines and promise to return there if ever he has the time.

He praised Direk Tranh Anh Hung, describing him as very meticulous. He said the film is very different and his character as unique. He said his film is a unique experience and his weeklong visit to diwalwal was more than an ordinary weeklong experience for him.

Mr. Hartnett was a former Vegan, fell in love with our lechon and the san miguel beer. he said he likes senorita bananas and craves for mangosteen. he also said he tried and liked durian although it has not the best of scent.

I told him of the story of Claire Danes, and how when she shot Brokedown Palace in Manila (along with Kate Beckinsale and Bill Pullman) she dissed the city during one of her interviews. Mr. Hartnett told me that if he ever would be interviewed he could only describe Diwalwal since the only places he visited aside from Diwalwal was the NAIA and the Davao Airport.

During the interview, we cant help but notice some people from the local community, the soldiers approaching him asking for pictures or autographs he would exchange chitchat with them. He was one down-to-earth fellow. it was said that during breaks he would roam around the community and greet the local people. he said his treat was a way of thanking people for the very warm hospitality to him and to his crew.

With pareng Josh

As for his work, Mr. Hartnett says that his role in "I come with the rain" is different just like his role in "The Black Dahlia" and says that he makes it a point to tackle different kinds of roles in his movies. never wanting to be box in one character. he says that some of his movies coming out will have him tackle different roles like a sportswriter in Resurrecting the Champ (with Samuel L. Jackson) and a sheriff battling vampires in 30 days of night.

He says that to be a good actor you must experience life like experiencing love and heartbreaks. all these experiences makes you more textured and more matured he says.

After the talk he excused himself to get to entertain the community in the party. we got to talk to director Hung, it was a great experience in talking with a renowned filmmaker. His films were a must of every film student's library. He recounted that 15 years ago, in France he saw a documentary about Diwalwal and promised to film in that place. when the I come with the rain project came, Direk Hung wasted no time in coming to Diwalwal ans scouting the location. despite a letter from the hollywood union discouraging the filming in the region. Direk Hung persisted. he said he was offered different locales around the country but he said that he cannot picture any location other than diwalwal.

Direk Hung said the film is heavily grounded on spirituality. He says that the film is set to debut on Cannes this May next year. I also got the opportunity to invite the director to grace our Mindanao Film Festival this December. direk Hung, was elated that there is a filmmaking community in Davao. he encouraged the filmmakers to make films about our own unique culture, people and locality. he said he wants to come to December but was not sure if he could since he would be busy for "I come with the rain." but he promised that he could do it next year. and he Direk Hung gave me his email address just so that we could keep track with him.

Mr. Hartnett returned, we chatted briefly about Minnesota, which he hails and where most of my US-based relatives reside. then I asked him to sign a dedication for my sister, since she was badgering me to have him sign a dedication. Mr. Hartnett obliged and asked things about my sister then wrote a specially written dedication. I could have asked him about my crush Scarlett Johansson who was his ex. but earlier he asked that we refrain from talking about his personal life. but I read in one of his interviews that he was crushed with his break-up with Scarlett. but still, the fact of talking to Mr. Hartnett has bridge the very distant gap between me and Scarlett into a one-degree of Separation.

Afterwards Mr. Hartnett returned to Monkayo as he would going to Hongkong the day after. we stayed in the party for a little while then proceeded to barangay hall in which our ever-gracious host Barangay kapitan Franco Tito offered as a place for us to stay for the night. the rest of the night Brgy. Capt. Tito, while us with his stories about Diwalwal.

dedication written by a tipsy mr. Hartnett for my sister

Direk Tran Anh Hung is outfitted with real military gear by his Army escorts.

Direk Tran's latest film is a film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood.

In the center of Diwalwal, our picture with the hollywood actor still stands

portraiture: Duterte Street

2011-06-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

Instead of crowding around during P-Noy's visit at Marco Polo Davao. I went to Claveria Street just in front of the hotel where some photojournalists were waiting for some action. Some protesters had managed to make a lightning rally at the freedom park which is located at the junction of Claveria and Roxas.

By-the-way Freedom park is not the name of the park, it is a constitutionally designated area where people are allowed to hold their rallies, the park fronting City Triangle is called Clifford Park (named after a US army officer killed during the liberation of Davao in World War II) while the park fronting Ateneo is called Millenium Park (it was renovated in the year 2000 hence called Millenium Park). At the Freedom Park, Vice-Mayor Rody Duterte managed to approach the small group of protesters and make a few chit-chat, during their small talk I managed to snap this shot.

Mai and Noel E-sessions

2011-06-14T19:33:00.001-07:00

Last Friday (June 10) I went inside Turtle Sanctuary in Punta Dumalag Matina Aplaya to shoot the engagement sessions of my officemate Mai and her fiance Noel.

Joining me was videographer and regional indie film cinematographer Arnel Barbarona who was commissioned to do the wedding videos. Make-up artist was Carmen Smith.

Noel and Mai at the Sanctuary's landmark

Inside the beach forest

Along Turtle Sanctuary's shore

The Return of Pops

2011-06-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

An iconic establishment in Davao returns back to its original flavor. POPS Resto-bar goes back to its culinary roots as a much-loved diner/resto-bar. I got a chance to try some of their gastronomic offerings courtesy of Bryan Lim who asked me to shoot the menu for their metrocard kitchen. Later he told me that he would convert the erstwhile Metro Lounge area into POPS using the existing menu.

Jumburgers, great choice

Cowboy Chops my fave.

Indian Salpicao, another recommended dish

Atomic Wings, must try

POPS is located at the former Metrolounge area, Metrocard Poker, Quirino Avenue, Davao City. It opens 6 pm to 2 am.

Durian Central: Juris in Korea

2011-06-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

Last week I caught up with Juris Fernandez during her gig at SM-Davao. A frenetic blur of shows and performances which included a successful sojourn in Korea has now become a hallmark of her booming solo career.

With the invasion of Korean pop into our shores (Wonder Girls, 2NE1, Super Junior, 4Minute etc) we never got a chance to reciprocate that phenomenon not until Davao’s pride Juris Fernandez who has broken into the highly-competitive South Korean music market with the release of her EP "IF YOU AND ME". She even sports a Korean name "Jyuliseu".

Durian Central: ris, how did this Korean project came about?

Juris: The partnership with Limelight Productions started late 2009. The person who heard my song, accidentally as he describes it, is Mr. Kang of Limelight. So he had someone call Star Records he said it was approaching the end of November 2009 when they contacted Star.

Well, it was through internet where they knew that I'm with Star Records. They offered a project for me to record Korean songs that are popular in their country. In 2010 I recorded five Korean songs most of them translated in English, one pop song (OFFICIALY MISSING YOU), they also included an original song from my 1st solo album OPPOSITES ATTRACT composed by Jungee Marcelo. There are sites in Korea where people can buy these songs online voice recording were done here in the Philippines. that's the IF YOU AND ME digital album. When I went to Seoul for the Green Plugged, I recorded 3 songs.

(writer's note: Limelight productions is the biggest commercial music production in South Korea.)

Durian Central: How was the Korean reception of your album?

Juris: I have no idea about the sales of the album but my Korean producer Mr. Kim Young Bho shared that one time he was riding a train, he heard a Korean passenger had a ringtone ata or was listening to my version of a Korean song that we recorded last year. tuwa daw sya, ako pud nalingaw (he said he was happy, I was happy too).

Durian Central: Was there a difference of being Juris here and the Juris for South Korea?

Juris: hmm la naman pinagkaiba (no difference at all) its still me, my voice...the kind of songs they asked me to sing fits my voice din...

Durian Central: How was the experience of playing in Green Plugged Festival in Seoul? (Green Plugged is one of the biggest music festivals in South Korean)

Juris: It was a great experience. a bit anxious at first coz i didn't know what to expect especially the crowd who are Koreans...unlike other out-of-the-country shows I've experience where you have a Filipino crowd. But I had fun. they were very nice, sumasabay sila sa pagkanta coz they know the tune na kase, Korean language nga lng hehe (they would join me in singing because they already know the tune except that they’re singing in Korean)

Durian Central: In your own opinion based in your Korean exposure, why is K-Pop successful?

Juris: Catchy talga tunes nila kase...when I got the translated version of the Korean songs, ganda ng lyrics and simply direct pero for me yung tune nila talaga easy to sing along with at maganda. (beautiful lyrics, simply direct, their tunes are easy to sing along)

Juris' IF YOU AND ME ep has five songs which includes “Wishes,” “Altogether Alone,” “Officially Missing You,” the title song “If You and Me,” and her Star Records release “Opposites Attract.”

Forthcoming is her 2nd solo album also under Star Records. For more info about the upcoming Korean recording star (naks) you can log in at www.juris.com.ph

from Durian Central (mondays@sunstar Davao)

Lessons from the 2010-2011 NBA title series

2011-06-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

There is no I in the word Team

Though the Mavericks was clearly built around Dirk Nowitzki, but as hallmark of past NBA champions (think of the multi-titled San Antonio Spurs or the 2004 champion Detroit Pistons) it wasn't centered on one or a trio of superstars but rather played as one intangible unit. Their halfcourt plays punctuated by constant passing and players moving for the cut.

Miami had James, Bosh and Wade but if you look at how they play it reminded you of what once ailed our pro-laden Philippine basketball team, a group of superstars thinking they can overpower, outmaneuver or outsmart the opposition with their skills one-on-one. A zone defense can only be defeated by a patient ball movement and fluid team play sadly which Miami failed to display particularly in the dying moments of Game 6.

Greatness is ultimately determined by character

Poor Lebron James, the league's brightest star but in games or quarters where it mattered the most, he slips into a black hole particularly when he disappeared in the 4th quarter of Game 6. Contrast this to Jason Kidd an aging veteran who sinks three-pointers not in regularity but usually does it when the game is on the line just like in game 6.

James Yap could be very well our version of Lebron James in terms of basketball talent, he is not labeled as "the King" for there are many others better than him but sportswriters have a special nickname for James Yap, they call him Big Game James, for he usually is at his best in very crucial games, The reason he wins championships in the PBA. That "big game james" character sadly cannot be said of Lebron.

Also Lebron for all his talent and his years in the NBA never developed a consistent outside shooting ability. The way Michael Jordan evolved from a high-flying acrobatic player to a potent all-range player.

Sure Lebron can hit those acrobatic shots, force opposing guards to commit turn-overs but in the hands of great teams who can play good defense (no more acrobatic layups) and run great offense (no turn-overs thus no thundering fastbreaks) when the game grounds to a slow half-court pace that's the time when Lebron's hype is slowly unmasked.

A winning system wins championships

The Mavericks were once called the Mavewrecks. They once owned the NBA's worst record and were simply in the bottom heap. That is until Mark Cuban, the fiery businessman bought the franchise and instituted changes, he bought in players like Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki among many others. In a short span of time Dallas became a top NBA team which usually posts 50 wins in the regular season.

The championship is the fruition of Mark Cuban's efforts, he never wavered in bringing the best people players or coaches in the ball club.

Miami meanwhile took the shortcut method, it had considerable success in its first crown during the second year of Shaquille O'neal's stay in Miami. Sure they got the big three. but had not invested well in coming up with a cohesive supporting unit like what Boston had in their 2008 championship year.

The beauty of the 3-point shot

Dallas shot 51 three-point shots in the series. This tells a lot. Other than giving you much-needed points, consistent outside shooting allows the Mavericks to break the Miami's tight defense, it extends the area which Miami defenders would need to cover thus allowing easy incursions like the ones made by JJ Barea and Jason Terry

2011-06-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hi I am Rudolph Ian Alama, a true-blue proud Dabawenyo. I am a government writer, entertainment contributor, erstwhile political columnist, PR man and photography enthusiast,. This blog contains thoughts and pieces from entertainment, sports, politics, local history and photography.