The weekend was an awesome one (Dec 14th) as we got to finally see the film CULION. We were all where it all was shot and taken, in the island of Culion, Palawan which is an isle off the west side of the Philippines. It was their world premiere, and yes, it was a grand promise to bring it there and have them all watch it. It was almost impossible to do, but they knew (the production) had to do it for the people of Culion. I saw how they intently watched and marveled how their story was unfolding. It felt right, to tell the public of their history, of what transpired during the commonwealth, the world war and how they all survived even under very hard times, not to mention the condition... of which everyone else despised during that time.
Anna, Ditas and Doris (played by Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano and Jasmine Curtis) each have their own story. In the film, Anna was depicted as a strong woman, one who need no man to support her even though she was loved much by Kanor played by Joem Bascon. You will admire her character for most of the “first half” of the film, but later feel for her and her struggles as she gets distraught over her baby and what would happen to them. Ditas on the other hand would be seen attempting to take her life several times (because of sheer hopelessness in love, and the man in her life) but with all the nice things she’s brought to the lives of her friends and herself in the colony, she would regain hope, and start to appreciate the small things around her. Meryll Soriano is a discovery for me, I have seen her TV stints and didn’t quite expect she’d be doing the things she did in this movie. I almost lost my breath understanding one of the highlights of the film. I am saying right here, that the few minutes with John Lloyd Cruz’ character was one of the reasons everybody balled during the world premiere last weekend, with good reason. If you’re a fan of his work, this would be good reason why you should watch it. I couldn’t believe how he could tell his whole story in one scene, you will go crazy just thinking about it.
Meryll on the other hand held her ground, when John Lloyd did his scene, she reciprocated with her own brand of acting, both of which will make your jaw drop. You will ask yourself “WTFOMGBBQ did I just witness?!” and admit “I am not worthy to witness that!”, and I... am not even joking.
Make sure you also take note, not surprising she’s really good, Iza Calzado had some really hard scenes with Joem Bascon and Suzette Ranillo (who plays Nanay Mameng), as they will have to go through a very traumatic experience as they started to have a family in Culion. I couldn’t say much with Jasmine Curtis’ character but hold your horses as she will be shocking you (my heart dropped in one of the scenes), but she’s the hopeful one, one who dreams, and might liken a lot of people going through the same ordeal. Pretty mental, as her scenes felt like a few of Ricky Lee’s masterpiece put together, and I think they have a connection in some weird way but you have to be a judge of that.
Here’s our short trip to the island, enjoy!
If you were there during the world premiere in Culion, you would see how attentive, hopeful and proud they were seeing this film in the Immaculate Conception Church in Culion. I saw a lot of them cried, laughed a little, and felt this was a good representation of who they are as people. Now, what a proud moment for them to be from Culion.
All in all, this deserves your attention during the Metro Manila Festival. Watch it to learn about history, watch it to see the triumph of generations who have lived and experienced the colony. Watch it for the sole reason of love, for the children, for each other, and see miracles of humanity in it. It will all be seen on theaters nationwide starting December 25, Christmas Day. Go prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions. Take your family into learning the history of Culion, and the love that comes from its people.
Spent the morning at Black Maria Pictures for the private screening of Culion. The movie is set to impress audiences this coming December 25 as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival. Before we watched the film, we got to talk to Jasmine Curtis, Mike Liwag and Nico Locco who are also part of the film. These three had their own character conflicts, one that will shock you on cinemas because yes, it is worthy to find out this MMFF season (let's not spoil it for the others). For starters, they're like an unlikely love triangle which I think is going to stir things in the lives of the three women, and their community.
Jasmine says "I am already happpy just to be in the ranks of actors who have done so much great work in the industry. I already felt good making it with top caliber actresses. I am more in indie, not loud on TV, low key, simple and happy that I am working with those who I were all just watching on screen. I wanted to work with Iza and Meryll and it already happened. We got along real good, it was just a dream to do this and I was inspired to share the same work ethics and enjoy it. We had the same mindset at work, and it's good."
Nico Locco, who recently won Best Actor at the Gawad Sining Film Festival adds "The difference between this and my Sabado film is the character, a little similar, but unique as I didn't know anything about it at first. My role in Sabado is interesting but Culion has historical drama, I had to do a different preparation for it."
Mike Liwag says "Physically, mentally it is a challenge, I haven't tackled anything of this magnitude and I am excited to watch it come gala night together with my parents. I hope they would be proud of me."
Here is our short interview with them before the screening.
Direk Alvin Yapan will be entering this to other film festivals but will probably enter a different version than this commercial release. It will run around 2 hours, I'll have a separate article for the review and a short feature on Mike Liwag. Stay tuned! Make sure you make this a part of your MMFF list this Christmas day!
This movie feels so special for me because in a way, I got involved in it so personally after visiting Culion a few months ago. I was able to talk to its residents; and see for myself what the place looks like, how the people feel now that the island is getting attention now that an entry to the Metro Manila film festival is named and being told for the world to see. It is now becoming evident that people look at it now at differently, to hopefully give the former Hansen’s disease colony a new light, as it deserves to be the new destination for tourism, for business to flourish and perhaps get the spotlight it deserves; because it is just so beautiful.
The film just recently launched it’s official soundtrack and music video sung by Ms. Joanna Ampil, a heavily awarded Filipino singer who has performed in Broadway and London’s West End in different musicals. It’s called “Kundimang Mahal”, which music was done and composed by Felipe M. De Leon Jr., Lyrics by Michael Coroza and produced by Francis Salazar specifically for the film. The music video also includes some of the participation of its cast members Yam Mercado, Denise Nayve and Mike Liwag. They also included some of the scenes of Culion the movie in it so you kinda get a glimpse of what you’ll be expecting come December 25.
Ms. Gillie Sing the Executive Producer says “This afternoon this reminded me that this is the first presscon after we got accepted in MMFF. This is also going to be the launch of our MTV which includes our much awaited theme song, thank you so much for your support.”
Broadway star Joanna Ampil says “I am very honored to have been able to sing this song entitled “Kundimang Mahal” composed by
Felipe De Leon with lyrics by Michael Coroza. They gave me the story behind this song and the lyrics. They also have me insight about the movie, that’s where I saw the connection too.”
Meryll Soriano says “We treat each other as sisters, we do what we can and we are blessed as actors that we could do something of this magnitude, to be there early, we had time to bond before the shoot. We got used to prosthetics after the third day, but the shoot had challenges because we had a typhoon during the filming. Our mindset changed when we got accepted in MMFF.
Joem says “I am overwhelmed that I got to do a lot of films with high caliber actors. It was all casted, I did my best and I have a flexible schedule to do films. It just went in sync for Judy Anne, for Iza as well. We are in the stage of being happy, the pressure is off and we are celebrating for people to see this. We want them to see the story of the island and its people."
The Producer Madame Shandi Bacolod says "We gave them the possibilities, the pros and cons. It’s been a tradition (to have more family friendly movies do well at first then the heavily awarded ones second), but there is a market for people who don’t know about it. There is a story, we are tapping even government agencies like DepEd to have their students learn about it. To approve and get permits in the local government took a long time and we presented the script with the church, the mayor, the people, we will do the world premiere in Culion on December 14. That is what we promised them.”
Mike Liwag says “Honestly I am so grateful and thankful to be part of this. I have seen their work and I look up to them, this is my biggest film project and I have had advise doing these scenes. I am excited to see this.”
This song feels so painful, but it still exudes love, passion, quite nationalistic. It's an apt representation of how these all happened during war, how they remained triumphant despite what was happening that era. All the more, Culion is something you should watch this Christmas day during the Metro Manila Film Festival. Stay tuned for updates during the world premiere on December 14 as I will be there.
Hopefully, you won't see me crying while I'm there.
I was waiting for this, the project alone had me excited and in some way I was already so happy with the cast, but last night's reveal had us all dumbfounded. They kept it a secret for a long time, I was even there before the shoot and I had no idea he was even in the movie. We got the shock of our lives when a familiar face appeared, it was John Lloyd Cruz and I could hear the gasps from people in the back during the first teaser reveal.
The movie CULION is gunning for the last 4 slots in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival and the script from the legendary Ricky Lee, director Alvin Yapan and Producer Shandii Bacolod tells us about the life and love which happened in the leper colony in the 40's. Officially cured of it all in 2006, people had no grasp of how gorgeous CULION is. I have personally visited the place and it was just jaw dropping views, one after another, and the huge difference is its people whom the story will delve on. You will feel their welcoming vibe, much like any Filipino, they will talk about resilience, hope, of which they have shown the whole world they can do. Ms. Iza Calzado tells us how it all became so real for her, also for Jasmine Curtis Smith who plays the lead roles for the film. They got to connect with their characters and how they have shown their capacity to love despite of their condition. It showed the strength of their spirit, how they all have encompassed Hansen's disease and overcome adversities despite the stigma attached to the then incurable plight of people from around the country. There are a lot of stories which can be told, and are still being told now by residents in CULION. This should show you how they've all gone through that and become the proud people they are today. Here's part of the press conference and the reveal of the posters last night.
There will be a lot of things to watch out for especially iconic lines from characters in the film, take for example Ana (played by Ms Iza Calzado) who said "Sipingan mo ko, sipingan mo ko ng paulit ulit.." (which asks a man to make love to her again and again).
I also had the chance to talk to Papang Lee O'Brian whom I had the pleasure of asking a question about his role before they went to CULION, and I was glad to see how he got immersed with the people there after spending several shooting days in the island. He saw what we saw, what the treasure was, it was Culion's people. Their warmth and hospitality, their triumph over adversities, it was what made them all so endearing to anyone who visited the place. You will discover that too, aside from the island's beauty, when it shows on December hopefully as part of MMFF.
Heto na ang unang pasilip sa "Culion". #CulionTeaser Watch till the end.
Directed by Alvin Yapan
Story and Screenplay...
Posted by Culion on Monday, September 30, 2019
Oh and yes, this is so much more than John Lloyd alone, but dang, he just shocked us all.
Let me leave also what Ricky Lee told us would be the cure for the stigma, when I asked him about not being a doctor and what he thinks about curing the stigma, he replied "I am a doctor (Honoris Causa recently, everyone laughed). I could say the cure for the stigma is knowing that they are human too." I felt that.
I stared blankly through the horizon as our boat approached the island. It was around noon, a bit hungry from the short flight to Manila-Busuanga, then a van from Busuanga to Coron, plus a boat ride to this quaint old town. I was trying to figure out if this place is what I remember; reading in books, several online articles - of the island named Culion.
From afar, I could see the church on top of a rock and on the other side a huge sign that says CULION on it. I immediately slapped my huge airstrip like forehead and felt like doh', this is it, this is the island I've read about!
Garlic Chicken
Pork Sisig
Pinakbet with pink hues, their Bagoong Alamang is different
At the Port, we climbed a flight of stairs of a government building rented out for a local restaurant. I remember the feeling of being awestrucked as I turned my head into the window; a gust of wind whiffed on my face while I witnessed the beautiful surrounding blue waters and well forested nearby islands in Culion. I asked myself a couple of times how this beautiful place seem to have less tourists when it just felt wonderful to be there. I sat down and figured I better take care of my hunger first and deal with the answers later.
Food was cheap, everyone was in a flurry to have us feel comfortable especially Michelle our guide and Team MSB who was with us to experience Culion. They're in to experience the island before they start to shoot the movie with the same name, we said our pleasantries and headed off to Hotel Maya. The only hotel in Culion.
With our luggages in tow, we walked towards the tricycle terminal and as soon as we set foot outside the port, a man jumped out and greeted us with flair, in the public PA system and got amused of his antics. Felt like fish in an aquarium for a few minutes, then we sped off through a few barangays and reached the place in just a few strides.
Our window view, late sunset. We were on top of a cliff and you could see a small port below. Teens and kids were freely bathing there.
We climbed a few steps, walked a few meters and sitting at the back of the church was a two level bungalow with several rooms. Hotel Maya used to be an orphanage and school for females (Hijas de Maria Dormitory) who didn't have any place to go. They were taken cared of by Sisters of St. Paul of Charters who still had an office in the side of the lot, but the hotel is managed and operated by the same people behind Loyola College of Culion. An institution founded by Jesuits who also served the community. To get a feel of the place, we went to The Culion Museum and Archives to get to know Culion's rich history. If you are visiting the island for the first time, I suggest you do this particular tour in order to get a grasp of it. There is a small fee but really negligible. They also have a very clear, detailed view of the hospital and community operations with the real machines and instruments in it. They also have their own money displayed so you would understand further how they achieved medical success over the years.
If you didn't know, Culion WAS a colony for persons afflicted with Hansen's Disease (commonly known as Leprosy), but have been completely rid of it in 2006. The condition is curable via WHO MDT (Multidrug Therapy) and has been done successfully over decades. It is NOT very contagious, nor is it spread through pregnancy or intimacy. Calling persons afflicted with Hansen's disease with the L word is deemed outright offensive so you should NEVER call them that. This also goes the same with the term "patients" as they're not afflicted with it anymore, they prefer residents just like you and me. It totally makes sense. I kept that in my mind while asking questions all throughout the day, I learned this by talking to them directly, their hospital personnel, even the Medical Center Chief who affirmed this. More than the condition, I feel it is the SOCIAL STIGMA that we ought to worry about. If you are reading this from where you are, take a mental note of it and tell your friends, your family, Culion is completely safe and I got to talk to them the next day.
Ms. Imelda used to live and study in the Hijas de Maria Dormitory. She was excited to tell us how they used to live their daily lives in segregation, like she was one of the boys in the island. Ms. Maxencia also got to tell us about her current involvement in NGO's aimed to help and uplift the lives of people afflicted with Hansen's disease. They want to also bring their plight to the forefront and not do with the social stigma we mentioned earlier. I could see their excitement when they were informed that a film about Culion in the 1940's will be told on screen with no less than master writer Ricky Lee on the helm. Ms. Josephina on the other hand lives in solitude but completely happy with her dog. Mr. Constancio on the other hand told us about his 13 kids and a lovelife that spanned years before he and his wife met again (as this was during the war). Here's the interview on video!
Now that you've gotten schooled about the facts, I should tell you about these folks. Behind these interviews are a whole throng of family who also live with them. In spite of their isolation in the past, I was mostly touched at how they have no thinking of being trapped, some of them have had the opportunity to actually be with family outside or live a life elsewhere but ended up coming back because they find one thing, it was PEACE. They are fearless, no different than you and me, the only constant is our ability to treat them as equals and tell our brethren, to have them understand and tell their own because in this day and age, there should be no room for that stigma. They don't ask for anything special, but the same treatment, as Filipinos, as humanly possible.
This stairway had witnessed so many occasions. Almost all portraits, historical figures and photos were taken in this same spot and we had to do something inspired by Vanity Fair, of course!
The film will be featuring different spots in the island that have been part of their day to day lives. The community thrived even during the time of segregation, in a way they went all become very productive individuals and lived off the land. Marriage, romance, love, it all happened in one way or another. There are public baths, communal bathrooms, a little different from the usual but they ended quite fine despite the circumstances. That for me just paints a beautiful picture, of triumph, perseverance, of humanity. So aside from the majestic views, historical landmarks and clear waters, it's the people that makes this place so special.
It was just the first day and I was already learning a lot. Imagine the beach, the water, the sun, the sea and the people, the Culion story in one place. I was just blown away!
Escabeche
Sinigang Ribs
Chop Suey
Crabs, Crabs and more Crabs!
We went back to the hotel and had dinner. True enough, we had our eyes googly over fresh seafood, scrumptious home cooking. You have all the goodness and quality of cuisine from any place in the Philippines, but you really can't buy the ambiance that comes with it. We slept soundly later, with the howling winds putting us to sleep. We wore our smiles thinking we'll be seeing more of Culion and it's people the next day. We got word we'll be seeing the Mayor, and woke up excited at the steps of the island's Municipal Hall.
After a quick breakfast in the hotel (Garlicky ChixSiLog), we rode tricycles to the Municipal Hall. It housed government, the courts and public offices.
Hon. Virginia De Vera, lady Mayor of Culion
We met a very humble Mayor who felt it was just the total trust they have with the producers of this movie that made them say yes to it. They will help them whatever way they can and acknowledges this will really boost tourism in the island. Albeit being a third class municipality, they are working hard to finish projects in the island. Although it takes years to build roads, ports, structures that could service the incoming visitors, they are very positive this will bring change to the out look, of what people now think of Culion.
Pulang Lupa, look out for this tree and landscape that will connect Ricky Lee's masterpiece to the upcoming film Culion
Culion Public Cemetery
The Culion marker on top of the mountain which can be seen from afar
Here's our interview with the proud Mayor of Culion.
It's been a long time seeing changed lives and medical wonders in Culion. The landscape has changed but they properly rebuilt structures and made the Culion Sanitarium and Medical Hospital one of the most advanced institutions in Palawan. Nearby cities even go to them because of it and the structure remains sound despite the length of time it has been built. I was at awe how they maintained this (see first video above). It takes a strong man to run things and this falls on the hands of Dr. Cunanan. Here's our interview with him.
I left the island a changed man. I felt my fears were unfounded and this is probably the same with most of the population which have fears with olden outdated information languished by more documentaries which only brought fear because it's different and physically manifested.
Dr. Jose Rodriguez spent almost half a century to help in Culion. He is also the Great Grandpa of blogger Mica Rodriguez, proudly told me about him years ago (for then a movie script she worked on)
Residents have been cured, not all of them have been afflicted, nor is it passed on, so don't let your fears be the reason not to discover a beautiful place and not experience such heartfelt, colorful, warm people. Culion is definitely part of the next frontier and they are starting to embrace you, to come and visit the place they call home.
This experience was designed for us to know why they'll be making a film about Culion. I know the reason why, it's the people. If you experience that, and felt what I felt while talking to them, you'll be glad you did. Now I can't wait to see this upcoming Ricky Lee masterpiece which will be under the direction of Alvin Yapan and produced by Shandii Bacolod and iOptions Ventures Corporation. The film will star Ms. Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Meryll Soriano, Joem Bascon and an ensemble cast. I'll tell you about it soon!
In the meantime, I hope you now consider planning your next vacation in Culion to see its gentle people. I fell in love with Culion, you will too!
Culion has always been one place I’d desire to go to. Gone are the days where the name reminds you of Leprosy, and all things associated with it. The World Health Organization dubbed it Leprosy Free in 2006 and it’s high time people realize that giving unneeded stigma would be the last thing they should do - and see the beauty of it, and it’s second greatest treasure, its people.
Not only that, the place has so much history, and stories waiting to be told. Being a Leper colony for decades, this sparked interest of one of the most acclaimed writers in the country, the one and only Ricky Lee. A promising project emerged a couple months ago, its producer Shandi Bacolod and equally decorated actress Iza Calzado sat down with us over early dinner and gave us a glimpse of this project and how it came about.
Shandi says “It took a while before the community accepted us, when they got involved in the story, they knew it was about triumph, how the movie will tell their plight. Oro was my biggest project then but this is the biggest. The three women will be something you would need to understand. One of the factors we got the help we needed was the letter of Ricky Lee, promising a showcase of humanity, communal love and how they shine through the dark, of purity and love. They ultimately want the stigma to be gone.”
I have interviewed Iza Calzado in the past and have seen her caliber. She’s the type of person who’s acting prowess would be something you wouldn’t question. I was ready to ask questions but when the programme started, I just marveled and sat across the table taking mental notes of how she puts herself into the characters psyche. This time, she’s not just an actress, but a producer as well. Two hats she’s well got a grasp on.
Ms. Iza says “The highlight is on the community. The people, the history, people are smart and can get information in a click. People are really curious about what Culion looks like now; when word gets out and see what they have, they’ll love it. In the film you’ll get to see the characters, and how Culion is strong, how they’ve become a very hopeful people, it goes beyond resilience and they are trying to make their dream a reality. It’s an interesting place, there are people like me who wants to see and understand people who live there during that time. They have a lot of dignity, it is how the story ends, there’s a lot of pity, self doubt, things like that.”
She adds “Ricky is writing it but there is pressure on me to deliver, you don’t act on a scene and tell people you’ll get an award on that instance, his world has weight, the challenge is to make sure the message is not lost. What I do often times is I ask to retake when I am not satisfied with a scene, more so if it is important. I wouldn’t ask directors, but it is my work and I’ll have to work on my own. If I need help, I’ll ask. If I do good it isn’t intentional, if it’s interesting, truth be told I show up and do my work. I must have been doing Mystified, I recharge everyday but I go from set to set and just get enough sleep. If the partner doesn’t give me what I need I lose interest, it’s why I love Sunshine Dizon.”
Here's a short interview with the famed actress:
The plan is to actually make this also a part of the Metro Manila Film Festival. Again, the film is written by Ricky Lee. This is also going to be directed by Alvin Yapan, noted for his documentary work and pieces that require extensive historical research. This would be something I’d be really excited about, to see and be put out there for the world and the country to enjoy. Hopefully after watching the film, I’d be taking a look at Culion in a different light and see a promising new island we’d be proud of - and line it up as some of the world’s best, because it is, because they can.
