Knights of Rizal Hold Gala Night with The Rainmakers and World Class Acts!

We just witnessed the International Assembly Commemorating the 75th Charter Anniversary of the Knights of Rizal at the historic Manila Hotel this evening. Amidst Rizalians (members of t the civic and patriotic organization honoring the life and teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal) and dignitaries, we also witnessed the men from The Rainmakers perform on stage as they celebrate their grand GALA NIGHT, a night of music and camaraderie. The media and attendees were welcomed warmly by Dr. Emmanuel Calairo, the Supreme Commander of Knight Grand Cross of Rizal.

Jojo, Ramon and Joel sang Binibini to end the evening.

The Rainmakers hail from University of Santo Tomas' High School, a band known for the Manila sound played in the 70's and 80's (remember Binibini, Ale Ale, You and Me?). We saw them last performing their hits in TV5's Vybe weekend show in the OG portion. Chapters from Western USA, Hawaii and other international ones enjoyed their set the most as they reminisced about their time in the Philippines. It felt so nostalgic to hear them sing these songs especially for KOR guests.

PPOP group NOVA also did a couple of covers which guests enjoyed at the end of the event. They're very good singers, while still pretty new, they also did their new single "ALL IN" and folks enjoyed their performance. Former Senator Joey Lina who was part of the elders also pushed for help they provide for mothers, early childhood nutrition and other projects that target families and the elderly. He sang a very beautiful OPM song, and got a standing ovation from his brothers in Knights of Rizal.

Other performers such as Asia's Got Talent phenom Gerphil Flores, Allison Gonzalez, and the Philippine Navy's very own Lady Chatterly Alvaro Sumbeling brought world class singing to the event, all appreciated by the audience.

The organization also made arrangements to fund training for the youth, so they too can learn and inspire others to do the same. Their Western USA and Hawaii branches provided USD 5,000 to continue their efforts, together with local ones during the event. They also made sure the cause they call MILK Program will be brought to the forefront, so they can continue feeding the poor and at risk pregnant mothers, to get rid of malnutrition in the country (which they do in partnership with LGU's). 

Truly, it takes a lot for Rizalians to make sure they do their best for the organization, for others and the Philippines. Yet they do it with lots of gusto an fervor. They're a pretty incredible bunch, I'm so glad to have witnessed that. Congratulations! 

Restored and Remastered JOSE RIZAL Released by GMA Pictures

I've watched this film a couple of times and seeing the efforts of GMA Pictures, I'm impressed about what I saw during the screening at the Manila Metropolitan Theater. This is the newly restored and remastered JOSE RIZAL. 

 

This is a masterpiece by Director Marilou Diaz Abaya. Picking up a physical film reel and seeing it damaged through use, time and the elements must have GMA feel it needs to be taken cared of. This took them a total of 1600 hours to do to fix the missing frames, burn marks, take off the dirt and run a new audio (5.1 Stereo) so we could now have an immersive version of this heavily awarded film which was shown at MMFF in 2018. This stars Cesar Montano, Jhong Hilario, Joel Torre, Jaime Fabregas, Pen Medina, Gardo Versoza, Gloria Diaz, Mon Confiado, Chin Chin Gutierrez, Micky Ferriols, Ronnie Lazaro, Irma Adlawan, Tony Mabesa, Nanding Josef, Joel Lamangan, Ping Medina, and a stellar cast.

Restoring this film means a lot of things, it will be in digital form from hereon and would be possible to show to future generations who choose to see what it was like in previous generations. I was also touched at how National Artist Ricky Lee, Marc Abaya (son of Director Marilou Diaz Abaya) felt during their speech, and how much importance was given to the film and for the people behind it. The stars were also at the event during Cinemalaya, and they were all smiles after the screening. The kind of life we have would certainly be changed with even more films planned to be restored. Imagine the things people could learn by watching historical films, or even the film making process. Congratulations to GMA for doing this good deed. It's all worth it!

"Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers" Premieres on ANC

In a time when Filipinos are still confined in the walls of our homes, how do we remember our heroes?

This year marks the 160th birthday celebration of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. As a person who enjoyed the subject and much of the life/teachings of the man who proved that the pen is mightier than the sword, there seems to be little to no information available to Filipinos about what he did in Europe. This June 19, a Rizal documentary is set to premiere on the ABSCBN News Channel and ABSCBN Youtube account. It's aptly called "Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers" which is conceptualized and envisioned by well known environmentalist, cultural mover and journalist, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.

The former Senator had the chance to tour Heidelberg and a little German town called Wilhelmsfeld two years ago. In that place, she met Dr. Fritz Hack Ullmer (who is the great grandson of Pastor Karl Ullmer) who's family hosted our national hero for 3 months in 1886. His lineage (all three generations) had kept Rizal's letters, memorabilia all these years. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of Ambassador Theresa de Vega of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, Consul General Evelyn Austria Garcia of the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila + the men and women from the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda. With the pandemic making all things impossible for them to finish everything, they came to help make this happen in time for Rizal's 160th birthday this year.

Senator Legarda says "Our national hero Jose Rizal lived in a time where there were barriers on skin color, religion, ideologies and more. He broke though these barriers, and his trip through Germany also earmarked the completion of his most famous book Noli Me Tangere which changed a whole country in the process. He also wrote "A Las Flores De Heidelberg" while studying ophthalmology and lived with scientists and humanists Blumentritt and Virchow in Berlin. You'll also get to know the Ullmer family whome he stayed with for a short time in Wilhelmsfield. The Filipinos need to know about this time in Rizal's life, and we're showing that on the documentary. It will also include stories passed on from his Grandfather Friedrich who was only 14 during Rizal's time. You will also see how special he's regarded in Germany as he remains immortalized in streets, plazas, tons of markers paying homage to our national hero."

This will be shown on the ABS-CBN News Channel this comine June 19th, 2021 which falls on Saturday at 7PM. It will also be streamed simultaneously on ABS-CBN News YouTube channel and the Facebook Pages of the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda. Replays will also be done the day after on ANC at 4PM so make sure you catch it at these times.

Happy birthday Pepe!