FANEY: A Fitting Tribute for the Superstar and Adoring Fans of NORA AUNOR

 

Sitting with a throng of screaming Noranians inside a full cinema was certainly not what I expected to see in the screening of FANEY (The Fan) at the Gateway Cineplex just this evening. This is a film by Director Adolf Alix Jr., made as a tribute to the one and only superstar Ms. Nora Aunor who passed a few weeks ago.

This is the handy work of producers RS Francisco, Frontrow International, Intele Builders, Noble Wolf and AQ Films. It is written for cinema by the Director himself, and quite hard to do since it's election season and the energy is pretty down because of our loss, she's a national artist of course!

They coincided the screening with the superstars birthday, which is today May 21st. Editors surely had sleepless nights just to make sure it got shown on this date. Laurice Guillen is good at her craft, uttering iconic lines of Nora Aunor, she made it felt how it is to be a loyal fan. Doing it on screen was no easy job, but she took us along for the ride.

She was flanked by Direk Gina Alajar (who played her daughter) and Kapuso Actress Althea Ablan (as her grandchild) in the film. Direk Gina's character was more of a protective one, who didn't understand how becoming a fan of Nora Aunor meant you would need to have lots of sacrifices including your own family. 

If you are a fan of the Superstar, you'll really have to pay attention to the references of this film because a lot of it will be based on Nora Aunor's movies.  You'll get moments to ask yourself if what you are watching is real, or a line from another project of hers. It's like every scene would become a test if you know this movie they are referring to or not. Add to that their family dynamics, how they unleashed their anger because they couldn't believe her passion, her loyalty to her idol, and how it has affected their families too. It also showcases the bond, the reasons on how a Noranian is built different and why they remain and adore her to this day.

 This film also has gems, like Bembol Roco who brought Nora centric romance in the movie. There's also Roderick Paulate who did several scenes that would rival his fun movies in the 80's, Ms. Perla Bautista who at 85 still felt sharp with her character. You will also get to feel the rivalry between Ms. Nora and Vilma Santos, as there will be bouts of it in the movie. Althea Ablan on the other hand did good as she represents a generation who understands why Noranians are still Noranians. Bring lots of tissues if you are a fan, because this is all about Ms. Nora Aunor and YOU as a fan. The real stories they shared are all incredible, and told by the people themselves, front and center.

It's a well made piece, stay for the ending because you'll feel the nostalgia that her life brings. It is a proper tribute for the Superstar, the National Artist we all adore and love.

Dahling Nick for Cinema One Originals Festival 2015

He's a Filipino historian, prolific writer and journalist. He's one of the best there is when it comes to short stories and novels made with the English language. He's also received the distinction as a National Artist of the Philippines for Literature and there's no contest to that fact that he's probably next to Rizal and Claro M. Recto. The current generation though barely knows him and this particular movie called Dahlin Nick will undoubtedly tell his story, together with his selected works, realism and his literary classics. This is also directed by famed Manila based Sari Lluch Dalena who's works Ka Oryang (2011) earned her a Best Director Award for the 7th Cinema One Originals Film Festival back in 2011. Cinema Originals 2015 will happen this November 9 - 11, 2015 at Trinoma, Glorietta, Resorts World Manila and SM Megamall.

Present during the unveiling of the movie's poster were National Artist F. Sionil Jose (who by the way told a very compelling story of his friend during the presscon). Other works and characters include Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, award winning pen artists Gemino Abad, Greg C. Brilliantes, Erwin E. Castillo, Butch Dalisay, Jose Lacaba, Marra Pl. Lanot, Jose Maria Sison and Krip Yuson. It will also include archived images, works and blood tingling poetry. It will make you proud to know that you knew a person like Nick Juaquin existed and made the country proud. 

You must be thinking why there are bottles of beer on the table. Nick Juaquin was known to carry around one during occasions, it was like a signature thing and on record, he was the only one allowed to carry one during stints in CCP and in other formal occasions. You'll understand that part while watching the film. Sionil F. Jose says Nick Juaquin was always seen having a bottle or two with or without occasions but he knew what he was thinking about, or every detail he's saying eve if he was drunk. People noticed it made him somewhat better with words in that state.

Raymond Bagatsing says he feels honored to have been able to do this portrayal of Nick Juaquin. The chance to work with Sari Dalena was already a dream and with this character, he had to study quite a lot so he could stay inside Dahling Nick's persona.

Coming back from a 15 year hiatus is beauty queen Dindi Gallardo. She'll play the role of Madame Imelda Marcos whilst good looking lad Lance Raymundo will play husband Ferdinand Marcos. Lance says "I could see this film be a medium of information, to be seen in schools, film showings, international screenings. It was hard to do because you're there for information since it's got historical facts and not to impose your personal views." Dindi added "I was surprised to have received a call telling me I'd work with the good people behind the film, plus it's not just any role because it is Ms. Imelda Marcos. I had to do research, go to libraries and read off specifics about the former first lady. Asking why me, they told me they needed someone who could do grace under pressure because it's hard to do a character like that." 

Nick Juaquin's own family encourages people from the film industry and academe to work with them so they too would know more of his work. I've personally read some of it during high school and college specifically May Day Eve (1947), The Woman Who had Two Navels (1961) and A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1966). You'll get to see bits of it on the movie Dahling Nick, his life and his work.

The film also stars Alessandra de Rossi, Nick Lisazo, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Bernardo Bernardo, Ronah Adiel Rostata, Bong Cabrera, Rica D. Abad, Paul Cedric Juan, Banaue Miclat Janssen, Che Ramos Cosio, Ping Medina, Adrian Cabido, John Agustin, Christian Del Mundo, Nitey Hernandez, JM Bernandino, Roli Inocencio, Karla Pambid, Karl Medina, Thea Yrastorza, Ross Persigan, Opaline Santos, Darwin Gordon de Roxas, Aba Lluch Dalena, Kris Lacaba, Nico Bagsic, Rica Abad, Nina Torralba, Kiko Matos, Ma. Isabel Lopez, Gabby Padilla, Hazel Faith Dela Cruz, Faye Alhambra, Johnny Regana and a lot more. This is produced by Ronald Arguelles.

Dahling Nick will be screened in Trinoma on November 11 at 9:40PM (Gala), in Glorietta Cinema 2:30PM and Megamall 7:30PM on November 12, 5:20PM in Resorts World Manila and 7PM Glorietta on November 14, 9:40PM Megamall on November 15, 2:45PM Megamall and 4:40PM Glorietta on November 16, 12:30PM Trinoma and 4:10PM Resorts World Manila on November 17. This is part of Cinema One Originals Festival 2015.  

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Freeway x Carlos "Botong" Francisco

One of the greatest Filipino Modernists Carlos "Botong" V. Francisco has made us look at art in a different view. His aesthetics, the way he makes these pieces all have impressed critics and those who appreciate modern art here and around the world. Freeway continues to pay homage to these true blood national artists and make them part of the clothing line and accessories that drawn patrons who can't wait for Botong's pieces be interpreted and interpreted through fashion. They have done this with other national artists and it has been a worthy cause. This one is special because not only do we get to see the relatives of the artist, but even have a resident expert and the one and only Madame Tingting Cojuangco on stage to treat us on a historical journey. And that's what we got!

We saw some of our blogging friends there!

We also saw some awesomely talented kids do artwork on the spot courtesy of the Blanco Family Academy. I surely would love my future kid to be in one of their programs.

That's also the same place we saw Ms. Tingting Cojuangco. She took time talking to the kids and appreciating what they made because as you can see they are not just stick figures, but quite surreal pieces of art!

The gorgeous and oh so beautiful Ms. Cherie Gil hosted the event. Her passion for art and love for the artists was just the perfect setting.

I rushed inside the store to take a look at some of the pieces they had with the artists work on it and I was quite impressed!

Then when I stepped out of the store, the same garments were shown in a gorgeous fashion show. Of course it's Freeway!

Then the stories came, of course it'll be Ms. Tingting Cojuangco and the experts who made the event quite a crowd pleaser because they gave their pov on the subject and works of art that this humble man from Angono, Rizal made. Murals, paintings and other medium, he made it with his community, friends and family in mind. You can evidently see these subjects on this work. Pretty neat.

Congratulations to Freeway for paying homage to this national artist. We all hope you continue to honor these guys who deserve the attention. Art and Freeway should continue to flourish, and I'd be glad to cover it for all the lovely reasons. Again, congratulations!

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