Ogie Diaz releases inspirational book

Fresh, innovative and inspiring stories have been chosen to vie for top honors at the Viddsee Juree Philippines, a festival of short films that aim to celebrate and support filmmaker communities in Asia.

The nominated films are by upcoming talents from different schools such as the University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Mint, College of St, Benilde, Letran, and the International Academy of Film and Television.

Their works are about families, personal struggles and the realities in rural communities: a young boy’s dream of becoming a mermaid, two brothers dealing with the loss of their parents shot entirely on a drone, a father battling grief and injustice after his son’s death, and more moving stories.

Viddsee’s head of content Nikki Loke comments: “Themes from the top 10 films highlight local cultures and nuances, while others reflect universal themes of mental health and identity. Overall, I was very impressed with all the elements of storytelling like casting, script and cinematography supporting the authenticity of these stories.”

The winners of the Viddsee Juree Awards will be announced at a ceremony on November 25, at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Manila.

Viddsee will also hold a series of workshops, forums and short film screenings at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on November 24, and at the Cinematheque from November 24 to 26. All these are open to the public.

The initiative kicked off three months ago through an online campaign and offline roadshows in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao where it received encouraging response from the creative community.

Two top entries will be named Gold and Silver winners. They will win production equipment including a cinema camera sponsored by Blackmagic and a five-day Film Immersion Course in Los Angeles sponsored by the Motion Picture Association.

For the nominees, landing on the shortlist is a prize in itself.

“There are some people who have criticized my work,which made me question my ability as a filmmaker. Being part of this competition made me more confident as a person and a filmmaker, and that I have the chance to be recognized by a bigger audience, that I have a shot in this industry,” says Tashana Rivera, director of the film “Companion.”

For Christian Candelaria, director of “In His Island,” being selected is also a tribute to those who helped him make his film. He declares, “I’m humbled and deeply proud to have the privilege of collaborating with such amazing and a fine group of people who share the same passion.”

The jury is composed of Loïc Valceschini, festival programmer of Neuchâtel Int' Fantastic Film Fest and Locarno’s Semaine de la Critique, Marcus Manh, Vietnamese film producer and founder of YxineFF, and Antoinette Jadaone, Filipino film writer director of blockbuster hits like “That Thing Called Tadhana” and “Love You To The Stars and Back.”

Viewers can see these films and other eligible out-of-competition films for free on Viddsee.com.

For more information on these events and the shortlisted films, visit https://www.viddsee.com/juree/ philippines2017 or

https://www.viddsee.com/ submit/juree/philippines

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Talent manager Ogie Diaz, who discovered Liza Soberano, just came out with his new book titled “Pak! Humor.” It was his first time to write a book and he was glad when ABS-CBN Publishing liked the idea when he presented it to them.

At the press conference held at the Kamuning Bakery last Sunday, Ogie said having a book is one of his wishes.

“Tatlo lang naman ang pangarap ko – magkaroon ng sarili kong pamilya, magkaroon ng libro at magkaroon ng apo sa tuhod,” the former movie writer disclosed.

He was only a high school graduate when he took the courage of meeting Cristy Fermin one afternoon many years ago to tell her that he wants to be a movie reporter.

Ogie talks about many topics in his book, including his being a gay dad. He also talks about his parents. He was only 16 when he lost his dad (a taxi driver) to robbers. With his dad gone, he took on the responsibility of raising his mom and seven siblings. 

“Honestly, gusto ko lang i-share sa inyo ang buhay kong punumpuno ng struggles, pero mas maraming saya kesa lungkot, mas maraming ginhawa kaysa hirap, mas maraming solusyon kesa pagsuko, mas maraming pagbangon kesa pagdapa, at mas maraming halakhak kesa iyak,” he said in the book’s foreword.

Another reason why Ogie decided to come up with “Pak! Humor” is to raise funds for breast cancer patients and survivors of the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc., or more popularly known as Kasuso Foundation located at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City. He is a member of the foundation’s board of trustees. So part of the proceeds of the book sales will be used to help the patients.

“Sana maka-inspire sa mga tao ang libro ko. Gusto ko chill-chill lang. Positivity in life ang lagi kong pino-post sa Facebook dahil gusto ko masaya ang mood ng mga tao. Kasi nga, every gising is a blessing.”