What Robin would do for Sharon

The movie “Unexpectedly Yours” from Star Cinema reunites Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla. It opens in cinemas nationwide today and the Sharon-Robin fans promise to watch the film and make it a blockbuster.

At the movie’s press conference held Saturday at the Dolphy Theater, Robin said as far as he is concerned, this movie was supposed to be a Sharon and Gabby Concepcion project that didn’t push through after the Kapuso actor turned it down because he has an ongoing soap on Channel 7.

Robin said the reason he accepted the movie was because Star Cinema told him that Sharon needs him. He sacrificed a lot just to do this movie. He stopped shooting the two films he is doing under his own production. He also had to cut his hair and shave his mustache. He said cutting his hair meant a lot because it is the symbol of his being a revolutionary. But he did it all for Sharon’s sake.

The action star hastened to add it was worth the sacrifice since they were able to do a beautiful film that he and Sharon can be proud of.

For her part, Sharon corrected Robin’s impression that this was the movie meant for her and Gabby. Star Cinema wrote a new script, with a role that matches Robin’s personality. And as Robin said it himself, “Only me can do this role.”

After 16 years, it is only now that Sharon and Robin are working again. And both enjoyed the experience because they like each other a lot. In fact, Sharon considers Robin as her twin because they are so alike in many ways. And working with director Cathy Garcia-Molina was truly an enjoyable experience both of them will remember fondly.

Direk Cathy was unable to join the presscon since she was busy editing the film so it could make it to the premiere night and the opening day. They went home around 6 a.m. last Saturday since they had to finish the movie’s ending.

Sharon-Robin fanatics are hoping that “Unexpectedly Yours” will be a blockbuster. In fact, several fan groups have scheduled several block screenings of the movie for their members.

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Three outstanding Pinoy short films were honored at the Viddsee Juree Awards for the Philippines last Saturday, November 25. The sobering drama “Caterwaul” directed by Josel Fajardo was named the Gold winner, while thriller-drama “Redlights” by Christian Lat won the Silver. A Special Mention award was reserved for the drone-shot “Maybe Aliens” directed by Glen Barit.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Cinematheque Manila, attended by filmmakers, industry professionals and members of the media.

The top entries were selected from ten finalist films by a panel of international judges: Loïc Valceschini, festival programmer of Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Fest and Locarno’s Semaine de la Critique, Marcus Manh, Vietnamese film producer and founder of YxineFF and Antoinette Jadaone, Filipino film director.

The judges said of the films: “We commend ‘Caterwaul’ for the simple story and strong performances from the actresses, and their delivery of the storytelling twist. With ‘Redlights,’ we found the story timely and relevant and were impressed with the complex characters and high production value. It demonstrated a thirst for cinema and a refreshing insight on the Filipino social climate.

“We found ‘Maybe Aliens’ deserving of a special mention, for its aesthetic and creative direction and the exploration of an innovative and unique form of storytelling. Overall, we were deeply honored to have a glimpse of all the Pinoy talents presented at this Viddsee Juree for the Philippines competition, as all finalists demonstrate great promise and expectation for their future careers.”

Fajardo won a Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K Digital Cinema Camera EF worth US$4,995 and a five-day film immersion course in Los Angeles sponsored by the Motion Picture Association. Lat went home with a Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel worth US$995.

This edition saw a selection of finalists from an outstanding crop of new filmmakers from different schools such as the University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Mint, College of St. Benilde, Letran, and International Academy of Film and Television.

The other competing short films are Chloe Veloso’s “Mother of Perpetual Help,” Christian Candelaria “In His Island” (“Sa Saíyang Islá”), Marvin Cabangunay and Jaynus Olaivar’s “Nakauwi Na” (“Home”), Nathan Bringuer’s “Slingshot” (“Tirador”), Rogin Losa’s “Lovely Is Off Air,” Tashana Rivera’s “Companion” (‘Kaulayaw”) and Zheina David’s “Look Through” (“Dungaw”).

The winning films, finalists and out-of-competition short films are all free to view on Viddsee.com.