"Busong" to compete in Cannes + Vic Sotto in TV5's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

Two years after Brillante Mendoza put the Philippines on the map of world cinema by winning the Best Director award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, another Filipino director has been invited to participate in the Director’s Fortnight of the prestigious festival.

Auraeus Solito’s latest movie titled “Busong” is competing in Cannes this May and the director of the multi-awarded flick “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” is excited but not at all pressured with the distinction of having his latest opus getting the green light to be in Cannes and him walking at the red carpet.

We sent Direk Auraeus some questions via email and we were glad he responded even if he was busy preparing for his trip to Cannes.

How did you feel when you learned that your movie “Busong” was accepted at Cannes?

“It was one of the best feelings I have ever felt. Cannes has been a secret dream since I was a kid. It’s a dream come true for me.

How does it feel going to Cannes to compete after the stint of “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” in various film festivals abroad?

“Parang Maxi ulit ang feeling. When Maxi was selected in Sundance, it was a dream come true. And now Busong in Cannes. Another dream is realized. It’s good to be an independent filmmaker nowadays.

Do you feel pressured to bring home a prize because of the victory of Brillante Mendoza as best director in the 2009 Cannes filmfest? Or you don’t feel any pressure at all?

No pressure. Being selected at the Directors’ Fortnight is enough. I’m contented. Everything is just enough now.

What is it with the story of Busong that made you decide to make a movie out of it?

My mother told me stories about Palawan that nobody else knew while I was growing up in Manila. In 1994, after graduating from UP, I went back to Palawan to search for the root of these stories. When I returned to my roots and rediscovered that we come from a lineage of Shaman-kings from the Palaw’an tribe (where the name of the island originated from), an endless well of knowledge and stories opened up to me. Isang bukal ang bumukas sa akin.

What do you think is the unique appeal of “Busong” that would make the audience of Cannes notice it?

It is a Philippines they have never seen before. A magical and mystical Palawan but is in danger of being threatened by outside forces.

How is it working with Alessandra de Rossi? Is this your first time to work with her? Why did you choose her for the lead role?

She is the best. Para kaming may psychic link. Connect na connect ang isip namin. Precise- kuhang kuha niya ang nai-imagine ko. Grabe! At pro na pro, walang arte. Walang reklamo, kahit anong hirap ng terrain sa Palawan, bundok, dagat at kagubatan. Alessandra embodies the morena Filipina. I wonder why we are so fixated on becoming white skinned when the kayumanggi is what we really are.

“Busong” is also competing at Cinemalaya. For sure, the Cannes competition is more enticing but what are your thoughts about competing again in Cinemalaya where you’ve been a winner?

Cinemalaya is close to my heart. The audiences there are fantastic! For me the final test of this film is when the Pinoy audience and cineastes watches the film in July.

Would you say that Busong is a “personal film”? What makes it special to you?

Yes, it is my most personal film. It is about my people, my tribe, Palawan, our land, my motherland, my mother’s land, our stories, our struggles, our fight for survival in a materialistic-driven world. It is my birthright. This film is for my mother, for all her stories to put me to sleep when I was a kid.

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Get ready to party with the Black Eyed Peas — for free. According to a report from Yahoo, the six-time Grammy-winning group will hold a free concert in New York City’s Central Park on June 9.

The show — dubbed “Concert 4 NYC” — will benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity targeting poverty in NYC.

Although the show is free, concertgoers must have tickets to enter. More than 50,000 tickets are available through an online giveaway. VIP tickets will also be sold online.

Robin Hood’s partnership with the multiplatinum foursome includes funding to launch three Peapod Academies. The school is an arts center for teenagers started by the Black Eyed Peas.

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TV5 is bringing back Mr. Vic Sotto and the popular game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” beginning on May 15. The show kicks off its sixth season loaded with exciting additional lifelines, updated set technology and the chance for a lucky player to become 2 million pesos richer.

Bossing Vic met with the press Monday afternoon at the KB Studios located along Marcos Highway, Marikina City before the rehearsal and the taping of the pilot episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

The actor-TV host celebrated his birthday recently (April 28) and the Kapatid network prepared for him a short VTR presentation to greet him and welcome him anew as the host of the popular game show which he started hosting since 2009.

Vic says he has no birthday wish for himself since most of the time, his birthday wishes are for other people. In fact, he even told his Eat Bulaga family that he doesn’t want a birthday celebration in the show. The event last Saturday was the first after so many years.

“Basta ako, whatever it is that comes my way, I enjoy it. I make the most out of it. Whether good or bad, I always view things as a blessing,” said Vic even as he added that when it comes to his career, he still wants to achieve more.

“As long as I can do it, even if up to my retirement, I would still want to work. I want to do more beautiful movies, more meaningful TV shows, more public service, more love,” he said.

“Ang tao, pag nakontento ka, pantay na ang paa mo. Kasabihan natin iyon. Hindi ka dapat makontento. We can be contented with what we have pero hindi naman dapat ibig sabihin okay na ako. Basta buo ang panalangin mo, buo ang tiwala mo sa Panginoon, eh tuloy-tuloy lang ang buhay. Hindi dapat tumitigil ang buhay sa isang level lang. Hindi mo dapat sinasabi na wala na akong hihilingin pa sa career ko o sa personal na buhay ko.”

Vic says simple things make him happy. Watching TV already makes him happy. And with the return of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is enough to put gladness in his heart.

“I am excited and I think the show is more exciting now dahil may mga konting pagbabago sa show. It’s another challenge for me. I always find things exciting and this is one show that I really enjoy a lot. I enjoy myself doing this show, kapag may taping kami. Ito lang ang show ko na pinapanood ko. It’s very exciting.”