Hubog, Tinig draw raves in Toronto

Curtain-raisers:

• Did you know that Christopher Reeve’s personal nurse (of 10 years) is a Filipina named Dolly Arro? I got this information from the ABC TV special entitled Christopher Reeve: Courageous Steps which I saw on my recent trip to the US. The special showed Reeve’s amazing, near-miraculous recovery from life-threatening injuries sustained during a bad fall from his horse years ago. Now, he can move his extremities even if he’s still confined to his high-tech wheelchair, with nurse Dolly Arro always by his side, even combing his hair.

• Paolo Bediones will soon host and produce his own game show on GMA 7 where he’s co-hosting with Regine Tolentino The LG Digital Quiz Show. It’s a daring move on Paolo’s part considering that the game show fad has reached its peak and is now slowly but surely fading away.

• The Ateneo Grade School will celebrate its annual fair in honor of the Holy Guardian Angels on Sept. 26 to 28, with the theme At Home With Angels: It’s a Family A-Fair. The three-day event will feature varied carnival rides, novelty and game booths, a pre-Christmas bazaar, food-and-drink booths, plus special activities and show. Proceeds from the affair will go to the renovation of the AGS chapel and the various projects of its Social Action Program.

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And now, more "stateside" stories, as promised...

The two Filipino movies (Gil Portes’ Munting Tinig and Joel Lamangan’s Hubog) drew their own audience(s) at the just-concluded non-competitive Toronto International Film Festival despite the presence of hundreds of other films from the USA and Europe.

A Funfare DPA said that Time magazine critic Richard Corliss was among those who watched Munting Tinig, topbilled by Alessandra de Rossi, and he was visibly impressed by what filmfest organizers described as "Portes’ best work so far." Portes is not new to the Toronto Filmfest, having exhibited two or three films previously (including Birds of Prey, starring Gina Alajar).

Funfare reader Alex Fernandez e-mailed a story that the crowd (90 percent non-Filipino) which watched Munting Tinig on the day he did was all praises for the movie, specifically Alessandra’s performance. "All in all," wrote Alex, "it was a great experience. The woman seated next to me kept on wiping her tears, especially toward the movie’s last part."

For a more comprehensive report, here’s Funfare’s Toronto-based "international correspondent" Ferdinand Lapuz:

The 27th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival officially wrapped up last Sunday, Sept 15. The New Zealand feature film Whale Rider was awarded AGF Audience Award while Ireland Magdalene’s Sisters was the Discovery Award winner after winning in Venice. David Cronenberg’s Spider was the Best Canadian Feature.

This year, Filipino entries were Joel Lamangan’s Hubog (Wretched Lives) and Gil M. Portes’ Munting Tinig (Small Voices). Toronto served as the world premiere venue for Munting Tinig. Both were shown in the Contemporary World Cinema section. It’s worthy to mention that Filipino movies have built their audience in Toronto. Hubog has been out on video for several months now but its first screening at Varsity Cinema was sold out. The same with Munting Tinig. Filipino movies don’t only attract Filipinos based in Toronto but other nationalities as well.

Munting Tinig impressed Roger Ebert and the Time magazine film reviewer.

A Japanese buyer is interested in distributing Munting Tinig in Japan. Noah Cowan, former programmer for Asian movies, likes Hubog so much that he plans to recommend the film to a festival in New York City.

Aside from direks Joel and Gil, other Filipino delegates were producer Tatus Aldana; and Toronto first-timer writers Roy Iglesias, Senedy Que and Adolph Alex, musical director Joy Marfil and Alessandra de Rossi.

TIFF managing director Steve Gravestock described Alessandra as "a phenomenal actress."

Alessandra did not attend the screenings of Hubog because, as she said, "Naiiyak ako." It reminded her of the happy days with her Ate Assunta. If you remember, Hubog is also about a relationship between sisters. There is a scene in the film where Assunta’s character asks Alessandra’s if she wants her to be married. Kaya hayun, hindi na nanood si Alessandra.

I think it was also a blessing that Assunta and Rep. Jules Ledesma did not make it to Toronto. During the Filipino cocktail party sponsored by prominent Filipino dentist Dr. Victoria Santiago and Mike Saavedra at 395 Cafe in Toronto last Sept 12, text messages from Manila were pouring regarding the kidnapping of Jules’ two children. Can you imagine if Jules and Assunta were here?

Direks Joel and Gil with Alessandra were on the cover of The Festival Daily.

Anyway, both Hubog and Munting Tinig are being represented by Ray Cuerdo who works for Sony Pictures Classic in LA. Ray and I have agreed that we will both help Filipino movies in different film festivals and international sales as well. By the way, after assisting the festival since 1994, I was assigned as Programming Consultant for Filipino Cinema this year.

Judy Ann wins fans in Hawaii

With her lovable ways, Judy Ann Santos easily won the hearts of her fans in Hawaii during her recent show at the Hawaii Convention Center. The event was well-attended, according to Hawaii-based Filipino entertainer (and theater actor) Lito Capina who met Judy Ann at a radio station the day before the concert.

"She’s very popular here," wrote Lito, reporting from Hawaii. "She’s sweet and nice, mayumi, mabait, maganda and so down-to-earth. Very accommodating pa and always smiling. Beautiful complexion and beautiful heart. Hindi siya peke o plastic. Tunay siyang tao. She signed autographs and posed for pictures, something other Filipino entertainers from Manila don’t usually do, like the MTB stars who visited Hawaii a few months ago."

The concert, with Paolo Contis and John Lapus, was a success.

"John Lapus was funny and terrific, especially his impersonations (of Kris Aquino, among others). He was so good that I laughed so hard; I never laughed that way in all my life! The concert’s success should also be credited to Tito Alfie Lorenzo, Judy Ann’s manager, who was responsible for the stars’ nice attitude during their Hawaii stay. We’re looking forward to the group’s next show in Hawaii."

Lolit’s cute apo

Looking at the two photos of a cute baby on this page, you wouldn’t think that he’s the (first) apo of, you never guessed it, Lolit Solis.

The baby is Kinsey Thomas McDonald, first-born of Lolit’s daughter Sneezy and husband Thomas McDonald who are based in Washington D.C. Baby Kinsey was baptized recently at a cathedral in D.C.

The lola gushes, "His eyes turn from brown to green, his hair is brown and he’s too big for a four-month-old. Feel na feel ko na ang pagiging grandma ko when I visited the family two weeks ago. My apo now knows how to smile. Nagri-respond na siya! His eyes follow anywhere I go and he reacts to my voice. When I call his name, lingon siya kaagad."

Lola Lolit’s next "mission"?

"I will move heaven and earth na dito siya mag-Christmas sa Pilipinas."

Even if she has to "kidnap" him, that is.