Q.C. Pink fest pays tribute to Soxy Topacio

Up There, former Quezon City Pride Council head Soxy Topacio must be smiling with pride as the Quezon City International Pink Film Festival (QCIPFF) pays tribute to his life and contributions through his critically-acclaimed film Ded Na si Lolo which was submitted as Philippine entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Oscars in 2009.

Titled Grandpa is Dead for the international market, the drama-comedy depicts the various Filipino practices regarding the dead like prohibitions against wearing red, sweeping the floor and taking a bath during the wake, letting your tears fall on the coffin and escorting mourners to the door. Soxy told the story with self-deprecating humor.   

After a three-year hiatus, QCIPFF opens tomorrow (Nov. 14) with Jethro Patalinghug’s 50 Years of Fabulous, a 2018 documentary on the San Francisco Imperial Council, the world’s oldest surviving LGBTQ+ charity organization, and closes next Sunday (Nov. 25) with Joella Cabalu’s It Runs in the Family.

“The 2018 Pink Filmfest commemorates the 79th founding anniversary of Quezon City and the centennial of Philippine Cinema,” said QCIPFF director Nick Deocampo. “Participating in the festival are some 64 international and local feature and short films (42) on health and sexuality as well as human rights from the US, Brazil, Indonesia, Tonga, Spain, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand. Filmmakers and actors from these countries are invited to grace the event.”

During the recent presscon, Nick announced that he would be replaced by QCIPFF deputy director Gilb Baldoza, Nick’s student in UP.

Nick Deocampo, director of the Quezon City International Pink Film Festival (QCIPFF)

Some of the international entries to watch: Liquid Truth (Brazil), Leitis in Waiting (Tonga), Memories of My Baby (Indonesia), Carmen y Lola (Spain), Small Talk (Taiwan), Boys For Sale (Japan), The Driver (Thailand) and Mr. Gay Syria (Syria, Turkey, UK).

Also must-be-watched are Call Her Ganda by PJ Raval, which is about transgender Jennifer Laude who was killed by a US marine, the opening film at the UP Cine Adarna; the Filipino classic Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros by Auraeus Solito a.k.a. Kanakan-Balintagos; Translacion by Wil Fredo; Mga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko by Gerardo Calagui; and a retrospective of Nick’s award-winning queer films.

Nick noted that since the start, the Pink Filmfest’s line-up has not been limited to film screenings alone.

“They go beyond cinema houses and reach communities to create a greater awareness on stories and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community,” said Nick. “Seminars are also held to further discuss the challenges the community is facing,” adding that the first pro-LGBTQ+ legislation (with implementing rules and regulations) in Metro Manila was enacted in Quezon City. “Ordinance No. SP-1309, s.2003 prohibits all acts of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ who are either looking for jobs or working in government offices and for the private sector ion the city.”

This year, the festival partners with Amnesty International Philippines to talk about the current health and human rights situation concerning the LGBTQ+ community. Project Red Ribbon Care Foundation will also conduct an HIV awareness program and testing.

(Screenings will be held on Nov. 14-17 at Gateway Cinema Complex in Cubao; Nov. 19-21 at the UP Cine Adarna in Diliman; and Nov 22-25 at Cinema Centenario in Maginhawa St.)

Regine at The Movies set for November 17, 24, 25

Regine Velasquez (photo) imitates the classic Audrey Hepburn pose in Breakfast at Tiffany’s as part of the promo for her show Regine at The Movies on Nov. 17, 24 and 25 at the New Frontier (formerly Kia) Theater at the Araneta Center, Quezon City.

The concert will have special guests Piolo Pascual (Nov. 17), Sharon Cuneta (Nov. 24) and Daniel Padilla (Nov. 25). Musical director is Raul Mitra and over-all director is Paolo Valenciano.

Featured are songs from iconic movies of other actresses but also those from Regine’s own movies, plus those from Disney and Pixar animated films, James Bond films, and those by Henry Mancini and Barbra Streisand.

The concert is co-presented by PLDT Home, Belo Medical Clinic and GAOC Dental.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)