(Eagle News) — Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) on Sunday, Sept. 13, launched the EBC Film Forum, its first venture into the promotion of independent films that carry positive Filipino values, in an effort to contribute to the Philippine movie industry.
And for its first event, the EBC Film Forum announced its support for the independent film, “Walang Take Two” – the first full length film of INCinema productions, an independent film outfit which had partnered with EBC for this first forum.
“Throughout the years, EBC has stayed true to its mission to educate, inform and enlighten audiences by providing values oriented and family-friendly content,” said EBC Chief Operating Officer James Manzanero during the EBC Film Forum opening on Sunday night.
“Today, EBC has taken its efforts further by venturing into the promotion of independent film producers in an effort to boost the Philippine Movie Industry. Through its partnership with INCinema, EBC is proud to present an indie film that is informative, artistic, and most of all, promotes positive Filipino values,” Manzanero said.
Some 2,400 people packed into the Aliw Theater in Pasay City for Sunday’s EBC Film Forum where the film, “Walang Take Two” was shown following short talks by Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair Atty. Eugenio Villareal, Filipino actor and director Leo Martinez who is also the current chair of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), and MTRCB member actress Gladys Reyes Sommereux.
Villareal said he was “pleasantly surprised” with the techniques used in the film.
Villareal also joked about how his son, a film major, liked to review the movie so much that when he was about to watch the movie again, he found out that his son took the disc to watch it for himself.
Villareal also praised the movie for focusing on Filipino family values.
Promoting family friendy and child-friendly shows has been an advocacy of MTRCB, said Villareal who also praised NET 25 for having the same advocacy as MTRCB.
He said this was why MTRCB had chosen the station as home for its infotainment program, “MTRCB Uncut.”
Villareal congratulated EBC for holding the film forum, and INCinema for supporting amateur Filipino film makers.
Martinez and Reyes also lauded EBC for its effort to promote independent Filipino films that promote positive Filipino and Christian values.
Martinez said that the Film Academy of the Philippines welcomed the addition of excellently crafted independent films that will enrich Philippine cinema, especially one that teaches life’s lessons and values.
He also urged independent film producers to continue their work, saying the FAP is also willing to help them hone their talents.
For his part, Villareal also said that the MTRCB is also open as a venue for various film fora as he took the occasion to also announce that the MTRCB has a new digital cinema, and 3D projection equipment.
After their talk, the EBC management led by its president Jorge Cabacungan and EBC COO Manzanero presented the speakers with plaques of appreciation for giving their insights during the film forum.
After the forum, the movie “Walang Take Two” was played.
The film, wonderfully crafted with cinematic twists and creative camera angles, gives lessons on the value of thriftiness, giving back love to one’s parents, and the importance of making judicious well-studied decisions in life. Life as seen in a camera lens becomes magnified in a backdrop of the lives of ordinary Filipino characters whom the audience can sympathize and empathize with.
The story revolves around the ambitious but poor young Filipino film maker “Hapi” who wants to make it big as a first-time “indie” director and film maker. The twists in his life and those around him, punctuated with hilarious comedic situations and dramatic turn of events, are something which all audiences would appreciate.
Surprisingly, the cast of the movie are all first-time actors and actresses whose acting skills were honed only through their participation in previous INCinema short film productions. The INCinema films are among the projects of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church Administration to develop the cinematic talents of INC members who are interested in film-making.
The cast and those who did the film behind the scenes – from its director, cinematograper, scriptwriter to the actors and actresses featured in the film – were in fact all winners in the previous EVM awards of various INCinema productions which were held under the guidance of INC Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo.
“Walang Take Two” director Carlo Cuevas said it was really hard to direct a film for the very first time.
“Minsan sa paggawa ng pelikula, parang di mo na makaya. Pag umuuwi na ako sa amin sa Batangas, sabi ko, di ko na yata kayang bumalik sa Maynila para gawin ito. Pero kinabukasan, maliligo ako, magbibihis uli ako at pag tinanong ako kung saan ako pupunta, sabi ko, ‘Babalik uli sa Manila para mag-shoot’. (In making a movie, there are times that you feel you cannot go on anymore. When I go back to my home in Batangas, I say to myself I might not be able to go back to Manila to do this (film). But the following day, I take a bath and change clothes, and when I’m asked where I am going, I say ‘back to Manila to shoot’(this film)” he told the audience during the Film Forum.
Kim Cordero, the lead actress in the film, who plays the role of Cherry—Hapi’s love interest—said the whole cast really felt nervous when they learned that their movie was going to be shown in the EBC Film Forum.
“Sa totoo lang, ngayon po talaga kami kinakabahan. Kinakabahan kami kasi ito na yung talagang mag-kikritiko sa amin, kung ano ba ang mga mali namin,” she said.
But all those interviewed after watching the film all had praises for the movie, saying that they were not only entertained but also learned the lessons that the movie wanted to convey.
EBC’s COO Manzanero said that this milestone is just the beginning of EBC’s “future endeavors to contribute to the movie industry.”
“We hope that through this small effort, we will inspire other great minds to produce high-quality, family-friendly films,” he said.
Manzanero further explained: “Noon kapag sinasabing indie film, ang nasa isip natin agad ay pelikulang may pang-adult na temang hindi angkop sa mga bata, na ang nilalaman ay hindi puedeng panuorin ng pamilya. Ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng ‘Walang Take Two’ ay napatunayan po natin,puede naman pala. (Before, when you say ‘indie film’, what we immediately have in mind is a film for adults with themes that are not fit for children, with contents that cannot be watched by the whole family. With this, because of this movie ‘Walang Take Two’ we were able to prove that (this is not always true), it can be done.”
The film, “Walang Take Two” was shown in various cinemas in Metro Manila and in key provincial cities starting Sept. 7. It was also shown in various cinemas worldwide.
