Nora at Jasmine, pinalakpakan sa ‘Dementia’ screening!

Written by  JUN ROBLES LANA

ABANTE

DIRECTOR'S CHAIR

Salamat sa Diyos at maayos na naidaos ang premiere night screening ng Dementia noong September 21 sa Trinoma mall cinema 7. Na-stress ako ng bongga bilang producer. Parang gusto ko na lang magdirek sa susunod. Ha! Ha! Ha!

8:30 PM na nang magsimula ang screening pero alas-siyete pa lang ng umaga nasa Trinoma mall na ang crew para ipasok ang mga gamit at magtayo ng stage. Naisip kong mamigay ng loot bags na may lamang snacks sa ilang kaibigang manonood ng pelikula.

Eh kasi, ‘di ba mas masayang manood ng sine ‘pag may kinukutkot ka? Kaya nu’ng umaga, namili pa ako ng popcorn, kropek, pastillas at mineral water. Haggard pala. Talo ko pa mamimigay ng relief goods sa dami ng kropek na pinagbibibili ko.

SRO ang screening, at laking pasasalamat namin sa Trinoma mall na pumayag magpapasok ng mga tao sa sinehan kahit wala nang upuan. Ang daming Noranians na lumapit sa akin, nakikiusap na bentahan sila ng ticket.

Ipinaliwanag kong invitational lang ang screening, naintindihan naman nila, pero naawa pa rin ako, lalo sa mga taong galing probinsiya. ‘Yung isang Noranian, may regalo pang shades para kay Direk Perci.

Nagawa naman na­min­g ipasok ang lahat ng tao. Pero sa sobrang dami, sa hagdan na lang kami ng sinehan umupo. Dapat magkakasama kami sa isang hilera ng mga upuan nina Ate Guy, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Bing Loyzaga, Chynna Ortaleza, Yul Servo, Althea Vega at Jeric Gonzales.

Kaso nagkagulo na sa seating arrangement. Pati ang mga bisitang sina Eugene Domingo, muntik nang mawalan ng upuan.

Hindi bale. Ilang beses na naman naming napanood ang Dementia. Mas gusto naming panoorin ang reaction ng audience.

Pero ang hirap pala ng may katabing direktor kahit asawa mo siya. Lagi akong sinisiko, paulit-ulit na tinatanong kung maganda ba ang pelikula.

Ganyan din ako dati sa kanya noong hindi pa siya nagdidirek. Ha! Ha! Ha! Pwes ngayon alam na niya ang pinagdadaanan ko.

Pagbubuhat ng bangko ‘pag sinabi kong maganda ang pelikula. Kaya uulitin ko na lang ang Grade A na nakuha nito Cinema Evaluation Board. At ang pagkakapili nito para mag-compete sa Fantasporto International Film Festival sa Portugal.

Isa ang Fantastorpo sa pinakamatanda at pinakamalaking horror/fantasy film festival sa Europe.

Pero siyempre, para sa isang horror film na tulad ng Dementia, wala nang mas titindi pang kara­ngalan ang sigawan at tilian ng tao sa premiere night screening nito. Ilang beses ding pinalakpakan si Ate Guy, lalo na ‘yung eksenang ilang minutong nakatutok lang ang came­ra sa mga mata niya.

Nanood sa screening ang ilang kaibigan kong taga-New York na kasalukuyang nagbabakasyon dito. Hindi sila masyadong pamilyar sa mga artista natin, pero bukod kay Ate Guy, hangang-hanga sila kay Jasmine Curtis-Smith, na ilang beses ding pinalakpakan ng audience. Ngayong Miyerkules, September 24, na ang showing ng Dementia.

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Image:  Erickson Dela Cruz

DADDY, IBALIK MO NA AKO KAY MOMMY

Ni MERCY G. MASANGCAY

Itinatampok sina Mommy Guy, Daddy Pip 

at Maria Leonora Teresa

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 (Ang mga larawan ay kuha mula sa Liwayway Magasin.)

ABANGAN ANG SUSUNOD NA KABANATA!

Maria Leonora Theresa

Si NORA AUNOR sa RYZZA MAE SHOW

Bilang bahagi ng promotion ng pelikulang DEMENTIA, naging panauhin ni Ryzza Mae si Superstar Nora Aunor sa kanyang The Ryzza Mae Show.  Nagkaroon ng advance taping ang nasabing show ng GMA Network noong ika – 16 ng Setyembre sa GMA Broadway Centrum, New Manila, Quezon City.  Mapapanood ang dalawang episode sa Channel 7 mula Setyembre 22 hanggang Setyembre 23 bago ang araw ng pagpapalabas ng pelikulang DEMENTIA sa Setyembre 24 sa mga sinehan sa buong Pilipinas.  Mula 11:30 ng umaga, ang presensiya ni Nora Aunor sa The Ryzza Mae Show ay maghahatid ng kasiyahan hindi lamang sa mga Noranians kundi pati na rin sa mga tagasubaybay ni Ryzza Mae.  Itaguyod at tangkilikin ang pelikulang Dementia na nakatakda ring ipalabas sa 35^th Fantasporto International Film Festival, Portugal sa Pebrero 2015.  Dahil sa mahusay at magandang pagkagawa ni Direk Perci Intalan, binigyan ng Cinema Evaluation Board ng Graded A ang DEMENTIA. 

Abangan ang The Ryzza Mae Show.  At tandaan, dalhin ang buong pamilya, kaibigan at kabarkada, mga ka-trabaho, mga ka-eskwela mula Setyembre 24 at sama-samang manood ng DEMENTIA.  Ipakita natin ang ating suporta sa de-kalidad na pelikulang ito.   

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Ang mga larawan ay kuha ni Erickson Dela Cruz (NFF)

PAANO KA NAPUKAW NG ISANG NORA AUNOR?

Na - inspire ka ba? Namangha ka ba? Na – in love ka ba? Nahusayan ka ba? Nabinyagan ka ba? Paano ka napukaw ng nag-iisang Nora Aunor . . . ng isang National Artist?

Maaari mong ilahad ang iyong kuwento sa blog na ito.

DEMENTIA: Movie Trailer and Test Screening

Mara Fabre (Nora Aunor) is diagnosed with early onset dementia, In the hope of jogging her memory, she is brought by her cousin's family to her hometown in a remote island in Batanes. But instead of just recalling familiar places and faces, she then starts seeing visions no one else sees. It is only her young niece, Rachel (Jasmine Curtis Smith), who begins to wonder if what Mara sees is really just a by-product of her illness or if there really is something haunting her from the past.

Starring Ms. Nora Aunor and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Bing Loyzaga, Yul Servo, Chynna Ortaleza, Jeric Gonzales, Althea Vega, Lou Veloso and Lui Manansala.

Directed by Percival M. Intalan

In Philippine Cinemas this September 24

1st DEMENTIA TRAILER

2nd DEMENTIA TRAILER

TEST SCREENING

Test Screening for the Filipino horror film DEMENTIA held at Greenhills Theater on September 10, 2014.

UP Gawad Plaridel honors Superstar Nora Aunor

By Haidee C. Pineda

The Diliman UP Date Online

(SEPT. 1)— She was petite with dark skin tone and very humble but, she was the brightest star that afternoon.

Veteran actress Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, more popularly known as Nora Aunor, arrived at the UP Film Institute Cine Adarna on Aug. 27 dressed in a pristine white Filipiniana attire that elegantly fit her small frame. She was honored by the UP College of Mass Communication as the 10th recipient of the prestigious UP Gawad Plaridel Award for her excellence in film and television.

Aunor was accompanied by her colleagues and friends, among them, award-winning scriptwriter Ricky Lee and multi-awarded film director Joel Lamangan.

As she marched to her seat during the processional, hundreds of loyal fans known as “Noranians,” gave her a standing ovation. Among the guests were National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, members of the Board of Regents and the UP officials, faculty, staff and students, and guests from other universities.

When the Superstar went up the stage to accept the award, the Noranians almost shook Cine Adarna with their thunderous applause while some were on the verge of tears, feeling very proud of their idol.

Aunor confessed she was really nervous when she learned that she was to receive CMC’s highest distinction.  But, as she regained her composure, she thanked everyone and said “Hanggang Grade 2 lang po ang inabot ko sa aking edukasyon kaya noong bigyan po ako ng karangalang ito ay para na rin po akong naka-gradweyt sa Unibersidad.”

She said the inspiration and the secret to her career’s longevity that spanned more than five decades is: “Lahat ng ginagawa ko ngayon ay paglingon sa aking nakalipas. At iyung mga inspirasyon na nararamdaman ko ay galing mismo sa mga taong naniniwala sa akin noong ako’y kumakanta palang hanggang sa ako ay naging artista nga po.”

Instead of a lecture, Aunor shared stories about her life from the time she was still struggling to help her family make ends meet, to the time she joined the “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” and until she became a multi-awarded actress. She also shared insights on her passion for making quality films that influenced her to venture into producing movies.

Aunor confessed that she has never attended an acting workshop although she thinks it is important. She said sometimes the actors would discover for themselves their own strategy on how to portray a certain role. What is important, she said, “Hangga’t maaari po, ang bawat karakter ko ay hindi dapat pareho sa karakter ko sa ibang pelikula.”

Her advise to the younger batch of actors was “Kapag isinapuso ninyo ang eksena, at naiintindihan mo ang kaeksena mo, lumalabas na natural (ang lahat).”

In addition, she said “Magtulungan po tayo na patuloy nating gawin kung ano iyung nararapat na gawin sa industriya lalo na sa mga baguhang artista na gumawa rin sila ng mga pelikulang makabuluhan at tulungan natin sila sa pagganap sa karakter nila sa pelikula...para maiangat natin ang industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi lalo’t higit sa lahat ay iyung makilala sa ibang bansa.”

The Gawad Plaridel, named after the Philippine hero Marcelo H. del Pilar’s nom de plume, Plaridel, is the College of Mass Communication’s (CMC) distinction for Filipino media practitioners who have excelled in any of the media (print, radio, film and television) and have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service.

In his welcome remarks, UPD chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tan said “Si Nora Aunor ay ang natatanging superstar dahil siya lamang ang artistang Filipino na matagumpay na nakatawid sa lahat ng larangan ng sining sa pagtatanghal.”

Tan also said “Para sa komunidad, para sa pambansang unibersidad, kayo po Ate Guy ay ang pambansang alagad ng sining.”

UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, Chancellor Tan, CMC dean Dr. Roland B. Tolentino awarded her a trophy specially designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva. The citation on the certificate of recognition was read by CMC professor emeritus Dr. Nicanor Tiongson.

CMC recognized Aunor for her “unique artistry and versatility as a singer” and for “portraying with keen intelligence and uncommon sensitivity an amazing range of cinematic roles.”

The citation listed the films that showcased her excellence as an artist as “Fe, Esperanza, Caridad” (1974), “Minsa’y Isang Gamugamo” (1976), “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” (1976), “Bona” (1980), “Himala” (1982), “Bakit May Kahapon Pa” (1996), “Naglalayag” (2004) and “Thy Womb” (2012).

She was also commended for producing quality films that raised the bar in Philippine filmmaking, through her NV Productions like “Banaue: Stairway to the Sky” (1975), “Alkitrang Dugo” (1975),  “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” (1976),  “Tisoy!” (1977), “Annie Batungbakal” (1979) and “Bona” (1980).

Aunor was also recognized for starring in memorable and long-running television programs like the variety show “Nora Aunor Show” and “Superstar” that showcased her skills in singing and dancing that set a trend in Philippine television, and the weekly drama anthology “Nora Cinderella” at “Ang Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora” that brought to the public both fine and dramatic acting and relevant narratives of everyday life.

CMC also cited Aunor “Para sa paghamon niya sa pamantayang kolonyal na nagtatanghal sa mestiza bilang huwaran ng kariktan sa pelikula at lipunang Pilipino at sa paggigiit niya na ang tikas ng kayumanggi —balat na kulay ng gintong pulot, buhok na sing-itim ng uwak, at katawang balingkinitan—ay kapantay ng iba pang uri ng kagandahan, lalo na’t sa Pilipinas ay kinakatawan ng kayumanggi ang nakararaming may lahing Malay, na umiral mula panahong pre-kolonyal hanggang kasalukuyan, mula kanayunan hanggang kalungsuran, mula barong-barong hanggang mansion.” [For challenging the colonial standard that portrays mestiza as the benchmark of beauty in films and the Filipino society and for asserting that being “kayumanggi”—skin color of golden honey, hair as black as crow, and slender figure—is the same with other types of beauty, particularly in the Philippines where being “kayumanggi” represents majority of the Malay race, that prevails in the pre-colonial times up to the present, from the province to the city, from a shanty to a mansion.]

She was also recognized for using her “tremendous popularity as an opportunity to help the masses...appreciate films and plays that dramatized and analyzed the abject conditions of the Filipino majority and the poor and powerless characters that she played with conviction.”

Tolentino delivered the closing remarks. The event’s emcees were broadcaster and CMC alumni Ivan Mayrina and Gretchen Fullido.

Aunor now joins the roster of Gawad Plaridel past recipients Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print), Rosa Vilma Santos (2005, film), Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo (2006, radio), Cecilia “Cheche” L. Lazaro (2007, television), Pachico A. Seares (2008, community print), Kidlat Tahimik (2009, independent filmmaking), Eloisa “Lola Sela” Canlas (2011, radio), Florence “Rosa Rosal” Danon-Gayda (2012, television) and Jose “Pete” Lacaba (2013, print).

During the program, an audio-visual presentation in honor of Aunor was shown to the audience. It was directed by CMC Professor and UPFI director Prof. Roehl Jamon.

The UP Concert Chorus and UP SAMASKOM provided the intermission numbers. —Haidee C. Pineda with reports from the UP College of Mass Communication, images by UP College of Mass Communication.