I met DC a couple of years ago when we were both doing our graduate studies in our respective fields. I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few months after that DC was the one who made Minsan Lang Sila Bata (Children Only Once), a film which I revealed to her later, made a lasting and strong impression on me. The film has won her several recognitions both in the Philippines and abroad.
The last time I saw DC and NB was in March when they participated in another film festival in London, to show Riles (Life on the Tracks). Riles was the culmination of DC's film studies. While filming, she would usually update me on the progress and share her experiences that at a certain point, I felt as if I have met the main characters, Pen and Eddie. Strangely, Dolphy's character as Kosme from the series Home Along the Riles came to life.
I remember when they showed Riles to a Filipino community in London, a Pinay asked why such films need to be shown to the international community given that it may only generate bad impressions about the Philippines. She went on to explain that there are a lot more beautiful places and sceneries in the Philippines to focus on rather than the ugly side.
I did consider the Pinay's comment. Conversely, I do believe that such films depict an intimate portrait of the daily life of a struggling Pinoy family. However despite the difficulties, the sense of hope, family, community, generosity, optimism and even humour prevails over the urge to despair or isolate oneself into misery. This is the Pinoy spirit--albeit struggling, but never broken, always hopeful and even accepting.
Once I invited my ex-boss to watch Riles in London. He wondered if the family is for real and if they actually live in such harsh conditions. Sadly, this IS reality.
And now the film Bunso (the Youngest) brings another reality to my attention: children in prison. IDFA describes the film as "disturbing...set in the sub-human world of a city jail with many poignant moments from the boys who speak their truth with a rare mix of innocence and streetsmarts, pain and humor". NB showed me some of the still photos she made and I must say it was truly unsettling to know that there are kids detained in a city jail together with adult crimminals...in the Philippines.
There is a world beyond the comfort of our four walls that is seeking fairness and struggling to break free from certain prejudices. Sometimes I do feel helpless and often ask myself, what can i do? I mean, can I really do anything? Once I told DC about my inner conflict with me living in a foreign country and knowing that I could do more back home. For others, understandably, they have more than enough concerns to support their own families and live their daily struggles. Others may just choose to ignore. To each his own.
As DC appropriately explains it: "the camera just observes, the film asks no questions."
19 November 2004
Looking Through the Lenses
I always look forward to see DC and NB, hang out with them, and catch up on each others activities. They are visiting the Netherlands to attend the world premiere of their documentary film "Bunso" (the Youngest), which will be shown at the International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA) until the 26th of November. I am excited to see their film and likewise watch with them the other entries for the festival.
I met DC a couple of years ago when we were both doing our graduate studies in our respective fields. I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few months after that DC was the one who made Minsan Lang Sila Bata (Children Only Once), a film which I revealed to her later, made a lasting and strong impression on me. The film has won her several recognitions both in the Philippines and abroad.
The last time I saw DC and NB was in March when they participated in another film festival in London, to show Riles (Life on the Tracks). Riles was the culmination of DC's film studies. While filming, she would usually update me on the progress and share her experiences that at a certain point, I felt as if I have met the main characters, Pen and Eddie. Strangely, Dolphy's character as Kosme from the series Home Along the Riles came to life.
I remember when they showed Riles to a Filipino community in London, a Pinay asked why such films need to be shown to the international community given that it may only generate bad impressions about the Philippines. She went on to explain that there are a lot more beautiful places and sceneries in the Philippines to focus on rather than the ugly side.
I did consider the Pinay's comment. Conversely, I do believe that such films depict an intimate portrait of the daily life of a struggling Pinoy family. However despite the difficulties, the sense of hope, family, community, generosity, optimism and even humour prevails over the urge to despair or isolate oneself into misery. This is the Pinoy spirit--albeit struggling, but never broken, always hopeful and even accepting.
Once I invited my ex-boss to watch Riles in London. He wondered if the family is for real and if they actually live in such harsh conditions. Sadly, this IS reality.
And now the film Bunso (the Youngest) brings another reality to my attention: children in prison. IDFA describes the film as "disturbing...set in the sub-human world of a city jail with many poignant moments from the boys who speak their truth with a rare mix of innocence and streetsmarts, pain and humor". NB showed me some of the still photos she made and I must say it was truly unsettling to know that there are kids detained in a city jail together with adult crimminals...in the Philippines.
There is a world beyond the comfort of our four walls that is seeking fairness and struggling to break free from certain prejudices. Sometimes I do feel helpless and often ask myself, what can i do? I mean, can I really do anything? Once I told DC about my inner conflict with me living in a foreign country and knowing that I could do more back home. For others, understandably, they have more than enough concerns to support their own families and live their daily struggles. Others may just choose to ignore. To each his own.
As DC appropriately explains it: "the camera just observes, the film asks no questions."
I met DC a couple of years ago when we were both doing our graduate studies in our respective fields. I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few months after that DC was the one who made Minsan Lang Sila Bata (Children Only Once), a film which I revealed to her later, made a lasting and strong impression on me. The film has won her several recognitions both in the Philippines and abroad.
The last time I saw DC and NB was in March when they participated in another film festival in London, to show Riles (Life on the Tracks). Riles was the culmination of DC's film studies. While filming, she would usually update me on the progress and share her experiences that at a certain point, I felt as if I have met the main characters, Pen and Eddie. Strangely, Dolphy's character as Kosme from the series Home Along the Riles came to life.
I remember when they showed Riles to a Filipino community in London, a Pinay asked why such films need to be shown to the international community given that it may only generate bad impressions about the Philippines. She went on to explain that there are a lot more beautiful places and sceneries in the Philippines to focus on rather than the ugly side.
I did consider the Pinay's comment. Conversely, I do believe that such films depict an intimate portrait of the daily life of a struggling Pinoy family. However despite the difficulties, the sense of hope, family, community, generosity, optimism and even humour prevails over the urge to despair or isolate oneself into misery. This is the Pinoy spirit--albeit struggling, but never broken, always hopeful and even accepting.
Once I invited my ex-boss to watch Riles in London. He wondered if the family is for real and if they actually live in such harsh conditions. Sadly, this IS reality.
And now the film Bunso (the Youngest) brings another reality to my attention: children in prison. IDFA describes the film as "disturbing...set in the sub-human world of a city jail with many poignant moments from the boys who speak their truth with a rare mix of innocence and streetsmarts, pain and humor". NB showed me some of the still photos she made and I must say it was truly unsettling to know that there are kids detained in a city jail together with adult crimminals...in the Philippines.
There is a world beyond the comfort of our four walls that is seeking fairness and struggling to break free from certain prejudices. Sometimes I do feel helpless and often ask myself, what can i do? I mean, can I really do anything? Once I told DC about my inner conflict with me living in a foreign country and knowing that I could do more back home. For others, understandably, they have more than enough concerns to support their own families and live their daily struggles. Others may just choose to ignore. To each his own.
As DC appropriately explains it: "the camera just observes, the film asks no questions."
1 comment:
Hi Sari, you are so lucky to be visiting your mom soon. I know she probably considers herself more lucky that you are coming home. Thanks for visiting my site, if you don't mind I will link you so I don't forget to come back and visit. I have been to your site before, I think. I'll be coming back more often. You provide great insight to living in the Netherlands. That must be some experience!
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