Why You Need See CULION This MMFF 2019

The weekend was an awesome one (Dec 14th) as we got to finally see the film CULION. We were all where it all was shot and taken, in the island of Culion, Palawan which is an isle off the west side of the Philippines. It was their world premiere, and yes, it was a grand promise to bring it there and have them all watch it. It was almost impossible to do, but they knew (the production) had to do it for the people of Culion. I saw how they intently watched and marveled how their story was unfolding. It felt right, to tell the public of their history, of what transpired during the commonwealth, the world war and how they all survived even under very hard times, not to mention the condition... of which everyone else despised during that time.

Anna, Ditas and Doris (played by Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano and Jasmine Curtis) each have their own story. In the film, Anna was depicted as a strong woman, one who need no man to support her even though she was loved much by Kanor played by Joem Bascon. You will admire her character for most of the “first half” of the film, but later feel for her and her struggles as she gets distraught over her baby and what would happen to them. Ditas on the other hand would be seen attempting to take her life several times (because of sheer hopelessness in love, and the man in her life) but with all the nice things she’s brought to the lives of her friends and herself in the colony, she would regain hope, and start to appreciate the small things around her. Meryll Soriano is a discovery for me, I have seen her TV stints and didn’t quite expect she’d be doing the things she did in this movie. I almost lost my breath understanding one of the highlights of the film. I am saying right here, that the few minutes with John Lloyd Cruz’ character was one of the reasons everybody balled during the world premiere last weekend, with good reason. If you’re a fan of his work, this would be good reason why you should watch it. I couldn’t believe how he could tell his whole story in one scene, you will go crazy just thinking about it.

Meryll on the other hand held her ground, when John Lloyd did his scene, she reciprocated with her own brand of acting, both of which will make your jaw drop. You will ask yourself “WTFOMGBBQ did I just witness?!” and admit “I am not worthy to witness that!”, and I... am not even joking.

Make sure you also take note, not surprising she’s really good, Iza Calzado had some really hard scenes with Joem Bascon and Suzette Ranillo (who plays Nanay Mameng), as they will have to go through a very traumatic experience as they started to have a family in Culion. I couldn’t say much with Jasmine Curtis’ character but hold your horses as she will be shocking you (my heart dropped in one of the scenes), but she’s the hopeful one, one who dreams, and might liken a lot of people going through the same ordeal. Pretty mental, as her scenes felt like a few of Ricky Lee’s masterpiece put together, and I think they have a connection in some weird way but you have to be a judge of that.

Here’s our short trip to the island, enjoy!

If you were there during the world premiere in Culion, you would see how attentive, hopeful and proud they were seeing this film in the Immaculate Conception Church in Culion. I saw a lot of them cried, laughed a little, and felt this was a good representation of who they are as people. Now, what a proud moment for them to be from Culion.

All in all, this deserves your attention during the Metro Manila Festival. Watch it to learn about history, watch it to see the triumph of generations who have lived and experienced the colony. Watch it for the sole reason of love, for the children, for each other, and see miracles of humanity in it. It will all be seen on theaters nationwide starting December 25, Christmas Day. Go prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions. Take your family into learning the history of Culion, and the love that comes from its people.

Jasmine Curtis, Myke Liwag and Nico Locco for CULION

Spent the morning at Black Maria Pictures for the private screening of Culion. The movie is set to impress audiences this coming December 25 as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival. Before we watched the film, we got to talk to Jasmine Curtis, Mike Liwag and Nico Locco who are also part of the film. These three had their own character conflicts, one that will shock you on cinemas because yes, it is worthy to find out this MMFF season (let's not spoil it for the others). For starters, they're like an unlikely love triangle which I think is going to stir things in the lives of the three women, and their community.

Jasmine says "I am already happpy just to be in the ranks of actors who have done so much great work in the industry. I already felt good making it with top caliber actresses. I am more in indie, not loud on TV, low key, simple and happy that I am working with those who I were all just watching on screen. I wanted to work with Iza and Meryll and it already happened. We got along real good, it was just a dream to do this and I was inspired to share the same work ethics and enjoy it. We had the same mindset at work, and it's good."

Nico Locco, who recently won Best Actor at the Gawad Sining Film Festival adds "The difference between this and my Sabado film is the character, a little similar, but unique as I didn't know anything about it at first. My role in Sabado is interesting but Culion has historical drama, I had to do a different preparation for it."

Mike Liwag says "Physically, mentally it is a challenge, I haven't tackled anything of this magnitude and I am excited to watch it come gala night together with my parents. I hope they would be proud of me."

Here is our short interview with them before the screening.

Direk Alvin Yapan will be entering this to other film festivals but will probably enter a different version than this commercial release. It will run around 2 hours, I'll have a separate article for the review and a short feature on Mike Liwag. Stay tuned! Make sure you make this a part of your MMFF list this Christmas day!

MMFF Entry CULION Launches OST and Music Video

This movie feels so special for me because in a way, I got involved in it so personally after visiting Culion a few months ago. I was able to talk to its residents; and see for myself what the place looks like, how the people feel now that the island is getting attention now that an entry to the Metro Manila film festival is named and being told for the world to see. It is now becoming evident that people look at it now at differently, to hopefully give the former Hansen’s disease colony a new light, as it deserves to be the new destination for tourism, for business to flourish and perhaps get the spotlight it deserves; because it is just so beautiful. 

The film just recently launched it’s official soundtrack and music video sung by Ms. Joanna Ampil, a heavily awarded Filipino singer who has performed in Broadway and London’s West End in different musicals. It’s called “Kundimang Mahal”, which music was done and composed by Felipe M. De Leon Jr., Lyrics by Michael Coroza and produced by Francis Salazar specifically for the film. The music video also includes some of the participation of its cast members Yam Mercado, Denise Nayve and Mike Liwag. They also included some of the scenes of Culion the movie in it so you kinda get a glimpse of what you’ll be expecting come December 25.

Ms. Gillie Sing the Executive Producer says “This afternoon this reminded me that this is the first presscon after we got accepted in MMFF. This is also going to be the launch of our MTV which includes our much awaited theme song, thank you so much for your support.”

Broadway star Joanna Ampil says “I am very honored to have been able to sing this song entitled “Kundimang Mahal” composed by Felipe De Leon with lyrics by Michael Coroza. They gave me the story behind this song and the lyrics. They also have me insight about the movie, that’s where I saw the connection too.”

Meryll Soriano says “We treat each other as sisters, we do what we can and we are blessed as actors that we could do something of this magnitude, to be there early, we had time to bond before the shoot. We got used to prosthetics after the third day, but the shoot had challenges because we had a typhoon during the filming. Our mindset changed when we got accepted in MMFF.

Joem says “I am overwhelmed that I got to do a lot of films with high caliber actors. It was all casted, I did my best and I have a flexible schedule to do films. It just went in sync for Judy Anne, for Iza as well. We are in the stage of being happy, the pressure is off and we are celebrating for people to see this. We want them to see the story of the island and its people."

The Producer Madame Shandi Bacolod says "We gave them the possibilities, the pros and cons. It’s been a tradition (to have more family friendly movies do well at first then the heavily awarded ones second), but there is a market for people who don’t know about it. There is a story, we are tapping even government agencies like DepEd to have their students learn about it. To approve and get permits in the local government took a long time and we presented the script with the church, the mayor, the people, we will do the world premiere in Culion on December 14. That is what we promised them.”

Mike Liwag says “Honestly I am so grateful and thankful to be part of this. I have seen their work and I look up to them, this is my biggest film project and I have had advise doing these scenes. I am excited to see this.”

This song feels so painful, but it still exudes love, passion, quite nationalistic. It's an apt representation of how these all happened during war, how they remained triumphant despite what was happening that era. All the more, Culion is something you should watch this Christmas day during the Metro Manila Film Festival. Stay tuned for updates during the world premiere on December 14 as I will be there. 

Hopefully, you won't see me crying while I'm there.