It's been a week and a few days since the PH-Japan Reciprocal Access Pact was signed. This RAA came at a very opportune time especially since tensions in the West PH Sea has been at an all time high. Former Senate President Zubiri made mention about the initial talks about this with former Japan Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko and presented it to the President, and the signing is certainly beneficial for inter country training and familiarity of equipment between the two countries.
He also reminded how much of an ally Japan is especially with the help they have provided for the Navy and Coast Guard. The joint exercise between PH and Japan is going to be historic, and will bolster even more effort, cooperation in different activities as visiting forces agreement gets details soon.
The goal is to have defined peace in the region, and stronger ties between forces, and have inter operability as we further promote security measures in our exclusive economic zone, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Sherilyn Reyes Tan, Gelli de Belen, Congressman Wilbert Lee and Patricia Tumulak
Together with seasoned hosts Sherilyn Reyes Tan, Gelli de Belen, Patricia Tumulak in "Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko" is Congressman Wilbert Lee. This is his first public service show that will premiere on GMA this March 3, 7AM on Sundays.
He says "This show is different, it isn't a one time big time thing. We look at the root of the problem and give a lifelong solution. More than that, we want to give hope to a lot of people, and hope others would do the same. If they see something like the situations in our show, they would never bat an eyelash and help in their own way. Actually, we have done a lot but not publicly. We have a lot of countrymen who still couldn't get services they need. This will be a place they could go to, where the impossible becomes possible. This is what I want people to feel at the grassroots level, we're doing this not because we are aiming for a higher post. There are people who really have heart to help other people."
He adds "This started when I was in my post, I got to go around and see things for my self while I was in congress. I couldn't believe what I've seen in different places, they live hard lives and don't even have food on the table. I want to help them all, but I'm only one person, and this would show it to a lot of people. We hope this would happen soon. I am from Sorsogon, a Bicolano and I lived in a good environment because my Dad had everything in his store. He was an employee, but worked harder to sell things. We now get to build businesses, affect the lives of over 3000 employees in different industries. It's what made me want to be in politics, so I could help even more. I think everything has a right time, I know this show would make a lot of people know more of their stories."
Gelli says "I've done a few shows and this one is different because we help, it's an opportunity to know issues in one area. We don't just listen, we ask experts about how we could address things so we can do change, I want to be part of that. All I wanted to ask was how, they explained to me about the advocacy, despite all that, it's about helping fellow Filipinos. I'm learning aside from seeing how this could be instrumental in how to address societal issues holistically. This isn't the first time I'm working with Sherilyn, but is the first time with Patricia. When I saw Manoy Wilbert, he wanted to inspire those who have the capacity to help and do it. He's someone who's been doing this for a long time, and he has courage, and now he's in front of the cam, he wants to have more people to do what he's doing. Our difficulty is to find solutions for them, because we need a more permanent solution and not just a one time thing so they could sustain their livelihood, handle their money, help maintain what they receive. We have done a lot of episodes that deal with agriculture, not just focus on it because we want to help them in the social aspect of it. In a nutshell, when it gets to laws, the papers, legal documents, and the budget to get things done. Even applying for jobs require that, hopefully we would be able to help them and not need a show for it to happen. We can't just leave it up to the government to make our lives easier, we need to start with ourselves. We want this simple show to give hope, eventually more and pay it forward to others."
Sherilyn adds "The experience is so good because I am personally going to go there. We get molded with the different people we talk to. We get to see their heart, and you will see that in every episode. I was excited and really thankful about it. I talked to Sparkle personally and they agreed even if it will be conflicting with my schedules. We only were able to see other during the launch and photo shoot. I always guest at Sis which is why I've had the opportunity to work with her back in the days. When I was offered this, I did my research and of course, I asked around and saw how he helped even more without the cameras. I can vouch for that. In this show, you get to love each episode because I cried every time I watch the show. This isn't just a travel show, it's un-glamorous, because you get to adjust, be humble, be grateful, because they live in horrible conditions but still have hope in their eyes. You really need to see this every Sunday. Sometimes, you would not get to just stand and watch but help personally in their education, hospitalization, societal issues... they need to help their families and it will be their priority."
Gorgeous Patricia Tumulak
Patty says "We get to see how people live their lives, we see their unheard communities and we could choose what to do together with a lot of people from different organizations. I am so happy to be part of this! We have different regions to go to, we interview people. I think the Lord gave me this, and if every he runs for higher office, I'd support him in a heartbeat. We will be going around the country, and we have been shooting since October. Just recently, we were able to go to farmers who walk 4 hours just to go to school. It's a huge impact for me, I look forward to each story. One person who we got to help told us how fast we got to do it. I'm a preschool teacher, I want to also now teach the value of reading, sending children to school."
Here's a short talk we had after the event!
This is early morning of Sunday because they chose a time where the whole family is at home. Their hope is that the show would influence those who are fortunate to share their blessings and perhaps, bring hope to those who need it (and I see nothing but good in that). Come watch it this Sunday morning at 7am, it'll be worth your time to hear their stories and seeing how they would help them.
I distinctly remember watching re-runs of Pieta on television back in the day. It was made by Carlo J. Caparas, and stars Ace Vergel†, Charito Solis† and so many others. The other was for TV with Ryan Agoncillo and the iconic Ms. Cherie Gil†. I was looking forward to see this version of "PIETA" made by director Adolfo Alix Jr. which stars National Artist and Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor and former Congressman and now Councilor Alfred Vargas from Quezon City. During MMFF 2023, they didn't include this film in the lineup. It would have made history to see the legendary actresses battle it out in cinemas, but I guess fate had other plans.
Good news for those who wait as this film produced by Alternative Vision Cinema Inc. and Noble Wolf Films will be shown in January in cinemas nationwide. But before that happens, we got first dibs during the advanced screening last week at Sine Pop in Cubao, Quezon City.
First of all, the cast is a lethal combination. If you could measure acting prowess with a device, it would break if you put them together in one room. With the likes of Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Angeli Bayani, Bembol Roco, it would be a bit impossible not to see how rich their bench is. Also in the cast is Ina Raymundo, Allan Paule, Dan Alvaro, Elora Espano, and Tommy Alejandrino, who will all get themselves involved in the lives of Rebecca and Isaac (played by Nora and Alfred).
This piece is totally different from the Caparas film, and is not in any way related to it. PIETA is written by heavily awarded Jerry Gracio known for his work in several movies, MMK on TV, screenplays and great literary work in Filipino. He's also a Palanca awardee, so you could sense there's great expectations in actually having this written for the silver screen.
Alfred Vargas' character Isaac lives in troubled times. Having spent years in incarceration, he was given a second chance to live a good life. He was in for murder, but remained oblivious about what happened. When he arrived home, his Mom had supposed Alzheimer's disease or some form of dementia. Nora's character Rebecca used to religiously visit him in jail but suddenly stopped, and they attributed it to the condition which he found out after arriving at the ancestral home/farm. He found her there almost completely blind, unaware of who he is, with Beth (played by Gina Alajar) providing care for her.
He was set on now dividing his time in finding out the truth, and see ways on how he could at least get to be recognized by his own Mom. He also knew how his own brother stood witness against him, but he couldn't figure out why. This and all the other complications in his new life happens, right when he thought he was doing good.
The film discusses a lot of social issues, but its main essence lies on the relationship of the Mother and Son. This is their journey to discovering how even if the mind won't recognize who he is, her heart would eventually know. Their attempts to reconnect treads cute to dark poetry, dance and even folk songs. Her singing? Can't tell if she did (as it might spoil things), but it'll fit right with Rebecca's silent moments which you'll find essential. Director Adolf Alix Jr. knows how to set up things on the plot, a lot of which you'll find flipped and reversed.
Putting Ms. Nora Aunor in a film is like an automatic masterclass of sorts. It felt like a treat to see her in PIETA. There's a Filipino term "mata-mata acting" which connotes acting with just the eyes... and how powerful she could encompass emotions with it (let alone do it while blind). She's literally known for that in the industry; and how even without words, she could do it with ease. That's one of the reasons she's adored, and highly regarded by peers. Direk Adolf also emphasized how Ms. Nora doesn't fear CHANGE, they've absolutely done remarkable work and let the eyes talk lengthily in this film. They did the same for Alfred Vargas' scenes and close up shots. Make sure you watch it in cinemas because it'll feel a lot different. They're planning to release this also in streaming platforms so it could get to Noranians around the world.
Here's Director Adolfo Alix Jr. talking about his experience with the cast:
PIETA will be released during the 1st Quarter of 2024. I like what I saw. This acting piece didn't go to the wrong people. It's rare to see an ensemble cast of this caliber to happen in a film.
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