A Life in the Theater

Many things will be said about Mario O'Hara and his myriad contributions to Philippine theater and cinema. But in my memory, it will always be his humble and giving ways that will be etched forever. He notoriously took public transportation and walked to and from rehearsals in CCP,and was infamously averse to press gatherings and public functions, particularly the showbiz kind. I knew his brother Jerry before I met Mario, and by the time we were introduced in the late 80s, he had already made a name for himself as a writer, actor, and director in radio, theater, and film. His generosity as an artist and as a person was well known, and I have had several chances to see this first hand. In the late 80s, Tanghalang Pilipino was staging Ang Ginintuang Bayan, and Mario was playing one of the leading roles, along with Nonie Buencamino and Pen Medina, among others. Nonie's wife, Shamaine, was due to give birth anytime soon, and he had promised to be by...

2011 CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS FESTIVAL Edsa Shangri-La Mall Cineplex, 6th Floor Mandaluyong City, Philippines at Shang Cineplex Cinema 4: November 09 Wednesday 3pm Opening Ceremony 4:45pm Gala Premiere: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA by Mes De Guzman 7pm Gala Premiere: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON by Dennis Marasigan 9:30pm Gala Premiere: DI INGON 'NATO (Not Like Us) by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga November 10 Thursday 5pm Gala Premiere: MGA ANINO NG TANGHALING TAPAT by Ivy Universe Baldoza 7pm Gala Premiere: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE by Victor Villanueva 9:30pm Gala Premiere: BIG BOY by Shireen Seno November 11 Friday 5pm Gala Premiere: SA ILALIM NG TULAY by Earl Bontuyan 7pm Gala Premiere: KA ORYANG by Sari Dalena 9:30pm Gala Premiere: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY November 12 Saturday 5pm Regular Screening: Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa 7:30pm Regular Screening: Di Ingon 'Nato (Not Like Us) 9:30pm Gala Screening: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD (Letters of Sol...

Photos from the 3rd Shooting Day of ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON, finalist in the Cinema One Originals 2011 Festival, Nov. 9-15 at the EDSA Shangri-La cineplex.

Photos from the Second Shooting Day of Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon, a 2011 Cinema One Originals Finalist, starring Maricar Reyes and Sid Lucero.

Some photos from the first shooting day of ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON, a finalist in the 2011 Cinema One Originals, written and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan based on the play by Malou Leviste Jacob.

ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON, the play written by Malou Leviste Jacob that has enjoyed several productions and remounting by Tanghalang Pilipino, will soon be seen as an independent film as part of this year's Cinema One Originals. Maricar Reyes plays Cely, the young lawyer who must soon choose between riding along with or opposing the corrupt practices she finds in the Family Court. She pits wits with Sid Lucero as Ric, the Senior Hearing Officer who heads the office. Others in the cast are Jojit Lorenzo, Kalila Aguilos, Joaqui Validez, Che Ramos, Bea Garcia, Chrome Cosio, Peewee O'Hara, and Raquel Villavicencio. They are joined by veteran performers who play cameos as the lawyers and clients that deal with the Family Court. ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON. A 2011 Cinema One Originals Presentation. Casting/Assistant Director, MARA PAULINA MARASIGAN. Production Manager: KARLA PAMBID. Musical Director: TERESA BARROZO. Sound Designer: MARK LACCAY. Editor: LAWRENCE FAJARDO. Production...

Some photos from VOX POPULI, finalist in the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.