A Life in the Theater

This November, Sev's Cafe launches its Cinema Club. A one-week limited membership worth P100.00 allows members to attend Cinemanights on Tuesdays and to watch other films available off-hours during the week.      On November 5, 2013, Sev’s Cafe Cinemanights will screen Dennis Marasigan’s “VOX POPULI”, a finalist in the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and considered among the year's best films.  Described as “funny as it is scary”, “nuanced and well-played”, and “a refreshing satire with an old soul”, "VOX POPULI" follows the story of Connie, a candidate for Mayor in the town of San Cristobal, as she tries to put together a bandwagon on the last day of the campaign to ensure her election.   The film has been lauded for being a "well-acted allegory about Philippines", and  “what it says about the candidates and the voters as the election draws near is quite embarrassingly true”.    Cinemalaya 2013 Best Actre...

I am helping out a new independent film company with their maiden venture in filmmaking, entitled CATTLEYA: An OFW Story.  Here's a first look at the film, through its first teaser video. http://youtu.be/VAGc1bnOoqo For stills and other information about the film, visit its FB page here:   https://www.facebook.com/CATTLEYAMOVIE

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 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 the 2nd shooting day of VOX POPULI, one of ten finalists in the New Breed category of the 2010 CINEMALAYA Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Here are photos from the 1st shooting day of VOX POPULI (SIYA ANG MEYOR KO!), a finalist in the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Starring IRMA ADLAWAN, JULIO DIAZ, BOBBY ANDREWS, SUZETTE RANILLO and LJ MORENO, with Ces Aldaba, Jose Mari Avellana, Roeder Camanag, Dido de la Paz, Jess Evardone, Simon Ibarra, Amiel Leonardia, Jim Libiran, Tony Mabesa, Gabe Mercado, Tintin Nuval, Cris Mojica, Peewee O'Hara, Tuxqs Rutaquio, Flor Salanga. Written and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan.

I have just realized that I have not shared Noel Vera's review of "Tukso" with whoever may be viewing this site. Noel referenced it again in his 2008 yearender prompting me to look up what he had written about the film. Here are some excerpts: "I'd go so far as to say that "Tukso" is proof positive that Marasigan wasn't just coasting on the excellence of Perez's classic theatrical piece but possesses a talent for filmmaking all his own...All that said, the script is a clever enough construction ...kudos to Marasigan, then, for at least doing a decent execution, for keeping the whole complex plot coherent in his head, that he may transfer it with full clarity into ours." "But it's in the details of mood and tone and character that Marasigan excels--the way, say, Bal (Soliman Cruz), looks at his daughter Monica (Diana Malahay) in a manner that sends spiders crawling up your spine (Rashomon, meet Mike de Leon's in my opinion far...

TUKSO is back for more screenings at the Indie Sine at Robinsons' Galleria Movieworld, together with STILL LIFE. Screenings are until Tuesday, October 23, 2007. As screening times are subject to change, please check the papers or call the cinema for precise schedules. TUKSO is also showing this week Robinson's Bacolod, so those who are trooping to that city for the Masskara Festival has another reason to go. You can watch the TUKSO trailer here.

The word is out. The following made it to the semi-finals of the 2008 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on the basis of their submitted synopses. Thanks to bigredbakulaw for the heads up, as the list is still not posted in the Cinemalaya website (paging the Festival Committee!) 1. 100 / Chris Martinez 2. Abalorio / Norman S. Regalado 3. Ang Tagabasa / Dale Custodio 4. Antiparang Basag / Edith Asuncion 5. Asan na nga ba si Tupe? / Carlo F. C. Castro 6. Baby Angelo /Joel Ruiz & Abi Aquino 7. Bakal Boys / Ralston Jover 8. Bantay / Marinette Lusanta 9. Biyaheng Norte / Bong Ramos 10. Brutus /Tara Illenberger 11. Frames / Enrico Aragon 12. Huling Pasada / Paul Sta. Ana 13. Jay / Francis Xavier E. Pasion 14. KAHOS: The Purge / Boyette Rimban 15. Konsyerto sa Kagubatan / Paul Y. Morales 16. Kristo /Jerwin D. Espiritu 17. My Fake American Accent / Onnah Valera 18. Namets (Yummy) / Jay Abello 19. Ranchero Michael Christian Cardoz 20. Sa Ilalim Ng Aratiles / Pam Miras 21. The G...

Entertainment Tukso: A whodunit Rashomon STARBYTES By Butch Francisco Thursday, October 4, 2007 The truth told in different versions — as popularized by best foreign film winner Rashomon — is still alive and well in Philippine cinema. This device was previously used in Laurice Guillen’s Salome in 1981 and in Chito Roño’s Itanong Mo sa Buwan in 1988. Both films won Best Picture in the Gawad Urian. In Dennis Marasigan’s Tukso, which is currently showing in Robinsons Galleria’s IndieSine, the story is also told from various perspectives. Winner of Cinemalaya’s Best Screenplay award, the film gives the viewer the task of finding out who and how a barrio lass named Monica (Diana Malahay) is killed. Tukso is basically a whodunit Rashomon and we are presented with different suspects: Suspect No. 1 is Carlo (Sid Lucero), a fresh architecture graduate who is assigned to the province to design and supervise the construction of a local subdivision. He meets Monica and they become intimate in spi...

“TUKSO,” winner of the Best Screenplay Award at the 2007 CINEMALAYA Philippine Independent Film Festival, receieved a “B” grading from the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. The fifteen members of the Board who viewed the film unanimously voted that “TUKSO” deserved a grade. Subsequently, eight (8) members voted to give it a “B” grade as against seven (7) members who gave it an “A”. The “B” grade entitles the film to a rebate on amusement taxes collected in certain cities where the film will be screened. “TUKSO” will have its theatrical screening on October 3-9, 2007 at the Indie Sine, Robinson’s Galleria Movieworld. SYNOPSIS: A young village lass is found dead. An investigator (ADEL) is assigned to look into the case and gets to learn more about the girl and the people whose lives were affected by her and her death: her father (BAL), a young architect (CARLO), a businessman (DAVID), her childhood friend (EMER) and a widow (FE). CAST: IRMA ADLA...

TUKSO, which won for myself and my co-writers Nikki Torres and Mara Paulina Marasigan the Best Screenplay Award in the 2007 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, will be screened at the Indie Sine at the Robinson's Movieworld Galleria from October 3 to 9, 2007. TUKSO is a mystery film with a twist. A young village lass is found dead. An investigator is assigned to the case, and the film presents the different perspectives of the people who know her. In the cast are award-winning film, television and theater actors led by RICKY DAVAO and IRMA ADLAWAN together with SHAMAINE BUENCAMINO, SOLIMAN CRUZ, SID LUCERO, PING MEDINA, and DIANA MALAHAY. RICKY plays David Solomon, a businessman whose subdivision project and personal life are affected by the girl’s mysterious death. IRMA plays the role of Fe, a widow who may have the key that can help unravel the mystery. SOLIMAN portrays the deceased girl's father; SHAMAINE is the investigator. PING is the girl's childhood fr...

The last three months have been hectic, and I was surprised to realize I have not posted any new blog for over ten weeks. In defense, I have to state that July was witness to the Virgin Labfest 3, the Asian Voyage of Songs in Pattaya, and Cinemalaya 2007. In August came the opening of the Tanghalang Pilipino 21st Theater Season with "Pilipinas Circa 1907" and elections of new officers for the Philippine Independent Filmmakers Multipurpose Cooperative (IFC). Earlier in this September month were the openings of "Mulan" and "Quiapo." All of these I will write about, no matter how briefly, if only to make amends for the prolonged silence. And this site is sporting a new look which I hope echoes the colors of Tanghalang Pilipino's logo and primspark design.

Guess what? Two of the actors who sent heart rates soaring in the previous Cinemalaya festivals are back, this time in one film. In the first Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2007, the surprise hit with both audiences and critics was “ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS.” Next to Nathan Lopez who played the title role, it was PING MEDINA who connected to the audiences the most with his touching portrayal of Maxie’s older brother. The following year, it was SID LUCERO’s turn to charm audiences and critics alike with his seemingly effortless portrayal of a BIO (Butanding Information Officer) in in “DONSOL”, a role that fittingly won him Golden Screen’s Award for breakthrough performance. For this year’s edition of Cinemalaya, both actors are back to tempt audiences anew as they pit talents against each other in Dennis Marasigan’s “TUKSO”, one of the full-length feature film finalists. Sid and Ping are only too happy to be part of “TUKSO” playing two men who become romantica...

The trailer for "TUKSO" is now online. The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT51ZqZVNgQ Screening schedules for the Cinemalaya 2007 Philipppine Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines are as follows: TUKSO by Dennis Marasigan 21 Jul/Sat - 06:15 PM Venue 5 - CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute 22 Jul/Sun - 09:00 PM Venue 2 - CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino 24 Jul/Tue - 03:30 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo 26 Jul/Thu - 12:45 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo 27 Jul/Fri - 06:15 PM Venue 4 - CCP MKP Hall / Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining 28 Jul/Sat - 09:00 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo 29 Jul/Sun - 12:45 PM Venue 2 - CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino Tickets to the screenings are at P 100.00 (regular) and P50.00 (students). I hope to see you there! Dennis

Film viewers can expect a veritable lode of acting talent in “TUKSO” which will be shown as part of this year’s CINEMALAYA PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL scheduled on July 20-29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. “TUKSO” is a mystery film with a twist. A young village lass is found dead. An investigator is assigned to the case, and the film presents the different perspectives of the people who know her. A “revisionist Rashomon” is how one writer describes it, recalling the classic film by Japanese Director Akira Kurosawa. In the cast are award-winning film, television and theater actors led by RICKY DAVAO and IRMA ADLAWAN. Last seen together on screen in “MGA PUSANG GALA” for which they received nominations from almost all of local filmdom’s award-winning bodies, both actors also won Aliw Awards for their work on stage in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “SPEAKING IN TONGUES.” In TUKSO, Ricky Davao plays David Solomon, a businessman whose subdivision project and personal life are af...

Here are some photos from TUKSO, my digital film entry to this year's Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival scheduled on July 20-29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In the cast are Irma Adlawan, Shamaine Buencamino, Soliman Cruz, Ricky Davao, Sid Lucero, Ping Medina, and Diana Malahay. Special appearances by Nonie Buencamino, Mailes Kanapi, Ronnie Lazaro, Paolo O'Hara and Bing Pimentel.

The award-wnning digital film adaptation of SA NORTH DIVERSION ROAD based on the play by Tony Perez and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan finally has its theatrical run exclusively at the Indie Sine Robinson’s Movieworld Galleria from April 28 to May 1. SA NORTH DIVERSION ROAD was a finalist in the 2005 Cinema One Originals and was an official selection in the 19th Singapore International Film Festival and the 42nd Pesaro International Film Festival. It was nominated for Best Actress at the 2006 Gawad Urian and for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Song in the 2006 Golden Screen Awards where it also won Best Screenplay Adaptation. John Arcilla and Irma Adlawan play 10 different couples, all of them travelling in a car along North Diversion Road. Revolving around the theme of infidelity, love and redemption, the film is adapted for the screen and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan, with cinematography, editing and sound design by Mo Zee, production design by Bianca Dadivas, and music by Jes...