My Own Independence Day Celebration

Okay, bago niyo isipin kung gaano ko kamahal an gating Inang Bayan, let me just inform you ahead that this is not a Mabuhay-Ang-Pilipinas-Mahal-Ko-Ang-Bayan-Ko blog entry. Eeksena lang ulet mga kafatid. Since most of my previous blog were a little bit serious and not so0o0o0o ME na talaga. He-he.

So eneweiz, as we all know, June 12 is a regular holiday for Filipinos. Independence Day daw kasi. I won’t lecture you na about Philippine History since it is your responsibility – as a Filipino – to learn and appreciate our rich culture and history. Kung nagtunog “taksil sa sariling bayan” man ako sa umpisa, rest assured na kahit papano ay alam ko pa din naman kung papano natin nakuha ang Independence Day. At pinapahalagahan ko pa rin iyon hanggang ngayon. (Chaarrriiinnnnggg!!!)

At kung ang ibang tao ay nagcecelebrate ng ating Kalayaan, kami naman ng housemates ko ay nagcecelebrate din ng sariling version ng ating Kalayaan. Ano nga ba ang iba pang kahulugan ng Independence? Freedom… Free… FREE! And for us, June 12 is literally our FREE Day. It was also my close friend’s birthday. Kaya naman lunch time pa lang ay nakatikim na ko ng libre mula sa kanya. We went into an Eat-All-You-Can Restaurant by 12noon. Nagpakabusog doon. And then off to SM Cebu to watch the “Nestle’s Kasambuhay Habambuhay Anthology of Short Films.” It’s Nestlé’s free movie for its centennial celebration. At ito ang pag-uusapan natin ngayon.

Obviously, ginastusan ng bonggang-bongga ng Nestle ang film. Ang daming bigating artista ang nandoon. John Lloyd Cruz, Eddie Garcia, Eugene Domingo, Gloria Romero at iba pa. The film composed of 10 short films (approximately 10 minutes each film). Walang konek ang lahat ng film sa isa’t isa pero puro lahat magaganda. Liban na lang dun sa isang copycat ng famous “Walang Himala” movie ni Nora Aunor. Ang adik lang talaga ng story na iyon. And of course, since it’s a Nestle film, expect mo na rin na starring ang mga produkto nila. Andyan ang Bear Brand, Nescafe 3-in-1, Nido, Maggie Magic Sarap, Milo at iba pang sikat nilang produkto. Pero keri lang. It doesn’t bother me at all.

For those who failed to watch the free movie of Nestle, here’s a quick rundown:

1. The Howl and the Fussyket
One of my top 5 fave film. The story is all about an eight-year old boy joins a declamation contest despite his “PNF disease.” Iyon bang sakit ng mga tao na pinagpapalit ang “f” and “p”? Iyon yun! He-he… Good thing, he has his ever-supportive mother (played by Eugene Domingo) that decided to assembled a team para mawala ang kanyang sakit. A speech coach (isang call center agent), acting coach (isang lalaki who always play the role of “taong bayan” sa mga plays) para sa tamang emotion daw sa paged-declame and a fashion designer for the kid’s outfit (isang matandang mananahi. I super love the scenes kung saan tinutulungan na nila ang bata. Tawa kami ng tawa!

2. Unplugged
Heartwarming story of a group of football players (kids) who spent their weekend at a provincial home with their coach (Marvin Agustin) where gadgets are not allowed as per Lolo (played by Eddie Garcia). Ang ganda lang talaga ng shots ng lugar! At in fairness, iyon pala ang Hacienda Luisita? Another pogi points for this film is the music na inarranged ni famous Noel Cabangon. Parang “Kanlungan” lang. Iyon bang tipong pakikinggan mo lang siya sa hammock at mag-iimagine ka ng mga magagandang eksena ng buhay mo? Naghahanap na nga ako sa kantang iyon eh. Unfortunately, as of now, wala pa kong makita. :(

3. Silup
(Copied for PEP Review) (Dahil tinamad na kong magsummary on my own. :P) : Silup (which is reverse for Pulis) shows the sensitive side of a dedicated policeman (portrayed by Sid Lucero). Its best asset is its simplicity. The ending of this suspense drama short packs an emotional punch that I'd rather not reveal so that you can experience it for yourself.

4. Isang Tasang Pangarap
(Copied for PEP Review): An ordinary man, whose only pleasure is drinking coffee, discovers that he can see the future by looking at coffee mugs. It has an interesting premise but it has escapist entertainment written all over it. Obviously a tribute to Ishmael Bernal's Himala, Ramon Bautista delivers Nora Aunor's trademark cry, "Walang himala!"

5. Sali-Salita
(Copied for PEP Review): A mother who writes children's storybooks ironically doesn't have enough time to create stories for her own son. Her child lets his imagination run wild in a storytelling game with his grandfather. For a short film, the production values of this film are stunning: viewers get to see a powerful warrior crossing a deserted plain and fighting a futuristic looking robot in order to save a beautiful princess. This segment demonstrates the power of the imagination and the importance of parental bonding.

Gusto ko din kahit papano ang movie na ‘to. Naaalala ko kasi iyong childhood days ko. Iyong mahilig ka mag-imagine ng kung anik-anik? And someday, I would like my kid to do that “Sali-salita” game.

6. Oh! Pa Ra Sa Ta U Wa Yeah!
The famous Nicos of Nestle Iced Tea is back! At siyempre pa, eto na naman siya sa pamomroblema kay Matina. Musical naman ang genre ng film na ito. Kumakanta sila most of the time habang sini-share ng father ni Nicos ang secret para mapasagot ang isang baba. Love the songs lalo na ang “Abakada ng Matamis na Oo.” Kinanta-kanta ko pa siya pagkalabas namin ng cinema. At bukod kay Coco Martin, crush ko na si Nicos! In fairness, may boses din pala siya. :)

7. Downtown
(Copied for PEP Review): A bittersweet glimpse into the life of an aging man who makes baby steps to get his life back on track. Viewers will get to see vignettes of life in Binondo in this quiet story about love. Like Silup, it has a simple narrative structure but the buildup and the payoff is so much better.

8. Tingala sa Baba
(Copied for PEP Review): Two boys are playing on a seesaw. One of them is well-off and chubby, while the other is less fortunate and lanky. Because of his weight, the rich kid is stuck at the bottom of the seesaw. How will they reverse their positions? This short imparts important lessons about social class, charity, and friendship.

Ito ang pinakafave ko sa lahat. Simple lang siya. Sa sobrang simple niya ay iisa lang ang naging setting – sa isang seesaw. pero ewan ko ba. Touch na touch lang talaga ako sa movie. You will find yourself smiling sa buong duration ng movie dahil na rin sa usapan ng dalawang bata. Ganda ng shot lalo na nung ending. At maganda ang pagkakalapat ng music. (Naks! Parang professional critic!)

9. Cooking Mo, Cooking Ko
(Copied for PEP Review): Direk Chris puts a culinary twist to the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. The Capule family and the Montano family take their dispute to the kitchen as they try to outdo each other's recipe in their respective eateries. The star-crossed lovers must find a way to unite their families. This Shakespearean parody hits a comedy goldmine.

10. Sign Seeker
(Copied for PEP Review): A torpe, superstitious guy asks for signs if he should ask his crush out on a date. Solenn looks gorgeous as the female officemate who is the girl of his dreams. I know it's meant to be light-hearted, but it gives a silly ending to a whimsical film. I guess John Lloyd Cruz's charm can only do so much.

Siyempre, dahil si Lloydi ang bida, fave ko siya diba? Pero aside from that, gusto ko din ito dahil na rin sa relate na relate ako! Kung ikaw ang tipo ng taong hindi makuntento at duda pa sa isang sign na hinihingi, pwes sapul na sapul ka dito!