Carlos

Everyday is a day of discovery for my 1 year old son Carlos Benjamin. Lately, he has discovered how to kiss. He looks so adorable when he puckers his lips, looking more like a fish. Though he still has to discover that a kiss, to become a kiss has to touch another person's skin.

Being the proud dad that I am, even after 4 kids, I still can't help but be amazed how lucky I am to witness these things and become part of their daily lives.

Pusod and the Tota

We just wrapped up the shooting for Pusod - the debut short film of Cheryl Baldicantos of STCine. SineBuano was there to provide technical and logistical support. The shoot was held, as Jurly would put it, at my office / SineBuano sound stage. Editing will start on June.

My Lowel Tota-light arrived a few days ago, thanks to Bernard Villamor. It came with a 10 foot light stand. According to filmmaker friends, there are only two of these in cebu, one being owned by Bigfoot's International Academy for Film and Television. Being eager to test it, we immediately put it to the test during the interview with Valeriano "Bobit" Avila for the Colon documentary film and then as key light for Pusod. I must say that it works like a charm. It's portability and light controlability makes it worth every peso i spent.

Is Cebu Ready for Pink Films?

Pink Films are films referring to the Gay/Lesbian culture. A few weeks ago I asked Direk Cris Pablo for permission to show his gay film entitled "Duda / Doubt" at Handuraw Cafe here in Cebu, he gladly gave it me with the condition that I send the plans for the showing.

I posted my intent on iStorya.net, cebu's largest online forum. People reacted immediately, saying that Cebu is not ready for such films. Somehow, I am still expecting more violent reactions from the "macho" cebuanos. However, I personally think that it is time that we open our eyes to all types of films.

If we can watch Wong Kar Wai's Happy Together, why then can't we watch Cris Pablo's Duda?

My Wife

I don't remember mentioning a lot about my wife in this blog, but make no mistake about it. My wife IS an integral part of whatever I do. She is my conscience, my inner voice. If ever I am in doubt about anything I make sure I ask for her opinion.

She makes the world sane.
The one who tells me to sit back and watch the world once in a while.
She is a mother to all of my children.
A proud mother.
Wonderful lover.
My bestfriend.
She is my partner in crime.
A beautiful person who tames the beast within me.
Someone who truly understand the meaning of loving someone unconditionally.
A sister that anyone would love to have.
An obedient daughter.

I love you Magene Rivera Ordoñez.
Happy Mother's Day.

Colon: The Documentary

SineBuano is currently re-shooting a documentary on Colon Street. Named after Christopher Columbus or Crisanto Colon in Spanish, it is the oldest street in the Philippines.

We're adding a few more interviews and doing a little more research.

Interesting to note that during our research at the Cebuano Studies Center, we found out that Colon was actually a residential area during the 19th Century. Most of Cebu City's elite families lived in Colon, also known as Parian during that period. here's some photos I digitized for the film:

Mabini cor Colon street circa 1900

The building at the far end of the street was where hijos del pueblo once stood, now replaced by the Gaisano building.

*if i am not mistaken, you can still get this view if you stand on the marker placed on that corner and look towards Colon.

Vision Theater 1945


A post-war picture of the Vision Theater. The building still stands but no longer serves as a movie theater.