Top 10 Most Anticipated Filipino Films of 2017

This has been a great year for Filipino films. We witnessed some indie films rocked it's way into our cinemas, from the chilling tale of Ilawod to the heartbreaking hugot film I'm Drunk, I Love You. We also saw the theatrical release of some of 2016's best indie movies, from Sakaling hindi Makarating, Baka Bukas and one of the year's most talked-about movie 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. But the year is still long and young and we are yet to see some good Filipino films to hit the country's screens. So here is my list of my top 10 most Anticipated Filipino films of 2017.

Special Mentions: Riding in Tandem (Jason abalos, Khalil Ramos), Can't Help Falling In Love (Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla) because KathNiel is KathNiel, duh?, Dear Future Husband (Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz) I kinda miss their team-up, Ang Larawan, a movie adaptation of the classic Filipino musical, and hopefully, Erik Matti's new adaptation of Darna (TBA).

Luck At First Sight.

Director Dan Villegas (English Only Please, Walang Forever and How To Be Yours) is back in the romance genre with this romantic comedy film starring Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla as two luckless people: one with love, the other with money. But when the they met each other, they discover that they're one another's life charm - they bring the other good luck. Soon, they become close to each other, slowly falling in love. But what happens when the luck runs out?
Produced by Viva films, the film hits theaters this summer 2017.

Kasunduan.

A thriller-drama directed by Lawrence Fajardo, it stars Ejay Falcon, Joey Marquez, Joem Bascon, Beauty Gonzales with Sarah Carlos and Khalil Ramos. The film is currently in post-production. Although there isn't enough details about the film, I'm pretty excited to see it for one reason: the Khalil Ramos.

Ghost Bride.

Horror master Chito S. Rono is back this year with Ghost Bride, an upcoming Filipino horror film starring Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli and JC Santos. Helmed by Roño and produced by Star Cinema, it marks Kim's third movie with director Roño. It revolves around the Chinese tradition Ghost marriage wherein one or both parties are deceased. The film also features a powerful cast, led by Jerome Ponce, Rio Locsin, Ina Raymundo, Mon Confiado, and Alice Dixson.

Kita Kita.

Who would have thought that one day, Empoy can give you the kilig feels? Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, director of award-winning films “Ang Huling Cha-Cha Ni Anita” and “Lorna” brings us this unexpected romantic comedy starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy as Lea and Tonyo, two Filipinos living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea is a Velo taxi tour guide. She suffers an accident which leads to her being affected by temporary blindness. Her blindness, if not cured in a few weeks, could become permanent. Tonyo is also a Filipino who lives right across from Lea. Lea tries her best to ignore him at first because she is scared of not seeing him. But Tonyo is persistent and is determined to be her friend, using humor and kindness to make a connection. With every effort that he makes the two gradually become closer. In an ironic way, becoming blind allows Lea to see the true character of Tonyo.
The film is produced by Piolo Pascual, Director Joyce Bernal, Erickson Raymundo and Suzanne Shayne Sarte.

Bloody Crayons.

Finally. This long-overdue horror slasher based on the book of the same name by Wattpad writer Josh Argonza was announced last April 2015 originally headlined by Jane Oineza, Joshua Garcia and Manolo Pedrosa. The film went under multiple revisions, the original director (Quark Henares) leaving the project, and Star Cinema replacing some cast members (who have already finished shooting some scenes). It was even rumored to be part of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.
It follows a group of graduating students who visits an island as a location for their short film project. Unknown to them, death has followed them to the island, as they start to get picked off one by one. Featuring Jane Oineza in her first starring role, it also stars Janella Salvador, Elmo Magalona, Sofia Andres, Diego Loyzaga, Ronnie Alonte, Maris Racal, Yves Flores and Empoy Marquez, directed by Topel Lee and is scheduled to be released this 2017.

Instalado.

A Scifi Filipino film? Impossible? Well, for director Jason Paul Laxamana, everything's possible. From his acclaimed films like Babagwa, Magkakabaung, the outragious dark comedy Mercury Is Mine and my favorite of them all, the sweet, humorous, and heartbreaking coming-of-age 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, he have wowed audiences with his unique, weird, out-of-this-world stories. This time, he is taking the challenge of entering the scifi genre with Instalado, an official entry to the 2017 ToFarm Film Festival. Set in a farming village a few years into the future, it follows Victor (played by McCoy de Leon in his first starring role) who lives in a time when the dominant form of education is through installation, an overnight process that allows bodies of knowledge to be installed directly on people’s brains using technology owned by corporations. Unfortunately, Victor, like many others in the agricultural town of Porac, cannot afford the sky-high cost of installation, which he believes is the key to pull his family out of poverty. To raise money for installation, Victor temporarily abandons farming and works as the household helper of a wealthy childhood friend who has become extremely successful after undergoing a series of installations. Also starring Francis Magundayao and Jun-Jun Quintana.

Nabubulok (The Decay)

Of all the Cinemalaya entries this year, this one definitely got me excited. Not only because of it's intriguing story but also because of it's cast. It features 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten's Ana Capri and Jameson Blake among it's leads. Jameson is one of my favorite actors right now after his incredible stint in 2 Cool, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award in last year's Cinema One Originals film festival. Nabubulok (The Decay) follows a missing person's case: Luna is missing. Jason Harper, her American husband, is alleged of killing her. As Jason intends to leave the country, circumstances conspire to avert his plan. Also starring Ms. Gina Alajar, JC Santos and Billy Ray Gallion, directed by Sonny Calvento and an official entry to the Cinemalaya 2017.

Actor Bill Ray Gallion with Jameson Blake.

Bliss.

Imagine director Jerrold Tarog, Iza Calzado and Ian Veneracion in one bloody, mind-boggling, fucked up thriller. Yes, dreams do come true as the Heneral Luna director unleashes the beast in his latest film, Bliss. The film follows the story of Jane Ciego, who started acting at a young age. She becomes a film producer but gets into an accident – and later, Jane begins to hear mysterious sounds and struggles with people who may want to harm her. The film is already making some noise outside the country as Iza Calzado won the Yakushi Pearl Award (Best Performer) for her role in Bliss, at the Osaka Film Festival 2017 on Saturday, March 11. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, it stars Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad, Adrienne Vergara, and Michael de Mesa and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

Citizen Jake.

The highly anticipated comeback movie of director Mike De Leon, the genius behind classic Filipino films like Itim, Batch '81, Sister Stella L and Kisapmata is undeniably one film to watch out for. Aside from the fact that this is his first film after 18 years, another reason to be excited for this project is his choice of lead actor. Director Mike De Leon found his Citizen Jake in real life news reporter Atom Araullo, who will be playing a fictional journalist in this political crime story.

Smaller and Smaller Circles.

Adapted from the mystery novel by Filipino novelist F. H. Batacan (touted as the first Filipino crime novel), it stars veteran actor Nonie Buencamino as Fr. Augusto Saenz, the Jesuit forensic anthropologist; Sid Lucero as his right-hand man, Fr. Jerome Lucero; and Carla Humphries as reporter Joanna Bonifacio. The film follows the investivation of the deaths of six boys, all of whom were found in Quezon City's Payatas dump site, where children often pick through garbage to provide for their families. The victims' faces, hearts, and genitals were removed, and Saenz, along with his friend and protégé, Fr. Jerome Lucero, a clinical psychologist, are sure the killer has a very specific agenda. As the priests work to identify the boys and their killer, they must wade through the political muck surrounding a case that no one wants publicized, in a country where centralized crime statistics are unheard of and resources are scarce.  Produced by Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Entertainment, it is directed by Raya Martin and is soon to hit cinemas later this year.

So how about you? What's your most anticipated Filipino film this 2017? Share us your thoughts and leave a comment down below!

2 Good, 2 Memorable, 2 Real : 2 COOL 2 BE 4GOTTEN

I initially intended to write a second review of Petersen Vargas' film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. But then, I changed my mind. I already wrote one before (you can check it out here) and I want to write something different this time. So I planned on writing an article arguing why the film doesn't deserve it's R-18 rating from the MTRCB. But eventually, I ended up here, writing an open letter to the people behind the film, on my thoughts about the movie (after rewatching it for seven times now) and how it affected my life, seriously.

Let me start from the very beginning.

Last year, I fell in love with Filipino indie films. I've been watching Pinoy indie flicks before but I wasn't much of a follower or a fan. Then, I saw Ice Idanan's Sakaling Hindi Makarating, an entry from the 2016 CineFilipino film Festival. I immediately loved the film (not realizing that it was co-written by Petersen Vargas too), and it prompted me to watch some other entries from the said festival. After that, I started looking for more Pinoy indie films to watch and the next one that got my attention was Nestor Abrogena's Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa. I tried to watch it then at Cinematheque Manila, but I didn't know the place so I got lost. Luckily, a new friend of mine (on Facebook) who is a blogger and film buff (let's just call him Jonell Estillore) brought me to this really cool place in Mandaluyong, Cinema '76, a micro-theater screening Filipino indie films. I was able to watch Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa and was blown away with it (that twist ending was Aca-mazing!). So since then, I've been visiting Cinema '76 once in a while to check out their line up of indie films.

Then around November 2016 came the 2016 Cinema One Originals. At first, I wasn't sure which film to pick since it was the first time that I will be watching a Cinema One Originals film fest entry. Plus the list of film titles that they released back then doesn't even have any summary nor genre description included. The first title that got my attention was this film called 2 cool 2 Be 4gotten. I thought it sounded weird but catchy. But I wasn't sure if I'm going to see it since I didn't know what it all about. So I thought I'd just wait for the festival itself, and check out the trailers they will have for each film. After a few days, the trailer for 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten was released. The trailer featured Khalil Ramos as the lead. I've been watching him since he became a finalist in Pilipinas Got Talent before, and I've seen him in a lot of films like She's Dating The Gangster, A Second Chance and Honor Thy Father. The film looked like a barkada type movie, a coming-of-age film (my weakness). The trailer was a bit mysterious (I even thought it was a mystery thriller, ha ha!), but it definitely convinced me to watch it. So I went to Trinoma the next day after I got out of work and went to buy a ticket for the Premier Night that same day. I was surprised when I found out that the screening was almost sold out. Luckily, I got a seat at the far left row. I actually wanted to sit in the middle as I always do when watching a movie inside the cinema but there wen't any available seats left.

November 17, 2016. I thought I was gonna be late for that night gala premiere at Cinema 1 of Trinoma. Lukicly, I got there before the screening started. And I have no idea that this night would turn out to be one of the most unforgettable moments of my life (wow, heavy!)

The cast and crew of the film during their gala premiere.
November 17, 2016. Cinema 1, Trinoma.

After watching the film, I even got the chance to meet the cast, Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake with their director Petersen Vargas. They were really cool and accommodating. They even stayed outside the cinema to take a photo op with the audiences who watched the film (even if the mall was already closing). After that, I headed for work. On my way, I still can't forget the movie. There is this weird feeling that lingers in me. I don't know what it is. I can't even explain it. I just felt connected to the film. This prompted me to watch the film for the second time during it's screening at Cinematheque Center Manila on November 20, 2016, Sunday. Then, after the film won the Best Picture award at the festival and earned itself another screening, I took that opportunity and watched it again. After seeing it for the second and third time, I finally realized why I felt so connected to the movie. I saw myself in Felix' character. We share some similarities to the point that some scenes in the film even reflect past events in my life (minus the part where he fell in love with his best friend Magnus and that sexually charged one-on-one with Maxim). I guess it triggered something in me. Something in my memory. Something painful. Something so close to my heart.

It was my best friend. One of the most coolest guy I met in my life. He was so close to me. He was the brother that I never had.

March 24, 2016. The day of my birthday. And yes, it was also Maundy Thursday. Probably the worst day to celebrate your birthday since you cannot even celebrate because it's Holy Week. You can't visit the mall because they're closed. You can't even eat any meat because you're fasting. That was the same day that I met him. Actually, I've been seeing him for some time now before that day. He got transferred to our department a few weeks back. I've been talking to him for a while but we were never close. He was this weird, silent kid. Pale white (like Magnus). He was always dressed up so well. So neat. Always sitting away from the rest of the team. But on that day, we became friends. He gave me this chocolate bar as a gift for my birthday and greeted me. That was the best thing that happened to me that day. When we went home, we took the bus together and we talked about a lot of stuff. Random stuff. I found out that we liked the same things, from superhero movies (Marvel vs. DC) to the bands that we listen to. We became really close since then.

Then months passed. We became best friends. We even had a codename. I called myself Steve Rogers and he was Bucky Barnes from Captain America. The greatest best friends in the Marvel universe. We celebrated his birthday by watching a movie together: Now You See Me 2. He would accompany me to SM North whenever I'm buying a new comic book at Filbars. He became a big influence in me. I started dressing up as well. Usually, you would see me coming to work wearing Tshirt. But since I started hanging out with him, I started wearing my polo and long sleeved shirts. I don't know. I had to look neat whenever I'm with him, I guess. I became so hooked with superhero movies and TV series. But after five months, everything changed.

He left the company. He had to go. 

August 8,2016. That was the last day I saw him.

It took a big toll on me. I was depressed for weeks. A month even. But after a while, I started to accept the fact that some things in this life just don't last a lifetime. Mostly, the good ones. After a few weeks, I was okay. I guess. Then, I saw this movie. And it brought back all my memories of him. My best friend. The first person that I treated as my own brother.

The movie's tagline was right. You will never forget your first. 

This movie brought all my memories of my best friend. All the happy ones. Even the sad ones. Never have I ever watched a movie that hit me so hard like 2 Cool. Okay. Let me clarify something first. I'm not gay. I'm straight. But I could really relate to Felix' character. He felt like a real person to me. Yeah, I fell in love with the character. Petersen Vargas and Jason Paul Laxamana created one of the best movie characters in history (for me). I became so attached to the character that for weeks, I suffered from separation anxiety from him after watching the movie. I guess that's the reason why I went to watch their two screenings of the film as part of the Cinema One Original's rerun at Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman last January. I also went to see the film during it's screening for the 5th Freedom Film Festival at De La Salle University last February (where director Petersen Vargas announced the film's nationwide release).

From L-R:
Khalil Ramos, Director Petersen Vargas, Jameson Blake, me and Producer Alemberg Ang
during the Cinema One Original's re-run at the
Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman. January 16, 2017.

I became dedicated in supporting Filipino indie films because of this movie. So I started this blog. Originally, I wanted to showcase those Filipino independent films here, but eventually I started including mainstream movies here as well after the success of the recent Metro Manila Film Festival. I wanted to show my support for the film and share it to other people. So I kept on telling my friends about this film and how it affected me, over and over again. When it was announced that the film will be having it's nationwide release on March 15, 2017, I couldn't be more excited. Finally, other people would be able to watch this film and experience how awesome it is. I kept on promoting it to my friends and other people I know. From Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram, I kept on posting about it to let others know how good this movie is.

But a day before the film screens in cinemas nationwide, something unexpected happened. Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) slammed it with a hard R-18 rating, meaning that the movie will only be shown to audiences 18 years old and above. This also means that the film's availability will be limited and the supposedly nationwide release that Star Cinema has announced weeks ago will not be possible. SM Cinema, the country's biggest movie theater chain has been showing the film's trailer days on every screening they have before the film's playdate, March 15 (I even saw it's trailer during a screening of the film Pwera Usog at SM Fairview). But because of the film's R-18 rating, they have removed the film from their line up. Originally given an R-16 rating, Petersen Vargas and the film's team appealed for a much lower (and obviously more appropriate) R-13 rating. But instead, the MTRCB slapped them with an R-18 rating. Only viewers who are 18 years old and above can be admitted in the film's screening. An “R-18” classification advises viewers, parents, and supervising adults that the film may contain any of the elements that may not be suitable for children below 18 years of age. 

No redeeming social value. Uhm... so coming out and discovering one's self has no value at all?
Wow. MTRCB. 👏👏👏#2Cool2Be4GottenNowShowing pic.twitter.com/tcoc6SvdOg— Felix Salonga (@theFelixSalonga) March 15, 2017

I couldn't be more frustrated. I was heartbroken. Not only for the film but for director Petersen Vargas. I remember during their Q&A at the 5th Freedom Film Festival after one of their screening that when he was young, he had always wanted to watch a movie like 2 Cool. But during his time, there weren't any Filipino movies like this. There weren't any movie that he can relate to his current situation. And so he dreamed of making a movie for those kids like him before. But because of the film getting an R-18 rating, those kids won't have the chance to see the film. Those kids whom he dedicated this film to.

feels like a cheat to have promised a "nationwide" release & yet find out this is as far your small, small film could go. breaks my heart.
— Petersen 4-Ever (@petersenvargas) March 14, 2017

I have seen 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. Based on all the movies I've seen, and the ratings that came with them, it does not deserve an R-18.
— Phil Dy (@philbertdy) March 15, 2017

#2Cool2BeForgotten got an R-18 from MTRCB.
Di ipapalabas sa SM.
Because it's 'gay'.
Pero yung sumasabog na bungo sa Logan okay lang, no?
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) March 14, 2017

As I quote Felix' opening line: I am in a conundrum. This is not the first time an MTRCB rating has stumped me. It's just so stupid. Remember that the Hollywood release, John Wick 2 and Logan, both received a much lower R-16 rating despite the heavy amount of violence, blood and gore in the film (Logan even featured a breast exposure in one scene). Another recent Hollywood release, Beauty and the Beast (2017) was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for some action violence, peril and frightening images, but was rated G (General Audiences) by the MTRCB, meaning viewers of all ages are admitted even without a parent or supervising adult. As of today, these Hollywood releases dominate cinemas across the country, with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten being the only recent Filipino release. According to the MTRCB's official statement, the youth-oriented film has no redeeming social value, therefore making the film inappropriate to be seen by minors. Come on, did you guys even watched the actual film? The film doesn't deserve that freaking R-18 rating. Take it from someone who have seen the film seven times now (the 7th time was during the film's opening day last March 15). An R-13 rating would have been much more appropriate. An R-16 is a bit too much but still acceptable. But an R-18 rating is just plain stupid. Calling it as having no redeeming social value is way more stupid. I mean, coming out of the closet and discovering one's self has no redeeming social value? How about finding friendship as strong as Felix and Magnus? Or fighting for someone you loved, despite the consequences it may bring you? And what about accepting who you really are? Accepting and being confident in revealing the real you? Isn't all that redeeming value?

I hope this will serve as a wake-up call to all the Filipinos out there. We shouldn't let these people in their not-so-deserving government positions dictate us what is good or bad for us. We shouldn't let them tell us which movies are within our morals. We have our minds to decide which are suitable for us and which are the ones that are not.

Despite all that, I am still thankful because I was very lucky to experience this one hell of a film. I'm so thank ful because I am one of those people who have been touched by this little movie in so many ways. I am so thankful for the people behind this film because they made a movie that seemed so impossible to make and release it in mainstream theaters. Thank you, direk Jason Paul Laxamana for creating this marvelous story. Thank you direk Petersen Vargas for breathing life into this characters. Thank you to Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake for bravely taking these challenging roles and giving justice to each one of these characters. Please remember that I will always be your movie's number one fan.

I guess in the end, all we could do now is to show our support for the film. Watch the film in cinemas while they're still screening. Share it to your friends. Post about it in social media sites and let everyone know how good it is. At least with that, we have a pretty good fight. Support indie films. Show our love for Filipino films.

And to quote Felix one last time...

At this moment, I have this little gem called 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten that I will cherish forever. "And nothing, not even the strongest force of nature can take that away from me."

Coming-of-age film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten Hits Theaters, Gets R-18 Rating

The teen coming-of-age film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten from director Petersen Vargas (Lisyun Qng Geografia, Hanging Out) starring Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake hits theater this Wednesday, March 15, 2017. The film is one of last year's critically acclaimed Filipino films and has won numerous awards in the 2016 Cinema One Originals, from Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for Jameson Blake. The movie is the second Cinema One Originals film entry that Star Cinema has picked up for nationwide distribution after Samantha Lee's Baka Bukas. But on March 14, a day before the film's release, the film was given an R-18 rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The film was originally given a much lower R-16 rating by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) during it's limited theatrical run as part of the Cinema One Originals Film Festival. The R-18 rating surprised many, and was met with negative response from critics and audiences alike. It can be noted that the recent Hollywood release, Beauty and the Beast (2017) was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for some action violence, peril and frightening images, but was rated G (General Audiences) by the MTRCB, meaning viewers of all ages are admitted even without a parent or supervising adult.

"No redeeming social value. Uhm... so coming out and discovering one's self has no value at all?

Wow. MTRCB.

#2Cool2Be4GottenNowShowing 

 - @theFelixSalonga"

The youth-oriented film is set in the late 90s in Angeles, Pampanga, almost a decade after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Felix Salonga, a friendless achiever, is bent on topping his class to elevate his status from a resettlement area. Magnus & Maxim Snyder, half-American brothers, want nothing but to escape life from the Philippines with their prostitute mother and live with their American GI father in the US. The Snyder brothers each have their own way of reaching this dream. One struggles to finish high school with the promise of America after graduation while the mischievous one has a dark, sinister plan. As Felix develops a relationship with the brothers, he unearths desires within him he never confronted before. He slowly learns that behind the manicured lawns of “Little America,” each of his actions can lead to fatal consequences.

Francis Joseph Cruz of Rappler describes it as "intelligent as it is emotionally potent" while PEP.ph calls it a "roller coaster of emotions". So make sure that you don't miss one of 2016's best films that's definitely "not to be missed... an experience that's too cool to be forgotten". 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten is now showing in select theaters nationwide.

BEING 2 COOL with Petersen Vargas

It was a warm January night when we got out of UP Cine Adarna theater after the Thursday screening of the film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. The coming-of-age film starred Khalil Ramos, Jameson Blake and Ethan Salvador. Penned by Jason Paul Laxamana, the film was helmed by Petersen Vargas in his full length feature film debut. The coming-of-age film follows Felix Salonga, a friendless, eccentric overachiever in his second year of high school who's life changed after meeting the Snyder Brothers, Magnus (Ethan Salvador) and Maxim (Jameson Blake) Film-Am transferees to his school. The film was part of the 2016 Cinema One Originals film festival where it won Best Film. “Sentimentality and sociopathy strike a delicate balance in the exquisitely rendered romance involving two brothers and a nerd. Lit, written, acted, and directed with equal parts lushness and restraint, cinema one originals 2016’s best film is sexy, serene, and memorable" - that was the jury citation for the film as it won the highly coveted Best Film Award, alongside the honor for Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for Jameson Blake. (Check out my own review of the film here )

Director Petersen Vargas after the screening of his full lenght feature debut
at the Cine Adarna, UP Film Center, UP Diliman last January 2017.

Petersen Vargas started making short films and music videos (one of my favorite is his MV for BP Valenzuela's Steady) before he won the Cinemamalaya 2015 Best Direction award for his short film Lisyun Qng Geografia. Vargas was cited for his “effective harnessing of the technical elements of filmmaking in telling a simple story” of a boy who finds an old map that triggers him to retrace the places that are special to him and his high school best friend. And last year, he made his full length feature debut in the 2016 Cinema One Originals Film Festival entry with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten. He's actually one of my favorite film directors of all time because of his film 2 Cool. And I am an avid follower of his web series Hanging Out (produced by Team MAG) which has recently finished it's first season. After the screening, me and some students got a chance to have a short talk with director Petersen and ask him about his film.

Me: How many days did you shoot the film?

Petersen: Mga 8 shooting days. 

Me: From a scale of 1 to 10, how hard was the whole process of completing the film?

Petersen: 100! (laughs)

Me: Wow. That hard?

Petersen: Hindi. Mahirap talaga gumawa ng pelikula, kahit anong pelikula pa siya. (No. It's really hard to make a film, whatever type of film it is)

Me: But when you saw the final product of your work, what's the first thing that popped in your mind?

Petersen: Ah, dissatisfied (laughs) I think lagi ka na lang madi-dissatisfied sa end product. Pero I guess dahil parang may deadline... kailangang matapos. (I think you will always get dissatisfied with your end product. But I guess it's because you have a deadline... you just wanted to finish it)

Me: Back to the movie itself, I noticed that the color blue seems like a primary motif in the film as there were a lot of scenes where it is present. Was it just coincidence or was that part of your design?

Petersen: Hmmm... Hindi ko alam (I don't know). I guess I just like the color blue. (laughs) Wala naman siyang masyadong importance. (It doesn't really have so much importance) But I mean, we carefully choose naman the things that we put there.

Me: What can you tell those aspiring filmmakers that doesn't know where to actually start achieving their dreams of creating their own films?

Petersen: Wow. Right. Ano lang, learn to love film. Kasi di ka magtatagal maging filmmaker kung hindi mo love yung film. Yun, nood ka lang. Tapos after mong manood ng napadaraming films, I'm sure you'll find it in your heart to start making one. (Just learn to love film. Because you won't last as a filmmaker if you don't love films. Just keep on watching. Then, after watching so many films, I'm sure you'll find it in your heart to start making one)

***

Below are some photos of Director Petersen Vargas that I took after watching their screenings of the film (Hey, you're now my favorite director of all time)👌 ) ) . To date, I have already watched 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten six times before it's nationwide theatrical release. And yes, I am still looking forward in seeing it in cinemas this March 15, 2017.

Director Petersen Vargas with the cast and crew of the film
during their Premiere Night at Cinema 1 of Trinoma last year, November 17, 2016.

From L-R: Khalil Ramos, Director Petersen Vargas, Jameson Blake, me and Producer Alemberg Ang
during the Cinema One Original's re-run at the Cine Adarna, UP Film Center, UP Diliman last January  2017.

A big crowd lines up outside the Cine Adarna, UP Film Center, UP Diliman
as they wait for the screening of the film 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten last January 2017.

From L-R : Jameson Blake, Producer Alemberg Ang, Director Petersen Vargas and Khalil Ramos
during their Q&A session after the screening.

Director Petersen Vargas with Jameson Blake, Khalil Ramos and Producer Alemberg Ang
as they pose at the marquee outside the Cine Adarna, UP Film Center.

Director Petersen Vargas with Khalil Ramos during their Q&A Session
after the screening of their film for the 5th Freedom Film Festival
of the De La Salle University last February 2017.

Director Petersen Vargas and Khalil Ramos posing with the organizers of the 5th Freedom Film Festival.

So don't forget to watch 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten starring Khalil Ramos, Ethan Salvador and Jameson Blake, written Jason Paul Laxamana and directed by by Petersen Vargas. In cinemas nationwide this March 15, 2017, distributed by Star Cinema.

Cinema Classics presents the restored version of "Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit"

Philippine cinema will never be complete without classic films from the past. It is very important that we look back to these films from the yesteryear because these movies served as the foundation for today's cinema. This is why we are very grateful for the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project, a joint project of ABS-CBN Corporation and Central Digital Lab. The digital film restoration project is spearheaded by Leo Katigbak of ABS-CBN Film Archives and Manet Dayrit of Central Digital Lab and aims to digitally restore and have already successfully digitized, restored, and remastered over one hundred (100) films into a Digital Cinema Package format with a maximum pixel resolution of 1080p at 24 frames per second. These films are now being made available for today's audiences through limited theatrical runs, film festivals, free-to-air and cable television, DVDs, pay per view, and other over-the-top content platforms such as iTunes.

And last February 27, 2017, they kicked off their latest line-up of classic restored films with the 1991 Carlos Siguion-Reyna romantic-drama Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit starring Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez. The uncut original 35mm picture negative taken from the storage of the producer, ReynaFilms, was used as the source for the said restoration. The digitally restored and remastered film had it's special premiere night at Glorietta 4 where the stars of the film were also present. Aside from the film's two leads, the other actors and actresses from the 1991 classic were also present in the event, like Eric Quizon and Vangie Labanan. Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna also shared some of their fondest memories from the film's production, which was an updated adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel, Wuthering Heights.

Richard Gomez plays Gabriel in the 1991 classic.

Dawn Zulueta plays Carmina graces the red carpet premiere.

Eric Quizon who plays Alan in the movie, shares his thoughts about the film restoration project.

The timeless loveteam of Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez as they are interviewed by the press.

The original cast of the film, including Ms.Vangie Labanan, Eric Quizon, Richard Gomez and the director Carlos Siguion-Reyna.