Rough Groove

A Croc at the Makati Police Station

My friend went to the Makati Police Station in front of the Hall of Justice to get a police clearance for his job requirements. After a policeman assisted him, he was told that the clearance will still be issued two days later. When he asked if it will be possible to get it on the same day, the policeman, named VAL, told him that he will pay an “expedite fee”, a euphemism for grease money, costing about P60, to speed things up. Since my friend will be starting his work on 1 September and the hassle of going back again, he paid.

Its always been like this, corruption in every level and in every department of the government. To speed things up, to get things done, one has to pay these grease money. No wonder that this country is not going anywhere.

How PATHETIC!!!

Series 14: Mokabok Is., Bohol

This series has been started already at Binary Silver. As usual, 1 image daily for ten days will show the beautiful Mokabok Is. off Bohol. This was taken last January when we went there together with my cousin Charles looking for business opportunities.

August Film Festivals

I love films. I love movies. That’s why living in Makati, in Metro Manila offers endless possibilities of watching works from the the usual Hollywood fare to new exciting Filipino works as well as others from different countries during film festivals. I fondly remember a few years back while still a college student, I spent 12 hours straight (1100H - 2300H) watching a film festival in SM Megamall with varied films from Italy, Japan, Hongkong and Cambodia to mention a few.

Just this August, silverscreen events were so varied and choices are many that it was difficult to choose where to go:

Moonrise Film Festival
Just closed the other day at the new Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao, which, unfortunately, due to tight schedules, I wasn’t able to go. Launched by the the Center for Environmental Awareness and Education and Apocalypse Point Productions and projected to be an annual event, it aims to spur environmental awareness in film and media. 16 environmental films are in competition for the Charlie, the trophy designed by famed sculptor Sabana Lluch Dalena.

Cinemanila Advance Screenings
Already for a few weeks now happening weekly in different venues (SM Manila for the first week, SM Megamall, 2nd and now, Greenbelt 1, 3rd) I’ve already watched a total of 7 films since I came to know of the weekly offerings. I’m thankful for these advance screenings so that when the actual international film fest that is the Cinemanila will open sometime this October, I need not sit it out for hours on end just to watch these films!

The German Silent Film Festival
Offered by the Goethe Institut and happening every Thursday night, 2000H, for the month of August at SM Megamall (free entrance) with live background music acts. However, I was not able to attend this one.

UP Film Institute shows at Cine Adarna
Just last Saturday, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Olivares was screened but, again, unfortunately, I was not able to watch it

Instituto Cervantes and Alliance Francaise
These foreign cultural institutions are frequently screening films from their countries and I do hope to catch some of them next time.

Upcoming movies
This time, there are several upcoming movie titles that will be screened within the year ranging from animation like Ice Age 2, Valiant (currently showing) to fantasy (Chronicles of Narnia – the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), and other films (Pink Panther, The Truth About Love) etc.

Whew! These are more than enough to keep me busy!

Belgian Film Week at the SM Megamall

The advance screenings of Cinemanila continued with the Belgian Film Week at the SM Megamall Cinema 6. This time, I was able to watch three notable films last weekend:

La Promesse (The Promise) - Luc & Jean-Pierre Dardenne

The Dardenne brothers have a great story and film in their hands, a veritable gem that will surely be appreciated. It is somewhat dark and devoid of usual Hollywood fare, a film that favors the cinema verite style. Its about struggling for one’s principles and conscience, rising above blood relations and doing what is good.

La Femme de Gilles (Gille’s Wife) - Frédéric Fonteyne

Visuals are excellent and as for the story, it will definitely have the feminists react. But then, it is the conservative 1930s and here, Elisa, Gille’s wife, is loyal to a fault even if her husband is madly infatuated with her sister. Words are sparse but the actions rich like the photography. A film that will have you second guessing.

Ma Vie En Rose (My life in Pink) - Alain Berliner

A girl trapped in a boy’s body, and so Ludovic, the 7 year old thinks of himself. It is this basic premise that the drives the film. The norms that society imposes on itself on what is proper and normal that often, when there is one who does not follow is often ostracized or relegated to the fringes. But then, there are communities that are narrowminded and there are others that are more tolerant and accepting. It is the latter that Ludovic’s family, though not ideal and has a more middle class ring to it than their previous community, found acceptance.

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events - Brad Silberling

I will not bother with the details of the story or reviews as its covered in other sites. But, god, its a visaul feast. Every scene is perfect: lighting, composition… its just way too clean but I loved it!