Rough Groove

Inasal Festival in my hometown, Talisay City

Lechon or popularly known in my hometown of Talisay as inasal (roasted pig) will definitely have its own festival in time for the new city’s fiesta this 15 October. I don’t know how this will compare with Balayan, Batangas’ own Lechon Festival since I haven’t been able to watch it but this will definitely showcase what we Talisaynons are very proud of. An Inasal parade, Kumbira (food feast) and a photo contest will be held.

Now, I just hope that I can go home for the feast!

Dark Water - Walter Salles

Dark Water

The American did it again! A 2005 remake with Jennifer Connely, from the original Honogurai mizu no soko kara by Hideo Nakata, 2002, also of the Ring trilogies. I’m not really fond of these kind of movies as I’m easily scared, but there are just some films that need to be watched because other than the great story, its wonderfully done and this movie is one of them. I really haven’t seen the original but the Brazilian Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries and Central Station) did a great job.

A visit to my alma mater

A few Saturdays ago, I was at my alma mater with some former schoolmates for a visit at Don Bosco Technical College. And lo, there were lots of changes:

- its now coed, a radical change considering that during our days there, it was an exclusive boys school
- Stephen Ruiz, our ECE instructor before is already the dean
- the recreation hall has been demolished and when I was there, a construction work was being done
- classrooms are already airconditioned!

the rest are pictured below. Another thing, when I graduated way back in 96, our tuition was just a little around P11,000. Now, its above P40,000!

This used to be the college’s entrance but already closed. I was surprised that Ate Emy and LouiMar’s carenderia were still standing. We used to eat here for breakfast, merienda (snacks), lunch and sometimes, when classes are in the evening, dinner where food is cheap but not necessarily delicious.

The old big chapel still stands but was converted already into offices. This is where the entire school body go to mass.

The football field is still the same. Nothing’s changed except the players and spectators. During ROTC, we used to assemble here.

The Old Building. This used to be a Spanish convent of the Augustinians in the 19th century. It was also in one of the rooms of this building wherein the secret of the Katipunan’s (19th century revolutionary group that fought for independence from Spain) activities were divulged.

The small chapel within the Old Building where we used to have masses for some groups. Its also here that the first cardinal of Manila spent his childhood and learning for the priesthood.

The assembly area where each morning the whole student body gathered for morning prayers and talk by the Salesians. The building was our classrooms.

The canteen that we fondly called Jollibilog and later Jolliboobs. Its blue roof and orange steel supports are now gone, reconstructed and now fully airconditioned. Its now called Amici. La Cantina another canteen was transferred adjacent to the Old Building and another smaller one now occupies the former ROTC room.

The new entrance along Gen. Kalentong St. a few meters from the original entry point.

Series 16: Batanes

Batanes photos taken last year during a week’s vacation at Binary Silver already started. Consisting of 16 images showing the unique landscape, architecture and people of this far flung, yet, lovely islands that are idyllic, mysterious and at the same time captivating. A week’s journey is just not more than enough.

A deluge of movies, movies and movies…

September and October will be frenzied months for film enthusiasts as a flood of film festivals, and equally great commercial films, poured in like the countless typhoons that plagues the country during this time of the year. Just yesterday, together with my friend, Ryan, we were watching 3 films in a row: 1 movie which was part of the Cine Europa film festival and two commercial ones that right after, my eyes were kind of in discomfort.

eKsperim[E]nto Film and Video Festival 2001
20 - 24 September 05 UP Film Center

Just last Saturday, eKsperim[E]nto 2005 closed with the grand prix winner of the 2005 Lucarno International Festival, Masahista - Brillante Mendoza, the Golden Leopard, a mean feat, a truimph, considering that it is the director’s debut film, and Gee Entertainment’s first too.

The 1st Asian Center Film Festival
26 September - 1 October 05 UP Asian Center

While checking out ClickTheCity, I came to know of this another film festival at the UP highlighting 10 Asian contemporary films like Malaysia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and many more.

Cine Europa 8
22 - September - 2 October 05 Shangri-la Mall

Consisting of 13 full length films and a series of shorts, I’ve already seen three: Millions - Danny Boyle (United Kingdom), Koirankynnen leikkaaja (Dog Nail Clipper) - Markku Pölönen (Finland) and one short, Flatlife - Jonas Geinaert. Its free and utilizing the mall’s state of the art cinema - a treat. Just come early as free tickets are given two hours before the movie. I’m still contemplating if I’ll be seeing tonight’s last show at 2200H.

Pelikula IV: Spanish and Latin American Film Festival
28 September - 16 October 05 Greenbelt

Another awaited film festival showcasing 26 films. I’m especially interested with Pedro Alomodovar’s Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother) that I missed when I was in Singapore a few years ago. Another one is Alejandro Amenabar’s Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside), the Oscar and Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign Film.

Cinemalaya
28 September - 4 October 05 Promenade Greenhills

This will be the third time chance to watch Digital Filipino Independent Films that were shown in July at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and includes 5 of the total entries.

7th Cinemanila International Film Festival
12 - 25 October 05

And the grandest, most awaited film event of the year, the Cinemanila International Film Festival.

These are more than enough to keep me busy. Really, when it rains, it pours!