7 Pinoy films featured at Rotterdam festival

7 Pinoy films featured at Rotterdam festival

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 02/08/2012 7:44 PM | Updated as of 02/08/2012 7:44 PM

Director Lav Diaz talks to the media at the International Film Festival Rotterdam

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino filmmakers triumphed once again, this time at a recent film festival in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

From January 25 to February 5, the Pinoy films were shown at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), which is considered as the home of Philippine cinema in Europe.

Regulars at the IFFR are veteran indie filmmakers Lav Diaz, Khavn dela Cruz and Raya Martin.

Martin, for instance, is dubbed by the Dutch press as the “wonder boy from the Philippines.”

But even if he did not go to this year's festival, his films “Buenas Noches Espana” and “Boxing in the Philippine Islands” were among the seven Pinoy films shown at the festival.

Diaz attended the festival to support his two films “Florentina Hubaldo and “Siglo ng Pagluluwal."

Dela Cruz was also there for his film “MondoManila."

A first timer in Rotterdam, Jet Leyco was ecstatic about showing his films "Ex Press" and "Patlang."

The Pinoys feel indebted to the IFFR for its continued support to Filipino filmmakers, paving the way for the Philippines to become part of the cultural movement.

“It’s not that our films are here but sila ang regular na tumutulong sa atin and they believe in Philippine cinema, especially the Hubert Bals Fund, which is funding independent filmmakers in the Philippines,” said Diaz.

Called a “maestro” by the IFFR, Diaz said the Philippines is not behind anymore in the world of filmmaking.

“The so-called cult movement sa mundo, we’re part of it. Hindi tayo naiiwan. The very fact na that they’re inviting Filipino cinema, bahagi tayo, kasama tayo sa malawak na kilusan sa kultura,” Diaz said.

“They respect us, may acknowledgement, may awareness na may ginagawa rin tayo sa Pilipinas,” he said.“For one, like itong Rotterdam, it’s one of the greatest festivals in the world, in terms of programming serious cinema. Andito tayo.”

According to Diaz, it is IFFR programmer Gertjan Zuilhof, who first programmed the Filipino films at the festival.

“Gertjan Zuilhof believes in Philippine cinema. He’s the first na nag-program ng maraming Filipino films dito sa Europa. This the home of the Philippine cinemas in Europe. Of course, kasama ang Venice dyan,” Diaz explained.

The IFFR is the largest festival in the world in terms of films and audience, which counts more than 300,000 viewers every year.

“They see your films na parang ganung talaban, may ganung interaction ng mga kultura na mahalaga para sa world peace or pag-unawa sa mga pagkakaiba at similarities ng mga tao, ibat ibang tao, ibat ibang kultura,” Dela Cruz said.

Leyco and another first timer to the festival Hazel Orencio, who is the lead actress in "Florentina Hubaldo" and "Siglo ng Pagluluwal," were both in awe of the IFFR.

“Exciting siya kasi first time kong pumunta dito tapos first film ko din siya. Sobrang okay din mga viewers, mga nanonood. Yung atmosphere, ambience dito sa Rotterdam sobrang okay in terms of cinema,” Leyco said.

The IFFR is a unique festival showcasing the works of art of filmmakers although lacking in pomp and glamor.

But still Orencio was overwhelmed by the festival community’s warm reception to the Filipinos.

“Nalulula ako. Nahihiya ako actually. Tapos celebrity dito si Direk Lav so people were greeting him, critics,” Orencio said.

Now that most of the Pinoys have returned to the Philippines, they said that do not aspire for grandeur nor recognition back home.

Their only wish is for the present government to extend a bigger hand to the makers of serious films because they do not expect President Benigno Aquino III to understand the intricacies of Philippine cinema.

But according to the indie filmmakers, what Aquino can do to put the industry on the right track is to carefully choose those who will oversee them.

"They are those who know, those who are open and those who do not allow their biases to affect the growth of both the culture and the Philippine cinema," they said.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/02/08/12/7-pinoy-films-featured-rotterdam-festival

Dutch Pinoys welcome Year of the Dragon

Dutch Pinoys welcome Year of the Dragon

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 02/03/2012 2:07 AM | Updated as of 02/03/2012 2:07 AM



Filipinos celebrate the Year of the Dragon in the Netherlands.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Pinoys joined the Chinese community of the Hague in its celebration of the Year of the Dragon.

Major shopping streets of downtown The Hague, particularly Chinatown, became crowded, colorful and noisy as the week-long celebrations for the Chinese New Year came to an end.

Some Pinoys also joined in the celebrations.

Everyone had high hopes of a better business climate, work, and the end of Europe's economic and financial crisis.

Leading the optimists are, of course, the Chinese.

"The dragon is a special animal for the Chinese. Last year, we had a difficult year here in Europe and I hope that the year of the dragon will bring us a lot of success, peace and better economic situation," said Hang Chung, an organizer at the Chinese celebrations.

"We hope everything will be fine and everyone can realize their wishes," said Amy, a Chinese who joined the celebrations.

Even Filipinos are full of hope.

“Dahil nga New Year, kahit ano pang nationality, pag nagpalit ang taon ay positive tayo lahat sa darating sa kung anong darating, dahil nga sa maraming krisis na nakikita," said Anabelle Lasaten.

Whatever one's nationality is, a good luck is always on the wish list with every new year.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/02/02/12/dutch-pinoys-welcome-year-dragon

Thousands join ‘Crazy Dutch’ New Year tradition

by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 01/13/2012 1:31 PM | Updated as of 01/13/2012 1:31 PM

THE HAGUE - Thousands flocked to the annual New Year’s Dive in The Netherlands, the biggest of which took place in Scheveningen in The Hague.

January 1 always comes in the peak of European winter but on 12:00 p.m. every New Year’s Day, the abandoned beaches in Holland become jam-packed with people wearing orange bonnets and gloves or funny costumes.

For more than 5 decades now, the normally quiet beaches are transformed into a two-hour summer resort with huge crowds stripping to their swimsuits on New Year's Day.

This year, around 27,000 people participated around the country. Some 10,000 people rushed to dip, dive or swim in the very cold water of Scheveningen.

Even if the temperature was enough to cause goosebumps, many of the first-timers this year were very young people.

This year, the event was also more organized with a huge tent where many of the swimmers could dress and undress.

Many of the Dutch joined the annual Crazy Sea Dip for the fun of it and as a continuation of the New Year’s celebration.

“Life is fun, you have the birth and then you die but between it is only fun. Say it to the world, only fun,” said a Dutch guy who did not want to give his name.

But the light-hearted Dutch tradition became more meaningful to two Pinoy best friends, who pledged to swim together every New Year in Scheveningen.

“It's a bit symbolic. You starting the year off new and fresh. Give it a boost, give yourself a kick start for the New Year,” said Joshua Gonzales from London.

Gonzales joined the New Year’s Dive six years ago when he was still living in The Hague.

He later succeeded in convincing his friend Paulo Tomas to join him. Gonzales now returns to The Hague during the Christmas holidays to keep this tradition.

“Gives you a lot of confidence to start 2012 with a good feeling,” said Tomas, who participated in the New Year's Dive for the third year in the row.

Many follow this Dutch tradition not only for the fun but also to attract good luck and good health that they believe the New Year will bring.


SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/01/13/12/thousands-join-%E2%80%98crazy-dutch%E2%80%99-new-year-tradition