I am still euphoric over theoverwhelming response to my new book, PH MOVIE CONFIDENTIAL.
We launched the book March 8 at the FDCP Cinematheque in Manila.
The night before, I was invited by ace TV anchor, Rico Hizon, to guest on his CNN program, The Final Word, where we had quite an engaging conversation about the book and the movie business as a whole.
I truly thank Rico for taking time to push my book, which he said he enjoyed immensely as it contained some industry secrets and confidentialities.
These amused him.
xxx
The book, published by Ultimate Learning Series by Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, sells at a promotional price of 400 pesos only per copy (excluding shipping).
Orders are welcome through [email protected] or via mobile phone 0917-800-5986. Kindly support it.
xxx
At the launch last Tuesday, I was, needless to say, in my element upon seeing the arrival of guests, actors, writers, colleagues, and personal friends.
Among them, Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, Sheryl Cruz, Priscilla Almeda, Jomari Yllana, Anthony Castelo, Cesar Montano.
The support provided by Chair Liza Dino-Seguerra, her deputy, David Fabros, and the FDCP team, was just overwhelming.
I was almost intoxicated, though I hadn’t had a drop of alcohol, just a cup of baraco coffee. Yet, when it was my turn to speak, I suddenly turned loose and comedic, which totally surprised me even as it amused and entertained the audience that had gathered that afternoon. I didn’t realize I had that comedy channel in me.
The lines just kept percolating in my head as I told my audience stories tangential to the 15 chapters in the book.
For instance, on typecasting actors: The practice of casting mestizos in their youth as matinee idols, and in their mature years, as villains. Typecasting the native as api-apihan.
What happens after actors have shot an intimate scene?
Evolution of Tagalog film titles: From poetic titles in the 1940s (Nabasag ang Banga) to the colorful titles of the 50s (Talipandas) and late 60s (Batuta ni Dracula, Saging ni Pacing) to the sexy, double-bladed titles of the 70s (Nang Bumuka ang Sampaguita) and the English-only titles in the new millennium (Till There Was You).
Movie fan mentality: The rise of Amalians, Susanians, Noranians, Vilmanians, etc. A look into this fan culture.
Entitled: The practice of assigning titles, like superstar, megastar, etc. to actors.
How dare: Actors crossing over to sexy, mature roles and how this impacts on their careers and personal life.
Actors in gay roles: a cursory look at how bold and versatile our actors have been in playing out gay roles.
Escolta memories: A trip down memory lane when Escolta was the central hub of the Philippine movie industry.
The Manila Film Festival, the mother of all Filipino film festivals.