busong in cannes

Filipino director Auraeus Solito goes to the Cannes Film Festival this year with his film Busong (Palawan Fate). His fifth full-length feature film to date, it is officially part of the Directors Fortnight section of the Festival.

five

I live with cats. When I told friends that I was going to get myself a cat –a longhaired Persian at that—they were concerned because it was not the best pet choice for somebody asthmatic like myself. “But I want a cat, I always liked cats.” I was adamant. According to them, there were simpler ways to aggravate my lung condition that won’t cost me an arm and a leg. “Like standing on EDSA eight hours a day for a week, inhaling toxic fumes from passing vehicles,” they suggested. But I persisted. A few days later I took home a male and ginger fur ball. I named him Natarajan Beckham.

Natarajan was derived from a character in Amulya Malladi’s novel The Mango Season, which I was reading at that time, and, to commemorate the 2006 World Cup, I gave my cat the last name of my favorite soccer player.

Nate, as I fondly call him, turns 5 years old today. He’s grown large with shiny orange hair. He likes to imitate me. He prefers sleeping flat on his back –legs spread out, tummy exposed— like his human. He spends more and more time in front of the computer. I won’t be surprised that one day he’ll be writing my essays for me. I spoil him silly. I refuse to refer to my cat with the pronoun it, preferring the masculine pronoun he. When I am out of the house and people would ask, “Sinong tao sa bahay mo?” I would assure them that the house is safe because, “Si Nate ang tao doon.” He’s a member of my family.

letting go

I've been stalling a farewell the entire week. This afternoon however I could no longer derail the inevitable. It all started when my friend Wadilkhaery sent me an SMS last Sunday asking if I still have a kitten available for sale or adoption.

"Yes, I have a male kitten, light orange, almost four months old."

An hour later, a deal was struck with a potential buyer. "Can you deliver the kitten tomorrow?" Wadilkhaery asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm going out of town," I answered. The truth was the out-of-town trip was scheduled Tuesday. I just wanted time to be with my little kitty cat.

As soon as I arrived from my trip Tuesday evening, I received a text message from Wadilkhaery. "Are you back?" I didn't reply. The text messages kept arriving Wednesday. I ignored them.

Thursday afternoon, I received a text message from an unregistered number. It came from the potential buyer. It turned out that he was the Starstruck Teen Survivor Chuck Ali. I didn't text him. Wadilkaery sent me messages even until late in the morning. He tried to call me but again, I ignored them.

But when Friday afternoon came I mustered all my strength and courage. I am an honorable man, I know how to keep my word. I decided that it was time to bring the kitty cat to its new owner. Aboard the taxi to the meeting place -Wadilkhaery's Zabadani Cafe- I stroked the kitty cat for the last time. I couldn't help but cry. I was already attached to the playful little cat. I didn't want to let him go. We already named him Rashid, because we thought we wouldn't be parting with him anymore.

He kept meowing during the 15-minute trip, as though he was telling me "I don't want to go." But I told myself it was for his own good. I patted his head. "Be good, kitty cat."

As the taxi slowed down in front of the cafe, I swallowed a big one, suppressed another tear, and told myself to be brave. This is not going to be goodbye.

letters of solitude make me happy

Despite the challenges, my hard work in preparing a convincing pitch has paid off. I got the grant! I'm one of ten filmmakers who will be receiving a 1 million pesos (roughly US$22,000) seed fund from Cinema One Originals. The film entries and their filmmakers are as follows:

Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon by Dennis Marasigan

Big Boy by Shireen Seno

Cartas de la Soledad by Teng Mangansakan

Di Ingon Na'to by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga

Ka Oryang by Sari Dalena

Mga Anino sa Tanghaling Tapat by Ivy Universe Baldoza

Paranormal Romance by Victor Villanueva

Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Langit by Mes de Guzman

Sa Ilalim ng Tulay by Earl Bontuyan

6 Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay by Antoinette Jadaone

the pitch

My pitch took eighty minutes. I was distracted, incoherent and way too relaxed it would seem that I was just talking to friends over bottles of beer.

I was two hours early in the venue. "Why don't you go down and have coffee first," the coordinator told me. "I'm good, I'll just wait here," I answered. Then she left. My heart was racing, another cup of coffee would make me a nervous wreck. I thought that by being early I could familiarize myself with the environment. I would be more comfortable. The pitch would be a breeze.

There were six filmmakers scheduled to pitch that day. I was the first on the list. 

I practiced my opening remarks. "Good evening. My name is Gutierrez Mangansakan II from Pagalungan, Maguindanao..." I was stammering. Despite the 15 degree temperature, I was sweating like a dog. 

Every straight guy should have a man's tongue in his mouth at least once.


-Madonna

i cram

I'm cramming (again so what's new?) I'm pitching my script to possible producers on Wednesday. I need to make a 50-slide presentation. But I procrastinated for the past several weeks so I'm rushing to make an impressive Powerpoint. I've managed to make 13 slides so far. I'm still on the first part of the presentation. The presentation has seven parts namely script treatment, technical capability, casting, commercial elements or selling points of the project, production staff, past works, and budget and marketing.

I cannot focus. Except for Albert Martinez, Cesar Montano and Raymond Bagatsing for consideration in the lead role, all my mental notes are gone. Should I have more coffee? Or should I just take a short nap? I called a friend to help me with commercial elements. I have no idea what this is supposed to be. Or, am I just passing the responsibility to others? Clock is ticking.

sicko

I thought that it was an April Fool prank, but this is plain sick. Vendors in China have been selling key chains that consist of either a Brazil turtle or two small kingfish sealed inside a small plastic baggy. Each baggy, seven centimeters in length, is filled with colored liquid and the imprisoned animal(s) of choice. The baggy is supposed to be “nutrient rich” water, which the vendors claim allows the animals to live for several months. After several months is up, however, you’ll just be carrying around a dead animal.

Mary Peng, the co-founder of the International Center for Veterinary Services, says that the animals will run out of oxygen and therefore probably die before the so-called nutrients in the water run out.

These little trinkets, typically sold at subway and train stations, are protected by law and, according to said law, are not considered animal abuse. According to Qin Xiaona, director of the NGO Capital Animal Welfare Association, this is pure animal abuse; sadly, there only exists in China a Wild Animal Protection Law, and therefore these poor animals are not protected.

For some, they’re bought because they think they bring good luck. Others buy them to free them. According to one woman who spoke to the Global Times, “I bought one to free it. It looks so miserable.”

Animal protection groups are voicing their opinion on the matter, so hopefully they can quickly make progress toward getting these keychains made illegal.

come home, yaki

Aside from the nine Persian cats that I keep inside the house, I adopted two domestic shorthair cats. Two years ago I found Yaki and her sister Maui, they were kittens then, outside a bar that I frequent in Matina Town Square called Maui Teriyaki (hence the provenance of the two cats' names). The waiter told me that their mother died a few days earlier after ingesting a poisoned rat. My heart melted.

Unlike their Persian cousins, the two cats stay outdoor most of the time. Yaki has this habit of visiting neighbors' house, disappearing for hours only to reappear during supper. But lately he has not reappeared. He has been missing his meals. I'm beginning to worry. I haven't seen him in two days. The last time I saw him was in this particular neighbor's house. Today I checked the house and found out that they have placed a piece of wood underneath the gate. Perhaps they have become tired of the unwelcome visitor. If Yaki is in their premises, he has no way of getting out. I knocked at my neighbor's gate, but apparently they are out.

Wherever you are, Yaki. Please come home.

Update:

Yaki came home to have his lunch today. But it was quick, about a minute, and then he disappeared again. Mogley offered me an explanation. Lately a big alpha male cat has been visiting the house. The cat is larger than Yaki and they usually fight. Yaki, according to Mogley, might be trying to avoid the cat. The only way for Yaki to return home is to get rid of this trespasser.

April 2, 2011. I was awakened by Yaki's meow. It was 5:25am. He wanted his brekkie.