Sunday, November 28, 2021

The antiquated and the relevant at the 15th International Silent Film Festival


Despite feeling more like a press preview due to the limited number of audience in attendance, the opening of the 15th International Silent Film Festival signalled the gradual return of on site events in Metro Manila. And it was fitting that this event was held at the newly restored Manila Metropolitan Theater that is making a grand comeback reopening this December.

Ben Suzuki
Director, Japan Foundation Manila

Hosted by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the screening of the opening film, Orochi, was a return to ISFF pre-pandemic times with the band Munimuni providing the live music score as the film was shown.

In Futagawa Buntarō's Orochi, Bandō Tsumasaburō stars as Heisaburo Kuritomi, a samurai who despite his honesty and honorable nature, is met by injustice and misfortune. The film features swashbuckling action scenes that was groundreaking at the time. Munimuni's score featured a versatile flute, pounding drums, and layered vocals that showcased the music pallette of this four man band.

Munimuni

The following day, the online screenings for the international silent films began streaming at the FDCP channel.

These films dating from 1911-1925 showed what was life back then. It cannot be denied that views from the early 20th century would be very problematic now. The depiction of women in Japan's Orochi, Spain's Carceleras, and France's The Foreman see them as merely love interests, defined only by their men, and often times subject to harassment and abuse. Also an antiquated view of those times is the caricature and stereotypical depiction of indigenous and ethnic characters. In Italy's Pinocchio, the Native Americans, referred to as Indians, were seen as primitive savages who were eventually massacred by the Canadians. Another example of a caricature is the lecherous Caliph in Germany's Das Wachsfigurenkabinett.

On the contrary, UK's Dr. Wise on Influenza has remained eerily relevant up to now. Despite the advancement of medicine after a century, the advice given in the film on how to stop the spread of the deadly influenza during the pandemic of 1918-1919 still holds true.

Soprano Bianca Lopez and tenor Ivan Nery

If one sees these films from a bygone era as purely a form of entertainment, then it could e problematic. Silent films have now become historical artifacts that have vividly documented how society was back then. And when one views them with this in mind, then silent films can offer a lot more to modern audiences than what one sees projected on screen. Most importantly, this should be a reminder that mankind must never revert back to these antiquated views.

The six international silent films are viewable on demand from November 28-30, 2021 at the FDCP channel. The nine Mit Out Sound Silent Film Competition entries will be streaming on December 1-2, 2021. The winners of the competition will be announced at the Closing Ceremony to be held online on December 3, 2021.

Organizers of the 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila

The 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila is organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the Philippine Italian Association, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Goethe-Institut, the British Council in the Philippines, the Embassy of France, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in partnership with Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of Spain, the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, the National Commission on Culture and The Arts, Ortigas Cinemas, Absolut Mediem, Cineteca di Milano, CNC, Alliance Française, BFI, Filmoteca Española and Matsuda Film Productions.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

PPO presents monthly recital series


Since the usual Philippine Philharmonic Orchetsra subscription concert series at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is still not yet possible despite the lowered alert level in Metro Manila, the orchestra still finds a way to bring classical music to audiences via the PPO Recital Series.

Running from November 2021 until June 2022, this monthly recital series will feature eight members (either principals or assistant principals) from the orchestra performing music pieces that are carefully curated by the PPO's Music Director and Principal Conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura.

Each new episode will premiere at 8:00 PM on the last Friday of the month at the PPO and CCP Facebook pages.

Flutist Hercules Santiago

The series opens with principal flutist Hercules Santiago performing Otar Taktakishvili’s Sonata for Flute and Piano in C Major on November 26, 2021.

Clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana

On December 31, 2021, principal clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana plays Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke Op. 73 and Michele Mangani’s Pagina d’ Album for Clarinet and Piano.

French horn player Ernani Pascual

French horn player Ernani Pascual ushers in the New Year with his take on Hermann Eichborn’s Sonate für Waldhorn und Klavier, Op. 7 on January 28, 2022.

Trumpet player Glober Calambro

Trumpet player Glober Calambro will render Paul Hindemith’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano on February 25, 2022.

Cellist Giancarlo Gonzales

On March 25, 2022, cellist Giancarlo Gonzales interprets Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, L. 135 and Svante Henryson’s Black Run.

Violinist Dino Akira Decena

Orchestra concertmaster Dino Akira Decena performs a couple of Nicanor Abelardo's works namely the Sonata for Violin and Piano, and Romanza on April 29, 2022.

Violist Rey Casey Concepcion

In May 27, 2022, the spotlight will be on violist Rey Casey Concepcion as he performs Paul Hindemith’s Viola Sonata in F, Op. 11, No. 4 and Max Bruch’s Romanze in F Major for Viola and Piano, Op.85.

Contrabass player Ariston Payte III

Principal contrabass player Ariston Payte III wraps up the series with a performance of Adolf Misek’s Sonata No. 2 in E minor, Op. 6 on June 24, 2022.

Pianist Mary Anne Espina

Pianist Mary Anne Espina is the collaborating artist for the entire recital series.

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Uncovering HIV misconceptions in PETA's Under My Skin

Cherry Pie Picache and Eko Baquial

As the World AIDS Day approaches, the Philippines will be once again reminded of its other health crisis that has been seemingly brushed aside as all eyes are on the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the downward trend from the rest the world, the Philippines has seen a 21% increase in new infection brought about by the decrease in HIV prevention coverage and increase in treatment gap, according to 2021 data released by the Department of Health.

To further address this crisis, the Philippine Educational Theater Association is presenting its advocacy play, Rody Vera's Under My Skin, streaming online from November 26 to December 5, 2021 through the Ticket2me portal.

Mike Liwag and Gio Gahol

Directed by Melvin Lee, the streaming version of the play was shot on stage at the PETA Theater back in January 2021 when restrictions were eased allowing for shoots under strict guidelines. The play had its early February-March 2020 run at the PETA Theater abruptly cut when the Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed.

Under My Skin tells multiple stories of people coping with life with HIV in various ways mainly focusing on the tangled web of past and present lovers Jonathan (Mike Liwag), Greg (Gio Gahol), and Syd (Eko Baquial); Dino (Dylan Ray Talon) and his mother Aling Loida (Kitsi Pagaspas); and the disbelieving Mary Rose (She Maala). Their intersecting stories are bound together by Dr. Gemma Almonte (Cherry Pie Picache), an epidomologist who not only provides medical service to her patients but also dispenses information about HIV/AIDS to the audience, which in this case, are the online viewers.

Whenever Picache breaks the fourth wall, she uses her years working with cameras to maximum effect. As one feels that Dr. Almonte is directly addressing him or her, one cannot help but be glued to the screen and listen attentively as she drives her point home. And this she did effectively. Anyone who is still in the dark as to what HIV and AIDS is should listen to Dr. Almonte and be enlightened.

At the start, Dr. Almonte tells that because of the alarming rise in HIV cases here in the Philippines, it has become more likely that one knows someone who is infected with the virus unlike decades ago. And the play then gives a glimpse of the lives of these people, who are all too real, each with their own struggles stemming from their diagnosis. And this struggle extends to the people around them.

There is Jonathan. When he tests positive, his current partner Greg becomes hostile to him. It takes the firm resolve of Syd, Jonathan's former partner, to convince Greg to have a change of mind.

Dylan Ray Talon and Kitsi Pagaspas

On the other hand, Aling Loida, has to ditch her superstitious beliefs and misconceptions when her teenage son, Dino, is diagnosed with HIV. She toughens up and shows a mother's unconditional love when she learns about the real and horrific circumstances that led to his son getting the virus.

Mary Rose's tale revolves upon the horrific discovery that she somehow passed on the virus to her young kid. This leads her to confront her husband, Louie (Bene Manaois) revealing a past indiscretion that fractures the family forever.

Along with these three major storylines are some vignettes that give more faces, and dimension to the people affected with HIV. Notable here is Dudz Teraña's "intermission" providing some comic relief amidst all of the drama but still reminding the viewer that this virus is no laughing matter.

Dudz Teraña

Their tales serve as a reminder that what is deadlier than the virus is the stigma, fear, and ignorance. These keep those with HIV from facing their situation head on and instead only lead them to more destructive paths. But with the right information, along with the compassion and support from others, one can deal with the HIV purely as a medical matter and be on the road to better health. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS can lead to better decision making thus preventing further infections. There may still be no cure for HIV/AIDS, but it can still be treated. And no one has to die because of the virus.

Rody Vera's Under My Skin, presented by the Philippine Educational Theater Association along with advocacy organization partners LoveYourself PH and The Red Whistle, and major co-presenters UNILAB, Inc., and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., will stream online on November 26-28, and November 30-December 5, 2021.

Under My Skin is available for streaming globally and features English subtitles. Tickets for LiveStream at P180 and Video On Demand at P250 are available at www.ticket2me.net, bit.ly/undermyskinonline, or through any of the online showbuyers.

Friday, November 19, 2021

Mit Out Sound competition films to debut at the 15th International Silent Film Festival


As hopes rise with the improving conditions and the lessening of restrictions, the 15th International Silent Film Festival is set to make some noise from November 24 to December 3, 2021 with online screenings via the FDCP channel.

Presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the Embassy of Italy with the Philippine Italian Association, the Instituto Cervantes, the British Council in the Philippines, the Goethe-Institut, the Embassy of France, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the film festival features six films from the silent era coming from Japan, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, and France to be screened with new music specifically composed by some of the Philippines' buzz worthy music acts.

The Festival's opening on November 24, 2021 signals a return to normal with an on-site screening at the newly restored Metropolitan Theater. The invitational affair, hosted by the Japan Foundation Manila, will have the screening of 雄呂血 Orochi/Serpent (1925) by Futagawa Buntarō with the band Munimuni providing live music accompaniment. The rest of the screenings and related events of the festival will be available to view online via the FDCP channel starting on November 25, 2021.

This milestone 15th edition of the festival will also see the premiere of the nine films at the Mit Out Sound Silent Film Competition. Initiated by the FDCP, this section of the festival aims to entice filmmakers to create silent films replenishing the country's silent film catalog since movies dating from the silent era have already been lost forever. The winners of the competition will be announced at the closing night of the festival on December 3, 2021.

The nine films at the Mit Out Sound Silent Film Competition are as follows:


Set A

Ang Tatlong Hambog
Director: Sari Katharyn
Music Scorer: Glenn Barit

Ing Tianak
Directors: EJ Gagui, Marienel Calma
Music Scorer: Pau Protacio

Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig
Director: Vahn Leinard C. Pascual
Music Scorers: Karl Arthur Javier, Nik Rosacay

Ang Pagsuyo sa Paru-Paro ng Gabi
Director: Racquel De Guzman Morilla
Music Scorer: Dominic Laxamana

Dikit
Director: Gabriela Serrano
Music Scorer: Paulo Almaden


Set B

Ha-Ha-Hambog
Directors: Kate Torralba, Jopie Sanchez
Music Scorer: Odoni Pestelos

I Need More Than Tofu and Other Vegetables
Director: Hector Barretto Calma
Music Scorer: Jude Edgard Balsamo

Putol (The Cut)
Director: Nikolas Red
Music Scorer: Jem Talaroc

Ang Pagdadalaga Ng Dalagang Bukid
Director: Jose Carlos Soliongco
Music Scorer: CK Sabillo


Another component of the festival are the webinars namely How to Watch a Silent Film, Restoration and Reinventions in Film Archives, and History of Silent Films in the Philippines. These informative and educational webinars will feature resource persons from the Philippines and various partner countries of the festival.

Here is the online schedule of the 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila viewable at the FDCP channel.

November 25, 2021

3:00 PM


Carceleras (1922, Spain)
Director: José Buchs
Music scorer: Pordalab
Presented by: Instituto Cervantes Manila


5:00 PM


Webinar: How To Watch A Silent Movie
Panelists: Andrea Meneghelli (Italy), Carlos Valmaseda (Spain), Nanako Yamauchi (Japan), Jay Weissberg (Italy), David Fabros (Moderator)
Presented by: Instituto Cervantes Manila, Philippine Italian Association, Japan Foundation Manila

7:00 PM


Pinocchio (1911, Italy)
Director: Giulio Antamoro
Music scorer: Vidmar-Tiro-Tiro-Trio
Presented by: Philippine Italian Association


November 26, 2021

3:00 PM


Dr. Wise on Influenza (1919, United Kingdom)
Music scorer: Joee Mejias
Presented by: British Council in the Philippines


5:00 PM


Webinar: Restoration and Reinventions in Film Archives
Panelists: Leo Katigbak (Philippines), Julia Wallmüller (Germany), Institut National de l'Audiovosuel/INA (France), Ricky Orellana (Moderator)
Presented by: British Council in the Philippines, Goethe-Institut Philippinen, Embassy of France, Film Development Council of the Philippines

7:00 PM


Das Wachsfigurenkabinett/The Waxworks (1924, Germany)
Diectors: Paul Leni
Music scorer: La Crema
Presented by: Goethe-Institut Philippinen


November 27, 2021

3:00 PM


The Foreman (1921, France)
Director: George's Champavert
Music scorer: Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
Presented by: Embassy of France


5:00 PM
Webinar: History of Silent Films in the Philippines
Panelists: TBA
Presented by: Film Development Council of the Philippines

7:00 PM


雄呂血 Orochi/Serpent (1925, Japan)
Director: Futagawa Buntarō
Music scorer: Munimumi
Presented by: Japan Foundation Manila


November 28, 2021

On demand:
Das Wachsfigurenkabinett/The Waxworks (Germany)
The Foreman (France)
雄呂血 Orochi/Serpent (Japan)
Pinocchio (Italy)
Carceleras (Spain)

November 29, 2021

On demand:
The Foreman (France)
Dr. Wise on Influenza (United Kingdom)
Pinocchio (Italy)
Carceleras (Spain)
雄呂血 Orochi/Serpent (Japan)

November 30, 2021

On demand:
The Foreman (France)
Dr. Wise on Influenza (United Kingdom)
Pinocchio (Italy)
Carceleras (Spain)

December 1, 2021

3:00 PM Mit Out Sound Set A

Ang Tatlong Hambog
Ing Tianak
Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig
Ang Pagsuyo sa Paru-Paro ng Gabi
Dikit

7:00 PM Mit Out Sound Set B

Ha-Ha-Hambog
I Need More Than Tofu and Other Vegetables
Putol (The Cut)
Ang Pagdadalaga Ng Dalagang Bukid

December 2, 2021

3:00 PM Mit Out Sound Set B

Ha-Ha-Hambog
I Need More Than Tofu and Other Vegetables
Putol (The Cut)
Ang Pagdadalaga Ng Dalagang Bukid

7:00 PM Mit Out Sound Set A

Ang Tatlong Hambog
Ing Tianak
Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig
Ang Pagsuyo sa Paru-Paro ng Gabi
Dikit

December 3, 2021

6:00 PM 15th International Silent Film Festival Closing Night/Mit Out Sound Film Competition Awarding Ceremonies

*Online schedule is subject to change

The 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila is organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the Philippine Italian Association, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Goethe-Institut, the British Council in the Philippines, the Embassy of France, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in partnership with Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of Spain, the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, the National Commission on Culture and The Arts, Ortigas Cinemas, Absolut Mediem, Cineteca di Milano, CNC, Alliance Française, BFI, Filmoteca Española and Matsuda Film Productions.

Monday, November 15, 2021

Tribute online concert to Manila born Spanish musician Luis Eduardo Aute set on November 18


The Instituto Cervantes de Manila and the Embassy of the Spain in the Philippines pays tribute to Manila-born Spanish musician Luis Eduardo Aute through Con tu latido: Filipinas canta a Aute, an online concert streaming on November 18, 2021, 7:00 PM at the Instituto Cervantes YouTube channel.

The concert will feature Filipino singers who will perform songs by Aute, one of Spain's reputed artists and popular musicians in the latter part of the 20th century.

Born in Manila in 1943, Aute spent his childhood studying at the De La Salle school before settling in Spain with his family in 1954. There, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a composer of film soundtracks for movies directed by Jaime Chávarri, Luis García Berlanga, Fernando Fernán-Gómez, Angelino Fons, Fernando Méndez, etc. This period also saw him top the charts as a singer with Las cuatro y diez, or Al alba. He followed it up with hits that include Pasaba por aquí, Sin tu latido, La belleza, and Slowly. Aute passed away in September 2020.

The Filipino singers, performing the songs of Aute in Spanish is led by popular singer-stage actress Bituin Escalante. Joining her are Philippine Madrigal Singers Mark Anthony Carpio, Toma Cayabyab, Julius Sinoy, James Barbecho, Sheila Ferrer, and Ella Castro. Spanish singer Rosa León completes the lineup of performers.

Con tu latido: Filipinas canta a Aute is presented by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Intramuros Administration.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

MSO performs in online thanksgiving concert


One of the last live orchestra performances that I saw before the pandemic put a stop to everything was the Manila Symphony Orchestra's 2019-2020 season ender held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Under the baton of Marlon Chen, they performed there one of my favorite works which was Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47.

Opening the concert with Shostakovich's Festive Overture Op. 96, and then pulling out his Tea for Two orchestration, Tahiti Trot Op. 16, for their encore extremely pleased me that night since this Russian composer is my favorite. Now, it seemed that I was granted this program that night just before all the pandemic caused craziness happened.

Now that there is this ray of hope that things are on the upswing, the Manila Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce an online thanksgiving concert. Presented by Barangay Bel-Air this free concert entitled as To Listen Again, as One, will stream online on November 20, 2021, 7:00 PM on YouTube.

The upcoming concert can be accessed by registering through this link:

This may still be yet another online concert, but I remain hopeful that the MSO will soon grace the stage with actual audience after this ordeal is over. The orchestra is no stranger to performing after hard times like the historic concert they did at the ruins shortly after the end World War II.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Dostoevsky Challenge: Celebrating the Russian author's bicentennial

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky

At the start of 2021, I've set out to read the entire works of my favorite author, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. I should've began with this endeavor once the year started but I kept on delaying it, up until now that the world is celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Born in Moscow, Russia on November 11, 1821, Dostoevsky is considered as one of the world's literary greats. And with his bicentennial, the timing is perfect for me to go through his entire bibliography, read about his life, and write in here about my thoughts and the impact his works have had on me.


The first Dostoevsky work that I ever read was Crime and Punishment way back in the early 1990s through the Constance Garnett translation published by Bantam Classics that had the iconic Vasily Perov portrait of Dostoevsky on the cover. Some thought that this was way too advanced for me to read but my defiant nature and rebellious streak was already brewing back then and other people's thoughts regarding my reading preferences was the least of my concern.

After finishing Crime and Punishment, I stocked up on his works that were available at the time which were the Bantam Classics editions of Notes from Underground, Idiot, and The Brothers Karamazov. I wondered then why Demons/Devils/The Possessed was not available even though it is considered as one his four great novels.

It was only upon the turn of the century when bookstores in here began to be more sophisticated that I started to see not just Demons and his other short story collections but also other translations and editions of his major works apart from the usual Bantam/Signet Classics releases.

Since then, I've had my hand on various English translations of Dostoevsky's major works. I even have copies of them in the original Russian although they serve no purpose other than to look pretty on the shelf giving me the satisfaction that I have them in my collection. It would thrilling if I could get my hands on a Filipino translation but my search has been unfruitful so far.

So to kick off this Dostoevsky Challenge, I am going back to where it all began for me, the Constance Garnett translation of Crime and Punishment released by Bantam Classics. The plan is for me to post regular, hopefully weekly, updates in this blog regarding my progress with whichever Dostoevsky work that I am reading at the moment. I will also cover other related stuff like comicbook/manga and movie adaptations of his works.

This particular Bantam Classics edition features an introduction by Joseph Frank a noted biographer and scholar of Dostoevsky. I remember getting all confused when I first attempted to read his introduction since it referenced key parts of the novel. I had yet to read the book in its entirety so I couldn't make any sense of what he wrote. But I did go back to rereading the introduction once I managed to finish the novel. And it became instrumental in my later appreciation of introductions, forewords, afterwords, literary essays that are included in books that can truly enrich the reading experience beyond the main text.


Speaking of Joseph Frank, I will read simultaneously with Crime and Punishment his one volume biography Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time so that I can have a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of Dostoevsky and his works.

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this post contains affiliate links. A small commission is earned when purchasing through these links with no additional cost to the consumer.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time by Joseph Frank

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Literary webinar to discuss a pair of women writers from Italy and the Philippines


On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Grazia Deledda, the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, the Philippine Italian Association (PIA), the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), the Ateneo de Manila University, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines present Women Writing on the Margins, a literary webinar happening on November 22, 2021, 3:30 PM.

This online conference focuses on two women writers, Grazia Deledda from Sardinia, Italy and Magdalena Jalandoni from Iloilo, Philippines, and will discuss their lives, works, and their identification with their respective home-islands.

Hosted by the National Library of the Philippines, the webinar features two speakers, Dr. Stefania Lucamente from Italy and Dr. Alice Gonzalez from the Philippines who will discuss both Deledda and Jalandoni with a particular attention to the peculiar topics of their respective works: a sense of self and country, identity and traditions, women and society, language and history.

Dr. Stefania Lucamante, Professor of Italian Contemporary Literature at the University of Cagliari (Italy) and long time researcher in the representation of history and memory in Women’s contemporary literature and the role of passion in literature, will discuss From Marianna Sirca to Cosima: Transformation within Tradition in the Novelistic and Short-Story Works of Sardinian Writer and Nobel Prize Winner Grazia Deledda.

Dr. Alice Gonzalez, award-winning fictionist and faculty member of the University of the Philippine Visayas, will discuss three of Magdalena Jalandoni’s novels to show the processes by which women carve out their identities within and against the gender codes of a society in her paper Magdalena Jalandoni: Negotiating the Woman’s Subject-Position in Fiction and in Life.

An open forum moderated by the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices will follow the presentations.

Interested participants can register through this link: https://bit.ly/NLPPIAWWM

Women Writing on the Margins is the second symposium on Italian literature in the Philippines hosted by the National Library of the Philippines. This follows the well-received conference Dante in the Philippines. Teaching and Translating Dante Today webinar held back in March 2021. This project is supported financially by the Embassy of Italy as part of its program for the XXI Week of the Italian Language 2021.

Monday, November 08, 2021

Kuya Noy, documentary on ASIN founder opens the 16th Israeli Film Festival


An exclusive online screening of Kuya Noy by Daniel Binsted kicked off the 16th Israeli Film Festival, presented by the Embassy of Israel in Manila in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

The documentary centers on Mike "Kuya Noy" Pillora Jr., one of the founders of the legendary folk band ASIN, who has since migrated to Israel around 15 years ago.

Mike "Kuya Noy" Pillora

The years Noy has had living in Israel have not been easy for him. The toll the move had on him caused the break up of his family and he ends up living in the slums of Tel-Aviv giving massages in order to get by. But things begin to turn around for Noy when he embarks on a music comeback trail in Israel and then sets out for a bigger mission, to go back to the Philippines and reunite ASIN back on stage.

The documentary sees a more mellow, vulnerable, and sometimes defeated, older Noy which is a great contrast to the confident, defiant, and stubborn youth during ASIN's heyday as shown through archived footage and photographs. It also strived to give some answers to the lingering questions about ASIN's break up with Pendong Aban providing his version on Noy's expulsion from the group.

Aside from his musical endeavors, the documentary also sheds light on Noy trying to forge a stronger bond with his daughter who is also at a crossroads on whether to enlist in the military or to delay it to pursue dance. Noy candidly admits that he is a flop as a father which is just one of the frank admissions he has in the documentary.

He also confesses that he has never considered Israel as his home and that he has been through a rough patch since moving to Israel. This resonated with filmmaker Daniel Binsted who mentioned during an online conference that this mirrored the experience of his father who also migrated to Israel and yet didn't fully assimilated to the society.

Director Daniel Binsted

Binsted also recalled that he came to know about Noy through the grapevine, when a friend of a friend told him about this mysterious foreigner in his class. Curiosity beckoned and Noy became a subject of their inquiries. This eventually led Binsted to discover Noy's remarkable musical past. To give a glimpse of the Filipino community in Israel through the story of Noy is what compelled Binsted to make the documentary.

The online conference also gave Noy the opportunity to voice his views regarding the upcoming 2022 elections. He mentions the needs to strengthen education and if having certain guidelines in choosing leaders. He further stressed that it is leaders that the country needs and not rulers which was applicable only during medieval times. He also reiterated that a leader should be a moral person, echoing his views that Asin was a moral group rather than a radical one that most people perceived the group to be. Noy was blunt in saying that nothing has changed, everything is still the same which is why Asin songs are still relevant.

Israel Embassy's MASHAV Officer Gladys Baniqued, Daniel Binsted and Noy Pillora

Here are the films of the 16th Israeli Film Festival happening this November 2021. Check out the social media pages of the Embassy of Israel in Manila for instructions on how to view these films.

Kuya Noy (2019)


Director: Daniel Binsted

Kuya Noy is the story of Noy, a Filipino rock legend who found himself living in the slums of Tel-Aviv, barely scraping by, father to an Israeli daughter who is about to begin her military service. During the late 70's, under martial law, Noy founded ASIN, a music band that symbolized liberalism. Now, at the age of 61 and for the first time in many years, he will pick up his old guitar and dare to dream of a new future.

And Then She Arrived (2017)


Director: Roee Florentin
Cast: Michael Aloni, Chen Amsalem, Shmulik Vilogni, Miki Kam, Gidi Gov, Orna Banai

Dan Freilich (age 30), is a handsome but very easy-going nerd who is quite sure his future is organized for the next 50 years. The plan is that soon he will marry Tamar, his high school sweetheart. That’s all you need, isn’t it? Apparently not.

Dan meets Meirav Levi (age 27), a waitress from Jerusalem, and discovers that feeling of butterflies fluttering in your stomach. From here on in, the plot thickens. Dan and Tamar break up but not everything goes smoothly with Meirav. Then Dan decides not to give up and fights to win Meirav’s love.

Ben-Gurion, Epilogue (2016)


Director: Yariv Mozer

Based on a rare interview with David Ben-Gurion in 1968, this fascinating documentary offers a glimpse into the private life of one of the most important statesmen of the 20th century. Conducted five years after he resigned from public life, Ben-Gurion looks back at his youth and time in office, contemplates the future of Israel following the 1967 War and explains why he believes peace is more important than land. Ben-Gurion, Epilogue looks beyond the iconic tufts of hair to reveal a thoughtful, modest and loving man.

The Unorthodox (2018)


Director: Eliran Malka
Cast: Shuli Rand, Yakov Cohen, Yoav Levi, Tzachi Grad, Yigal Naor

When Yakov Cohen’s daughter is expelled from school because of her ethnicity, the widowed father decides to fight back. Despite having no political experience, he forms Shas, a new party whose aim is to cater for the needs of the disenfranchised Sephardi ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. It’s 1983, the Ashkenazi establishment rules everything and Cohen’s efforts seem quixotic. But he perseveres, and by doing so, changes the political landscape in Israel forever. Inspired by real events, The Unorthodox is a highly entertaining – and enlightening – tale about the beginnings of a political revolution.

The 16th Israeli Film Festival is presented by the Embassy of Israel in Manila in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
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