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John Santos' Once Upon a Time...Sinehan

Inang Yaya CMMA Invite!

Just received from the mail the other day!

Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominees Announced

Nominees in the inaugural Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the region’s highest accolade in film in 2007, were announced tonight at a gala event in Singapore.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is a collaboration between CNN International, UNESCO and FIAPF- the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. The Awards honour the works of filmmakers across a region covering more than 70 countries, one third of the earth and half the world’s film output.
The finalists are drawn from all over the Asia-Pacific region with 34 films nominated from 19 countries: Armenia, Australia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Asia Pacific Screen Awards Chairman, Des Power, said: “It is remarkable that the Awards in their first year have drawn entries from so many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Clearly filmmakers and the industry value the purpose and benefit of these Awards and the global broadcast platform of CNN International.
“I congratulate the nominees in the inaugural Asia Pacific Screen Awards. They represent the extraordinary creativity and energy of filmmakers across the Asia-Pacific region and the range and quality of their films undoubtedly reflects the aims of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to celebrate both cinematic excellence and cultural diversity.”

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards will be presented at an Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast, Australia, on November 13, 2007, following deliberation by a distinguished International Jury headed by Indian actress and humanitarian, Shabana Azmi.

The full list of nominees follows.

The nominees in the 2007 Asia Pacific Screen Awards are:

Best Feature Film

CARAMEL (Lebanon)Produced by Anne Dominique Toussaint
NIGHT BUS (AUTOBUS-E SHAB) (Iran)Produced by Mehdi Homayounfar
OPERA JAWA (Indonesia)Produced by Garin Nugroho and Simon Field
SECRET SUNSHINE (MIRYANG) (Republic of Korea)Produced by In-Soo Kim, Chang-Dong Lee and Hanna Lee
TAKVA: A MAN’S FEAR OF GOD (Turkey)Produced by Sevil Demirci Cakar

Best Animated Feature Film

THE BIG FIGHTING BETWEEN WUKONG AND GOD ERLANG (WUKONG DA ZHAN ER LANG SHEN) (China)Produced by Hansen Liang and Meiling Zhou
5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND (BYOSOKU 5 CENTIMETERS) (Japan)Produced by Noritaka Kawaguchi
SUMMER DAYS WITH COO (KAPPA NO COO TO NATSUYASUMI) (Japan)Produced by Yutaka Sugiyama

Best Documentary Feature Film

BEIRUT DIARIES: TRUTH, LIES AND VIDEOS (YAOUMIYAT BEIRUT: HAKAEK WA AKATHEEB) (Lebanon)Produced by Mai Masri and Jean Chamoun
A GREAT MASTER RECAPTURED (YOU JIAN MEI LAN FANG) (China)Produced by Feng Gao
THE LOST LAND (SARZAMINE GOMSHODEH) (Iran)Produced by Documentary and Experimental Film Centre and TOUBA Film
A STORY OF PEOPLE IN WAR AND PEACE (Armenia)Produced by Vardan Hovhannisyan
VILLAGE PEOPLE RADIO SHOW (APA KHABAR ORANG KAMPUNG) (Malaysia)Produced by Tan Chui Mui

Best Children's Feature Film

THE BICYCLE (GULONG) (Philippines)Produced by Menardo Jimenez and Socorro Fernandez
DENIAS, SINGING ON THE CLOUD (DENIAS, SENANDUNG DI ATAS AWAN) (Indonesia)Produced by Ari Sihasale
LOCKSMITH (GHOFL-SAZ) (Iran)Produced by Hassan Agha-Karimi
MOTHER NANNY (INANG YAYA) (Philippines)Produced by Antonio Gloria
MUKHSIN (Malaysia)Produced by Puad Onah

Achievement in Directing

Nadine Labaki for CARAMEL (Lebanon)
Rakhshan Bani-Etemad and Mohsen Abdolvahab for MAINLINE (KHOONBAZI) (Iran)
Shawkat Amin Korki for CROSSING THE DUST (PARINAWA LA GHOBAR) (Iraq/Kurdistan)
Tao Peng for LITTLE MOTH (XUE CHAN) (China)
Zhanna Issabayeva for KAROY (Kazakhstan)

Best Screenplay

Feroz Abbas Khan for GANDHI, MY FATHER (India)
Michael James Rowland and Helen Barnes for LUCKY MILES (Australia)
Kiumars Pourahmad and Habib Ahmadzadeh for NIGHT BUS (AUTOBUS-E SHAB) (Iran)
Chang-Dong Lee for SECRET SUNSHINE (MIRYANG) (Republic of Korea)
Onder Cakar for TAKVA: A MAN’S FEAR OF GOD (Turkey)

Achievement in Cinematography

Yu Wang for THE GO MASTER (WU QINGYUAN) (China)
Trofimov R G C Sergey for MONGOL (Russian Federation)
Palitha Perera for SANKARA (Sri Lanka)
Zhao Fei, Mark Ping-bin Lee and Yang Tao for THE SUN ALSO RISES (China)
Hooman Behmanesh for THOSE THREE (AN SEH) (Iran)

Best Performance by an Actress

Nadine Labaki, Yasmine Al Masri, Joanna Moukarzel, Gisele Aouad, Siham Haddad & Asiza Semaan in CARAMEL (Lebanon)
Hanan Turk in CUT AND PASTE (KAS WA LAZK) (Egypt)
Joan Chen in THE HOME SONG STORIES (Australia)
Baran Kosari in MAINLINE (KHOONBAZI) (Iran)
Do-Yeon Jeon in SECRET SUNSHINE (MIRYANG) (Republic of Korea)

Best Performance by an Actor

Sasson Gabai in THE BAND’S VISIT (BIKUR HATIZMORET) (Israel)
Antropov Evgeniy in HARD-HEARTED (KREMEN) (Russian Federation)
Deok-Hwan Ryu in LIKE A VIRGIN (CHEON HA JANG SA MADONNA) (Republic of Korea)
Mehrdad Sedighian in NIGHT BUS (AUTOBUS-E SHAB) (Iran)
Erkan Can in TAKVA: A MAN’S FEAR OF GOD (Turkey)

Two additional major Awards will be presented for outstanding achievement:
The FIAPF Award for outstanding achievement in film in the Asia-Pacific region.
The UNESCO Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is producing television programs attached to the inaugural 2007 Awards for global broadcast on CNN International.
The programs, titled Scene By Scene, will carry stories and interviews about the region’s film industry. Scene By Scene - Films of Asia Pacific will screen on CNN International on November 10 prior to the Awards ceremony on November 13. The second program, Scene By Scene - Best Films of Asia Pacific, will include the Awards ceremony and will air on November 17.

YCC BLOG SITE

YCC Citation for Best Screenplay

by Nonoy Lauzon / YCC Member

Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula

Kagaya ng halos lahat na kategorya para sa gawad sa taong ito ng Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle, nag-iisang pelikula lamang ang nahirang para sa Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula.

Inang Yaya (Unitel Pictures)—VERONICA B. VELASCO

Sa unang sipat, tipikal na melodrama ang kwento ng Inang Yaya. Gaano na nga ba karami at kalasak ang pelikulang Pinoy tungkol sa sakripisyo ng isang ina? Ilang pelikula na nga ba ang nagpaiyak sa maraming manonood sa pagpapakita ng iba’t ibang pasakit na dinanas ng isang nanay? Kadugtong man ang Inang Yaya sa mahabang linya ng pelikulang lokal na tumatalakay sa drama ng pagiging ina, namumukod-tangi pa rin ito at sadyang naiiba lalo na sa masinop na pagsasadula ng kuwentong hindi kailangang maging bago ngunit nakapagbigay ng anyong siya mismong nakapagpabago sa mismong genre ng pelikulang kung saan ito nakahanay.

Kamangha-mangha kung paano ang pelikulang kunwang stereotype ng pelikulang melodrama ay nakapaglahad ng maraming katotohanan: ang tensiyon at tunggalian ng mga uri, ang mga nagaganap na pang-araw-araw na salpukan ng babae sa kapwa babae, ang nahimay na mga kontradiksyon na maaring mamugad sa kamalayan ng sinuman taliwas sa de-kahon na pagsasa-katauhan sa kanya ng lipunang kanyang kinagagalawan.

Mapapansing angat ang iskrip ng Inang Yaya lalo na sa maraming eksenang hindi maitatatwang kapani-paniwala, binusisi at sinaliksik. Labag sa pormula ng maraming pelikula, katangi-tangi ang pelikula sa pagbibigay buhay sa mga tauhang higit sa dalawa ang dimension at hindi basta hinati sa kung sino ang bida sa kontrabida.

Sa mga kadahilanang ito at higit pa, buong loob na nilalaan ng Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle ang natatanging parangal sa Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula sa Inang Yaya.

YCC Citation for Best Performance

by Eloi Hernandez/YCC Member

23rd Star Awards

23rd Star Awards for Movies
Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC)

Digital Movie of the Year Winner
Tony Gloria, Producer; Wyngard Tracy and Maricel Soriano, Executive Producers; Jun Reyes and Tito Velasco, Co-Executive Producers; Noemi Peji, Line Producer

Digital Movie Directors of the Year Winner
Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr. and Veronica Velasco

Movie Child Performer of the Year Winner
Tala Santos

Movie Actress of the Year Nominee
Maricel Soriano

Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Nominee
Liza Lorena

Movie Child Performer of the Year Nominee
Erika Oreta

4th Golden Screen Awards

4th Golden Screen Awards
Entertainment Press Society, Inc. (ENPRESS)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) Winner
Maricel Soriano
with Gina Pareno(Kubrador)

Best Motion Picture (Drama) Nominee
Tony Gloria, Producer; Wyngard Tracy and Maricel Soriano, Executive Producers; Jun Reyes and Tito Velasco, Co-Executive Producers; Noemi Peji, Line Producer

Best Director Nominees
Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr. and Veronica Velasco

Breakthrough Performance by an Actress Nominees
Erika Oreta
Tala Santos

Best Cinematography Nominee
Gary Gardoce

Best Production Design Nominee
Norman Regalado

Best Musical Score Nominee
Nonong Buencamino

Best Original Song Nominee
Joey Benin "Munting Hiling"
Performed by Erika Oreta and Tala Santos

Young Critics Circle

Young Critics Circle
Film Desk
17th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2006

Best Film of the Year Winner
Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr. and Veronica Velasco, Directors; Tony Gloria, Producer; Wyngard Tracy and Maricel Soriano, Executive Producers; Jun Reyes and Tito Velasco, Co-Executive Producers; Noemi Peji, Line Producer

Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Winner
Maricel Soriano

Best Screenplay Winner
Veronica Velasco

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design Winner
Gary Gardoce, Director of Photography; Norman Regalado, Production Designer

Best Achievement in Film Editing Winner
Randy Gabriel

Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration Winner
Mark Locsin and Angie Reyes, Sound Engineers; Nonong Buencamino, Musical Director

Gawad Tanglaw 2006

Gawad Tanglaw(Tagapuring mga Akademik ng Aninong Gumagalaw)2006

Gantimpalang Romeo Flaviano I. Lirio para sa Kapuri-puring Manlilikha (Achiever's Award)
Maricel Soriano

Gawad Tanglaw
Inang Yaya , one of the Best Five Films of 2006
with Kubrador, Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, Kaleldo and Huling Balyan ng Buhi.
The directors of the five films were also adjudged as the
Best Directors of 2006.

IY Moment_unang sine ni Ruby

IY Moment_Is that my shirt?

IY Moment_Ang Kwintas

Happy Birthday MARICEL SORIANO!!!
- from the Inang Yaya Team

Young Critics Circle bares winners of film awards

THE Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle formally announces the winners of its annual film awards. “Inang Yaya” directed by Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr. and Veronica Velasco makes a clean sweep of the YCC honors for all categories, namely, Best Film of the Year given to the directors; Best Screenplay; Best Cinematography and Visual Design; Best Editing; Best Sound and Aural Orchestration and Best Performance for lead actress Maricel Soriano.

From the past year’s total local film output of 49 regular releases and more productions including digitals that had multiple screenings in any public venue that a paying audience has had access, “Inang Yaya” produced by Unitel Pictures emerged as the sole nominee and ultimate winner for most of the categories for the YCC film awards.

Only two other films managed to figure in YCC roll of honor this year by scoring nominations: “Kubrador” (MLR Films) with nods for Best Cinematography and Visual Design and Best Editing and “Kaleldo” (Centerstage) with Cherry Pie Picache in the roster for Best Performance. Nominated as well for Best Performance is the entire acting ensemble of “Inang Yaya.”

Awarding is on Thursday afternoon of March 8 at 2 p.m. at the Faculty Center Conference Hall in UP Diliman.

Established in 1990, YCC is the critics group with members coming from various disciplines. Through the years, they have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema constantly bringing into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.

The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not just sound engineering per se but musical score as well.

The following is the roundup of complete winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards officially billed as the 17^th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2006:

Best Film of the Year

Winner: Inang Yaya directed by Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr. and Veronica Velasco (Unitel Pictures; Tony Gloria, Producer; Wyngard Tracy and Maricel Soriano, Executive Producers; Jun Reyes and Tito Velasco, Co-Executive Producers; Noemi Peji, Line Producer)

No Other Nominee

Best Screenplay

Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Veronica Velasco

No Other Nominee

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design

Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Gary Gardoce, Director of Photography; Norman Regalado, Production Designer

Nominee: Kubrador (MLR Films) – Roberto Yñiguez, Director of Photography; Leo Abaya, Production Designer

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Randy Gabriel

Nominee: Kubrador (MLR Films) – Jay Halili

Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration

Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Mark Locsin and Angie Reyes, Sound Engineers; Nonong Buencamino, Musical Director

No Other Nominee

Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Winner: Maricel Soriano in Inang Yaya (Unitel)

Nominees:

Cherry Pie Picache in Kaleldo (Centerstage)

Entire Cast of Inang Yaya (Unitel)

Young Critics Circle Film Desk

17th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It was the same time last year when Ronnie began writing Inang Yaya and now the curtains have been drawn. It was a year of hard work and countless sleepness nights. We began principal photography on May 1, Labor Day and ended June 12, Independence Day. IY’s first day, November 29 was threatened by a super typhoon and its last screening was a day before Christmas.

We will always be thankful to Mr. Tony Gloria, Ms. Maricel Soriano and Mr. Wyngard Tracy for sharing their wisdom and resources with us.

We had the most efficient staff and crew that made our 17 days of shoot smooth sailing.

IY’s definitive high definition video to film cinema print quality could never be achieved without the facilities and technical support provided by Unitel, Engine Room and Opticolors. Our special thanks to Marilen Magsaysay for defining the colors of Inang Yaya - the torqouise blue skies, golden green bucollic landscapes of Ruby versus the candy-colored environment of Louise. Special thanks to Editor Randy Gabriel for his patience, sensitive as well as hilarious editorial insights. Engine Room’s Post Producer Nolan Estacio as well as post personnel Winston, Claire, Kim, Jogs, Ayie, facility engineers: Ruben and Steve; Optima’s Marc Ambat and company ;AudioMedia’s Angie Reyes for sharing their time and effort in IY’s extensive post requirements.

Of course, a lot have been said and written about the excellent performances of IY actors - the brilliant and masterful rendition of Norma by Maricel Soriano. It is a privilege to see her perform on the set and a pleasure to be with her off-camera. The sensitive portrayal of Lola Toots by Liza Lorena and the vivid and colorful characters of Ruby and Louise performed by child prodigies- Tala Santos and Erika Oreta.

Our memorable mean girls Alexa and Margarita played by Julia Centenera-Buencamino and Erika Dehesa. Even our supporting cast: Marita Zobel, Sunshine Cruz, Zoren Legaspi, Matthew Mendoza, Kalila Aguilos, Roence Santos, Soliman Cruz and Next aptly contributed their share in IY’s solid ensemble.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Noemi Peji, our Line Producer for her undying support and presence throughout the project. Our ever efficient Production Manager cum Location Manager Marijo Claour for her charismatic handling of generous homeowners of our wonderful locations in Morong, Rizal and BF Homes, QC.. Cinematographer Gary Gardoce, Production Designer Reji Regalado(with Abbyjam and Tess) and gaffer Jeff Baltazar for defining the visual mood and tone of IY and for being so patient and cooperative in joining us in pre-prod photo boarding.

For the much needed nourishment to last 17 days of shoot, our sincerest thanks to Manay Femy Cadag and her Wrap ‘n Move catering staff.

To Ms. Tessa Jasmines and staff, Maila de Castro,Marivic Fajardo and Unitel Pictures Promo and Marketing and Rocketship for doing everything possible to spread IY’s word.

And finally to all our families and friends, Mama Bec, Mr. James Cooper, Visayan Forum and the Maricelians who have supported us all the way! Thank you for making Inang Yaya a worthwhile and unforgettable experience.

As a New Year treat for everyone, here is one of the highlights of Inang Yaya. It is one of our favorite scenes from the movie. It was shot on the hottest and most hectic shooting day for the movie. In was shot in Morong, in Manuel Salaza’s picturesque mango plantation. The house on the farther end of the bridge is Claudine’s house in Star Cinema’s Sukob. At that time we were’nt sure if Direk Chito used the bridge for the movie. Nobody cared anyway because we really wanted the ‘iwanan’ scene on that bamboo bridge. We were blessed with 4 solid hours of glorious sunlight, 2 cameras, a crane, a camera jib, a Steadicam plus one of the most unforgettable performances by Tala Santos and Maricel Soriano and the rest is history.