Oidoing Linux

The hardware part of the setup was actually a breeze,  this after a colleague sabotage sometime early 2000s when i was new in the IT industry,  new to my company and just in time for the annual local computex.  I was a fish out of water and a colleague assigned me in the front lines.  Ok,  my job was about marketing, but everybody knew i was not a CS grad,  and that my only claim to fame getting in the company is because i am a user of one of the specialized hardware they have,  an editing gadget coming fresh from my stint as an editor for iWitness.   Like i had a week to learn,  understanding the parts of the computer and then memorizing the specs that we were highlighting.  (He could have just assigned me to video cards or a motherboard or just 1 or 2 components but he just had to give em all,)  components plus the laptops, plus the barebones, plus the servers on our inventory,  Anyway knowledge is knowledge and for a person who hoards useless knowledge,  this knowledge template still comes in handy anyway.  So thanks.  (On this note,  i give props to these cdrking sales people who would have to learn the inventory landscape,  stock availability and minor technical advisory most of the time undermanned with a full queue of people relying on their support.) 

The booting the the os installation was easy enough because the RPi.   I am used to installing OSes starting in doing an upgrade of the Windows 3.11 to Windows 95.  The Raspberry.org site has a lot of resources regarding starting the Pi,  but after the booting to the GUI,  they seem to throw you to the sharks.  

So now comes software,  and i was truly clueless.  truly clueless.  My experience in linux was just with the first ASUS Eeepc in the country,  I helped launched the netbook craze in the Philippines.  It was a windows wannabe so i did not do any coding at all,  it was just like the windows, android and iOS way of click and install type it wasn’t much different.  But the Raspian being focused on education and building is forcing you how to code, and is not spoon-feeding you in the process.  

It was good to discover,  to come out of your comfort zone.  On the eve of the announced  availability of Windows 10 for free for the RPi,  it had me thinking.  Do i want this?  am i just doing an technology S and M?  Windows have been babying me since my first computer,  though I am using a Mac OS X nowadays,  our home laptop is still on Windows 8.  My previous tablets and phone were Androids,  prior to that I was on Windows Mobile/ Pocket PC,  I had a few Palm pilots and also had a Davinci,  Symbian, Java, Dos, and likewise played with a commodore 64.  I was not afraid of technology then,  i should not be afraid of it now.  

Googled my way to my first installation of a software (VLC) and will setup my basics into the system : Kodi, LibreOffice,  Chromium, will add Everpad, maybe an email client, Dropbox and I am all set.  Had a few misses on installation,  i am not sure if it was standard,  or my hit rate is ok but it seem to me this will be like a Geometry quiz,  once you know the theorems and postulates,  you will be doing fine.

Today on a rainy afternoon,  i have setup videos for my little one to enjoy.  on my Raspberry Pi with Kodi.  I am happy, i have setup something useful.  Off to the next adventure.

Walang Forever

I was doing some writing and translations on my tablet,  the whole weekend and then suddenly i had black screen.  My weekend gadget of choice,  my notes,  some creatives and ideation stuff.. gone.  I was giddy but i know that i have some backup in iTunes,  good that some notes were done via cloud (I soo love, love evernote for this.)   I think the last time a gadget died on me was with my asus m2 huh,  that was depressing.  Gadget fail sometimes may change the course of your life,  not that it is so powerful,  but it affects some rhythms in your life.  

I had to restore my unit.  Googled my way out of it.  but i lost about a quarter updates since i did not religiously back some stuff up.  Anyway,  just to add to the misfortunes,  i am getting blue screens after my restore,  i do not know if the instability is just about calibration stuff or my unit is kind of being lemoned,  a little after warranty expiration.  

So,  due to stability and reliability the term "Gadget of choice" is will be on hold for a season.  I will have to revert to "ever noting” on paper.  Dahil walang forever.

Show of Hands : An independent cinema tool that make every fan a patron

It’s really awesome watching your favorite actors and actresses tug at your emotions while you escape reality in an hour or so in the cool, dark sanctuary of big screens. Many of us have fallen in love with the mainstream movies, most especially because the ones who make them up are the famous guys in the entertainment industry.

But here’s something different Filipinos must learn to embrace too.

Indie films produced in the Philippines are already garnering praises from people around the globe for bringing home international awards. No wonder, the people behind these small films possess world class talents that fellow Filipinos deserve to witness, and appreciate.

Apparently, the people who venture on this industry are motivated by passion. Indie films add richness to the art and culture of the country where it originated. It doesn’t only serve as entertainment, but can be also used as a learning tool for everyone.

 

An Innovation out of Passion

Driven by love for the art and science of filmmaking, a passionate industry volunteer externalized a brilliant idea into something that seeks more productivity. Out of this, the website Show of Hands (www.showofhandsph.com) has been born.

Show of hands is a website that can be used as a tool by independent filmmakers to promote their works by regularly updating their target audience about the necessary details of screenings such as the venue, dates, timeslots, and tickets.

This latest innovation goes beyond simple promotion. It can be a great help in establishing and increasing a filmmaker’s target audience. It can also encourage sponsors to support a film project and eventually translate the work into a money-making product for a sustainable industry.  Thus, even small productions bring home the bacon.

This passion project needs your help and support. It has been a candidate for feature in The Sparks Project a crowd funding platform that supports filipino ideas. Show of Hands Ph would need as many believers for the project as possible to "unlock" the project to get the much needed support. Having this Sparks Project backup would help the brand Show Of Hands Ph to be noticed not just in the film community but in start-ups and technology. Help launch this dream project. Please click the link and vote (launch:)

http://launch.thesparkproject.com/show-of-hands-ph/

 

Easy Access to Info

Because indie films are not that as popular as the mainstream movies, not too many people are watching them. However, there might be a large number out there, who may really want to witness the art but don’t know where, when, and how to access them. Plus, they don’t know who to ask about it.

So, if you’re a film lover who would love to watch every story that interests and excites you, Show of Hands is the right place to go if you wish for latest updates. Gone are the days when you miss out a film you wanted to watch simply because you don’t know when and where the screenings would be.  You can also request screenings outside the metro and near your city.

 

 

Register, Share, Enliven

What now? Indie film makers, register your films.  Movie lovers,  watch and enjoy the films.  Volunteers are welcome,  email film@showofhandsph.com 

This has yet to be known. Let’s build a stronger community.

 

Brownie Points

I appreciate when products and services hears people out as part of their basic service.   My kid is an avid KFC diner so the brand is inevitable.  I visit at least 2x a week (we go takeout and sneak out her treats in the resto we the adults want to eat,  J however will be happily munching her funshots).  and i notice from the receipts that the are giving out treats for survey comments.  I checked it out and tried their system.  Yes this is just your usual survey now online, i appreciate that they just need and value your comment and not your database to spam or sell like other online surveys.  The interface is easy and you can finish the set in a minute or two.  I often have good experiences at their stores (that small thing that they do writing on your paper bags are sweet i may add.) so surely i'll share the good cheers.  

***

And here comes my broadband service provider who would not have in the sim menu their cs number i had to look for my bill for the way to vent my frustration.  It is my second for this month service interruption.   Backstory is we had a change of guards in the office who does the bill processing and stuff,  so we realize we missed 2cycles and eventually paid for it completely to avoid disconnection.  Paid on the 15th in 2 separate documents as 1 is a check and another,  cash.  So 21 they disconnected,  which i didn't realize was a disconnection after 6 days paid without interruption i thought maybe i was still within the cutoff,  i called 22 and they said that they acknowledge payment,  they ask me to reset and all is well.  Yesterday 25,  again no service and why would i again have the idea of it being a disconnection after 10 days of full payment?  But it was,  based on a scripted reply of the agent, so why wasnt i informed of a possible disconnection the first time i called?  And why would they get my first half of two payments in the same bank, same day, minutes apart.  Is that my problem?  They accredited the bank to process right,  should i follow paper trails until the bank gave it to network and then connect it to my account?  

Now i have to send my bank slips to another team and they still cannot assure me of my reconnection until i send the email (my control-done.)  they get my mail (a team with no contact procedure to follow up so i just wish theyd do their jobs and process their emails) they connect this mail to my account and process to reconnect my service,  meanwhile i will be sitting and waiting.. And hoping all will be well.  It didnt with my payments so just hope.

The irony that this country is a haven for BPO outsourcing but our local setups are just bad in giving service.  Bad data, bad scripting, and bad process.  It was all i am sorry but our procedure is this and that excuses festival,  Huh.. Frustration.  Sun cellular is the great example of bad service.  

Maybe i am just a little customer but they promised services to customers like me.  

Fix this please. 

Oh well.  You win some, you lose some.  

Update : So after a day i called again.  You see the internet connection is important at home in the mornings when J wants her spotify dose of disney and nursery rhymes.  I spoke to agent Jules and his supervisor Charlie but still I am still getting the i did the follow up and just wait for the service to come line.  Oh,  consumer rights,  where art thou?

weekends are supposed to be restdays right?

Violator :  I love my life,  this is just me ranting.

For the rest of the universe,  weekend is rest.  For momwantopreneur like me,  it is a blob of time where you have to mix family and projects together because it is the only time you can.   

check out this weekend list :

laundry sort and defrost (this is not considered since its just pushing buttons and waiting.  Laundry btw, is c/o hubby)

refresh aquarium water

prepare for weekend day trip (which includes preparing my daughter’s stuff and all)

Day trip (malling as usual) merienda cena

grocery

clean A/C filters

finalize C*** contest entry backlog (check hdd for “past works”)

draft S**** contest entry and C*** contest entry requirements (personal deadline on the 28th sent via LBC)

Prepare proposals for A/P meeting (Biblio)

     - ppt update add spark!

     - rework budgets

     - letters

meet with B*** for art project (funding BSB)

Setup cables to connect tablet to screen

Prepare for Church

Church - day trip sunday brunch - arcades

laundry fold

refresh offline playlist in J’s tab, J’s phone 

prepare personal playlists and offline study references

Thank God for the likes of Spotify and YouTube that I do not need to refresh as often for music but still would need to do it for offline moments when we go out.  Again for the screen time debate,  I employ the help of technology for my sanity but would try to program the things she watches,  I prefer this than watching from cable because I can develop age and skill appropriate videos/ instructionals. 

Spark mail >> habol missed requirement/ request

J curriculum for the week

watch 1 movie for blog

Prepare for tomorrow’s ballet 

Prepare office backlog (this should be done at 12:01am Monday)

I usually do not want to work on weekends,  plus would not do a sunday work for money activity (sorry harsh description,)  house work ok.  i often try honor that commitment,  but the weekend saturday work-for-your-own-company load is becoming to be more frequent than i wish.  I am just glad i do not have work on saturdays and i can do the tasks close to my family or along with family life.  

and on a monday,  is the only time i will sort out the receipts,  the loose change that is all over my bag,  take out the ketchup and barbecue sauce packets from my personal bag (that i now mix use as J’s diaper bag because i mess up with forgetting my wallet, gadgets, house keys and other stuff i want to use out of home if i change bags so all my weekend life in a bag i remove on mondays.  Likewise reminds me i had a good and fun weekend with family.  

Coworking@CoLab

Everytime I had a meeting back in the early 2000.  People always ask me where my office is,  I always tell them in jest that we have 256 branches nationwide.  It was a home-office setup for me for almost 3 years for ASUS Ph.  I being the sole local representative would have my official address in one of our showrooms but process meetups in coffeeshops near my home.  That was telecommuting in the era of the early millennium.  Yesterday,  i was invited to a gathering of like minds who want to change the world one idea at a time.   The Spark Project, a Philippine focused crowdfunding platform had its meeting in Co.Lab, a coworking space near the CBD Ortigas.  (3 Brixton St. Kapitolyo, Pasig -- paces after ACE Water Spa)  It was such a solution I needed then,  solutions for comfortable workspaces especially for me who wants to move and walk around while thinking (this is a new discovery about myself while doing my Jawbone steps moments.)  for fast wi-fi (well internet then since most laptops i lug around needed RJ 11 connections) conducive to work environments.   

Co.Lab gave us seating options in their communal area depending on your preference.  Bar stool, executive, or comfortable sofa.  Their tables are the conference room versions where you can easily plug in for juice without the need to bend or crawl.  The walls are glass surfaces encouraging you to write your venns and project your gantts.  They also have meeting cub holes for the intimate type of meetings.  

Free coffee.

Coworking spaces,  a concept for the work telecommuters, freelancers and “manylancers”, where golden handshakes  are sealed.  

I want to go back to this lifestyle,  i am too tied up on my desk. Unshackle me.

Special thanks to the Spark Project for introducing me to this find.  

  

Entering contests

What’s with contests that require major efforts to enter the competition?  How can a dreamer like me who do not have posse working for them,  like everyone just needs a researcher,  grant writer, logo and layout design maker,  video producers on their beck and call because these contest just would ask for a whole universe of things.

Like i am just a mom who even if I have friends and network that could help me with your requirement kits I can’t meet.  I have a day job and a “take-care-of-daughter” shift so can’t a "describe your idea” thing be enough?

You tell me to USE MY IMAGINATION.  Why can’t you use yours?

Ok, I am done with my rant back to section 57.. using alibata,  explain the process on how you will gain your market computed in the exponent of pi…nyeeh.

Deadlines, deadlines.

It feels like high school again.  Deadlines and assignment left and right.

At one point the adrenaline gets me going.  Personal deadlines along with office and passion project deadlines.   Who signed me up for this? 

My old screenwriting groupie encouraged me to try to send something to one of the yearly festivals.   I initially was not into doing anything creative as my work and my current passion projects are mostly strategic,  creativity just by means of interface, visuals and titles.  I thought i would not have the energy to muster a hundred pages of script for a full length.  Remembering some pre-worked ideas set aside to good timing and inspiration,  i got my something and processed an update and finally had an entry.  I even added a weekly serial entry that was initially an app project of mine and now became a tv concept.  Call that multi platform.  Call that convergence.

To my dismay,  the deadline was a pussyfoot,  it said initially April 30 with a balikbayan load full of requirements and then at the last minute it moved the deadline to June.  I can boldly rant about it in behalf of the people who beat deadline.  Nice.

Then last i found a deadline for proposals that my web app project fits deadline May 15,  but i got hooked by the idea that they will feedback on the 17th.  How about that?  It is a crowdfunding platform and this is my first for this platform and just the second funding proposal for this project (missed the cut the first time :().  I scrambled to put up the needed information to build my entry.  I still have a hard time in developing these kinds of proposals, a newbie of 1 online miss, 1 face to face greenlight that fell flat during negotiations.. Huh..Long story..). that is why i still haven't found my funding match.

Another cinema festival deadline is coming i will unabashedly resubmit my full length concept.  This is better than my works lying around my hard disks without an eyeball with anyone but me.  That is so wrong about me.  I write but I don't share,  not that I am sure that what I write is worth anybody's while but I think this is my resolve.  So now i go ahead at least for this season,  I will submit stuff from the baul.  

At the same day of this deadline,  will be a deadline set by festival number 1 for me to complete more, more, more requirements to my balikdbayan box of an entry.  Like what?  That ream thick of an entry still had lacking items!!!

Universe hear me roar. 

Update : May 17,  i just got a mail that my proposal for the web app is ok to proceed to phase 2.   Just need to meet with them on Wednesday and submit a bunch of stuff for May 22. 

Happy sunday

The past few days peace comes to me in dreams.  That i wake up singing praise songs of my youth.. I have been reading from facebook shares some debates on how some gospel songs are void of the real gospel, some are just generic lovesongs wanting to hit the charts just so happen it is gospel.  Not even mention of Lord, Jesus or God.  some questionable words and just does not uplift His Name.  

That is why i miss singing with hymnals as most songs are derived from the Bible itself.  A practice of what we will do in Heaven singing and praising The Lord.  Another in the category is just about the Gospel : God gave His Son.  Jesus walked among us.  Jesus died for our sins.  Jesus has risen after 3 days to win over sin and death.  That we should accept him as Lord and Savior. And we will go to Heaven.  In my dream,  I was reminded of the simple and beautiful song.  "He is Lord"

He is Lord.

He is Lord.

He has risen from the dead and He is Lord.

Every knee shall bow, 

Every tongue confess.

That Jesus Christ is Lord.

This simple song is a combination of the 2.  A praise song and a gospel statement.  

My prayer for J is that she enjoy her youth and angsty stage in the community of the church.  I have been blessed with the exposure of youth camps, fellowships, choir and sunday school ministry during my tween and my full teen years that foundations are set well.   I have been swayed left and right by life,  fell and failed many times but I got J-O-Y and peace down in my heart.  

Happy Sunday.

The best is yet to come..

The partnership of BB and Bien has just not been around the blogging world for quite some time,  but they are stronger than ever,  family just got bigger.  My last post was a major milestone and had made BB very busy.  After 3 years our hands have a bit of slack and we are off again to some more journeys.  It was just a pause.. the best is yet to come.

..and I just had to share

Welcome BBB, bienvenidos' boss' baby :)

Bien has a new toy!!

Pretty princess.

Bien and Barbie :)

Bien is really back!

Bien is back in his winningest form.. oh, correction.. SUPER BIEN is back.
Credits:
Adventure Choreography : BBB Bienvenido's Boss' Boss

Stunts : Bienvenido Bernal
Photography : BBB
Location : Laiya, Batangas
Camera : Nikon D90

January 16, 2010

Bien will be semi-back

gumagala naman..
nakakalimutan lang..

soon, ulit
balik sa pagiging most photographed, dirtiest show dog (i think the dirtiest part, hindi nabuwag ang trono..hehe)

- BB and Bien :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

been out of net and phone signals over the holidays. thanks for the greetings and good cheers. happy new year to y'all. God Bless.

Mad dog.MOV

Pwede bang maloka, I wish i was real. BB needs my 4 extra paws. :)

Hey, BB, please, don't forget me this time! Your doggie who usually tags along your celebrity hunts. Please, please, I will be good :P

I miss Banned Movies. This is as close as it gets.

.MOV

Old dog new tricks

Why don't i just have time to learn html, and if i do learn, will i be using this skill for a good rest of my life?

waahhh, website updating is not sooo fun, especially if your computer is conking out on you. irregular hard disk detection, virtual memory loss (i HAVE TO organize my files and delete old stuff finally!!!) and software crashes. I must've done 3x revisions already per page, plus the fact that this dog is ouidoing dreamweaver. Arrrrrfffff..

But then i finally made a vanity mark at the site, admitting i am part of the web team. It's good that BB has been a tambay with creative guys in the old agencies, tinkering with softwares they rubbed a bit of photoshop, after effects, in design (well corel and aldus.. wahahaha remember??) so i am not overwhelmed with the design interfaces.

yup, back to updating. Ciao.

Bien the webdog.
www.movfest.com

Looking for Lav Diaz script

We are looking for a copy of the Lav Diaz script "Ang Kriminal ng Barrio Concepcion." If you have worked with him and / or students of Sir Joven Velasco who had the privilege of acquiring a copy as part of a film class, please get in touch with me - bien@bannedmoviespilipinas.com or acedandan@yahoo.com. We need the same for reference for a project we are collaborating with Mr. Diaz.

Thank you very much.

Bienvenido Bernal

read Dolphy reviewed @ Rotten Tomatoes :)

Bien and My Dolphy :)

Further Reading: Dark Knight is Unforgettable, but Who Remembers James Batman?

Kim uncovers a strange copyright-flouting Filipino movie from the 60s.

by Kim Newman

| July 24, 2008

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/further_reading_by_kim_newman/news/1743648/further_reading_dark_knight_is_unforgettable_but_who_remembers_james_batman

****

Wala nang "the first", "the most important", "the next (place dead director name here)"

Walang salba salba

Walang kategorya na binabali bali din naman ng sino mang gumagamit (indie/ mainstream)

Basta gumawa kayo (ng maganda/ ng gusto ninyo/ ng totoo sa inyo -- kahit hindi none/ all of the above)

May manonood.

Paalam aking Bulalakaw, Jolina song at Indiesine sa Galleria sa Hulyo trenta

This is not a song by Khavn

Gusto kong marinig ang boses mo

Gusto kong halikan ang labi mo

Gusto kitang yakapin hanggang umaga

Gusto kong marinig ang buhay mo

Gusto kong halikan ang puso mo

Gusto kitang kasama hanggang may umaga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC1aTKb47Y0

Malamang napakinggan mo na ang kantang iyan ni Jolina? Okay lang, huwag ka na lang magpahalatang na LSS ka. Kung naging themesong ninyo ito ng S.O. mo atin atin na lang iyan.

Pero ngayon pwede ka nang magsenti inside at rakenrol wasak pa rin on the outside (parang mentos!) maririnig mo ang iba pang sentimental asukal na kanta na gawa ni Khavn De La Cruz sa Robinsons Galleria Indiesine sa July 31 hanggang August 7.

GOODBYE MY SHOOTING STAR

[Paalam Aking Bulalakaw]

This is not a film by Khavn

K. loves Ana. But Ana's now gone. Once she was there. But not anymore.

A chance encounter from their past leads to this new meeting between K. and Ana. They walk through the streets of the University of the Philippines, running into people, visiting a quirky optometrist, and riffing on topics ranging from the personal to the philosophical. Their talks are interspersed with songs and poems that develop parallel to the couple’s talk. This creates a mix of music video, poetry reading, and offbeat romance.

Starring MERYLL SORIANO & KHAVN

Also Starring NELLA SARABIA, ELMO REDRICO, & EGAY ROXAS

Directed, Written, and Produced by KHAVN

Cinematography by KHAVN & ALBERT BANZON

Edited by RALPH CRISOSTOMO

Music by DELAKRUS

Guitar Solo by JONNY SALVADOR

Poems by KULAS TALON

Sound Engineered by ARVIE BARTOLOME

Translated by KAEL CO & MERV ESPINA

Production Company: FILMLESS FILMS

MERYLL SORIANO as Ana Maria

KHAVN as The Unseen Lover

Songs Composed, Written, & Performed by KHAVN

"Bulalakaw" "Gusto" "Hometown" "Echo" "You Love Me" "Sleepy" "My Anima" "Mababa Ang Buwan" "Hanggang Ngayon"

Guitar Solo by JONNY SALVADOR

"Not Just Yet" ("Bulalakaw" Theme Song)

Poems Written & Spoken by KHAVN

"Soneto" "Kay Ana" "Rosas Ng Ulan" "May Isang Bulaklak" "Hangin Balat Pinto: Paghihintay" "Sulat" "Huling Harana" "Pagwawalis" "Paalam Aking Bulalakaw"

Poems Recorded & Mixed by Arvie Bartolome

Watch Goodbye My Shooting Star trailer on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-4WG3gH-9Q

Khavn De La Cruz is a filmmaker, musician and writer who has won numerous awards both here and abroad. His current films will be featured at the Paris Cinema International Film Festival (France), Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema (India), Motovun Film Festival (Croatia) & Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia&Herzegovina) this July and August. For more information, contact oracafe@rocketmail.com, bien@bannedmoviespilipinas.com or visit www.khavndelacruz.com.

Fan girl moment # 856

Sorry for the codes, it’s the fan girl gush I have to express

Cast of Characters : (in order of appearace)

Me

Accessory Director to this story (ADS)

Accessory Writer to this story (AWS)

Director 1 (D1)

Director 2 (D2)

Conversations are via virtual, txt, call and face to face)

ADS : Nina, AWS needs copies of D1's films for our project. Must get copies. Now!

Nina : Rant.. Rant.. Rant.. Ok.

****

Nina : Where can I get ur rare subtitled copies?

D1 : I don't have copies but here are your options, get from overseas girl, overseas writer boy, local writer (without subs) and D2.

Nina : But I don’t have D2s number

D1 : Business card sent.

Nina : (to self -- Wooohooo, this is my idol, can I melt?)

****

Nina : Hi! I am Nina D1s friend, can I borrow the minidv of D1s film from you?

D2 : I'll be at fine arts from 2 - 4

Nina : I have meetings, where can I catch you after?

D2 : 6 I'll be in pasig, I am in makati going to katipunan right now.

Nina : Ok, 6 will be great I will be in galleria in the afternoon for meetings, when will you have the tapes ready

D2 : I have it with me already

Nina : Wow! Thanks.. Ok will try to catch you later

Time lapse

D1 : Nina, If you get the tapes, I want to remaster it first before you send it to AWS overseas.

Nina : Yup, that's what I was thinking, will copy before sending (my culture's artifact at the mercy of the postal system even if its fedex. No!!)

D1 : That's my only copy.

Nina : WHAT!!!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 2 MASTERS 1 WITH YOU AND 1 OFFSITE LOCATION*, Iba pa yung pinapahiram mo na copy. Please huwag mong pabayaang mawala ang obra mo!

Time lapse meeting and some quirky phone glitch -- my messages weren't coming in due to phone virus and basement area location.

D1 : Nina, did you reach D2?

D1 : Nina, having problems with D2?

Nina : Oh sorry, didn't get your texts, we're ok scheduling to meet, phone problems will update you soon.

D2 : Where are you? Can drop by Galleria in 30 mins.

Nina : Really! Really! Wow!

D2 : I am here.. I can't go down though, let's meet at the ramp

Nina : (istaristrak) Ok. Wow! Thanks for the effort.. What car are you in?

D2 : (didn't answer my question) anyway see you.

Nina : (saw 2 vehicles, an SUV and a BMW -- ahehe BMW approaches)

D2 : I was suppose to give this to him last time we saw each other.

Nina : Super thanks!

****

Nina : I am on my way to your place.

D1 : ok, am at home. When will you get the tapes from D2

Nina : I have it with me now, alangan namang bisitahin lang kita no? (irreverent ang loka!)

D1 : Wow! Babae lang pala ang kailangan para makuha iyan from him. Ahahaha

Nina : Sexist! Babae ka diyan. Call it convincing powers. How long has it been with him?

D1 : 2 years!!

Nina : But he says he was about to send it back at penguin.

D1 : He's been teasing me that way for 2 years.

Nina : Meron pa ba kayong taong gustong singilin? Ahahaha

*Note to filmmakers : Archive your films, the US Feds make at least 6 copies of their work as archive masters in at least 3 continent locations if ever 2 (not just 1) chunks of the earth collapse. I know its costs to invest on tapes but it'll be more costly to our culture is we lost your obra forever. Even if you think you are not National Artist material, but maybe just maybe some future galactic society would hail you as a genius. Ahahaha.

Squatterpunk @ The Wuds 25th Anniversary Concert

Khavn de la Cruz’s Squatterpunk will be featured and scored live by the legendary band The Wuds at the Concert at the Park, Luneta. July 13, Sunday 5 pm. The original film track features the music of Mr. Bobby Balinguit, The Brockas, Tengal and Buccino de Ocampo.

About Squatterpunk :

An ode to joy amidst poverty, SQUATTERPUNK is the pre-Spanish Philippine part of Khavn's "Black Silence Trilogy" ("2. Ultimo", "3. The Longest Moment You're Not Here"). Set in the slums of Manila, we follow the lives of the youth as they scavenge the garbage beach for a living while still managing to play around.

CREDITS

Director, Writer, Producer: Khavn
Editor: Lawrence Ang (with Caloy Carlos & Sunshine Matutina)
Music: The Brockas, Bobby Balingit, Tengal, Buccino P. De Ocampo
Cinematographer: Albert Banzon
Assistant Director: Rayg Generoso
Cast: Hapon and the Isla Puting Bato Community
Length: 79 minutes

Watch the youtube trailer of Squatterpunk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi6awU-v9eU

Khavn De La Cruz is a filmmaker, musician and writer who has won numerous awards both here and abroad. His current films will be featured at the Paris Cinema International Film Festival (France), Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema (India), Motovun Film Festival (Croatia) & Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia&Herzegovina) this July and August. His “Overdosed Nightmare” and “Ultimo” will also be featured at the Cinemalaya Film Festival with screenings on July 15 and 19 9pm. For more information, contact oracafe@rocketmail.com, bien@bannedmoviespilipinas.com or visit www.khavndelacruz.com.

Khavn de la Cruz’s Overdosed Nightmare and Ultimo @ Cinemalaya

Khavn de la Cruz’s films will be featured during the following Cinemalaya screenings :

Overdosed Nightmare

July 15 – 9pm Tanghalang Manuel Conde , CCP

“Overdosed Nightmare” is Kidlat Tahimik’s “Perfumed Nightmare” without the perfume, a pure nightmare set in wounded Manila, a close-up view of all that gangrene and pus. A gang of rat-munching, homophobic bums kill the night clumsily. Jesus H. Christ gets crucified for the nth time in Dagger Island. A greaseman, the image model for Poverty, bums around the Edsa Revolution anniversary which ousts another corrupt president, Estrada the actor. And Tony D., the shrewd short-fused citizen of the Philippine ghetto, sets his sights on foreign classmate Steve Banners, a pompous self-righteous dude with delusions of America's grandeur at the expense of Third World inequity.

Running time: 80min

CAST AND CREW

MARVIN AGUSTIN as Tony De Instituto
BON REYES as Tony Gooseman
BUCCINO DE OCAMPO as Tony Greaseman

DAVE KAHN as Steve Banners

Directed, Written, & Produced by KHAVN
Based on NORMAN WILWAYCO’s Institute Of Poets
Edited by LAWRENCE S. ANG (with Genghis Jimenez)
Cinematography by ALBERT BANZON, ALMA DELA PENA, KHAVN
Additional Footage by RAUL FUNILAS
Music by DELAKRUS, TENGAL, ARVIE BARTOLOME, ASCARIS, AUTOCEREMONY, BLEND:ER, BLUMS BORRES, CHILDREN OF CATHODE RAY, CONSCRIPT, EAT TAE, ELEMENTO, FOODSHELTER&CLOTHING, INCONNU ICTU, INSOMNIA, NASAL POLICE, POW MARTINEZ, TERESA BARROZO

Watch the trailer on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuK0akJqSOo

ULTIMO: Distintas Maneras De Matar Un Heroe Nacional with Live Score

July 19 –9pm Tanghalang Huseng Batute , CCP

Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer: Khavn

Editor: Lawrence Ang

Music: Junji Lerma

Cast: Celia Blanco & Festivalito La Palma Actors

Length: 89 minutes

Synopsis:

The Spanish section of Khavn's "Silent Black Trilogy",

ULTIMO is an abstract meditation on

Philippine-Hispanic relations. Mixing high & low

cinematic aesthetics, the film is composed of ordinary

images from present-day Spain juxtaposed with the last

poem that Philippine national hero Jose Rizal wrote

before he was executed by the Spanish Government back

in 1896. A haunting post-kundiman (Spanish-influence

Philippine ballad) score by guitarist and banduria

player Junji Lerma accompanies the film.

Watch the Ultimo trailer on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyPQwAwXIJY

Khavn De La Cruz is a filmmaker, musician and writer who has won numerous awards both here and abroad. His current films will be featured at the Paris Cinema International Film Festival (France), Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema (India), Motovun Film Festival (Croatia) & Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia&Herzegovina) this July and August. His “ Philippine Bliss” will also be featured at the UP Vargas Museum on July 15 530pm For more information, contact oracafe@rocketmail.com, bien@bannedmoviespilipinas.com or visit www.khavndelacruz.com.

Khavn de la Cruz’s Philippine Bliss @ the UP Vargas Museum Grand Piano Project

Khavn de la Cruz again invades UP with 2 of his current works, the film “Philippine Bliss” which was shot entirely at the UP B.L.I.S.S. Housing Project and this collaboration with Alwin Reamillo’s installation-in-progress “The Nicanor Abelardo Grand Piano Project”

An installation, a film screening and a live score interactive experience only on July 15 5:30pm at the UP Vargas Museum

PHILIPPINE BLISS

This is not a film by KHAVN.

Synopsis:
“Philippine Bliss” tells the tale of six modern-day Filipinos living in a single neighborhood, a housing project called B.L.I.S.S., started by the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos during the Martial Law era. These people, whose names allude to familiar characters from Jose Rizal’s novels, narrate their private yet vivid stories of loss, longing, and Third World despair, all intersecting in a public arena that is their packed community. Theirs are lives seen with an oftentimes comic eye, unabashedly bound by a wild and brimming sense of Filipino hope.

Running time: 70min

Cast & Crew:

NEIL ELPUSAN as Simon Crisostomo
REINIER LUCIEN as Elias
JV KATIPUNAN as Tasyo
MENK CRUZAT as Sisa
THERESE CARLOS as Maria
LARA TARRANCO as Clara
DAMASO as Itself

JP HERNANDEZ as the djembe player
ATOY REYES JR. as the steel trader
PEDRING X. SANTOS as the junkyard dog
NINA DANDAN as client 1
CHERISH BRILLON as client 2
ENUH IGLESIAS as client 3

Directed, Written, & Produced by KHAVN
Editing & Sound Design by LAWRENCE S. ANG
Cinematography by ALBERT BANZON
Music by RIA MUNOZ
Songs by REYCARD DUET, LARRY MIRANDA , RUBEN TAGALOG, & SYLVIA LA TORRE
English Subtitles Written by JOEL TOLEDO
Sound Recording by JONATHAN BATOY
Production Management by BANNED MOVIES PILIPINAS
Casting by CHERISH AILEEN BRILLON
Catering by ANNA CHRISTINA IGLESIAS
Stills by ANA CARINA DANDAN

Watch the Philippine Bliss trailer on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GnnU8JcQJg

Khavn De La Cruz is a filmmaker, musician and writer who has won numerous awards both here and abroad. His current films will be featured at the Paris Cinema International Film Festival (France), Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema (India), Motovun Film Festival (Croatia) & Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia&Herzegovina) this July and August. His “Overdosed Nightmare” and “Ultimo” will also be featured at the Cinemalaya Film Festival with screenings on July 15 and 19 9pm. For more information, contact oracafe@rocketmail.com, bien@bannedmoviespilipinas.com or visit www.khavndelacruz.com.

This is not a photo of Lav Diaz

Nung lumabas ang libro na ito ay nagkaroon na ako ng kopya, nawala (nahiram at nagdisappear) at nasumpungang meron palang downloadable version sa publisher site. Nagkaroon uli ako ng hard copy. Nakakatawa nito meron kaming napansin ng mga kaibigan ko..

Sabi kasi sa caption "Lav Diaz (left) at the chorva chorva reception" (nagquote pa ako may mata naman kayo.)

We tried to squint (magic eye effect ba?), maduling at mag stare ng 9 hours, di talaga ma-imagine na si Lav iyon. One brave moment in Sagada, I finally asked Lav, di naman daw siya yun but he was there that day.

Ayun baka typo yung dalawang () at ang ibig sabihin pala ng caption ay "Lav Diaz left the reception.."

when this photo was taken. ;p

And so sagada..

Wasak! Got a phone call Sunday late at night from a friend telling me that I will be part of a shoot with Lav Diaz, the venerable Lav Diaz. Since life has been a whirlwind of unexpected experiences lately, packing my bags came so naturally.. Off to Sagada via Baguio the next day, I just had to take a quick meeting with a gallery to work on last minute stuff for an installation exhibit we need to mount before the month ends. Woooahhh after years of eating and breathing silicon, circuits and digits.. tables have turned in a whirl, I am in a shooting of a Lav Diaz film, I am preparing for a Khavn de la Cruz film installation.

The Lav Diaz experience

Basta working with that shaman (well this is Andrew's description that I immediately embraced then, proven now) is really an experience. Don't want to pre-empt anything about the film so semi-hush about this part.

Chieftain's welcome

It was a usual welcome, in a usual home. I never realize that the reason why the house was situated in the most scenic and cinematic spot until later. We were looking for a location, we saw that the spot fit our requirement to a T, a special, secluded place that had the cinematic X-factor. It was I later realize a hallowed spot, for the pagan gods.

Maybe it was lost in translation, they were talking about a "tabak", a pagan god, "kabunian" as Lav later relayed, when we first visited referring to a headress like object near the fireplace. It was an altar, actually it was THE altar of the whole mountain regions. It was never to be pointed at, never to be held, and fire should be burning only at special prescribed hours. We were there, met the priest chieftain of the land, the powerful old man who is sought to approve of things in his domain, I really don't know when and how, but most probably he allowed us to shoot. He was an old man, senile actually, but his words were still the final word in the land. And yes, he not only allowed us to shoot, he opened his home to us, as Lav said, he invited us in his home.

The sagada weddings

If you think it is so expensive to marry in Manila, well, think again. In sagada, you have to feed the whole 2000 of the municipality and its tourists for all meals for 2 days. Feed would mean, filled, tummy ache, busog na busog level eating. The people are just so generous. If only we lined-up, we were just so shy, even so they were so open giving out strategies on which line is faster, which party has better delicious food (there were 3 weddings, one could actually attend all 3) The festivities were so colorful, I didn't mind that my feet have exceeded the 10,000 step recommendation of a healthy life sabi ni anmum. I was sure I developed leg muscles during this trip.

Dalagang pilipina

There were traditional dancing.. Traditional street dancing, usually participated by the olden folks, 50somethings and above, some in traditional garb, some in simple clothes and some who were part of the wedding entourage were in barongs and sayas (prior to the traditional ceremonies, the couple was wed in the episcopal christian church.. I manage to see the "just married" wedding procession where the bride and groom rode on the streets in a motorcycle as they were congratulated by townsfolk.) . the males initiate the dance… as I see it, a warrior seeks for a bride, dances on a proud stance, calls on the maidens, lures one and they dance together, the men encircle the maiden. It was fun to see old ladies blush like teeners as they volunteer push a "maiden" to the men's circle. Some things never change.

Rules and traditions

The cheiftain's place was really a major walk from our inn, I have to go there 5 times during the trip to coordinate with the chieftain's granddaughter judith who didn't have a cellphone or any means of communication (a time where you wish there were at least trikes or padyaks, or you want to leave your phone for easy access.) anyway it was a joy to visit the place I actually gained invites to stay in 3 houses already to sleep, to consider my home. The first 2 times with kints, we made a semi tradition to pass by this sarsari store and reward ourselves with gatorade. The next time I came alone and I still manage to fulfill the tradition, the manang already knew the flavor I wanted.

In that remote area after the pilapils, the baranggay doesn't allow junk food and sodas to be sold at nearby stores.. So on my 3rd trip onwards it had been my tradition to bring them the contrabands I can easily buy near our inn.

One tradition I cannot miss is to buy at least 3 coffee variants in baguio ( I have been doing this for years already after a sales roadshow trip around 2002, when everyone was buying walis, I ventured further in maharlika and realize there were 2 major coffee brewer shops you can buy coffee by the quarter kilo at 1/8th price of any starbucks, seattle's, coffee bean shop. (if ur in baguio, go past the meat area out the drygoods and you'll find umali's and its neighbor. COFFEE HEAVEN.

If you want to taste test, there are manong's and manang's roving vendor with the hot water, condiments (cream, muskovado sugar, milo, etc. ) toted in a basket selling in most corners.. They taste far better than starbucks.. If one wants to franchise a manila chain, you can call it STARBASKet

Basta, basta, basta.. had a great time. There are a lot of stories more, real, percieved, mythical and comical. Wait for that next Lav Diaz film. I am so excited.

Great Opportunity for Artists, posting for friends-- TENDER FOR APPLICATIONS |

WEDNESDAYS I'M-N-LOVE / OPEN PLATFORM

TENDER FOR APPLICATIONS |
WEDNESDAYS i'm-n-love OPEN PLATFORM RESIDENCY
supported by Arts Network Asia (ANA)

APRIL 24: WOP RESIDENCY OPEN CALL LAUNCH
BAR OPENS 7 PM, OPEN DISCUSSION (ON THE RESIDENCY) 9PM
GREEN PAPAYA ART PROJECTS


True love never dies. And unlike hot summer flings, this one is here to stay. After nearly eight months of relentless romance, unwavering faith, accidental chance encounters and careful planning, our love has finally come to bear fruit. Its time to step up. Swingers meet their match, cynics lost among throngs of intoxicated hope. Paperwork bureaucracy thrown out the door, paving the way for mad spontaneity. A bit of temper if only to extend our cheap honeymoon getaway. No need to pack your bags for this one. Yes, settling in can be nerve-wracking, even unforgiving. Take your chance, as usual the moment is now! The day has finally arrived. With much much anticipation we are launching the call for applications to WEDNESDAYS i'm-n-love OPEN PLATFORM RESIDENCY.

WEDNESDAYS i'm-n-love OPEN PLATFORM RESIDENCY (WOP) is an experimental and creative laboratory for new artistic explorations in contemporary visual arts, performance, and new media. Open to artists, curators and researchers who wish to present their current tendencies for a once-a week critical exchange via screenings, readings, conversations, performance and temporal exhibitions. WOP Residency provides 6 local young artists/curators the possibility of research residency at Green Papaya Art Projects for 2 months (or 8 Wednesdays) each with some production allowance.

Six artists/curators will be selected from an open call to organize and co-curate eight succeeding WOP programs. Aside from co-curating, the resident will also assist in documenting and archiving the events. While in residency, the participants shall also be encouraged to produce their own works (literary, writing, video, performance, painting and plastic art) referenced on the creative environment and experience brought about by the Wednesdays happenings. The works may be multidisciplinary and collaborative. All creative outputs of the six participants will be presented in a culminating exhibition and publication after one year of WOP Residency completion as part of Green Papaya's calendar for 2009.

Launched in September 2007 as Wednesdays I'm-n-love Open Platform, this weekly happening opens up the space to discuss aesthetic, ideological and pedagogic strategies involved in any artistic process. Now running on its eight month, WOP has evolved into a weekly gathering much anticipated with unexpected creative twists and turns. Generating a platform for interventionist tactics, cross disciplinary interaction and collaboration in varying artistic stages – from script readings, improvisation jams, lectures, live talk shows to ping-pong nights. Originally conceived as loose, informal and anarchic gatherings, WOP Residency arose from the exigencies of a structured sustainable artistic program empowering the local art community in the face of temporary artist-run initiatives. Bringing in much needed environment to discuss strategies that will bridge the gap of managing independent initiatives whilst promoting creative and artistic agendas.

Aims and Objectives

• WOP Residency aims to put-in-place the necessary mechanisms to develop a curatorial approach and strategy emerging from the sensibilities and context of new artistic explorations of young emerging multi/cross-media artists. It is creative laboratory with a diverse interest in anthropological, social, political, and technological contexts, and probe how these areas of diverse interests impact on contemporary art practice.

• It provides artist/curator a unique environment for artistic engagement between him/her and those artists involved in the weekly WOP programs. Such environment is seen as a fertile ground for the resident artist/curator to create his/her work witin the context of that engagement.

• WOP Residency seeks to ensure a year-long uninterrupted programming with 6 resident artists/curators taking charge of curatorial and program implementation for 12 months, with each one covering 8 weeks of residency. Putting in place a curatorial and managemment support mechanism involving members of its community thereby putting into practice the principle of comunity ownership and responsibility over the idea of an independent, alternative and “open platform.”

Ask and you shall receive. Artists, curators, researchers, talkers, thinkers, auto-didacts, art students and enthusiasts alike can submit your motivation letter, one-page proposal/artist statement expressing the desired residency period from June 2008 to May 2009 and curriculum vitae on or before May 15, 2008 to

greenpapayaartprojects@gmail.com

or send it via post to:

GREEN PAPAYA ART PROJECTS
124A Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village East
Diliman, Quezon City









WOP RESIDENCY is an independent initiative of GREEN PAPAYA ART PROJECTS supported by ARTS NETWORK ASIA

New email address

Edsamail suddenly ended their service (????) i don't know, customer service numbers doesn't seem to work anymore. This has been 2 weeks (so if you have sent me mails and stuff, please resend :( and why oh why am i just announcing this now.

So alternate email addresses according to priority (i like using outlook to check email rather than going through webmail services) :

nina@bannedmoviespilipinas.com

bienvenidosboss@gmail.com

acedandan@yahoo.com

Thanks a lot. yup still in hermit on vacation mode but i pop in and out of lives once in while. Keep in touch.

New perch

New place, new adventures. :)

Nakuwento ko na ba sa inyo ang aking toy?

I know its our company's product.. i launched it, introduced it to the public and spent almost the last of my sanity to bring it to the Philippines..

but i am raving about it now because i really am enjoying using it. I actually bought this as a personal gift to self from a duty free shop in TW, this is not an english version, your eyes will be muddled with a lot of gibberish characters (papuhmuhfa) on the keyboard.. its black, its 8 gig.

this kind of pc has a special place in my heart.. i had a libretto about 7 years ago and it was my sanity keeper during my first year of independence (i stayed in an apartment alone with just a ref, a mattress, (my tv was just via a PC tv tuner) and washing machine.



(our blog setup.. BBs lappie, Bien's eee, my PC.. together we will blog our adventures for 2008.)
my eee pc, to help me organize my 2008 plans..
i am giving up my pda..
i had a good pda run that lasted for 13 years (da vinci, palm m100, palm V, palm m105, my pal , hp 1121 (?) :)

any takers? just give me a ring.