ENCORE ARTICLE ON DIREK NEAL TAN! (IN A SPECIAL Q & A)....

neal: an artist and an advocate

neal instructs an actor for a scene

Walang binatbat ang mga baguhang indie film directors ngayon sa napakagandang pag-uugali ng isa sa mga pioneer ng indie films na si direk Neal Tan. Sa pakikisama, sincerity and humility, number one itong si direk Neal. Kaya naman ang gifts niya and blessings in life ay padami rin ng padami...

Sa isang special Q & A, over a cup of coffee and breakfast at Razon's resto, direk neal answered more questions sa kaibigan niyang blogger. Very busy si direk ngayon sa mga acting workshop and painting sessions, kaya naman minadali na namin ang interbyuhan na iyon.

Here it went:

ROBERT: What can you say about the film "men In Uniform"? Is this a film that will correct the wrong notions about Policemen?

direk neal with the policemen, as he directs one scene

direk neal with actor alfred vargas above.

NEAL TAN: Heres the view and purpose of the movie Men in Uniform:

Police Officers have a very tough job. We cannot expect them to wallow in the filth of society day in and day out without our full support and our prayers. Who among us is willing to give our lives for people we don't know or for people who don't care about us? That is what they are willing to do everyday they put on their uniform and leave home.

Inspired by true stories, here are five police officers namely Sr. Insp. Rolando Ramos, (Rommel Padilla) being honored posthumously for his bravery in leading SPO operatives in a series of buy-busts in different municipalities and provinces in line with the PNP anti-illegal drugs campaign. Ramos led his team in the successful arrest and neutralization of eight drug suspects. He died in the armed encounter with the suspects. SPO1 Conrado Baldemor (Jeric Raval), demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dedication to duty when he served as negotiator during a hostage-taking incident that transpired in a public transport bus, thus, saving the lives of a two year old child and two female hostages. PO2 Jumeil Javier (Ravier Cruz) of the PNP’s Police Security and Protection Group was also honored for stopping a robbery on board a moving public transport bus that resulted in the neutralization of three criminals and saving the lives of (Alfred Vargas) heads the Police District Intelligence and Operations Unit. He is behind the neutralization of some of Metro Manila’s most notorious car thieves, bank robbers, motorcycle-riding thieves. SPO1 Melinda Mallari (Empress Schuck) is the chief of the Women and Children’s Concern Desk of the Bulacan’s City Police Office who was also named as one of the Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines for bringing to court hundreds of cases involving abuses committed against women and
children. ABOUT THE MOVIE AND ITS PURPOSE: Police stories are crime stories, a very popular television fare. It is therefore normal for themes of these entertainment vehicles to be the police tracking down, investigating and solving crimes of all sorts. Good guys going after the bad guys. Certainly only some among the few policemen committing crimes. Unfortunately, under the Duterte era, the police are viewed, for the greater part, as the bad guys going by worldwide news about the Philippines. Our country is veritably one police story today. In unabating display, the police commit acts that fall under the category of crimes against humanity. The Stories of these five among the many policemen who dedicated their lives in the the call of duty will encourage the people in bringing back the trust in the PNP.The act of bravery of these police officers displayed the extraordinary courage and professionalism in a circumstance of peril and exemplary performance beyond the call of duty is worthy of emulation among their fellow officers in the police service and uplifts the image of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

neal by the woods

ROBERT: Bakit medyo natagalan bago ka gumawa ule ng movie?

NEAL TAN: Hindi na ako masyadong nage-effort gumawa ng film kung ang purpose lang ng producer eh ROI. Alam mo naman ngayon, 'di masyadong kumikita ang commercial indie films. Kung may advocacy at priority ito ng producer- I mean, secondary lang ang ROI o ang kita, saka lang ako gumagawa.

ROBERT: What can you say about Congressman Alfred Vargas and Rayver Cruz na mga bida mo sa pelikula? Magaan ba sila ka-trabaho?

NEAL TAN: Both Con. Alfred Vargas and Rayver Cruz ay magaan katrabaho, masaya sila sa roles nila as police officers. Bilib sa project at may tiwala sa direktor and I'm very happy working with them.

ROBERT: What can you say about the lady producer of this film who went all the way to produce a movie about Policemen?

NEAL TAN: My producer here is Mrs. Leonora Sy. Siya ay asawa ng isang Police official at may ranggo rin sa PNPA batch nila kaya masaya na gawin ang pelikulang ito para sa hanay nila.

polo

omar

direk neal directs newcomer polo laurel in one scene...

ROBERT: Introducing sa pelikulang ito sina Polo Laurel at Omar Wency de Bangco na parehong mga male candidates ng Face of the Year 2018. Can you say na may mga potensyal ba talaga sila para magka-pangalan sa industriya?

NEAL TAN: Both Polo and Wency are good at may malaking potential to be dramatic actors, especially Polo na malaki ang natutunan sa akin at kay Robert Silverio during the Acting Workshop of face of the Year. Wishing them both to reach their goals in showbusiness with their discoverer, Jojo Veloso. We have another set of actors to look forward to.

ROBERT: What can you say about the present state of indie films? Is it going strong?

NEAL TAN: Still Filipino indie movies are doing great in the international scene, but locally, marami pa ring dapat matutunan ang local viewers na ma-apreciate ang mga tema ng mga indie movies. Luckily, medyo maramin na rin ang supporters ng ating mga indie movies by word of mouth. Nakakatsamba rin ang iba.

ROBERT: Bakit hindi ka na sumasali, direk Neal, sa mga local film festivals dito sa bansa like Cinemalaya and Metro manila Film Fest?

NEAL TAN: Parang nahihiya na akong sumali, eh. Marami namang mga talented na young film makers natin ngayon ang may fresh ideas and style. Pero pag may chance and papasa ang material ko, why not?

ROBERT: Anu-ano ang magagandang aspeto ng bagong pelikula mong Men In Uniform para panoorin ng mga tao, especially ng mga kabataan at Criminology students?

NEAL TAN: Maraming matutunan ang mga kabataan sa MIU movie. Hindi lang puro negative ang makikita nila sa mga pulis mas maraming good deeds ang nagagawa ng karamihan sa kanila. Binubuwis ang buhay para sa tao at may pusong maglingkod sa tao.

ROBERT: You are also an Actor's Director. Sa palagay mo sino-sino ang pinaka-magagaling na aktor at aktres sa bansa natin ngayon?

NEAL TAN: Still the phenomenal superstars Vilma and Nora, siyempre, Sa younger generation, sina Bea Alonzo and Iza Calzado. Sa guys, John Lloyd and Piolo.

ROBERT: Type mo bang mai-direk someday sina Vilma Santos at Nora Aunor?

NEAL TAN: Given the chance why not! I Like to direct, of course, Ate Vi and Ate Guy. Dream ko yan kahit lola na sila o uugod-ugod na, madirek lang sila ay natupad na ang mga pangarap ko at kumpleto na ang showbiz career ko.

direk neal and his "forever"

direk neal with actor coco martin