story coverage on the 3rd TOFARM film festival: when one gay character steals the show...

(photo credits: inquirer.net) the winners of the 3rd TOFARM

the 3 most important people behind the 3rd tofarm film festival: from left to right, LIZA DINO-SEGUERRA, DR. MILAGROS HOW AND MS. BIBETH ORTEZA

The moment one blogger entered the RIZAL BALLROOM of the Makati Shangri-la, as the ushers and usherettes were signalled-upon that the guests could start entering it- oh, my- that one blogger who was the very first person to enter the room, was indeed so enthralled and got fascinated.

Yes, we repeat, it was us- blogger Robert Manuguid Silverio, who was the very first person to enter the venue, to watch the Awarding Night & the Awarding Ceremonies of the Third Tofarm Film Festival.

The very spacious Rizal Ballroom, with three giant movie screens on the left, middle and the far right fronting front and beside the stage were illuminated by a great production design, most of all, the Main Stage, wherein crystal balls shone like stars on the screen.

Being there was a rare opportunity and events like this one lasted forever. Why? Because Makati Shang is, Makati Shang! And Tofarm is Tofarm- into which, we could say by now, the most prestigious and glamorous festivity ever in any kinds and forms of a film fest EVENT. Agree or disgaree, Mr. Mell T. Navarro and Ms. Bibeth Orteza? Agree!

There was not much hysterics, fan-invading moments, ego-tripping manners, and scene-stealing scenes- but mostly, it was a night of honoring films and farmers- and paying back the to respect to Mrs. Milagros How, the Chief Advocate of the Tofarm Film Festival.

But anyway, one blogger's list of those people and celebrities who managed to be looked upon again and again and again by the V.I.P. guests, media people, film artists and by all those involved in all the six film entries, were THESE:

Mr. Richard Quan with his very Filipino kind of handsomeness because the more he smiled, the more that heads would turn on him, Ms. Ina Feleo in her black but very beautiful evening outfit also stole glances, Ms. Bibeth Orteza, of course, because she's the Festival Director and a lot of people were looking at her simple Barong Tagalog dress that's so feminine to look at, Ms. Agnes Valencia (the Supervising Producer of Tofarm) in her Edwin Rosas Visda (the fashion stylist) creation of a beautiful exotic coat and skirt, the two handsome newcomers of the film Tabanata's Wife (who got nine awards in this year's fest) who both wore head dresses of an Ifugao tribe, Dr. Milagros How herself in a very elegant Filipiniana wear, director Keith Sicat who looked so handsome in his black Tuxedo, Ms. Moira Lang (a film producer) who was also a LOOKER that night, looking so poised and lovely, and of course, Ms. Racquel Villavicencio who always seemed to look so classy every time she attended a film event.

Kudos to Ms. Dulce for her lullaby Filipiniana song as she sang it beside the Special Awardee of the Night- Mr. Robert Arevalo. Her voice never faltered and that moment offered so much sentiments.

But of course, many media people (including Ronald Rafer, Pilar Mateo, Noel Asinas and Ms. Mercy Lejarde) were on the verge of tears upon hearing one great female singer (sorry, we forgot her name-- rs*) singing  the Tribute Song to director Maryo J. delos Reyes (R.I.P.), the original Festival Director of Tofarm.

Those parts of the program, alongside with its fast-paced sequencing of numbers and speeches, were indeed delightful. Never corny. Never pretentious.

And yes! the sole HOST of the Awarding Night, in person of one gay character in a Doble Cara costume and dual personalities (one male, one female), was really funny to look and hear, most of all, when he committed numerous mistakes which were parts of the script and was made intentional. That gay host named PHILIPA, acted great, and silent laughs all around were felt as he acted in crazy delights.

By now, winners of the 3rd TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL could have invaded the viral world and tabloid headlines, and the winners were truly deserving. 

If farmers could offer such a warm film event like TOFARM, one blogger thought that outsiders of the Philippine Cinema were the ones who truly cared.

Because sometimes, the ruler was never accepted at all on his own land- he had to conquer other lands and there, people would see his great IMPORTANCE.

Just like in Philippine Cinema, wherein 'Mainstream People' tend to overlook the true meaning, 'look' and message of what an ARTISTIC FILM EVENT was all about.

Kudos, TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL AND DR. MILAGROS HOW!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR ON  THE 4TH TOFARM FILM FEST!!!!!!

(list of winners at the 3rd Tofarm Filmfest below):

Best Picture: 
"Tanabata's Wife"

Second Best Picture: 
"1957"

Third Best Picture: 
"Alimuom"

Best Director: 
Choy Pangilinan, Lito Casaje and Charlson Ong, "Tanabata's Wife" 

Best Actor: 
Miyuki Kamimura, "Tanabata's Wife"

Best Actress: 
Mai Fanglayan, "Tanabata's Wife"

Best Supporting Actor: 
Richard Quan, "1957"

Best Supporting Actress: 
Bayang Barrios, "Kauyagan" and Gilleth Sandico, "Sol Searching" 

Best Story: 
Hubert Tibi, "1957"

Audience Choice: 
"Sol Searching"

Best Screenplay: 
Charlson Ong, Mao Talas, Choy Pangilinan and Juan Carlo Tarobal, "Tanabata's Wife"

Best Cinematography: 
Nap Jamir, "Tanabata's Wife"

Best Editing: 
May-i Padilla. "Tanabata's Wife"

Best Sound: 
Immanuel Verona," Mga Anak Ng Kamote"

Best Production Design: 
Martin Masadao. "Tanabata's Wife"

Best Short Film: 
"Panginoong May Lupa"

Second Best Short Film: 
"Kaluguran Da Ka, Ma"

Third Best Short Film: 
"Tahanan Ng Isang Magsasaka"

(written by robert manuguid silverio)

THE 3RD TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL OPENS-UP STARTING TOMORROW!

THE THIRD TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL WILL SHOW AT THE SM MEGAMALL, SM MANILA, ROBINSON'S GALLERIA, TRINOMA, GREENBELT 1, AND GATEWAY CINEMAS, FROM SEPT. 12 TO 18, 2018. 

THERE WILL BE PROVINCIAL SCREENINGS: AT GAISANO DAVAO AND ROBINSON'S LEGASPI ARE ALREADY CONFIRMED. ROBINSON'S NAGA WILL SHOW THE FILM "1957"- THE ONE FILM SHOT IN ITS ENTIRETY IN IRIGA CITY.

THE TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL IS PRESENTED UNDER THE CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS IT WAS LAST YEAR. THE MEMORANDUM-OF-AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY FDCP CHAIRPERSON- LIZA DINO-SEGUERRA AND TOFARM CHIEF ADVOCATE DR. MILAGROS O. HOW, LAST SEPT. 3,, 2018.

THE AWARDS NIGHT SHALL BE HELD EVENING OF SEPT. 15, 2018, AT THE RIZAL BALLROOM, MAKATI SANGRI-LA.

AWARDS FOR THR FEATURE FILMS AND THE BEST SHORT FILMS (ALSO COLLECTIVELY TO BE KNOWN AS THE DIREK MARYO AWARDS), WILL BE GIVEN-OUT BY A JURY COMPOSED OF:


(FOR FEATURE FILMS):
MANET DAYRIT, FILM EDITOR, CHAIRPERSON
JERROLD TAROG, FILMMAKER
SIGRID ANDREA-BERNARDO, FILMMAKER
MEL CHIONGLO, FILMAKER
MOIRA LANG, FILM PRODUCER


(FOR SHORT FILMS):

RAYMOND RED, FILMMAKER, CHAIRPERSON
CESAR HERNANDO, FILMMAKER
ROLANDO TOLENTINO, FILM HISTORIAN


HERE ARE THE SIX PARTICIPATING FULL-LENGTH FEATURE FILMS FOR THIS YEAR'S TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL 2018:

"1957"
WRITTEN AND DIRECTEDBY HUBERT TIBI

"ALIMUOM"
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY KEITH SICAT

"KAUYAGAN"
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY JULIENNE ILAGAN

"MGA ANAK NG KAMOTE"
WRITTEN BY JOHN CARLO PACALA
DIRECTED BY CARLO ENCISO CATU


"SOL SEARCHING"
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY ROMAN PEREZ, JR.

"TANABATA'S WIFE"
WRITTEN BY CHARLSTON ONG
DIRECTED BY CHARLSTON ONG AND LEO CASAJE

liza dino-seguerra delivers a beautiful and emotional speech at the opening ceremonies of TOFARM film festival 2018....

liza dino-seguerra

dr. milagros o. how

ms. bibeth orteza

pokwang

ina feleo

richard quan

racquel villavicencio

It's the kind of speech that one blogger had been wanting to hear for many years now, a speech that's so sincere, so transparent, so affectionate and so true. As Ms. Liza Dino-Seguerra delivered the words that were meant not to be memorized and still, her caring 'aura' was still overwhelming to the heart-, her eyes transformed into a burning fire. In those very eyes, you would see a genuine soul- and a person who's so dedicated to the task given to her.

That was the Opening Ceremonies of TOFARM Film Festival 2018, held at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel in Araneta Center, Cubao-, as the overwhelming spirit of love and creativity of all those involved in this cause-oriented film fest, yeah, it filled-in the luxurious environment of a prestigious film event.

Yes, it was Mrs. Seguerra who first delivered the Welcoming Speech, being the head of FDCP (Film Development Council of the Phils.) and the co-sponsor of TOFARM under the Memorandum of Agreement that was signed this year together with TOFARM Chief Advocate Dr. Milagros O. How.

In her speech, Mrs. Seguerra assured of her further support to TOFARM in the coming years, and this was responded back by Dr. Milagros How's speech, telling everyone that's she so grateful of Mrs. Seguerra's undying support to them.

Meanwhile, the new Festival Director, in person of Ms. Bibeth Orteza, seemed to be so worthy as a replacement to the late film director Maryo J. delos Reyes (R.I.P.), who was the original Festival Director of TOFARM. Her speech was candid, light-hearted, wholesome and you would feel the funny side of life as she joked around with a few anecdotes. Indeed, she's so nice!

As the stars appeared one by one- actors and actresses (the likes of Pokwang, Ina Feleo, Richard Quan, Racquel Villavicencio, Mengie Cobarrubias, Perry Dizon, Roland Innocencio, Kiko Matos, Aiza Seguerra, Suzette Ranillo, and others more--- I just don't wanna mention the name of one sexy actress who keeps on snubbing us.-r.s.*), film makers, other 'labels or forms' of film artists, V.I.P.'s, media people- inside the Monet Ballroom and watched the 'Hollywood-ish'-feeling of an event program directed by Mr. George Sales-, the hope for a 'better Philippine Cinema' was felt alive anew, and this time, in a different setting of an advocacy-oriented Arts-Film.

Whether the farmers continue to cultivate the soil and feed the many Filipinos, their co-existence in the world of Cinematic Arts could surpass even the Sundance Film Festival in Hollywood.

Just not throw back the microphone on the Festival Director herself who was the most honored person of the night- as one new film director of the film fest did (It was the director of Tanabata's Wife who did that). It would look funny, but in the end, the eccentricity of it all could drive you back to the unique Artistry, ignorance and 'kababawans' of every Filipino.

To TOFARM, hashtags pa more!




(as the words were written by robert manuguid silverio)