Bea Alonzo makes a much-anticipated public appearance following her controversial breakup with Gerald Anderson.
And she did so, appropriately enough, at Sine Sandaan, the grand event organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
The FDCP, a government body created in 2002, transformed the New Frontier Theater (aka KIA Theater) in Cubao, Quezon City, to an art deco cinema as homage to the stand-alone theaters of the Fifties, a period known as the first Golden Age of Philippine Cinema.
Celebrities were invited to witness the musical extravaganza "Sine Sandaan: Celebrating the Luminaries of Philippine Cinema" last night, September 12, 2019.
The Sine Sandaan event also marks the official launch of the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema: it was 100 years ago that the first Filipino film premiered.
On September 12, 1919, director Jose Nepomuceno showed his film Dalagang Bukid, today considered the first Filipino-produced and directed feature film. Nepomuceno has since earned the title of Father of Philippine Cinema.
To mark the occasion, the FDCP honored more than 300 luminaries and icons of Philippine cinema.
Aside from Bea, other celebrities present were Nora Aunor, Coco Martin, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Claudine Barretto, Piolo Pascual, Alden Richards, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Kim Chiu, and many more.
Angel Locsin was joined by her fiance Neil Arce, and when they were photographed on the red carpet, they struck a sweet pose that brought attention to Angel's engagement ring.
BLACK ARMBANDS ON THE RED CARPET
As grand events go, the night was not without controversy. Black armbands were seen in the venue.
Days before the Sine Sandaan event, rumors had circulated that Senator Imee Marcos was among those included in the list of luminaries to be honored.
Imee is the eldest daughter of ousted President Ferdinand Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Romualdez. Marcos infamously imposed martial law in 1972, at a time when, by law, he could no longer extend his two-year term to three. In the next 14 years, Marcos governed as a de facto dictator.
From 1975 to 1985, which falls under the Marcos watch, Amnesty International recorded 3,200 victims of extrajudicial killings, 77,000 political detainees, 3,500 torture victims, and more than 700 disappearances. This is according to the book Dark Legacy: Human Rights under the Marcos Regime, which was published in 2001.
Director Paolo Villaluna, president of the Directors' Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI), was wearing such an armband. In a PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) exclusive interview, he explained why.
"Paalaala lang sa mga filmmakers na meron tayong responsibilidad na ilahad ang what we think is wrong sa society ngayon: historical revisionism, human rights abuse.
"Responsibilidad rin natin na ilahad ang mga ito. Konting paalaala lang.
"Siyempre, sa gitna ng saya at pageantry and celebration, baka makalimutan ang social responsibility ng filmmaker."
On September 12, the DGPI released a statement asking filmmakers to "denounce historical revisionism and human rights abuses." Did it release this statement in response to reported plans to honor Imee Marcos?
Direk Paolo answered, "Part of it is that. Nung nagkaroon ng konting ugong-ugong, pero hindi yun ang main purpose talaga.
"Nagkataon lang na ganun. Kita mo naman, ang ganda ng celebration. It's really just a celebration for the community."
So, were the filmmakers and artists wearing black bands that night protesting something specific?
"Yun ang simbolo ng ating responsibilidad," said Paolo, who was named a luminary for his 2016 film Pauwi Na.
Asked if they have an issue with FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño, Paolo made clear: "We're good. Liza understands. We respect each other's opinions. Ang maganda kay Liza, she understands creative freedom."
Imee served as director general of the defunct Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP), which produced several iconic Filipino films such as Oro, Plata, Mata and Himala.
If Imee was indeed honored as a luminary of Philippine cinema, did the directors have plans of walking out during the ceremony?
Paolo replied, "Naku, hindi ko alam. Kanya-kanyang discretion na iyan.
"Pero walang ganung plano. Walang pinag-usapan na walkout.
"Marami tayong luminaries na victims ng martial law, so hindi natin alam kung anong reaction nila. We will not hold their reaction against them."
In another exclusive interview, PEP.ph asked Chair Liza about artists strongly disagreeing with any attempt to honor Imee.
"Ang ECP ang binibigyang parangal," the FDCP chair answered.
"It's Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, which produced such classics such as Oro, Plata, Mata and Himala, so I think it's part of history."
What is her reaction to those who say there are others more deserving of being honored as a cinema luminary?
Liza said, "I think cinema is your space where dissenting and opposing and supporting opinions are welcome. Sana in a world of political biases, film should be that free space for all of us."
Will Imee be coming to represent the ECP?
"Hindi siya nag-confirm sa amin. Of course, out of courtesy, we gave her an invitation dahil ECP siya."
Himala screenwriter Ricky Lee was present that night as one of the luminaries of Philippine cinema.
When PEP.ph asked him for his comment regarding the supposed plan to honor Imee, Ricky (who also wore a black armband) replied:
"Personally, feeling ko, mahirap, e. Ayoko na nasa same stage kaming dalawa, knowing everything that I know. I don't want to disrespect the celebration. Ang mas mahalaga ngayon, yung pagkakaisa ng lahat.
"Siguro naman hindi ako mapupunta sa ganung situation. Magiging ipokrito ako kung sasabihin ko na I'll be happy."
The DGPI posted this statement on its official Facebook page:
"Today is a milestone in Philippine Cinema. Let us be united in celebrating a truly important event.
"National Artist Lino Brocka once said that it is “the supreme duty of the artist to investigate the truth, no matter what forces attempt to hide it.. [and] to take the side of any human being who is violated, abused, oppressed, dehumanized.”
"As a symbol that freedom is essential to cinema, that its role is pivotal in defining society, let us wear a black armband at tonight’s celebration.
"As we celebrate the centennial of Philippine cinema, we urge filmmakers to take a stand for truth and democracy, to denounce historical revisionism and human rights abuses taking place in our society.
"Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino!
"From DGPI Board of Directors
"#neverforget #stopthekillings"
The Sine Sandaan program will be aired exclusively on ABS-CBN at a later date.
Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño, and Films Managing Director Olivia Lamasan held a contract signing last September 4 for the Sine Sandaan media coverage.
Sine Sandaan will be followed by Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2019, a week-long exclusive screening of Filipino genre films.
Here are the ABS-CBN and GMA-7 stars spotted at the red carpet of Sine Sandaan 2019:
