“COLOR ME PINK”

"COLOR ME PINK"

Hello island of the natives! Do you know how it feels when you know that you are not just GAY but GAYER than GAY? It feels very good. Especially when you know that you are not alone and there are movements around the world, which demands for acceptance and equality. Last Saturday I had proven again how the gays would rule the world someday, filling up a whole cinema to watch gay films.

As I have mentioned the other day, Arthur, Kirk and I had a date for Saturday, to watch the Pink Festival in SM Manila.

Aside from the movies, the reason that I went there is the feeling of existing as a gay person. It is very overwhelming. Just to have a small contribution by watching such films to the gay movements spawning. Becoming larger and stronger than ever when more people are coming out and unafraid of the consequences that they might encounter on the latter end.

DUDA

The first film that we viewed is DUDA, written and directed by CRIS PABLO, and if I'm not mistaken, a product of UP Filming. It was a good watch even though it can be expected that it will going to have a poor production because it would be very unlikely for a project like that to get a good funding. It is true that gays and gay culture are very well accepted in Philippine society already but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is already well-accepted in Philippine cinema. The odds of a gay film hitting it big time in major production outfits are small. Being compared to gay-oriented films made in the past by Lino Brocka such as "Macho Dancers" and all its contemporaries, those films were made at the time when gay revolution was at its peak in the Philippines. Such films were intriguing by that time and at the same time, they were more of FYI films that targeted mixed audiences, to inform and to make people know or realize their questions of "hows" and "whys" with regards to the prevalence and presence of homosexuality. Now, gay films that are being produced are 100% gay oriented or gay-centered so to speak, which targets only the homosexual market, that if a heterosexual would view it, it would be very implausible that he or she can relate to it. Gay films of the 70's and 80's were made with a general perspective, as if you are looking from the outside of gay life and seeing what is inside, that's why it would be easier for someone who's not gay to appreciate and relate to what they were watching. GAY films of today were written and made entirely from the inside, meaning that most of the people who can relate and understand the stories were the one who were already inside the circle of gay life. That's why it would be all too risky for mainstream movie outfits to produce and gamble money for such stories and screenplays. Quality films produced in a year can be counted with a hand, it would be harder to lobby quality gay films. So, in fairness, with gay writers and directors, they would rather go with the flow and write and direct what the majority of Filipinos would watch, not the people would rather not watch.

Anyway, the production team of Duda made a very effective alternative to conceal the inadequacies in the production value of the film. The movie was presented in a documentary-type of filming, which in all fairness, got the audience by their throat and let them swallow the illusion of reality. But as you may know, it has its drawbacks, that's why that type of filming was not generally used by filmmakers. Well of course, aside from the makers of "Blairwitch Project".

The story was cleverly written, simple, with a pinch of absurdity and surrealism, it was blended well. One moment you are in the real world, one moment you are in somebody else's mind, one moment you are even in a memory. The narration was effective and so as the style of supporting characters speaking to the audience fits well to its documentary theme. And the talk show at the climax of the film is very well put, the music made it better, and I have to admit that the appearance of John Lapus helped in a way, whatever way it is, it helped. I know that the filmmakers wanted it to be as unique as possible, even though some audience may not appreciate it and find it too absurd or too obscure, but that's the essence of "experimentation". That's art! And that's being creative is all about. The filmmakers found a way to express and establish a climax, which is alternative, not taking up too much time and effort but at the same time efficient and prevent the viewers from drowsing off.

As the title suggests, the film is about doubt. The story revolves on the main character "Cris" and his lover, "Erik", the famous 4001st guy that Cris met in a Puerto Galera escapade. The story has the perfect ingredients that can make a gay film portray modern gay life in the Philippines in a very detailed spectrum. It tackled the main aspects of living a gay life; unstable relationships, paranoia and jealousy, promiscuity, intellect, confusion, friendship, loss, desperation, search for true love, posh, and sex. As you watch the film, you will realize that what you are watching are not gays but rather persons. And what sets it apart from other local gay films is that the film has a heart, an authentic heart that one may find at a time quite melodramatic or perhaps even "over"dramatic. But you know that it happened, it is happening or it will happen to all of us sooner or later. But I don't know if this is an advantage or it is the other way around; the film didn't even bother to tackle the issue of discrimination and blending in the heterosexual community. As I have mentioned, this is a 100% gay-centered film, a story in a "eutopic" state. Well of course, aside from the appearance of a guy, who demanded money in return for the sex even though there had been no negotiation done, who scandalized and even stabbed Cris on the side. Well, it wasn't Cris who picked him up it just so happened that he arrived at their house when the turmoil was happening. And of course, a gay film wouldn't be complete without somebody uttering the words, "Salot kayong mga bakla." It was the callboy who exclaimed that, which is pretty funny, 'coz without gays callboys wouldn't even eat a complete meal in a day.

In the end, it would still be love that made the story go around - the search for it and the undying quest for it. While Cris and Erik had a very traumatizing break-up, Cris would still have found the perfect someone when the sun sets. I said to myself, that it is a happy ending just like the usual films I watch. But the difference here is that, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were not the ones giving me the assurance of love and that I wont have another sleepless night, Adam Sandler was not the one singing and saying that he'd grow old with Drew Barrymoore, Rico Yan was not the one who believed in magic and fell in love with Claudine Baretto. It was Cris, who was standing on the shore, pondering on his lost love, while the sun was setting in front of him . . . . . . he came to offer love to Cris.

*

After the chains of smoke in the carpark, we headed straight back to Cinema 3 of SM Manila, struggling to get through the chaos that was going on in the cinema area, which at first I thought is brought about by the film festival. Later we realized that it was Spiderman, who's causing the chaos. Anyway, I'm never a fan of such films, well aside of course from the fact that it is Toby Maguire who's appearing on that film. I viewed it also, but I let the commotion subside first, a few days after.

Ian Veneracion

The second featured film of the Pink Festival that day is from Tojaro Productions, a film written and directed by Hamilton Macleod, whom I'm not so very familiar but I promise that I'll try to research on him the soonest possible time. The film is INTERM@TES.

INTERM@TES was done in a very professional manner. As a viewer, you'd know that what you are watching is a "movie". You'd know that the team behind this movie is all well experienced and have been making films for a long time.

Let's go down to the basics. In terms of the production value of the movie, irregardless of the budget constraint, which is quite obvious, I felt that all measures were done just to execute exactly how the script was written or what the script was asking for, such as the sets, locations and other detailed sequences. So, it's a thumbs up for the filmmaker to face and solve the dilemma of poor production value. But as far as the technical stuff are concerned, I saw that the most collegiate equipment were very well provided and utilized, such as the lights and the sounding.

But one thing that really bothers me is the type of film used to shoot the movie. As the movie opens and the credits rolled in, you have this feeling that what you were watching is a very old movie made in the times of Tina Paner's and Manilyn Reynes' heydays. Even how the lines were delivered, anyway all dialogues were in English, maybe because that the movie is an entry for international gay film festivals, were so in a way nostalgic. The way it was dubbed and the accent of the actors reminded me of Filipino films in English made in the 70's. I thought that that was part of the illusion but later on I realized its not when I saw that the production design and the milieu of the story is in real time. I felt a little weird while having that illusion of the past when I can see are "San Mig Lights" and "Expeditons" as if I'm watching an old movie set in modern time.

Speaking of modern times, the story was supposed to be about internet gay lifestyle, as it was based on a story entitled "Welcome to Gaymanila". Gaymanila by the way is a channel in MIRC way before bi-manila. But the story delved on the life of chatters outside the chatroom not inside it, which I find not so very fit on the main theme of the story, which, as I said, supposed to be about the internet gay lifestyle. Well, in a way, that was what I was expecting when I have read the publicity. I really don't know what the writer really wanted it to be.

The movie begins with different types of gay men, logging in the channel #GAYMANILA. They were all in front of their computer screens talking about a Grand EB that'd going to happen later that night I suppose. And finally the conversation was shifted to a particular chatter who died, STARMAN, and that is where the story begins as one chatter tells the story in detail to the gossip-hunger chatmates.

The story unfolds nine months ago in, guess where, PUERTO GALERA as a group of chatters arranged a get together vacation escape. And there, STARMAN, appeared, played by IAN VENERACION, one guy whom my fantasies cant get enough of. IAN plays a sought after actor, heterosexual in the silverscreen, homosexual in real life. Is that something new?

Anyway, the character of Ian Veneracion pushed the story to revolve as he later on played around with his friends' lovers one by one. Right there in Puerto Galera, he caused the break-up of an eight-year relationship, when he was caught having sex with the lover of his friend in the cottage. Few months later, he seduced the character played by William Thio, lover of STARMAN's bestfriend, played by Raymond Bagatsing. After which, he then thrived on the "straight" lover of another friend by helping the "straight" with his finances that his lover couldn't give. And that is basically how the movie went on ending in an unfortunate accident that caused the life of STARMAN and the "straight" guy, after the "straight guy" made a scene in STARMAN's movie premier, because he contracted HIV from him.

The actors are all brilliant and fantabulous, aside of course from William Thio, which I heard is longing to have a second chance in showbusiness appearing in 30 Days, a reality TV program that promises to let a star shine again in thirty days after their luster got busted. (I loathe the concept of that show). No doubt that Raymond Bagatsing is super perfect for the movie, he is magnificent in playing gay roles. Among all the gay roles that he played, I'd say that he deserves an acknowledgement this time. And so as Ian Veneracion who's so realistically gay, the nuances, the expressions and the movements were all very well learned and executed, even the first and only sex scene made my blood curdle.

All in all, the movie is worth it. So, I am wishing them all the luck as they pursue the international gay film scene. It is just so sad to see how the gay filmmakers were deprived when it comes to budgeting and funding so as they lack the resources to put together a perfect film. But, hopefully someday, producers and so as the audience will realize that what the filmmakers and writers are putting up are not just "gay" films, but rather a work of art that deserves the attention and commendation. So that, there would come a time that we would all color the world, pinker than pink!

*

RIDDICKulous

RIDDICKulous

Vin Diesel

Hello my dear darling island of the natives!

Yesterday I decided to give Arthur a call because I could feel that I'm on the brink of insanity due the pressure that my new work is exerting on me. Wednesday and Thursday are two rest days for me, a co-worker swapped a rest day that's why I have to spend two idle days. I asked Art if he had plans for Saturday, I told him that if I'm not going out, I may explode and turn out to be a psychopath because of excruciating boredom.

Art told me that if I'd really like to go out we could meet later that day, watch a movie and have dinner. It was a good offer and I immediately grabbed it.

I took a bath, packed my dirty clothes and took it to the laundry, went to the grocery and bought necessary things, afterwhich I headed straight to G4 where Art with his boyfriend, Albert were going to meet me. I overestimated their travel time because they were coming from Ortigas Extention and my apartment is just 15 minutes away from Glorietta. So, I was like thirty minutes late.

Finally, I got to timezone where we were to meet while Arthur and Albert were strolling by that time so I have to wait for them to get back. While waiting for them, I browsed a couple of magazines in the nearest stand and saw a couple of local magazines with the face of Hero, the Star Circle person, on some covers. I’m not actually a fan of xeroxed star searches but I have to admit, that Hero got a certain charm, which I find not so very "jologgish". Then I received a call from Art, and he was in front of me at that time. I could not blame him because of his height, and I'm a midget when I'm with him. He's gigantic; I have to tell you that.

Then, I met Albert, finally, Arthur's lover for a year or more. That was the first time that I had the chance to meet the "lover". Well, Arthur told me earlier that Albert is very eager to watch "Riddick", which I agreed to watch also, not knowing at first what am I going into. I realized that it is a sci-fi flick starring Vin Diesel. It was a so heterosexual film, basing that observation from the posters, hanging there. Do I have a choice? None! So, we let Albert to wait in line to buy the tickets while Arthur and I grabbed some gigantic popcorns and sodas. I just remembered I got myself a lemonade that time, which is so very unlike me but I have to because I can feel that my body is already oversaturated with carbonated drinks. The other day while at work, I gobbled up 1.5 liter of coke in an hour and it made me overhyped 'till 12 noon. Jumping and goofing around at a time when everyone seemed to have already drained their day’s energy.

We got in the cinema in time and, honestly, I prepared to force myself to watch and like a movie I really would have never consider watching if I would be given the chance to know first who appears in it.

The first sequences killed me. I told Arthur in a halftone that what we were watching is a sort of recycled film that wanted to follow the footsteps of Matrix or Star Wars perhaps to the box office. Even the costumes and the sets are recycled from other sci-fi flicks like Planet of the Apes, and Scorpion King. Vin Diesel is a walking muscle but unfortunately I guess that the actor really finds it hard to memorize lines because of his one-liner dialogues with other characters of the story. Speaking of characters, I was stunned when Judy Dench appeared in the film as an elemental goddess or some sort of a spirit-like persona. I went like "Heller!!! What in the world is Judy Dench doing in that kind of film." I guess she got frustrated because she's supposed to have the character of Cate Blanchett in LOR but casting directors eventually found her too old to appear as a Queen of the Woods with a Goddess-like aura. I’m not being harsh, I really find Judy Dench as a very very good actor, which is very unlikely to be found in films such as Riddick. One movie that I really like with Judy Dench is "Tea with Mussoulinni" and the other film, which I regretfully forgot the title, where she played as a very good writer that had alzheimers later on in her life. Aside from the appearance of Judy Dench, another thing that stunned be the most is the sort of an underlying message of the film, which is so very anti-born again propaganda. I know that it may sound preposterous but that is the closest thing I can think of even though I really didn’t take offense with regards to that matter, I'm not a born again myself nor a Christian.

After all, I can say that the movie should be re-titled as "RIDICULOUSLY RIDDICK".

For heaven's goodness, finally the film ended and the three of us made our way through Glorietta to go to Greenbelt. Of course, Arthur and I would not survive the night without going to an arcade and play "Dance Maniacs", one of the reasons why we became close friends two years ago.

After the adrenaline rush brought by the game, we went to Kroc Bar in Greenbelt 3 where I spend most of my vacant nights to eat and drink. The place is cool, aside from the fact that it's inexpensive, they serve good food. Exotic and Filipino and yet, they can still make those good. Also, I have to admit that some waiters are hot. As far as my diet is concerned, I always find them appetizing.

Anyway, over dinner, I couldn't stop but notice the book, which Albert had been carrying all along. I found out that it was a Terry Brooks book, at least we've got something in common and something to talk about because I was quite thinking earlier on what are we going to talk about knowing that it was my first time to meet him. Arthur is a very good friend and meeting his lover is that important. I have to dig up the remnants of the memory that I have regarding the last series of books written by Terry Brooks, which was like three or four years ago. Fortunately, we connected afterwards and talked casually.

He knew that Arthur and I went through a lot and been friends for quite a long time. He asked about my assessment of Arthur's personality, which I find very unnatural for a person to ask while his boyfriend is present and at the same time awkward in my end to do the talking. Originally there were four of us. Perfect fit as the gay version of Sex in the City. But that was before, when the four us were inseparable. KC had gone somewhere else far away and we lost contact, Kirk is still around, and Arthur, meeting him once in a while, and there comes me, who’s always available and always on the go. I told Albert a little less what I know of Arthur, of course I really have to sensor the details because I’m still kind of uptight with regards to talking about him. If you would only know what I had been through with Arthur. I really don't want to bring it up anyway.

As far as my friendship is concerned with Arthur, I know that his happy with his lover even though I can sense a little negative vibe between them but I guess that I might just being too scrutinizing and at the same time judgmental when it comes to their relationship. And how would I know? I knew Arthur as a friend, never a lover, so there's no point of me criticizing their relationship in any way. Oh my God! I’m being too good. They seem to be doing fine. So I’m giving them the benefit of that.

As the night faded away and so as our dinner, we got deeper into our conversations. Of course, as always, it would be me who will always to the talking or the "kwento", I was known to be good conversationalist and a perfect story-teller. A person that I have just met would not escape my unforgettable anthologies regarding the love of my life – ROJ. Haha. Sounds stupid to think of it that way, but that is the truth. Coincidentally, Albert happened to know the person that I'm talking about and the persons behind the story. It so happened that he konws one of Roj's infamous first boyfriend, who caused a little dilemma. I really wouldn't bother to talk about them here. I finally have proven how small the world is or rather it would be better to put it this way, it's a small "gay" world after all. Arthur know about everything that I'm talking about, he met ROJ, he knows how I drool over that guy and how desperate I am to get him back in my life. And he has been there in my moments. So, basically he couldn't help but chuckle all the time that I'm making 'kwento' of those moments.

On the other hand, I also talked about Arthur's past sexcapades and past lovers. Its good a thing that Art is very transparent with regards to that to Albert.

To sum it all up, I can consider that a good night and it wouldn't happen if I haven't agreed to watch a "RIDDICKulous" film. But the next night would be better when Arthur made an arrangement for us to meet the next night to watch the pink festival in SM Manila with Kirk, minus Albert.