The 1st ever Film Academy of Pampanga

AMID the rainy weather last Monday, The Film Academy of Pampanga (TFAP) was successfully launched and attended by prominent Kapampangan personalities. It was spearheaded by its chairman Andy Alviz. During the launching, which was at the same time a seminar, a talk on indie-film production was conducted by none other than Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza. The major component of the talk was Mendoza's proposal to create a TFAP committee composed of academicians from top universities in Pampanga, including the Holy Angel University and the University of the Assumption. This is to facilitate a selection body for a free scriptwriting workshop. The scriptwriting workshop is Mendoza's idea as TFAP's pioneering project, to look for young Kapampangan talents that are into filmmaking and scriptwriting. "I believe that every good filmmaker is a good story-teller. We need to teach aspiring film-makers how to write right and do things that are relevant to their culture and sensibilities," said Mendoza. The scriptwriting workshop will be a competitive workshop open to all Kapampangans aged 18 and above, students and out-of-school youth, or any Kapampangan who has a knack and passion for storytelling. The scriptwriting workshop will be conducted for free by the highly acclaimed screenplay writer Bing Lao. The workshop's location is actually sponsored by Tam Beltran, owner of The Promenade whom, together with Angie Hizon under OKMuisca, also sponsored the TFAP launching. Beltran's facility will house the revered Lao during his stay in Pampanga. Lao will teach 15 qualified students in Pampanga at the Glasshouse in King's Royal for 10 consecutive days. This is an intensive workshop where the final output will be submitted and one of them will be chosen. The winning story will have a chance to become a full-length film to be done by the man himself -- Mendoza -- a very rare opportunity for any amateur filmmaker. The Monday launching was presented with a film co-produced by TFAP played by Kapampangan theater actress Agnes Romero which was entitled "Manenaya". The film was directed by an internationally acclaimed director Richard Soriano Legaspi and Assistant Director and Carlos Palanca Awardee Seymour Barrios Sanches. The cinematographer was maverick photographer Ruston Banal. "I am very thankful that people who are experts in this are helping us eventhough they know for sure we don't have enough funding for it," stated Banal, co-founder of TFAP. On the other hand, Bor Ocampo, the actor who conceptualized the academy, believes that it is now the time to awaken the Kapampangans about urban stories which are very original and can be compared to stories that are world-class. "I hope that Kapampangans will appreciate this germinal idea. It is for all of us," Ocampo added. Present during the event were Teatru Ima at Arti members, business magnate Tess Laus, socialite Divine David Tulio, CKS chairman Robby Tantingco, City Tourism Officers of San Fernando and music composer Landlee Quiwa. The pioneering project will have its final output this coming November and it is hoped to be a very good head start for the academy.

Clark to host 1st ASEAN Kite Festival

The Clark Development Corporation (Tourism Promotions Office) recently linked up with the Department of Tourism in putting together the most colorful event of the year to hit Clark’s skyline - for the first time. It is even expected to challenge the magnitude and enormity of the hot-air ballooning event held in February of each year.

This was the announcement made by Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the tourism regional office and Ms. Noemi Garcia of CDC Tourism Office in a press statement issued recently.

Tiotuico said that plans are now afoot to stage the 1st ASEAN Kite Flying Festival on November 25-27, 2011, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. It is expected to enjoin the participation of some 100 international kite flyers and crew from the 10-member countries of the ASEAN bloc. Adding excitement to the event are hundreds of kite flyers from Central Luzon and neighboring regions to participate in a kite-flying competition. Two winners from the competition will be invited to represent the country in the annual Weifang International Kite Festival in China. Thousands of kite enthusiasts and spectators are expected to witness the premier event. To be featured are special shaped kites and stunt kites plus a special event in the evening called night flying – a demonstration of colorfully lighted giant kites. Event coordinator for the ASEAN event is Mr. Orly Ongkiko of Kite Association of the Philippines while Jing Torno of the Kite Team Philippines will handle the school workshops and mall exhibits.

Three weeks prior to the event proper, a series of pre-event activities is slated to be conducted by the members of the Kite Team Philippines to drum up public support for the project. Children in public schools including children with disabilities will be treated to a fun-filled day of kite making workshops, indoor flying and kite photo exhibits at SM City Clark / Pampanga and Marquee Mall. Children will participate in various competitions such as the most colorful kite, the biggest and the best themed kite.

Ms. Garcia expressed the confidence of CDC President Felipe Antonio Remollo that the 1st ASEAN event will propel Clark as the international sports tourism capital in this part of the island. At the moment, a series of sporting activities are already on the pipeline such as weekly baseball and football games participated in by teams from other regions. Last July 8-10, the PALS 2nd Leg Paintball Challenge was held at the Clark parade grounds with some 10 local and international paintball teams vying for the $3,000 championship cash prize. Countries represented include Iran, Japan, United States, Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and Brunei. It was organized by the United Paintballers of the Phils. headed by its President Leonard Sy.

Partner agencies for the kite festival include Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC), Kite Ass. of the Phils., Kite Team Phils., SM City Clark / Pampanga, Marquee Mall, DepEd., Civil Aviation Authority of the Phils. and Air Force City (PAF Clark).