Linggo, Nobyembre 25, 2012

GREAT DIRECTOR CELSO AD CASTILLO PASSED AWAY AT 69



MONTAGE

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE
PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)
  
From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc. 
 
 
DIRECTOR CELSO AD CASTILLO

I received from the text of Director John Ad Castillo, Director Celso Ad Castillo’s brother  early this morning at 03:08:55 informing me of D’ Kid’s (his moniker) death. I said to myself may the great director  rest in peace.

For the uninformed Director Celso Ad Castillo was in the triangulated greatness of the 2nd Golden Age of Filipino Cinema along with National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.




VILMA SANTOS IN BURLESK QUEEN
Director Celso Ad Castillo was mainly influential in my joining the movies in such capacity as screenwriter (as his scenarist), production designer, and eventually as film/TV director as well. (My legit stage influence was Cecile Guidote Alvarez who founded PETA (Phil. Educational Theatre Association).
The first screenplay or rather some scenarios I wrote for him was for “Uhaw Na Dagat” starred by Eddie Garcia, Dennis Roldan, Gloria Diaz, Isabel Rivas and Elizabeth Oropesa. 

Director Castillo got me here as scenarist, meaning I wrote the dialogue for a particular scene that he would describe to me. I was not credited here because I did  not finish the job.
The next time he took me to Malaysia to design “Pikoy Goes To Malaysia.” We shot the film for months in Kuala Lumpur with Isadora as female lead.

He got me to do the production design of “Pedro Tunasan” with Lito Lapid in the lead but was credited as Art Director  because I did not finish the job and actor Steve Paolo instead who was in the cast took over.
I did the production design of “Ang Daigdig Ay Isang Butil Na Luha” starred by Manilyn Reynes, Gloria Diaz, Dennis Roldan,  Ronaldo Valdez, etc. This film got lost.

He would get me from time to time to brainstorm for some of his film projects at hand one of which was his dream film  “Ang Lalaking Nangarap Na Maging Nora Aunor ” (which I heard Vangie Labalan is appropriating almost the same title as in gagamitin without batting an eyelash and permission as well  for a film she has in mind and dares to direct), “Comfort Women,” “Payaso,” etc.

In all of his lectures/ workshops/ seminars on acting and filmmaking I was all the way with Director Celso Ad Castillo as organizer and speaker as well.

The rest is history, as follows:
Born in Siniloan, Laguna 12 on Sept 1943,  movie director/ scriptwriter/actor, Director Celso Ad Castillo studied at Manuel L. Quezon University and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1964. He is the Son of Atty. Dominador Ad Castillo, lawyer/writer, and Marta Adolfo.

BODY OF WORKS THAT INFLUENCED THE TREND OF PHILIPPINE MOVIES
" NYMPHA " (1971)
DIRECTOR CELSO AD CASTILLO
The second filipino movie after Manuel Conde's " GENGHIS KHAN " that qualified for competition at the VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
" ANG ALAMAT " (1972, Fernando Poe, Jr.)
The first action movie made after the declaration of martial Law that defined the uncertain condition of the Philippine movies
" PATAYIN MO SA SINDAK SI BARBARA " (1974, Susan Roces)
The first filipino movie qualified for competition at the Los Angeles World Film Exposition in Los Angeles, California.
" ANG PINAKAMAGANDANG HAYOP SA BALAT NG LUPA " (1975, Gloria Diaz)
The first screen appearance of the first filipina Miss Universe GLORIA DIAZ; introduced wet look in this movie.
" BURLESK QUEEN " (1977, Vilma Santos)
Garnered 10 out of 11 awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
" PAGPUTI NG UWAK, PAG-ITIM NG TAGAK " (1978)
Representing Philippines in all film festivals in foreign countries.
" ANG ALAMAT NI JULIAN MAKABAYAN " (1979, Christopher de Leon)
Exhibited at the UNESCO FILM CONFERENCE in Paris, France. Philippines' official entry at the WORLD FILM FESTIVAL in Montreal, Canada and at the ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
" VIRGIN PEOPLE 1 " (1983)
Represented the Philippines at the MANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL and outgrossing all festival entries at the box-office.




THE FILMMAKER
Celso Ad Castillo began directing films mid-60's at an early age, but he has since then gained reputation for many other aspects of the craft particularly scriptwriting and acting. In the Filipino movie industry, he holds the unique repuation of being controversial, trendsetter,enfant terrible and messiah of Philippine cinema, and his track record justifies it: he introduced artistry and commercialism in sex films (nympha) when the two were considered incompatible, and introduced sex in artistic projects ( Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa/The Most Beautiful Animal on Earth)when moralistic repression was in vogue. An unfortunate and unfair consequence of the controversy is the recognition due him as one of the finest film commentators on the Philippine social scene, with a visual fluency unmatched by any other contemporary filipino film director.
A list of his outstanding outputs (He made more than fifty films to date) would easily find its way under the heading of indispensable introduction to artistic achievements in Philippine cinema: Asedillo, Burlesk Queen, Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak (When The Heron Has Turned Black, When The Crow Has Turned White), Totoy Boogie, Pedro Tunasan, Daluyong at Habagat, Julian Makabayan, Patayin Mo Sa Sindak Si Barbara ( Kill Barbara with Panic), Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko ( The Mystical World of Pedro Penduko), Ang Daigdig ay Isang Butil na Luha ( The World is just but a Drop of Tear). For some of these, Castillo has been rewarded with trophies for excellence: as director of Burlesk Queen (Metro Manila Fim Festival), Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak (Urian and Famas Awards) and Paradise Inn (Famas), all of which won best picture in their respective competitions; as co-writer of Pagputi ng Uwak and Paradise Inn and as writer of still another entry Kung Bakit Dugo ang Kulay ng Gabi (Olongapo Film Festival).
Performers have also been known to attain award winning peaks in Castillo films: Susan Roces and Rosanna Ortiz in Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara, Fernando Poe Jr. in Asidillo, Vilma Santos in Burlesk Queen, Joonee Gamboa and Angie Ferro in Pagputi ng Uwak, Lolita Rodriguez, Vivian Velez, Michael de Mesa, Lito Anzures in Paradise Inn. Castillo himself has been rewarded a best supporting actor award in Sampung Ahas ni Eba (Ten Snakes Of Eve).


DIRECTOR CELSO AD CASTILLO'S FILMOGRAPHY
 
2010 666

2003 Sanib

2003 Nympha




1997 Mananayaw


1996 Isla 2
VILMA SANTOS







1986 Payaso





1985 Isla


1984 Virgin People (as Celso Ad Castillo)






1981 Uhaw na dagat (as Celso Ad Castillo)



1979 Aliw-iw




1977 Maligno












1973 Esteban





1971 Asedillo

1971 Nymph

 1971 The Virgin
 
1970 Romantika


1970 Romantiko


1967 Barako



1965 Zebra

LA AUNOR BEST ACTRESS 6TH ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS (APSA)



MONTAGE
By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE
PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.


Nakiisa nu’ng Sabado, Nov. 24 ang nag-iisang Superstar na si Nora Aunor sa PMPC Stars for A Cause na ginanap sa Zirkoh, Morato. Unique talaga dahil dumating sa event na walang kamake-make-up at sumuporta sa isang makabuluhang okasyon.
 LA AUNOR IN A TIE WITH HELEN GAMBOA FOR PMPC BEST ACTRESS PMPC  STAR AWARDS FOR TV


Dun na rin tinanggap ni  La Aunor ang kanyang tropeo bilang Best Actress ng 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) sa Brisbane, Australia, para sa pelikulang ‘Thy Womb’ sa pangunguna ni German Moreno.
Gusto rin pasalamatan ng PMPC si Kuya Germs na nagdala kina Jake Vargas at Bea Binene  sa Zirkoh na labor of love para sa PMPC. Bukod sa libre na ang dalawa, nag-donate pa si Bea sa fund raising show ng club.
“Anytime po. Basta po para makatulong. Im always here,” sey ni Bea na may morning serye sa GMA 7 na ‘Angelina del Cielo’.
Maraming salamat din kina Miguel Aguila at  Paula Bianca sa labor of love nila  sa PMPC fundraising show.
Ganoon din  sa suporta nina Jake Cuenca, John Rendez at  Sexbomb Girls.
Salamat din sa suporta nina Gov. ER Ejercito, Boy Palma, Danny Cuneta, Alfie Lorenzo, Jobert Sucaldito, Allan K at The Queen Petals.

Sabado, Nobyembre 24, 2012

PHIL. MOVIE PRESS CLUB STAR AWARDS FOR TV QUALMS & CONTROVERSIES!

MONTAGE
By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE
PMPC (Phil. Movie Press Club)

From my blog “ Manila Showbiz & Lifestyle” farmed out in different versions to www: pmpcstarnews.com, Pilipino Mirror, Remate Online, Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.


ABS-CBN VIPs WIN BEST TV STATION
I would like to share this thought provoking question from a certain (certain, because I don't know this guy from Adam)  Mr. Armando Domo, ka-facebook ko, as follows and I quote as where is:
 “Ka george, isa kang member ng PMPC di ba, sa tingin mo may credibility pa ba ang grupo ninyo, sabi kasi ni Tita swarding may mga nanalong hindi deserving, at may perang umiikot diyan, sabi naman ni chito alcid hindi kapani kapaniwala na yung mga award body ngayon,lalo na yang PMPC award, kasi nga masyado kayong identified sa ABS CBN,,eto ba ay totoo Ka George?”
HOSTS AGA MUHLACH AND TONI GONZAGA
My two-cents worth of answer to Mr. Armando Domo are  as follows:

In this business you cannot please everybody nor please all networks, but then we respect the opinion of others and that's democracy in action.
 In fairness naman sa amin star- studded as in glamorous ang PMPC Star Awards sa Ateneo as it has always been in our other past awards with celebrities coming from all networks in attendance.
PRESENTORS MAYOR MAITA & GOV. JEORGE
Can you name an award-giving body in this country kung saan kapag may awards rite hindi mabibilang sa daliri ang attendance ng mga celebrities?
PMPC lang iyon, this our detractors have to give it to us. Yon nga ang problema ng other award-giving bodies, they cannot gather as much celebs as we do on awards rites, so papano nila masasabing wala kaming credibility?
In a manner of speaking, the PMPC Star Awards is riding on the crest of our own popularity.
Let the number of stars, networks in attendance speak for
themselves at all our awards rites.
And of course, the production value to speak of, thanks to our perennial, gorgeous, beautiful with her unwavering confidence in us the iconic/PMPC Star Awards producer Tess Celestino who has been with us for almost four decades now!
Oh by the way, watch the PMPC Star Awards for TV this Sunday night at ABS-CBN.
It's one glamorous night the PMPC would like to share with our local audiences as well as The Filipino Channel worldwide.
Makikita mo SRO as in Standing Room Only ang attendance namin directed by the Al Quinn of Philippine TV.
WINNERS TAKE THEM ALL!
BEST ACTOR ROBIN PADILLA WIHT POKWANG & ANGEL LOCSIN
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT FOR GLORIA ROMERO
Where could you find an awards night like that?
Sige nga pray tell me  in all fairness and honesty to ourselves.
Thanks Armando for provoking me to speak volumes on this on behalf of the PMPC, ciao!
Watch the Golden Age of Philippine Television unfolding through the PMPC Star Awards for TV tonight  at ABS-CBN 2 Sunday Night Special this Sunday! For local audiences and The Filipino Channel worldwide!