FILM ON MARINDUQUE?

In April 2008, the Provincial Government of Marinduque in partnership with the Marinduque State College, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines organized a seminar-workshop on filmmaking, and film production with award-winning full-length and short-films also presented. It generated wide interest especially among students who have been introduced to the art of filmmaking. It has also opened a new medium for local artistic exploration among others.

Film as a medium not only for cultural and artistic development but for tourism promotion purposes are also utilized and resorted to by many local government units and organizations. This explains the many film projects undertaken by independent filmmakers in cooperation with various organizations including municipal and provincial governments. (Samples of film titles are “Camiguin”, “Siquijor”, “Batanes”, “Donsol”, “Battad”, “Panaghoy sa Suba”, etc),

The task of establishing a network for exchange, communication and cooperation among members of the independent film sector and to train and recognize Filipino independent filmmakers are the responsibility of two independent film organizations, namely Cinemalaya Foundation and Cinemanila Foundation. Particular attention is given to works that articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

Core projects of these organizations are annual Independent Film Festivals that open avenues for the presence of Filipino independent films in foreign festivals and competitions, encouraging filmmakers to enter and be part of the international film circuit.

PROPOSED MARINDUQUE FILM PROJECT:

An independent group of filmmakers, based on their own research and continued search for new materials that reflect a more uniquely Filipino experience has taken particular interest to make a film on Marinduque’s Teatro Balangaw. This interest was also brought about by the fact that some members associated with the film group also trace their roots from this province.

Teatro Balangaw is a Marinduque-based community theatre group, some of whose work and experiences have been documented and published in “Community Theater: Global Perspectives”, a book by Eugene van Erven. The said literature by one of the world’s foremost experts on Asian theater is used as an invaluable resource material for community theatre practitioners worldwide.

Information on Balangaw was accessed by the film group through the Internet. It appears that the said community theatre continues to draw interest here and abroad. A recent web-post by one community theatre practitioner, Therese Lindsay-Lu (U.S.A.) says thus:

“Teatro Balangaw brings to light social inequities that would otherwise be overlooked by those not directly affected by harsh realities. By teaching, we are taking the initiative to eradicate misconceptions about the arts as well as about our students giving them an opportunity to experience and create in ways that are vital to their personal development as complete, educated human beings.”