ASEAN best director reacts on expensive, unfinished Marinduque provincial hospital

Film Director/Producer Joseph Israel Laban

ASEAN Best Director for 2015 reacts on the expensive, still unfinished Marinduque Provincial Hospital that has been under construction for 11 years now:

"I hope this isn't true: P200 million already spent for the still unfinished new building of the Marinduque Provincial Hospital and P20 million more just for a ramp and an atrium. How many years has it been since this construction started? A decade? With this price tag, the province should have one of the best hospitals in the country by now. But it doesn't. The local government should properly account for this.

"My mom is turning 60 next month and she has to travel almost every month to Manila for her medical check up because we don't have the proper facilities in the province. So yes, this is personal." - JOSEPH ISRAEL LABAN

(@Joseph Israel Laban is from Boac, Marinduque. He won the Best Director Award at the ASEAN Film Festival earlier this year for his movie "Nuwebe", entirely shot in Marinduque).

Marinduque provincial board member Adeline Lyn Angeles

Ang usapin sa itaas ay kasama sa mga bagay na pinagtuunan ng pansin ni Bokal Adeline Lyn Angeles sa kanyang fb post kamakailan tungkol sa pagpigil ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa kanyang privilege speech tungkol sa P300-million loan ng provincial government ng Marinduque sa DBP. Isa lamang sa mga sinabi ni Angeles:

"Bakit sa dami ng pangangailangan ng HOSPITAL, kailangang unahin sa loan ang 15M para sa DOCTORS' DORMITORY?

"Halos 200M piso na ang nagastos sa 3 bagong building ng hospital. Dahil walang RAMPA, humingi at nag-appropriate pa ang Sangg. Panlalawigan ng around 20M piso pa para sa RAMPA at atrium lamang connecting the 3 buildings. Ngayon naman kasama sa a-utangin ay 15 M piso PARA LAMANG SA TIRAHAN NG MGA DOCTOR? Ito ba talaga ang dapat unahin sa utangin?" - ADELINE ANGELES

ASEAN filmfest best director is Marinduque's Joseph Israel Laban!

Pinoy artists sweep awards in ASEAN filmfest

By Celso De Guzman Caparas (The Philippine Star)

 

From left: Carlo Obispo (ASEAN Spirit Award for Purok 7), Cherie Gil (Best Actrress for Sonata), Nora Aunor (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Joseph Israel Laban (Best Director for Nuwebe)

MANILA, Philippines - Pinoy artists won five awards at the second ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards held last April 11 at the Borneo Convention Center in Kuching, Malaysia.

The awardees were Nora Aunor, Lifetime Achievement Award; Purok 7 by Carlo Obispo, ASEAN Spirit Award; Joseph Israel Laban, Best Director for Nuwebe; Cherie Gil, Best Actress for Sonata (directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes); and Benjamin Tolentino, Best Editing for Bendor (by Ralston Jover).

 Nora received the Lifetime Achievement award from last year’s winner, Michelle Yeoh (of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame) and the citation states it was presented to an ASEAN film personality who has broken the international barrier while the ASEAN Spirit Award (Purok 7 by Obispo) was given to a film that portrays the best of ASEAN. Jackie Chan received the ASEAN Inspiration Award. 

The Philippine team received 18 nominations in nine categories: Best Director: Carlo, Purok 7 and Ralston, Bendor; Best Film: Bendor and Nuwebe; Best Actress: Vivian Velez, Bendor; Barbara Miguel, Nuwebe; and Krystle Valentino, Purok 7; Best Supporting Actress: Anna Luna, Bendor; Best Actor: Allen Dizon, Magkakabaung; Best Supporting Actor: Nico Antonio, Red; Best Photography: Bernard Dacanay, Red and Mark Gary, Sonata; Best Editing: Thop Nazareno, Purok 7; and Best Screenplay: Ralston and Marzaldy Quitana, Bendor and Wango Gallanga, Sonata.

Piolo Pascual along with popular ASEAN celebrities Anuar Zain and Dasha Logan of Malaysia, Emilia Contessa of Indonesia and NOLZA (K-Pop group) of South Korea provided the entertainment.

The ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards “furthers the art and craft of ASEAN filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers and artists who use the language of a film to tell a story.” - From Philstar

Joseph Laban's "Nuwebe" makes it to four international film festivals

Joseph Laban’s film “Nuwebe”, inspired by the true story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history, and a finalist in this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival in Manila has also made it to four other international film festivals. "Nuwebe" will be screened at the Harlem International Film Festival in New York (Sept. 11-15, 2013), Vancouver International Film Festival in Vancouver, Canada (Sept. 26-Oct. 11, 2013), MovieMov Italian Film Festival in Rome (Sept. 13-15, 2013). The Laban film was also premiered on August 29 with additional screenings at the 37th Montreal World Film Festival, one of 105 feature films in the festival's Focus on World Cinema section.  

It will be recalled that Laban’s first feature film “Cuchera” had its international premiere at the Discovery Section of the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) then screened at the Stockholm International Film Festival (Main Competition), Cleveland International Film Festival, Belgrade International Film Festival and Fribourg International Film Festival. Laban hails from Boac, Marinduque.

Meanwhile, kicking off the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this week is “The Fifth Estate” a thriller that chronicles the emergence of anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks and its enigmatic founder Julian Assange, played by English actor Benedict Cumberbatch.  Reuters has reported that transparency and secrecy in the Internet age have emerged as prevalent themes in the Toronto festival. Interestingly, “Slumdog Millionaire” is a film that fared well in Toronto and went on to win best picture Oscars.

More days to catch "Nuwebe"

Film director Joseph Laban grants an interview for television during the gala premiere at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Laban talks about his provocative film inspired by the true story of a young girl (played by Barbara Miguel) abused by her own father (Jake Cuenca). She became a mother at nine, her story documented by Laban for a TV feature last year.

What they say about "Nuwebe":

 “Jake and Nadine surprise audiences with their courageous performances... must see are “Babagwa”, “Nuwebe” and “Purok 9... the best Cinemalaya so far!” - Director Joey Javier Reyes

 “dark, disturbing and well made.” - Pam Pastor

“an example of great Philippine cinema.”  - Martin Mayuga

"Nuwebe" Screening Schedule:

Entirely shot in Marinduque, Joseph Laban's "Nuwebe" now showing at CCP and selected theaters

VIDEO | Cinemalaya entry ‘Nuwebe’ is inspired by true story of incest and child pregnancy

By Edwin P. Sallan,

Reposted from  InterAksyon.com · Sunday, July 28, 2013 · 7:01 pm

Currently showing at the ongoing Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center and Trinoma, “Nuwebe”had its gala premiere last night, July 29, 9PM at the CCP Main Theater.

As managing producer for GMA News and Public Affairs, Joseph Israel Laban has produced some of the network’s most acclaimed documentaries, including “Wildlife For Sale”, about the black market for endangered animal species, and “Kalbaryo Sa Kalayaan”, which tackled the plight of “distressed” overseas Filipino workers in Riyadh and Jeddah.
So it comes as no surprise that Laban’s second feature film, “Nuwebe”, is inspired on one of his documentaries that featured one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history.

“Yes, ‘Nuwebe’ was inspired by a documentary I directed, produced and wrote for GMA News TV’s documentary show ‘Front Row’ entitled ‘Ang Pinakabata’. That same documentary was screened at last year’s Cinemalaya Documentary Section. It was also a Finalist at the UNICEF Child Rights Awards and the New York Festivals Profiles Category,” Direk Joseph told InterAksyon in a recent interview.

The director insists, however, that “Nuwebe”, an entry to the New Breed section of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, is not a direct adaptation but “more of a starting point”. The film follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father.

Despite the fact that incest is a sensitive subject and is not easy to watch when depicted on the big screen, the young filmmaker insists that Krista’s scenes were handled with care.

“The rape was not explicitly shot. People should watch the film to see what we did to the sensitive scenes. We were very careful to take care of the welfare of our actors who are also children. In each and every scene of our child actress Barbara Miguel, be it sensitive or not, her mother was always present on the set,” he explained.

Shot in nine days in Marinduque, Laban said that like most, if not all, of the Cinemalaya entries, their production went over the P500,000 grant. “We were able to supplement the grant with support for our co-producers and sponsors. But honestly most of the amount came from our own pockets,” he admitted.

Even with their budgetary constraints, Direk Joseph was still able to land dependable veterans like Anita Linda, Archie Adamos and Manny Castañeda as well as big stars Jake Cuenca and Nadine Samonte who incidentally also came from GMA’s rival networks ABS-CBN and TV5 respectively.

“From the start, it was not a conscious choice to cast actors from a specific network. We decided to cast a really wide net in looking for actors to play the key roles in our film. Truth is, some of the actors we considered didn’t want to play mother or father roles or to star in a film with a sensitive theme. Fortunately, Jake and Nadine loved the script and got on board.”

And the filmmaker was more than impressed with Jake and Nadine’s performances. “Jake is the type of actor that really commits to a role. He delivers a performance like we’ve never seen him before. He essays the wide spectrum of emotions of his character admirably,” Direk Joseph said of the actor’s role as the incestuous father in the film.

“Nadine, on the other, is revelation. She fiercely inhabits the character of a loving mother torn between her love for her husband and her children. I have loved her since I saw her play a villain in a TV iteration of ‘Darna’. In ‘Nuwebe’ she shows her incredible aptitude to interpret complicated characters. During the shoot she was very focused. She was willing to cross lines that her wholesome TV persona wouldn’t allow.”



The director reserves his biggest praise for the focal point of his film, child actress Barbara Miguel.
“Barbara was a clear standout from the number of auditions we held for the film. She is a brilliant actress. Most young actors can shed a tear or cue or throw a line perfectly, but with Barbara she is not just playing a role, she is the character. When the camera rolls, she seems to inhabit the character of Krista in the film,” Laban declared.

Laban was asked about his experience as a second-time director and the difference between “Nuwebe” and his first film, “Cuchera”, which was also based on a true story about Filipino drug mules, drug couriers and their recruiters.
“My new film has a number of similarities and differences to ‘Cuchera’. ‘Nuwebe’ is similar in the sense that ‘Nuwebe’ also tackles a pertinent and sensitive social issue. But is also different in the way the story and visual narrative was handled. ‘Cuchera’ was more in your face; ‘Nuwebe’ is more subtle and carefully calibrated,” he replied.

Joseph Laban's "Nuwebe" for Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival

Veteran actress Anita Linda as Loleng

The 9th edition of Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is happening from July 26 to August 4, 2013 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and 10 films will be competing at the festival. "Nuwebe" written and directed by Joseph Israel Laban and shot on location in Marinduque is one of the films chosen for the said festival.

The films will be also shown at selected cinemas in Trinoma (Quezon City), Greenbelt 3 (Makati City) and in Alabang Town Center.

NUWEBE - Written and directed by:  JOSEPH ISRAEL LABAN
Cast:  Nadine Samonte, Jake Cuenca, Anita Linda, Manny Castañeda, Mikael Liwag, and Barbara Miguel; Produced by:  One Big Fight Productions (of Joseph Israel Laban), Ferdinand Lapuz, One Dash Zero, Monoxide Works, Ariel Bacol, and Derick Cabrido.

SYNOPSIS:  Inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history, Nuwebe follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father…  With an almost documentary style, the film follows the child’s story as she demonstrates a level of resilience uncommon to her age.  Her mother on the other hand is torn between her love for her child and her love for her husband.

"Nuwebe" a Joseph Israel Laban film shot in Marinduque.

"NUWEBE" filmed in the island of Marinduque

 The much-awaited, most-celebrated and most popular indie film festival in the Philippines is CINEMALAYA Philippine Independent Film Festival 2013.

In the New Breed Category, the film, “NUWEBE” has been included. “Nuwebe” is written and directed by Joseph Israel Laban of Boac, Marinduque. 

Inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history, “Nuwebe” follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father… 

Behind the scene.

Krista's story is complex. She refuses to see herself as a victim. With an almost documentary style, “Nuwebe” (Siyam) follows Krista’s story as she demonstrates a level of resilience uncommon to her age.  Her mother on the other hand is torn between her love for her child and her love for her husband.

With the Boac River as setting.

“Nuwebe” stars  Nadine Samonte, Jake Cuenca, Anita Linda, Manny Castañeda, Mikael Liwag, and Barbara Miguel.

“Nuwebe” was filmed in the island of Marinduque. Showing from July 26 to August 4, 2013, in CCP Theaters, Trinoma and Greenbelt Cinemas.

Director Laban and actor Jake Cuenca.

Actress Nadine Samonte.

Photo credits: Joseph Israel Laban