Page 11 - 2018 JAN-JUN KAAKBAY

11January to June
2018

Filipino Immigrant Story to be Portrayed in Mike De Leon Classic “Batch ‘81” Screens at New
New Film by Award-Winning Filmmakers York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

A group of Filipino-American producers are Considered as a
gathering support for a film venture that will tackle masterpiece of modern Philippine
immigration, family, Filipino values, LGBTQ rights, among cinema, Mike De Leon’s “Batch
other social issues. To introduce the film to supporters, the ‘81” screened at the prestigious
Lingua Franca kickoff event was held at the Fridman Gallery Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in
in New York on 16 January 2018. New York City on 24 January
2018.
Written and directed by Isabel Sandoval, Lingua
Franca is a promising take on an undocumented Filipino The film was presented
transwoman’s immigrant experience in Brooklyn, New York. as part of the 15th MoMA MoMA introduces the newly-
Tony and Grammy awardee Jhett Tolentino; Oscar winner restored print of “Batch ’81” prior to
Gigi Dement; Cecilia Mejia; and Richard Kim are producing International Festival of Film the screening at the Titus Theater.
the project, which will start filming in Spring 2018. Wisconsin- Preservation from 18 January to 1
based lawyer Jerry Kerkman is likewise on board the project
as Executive Producer. February 2018. The Festival aims to present classic films from

Isabel Sandoval, whose directing credits include around the world which have been newly-restored.
Aparisyon (Cinemalaya entry) and Senorita, considers the
project as a personal testimony of the immigrant story, told The Batch ’81 restoration was curated by the Asian
from the perspective of a migrant director. Sandoval believes Film Archive at L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory. Director Mike
in the material that they have created and revealed that de Leon and Cinematographer Rody Lacap supervised the
some of the artists they tapped have confirmed their color grading of the newly-restored version.
involvement in the project based on the strength of the script
alone. Mainstream and Filipino audiences viewed the film at
the Titus Theater 1 of the MoMA and commented on the timely
restoration of the film considered as one of the gems from the
second golden age of Philippine cinema.

Noted Philippine Film historian and screenwriter Gil
Quito who was on hand at the screening noted that it is
significant that more and more classic Filipino films are being
restored so that audiences are able to view these cinematic
gems. Among the attendees at the event were Consul General
Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz-
Popov of the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega (center) shows her support to the Batch ’81 was originally released in 1982 and
creators of Lingua Franca during the film kickoff. From left: Cecilia Mejia, Gigi screened at the Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight and
Dement, Isabel Sandoval, Jhett Tolentino, Richard Kim, Vice Consul Khrystina the Toronto international Film Festival (TIFF).
Corpuz Popov. (PCGNY Photo)

Cultural Center of the Philippines President Visits New York with Plans to
Expand Cultural Literacy Programs in Filipino Communities

Mr. Arsenio J. Lizaso, President of the Cultural Center of the

Philippines (CCP) paid a visit to the Philippine Consulate General in New
York (PCGNY) last 10 May 2018. During his meeting with Consulate
officials, Mr. Lizaso discussed efforts of the Cultural Center of the
Philippines in executing its mandate to promote and preserve Philippine
culture. He also expressed interest in exploring possibilities for
collaboration in bringing activities and programs of the CCP to New York.

Mr. Lizaso said that the CCP has ramped up its efforts to bring its
cultural program to local communities and institutions. According to him, L-R: Edwin Josue, Co-Founder of Friends of the Philippines
the CCP’s outreach projects will continue to bring performances of the Society USA, Consul Arman R. Talbo, CCP President Mr. Arsenio
J. Lizaso, Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov and Cultural Officer
Center’s resident companies such as the Philippine Philharmonic Olive Osias-Magpile at New York PCG last 10 May.
Orchestra (PPO), Philippine Ballet, Tanghalang Pilipino, Bayanihan, and

Cinemalaya, among others, to the Filipino people, including communities located in the furthest areas of the archipelago.

The Consulate apprised Mr. Lizaso of its Sinehan sa Summer film festival, that is held every August, and which
features CCP’s Cinemalaya short films. It also conveyed its plans to bring the Film screenings to other states in its jurisdiction.