Metro Manila film finally screening in Manila

Metro Manila poster in Paris

Ever since I saw the posters of the film Metro Manila strewn all over Paris last July, I've been badgering Jake Macapagal to let me know when the film will be released in Manila.

After three months,  the film is finally here and I got the chance to watch it at the prescreening last Thursday, October 3 at SM Aura. :-)

The film is not your typical dark indie film depicting vulnerable, impoverished urban poor and leave you depressed after. It's actually a heart-wrenching thriller about a farmer Oscar Ramirez (played by Jake) who moves to Manila with his family and children to try their luck and ends up getting blackmailed into doing a heist.

At the special screening (from left) Jake Macapagal,
Sean Ellis, John Arcilla

British Sean Ellis must be some wunderkind when he was young for he directed, co-wrote (together with Frank Flowers), co-produced (together with Celine Lopez) and was the sole cinematographer of the film. He said that the idea for the story came about in 2007.  He witnessed two armored truck drivers arguing in the streets in Manila with guns wearing kevlar helmet and one of the guys kicking the truck in frustration.

The film's cast include stage veterans John Arcilla as Ong (the senior officer), Ana Abad-Santos as Ong's wife, Ruben Uy  (co-employee) and indie film actress Althea Vega as Mai Ramirez.

proud of Jake with (from left) Bettina, Vanessa and Jason

The film first premiered on January 20, 2013 at the Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic.  Yesterday, the film won the Critics Award at the Hamburg International Film Festival. The film is also the United Kingdom's official  entry for best foreign language film for the  86th Academy Awards.

Incidentally, there are two other Filipino-themed films nominated in the Oscars - Transit  (Philippines) and Ilo Ilo (Singapore).  There are 80 nominees which will then be shortlisted to nine and then the final five will be announced on January 16, 2014. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this film (and of course Transit) makes it to the final five. The Oscars is set on March 2, 2014.

Pet Shop Boys' Electric Tour in Manila

Pet Shop Boys rock Manila with opening number "Opportunity"

Can't believe that after more than 20 years, the Pet Shop Boys has finally decided to come to Manila!!!

I honestly didn't know that they were coming. Thank goodness Tessa P pulled me to watch last night! When I asked her kids though if they were joining, they kitted their brows and asked 'Pet Shop who? Who are they?'.  Ha ha.. Well I guess they can't relate since they weren't born then.

The Pet Shop Boys are an English duo who were smashingly popular in the late '80s and early '90 with their electronic pop, new wave, alternative music.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe met in 1981 and managed to survived after all these years. Note that they both do look a little bit older on stage. Neil is apparently 59 years old this year. But mind you, they still sound the same as before and man, they can still perform!

Tessa in full 1980s mode (center) and we're ready  to dance

I love the concert's club vibe with the criss-crossing laser lights, the giant video wall, the disco lights and kudos to their outfits  especially their head gear - from feathers, a disco mirrorball cap, minotaur heads and tangerine colored hats.

I must say though that of the Tour's 24 set list, they played only seven of their top hits! Seven!! They sang - West End Girls, Its a Sin, Always on My Mind, Opportunities, Suburbia, Domino Dancing and Go West.

This is Manila, they should have been tipped to play all their old songs so we can welcome them back with open arms. Just take a look at Tears For Fears, their second time around was so successful that tickets were sold out on the very first day. Paging organizers!!

I would've enjoyed the concert more if they played my favorites What have I done to deserve this', Where the streets have no name, etc.

Electric Tour Set list :
1. Axis
2. One More Chance/Face Like That
3. Opportunities (Lets Make Lots of Money)
4. Memory of the Future
5. Fugitive
6. Integral
7. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
8. Suburbia

9. I'm Not Scared
10. Invisible
11. Last to Die
12. Somewhere
13. Leaving
14. Thursday
15. Love Etc.
16. I Get Excited
17. Rent
18. Miracles
19. It's a Sin
20. Domino Dancing

21. Go West
22. Always on My Mind

Encore:
23. West End Girls
24. Vocal

Attempted Manila Post Office walking tour

Philboy

Mercury must still be in retrograde because the walking tour that Lilo invited me to join around Old Manila didn't proceed as planed.

The walking tour is a monthly free tour organized by the Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club every 3rd Sunday of the month. According to our guide, club member Lawrence Chan, the walk is part of the Club's advocacy program to promote stamp collecting as well as generate appreciation for our country's heritage and history.

Lilo, Odel and I were there as early as 12 noon. The lobby was already set-up like a tiangge  with tables offering various vintage items such as Barbie Dolls, Coca Cola memorabilia, matchbox, baseball cards, marvel comics, magazines, vinyl records and several other collectibles. At the end of the lobby, the Selyong Pinoy Club was holding an auction. Stamps, coins,  bills, postcards, Pilipino classic comics, etc were being auctioned.

Guide showing us pictures of Old Manila

It seemed like all sorts of collectors  - philatelists, bibliophiles, numismatist, deltiologist, you name it - were going through the various lots. We had to nudge Odel out who was glued to the postcard section looking at  picture postcards of  Munich dating from the 1970s.

At 1pm, we went across the street to Liwasang Bonifacio plaza to meet the group. The plaza is named after national hero Andres Bonifacio and has become a regular rally site for action groups. Similar to Carlos Celdran, our guide pulled out a picture book containing photos of the Old Manila.  We then walked back to the Philippine Post Office, a neoclassical structure built in 1926 and designed by architect Juan de Guzman Arellano, the same architect of the Metropolitan Theater and Jones Bridge.

At the post office, we were asked to wait. The tour was supposed to take us around the building including the compound area and after, walk to the Metropolitan Theater (we were told to bring flashlights for this) and end in Chinatown's Binondo. Honestly, it was too hot to be walking outside and thus, it was a blessing in disguise that the guards changed that day and wouldn't allow us to go further than the lobby.

Lilo and I watching the auction (photo taken by Lilo)

While waiting we chitchatted with the other tour participants. I found out from one that Singapore's Fullerton Group backed out of the plan to convert the historic building into a 5-star luxury hotel. He added that the government may condemn the building soon because of its escalating maintenance cost.

I posted this possible occurrence on my facebook wall to which Boo Chanco commented: "According to [Tourism Secretary] Sec Mon J, they have to relocate the Post Office before they can plan what to do with the building and the Met [theater]. All will be part of the Intramurous development plan."

Well, I do hope so. The government should as much as possible preserve our heritage and this means saving this 87-year old building. Note that aside from the converted Singapore Post Office, they should look into Chicago as a model. Chicago's old Post Office is currently being developed into a retail complex that includes a 40-storey hotel and two residential towers.

Anyway, we got tired of waiting. At 2:30 pm, we decided to leave and headed out to SMX where it was for sure air conditioned! Luckily, we were able to visit the Manila Fame 2013 which was on its last day. It's a 3-day annual event, showcasing the country's best of the best furniture and furnishings, fashion and accessories.  I was surprised to see two French companies among the exhibitors - a porcelain tableware company and furniture-designer.

Alors, hopefully our next attempt to join the Phil Post walking tour will not be in vain.