The search for happiness

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” —Anne Frank

“How do you live a happy life?” The quest for happiness is common to all people. Wherever we are and whatever we do, we want to be happy. I have been in the talk business for several years and I have interviewed people from diverse walks of life. In my conversations, I have asked politicians, high-ranking officials, executives, ambassadors, stars, sports figures, and ordinary people about what makes them happy? How do they pray and what is success to them? Some said their families make them happy while others say happiness comes from within. Others suggested that success and happiness are connected to material wealth and expensive cars. Some attributed their happiness to God while others said it’s about luck.

This discussion about living a happy life is the main theme of the film Isang Lahi: Pearls from the Orient, produced by Tanchanco Trimedia Productions that brings together Filipinos from various regions in the country. The movie is a project of Estima, Inc., a global front runner in content creation. Estima, Inc. provides clients with brand-driven contents in television shows, radio programs and live events.

Isang Lahi is a docu-drama that takes viewers to different places around the Philippines. It shows the greatness and beauty of the country by celebrating the cultural diversity of the Filipinos. Isang Lahi was inspired by the book The Secret. The film encourages Filipinos to have a positive outlook and to be proud of being Pinoy. It also proposes that happiness is in the hands of each one.

Isang Lahi features five documentarists (Ruel Ruiz, JP Tanchanco, Ayee Domingo, Zoilo Barrel and Naethan Lucero) on a journey around the country in search of the answer to what makes people happy. They traveled across the archipelago exploring the picturesque country and the hearts of the people. They interacted with the bare-breasted tribes of the south, century-old farmers and bolo men of the north, mystical sect leaders and quack doctors, rebel Muslims, the Philippine Marines, poverty-stricken communities, successful businessmen and various indigenous groups who spoke about their beliefs and life concepts.

They met people stricken with hopelessness and others who succeeded in their pursuit of happiness. The film covers the major areas of life that affect and reflect happiness: Health, wealth, success and love.

The triumphant stories are dramatized in four mini-movies portrayed by Joel Torre, Mark Gil, Juan Rodrigo and Aiza Seguerra.

I had the privilege to be part of the film by sharing my storied life and career. Other Pinoy icon-experts are spiritual leader Sister Mary Fidelis Estrada, Olympian Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, Dr. Margarita Holmes, health and beauty advocate Cory Quirino, chef Gene Gonzales and author and mental coach Jimmy Licauco.

Isang Lahi is a must-see for Filipinos around the world. The film’s message of hope, empowerment and unity will hopefully create positive energy among Filipinos by inspiring everyone to do better and to see himself as an important stakeholder of his country.

Free digital filmmaking workshop

PlusIminus Film Camp in cooperation with Aquarian Artistic Production will hold free digital filmmaking workshop on Dec. 8 until Dec. 19. The two-week workshop is open to student and professional filmmakers, hobbyists and film buffs who have the passion for filmmaking. Participants are required to bring biodata.

The digital filmmaking workshop is a hands-on training that includes lessons in directing, cinematography, scriptwriting, editing, production design, location management, acting and producing. A one-day film orientation seminar will take place before workshop proper begins. Participants will be given an overview of filmmaking history, art photography, art form, basic film form, film criticism, film history and filmmaking discipline.

For details, call 889-1292 or visit Aquarian Artistic Production at 3660 Heneral Luna St., Bangkal Makati.