Why direk Jowee is 'strictly controversial'

Curtain-raisers:

• From Ricky Davao: At exactly the 12th hour, 34th minute and 56th second of the 7th of August this year (2009), the time and date will be 12:34:56 07/08/09 — as in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. This will never ever happen again in our lifetime. There. Take note.

• Now on his third term as councilor of Baliuag, Bulacan, Abel Acosta is running for vice mayor in 2010 as an independent. Tony Patawaran in real life, he was a member of movie writer Vir Gonzales’ Escolta Boys Group of the ’90s. Abel is in the cast of the NBN Channel 4 mini series Count Your Blessings by Carlo J. Caparas.

• It turned out that there were a lot of other Darnas not mentioned in last Sunday’s Conversation piece on Marian Rivera who is poised to soar as the newest TV Darna early next month in another GMA action-fantasy series. The first TV Darna was Lorna Tolentino (in a one-piece costume, unlike the standard two-piece worn by modern-day Darnas) in the 1977 series aired on KBS Channel 9. Lotis Key and Brenda del Rio spoofed Darna in the Dolphy starrer Darna Kuno (with the ace comedian in the title role) and so did Daisy Reyes and Alma Concepcion in a Toyota FX commercial. Are any more Darnas left out?

* * *

Did you know that uncensored (mostly indie) films have been temporarily suspended from being shown at the UP Film Institute by MTRCB chief Ma. Consoliza Laguardia? For a long time, the Institute was the venue of the “uncut” in the name of academic freedom.

Among those whose attention was called (and were almost slapped with a court case) was new director Jowee Morel whose film, Strictly Confidential (a 2009 documentary), got the ire of Laguardia (as did Adolf Alix Jr.’s Aurora and Monti Parungao’s Sagwan).

Showing of those films were rudely interrupted, leading to the suspension of th UPFI “uncensored” showings.

But the spirit and enthusiasm of direk Jowee is hardly dampened.

“I feel all the more challenged,” said direk Jowee whose other film, the Iza Calzado starrer Mona Singapore Escort, was cut up not by the MTRCB but by the producer that, according to direk Jowee with a shrug, “I didn’t recognize it anymore,” adding with a wry smile, “first full-commercial film ko pa naman.”

His other works are: EC2LUV (a film docu featuring unknown actors, 2005), Mga Paru-Parong Rosas (retitled Pink Butterflies when it was shown at an international Pink Festival for gay-themed films, 2006), When A Gay Man Loves (docu, 2007), Latak (Residue, feature film, 2008), Moving Dreams (docu, 2008) and hiStory (docu, 2009).

His being “strictly controversial” is accidental.

Born in Cebu to a British father and a Filipino mother on Nov. 8, 1969, direk Jowee was a London-based recording artist who started his film career writing and directing shows in London’s West End. He describes himself as “a naturalist who believes in the intrinsic goodness of man but a pragmatist in dealing with the frailties of humans.”

“The world is my school,” said direk Jowee who has travelled to every nook and cranny of his “school.”

He added that he is committed to making films that provoke, cultivate, enlighten and probably entertain.

And, in the process without his meaning to, earn the ire of the country’s “guardians of public morality.”

That’s why he is “strictly controversial.”

Bohol International Filmfest postponed

Remember the Bohol International Film Festival reported by Funfare a few months ago as being conceptualized by Maryo J. delos Reyes and Cesar Montano as part of this month’s celebration of the province’s Sandugo Festival? The sad news: It has been postponed indefinitely.

Funfare learned that the Bohol Film Development Organization, Inc. (BOFIDO) has decided to scrap the ambitious project which was supposed to be held from July 18 to 25. Reason given was insufficient funds and time for preparing logistical requirements, according to Maryo, the BOFIDO president. Cesar, the BOFIDO chairman, has politely turned down his appointment by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as special envoy and promoter of Indie Films and Filipino Movies here and abroad because he’s deadset on running for Bohol governor in 2010.

The BOFIDO is composed of prestigious Boholanos who have made a name in the entertainment industry who desire to realize the vision of creating the province of Bohol as a dynamic and creative “hub of arts and culture” not only for the Visayas and Mindanao but for the entire country. Other BOFIDO members are artist-musical director Lutgardo Labad, social director Tweet Alturas and Disi Alba-Yap (doctor of family medicine and producer).

Briefly noted

• Funfare’s recent story about Padre Pio, told in a letter from Julius Babao and wife Tintin Bersola, drew reactions from all over. Funfare’s Bohol correspondent Leo Udtohan reported that an image that looks like that of Padre Pio’s is “getting more visible every day” on one of the pillars of the church in Baclayon, hometown of Cesar Montano. “Nobody can explain this sudden appearance of the image,” added Leo. Incidentally, in answer to readers’ request, here’s the address of the Philippine Center for St. Pio of Pietrelcina: 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Libis/C5, Quezon City (near Honda Motors).

• Last Christmas, Kris Aquino sent as gifts for friends boxes of Sierra Madre Water which was what her mom, former Pres. Cory Aquino, has been taking. The water is believed to replenish mineral loss and help in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, asthma, kidney stones, arthritis and others. Sierra Madre now comes in capsule form called Sierra Madre Health Capsule endorsed by Kris herself and Boy Abunda (below) and distributed by Ever Bilena.

•The search for Pole Dancing Queen is going on at the Crobar-Malate, the newest nightlife venue at the corner of Julio Nakpil and Maria Orosa streets. It starts today and will be staged every Wednesday evening, with cash prizes and other goodies at stake for the weekly, monthly and final winners.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])