Q.C. goes ‘pink’

MANILA, Philippines - The so-called City of Stars is also the most welcoming to LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender) community, serving as home to what is dubbed as Asia’s biggest film festival featuring movies tackling the plight and ways of such marginalized people.

Led by its mayor and former actor Herbert Bautista, the Quezon City International Pink Film Festival (QCIPFF) was launched in grand fashion last Monday evening at Trinoma, North EDSA.

The well-attended occasion kicked off a week-long exhibition of gay movies, highlighted by the premiere showcase of Nick De Ocampo’s documentary #pinQCity — one that aptly tells the story of an angel down on Earth to observe the current happenings in Q.C.

Joel Lamangan’s Lihis features two NPA boys (played by Joem Bascon and Jake Cuenca) fighting for love

“This festival shows that this city highlights the contribution of the LGBT community not only here in Quezon City but sa buong Pilipinas din. Ipapakita sa mga pelikulang ito ang mga karanasan at saloobin nila,” shared Mayor Bautista who in the past famously acted the gay character Jill/Hilario opposite Sharon Cuneta’s lesbian portrayal of Jack/Jacqueline (for the movie Jack & Jill).

Gay films from 14 foreign countries and a host of local flicks are up at Trinoma’s Cinema 3 for the public to see beginning last Dec. 9, and to run until Dec. 16. Tickets can be bought at P100 each. (For complete schedule and tickets, call the QC International Pink Film Festival office at +63 927-8613-913 or e-mail at [email protected]).

Moviegoers can look at entries coming from other countries, including USA’s Before You Know It by PJ Raval that recounts the lives of three gay seniors. Thailand offers Love Next Door, while Indonesia has Lovely Man, two titles with immediate gay tones.

Local pink films are definitely well-represented, with Joel Lamangan’s Lihis and Alvin Yapan’s Gaydar on the list. Lihis is about two NPAs fighting against dictatorship and for their love, starring Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon. Gaydar, featuring Pauleen Luna, Rafael Rosell and Tom Rodriguez, follows the tale of a woman who always falls in love with gays.

Uuwi na si August, directed by Cris Pablo, an HIV advocacy film to be featured at the Pink International Film Festival on Dec. 15 at Trinoma Mall Quezon City. It stars Joko Mariano (a dentisry student from Our Lady of Fatima University), Rey Pumaloy, Soxy Topacio and Richard Hiñola. Shown in photo are (from left) Richard, event producer/publicist); Cris Pablo, director; Joko; and Cris Nocon, TV producer.

Director Soxy Topacio, a key figure in this staging of the first-ever QCIPFF, stated, “Karamihan sa mga movies ay educational in nature, while some discuss class gender. This festival happening only proves that LGBTs are all over the place.”

Q.C. councilor and actor Roderick Paulate also graced the occasion at the mall’s Activity Center, with him presenting a posthumous award to Dolphy for the latter’s notable work in portraying gay roles. The now-classic Gil Portes MMFF entry Markova, with Dolphy appearing as comfort gay, is also in the line-up of movies being screened.

Paulate himself is also known for his past gay characters as a comedian for both movies and TV sitcoms.

Dolphy raised the awareness of consciousness for bakla, beginning in 1954 when he became the first actor to act the role of a gay in the movie, Jack & Jill, he said in his speech.

De Ocampo, who is also the festival’s chairman, wittily made sense of Typhoon Ruby almost threatening to have the event, attended by foreign filmmakers, cancelled. He related, “The LGBT community is really a courageous community. The typhoon we braved off today served as metaphor to how LGBTs face challenges. We fought a lot of storms and this staging of the largest queer filmfest in Asia is another victory.”

The opening show, hosted by Rica Paras and Rico Suave, featured Las Vegas-motif performances of dance group Clubmwah, singing numbers from Sam Concepcion and Morisette Amon, and a heartfelt speech from Gina Lucero, a product of transgender beauty pageant.