A trip to Shanghai always fills me with a sense of excitement as I know I will experience something new in the city. This time, the purpose of the trip was to attend the gala of the 35th anniversary of the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day at the Philippine Pavilion of the Expo, hosted by President Gloria Arroyo herself.
Another exciting reason to visit Shanghai was a personal invitation by China’s celebrated TV host and cosmetic mogul Yue Sai Kan to the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival. I have attended this event many times in the past and have always come home with glowing stories about my memorable experiences with famous movie stars.
Once a quaint fishing village at the mouth of the famed Yangtze River, Shanghai has become a behemoth of a metropolis. The sheer enormity of the city’s development is mind-boggling. It is the most populated city in the world in the world’s most populated country. Bursting to the seams with over 20 million people, Shanghai nevertheless commands a large tourist industry thanks to its ancient culture and its collection of some of the most important and impressive landmarks ever erected. Shanghai is quoted as “the showpiece of the world’s fasted growing economy. Today, it is the largest center of commerce and finance in Mainland China.
Because it has become one of Asia’s most exciting cities to visit, the organizers of the film festival have an easy time attracting celebrities to attend the event.
Hosting a party at her posh residence to kick off the film festival, Yue Sai Kan had Oscar Award winner Adrien Brody, actress Claire Danes and her husband Hugh Dancy, Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, (whose most memorable film was James Bond’s The World is Not Enough with Pierce Brosnan), handsome Chinese movie star Russel Wong, China’s first Miss World Zilin Zhang, and many other interesting celebs.
Upon my introduction to Claire Danes, Kan right away asked her to talk to me about her controversial comments about the Philippines. Without beating around the bush, she was straightforward in giving what seemed to me was a sincere apology.
“I am really very sorry about my irresponsible statements about your country. I did not mean to hurt nor say harmful things about your people. I was 18 at that time when I made the film (Brokedown Palace) in the Philippines and the location of the shoot was in miserable conditions. I am 31 now, and have grown more mature. It was truly a sad and unfortunate incident that I don’t wish to even dwell on anymore. I have learned from my past mistakes.”
At that point, her supportive husband held her hand and nodded in agreement. I was charmed by her humility and friendliness and could not say much but to extend an invitation to visit our beautiful country. I told her about our beautiful beaches and resorts and the unbeatable hospitality of the Filipino people and they agreed to visit one day.
During the gala night, clad in a gown by Patrice Ramos-Diaz and a Dita Sandico Ong wrap, I proudly walked down the red carpet with a host of other celebrities. Yue Sai Kan, who was resplendent in her vintage haute couture Valentino red gown, was prominently announced as one of China’s most successful TV stars and entrepreneurs. She was greeted by a horde of cheering fans.
More than 300 stars and celebrities from China and abroad attended the opening ceremony at the Shanghai Grand Theater. Adrien Brody, who won an Oscar Best Actor for The Pianist in 2002, was one of the festival’s main guests. He mentioned to me that he lost 29 lbs to prepare for the role and learned to play Chopin. He is the youngest actor to date to win an Oscar at age 29.
The festival attracted French filmmaker Luc Besson, who was there to promote his film The ExtraOrdianry Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec. He was awarded Outstanding Artistic Life Achievement Award.
Chinese actress Gong Li attended with Hollywood star John Cusack and the crew of their latest film, Shanghai, a spy thriller set against the backdrop of 1940 Shanghai.
This year’s jury was chaired by Hollywood-based director John Woo.
After the ceremonies, all of us trooped to the Mint Club where a post gala party went in full swing. It was, as usual, a fun-filled visit to this exciting metropolis for me.