The glory days of Cebuano cinema

CEBU, Philippines -  A 264-page coffee table book, titled "Lilas: An Illustrated History of the Two Golden Ages of Cebuano Cinema," that relates the glory days of Cebuano cinema was launched on August 20 at the Activity Center of Ayala Center Cebu.

The book is the outcome of three years of research at the Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos, in collaboration with two authors wishing to fill a certain gap in the history of Cebuano cinema.

Author Paul Douglas Grant is a professor of cinema studies and a co-chair of research at the School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design, University of San Carlos.  The other author is Misha Boris Anissimov, a professor and co-founder of the Cinema program at the University of San Carlos who has served as the first program Cinema Coordinator and is the founding editor of the Sinekultura Film Journal. Anissimov holds an M.A. in Cinema Studies from the university.

The "Lilas" project, though, does not entirely cover the Cebu cinema history, but rather tackles the two productive decades, specifically in the 1950s and the 1970s. While the two authors have consulted each other with regards to the book's content as a whole, they individually took on particular sections. Grant writes the introduction and the first part and assisted in the translation, Anissimov is responsible for the second part.

In line with the book launch, an exhibition of 24 panels showing select images from the book was also held at The Gallery of Ayala Center Cebu from August 20 to 27. "Lilas: An Illustrated History of the Two Golden Ages of Cebuano Cinema" is available at USC Press and Phiazarra Publishing House. (FREEMAN)