I wrote this for an hour, but this may take about two to three minutes to read.
And I propose this question to the wind, to you, and to everyone else reading this:
Where did all the critics go?
When I ‘started’ out on this industry as a member of the audience, not as a critic, nor a filmmaker, nor as a screenwriter or anyone in the process behind the lens or the production, I bore in mind the words of the late critic, Alexis Tioseco, who wrote an essay of sorts about Philippine Cinema, Wishful Thinking for Philippine Cinema and chose to embody one of his anecdotes there that read: “I wish more non-filmmakers from the Philippines would get to travel to festivals.” I was 21 years old, I had broken free from depression and I did get to travel — from Bulacan to Manila — to catch film festivals.
With no judgment and no prejudice as to which films to see, I saw as much as my time and my money permitted me to. I did my best to contribute as much as possible, opened my eyes to as many films as I wanted and could afford to see, and I even began a campaign for grandiose causes to watch as many films as I can and earned friends in the process. Through those things, I learned that our industry has so much more to offer.
“I wish more non-filmmakers from the Philippines would get to travel to festivals” – Alexis Tioseco
I was introduced to different people from across the industry: to bit players, actors, producers, other film enthusiasts, and even film archivists I couldn’t fathom would even talk to me, a mere viewer who had no intention of being involved in the process, except do what I can do best: write and talk about it.
Life happened, and through the course of that process, I decided to step back. I still, from time to time, try my best to catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster, read the latest news from independent film festivals locally and abroad, and listen to my friends from the industry and from the outside on their views on the latest films. As the seat capacity of your usual 200 to 500 cinema grew smaller and smaller, and festival venues deciding to cut budgets and deadlines, patience and issues aside, I came back to find that the community of critics and friends and film industry people, there to support the entertainment side or the marketing side of it, grew smaller too.
Critics like Philbert Dy and Noel Vera suddenly lost their voice in this industry. You might say I’m imagining things, but that WAS eight years ago, and back then everyone had the energy to produce lengthy, experimental, and poetic masterpieces, and even simpler, funny films that didn’t just thrive on a person’s sexual orientation. Philbert is still here, but it is sad that no one even knows who Noel Vera is. It is amazing to find Oggs Cruz, Richard Bolisay, even Fred Hawson among others to still be there despite it all. It wouldn’t hurt to say that even Jonell Estillore is still here, pushing forth with his project under CinemaBravo. I’m happy to be updated with the list of the best and the worst films to come out each year through Skilty Labastilla’s summary of those which he gathered from numerous critics (and from his personal list, too).
To find that Dodo Dayao has finally written and directed his first film, after all the support that he has given to everyone, is a breath of fresh air. Even Stephanie Mayo, the one and only female critic I know who tries her best despite her health and be that firm in her critiques about film. And to find producers like Alemberg Ang and Bianca Balbuena who continually support any filmmaker of breadth and brevity. Filmmakers such as Mike de Leon, Erik Matti, Dante Mendoza, and even Adolf Alix Jr. continue to create politically charged films. These are the talents that we should continue to support, may it be by viewing the films they create, or by continuing to provide critique and to write more, direct more produce more.
*If I missed mentioning your name, I do apologize, you can still say hello to me and say you’re still here*
And yes, we still have as many filmmakers new and old, new films to see, and old films we can always revisit. But do not be afraid to be a critic. Cinema is always welcome and open to everyone who accepts it.
I enjoy reading lengthy reviews of random people on Facebook, bravely thrashing or praising the latest mainstream film. May it be from the latest love team or the biggest production ever down to little gems that need to be recognized. But let us not disregard, nor discredit what cinema can do to our society. Even the most ridiculous story lines can say something about our society, from filmmakers who never forget what our very own history has done to us.
It still feels good to be back. And I’m still wishfully thinking about Philippine Cinema. Watch more. Write some more. Read more. Pitch it to us or to yours/our filmmaker friends.
Let us not allow cinema to die in the expense of slacking, or in the lack of interest. And in the final words of Alexis under Wishful Thinking: I wish Philippine cinema all the success in the world. . .
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**References:
An earlier version of this post included my friends Armando dela Cruz and Geoff Ledesma from Unreel.ph. As they usually write here on FPR, I decided to include them on the image instead. But I would like you to visit their work on Unreel.ph here
Visit our Youtube page here.
We do podcasts thru the Third World Cinema Club on Spotify , iTunes, and on our page.
You may revisit Alexis Tioseco’s list here
You may revisit my wishful thinking post here
Stephanie Mayo still writes here
Skilty Labastilla’s list can be found here
Oggs Cruz writes for Rappler and was one of my earliest heroes in film criticism. I now fancy him as a health advocate. You can read his works with Rappler here
Richard Bolisay just graduated from the Locarno Critics Academy. He studied film in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and is a critic under Lilok Pelikula. He now teaches film in UPD.
Fred Hawson writes for ABS-CBN. You may read his works here
Dodo Dayao is one of my earliest heroes, he released his first film, Violator in which Armando wrote a review about it here. He still writes reviews here
I wish I could add more but I’ll recommend some to you, personally or via message. Cheers!
