Stars, Screenwriters, Co-Directors Paid A Touching Tribute In The Eulogy To Director Gil Portes During His One-Day Wake Last Saturday

WE WERE AT the eulogy for the late Director Gil Portes at his one-day wake last Saturday at Holy Trinity in Sucat, Paranaque. The next day, Sunday, his remains were transferred to his hometown, Pagbilao, Quezon.

The first to speak was his longtime friend, former DTI USec Ernesto Ordonez who produced Gil's acclaimed film, "Saranggola", followed by Dir. Laurice Guillen who first worked with Gil in his PTV4 drama "Huwaran" in 1974, then in his very first full length film, "Tiket Ale, Tiket Mama, Sa Linggo ang Bola". Dir. Joel Lamangan talked about his close friendship with Gil and how proud Gil is of his two sons, Carlo and Justin. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre who's from Mulanay, Quezon, shared his recent text messages with Direk Gil who's about to be do a new movie about doctors in the barrios. He previously did a movie about the same subject matter, "Mulanay".

Two screenwriters who worked with him in several films, Sennedy Que and Eric Ramos, also paid tribute to Gil as their mentor, also editor George Jarlego who edited many of his films. Three stars who won awards and made many films with him also gave touching homages to Gil: Ricky Davao who won best actor awards for "Saranggola", Gina Alajar who won awards for his "Mulanay" and "Andrea", and Alessandra de Rossi who did "Mga Munting Tinig", "Homecoming" and "The Liars" with him.


Then his sons Carlo and Justin and wife Stella or Telly responded and shared their own poignant moments with their dear departed loved one, also thanking everyone who showed love and care to Gil while he's working here doing movies while all his family lived in New York. Also present at at the tribute were Director Mel Chionglo, screenwriter-actress Raquel Villavicencio, actors Marc Abaya and Kiko Matos and producer Dennis Evangelista. Director Gil Portes will be laid to rest today, Monday, in his own hometown which was the location site of many of his movies.
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Tuko Films, Buchi Boy & Artikulo Uno Films Produce Need Public Support For The Serious Films They Do With Relevant Content But Little Commercial Value

 WE ADMIRE TBA, which stands for Tuko Films Production, Buchi Boy Entertainment and Artikulo Uno Films, for producing films that have socially relevant content and more significant than the usual rom-coms so prevalent in mainstream local films today. They were the producers of such acclaimed films as "Heneral Luna", "I'm Drunk, I Love You" and "Bliss". All got positive reviews, but only "Luna" did well at the box office due to positive word of mouth endorsement.

When we saw these films, we also the trailers of their upcoming productions and they look like they're worth waiting for serious film aficionados. These movies include: "Smaller and Smaller Circles" - Based on an acclaimed crime novel by F.H. Batacan, this is directed by Raya Martin and stars Nonie Buencamino and Sid Lucero as two priests searching for a serial killer, also starring TJ Trinidad and Carla Humphries.

"Birdshot" - A mystery thriller about a young girl who accidentally shoots the critically endangered Philippine eagle, leading to an investigation that reveals a horrifying discovery. Directed by Mikhail Red and starring John Arcilla and newcomer Mary Joy Apostol.

"Kita Kita" - An unlikely romantic-comedy between a blind girl, Alessandra de Rossi, and comedian Empoy, directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo of "Huling Chacha ni Anita" and "Lorna".

"Iisa" - Directed by Chuck Gutierrez, this is a film about rebels who are victimized by a disastrous hurricane, starring Rio Locsin, Mitch Valdes, Angeli Bayani, Mon Confiado, Rocky Salumbides and Jess Mendoza.

"Women of the Weeping River" - Written and directed by Sheron Dayoc, it stars unknowns and tells the story of women in a distant Muslim community confronting a widening blood feud that stretches far back into past generations. It won best picture at the 2016 QCinema Filmfest.

All these serious films that say something valid about the human condition are definitely not mainstream and have very little chances at the local box office. Still, we admire admire the courage and guts of TBA in producing them. They would need a very big push for the ordinary local moviegoer who just wants mindless entertainment to be interested to watch them. Here's wishing they would somehow be able to recoup their investment in the making of these non-commercial movies.
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