.MOV Zero Degrees of Separation Begins Today

I personally don't want to commemorate the death of Eggy and Nika, though perhaps not thinking about it is the same as forgetting that it ever happened and that justice has yet to be served. The cold truth- 2 years have passed and still their killers have not been found. Recently, Eggy's family released a statement offering a 1 million Peso reward for any information on the whearabouts of former household help, Criselda Gesman Dayag. I pray that she is found, if only to shed light on why this heinous crime was committed. 

On a much lighter note, the .mov festival is on going in the metro. Organized by their good friend, Khavn dela Cruz, it is a touching tribute for two people who were passionate champions of films. I'm looking forward to seeing the films especially dedicated to them both. 

4th .MOV International Film, Music, & Literature Festival
September 1 to 6, 2011
*Zero Degrees Of Separation*
*20 Singer-Songwriters*
*30 Filmmakers*
*150 Poets*

September 1, Thursday.1:30pm to 11pm. The Podium.
Premieres from Roy Andersson (Sweden), John Gianvito (USA), & Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
Silvershorts Finalists
DVD Launch “Cinema Is Love: Best of .MOV”
Opening Film: Tan Chui Mui’s “Year Without Summer” (Malaysia)

September 2, Friday. 6pm to 11pm. Ayala Museum.
Book Launch “Under The Storm: An Anthology Of Contemporary Philippine Poetry”
Featuring Bienvenido Lumbera, Gemino Abad, & Pete Lacaba
Live Music from Vigo, Radioactive Sago Project, & Corporate Lo-Fi

September 3, Saturday. 6pm to 11pm. Greenbelt 3 Park.
Album Launch “Songs From The End Of The World: Philippine Singer-Songwriters”
Featuring Ely Buendia, Vin Dancel, & Toi
Silvershorts Awarding

Setpember 4, Sunday. 1pm to 7pm. Mag:net Katipunan.
Free Film Workshops with Vanja Kaludjercic (Croatia), Joel Shepard (USA), & Chris Fujiwara (Japan)

September 2, 3, 5, & 6. 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, & 7pm. UP Film Center.
Films For Alexis & Nika
Premieres from Asia, Europe, & Latin America
Featuring Lav Diaz, Jose Luis Guerin (Spain), & Edwin (Indonesia)

www.movfest.org
www.facebook.com/movfest

Poster photo by Christian Yambing
Poster design by Norman Wilwayco

Remembering Alexis Tioseco on the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Here's something I wrote about an old friend for the Inquirer. I had hoped they would use this picture of him by Brendan Goco, but they ended up choosing a more somber one. He was one of the most inspiring and prolific people I've encountered. But here he's just young, silly, and fun. That's the Alexis Tioseco I'd most like to remember.

Rest in peace Alexis and Nika.

Justice for Alexis and Nika

This day last year, Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc were murdered.

Tonight, I'm off to Quezon City to join family and friends in remembering their passing and celebrating their lives. I've been trying to finish up an article about Alexis so I've been too preoccupied to post anything original.  I shall just encourage people to pray tonight and also to grab a copy of UNO, an alternative men's lifestyle magazine. They've done something pretty remarkable in dedicating an entire issue to them (with fully-clothed hotties on the cover too!) I can't wait to see what's inside.

For those wondering about their case, it seems nothing has happened. Their murderers are roaming the streets of Manila. To make it worse, the police arrested the wrong guy. I think we have to start demanding more out of our cops. How can they protect us when they're uneducated,  ill-equipped, and unprepared? I'll leave that battle for tomorrow. Tonight, it's about Alexis and Nika. Goodnight friends.