The restored version of the multi-awarded Filipino classic “Oro, Plata, Mata” by Peque Gallaga open 2012 Cinema One Originals Film Festival

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It was a pleasure and honor to witnessed the restored version of Filipino classic 1982 multi awarded film "Oro, Plata, Mata" by Peque Gallaga and Jose Javier Reyes as this year’s opening of Cinema One Originals Film Festival at the Robinsons Galleria Movie World, November 28.

The film was set in the Philippine province of Negros during World War II,  about how a rich family copes with the war and how the people change amidst violence and death. It tells the story of a family who is scared to be involved in the war and decided to go to the woods but as the longer they stay there the nearer they get to danger.

"Oro, Plata, Mata" means Gold, Silver and Death.

The screenplay of the 1982 film was written by Jose Javier Reyes with cinematography by acclaimed cinematographer Rody Lacap. 

The film cast includes Cherie Gil, Sandy Andolong, Ronnie Lazaro, Joel Torre, Liza Lorena,   Manny Ojeda, Fides Cuyugan-Asencio, Mitch Valdes, Lorli Villanueva, Abbo dela Cruz, Kuh Ledesma as "Diwata", Manny Castaneda, and Mary Walter. It won the 1982 Gawad Urian awards for Best picture, direction, cinematography, production design, musical score, and sound. In the same year, it won the Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines for Production Design and for Best Supporting Actress (Liza Lorena).

“The script, by Jose Javier Reyes, is so thematically dense that a single interpretation is probably insufficient to discuss what the movie is really about. One could say, at the very least, that the film is about irrevocable change, how one can never really go back to happier times, once you’ve been touched by war. It’s about inevitable decay: gold, silver, death. It’s about the country, and how we’ve come to this point,” wrote Philbert Ortiz Dy in a review.

“Oro, Plata, Mata has much to offer you. It’s the kind of film that gives you more and more to chew on the more you watch it. It’s an almost frighteningly rich film experience, one that shouldn’t be missed by any Filipino film devotee,” he added.

This marks the first showing of the restored version of the film. The restoration was made possible through a partnership between ABS-CBN Film Archives headed by Leo Katigbak and Central Digital Lab, Inc. It is the second film restored after Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala” in time for its 30th anniversary.

“Oro, Plata, Mata” is considered as Gallaga’s most significant contribution to Philippine cinema. This is the timeless classic at the opening of the 8th Cinema One Originals this November 28 (Wednesday) at the Robinson’s Galleria Movie World. The festival's opening event started at 6:00 p.m.

The 2012 Cinema One Originals Festival will run from November 28 to December 9 at Robinson’s Galleria Movie World and from November 29 to December 4 at the Edsa Shangri-La Cineplex. The festival’s much awaited awards night will be held on December 3 at the Studio 1, ABS-CBN Main Building.

The 2012 Cinema One Originals Festival is an annual project of the Cinema One, the local movie channel on cable, owned and operated by Creative Programs, Inc (CPI).

With Jose Javier Reyes and Peque Gallaga

Checkout more photos @ Cinema One Originals 2012 Film Festival/Enjoying Wonderful World FB

The 8th Cinema One Originals 2012 Festival Presents Biggest Line-up with 13 Competition Feature Films

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Cinema One Originals 2012 proudly presents its biggest line-up for its 8th year run with 13 competition feature films; divided into two categories: “Cinema One Plus” composed of seasoned directors awarded with a two million production budget each and “Cinema One Currents” composed of new breeds awarded with a one million budget each.

Chosen through careful deliberation from hundreds of entries, these 13 films, six of which debuts as the filmmakers first feature film, hav e the potential to make names for its filmmakers, directors, writers and actors in the local and international arena.

“The festival is definitely bigger now in terms of content, variety and ambitions compared to the past years of Cinema One Originals. We have something for everyone not answered by mainstream cinema,” said Cinema One channel head, Ronald Arguelles.

Brave, bold and original, The 8th Cinema One Originals Festival line-up is composed of the following titles: 

For the “Cinema One Plus” category:

MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI by Richard Somes is a tale of an innocent woman who unravels horrible truths while in search of her long lost sister in the city starring Erich Gonzales, Alfred Vargas, Joel Torre, Maria Isabel Lopez, John Lapus and Mark Gil;

MATER DOLOROSA by Adolfo Alix, Jr. is a story about a typical Filipino mother who lives a dark, shadowy life in Manila’s underground starring Gina Alajar, Cogie Domingo, Alessandra de Rossi, Carlo Aquino, Joem Bascon, and Mercedes Cabral with the special participation of Phillip Salvador;

BAYBAYIN by Auraeus Solito, a unique tale of two sisters who fall in love with a man who can’t hear and speak starring siblings Assunta and Alessandra de Rossi and introducing Adrian Sebastian.

For the “Cinema One Currents” category : 

ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG MGA BITUIN SA GABING MADILIM by Arnel Mardoquio is a story about the companionship between three escaping rebels and a young war survivor against a Mindanao war backdrop;

CATNIP by Kevin Dayrit is a psychological film on two friends who despite their frequent rifts and differences find comfort in being together starring Lauren Young and Maxene Magalona;

MELODRAMA NEGRA by Ma. Isabel Legarda is a dark comedy which follows the complicated and macabre lives of a woman and her ‘dead’ friends, blood-hungry sociopaths and a wealthy political family;

SLUMBER PARTY by Emmanuel Dela Cruz is a riotous comedy about a tied-up cute frat boy and three curious gays starring Markki Stroem, Archie Alemania and RK Bagatsing; 

PASCALINA by Pam Miras is an untypical story of a simple girl who, after visiting her dying aunt, experiences changes in her life that will push her to the edge of madness and monstrosity;

ANAK ARAW by Gym Lumbera talks about the colonial illusion of an albino who believes that he is a son of an American;

EDSA XXX by Khavn De La Cruz is a futuristic black comedy film infused with original rock soundtrack. It tells the story of the reign of Three Eyes in the Philippines in year 2030 starring Epi Quizon;

ABERYA by Christian Linaban, Cebu story about love, sex, and psychedelic potions which intertwine the lives of four people in one night starring Will Devaughn, Mercedes Cabral, Iwa Moto, and Nicholas Varela;

PALITAN by Ato Bautista depicts lovers who find themselves asphyxiated and trapped in an erotic triangle;

MAMAY UMENG by Dwein Baltazar gives a glimpse into the life of an 84-year-old man who is alone, waiting, and praying not for long life, but for a quick escape.

Apart from these originals, the festival will give tribute to Philippine classics through the screening of three of the most important restored films that greatly contributed to the foundation of Philippine Cinema: “Oro Plata Mata”, “Himala” and “Genghis Khan”.

“Oro Plata Mata”, the 1892 film directed by Peque Gallaga will serve as the opening film for the prestigious event while the award-winning film “Himala” will celebrate its 30th anniversary through an exclusive showing of a documentary special by “Ka Oryang” director Sari Dalena and writer/editor Keith Sicat.

An exhibition programme featuring guest films will also take place in the festival to include special screenings of “Alagwa”, “Supremo”, “Jungle Love”, and “Graceland”.

The 2012 Cinema One Originals Festival will run from November 28 to December 9 at Robinson’s Galleria Movie World and from November 29 to December 4 at the Edsa Shang Cineplex. The festival’s much awaited awards night will be held on December 3 at Studio 1 ABS-CBN Main Building.

The 2012 Cinema One Originals Festival is an annual project of the Cinema One, the local movie channel on cable, owned and operated by Creative Programs, Inc (CPI).