"Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets)

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"Mga Mumunting Lihim" (Those Little Secrets) is the first independent film written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes. 

Reyes emphasizes that this film is about friendship created by friends.

Mga Mumunting Lihim is precisely about those seemingly trivial and insignificant events and issues that constitute  the totality of friendship, It is about the life shared through the years of four women and how, in one moment, they finally realized that they truly do not know one another despite the experiences they have shared and cherished , and even defined as friendship.

MARIEL (Judy Ann Santos)  and CARLA ( Iza Calzado) have been best friends since high school. They have shared the years and common interest - they are both creative individuals interested in writing. But the unfolding of years have opted two extremely different courses of the women: Mariel chose to give up her career as a magazine writer to be a wife and mother - while Carla, shunned marriage to become a successful advertising executive.

Into their lives came two other women: there was SANDRA (Agot Isidro) who married a man old enough to be her father so that she can afford the lifestyle that she wanted. And , OLIVE ( Janice de Belen) who was happy with her domestic bliss and married an OFW in Dubai.

The women bonded and treasured their camaraderie until fate struck its blow and bevy had to confront their mortality.

Worse than that, when one of the women exposes the truth about the real feelings and thoughts of the friends about each other, what they perceived as the security of each other's friendship turned out to be the true test of their dignity and honesty.

It is those little secrets that, when added together, constitute the most painful and irreparable damage from seemingly unimportant lies.

Some behind the scenes photos: 

Cast:   Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Judy Ann Santos 

Production:  Produced by Largavista Entertainment Incorporated.  

Director/Writer: Jose Javier Reyes

Executive Producer : Charyl Chan-De Guzman

Photography : Rodolfo Aves Jr. 

Design-Jay Custodio

Sound : Albert Michael Idioma and Addis Tabong

Music : Jesse Lucas

Editor: Vanessa de Leon.

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE  Jose Javier Reyes is among the finest writers and directors for film and television in the Philippines. He is a multi-awarded director, screenwriter, playwright, essayist and a highly respected educator.   His notable works as writer and director include the films “Katas ng Saudi” (Saudi Juice), “Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo”, “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo”,  “I want to be Happy”, “Kutob”, “Spirit of the Glass”, “Malikmata”, “Anghel sa Lupa”, ”Kung Ako Na Lang Sana”, “Minsan May Puso”, “Live Show”, “Batang PX”, “Luksong Tinik”, “Nang Iniwan Mo Ako”, “Pare Ko”, “May Minamahal”, “Makati Avenue Office Girls”, “Hindi Kita Malilimutan”, “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin”, “Iisa Pa Lamang” and “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal?”  He has won recognition from important and major film festivals and institutions such as the Metro Manila Film Festival, Star Awards Film Festival, Young Critics Circle Awards, URIAN Awards, Gawad Tanglaw Awards, FAMAS Awards, Asia Pacific Film Festival. He was awarded Best Screenplay for his work in Oro, Plata, Mata by the Asia Pacific Film Festival in 1982 and the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines in 1981.  He won a Palanca award for his play “Lamat” (Crack) in 1983.   His film Live Show (Toro) which he wrote and directed as the official selection for the Panorama section of the Berlin International Film Festival and twelve other international film festivals from 2000-2001.

SCREENING VENUES and SCHEDULE

July 21/12:45PM – Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

July 21/6:30PM – Greenbelt 3

July 22/11:00AM – Trinoma

July 22 /3:30PM – Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

July 23/3:30PM – Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

July 23/9:00PM – Greenbelt 5

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival in the Philippines held annually in the month of July at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film competition and festival that aims to encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers – works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

Other related article : Secrets Among Friends : Mga Mumunting Lihim and the "Unspoken"

Secrets Among Friends: Mga Mumunting Lihim and the "Unspoken"

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Just how much do you know your best friends? How many years have you spend together?  How many happy and sad experiences have you shared? How much of your lives do you know about each other? 

Are you really sure you know your best friends? When your back is turned or when you are around, are you sure that they are still your friends? Or what do you think they say about you? 

Can you really know somebody completely? They say that sometimes your friends know you more than your family, but can you really honestly say that you can completely trust anybody - including your best friends?

Mga Mumunting Lihim ( Those Little Secrets) is a film about  friendship. It is about the solidity of bonding among people who have known each other  for years. It is also about fragility of friendship , and how you can never claim to know somebody in his or her entirety?

An entry in the Directors Showcase of Cinemalaya 2012, Mga Mumunting Lihim is a film written by Jose Javier Reyes, produced by Largavista Entertainment. Starring in the film are Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Judy Ann Santos as the four female friends whose lives changed because of one significant event that almost shattered the chain linked their lives together.

This is Reyes' first indie movie. And by casting the best and finest of mainstream stars, Reyes hopes to share the opportunity to do the kind of work that commercial filmmaking does not have the liberty to accomodate. AT the same time, this was the opportunity of the four lead actors to do roles which they would not have otherwise done in their commercial projects.

By bringing the mainstream stars to do a work that is produced and embodies the indie spirit, Reyes hoped to create that happy median called "maindie" that will bring the commercial audiences to finally discover and love independent films as part of their everyday culture.

Full trailer:

Special Something! The Versatile Blogger Award

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“When you think of me, it means that you have carried something most likely the image of me in your thoughts. If we meet again, you will know me. Even after life, you can still remember me and hear my thoughts and my voice as I whispered not in your ear but your heart.”

This is one beautiful message I read from one of the very thoughtful blogger,  It was the very message I have in my mind to say to you, who gave me this award so unexpectedly and touched!

Thank you  Mary Jane Fitzsimmons   for nominating me for the Versatile Blog Award.  Mary Jane Fitzsimmons  , is the amazing person behind the beautiful blog called    Fashion Travels . It focuses on fashion for people that style is an important part of their life.

Here are the rules for the award:

1.   Nominate fellow bloggers.

2.   Inform the bloggers of their nomination.

3.   Share 7 random things about yourself.

4.   Thank the blogger who nominated you.

5.   Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your blog.

Here, I’m sharing seven things about myself:

1. I’m really living my second chance of life given by God after the operation (brain anuerysm). The doctor said that I am a miracle patient. Thankful to my 4 big grown-up loving kids and caring husband,  and to many great people who have been and as always been prayed for me.

2.  I am not working as an employee now since feb 18, 2011 but now just spending my rest and recovering time  at home , to read, write, love , laugh, inspire and pray.

3. I love reading inspirational and love stories, essays, poems , prayers and books. I  love music and watching movies!

4. I am blogger since 2010 (personal, didn't know many blog system)) and renew blogging last June 2011 when I am recovered, alive and kicking!

5.  I am living my  life to the fullest! I’m always making my bucket list of spending my life happily with my family.

6.  I spend my great free time to go and enjoy anywhere ( affordable only ^_^) !

7.  I miss my friends and hoping to see them again. Nowadays I am enjoying having many new wonderful friends!

It is my pleasure to share this award to my top 15 fellow bloggers. I’d like to nominate these bloggers for this award:  I really read so many blogs, I enjoy and learn many things from them! Some are the following…

* ChrisAir Martinez Abenes        -  Fit and Fashion Mom   
* Joy Blanca                                -    Joy's Flair   
* Noel Dela Cena                        -   Onin's Perspective    

* Cha Sy                                      -  Travel on a Shoestring 

* Gagay Dinampo                       -   Walking News Paper

* Tess Torrecampo-Chancellor   -   Blog and Me 

* Noks Sosa                                -   Sining Factory     

* Ness Mercader                         -   Say It, Nessie   

* Ruby Ricafrente                       -   Pinay Mommy Online  

* Sumi Go                                   -  The Purple Doll

* SuperStu Saldajeno                  -   Sporty Guy

* Francis Morilao                        -   Mga Kathang Isip ni Kiko

* Stef Dela Cruz                          -   Stef dela Cruz

* Yuu Ki                                     -   busy reading . . . Manga Book Magazine

* Mark Chino Pantua                  -   JuanderfulPinoy    

Thanks again  Mary Jane Fitzsimmons !

To everyone, kindly visit the above links of this inspirational bloggers.  Enjoy the award and have a great day !

One Weekend Adventure Getaway!

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One weekend, we went to a friend's secret vacation rest house in Mariveles Bataan, one of the best place for an adventure getaway. We spend the two days in a very relaxing and stress relieving place.

Traveling early morning

Enjoying the sights of the mountains

. . . mountains, valleys, tress, greens

Exciting entering the town

Walking to the far place

The sun filters through the trees

Entering the secret place

.... welcoming us by the energetic friends

. . .  by the different trees

. . .  different kinds of plants and flowers

I feel so happily united with the nature

  

I enjoyed the place, many interesting trees and plants,  flowers, valley and mountains around us. I feel so relaxed with the peaceful nature.  I breathe the clean, fresh air, scents of the trees. It feels cool but I feel the warm on my skin. 

This is one of the most memorable trips after the long time of my rest. One of  my happiness being in a wonderful world. Those moments, those breathtaking sights captured my heart. 

My New Year's Resolutions . . . for Life!

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Today, January 1, 2012  is the first day of our new life. I’m thinking new years resolutions, plans, goals and as I call these my commitments. I'm really determined to do my new years solutions and all. I've written down my guidelines and I hope that it will help me to make realistic goals.

As I’m doing my notes, most things are running inside my brain. It is just not new years resolution but simple and right things to do. Things to do forever, for life!  I'm just sharing these thoughts in my mind now. 

- Think positively. If you don't believe in yourself then no one else will. I have read and heard many times a quote and advice.  "If you believe it, you can achieve it." Positive thinking creates success. Life will get better and better as you welcome the positive. Believe in yourself and don't look back.

- Open to all possibilities. Great things will happen in our life because we are open to all possibilities. By opening ourselves up, we will be able to learn from so many people with different backgrounds. We will learn and experience amazing things.

- Trust , don't worry.  Trust is important. Don’t worry about anything but trust. Stop worrying but trust you are doing exactly what you are meant to be doing. When we trust, we allow and when we allow our experiences instead of trying to manipulate them or force them into our limited vision of what should be, our lives expand and every day becomes a miracle right now. And beautiful, positive and perfect change just happens without our needing to worry about a thing.We have expectations but we should not to have many.  Learn to go with the flow. Have trust and be appreciative with the present happenings in life. Know that whatever we experience will be a great learning experience. It will give us enriching moments.

-Be Responsible. You have to start being responsible. Everyday of our lives we think of some situation we wish we had handled differently. We can make certain the actions we do every day is not filled with similar regrets. That's all we need to remember when we decide how to behave in the present. We won't be ashamed in the future, if we take charge of our present. It really is not hard you just have to be consistent in everything you do. Be dependable and responsible.To me the most important thing is always being your self.

- Be Happy. Simply do the things that make us happy, simply love the activities. Let’s be happy because we are doing what we love to do. Be happy with what we have, not just what we want. I understand. It really seems to be part of human nature to want. Just to want more and want better and want something new.

I have a very favorite quote :"The Happiest people don't have everything they want...but they make the most out of what they already have!"

Be happy by accepting the changing world. We are all part of this one being called “life as we know it” and it is always changing. Nothing really appears or disappears but it is always changing around. Every situation is temporary.

Share happiness with everyone you live with, family, relatives, friends, people we see around. Having compassion and making others happy will make you more happy.

Year 2012 is going to be "our" happy year in our wonderful world! 

Making Your Own Christmas Gifts on a Budget

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Christmas is a very special and exciting holiday. This is a time of year to get together with friends and family to talk about activities, fun times, eat great and delicious food, appetizers and delectable desserts and to exchange Christmas presents.

Christmas seems to get more expensive every year. To save money, you can start making some of your own gifts, and it is not as hard as you would think!

Everyone is always having trouble finding gifts that are different or gifts that will be remembered.  Just try to have an easy, stress-free Christmas.  Think simple gift ideas for everyone on your list. Be sure you make a list of all the people you need to buy gifts.

Christmas presents can either be store bought or they can be homemade. This choice depends on the mood and creativity of the gift giver. This mean more to people because they are something that you took the time to prepare. Homemade Christmas gifts that anyone  appreciate it and would enjoy and feel happy. These gifts express love that you could possibly give. It is from the heart.

There are homemade gifts that will be appreciated and chances are you'll save money in the preparing it. Making it now and while everyone's still shopping, you'll be enjoying Christmas happy days instead of getting tired and fighting holiday crowds.

I’m thinking to make a simple gift basket ideas. Why buy an expensive gift basket when you could make a much better one for anyone on my list. Boutique Christmas gift baskets are expensive. It is much more economical to make our own gift baskets. We are really  going to stores. We see in the groceries and supermarkets  many items to make a great Christmas gift baskets. Buy items to be put together in a gift basket, preparing for someone's favorite items or treats.

Another gift suggestion, is food, the favorite dish. If you know how to cook , think what is probably a dish that is their favorite. This is  great homemade gift that will make them very happy. It is just a fact that people love to eat.

Chocolates and cookies are great.  This is really an  easy homemade Christmas gift. If you know how to bake and make a chocolate, that’s great! If not, just buy them from the stores and make a mix of it. Put in a box or can or include it in the homemade basket gift.

Very simple and will deeply appreciate is a compact disc of music. It’s an easy to download music and favorite songs you can compile in a compact disc. Sometimes there are songs that remind you of your gift recipient. This homemade Christmas gift is something that anyone would love and treasure forever.

There are many ways to make easy , creative and economical gifts for our love ones and people we care.

Enjoy make the homemade gifts and happy holidays! 

Post Reunion Random Thoughts

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As far as I remember , after graduating from high school , I haven’t seen many of my classmates and batchmates for 30 years, except of course for some  who became my college class/schoolmates. But then even they, after college, we separated ways.

At first I thought reunions of good old friends here in today’s social network sites  like facebook , friendster (!) is fine enough. But I decided to come to this reunion in January , with excitement, and curiosity. It’s not a very formal reunion anyway. Just a get together sort of our batch.  I was excited to see my old friends, my classmates, clubmates , bandmates  and all.  Curious to see familiar faces and see how they all  have turned out after so many years! I have a good memory of people and events. I am a nostalgic sort of a person. It’s so fun to reminisce things over and over again! Sometimes I think I’m stuck in my childhood.  I think a part of me never grew up.

  

The night was so good, the organizers did a great job. Some of our teachers also showed up. There was a buffet dinner, cocktails, a video presentation of old pictures, a very lively program , games, great speeches. There was also a silent moment of prayer while pictures of  batchmates who died are being shown.

Picture takings are  everywhere as some do  table hopping to greet batchmates of familiar faces. It’s a joy to recognize people immediately and see they looked better than before. Even more joyful when they recognized you at once and tell you haven’t change a bit !  My closest friends’ private joke was , “Oh my, so I looked this matured 30 years back then!! Ha ha ha.”

After the program, and more picture takings, music of 80’s were played and people danced as if they were on their JS prom!  T’was really good to be young again! Some just enjoyed watching. What a night ! It ended with see you soon, see you in fb, email me, call me, text me farewells.

Everyone seemed to be pleased to see each other.  But just one  night of catching up of three decades of being apart wasn’t enough. Almost every group went separately,  in different places, bars , restaurants , or in our case, we went to one of  our classmates’ condominium unit in Makati to cap the night with more stories and plans of more reunions. That was Saturday night , ended until the morning , lunchtime of Sunday!

I’m so glad I went to that evening of celebration of our youth and adulthood, a night of fun and surprises . And yes, it will never stop, as more batchmates and classmates are suddenly coming out to join us. Oh well, reunions and re discovering of people…really never stops, never stops adding color to what we call  Life!