“I find TV hosts’ overly dramatic way of talking annoying. Mel Tiangco always seems to be hosting ‘Magpakailanman,’ even when she’s anchoring ‘24 Oras.’ An overload of vocal bombast is also the style of Mike Enriquez and Noli de Castro, who sounds like he’s in a boxing ring. Even Jessica Soho is beginning to sound like a preacher in a pulpit. They treat television like radio, and undermine viewers’ intelligence and taste—it’s insulting.
Filipino filmmaker Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” will be screened at the 11th Asian Film Festival, to be held in Reggio Emilia, Italy, from April 6 to 11. Mendoza told the Inquirer it wasn’t the first time for a movie he made to be featured in this fest.
Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” will have a return engagement in Australia soon. After being screened in Brisbane, where it won Best Director for Mendoza and Best Actress for Nora Aunor at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards last November, “Thy Womb” will have screenings in Melbourne at the Australian Center for the Moving Image from May 10 to 13. The ACMI website described the Filipino film as “a lyrical tale of love and beauty.”
Marilou Buena, TFC subscriber: “My family and I enjoy watching ‘Princess and I.’ I commend ABS-CBN’s writers for creating such a wonderful tale. But, while the start of its story had a strong impact, it now seems to focus on one person.
The latest indication that Nora Aunor’s nth and current comeback is a significant success is the fact that, despite the presence of other stars at last month’s third Philippine Daily Inquirer Indie Awards rites, the Superstar not just stole the show, but ran off with the entire bank vault itself!
Lina Vilas, housewife: “Bembol Roco’s magnificent portrayal of Nora Aunor’s husband in ‘Thy Womb’ was sadly ignored by the jurors in the Metro Manila Film Fest. Aunor’s scenes with Roco wouldn’t have been as effective if her character’s husband were essayed by an actor of lesser caliber.
Nora Aunor has a lot to be thankful for. A day after winning best actress for “Thy Womb” in the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Superstar told the Inquirer : “I’d like to revive NV Productions.” She said she was inspired to go back to producing, in spite of intrigues that [...]
Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” and Mark Meily’s “El Presidente” may not be the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival’s top crowd-drawers (“Sisterakas,” “Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako” and “One More Try,” in that order, topped the box office on opening day), but their inclusion in the eight-entry lineup marks a timely changing of the guard that raises the annual film event’s game. Both movies should be patronized, because they characterize the type of innovative, unconventional features that the festival was conceptualized for in the ’70s.
Throughout her decades-long career, Nora Aunor has been misunderstood by many—including herself! Since we’ve worked with her and think the world of her as a genuinely Filipino screen icon, we’ve taken the time to arrive at a number of insights into what makes her tick—and click.
“I hope this award will get more people curious about the movie. This way, we don’t get pulled out of the cinemas,” said Brillante Ma Mendoza, winner of the best director honor for “Thy Womb,” an entry to the ongoing 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Internationally acclaimed independent film director Brillante Mendoza on Monday said he felt accomplished and proud after his film “Thy Womb” entered this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, saying that he hoped more Filipinos would appreciate why indie films reap awards abroad.
On an island in southern Philippines, a barren midwife (Aunor) looks for a suitable young second wife (Poe) for her husband (Roco), so he can have a child. The country’s entry to this year’s Venice fest, the indie drama won the Bisato D’Oro prize for Aunor and La Navicella and P. Nazareno Taddei special mention for Mendoza.
