At the height of the storm, CCP welcomes Nora Aunor

Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

Now for the tricky part.

After the heated debates surrounding the exclusion of actress Nora Aunor from the list of national artists, the big question remains: Will she or won’t she step on the red carpet of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to attend the 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which will be held from Aug. 1 to 10?

Aunor has an entry in this year’s Cinemalaya, Joel Lamagan’s “Hustisya,” which is vying for top awards in the Directors’ Showcase section.

NORA Aunor (center) flanked by “Hustisya” team, costars Jeric Gonzales (left, front row) and Rocco Nacino (right, front row), and director Joel Lamangan (second from left, back row) and scriptwriter Ricky Lee (third from left, back row) at the Main Theater lobby of the CCP. RODEL ROTONI

The CCP is one of two institutions (the other being the National Commission for Culture and the Arts) that nominated Aunor as national artist. President Benigno Aquino III eventually dropped Aunor from the lineup.

Last Wednesday, she showed up at the Cinemalaya press conference, wearing a T-shirt printed with her photo (smoking a cigarette) and the word “Hustisya” (Justice). Lamangan had the T-shirts made and gave them to the film’s cast and crew.

Cool, calm

Although the press mobbed her and threw a barrage of questions, she remained cool and calm throughout, telling relentless reporters: “Kain na muna tayo (Let’s eat first).”

Chris Millado, CCP vice president and artistic director, sees no problem, no drama, no awkwardness, should Aunor decide to participate actively in Cinemalaya events.

She is very much welcome at the CCP, said Millado and Nes Jardin, Cinemalaya Foundation president.

Traditionally, national artists are acknowledged at the start of every presentation at the CCP. With Aunor in the audience, such a practice can become potentially awkward.

“We are taking the cue from her,” Millado told the Inquirer in an exclusive interview. “The amazing thing about Nora is that, consistent with her character, she is low-profile and shy.”

He is certain that Aunor wouldn’t want to make a big fuss.

“She is so gracious … and, following her lead, we will also carry on with the same graciousness,” said Millado.

Aunor’s case is not as difficult as those of the artists whose names were removed from the roster by the Supreme Court because they didn’t go through the process.

“At least, with Nora (who passed all three stages of the selection process), everyone is saying that she deserved it,” he pointed out.

More than enough

Millado, who is a self-avowed Noranian, feels the actress deserves to be national artist. “She elevated the craft of acting. People are standing up for her … the respect that was accorded to her by this select group of artists … I think is more than enough. She doesn’t need a national artist honor at this time.”

In the meantime, Aunor is joining the Cinemalaya for the first time.

Aunor told the Inquirer: “Importante sa akin na dumalo rito dahil first time ko sa Cinemalaya. Isang karangalan na mapabilang ako sa Cinemalaya.”

Aunor related that she was drawn to the script. “It’s timely. Reunion namin nila Direk Joel at (scriptwriter) Ricky Lee. Nagkasama kami sa ‘The Flor Contemplacion Story’ (1995).”

CHRIS Millado considers the presence of major stars an affirmation of the quality of the fest’s content. photo by Leo M. Sabangan II

The indie fest, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, boasts a star-studded lineup this year.

Last year, Cinemalaya had Vilma Santos in “Ekstra.” This year, it has Aunor in “Hustisya.”

Considering that Aunor and Santos are prime movers in the second golden age of Philippine cinema in the 1970s and 1980s, what is the significance of their presence in Cinemalaya?

“I would like to believe that Cinemalaya now attracts high-caliber actors who are serious about their craft,” said Millado. “We look at Nora and Vilma not as major stars, but as acting icons.”

Screen luminaries are drawn to Cinemalaya because “of the acting challenges that our films offer,” Millado explained. “Our films provide roles they can really sink their teeth into. They willingly join even though indie movies don’t really pay that well.”

The same rules of attraction apply to filmmakers, he noted.

“Now, many mainstream directors say that they wish to join Cinemalaya at least once. Some even join every year,” he said.

Millado believes it’s the relative freedom in the festival. “It’s not market-driven; it’s artist-driven,” he said.

Of course, 10 years ago, Cinemalaya organizers were not this confident.

“We envisioned this success … the vision was to reach this level,” he admitted. “But we didn’t know how long it would take.”

The first two years, they were shaking in their boots.

“But by the third or fourth year, we noticed that it was beginning to change the industry,” he recalled. “Our films kept winning in international film festivals. We attracted independent producers. Then, the stars started coming in.”

SHIRT says it all. rodel rotoni

That was the tipping point.

“Now, commercial cinemas have expressed interest in showing our films,” he said. “Cinemalaya has become a game changer that way.”

On its 10th year, Cinemalaya is adding another Ayala cinema to its list of satellite venues. Apart from Greenbelt Makati, TriNoma in Quezon City and Alabang Town Center, Cinemalaya films will now be screened at the Fairview Terraces mall.

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