Meaningful milestones

Long after we wrote and directed “Mapaghimalang Birhen ng Caysasay” for noted glass sculptor, Ramon Orlina, five years ago, we have remained friends with him and his dear wife, Lay-An. Only last month, we visited his newly renovated ancestral home in Taal, Batangas, and enthusiastically supported his new cultural and heritage initiatives for his beloved hometown.

Then, last week, we attended the launch of his latest one-man exhibit at Art Verite, Serendra (until Dec. 12). Ramon is one of the most avidly collected artists in town, so it was no surprise to see so many “sold” colored tabs at his latest exhibit!

Procession

This Sunday, we’re seeing Ramon and Lay-An again at the annual Marian procession in Intramuros, where the Birhen ng Caysasay’s 400-year-old image is one of the smallest but oldest religious emblems.

As we sing the Virgin’s praises during the procession (with songs by Ryan Cayabyab from our “Caysasay” musical), we’ll be praying that the show will be taken on tour again, because it’s one of our favorite musicals (Ryan agrees).

Agnes de Guzman

The second half of our reminiscences this week honors Agnes “Kune” de Guzman, our scriptwriting workshopper, who passed away late last month. Kune wrote many teleplays, was the headwriter of popular teleseryes like the still ongoing “Nasaan Ka, Elisa?” and was a dear friend of indie stalwarts (also our workshoppers), Michiko Yamamoto, Adolf Alix Jr. and Ronald Mangubat, who deeply grieve her passing.

Throughout the 10 years we knew Kune, she impressed us, not just with her writing skill and leadership qualities, but also with her exuberant love for life. She did everything with great heart, “infecting” everyone around her with her zest and verve.

Of all the movie scripts Kune wrote, the one that meant most to her was her screenplay about the making of the giant Christmas lanterns in Pampanga, her home province. More than anything else, she wanted to film it as her loving tribute to the Christmas tradition that she had grown to love. So, we trust that Adolf or somebody as simpatico to Kune will soon turn it into a feature film, as a tribute to her.

Incidentally, Kune also wrote articles for Saturday Special with her “partner in crime,” Ronald. But, we are most appreciative of her readiness to help her fellow-workshoppers get into the local TV-film business. After she had established herself as head writer, producers trusted her enough to also open their studios’ doors to our other graduates, and they didn’t fail her.

We trust that, even if Kune has gone on to her reward, they will continue to help each other—and others, still—to make local show biz a better place for deserving talents and viewers alike. That really is the only way to go.