No-show Diana resolving things with director

DIANA Zubiri in “Bahay-Bata”

Diana Zubiri was a no-show at the recent press conference of the 7th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, where she was to represent the Eduardo Roy Jr. film “Bahay Bata,” an entry to the fest’s New Breed Category.

Her absence was traced to a conflict with the production team of the indie drama, which, according to the director, was being resolved.

A source said the discord stemmed from the failure of Roy’s team to have a contract for Zubiri and pay her talent fee in full. This led to the actress’ decision not to show up when she was called to re-shoot some scenes.

Film over issue

“It was just a misunderstanding,” said Roy. “We’re resolving it. I hope people will focus on the film and not on the issue. We simply shot additional scenes without her. It was just a day-long shoot. It really didn’t matter that Diana couldn’t make it.”

Diana’s manager, Jojo Gabinete, told Inquirer Entertainment that it was his decision to stop his ward from going to the re-shoot. However, Gabinete said Roy’s team could learn a lesson or two from former Cinemalaya finalists on how to work as professionals.

YOUNG moms joking around at the hospital

In “Bahay Bata,” Diana plays Sarah, a nurse in a public maternity hospital that is understaffed on Christmas Day. Forced to work on a double shift, she observes women coming and going in her overcrowded ward while laboring over her own personal pains.

“Sarah is actually two months pregnant. Her boyfriend Peter [Yul Servo] is married,” related Roy. “She contemplates whether to keep the baby or not while other mothers, no matter how hard life is, choose to bring their babies into this world.”

‘Baby Factory’

Roy, who graduated from the Philippine School of Interior Design last year, won a best short film award from the Film Academy of the Philippines in 2002 for his film, “Ulirat.”

His second film, “Ang Pinakamahabang One Night Stand,” was exhibited at the Festival del Mar Ibiza, Grand Canaria Film Festival in Spain and at the Reeling Film Festival in Chicago.

“Bahay Bata” is his first full-length feature.

Roy said the film was originally titled “Baby Factory” but was changed in deference to the request of the management of Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila, where most of the scenes were shot.

“Baby Factory” is really the hospital’s nickname since, based on research, a minimum of 88 babies are born there daily, said Roy. “This could very well be the busiest maternity hospital in the world.”

The young director said the film depicts the sorry state of most government-run labor hospitals in the country.

“We also hope to enlighten viewers about population control and the risks that mothers take from multiple pregnancy,” explained Roy. “Topics like teenage pregnancy, child abandonment and the importance of breast-feeding were also presented.”

Overcrowded

EDUARDO Roy Jr.

Roy, who filmed at Fabella for seven days, said he saw the institution’s need for financial assistance.

“It’s overcrowded – most mothers stay there from a week to a month, especially those whose babies are in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit),” he said. “It lacks medical supplies. However, the film hopes to dispel the rumor that baby switching occurs in the labor hospital. This could have been possible in the 1970s, but not anymore.”

Roy said it was tough filming in an actual labor hospital. “We didn’t want to interfere with, or even slightly hamper operations, so we often had to wait to clear some areas, often the delivery room.”

The director added that his team had to deal with the incessant noise of mothers and visitors at the OB ward. “Some of the scenes really happened.”

Fest screenings

Roy hopes to screen the movie in various film festivals abroad.

“Films like this are better appreciated abroad,” he said. “It’s sad that we have to get out of the country to find our audience, but we’ve accepted that. It’s no different from the products of Cebu-based designer [Kenneth] Cobonpue, which that had to be noticed first by the likes of Brad Pitt for them to be appreciated locally.”

“Bahay Bata” also features Sue Prado, Susan Africa, Angeli Bayani, Joey Paras, Joeffrey Javier and Timothy Mabalot. Cinemalaya runs from July 15-24 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at the Greenbelt Cinemas.