Filmmaker tells own stories

LANI Mercado and Christopher de Leon in “Flames of Love”

The completion of the movie, “Flames of Love,” coincided with the start of the Year of Faith this month, as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI in the Holy See.

Soon to be shown in metro theaters, the movie, featuring Dina Bonnevie, Christopher De Leon, Lani Mercado, Ricky Davao, Jaclyn Jose, Allen Dizon, Megan Young and Valerie Concepcion, is directed by Gigi Javier-Alfonso. It is codirected by Baby Nebrida, who is also its executive producer and scriptwriter; produced by Gold Barn Media and released by Solar Films.

Four stories are interwoven in “Flames of Love.” Line producer Elaine Lozano and cinematographer Agustin Del Mundo believe that at least two of these are based on the filmmaker’s experiences.

Nebrida—host, director, writer and producer of various Marian TV shows and special events here and abroad—is quick to point out that all four stories “are really mine.”

She elaborated: “They were related to me by friends and acquaintances. Some of the situations I witnessed myself—so maybe one of the stars actually portrayed me.”

The movie tackles family values, love, hate, intrigue and passion.

Also in the cast are Fr. Gil Peter Coching, Marnie Herrera Lapuz, Jowie Cardona, Rita Dayrit and Irene Celebre. Ernie Pecho, Contributor