Exceptional filmography

COWELL. Puts a premium on contestants’ vocal prowess.

YANI Delos Reyes, graduate student: “After ‘Bayaning Third World,’ we have not heard anything from the great director, Mike de Leon. He is a genius, and his films were consistently brilliant. His filmography—from ‘Itim,’ to his last movie—includes some of the best Filipino films of our generation! I hope he gets inspired again to return to directing, and shares his knowledge and experience with our new crop of directors.”

Other views:

Carlos Silverio Bueno, freelance writer: This is in reaction to tweets questioning Pinoy fans’ admiration for Jessica Sanchez. Yes, Jessica was born and raised in the US, making her an American citizen—but, that doesn’t make her ‘not Pinay,’ because her mother’s Filipina. If Jessica says that she isn’t Filipino, so be it. That is her right. For me, however, what’s more important is the fact that Jessica is immensely talented, her citizenship or race notwithstanding!”

Marla Cedrome, film enthusiast: “The generally positive feedback from international critics to Brillante Mendoza’s ‘Thy Womb’ proves that the accolades he earned for his previous film outings were no fluke. On the local front, however, his films, including the recently shown ‘Captive,’ are under-appreciated, as their poor box-office performance demonstrates.

Extra effort

“This is unfortunate, because Mendoza is criticized for making films aimed at international festivals. He made an extra effort for ‘Captive’ to be shown here commercially, but the local audience still stayed away. ‘Thy Womb,’ with Nora Aunor headlining, will be shown here in November. Will it be Mendoza’s first box-office hit, or will it suffer the same sad fate as his previous films?”

Evelyn Mendez, housewife: “Now that the latest US edition of ‘X-Factor’ is airing, I can’t help but notice how far behind its local counterpart is faring. What is admirable about the judges of the American franchise, like Simon Cowell, is the fact that they really put a premium on the contestants’ vocal prowess. It is, after all, a singing tilt!

“The local judges, however, seem easy to please, as can be gleaned from their generally ‘kind’ critiques of the contestants’ performances—which explains the presence of undeserving finalists. It’s a relief, therefore, that the local talent search’s remaining finalists are good singers.”

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