Jose Rizal

Produced and Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Running time: 2 hrs. 58 mins. / Color / Language: English, Filipino, Spanish with English subtitles

Starring: Cesar Montano, Joel Torre, Jaime Fabregas, Gloria Diaz, Gardo Versoza, Monique Wilson

A three-hour epic on the life and struggles of poet and patriot Jose Rizal, the national hero and martyr of the Philippines, this film was commissioned to mark the 1998 centennial of the country's independence from Spanish colonial rule. Rizal was a remarkably educated man; not only was he a writer, but he was also a painter, sculptor, doctor and surgeon, teacher, natural scientist, economist, engineer and theologian. He was an excellent fencer and marksman; he studied at colleges in Europe, America and Asia, traveled to many different nations and could speak twenty-two languages. He was a champion of his country's independence, a Filipino Gandhi who faced the firing squad at the age of thirty-five for inciting rebellion. He was the instigator of the Philippine revolution of 1896-98, the first national uprising against a colonial power in Asia. He also wrote two books, Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo, which sought to increase his people's political awareness. Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya deliberately avoids a historical lesson. In the Rizal of her story, Cesar Montano is thinking back on his life and writings from his prison cell in the fortress of Santiago; the characters that appear are a blend of the real people, friends and enemies as well as those he created in his books. The script is solid, with a contribution by Diaz-Abaya's long time collaborator, Ricky Lee; the soft tones of the cinematography helps to create an atmosphere of magic appropriate to the story of a legendary hero, and the acting by Cesar Montano is quite remarkable. Jose Rizal was screened as part of the Panorama section of the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999.

 

Voices of the Masters
Warrior Arts of the Philippines

Written, Produced and Directed by Myrlino Hufana and Barclay Powers
Running Time: 1 hr. 24 mins. / Color / Language: English, Filipino with English subtitles

Starring: PG Myrlino Hufana, GM Antonio Diego, GM Jerson Tortal Sr., GM Rodrigo Maranga, GM Rodel Dagooc, GM Jerry Dela Cruz, GM Frank Sorbino, GM Jerson Tortal Jr.

Voices of the Masters captures the essence of Filipino warrior traditions. A comprehensive look at these combat arts, Voices of the Masters investigates a variety of fighting systems throughout the Philippines. The film is a historical record of unique martial arts systems that live on today through strong efforts to preserve these ancient fighting arts. Punung Guro Myrlino Hufana is seeking to preserve and record these classical combat arts of the Philippines for future generations. Voices of the Masters is a unique look at the masters of these systems, which goes beyond specific styles and regions to explore the true spirit of Filipino fighting systems.

 

Reserve your seats and watch "Voices of the Masters" and "Jose Rizal" at Conference Room B, 3rd Floor, Center House Balcony between 11:30 am to 4:30 pm on June 4th - 5th.