Big, popular & controversial

"CineManila has finally found a new home," says CineManila founder Tikoy Aguiluz, during the opening of the Seventh CineManila International Film Festival held at the Manila Hotel. Tikoy echoed his sentiments as he delivered his opening speech to welcome delegates, filmmakers, movie enthusiasts, movie workers and actors to CineManila.

CineManila has been a showcase of big, bright, popular and sometimes controversial films. It has also been a venue where ideas are discussed, seminars held and has also served as an anchor and stepping stone to many a young filmmaker. Over the past years budding filmmakers have been honored like Lav Diaz, Mes de Guzman, Cesar Hernando, among others.

Mayor Lito Atienza of the host city said, "The challenge is ours. Let’s help the new breed of filmmakers. We strongly feel that government must support the local showbiz industry. I assure you we will take more steps so the local film industry will flourish again."

The star-studded affair hosted by Hans Montenegro gathered people from the industry, diplomatic corps, academe, government and politics, etc. Vic del Rosario, presidential adviser on entertainment; Rep. Miles Roces, outgoing Film Development Council of the Philippines chairman; Laurice Guillen, director Eddie Romero, prof. Gigi Alfonso, Eddie Garcia, German Moreno, Isabel Lopez, Ronnie Lazaro, were among those who attended. Isay Alvarez of Miss Saigon and Sarah Geronimo performed.

Raymond Red, one of the most awarded independent filmmakers, gave some inspiring insights to young filmmakers in the crowd, "We are seeing here a revolution in cinema," he said, referring to the onslaught of digital films. Raymond was winner at the Cannes Film Festival for his short film, Anino.

One of the highlights of the evening was the awarding of the CineManila special awards to Auraeus Solito for his film, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros which won the Golden Zenith Award First Films World Competition at the Montreal World Film Festival; Brillante Mendoza for his film, Masahista which won the Golden Leopard Award at the Locarno International Film Festival; and Ditsi Carolino for winning the Best Director for her documentary Bunso at the One World 2005 International Documentary Festival.

"We are proud of this year’s line-up of films whether international or local digital entry," said Atienza. "They all reflect the different aspects of life as seen by the different talented film directors."

This year’s CineManila carries the theme Buhayin ang Pelikulang Pilipino. Among the films movie buffs should watch out for are: Alaverde ala Pobre directed by Briccio Santos; Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong directed by Mes de Gusman; Cut directed by Jon Red; Dilim directed by Topel Lee; Ilusyon directed by Paulo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John directed by Gil Portes; Trabaho directed by Ned Trespeces; Tuli by Auraeus Solito.

For the international films in competition, the list is as follows: Clean by Oliver Assayas from France; The President’s Last Bang by Sang-soo Im of Korea; The Kiss by Hilde Van Meighem of Belgium; The Child by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne of Belgium; My Nikifor by Krzyszztof Krauze of Poland; Frozen Land by Aku Louhimies of Belgium; Palermo Hollywood by Eduardo Pinto of Argentina; Beautiful Country by Hans Peter Moland of Norway; Moolaade by Ousmane Sembene of Senegal; In Casablanca Angle’s Don’t Fly by Mohamed Asli of Morocco; Rainmaker by Ravi Bharwani of Indonesia; and Panaghoy sa Suba by our very own Cesar Montano.

Gruppo Barbero Manila

The relationship of heartthrob Drew Arellano and his father Atty. Aga is really one for the books. It is a tandem at its best. It goes beyond the regular father and son relationship. They are friends and they are partners. They are barkada

Atty. Aga is "Robinhood" lawyer to the masses and defender of the stars. And Drew is one of the hosts of Unang Hirit in GMA 7 and in the soon to be aired travel show over Channel 11 entitled Balikbayan.

Together they launched a barber shop called Gruppo Barbero Manila, where services ranging from haircut, manicure/pedicure, foot spa, hair coloring and dye, hair straightening/treatment to body massage are offered. Gruppo Barbero Manila even offers to clean your ears!

"My father and I know what pleases a customer. We love to pamper ourselves," says Drew who is always well-groomed. "And instead of getting a franchise and paying the exorbitant franchise fees and royalties, we decided to open our own barber shop."

As a lawyer, Atty. Aga has been doing his own charity work by giving free legal advice to Filipinos here and abroad. If you drop by Gruppo Barbero Manila and you bump into him, you will surely get a free legal advice from the lawyer.

Father and son tandem can also be heard on radio in Atty. Aga’s radio program Ito Ang Batas every Tuesday at 558 DZXL RMN Manila from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

As an opening treat, Gruppo Barbero Manila located at 288 G/F FC Bldg., Tomas Morato corner Scout Rallos (near Timog Rotunda) will give a 20 percent discount on all services until Oct. 31. For appointments, call 924-0694 or 426-4012.