El Presidente to open NYC’s SoHo Int’l Fest

BREAKING NEWS: The award-winning El Presidente, a biopic based on the life of the first President of the Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo, will open this year’s SoHo International Film Festival NYC on April 5 (Friday), with some of its stars, probably Cesar Montano (who won a Best Supporting Actor award at the 2012 Metro Filmfest) and Baron Geisler, with director-writer Mark Meily, expected to grace the red-carpet ceremony.

But Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito, who plays the title role, may not be able to attend because he’s busy campaigning for reelection. Maylyn Enriquez, the movie’s executive producer, might join the entourage.

According to Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre who filed this report, the annual festival will be held at Sunshine Cinema at 143 East Houston in Manhattan from April 5 to 11, with the awards night for the competing films slated for April 12.

Jorge Ballos, founder and president of SIFFNYC, announced that 17 feature films, six documentaries and 48 short films are participating from the United States, Canada, India, Germany, South Korea and the Philippines, among other countries.

“The festival has definitely become bigger on its fourth year with selected entries coming from Asia, North America and Europe,” Edmund quoted Ballos as saying, noting that El Presidente has been reaping honors from award-giving bodies in the Philippines. The movie relives one of the Philippines’ most turbulent periods in history by exposing the infighting among the Katipuneros resisting the Spanish forces and how Aguinaldo wanted to resolve them. 

2013 Mrs. Kalayaan Rosaly ‘Rose’ Pacia LaBelle with Funfare ‘beauty expert’ Felix Manuel

SIFFNYC is supported by various entities including the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film and Broadcasting.

“Ballos said this year’s festival is hoping to draw big names in the movie industry like last year when Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, Danny Aiello, the Jonas Brothers and Ice-T, among others, led the line up of guests,” reported Edmund.

SIFFNYC celebrates the cutting-edge of digital technology while honoring traditional forms of storytelling, and encouraging new and seasoned filmmakers from New York City and around the world to create and send in their fresh and innovative cinematic pieces.

All screenings are followed by a question and answer session with the director and the cast.

Will Chiz and Heart grace NY Phl Independence Day event?  

Unlike in past celebration, this year’s Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City will not have a sole media partner.

“But three networks might unite for the event,” said Funfare’s NY-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, “so expect more stars to light up the celebration.”

Among those rumored to be going are controversial sweethearts Heart Evangelista and Sen. Chiz Escudero (we will know by then if he gets reelected in next month’s election), Kapamilya Sam Milby and Kapuso Marian Rivera.

Rosaly “Rose” Pacia LaBelle, a Chat Silayan lookalike crowned Mrs. Kalayaan 2013 during the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc.’s (PIDCI) second annual pageant for married women last March 23 at the Astoria World Manor in Astoria, Queens, will be one of the beauties to be featured in the parade on June 2.

Completing Rose’s court are: Ernestine Hollins, Mrs. Kalayaan Fil-Am 2013; Leila Morales Fernandez, Mrs. Kalayaan-Philippines; Jeannette Corpuz, Mrs. Kalayaan-Luzon 2013; Josephine Gaurana, Mrs. Kalayaan-Visayas 2013; and Susan Tobias, Mrs. Kalayaan-Mindanao 2013.

Aside from the parade along Madison Avenue, the NY event will feature a Street Fair and a Cultural Festival and will be capped by the Philippine Independence Ball on June 8 at the Teaneck Marriott Glenpoint Hotel.

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