Cebuano films to be screened for senior citizens

CEBU, Philippines - Three Cebuano short films and a classic full-length feature will be screened at the Senior Citizens Park of Cebu City, Sunday, a rare treat for the general public, especially those 60 years old and above.

The screening is a joint initiative of the Cebu City Government, Let’s Do It Philippines, the Rotary Club of Mandaue East and the Pollution Abatement System Specialist Inc. (PASSI), a private company based in Cebu City.

“This is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness of the park and our modest means of going out of our way to make our senior citizens happy and engaged,” said Let’s Do It Philippines’ Enrique San Juan.

The event is also supported by the Sinulog Foundation, Cebu Filmmakers Society, the Parks and Playground Commission and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs.

The film screening, which opens 6:30 p.m. this Sunday, is intended to be the first of a series – one for every last Sunday of the month from July to December – with benefactors taking turns in footing the bill. PASSI is the first to volunteer even as it spearheads the raising of money to buy marble chess tables for the park.

“There is a need for the people of the city to acknowledge that our city wouldn’t be what it is now if not for the individual past contributions of our senior citizens in their personal capacities since their younger days up to now. This is our thank you,” engineer Pogoy said.

Sunday’s screening features three visual stories, winners of past short film competitions hosted by the Sinulog Foundation, and the 1977 black-and-white Cebuano classic “Ang Manok ni San Pedro,” which stars Tessie Diez, Pacing Torrevilla, Riel Ylaya and Esteban Escudero, the screen name of Provincial Board Member Julian Daan.

Ronnie Tan, chairman of the Short Film Festival Committee of the Sinulog Foundation, said the screening also provides an avenue for film producers to have their work released to a general audience.

He identified the short films as “Operation Prutas” of Ara Chawdhury  which stars singer Chai Fonacier, “Happy ang Emo nga Iro” by visual artist Aldo Banaynal, and Chloe Veloso’s “Pahiyum Alang Kang Evelyn.” (PR) (FREEMAN)