Status: Hopeful
Music: 4 in the Morning - Gwen Stefani

I am not a fan of film festivals and competitions. Er… well… I am. But only up to the spectator level. I’m not really into joining them. Unlike my friend Tonet, who joins every contest imaginable (and won some), I am not the type who really watches out for film festivals.

Yes, I have joined some. Our class project “Comfort Zone” has been to a number of competitions, too. But it wasn’t really my decision. My groupmates took care of the application, requirements and everything. “Sangang Daan” has never exited my room to participate in any contest, primarily because my thesis partner Jerwin and I are too busy and too lazy to actually move a muscle. “Bad Trip,” the documentary I filmed with Nep, made it to ABC5’s TV show “Dokyu” because it was Nep who practically did everything. I didn’t have the drive. I didn’t have the motivation. I didn’t have the passion. And I was just too lazy.

The truth is, long before I graduated from UP, I had already given up Film as a career. So then, I could not see the point of joining competitions and winning any. Back then, I knew I wanted to become a diplomat. I tried looking for Film-related jobs not because I was planning to pursue a career in it, but because I need fillers. I need something to do while waiting for the Foreign Service exam.

But if there’s one thing I could not give up about Film, that’s screenwriting. I’ve always enjoyed writing and I always will.

Last year, Tonet dragged me with her to ABS-CBN for a pitch for CinemaOne Originals. She initially wanted Leo to join her but realising Leo was too busy to be her chaperone, she chose me instead. I never really liked being the second choice but that was Tonet. I could not let her down. She’s a great friend.

CinemaOne Originals had a theme: modern Filipino family. Tonet already had a concept. Although I did not really love her storyline, I helped her in developing it. Though it was Tonet’s project alone (I was just a sabit), I felt proud that Tonet made it to the semi-finals - or finals - the part where you get to pitch. Our pitch was terrible. There were too many flaws in the story. Right there and then, I felt sad. We would not make it. And unfortunately, we were right.

When the winners were announced for that season last year, I was aghast. There were too many big names — film directors, advertising people, and one of our professors back in college. All I could say was, “Oh-key.” But disappointment eventually turned into anger upon realising that their concepts were not really about modern Filipino families — fake identities, boobies falling in love in Rome, metlogs? I mean, come on. So much for having a theme.

This year, Tonet wanted to join that CinemaOne contest again. But it was much harder this time. Instead of a concept, participants were asked to submit a full-blown script (for a full-length film). And again, they had a theme — Global Pinoy, Filipinos around the world. Tonet decided to collaborate with me this time. I immediately said “yes.” We spent sleepless nights together thinking of a good concept, developing it into a storyline, and finally writing the script. Easily, we fell in love with our work. As I told one independent director, this could be my greatest work. Probably Tonet’s, too.

Again, we were fortunate enough to make it to the semi-finals. We prepared for our pitch. We planned really well. Damn, Tonet even wanted to rehearse. And to be honest, I think the pitch went well. But then of course, even before we entered the “pitching room,” we were already disheartened seeing Jon Red, Adolf Alix, and other high-profile individuals on the list of participants who would present their concepts that same night. Tonet already told me while we were outside the room, “We will not make it.” I agreed with her. We always hear it but it’s quite true: History always has a way of repeating itself. It did.

Yep, again, our script did not make it to the final list of concepts that the company would produce. And the big names we’d seen on the list did. (I’m not trying to imply anything with the previous sentence. I’m stating a fact.) But if there was any consolation, that would be that a friend from CPI told us that there was a debate whether or not make the number of winners 6 instead of the original 5 to be able to include ours. But there was not enough money. And so, Tonet and I were losers again.

Right now, Tonet and I are working on selling the script to any reputable producer. Direk Jeffrey Jeturian already pomised us his help and support. I really wish he would direct it, too, should we be able to find a producer. Tonet and I really believe in this project. We love the story. Definitely my best work.

I just wish that the five concepts that CinemaOne Originals chose to produce this year are all about Global Pinoys.
*photo courtesy of abs-cbn.com

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