The indomitable team behind ‘Gabriela’

Director Carlo Maceda, third from left, with the cast of ‘Gabriela.’

To pull off a massive undertaking like the filming of Gabriela Silang’s life story took the combined efforts of two former educators who share the same passion and advocacy: Mrs. Sonia Roco and Carlo Maceda.

Sonia is the widow of the late former Senator Raul S. Roco. An educator for 25 years, she has always been passionate about learning, and has combined that with her love of theater and film to come up with projects that aim to keep our country’s history alive for the next generation. “I used to act and direct,” reveals Sonia, who graduated from college with a degree in Speech and Drama.

For the film-bio of the Filipina revolutionary, she tapped the directorial services of Carlo, a former fashion model and modeling search winner. Although Carlo briefly dabbled in a career in front of the camera, his interest recently shifted to working behind it. He began directing films last year. “It was a long journey from modeling to acting, to producing to directing TVCs, then I took some workshops before deciding to start on a project,” says Carlo. “I know I started out as a Math teacher but ever since I was exposed to the entertainment industry, I fell in love with the magic of creating movies and that made me decide to meld two of my careers together by teaching through films.”

Gabriela Silang is the first Filipina to lead a revolutionary movement when she took over the forces commanded by her husband Diego Silang following his capture and execution. She was more popularly known as the country’s “Joan of Arc.” The movie is based on a script written by Frank Rivera and features Christine “Tin” Patrimonio in the lead role, with actor Carlo Aquino as Diego Silang.

Mrs. Sonia Roco

Sonia says, “I’ve been wanting to make movies again, but I didn’t want it to be just any movie. Specifically, I wanted to produce films for young people because I believe film is the best medium to educate the youth.”

The two knew what they wanted to do when they set out to make “Gabriela.” It was very clear in their minds what their mission was and what the film’s intention would be.

“Making Gabriela was very difficult,” Carlo shares. “The script was a masterpiece by Frank Rivera and was so beautifully made that it pressures a director to match his passion and creativity. Directing hundreds of people on the set with horses and explosions was a dream come true for me because growing up, I enjoyed watching movies like ‘Braveheart,’ ‘Gladiator,’ ‘The Last Samurai’ and ‘300.’

“The most difficult part in doing the film, aside from the long rigorous trips to the locations, were the horse scenes. They were hard because we only have a few horses in the country that can act and are not afraid of explosions and gunshot noises. I was worried also for the actors because most of them can’t control the horse.”

“Gabriela” also stars Ricky Davao, BJ Forbes, Justin Pinon, Rob Sy, Jeffrey Santos, Iris Lapid, Arthur Solinap, Lars Svanberg, Nene Tamayo, Yen Abuid Paderanga, Rex Roco, Archie Adamos, Bon Vibar, Johnron Tañada, Cris Michelena and Eric Perez.

• • •

Singer-songwriter JV

JV Repackages His Album

Young JV is now called just JV. He announced this during the recent launch of his repackaged album “Doin’ It Big: Platinum Edition” for which he received a Gold Record Award held recently on “ASAP 18” where he promoted his latest single “Ngiti.”

JV said he got more energy from the song “Ngiti,” a collaboration with Gary Valenciano. It is the album’s newest dance track and fits both JV and Gary V because it relays a message of hope. The songs of JV and Gary V are known for relaying spiritual and inspirational messages. With Gary V singing with him in his mind, JV wrote “Ngiti.”

How did he convince Gary V to collaborate with him? “Sabi ko sa kanya sa dressing room niya, ‘Tito Gary, pakinggan niyo lang po’ and after that he said ‘I like it, let’s do it now.’ From there sabi ko wow, this is a great blessing and for Tito Gary to say yes it means a lot to me,” JV bared.

Produced by Star Records and Doin’ It Big Productions, “Doin’ It Big: Platinum Edition” features 11 tracks including “Your Name,” which JV sang with “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4” big winner Myrtle Sarrosa; “Boy Meets Girl” with Yeng Constantino; “Alay” with Akiko; “Rock This Town” with Laze and Yumi; and “Hurts So Bad” with Karylle. Completing the tracklist are “Get Up And Dance,” “Kailan Kaya,” “Tanong,” “Got To Have You,” and “Pinas.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greeting, Oct. 10, go to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, columnist Neal Cruz, Keiko Gardiner, Buboy Garovillo, Ms. Yaying Dragon, Malou Maglutac, Vivian Uy, Michelle Puzon, Encarnacion “Lovely” R. Santos, Ben Nery, Jennefe Cezar, Ayze Querejero, Billy Joe Leones, Mrs. Fely Gupit, Frederick Farell, Mrs. Laura del Rosario Milo, Vic Brita, Ricky Alvaran, Anna Vitta-Lim Galagnara, New York-based Luisa Velasco-Datiles, Joanne Marie A. Henson and Nash Aguas of Star Magic… Happy wedding anniversary to Dr. Adrian Buensalido and wife Joy… A grand alumni homecoming is set on Oct. 18 at the Ballroom of the New World Hotel in Makati City to honor families with two or more Ateneo Law School graduates, as well as the Jubilarian classes of ‘88, ‘73 and ‘63. Please contact Jennielyn Roque of the Ateneo Law Alumni Office at 8997691 loc. 2125 or 9865598.

The indomitable team behind ‘Gabriela’

Source: Mb.com.ph (October 09, 2013 at 10:00PM)

Continue...