Alrite! I am learning! I have found out it is best to write when inspiration hits. It can not be delayed. See I’m learning.

This is my assessment of what happened last nite. Last nite was a small step in the revolution that is independent cinema in the Philippines. Long have we stood in the shadows of money-grubbing producers, avaricious gay men and overall lethargy and laziness of the old movie industry. I have not yet seen much of Brocka’s work or Bernal’s or even Mike de Leon. But we also do not have to live in their shadow. Besides, many of them are dead.

I had a long talk with someone recently (you know who you are) about the new indie tribes of the Philippines.

Which I guess I will explain in great length here.

The first tribe (the group I am most in contact with right now) is the group of sina Quark Henares, Chris Costello, Mo Zee, Jo Fabul and Ramon de Veyra. They are close to Marilou Diaz Abaya.

The second tribe is composed of Lyle Sacris, RA Rivera, and who are otherwise known as Furball. I think Furball hangs out in Big Sky Mind a lot (though I haven’t been there in awhile)

The third group is composed of Core 24 which is EJ Salcedo, Topel Lee, Ogie Sugatan and maybe Bernard, et. Al. They have their headquarters in Core 24.

The other group is the group of Robert Quebral, Neil Daza, Yam Laranas, etc.

The other group is Aureaus Solito, Reggie Javier, Bahaghari. They seem to have a close affiliation with Joey Reyes.

And there is Raymond Red, who stands alone. With his brother Jon.

And there is Kidlat Tahimik Jr. who is the son of Kidlat Tahimik.

And there is the digital.mov group of Khavn dela Cruz and JD.

And oh yeah, there are a lot of other young groups on the rise, coming from Mowelfund and UP, and Ateneo and CRC and who else knows where.

Okay, now onto some venues.

Of course there is Brash Young Cinema.

And then there is Titus Brandsma run by Francis Alger, Maxie Evangelista and Dustin

And there is the Sineklab with Ed Cabagnot (which also makes films)

And then there is the UP Film Center run by Virgie Ramos (or is that the owner of Gift Gate? Hehehe)

Big Sky Mind is also an arts venue, but it is not specific to movies. Last I heard, managed by Cindy.

Goes the same with Sanctum in Intramuros of Aslie and Triccia.

(a tip on arts venues, if anyone out there wants to open one. Consistency is important. Meaning be open, at the same time, every week, forever. Thus you develop a following)

and of course, there is the tribe of the Cinemanila Film Festival.

and now unto some websites

www.pinoyexchange.com
www.pinoydvd.com
www.indiefilipino.com
www.brashyoungcinema.tk

and, of course, there are the chroniclers. These shoes still have to be filled. Alexis, this is where you fit in. And I guess, me too. One day, of course, we hope to make our own films. But this is a start.

Alritey then, so what happens next? Well, we keep on churning out films, and we change the world!