TRAVEL WRITING: HAZEL ORENCIO AT THE LOCARNO FILM FESTIVAL

Manila Bulletin
August 31, 2014

http://www.mb.com.ph/hazel-orencio/

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE LOCARNO FILM FESTIVAL.

I think, by far, with the awards and the people we met, the friends we gained, the films we watched, the places we’ve been, overall, this is my most unforgettable festival experience. I think it’s also because we got to stay for the whole duration of the festival, which ran for more than a week, whereas in Cannes, I only got to stay for four days and only got to watch two films.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO ACTING?

I’ve been acting since I was a kid. In grade school, I regularly joined the oration contest. When I transferred to a new school in high school, I decided to momentarily forget about acting. But then in my senior year, we had to do a monologue in class. I had to do that or else I would fail. It had been my saving grace. In college, I took up Theater Arts at PUP. That’s when I felt I wanted to do this (theater and acting) forever. Then I went on to become a stage actress for Gantimpala Theater Foundation and Tanghalang Pilipino.

HOW DID YOU AND YOUR MOVIES MAKE IT TO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS?

Lav Diaz has a huge following abroad. They just know it when he has a new film or if he’s finishing a new one. They ask for a screener and then they invite him to their festivals. But it’s not always a guarantee that they invite him, contrary to what other filmmakers think. Lav experiences rejection as well, but it’s not his concern. His concern is always the work—how can he make it better.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ITINERARY WHEN YOU GO TO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS. HOW DO YOU PREPARE?

Whenever we’re headed to a film festival, the first thing we do is to get the catalogue and program of the films we need to watch. We’re always on the lookout for new works as well as special screenings of restored films. In Locarno, we had a blast with the Titanus retrospective featuring old Italian films.

HER PERSONAL FILM FAVES

• Roman Diary by Michael Pilz

• Cavalero Dinheiro by Pedro Costa

• Like Father, Like Son by Kore-eda

• The Spirit of the Beehive and El Sur both by Victor Erice

• Le Havre by Aki Karusmaki

• The Day He Arrives by Hong Sang Soo

As the first Filipina to win the Locarno International Film Festival’s Boccalini D’Oro Best Actress Award this August, Hazel Orencio has brought unimaginable pride to the country. Lav Diaz’s obra maestra Mula Sa Kung Ano Ang Noon also swept five awards, the most the country got from any film festival in the world.

SUITCASE ESSENTIALS

1. Catalogues - This is where you choose the films to watch.

2. Map - A catalogue usually comes with a festival map.

3. Camera - You never know who you’re going to bump into! In Locarno, we saw Agnes Varda, Mia Farrow, Alice Braga, and Rutger Hauer!

4. Canvas bag - Usually, festival accommodations give you only free breakfast provided by the hotel. So during breakfast, you can have fruits and yogurt with you and put them in the bag just in case you get hungry.

5. Scarf - I rarely leave the hotel without a scarf. You never know when it’s going to be cold whether inside or outside the movie house. The weather, especially in Cannes and in Locarno, can be so unpredictable. Sometimes it just drops and gets really, really cold. Or if it gets hot, you can just use it as a bandana.

TOP FOUR FILM FESTIVAL DESTINATIONS

1. Festival del Film Locarno

Even if we didn’t bring home an award (but thank God, we did!), this tops my list. I love their culture of viewing. People there watch serious cinema, not only the professionals but also the young ones. They take time off their work to watch. I also like how organized this festival is and the film selection as well.

2. International Film Festival Rotterdam

Again, what I love most here is the culture of viewing. People of all ages watch, no excuses and definitely not forced by their school curriculum. I also love the selection of films. On a side note, I love this festival because this is usually held in January when it’s winter in Rotterdam. Hello, snow!

3. Cannes Film Festival

Cannes is a lovely place! More than the red carpet glamor, you look forward to the film selections. Also, if you cannot get a seat, you can simply take a stroll on the beach or go to the flea market.

4. Hong Kong International Film Festival

Hong Kong is a lovely city with lovely food! You get to travel and have a great view of Hong Kong when going to and from different venues. I think that this is the best part of being in this festival.

CULTURE VULTURE

1. Locarno International Film Festival is one of the prestigious film festivals in the world held every August.

2. Rivellino Art Gallery, where the award was given to me, is where Leonardo da Vinci used to live.

3. Visconteo Castle is not a fully built castle. It’s a castle ruin but still lovely.

Around it is where they hold the tiangge part of the film festival. There are old, medieval castles all over Locarno—just pick one to fall in love with!

WHERE TO GO IN LOCARNO

1. Piazza Grande is the main attraction of Locarno Film Festival. It is three-storey-high and can hold up to 8,000 viewers every night during festivals. You haven’t been to Locarno if you haven’t watched a film at the Piazza Grande.

2. The pizza in Hotel Dell’Angelo is definitely the best and the cheapest in Locarno. People who troop there actually eat one whole pizza while we Filipinos can only eat two to three slices.

3. Lake Maggiore is the majestic lake in Locarno. It is absolutely serene, clean, and breathtaking. You can have a clear view of Italy from a distance as well.

4. Viso Di Dentro is quite far and unpopular among tourists, but it’s a haven for artists and nature lovers! And the best way to get there? A super picturesque cable car!

5. Rotonda del Festival has the best food! It’s the best tiangge during the festival.

TRAVEL WRITING: MISIBIS IN MOTION

Manila Bulletin
July 20, 2014

http://www.mb.com.ph/misibis-in-motion/

Misibis in motion

This is Albay in a time-lapse reel.

by Ieth Inolino
July 20, 2014

Imagine the red View-Master you had as a kid with the image changing with every turn of the orange knob on the side. Whether it’s your favorite Disney characters or scenes from a movie, the 14 frames from the thin cardboard disks is a slide show of what you want to look at over and over again.

A view of the Mayon Volcano (Image by Pinggot Zulueta)

Scenes from a trip to Albay may have the same effect to anyone who visits this province in the Bicol region. The moment your plane lands in Legazpi City, the perfectly-shaped Mayon Volcano greets you. According to the legend of Daragang Magayon, which means beautiful maiden, the clouds that cover the view represent Ulap, her jealous lover who is not comfortable with the numerous eyes gawking at her. Others would say that Magayon would only reveal itself to those who have “pure intentions.”

While the locals see Mayon Volcano every day, they say that it seems to look different every time they lay their eyes upon its mysterious and alluring beauty. Because of the hovering clouds that often conceal it, almost no two photos are the same. As the premier attraction of Albay, the renowned perfect cone mountain may be marveled upon from different locations in the district.

Hobie Cat sailing

Riding the ATVs

One of the most popular would be from the Cagsawa Ruins. With the remnants of the 18th century Franciscan church as the foreground, which was buried by the 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano, the nostalgic view is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. Its strongest eruption to date buried the town of Cagsawa and its surrounding area, killing an estimated 1,200 people. Submerged under several hundred million cubic meters of lahar, Cagsawa Church only has its belfry and some other parts above the surface today.

A long and winding road leads up to Ligñon Hill. Constructed with a circular viewing deck, one can expect a spectacular view of Legazpi City, Albay Gulf, and Mayon Volcano. The breathtaking 360-degree viewpoint of the city is known as the city’s protector as it has blocked the flow of lava and lahar during times of the volcano’s eruption and heavy rains. When it’s not saving the area, Ligñon Hill is home to a nature park, zip line, and hanging bridge crossing.

The crystal clear waters of Misibis Bay Resort and Casino

The private beach of Misibis Bay Resort and Casino

Located in Victory Village, Embarcadero de Legazpi is the primary waterfront lifestyle hub in Legazpi City, giving an array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. It is the perfect place to unwind and relax after going around the city. But don’t relax just yet if you haven’t gone on a food trip.

A trip to Albay won’t be complete unless you try the distinct Bicol cuisine: Coconut and chili are the two must-have ingredients for almost anything you’ll ever eat here. First stop is the popular food destination 1st Colonial Grill. Not to miss are the Bicolano classics: The Bicol Express will tickle your taste buds with spicy chili and rich coconut milk flavor; laing, which is made of dry taro leaves cooked in coconut cream and shrimp paste; pinangat, a version of laing wrapped in taro leaves and tied securely with coconut leaf. The experience at this famous restaurant won’t be as satisfying if not for the popular colonial ice cream that comes in chili, pili nut, and taro flavors.

A hefty serving of lechon

DJC Halo Halo’s take of the classic Filipino dessert

If you’re looking for classic dessert with a twist, head to DJC Halo Halo, which serves the ultimate Filipino dessert with cheese.

After all the activities in the city, head to the most exclusive and privileged getaway, Misibis Bay Resort and Casino. A luxury island getaway, this tropical destination is built on a private, pristine stretch of beach along the southern tip of Cagraray Island. This five-hectare island resort’s stylish architecture and interiors allow guests to completely immerse in incomparable relaxation. Its 37 luxurious, Asian-inspired villas are designed with high, airy ceilings, expansive terraces with direct access to the pool or a path to the beach. The Garden View rooms, situated on private and beautifully manicured greenery, boast of chic interiors, and are perfect for travelers who wish to experience luxury.

A feast of seafood and vegetable dishes

A selection of 1st Colonial Grill’s Bicolano-style dishes.

Accredited by the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Misibis Bay takes pride in the unspoiled beauty surrounding the area and the distinguished service it provides to its guests. Misibis Bay is managed by Enderun Hospitality Management, a full-service third party management company that offers services to hotels through actively assisting the property owner in achieving his business goals and objectives. The management team is comprised of seasoned hotel veterans who have extensive experience in the industry.

Outside the resort, guests have the option to explore the wonders of Bicol region by marveling at the perfect symmetry of the Mayon Volcano, or taking a plunge in the waters of Donsol and swimming with the whale sharks, the world’s biggest fish.

Around the resort are various breathtaking venues for an intimate feast or a sumptuous banquet. From cocktails on top of a hill overlooking the majestic volcano to a private dinner on the white beach illuminated by a thousand stars, or breakfast while watching the sunrise on a hilltop, guests are ensured of a truly memorable dining experience. One may also satisfy their appetite at Misibis Bay’s restaurant with a wide selection of Asian dishes infused with native spices from Bicol.

While it would be luxury enough to enjoy the comforts of the resort’s well-appointed villas, guests are encouraged to spend more time outdoors, doing any of the myriad activities on offer within the resort and around the province of Albay. Go in explorer mode aboard all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Segways, and dune buggies. By the pristine beach, indulge your sense of adventure, snorkeling, windsurfing, Hobie Cat sailing, jet skiing, and kayaking.

Whether you’re an audacious backpacker, a carefree wanderer, or a fancy jet setter, Albay has something for you—all in a freeze frame moment that you would want to go back to over and over again.

TRAVEL WRITING: PICO DE LORO

Sense & Style
July 2014