After its headlong rush to finish the shooting of their ‘Missed Samonte’© indie-film last April, the members of Pinoy Sining (The Filipinos for Arts & Culture) who had taken on the challenge to be part of  ‘Missed Samonte’ production are all focused to dust-off the rough edges of their film rushes and wrap-up the rest of the post production requirements like the film editing, recording of their ‘Ikaw at Ako’ official theme song for the purpose of meeting the  deadline for its special screenings scheduled sometime in October/November 2012 and January/February 2013 in the Philippines and overseas. 

So far, Missed Samonte production decided to come-up with two official versions of MS:  one short-film narrative which they intend to submit to any short film competition and an hour-film-narrative which they intend to use for special screenings. 
 
According to ‘Missed Samonte’ cast comprises mainly of ‘OFW’ professionals and independent artists, they had given their stamp of approval and statement of faith to film ‘MS’ because they believe the narrative of “Missed Samonte” is a very beautiful story to be told and a symbolic vessel of someone who possesses a totally unique identity, opinions and decisions in life.  They added, “the Missed Samonte production experience was all along so tiring, exhausting but really worth it the try.” 

Nava Cruz, co-director and scriptwriter added, “To coordinate the schedules of the ‘OFW vacationing members of the cast’, let alone the actual production assembly and sort-out the nitty-gritty of the production requirements like ‘permit to shoot’, location mapping and work with a shoe-string-budget without compromising the Missed Samonte cinematic expression was such a big challenge. 
 

Rodel Menda, Ralph Felipe and Aden Guinar, co-directors of MS and Pinoy Sining officials added, “At first, we asked ourselves, can this happen? Will it happen?  And now, the good  news is here we are for the post production!”
 

In unison, the entire MS Production believe that their film will challenge their viewers on the issue of ‘decision time’; that their film, as well as the book (The Desert Roses) from where it was adapted for screenplay will serve as a date with their missing part as a human being; that the Missed Samonte story will push them to think, get them involved to understand the basic tenets of humanity (love, respect and understanding) and will give their viewers a lifelong learning.
 


All in all, the Missed Samonte overall production participants comprising of: Rodel J. Menda, Edgar Ralph Felipe (as Missed Samonte), Alladin (Aden) Guinar, Jesus (Gil) Digueno, Jeff Lobos, Michelle Limaco, John Edward Clara, Leonard D. Herrera, Lorven Carlos, Joel Salvador, Hera Margate Gonzaga and J. Nava Cruz share one voice in describing their experience:  They are all happy with their search for artistic expressions via their very first social awareness film, which they feel will offer a new shade of light to understand better, if not best, the meaning of self-acceptance, the importance of decision time, most especially, the meaning of life and love.
 
   
This early, and as of this writing, Pinoy Sining Family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to   Mayor/Engr. James de Jesus of Calumpit, Bulacan and his municipal officials like Mrs. Avelina Carlos Vicente, Designated Tourism Head & Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Ms. Jamie (Jam) Naval Juguilon, Tourism Officer and Calumpit members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)for their warm support and assistance during the entire shooting.  Sincerest thanks is very much extended to Mr. & Mrs. Clarence and Roselle of Graphico and their assistant, Michael; to Mrs. Milagros C. Cruz, Renato (Vanessa) Himantog, Lorven & Sherwin Clara and the rest of Calumpiteneos and Bulakeneos who had given their stamp of support.
 
‘Missed Samonte”©, which tackles the issue of social awakening amidst the fabric of social odds, societal and familial expectations, gender issues and gender definition, is only one of the so many special stories included on the pages of The Desert Roses (Mga Rosas ng Disyerto) book authored and published by Nava Cruz in 2011.  This book will be officially presented side-by-side with the launching of his 3^rd book TT ‘Tinik at Talulot’ (Ang Pagtatagpo ng Kaisipan at Katotohan) / ‘TT’ ‘Thorn & Petal (The Meeting of Thought and Reality) during the first quarter of 2013 in the Philippines. - (J. Nava Cruz, an OFW, is a freelance writer-artist-documentarist and a published book author in the Philippines.  E-mail at bashamel007@yahoo.com)

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine