Montano Visits PUP’s Screening of Jose Rizal
July 1, 2011
Internationally acclaimed actor Mr. Cesar Montano visits Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ special screening of the film Jose Rizal (1998) on June 27, 2011 at the Bulwagang Balagtas, Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center , PUP Main Campus. The event coincided with the 150th birthday celebration of the national hero. It was through the initiative of the PUP Film Center and the Department of History, College of Arts.
Montano emphasized the values that he imbibed during the filming of the film. He likewise shared to the attendees numbering about 900 hundred students that he underwent a 7-month long research and internalization before he was able to pull through an award winning portrayal of Rizal. He willingly accommodated several questions from the audience during the open-forum. Montano observed that the PUP students gave him a hard time because of their intelligent inquiries.
Mr. Montano’s efforts to propagate Rizal’s nationalism and idealism through his noteworthy projects and social initiatives were commended during the event when no less than the Acting Supreme Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal Sir Reghis Romero II awarded him with a Distinction Service Medallion. The award is given to individuals who exceptionally exerted efforts that conform to the philosophy and principles of Dr. Rizal. Mr. Montano is a member of the Order of the Knights of Rizal with a rank of KCR or Knight Commander of Rizal.
Dr. Juan C. Birion, Vice President for Student Services, who watched the screening of this 1998 classic film has this to say: “I was deeply touched by the film especially during the execution scene. Mr. Montano’s performance was really commendable. He was able to justify Rizal’s heroism and martyrdom with his brilliant portrayal.” (Kriztine Viray)
PUP Holds 1st National Convention on Film
By James Brian Ona
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines through the PUP Film Center holds the first National Convention on Film with the theme “Cultivating Film: Bringing the Art of Film Closer to the Masses” on July 5 and 6, 2011 at the Bulwagang Balagtas of the Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources. The convention was graced by internationally and nationally acclaimed personalities headed by Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes as Keynote speaker.
The convention, attended by more than 200 participants coming from different universities and colleges in the country, was made fruitful by the lectures on Scriptwriting by Mr. Roy Iglesias; Film Acting by Ms. Irma Adlawan; Cinematography by Mr. Romy Vitug; and Film Directing by Mr. Mark Meily.
The PUP Film Center recognizes that film in the last few decades has become a popular way for artists to visually express their thoughts, ideas and temperaments. However, not many Filipinos can afford to enroll in expensive film schools and academies. Thus, events such as this convention would give students a chance to learn about film making inexpensively.
The PUP Film Center considers having the National Convention an institutional activity to continue the cultivation of the art of film for the Filipinos.
