Actor's Demo Reel: Fe GingGing Hyde

FILMMAKER'S NOTE: HOSPITAL BOAT (2009)

Peace Greetings!

While I am inviting you to watch my film Hospital Boat, allow me to share some thoughts how this project came into being.

In the month of April 2009, I started shooting the film Hospital Boat (HB) in the island of Samal and some parts of Davao City, thus, weaving a story about love and friendship in the midst of war in the impoverished island of Sulu. 

My script for HB had been stored in my files for eight years already! This is because narrative filmmaking during those times is remote and a costly project for dreamers like me. But in the advent of technology, film production is democratized and “indie filmmaking” took off here in our poor country. A single handy unit of camera like XLI and XL2 are now capable of documenting and filming with the least cost covered. That's why, Hospital Boat is predestined to sail as a Mindanaon story based from the narratives of Mindanoan peoples and the lens of a Mindanaoan storyteller.

Davao City is slowly making headway in building a fledgling but promising independent film industry in the locality. I organized the SkyWeaver Productions with the end view of specializing the creation of full length/feature films with stories promoting tolerance and multiculturalism--themes innate to Mindanao. This will only be realized through collaborating with kindred spirits like HYDEout Entertainment and Alchemy of Vision and Light Productions in the case of my second film. In two years time, SkyWeaver Productions already made two full length films. SkyWeaver is also bent in encouraging and developing Mindanaoan film writers and directors in the locality.

It's also interesting to note the emergence of the local producers who have shown passion in indie film by investing in actual production. They have decided to journey with me in this road less traveled by. They are the pillars why an indie film like Hospital Boat has come into being. They are the lifeblood of this film project.

The social perspective of an independent local film industry in Mindanao, as I would say, must always be in the effort to provide entertainment and education to the nation. To be distinct, a Mindanaoan film must be a tool in preserving a progressive culture that nurtures diversity, and promoting a perspective of non-violence and tolerance.

A truly Mindanaoan film must contribute in the dawning of a new but progressive indie film industry which is once beholden to Manila. Mindanaoan indie films must serve to counter mainstream movies using either worn out or rehashed storylines. Indie films in general are more popular and liberating since it tackles themes that are out of the box. Indie filmmakers are empowered since they are not beholden to any shrewd producers who have long molded our minds with sex and violence.

I am labeled as a maker of advocacy films. With this, I discuss multi-layered issues on how Mindanao suffer in poverty and landlessness. Villains in my stories are the despots that cling to power and inflict violence to poor lumad-moro and christian settlers. But there is always hope in my films because I always made it to a point that my protagonists are my peace champions and they always live to tell the message of hope. For a Mindanaoan fimmaker, it is a pleasure to see on screen unknown actors but who are highly capable thespians who nurtured their crafts as theatre actors and hearing different languages spoken by them is both a challenge and a treat. 

Are Mindanaoans a ready market for indie films? I can't answer this. But my experience in my previous film Hunghong sa Yuta taught us. Thousands of students not only in Mindanao but also in Cebu and Manila have watched it. So there is indeed a gleam of hope here when it comes to film audience development. Prodding must continue. I am committed to offer a new kind of film every year. And there are other Mindanaoan young filmmakers who trudge towards the same path. 

For Mindanao filmmaking to survive, an industry must be built. Mindanao is endowed with abundant talents, it is also gifted with kind hearted individuals who are willing to shell out their own money to produce films, and we can not make it with out you as our audience and patrons. We can make more films that are meaningful to Mindanaoans and to the nation. Patronize Mindanaoan films and we will bring more. There are many stories in Mindanao that need to be told.

Please enjoy watching my film. Lastly, I want to read and hear your comments about my film “Hospital Boat”. Please email your comments and inquiries at skyweaver09@yahoo.com.

Sail on to our dreams, for peace and progress in Mindanao may reign soon. 

Sincerely yours,

Arnel M. Mardoquio 

Filmmaker, Hospital Boat

SkyWeaver Productions 

*****

HYDEout Entertainment

Skyweaver Productions

Alchemy of Vision and Light Film and TV Productions

in coordination with the

National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) 

present:

HOSPITAL BOAT

a Mindanaoan film by: Arnel M. Mardoquio

Synopsis:

     Orphaned by war, 12-year old Nikol found a new home in Isla Kalilintad, an island community of people from different cultures and faith traditions. He was forced to become an adult at a tender age, trying to eke out a living to feed Langit, his younger brother. By serendipitous circumstance, Dr Sittie and Sr Claire, a team of humanitarian workers on a mobile medical mission, visited the isla before they proceed to the other smaller islands. Nikol, eager to grab the chance to work, presented himself as a natural healer and got accepted as an all around utility person for the mission. The mobile medical mission which runs on a low budget, relies on fishing boats offered by the communities they serve as they make their way to far-flung villages rarely reached by medical services from both government and private sector. Each journey to these unknown frontiers bears stories of struggle and survival of people affected by war and extreme poverty.

     Sittie, a medical doctor, decided to return home to her father’s village in Isla Kalilintad to serve as a community doctor. Sr Claire, being a nurse herself, volunteered to be part of the team as her vocation and mission duty.

     In one of their mission routes, Nikol met Lensha, a thirteen year-old lass who was in deep trauma due to rape and war. Nikol got smitten with her at that instance. Lensha stayed with the medical team as a form of therapy and as the days go by, these youngsters grew fond of each other.

     Nikol, Sittie, Claire, Lensha and the rest of the islanders converge in different settings as the story unfolds. Amid the social landscape of poverty, warlordism and unending cycles of violence—the humanitarian mission continue to brave the waters, putting at risk even their own lives for the greater good.

      Hospital Boat symbolically depicts a journey. A journey to the road less taken by few courageous souls; a journey filled with love, friendship and a dream of a peaceful tomorrow.

***

ARNEL MARDOQUIO

Mindanao Peace Advocate-Filmmaker-Screenwriter

Indie-Film Producer-Playwright-Theatre Director

Theatre Actor-Librettist-Poet-Storyteller-Lyricist

Arnel M. Mardoquio is a storyteller and a cultural worker. Born, raised and based

in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines all his life. A two-time and a grand prize

Palanca Awardee (a prestigious Philippine Literary Award-giving body, Asia's

equivalent to Pulitzer's award) and Gawad Urian Best Director and Best Screenplay

nominee for Hunghong sa Yuta, Hospital Boat  and  Sheika. He recently won BEST

SCREENPLAY at the 34th Gawad Urian Awards 2011 for his third featured film

Sheika, who also bagged two (2) more awards: Best Actress and Best Editing. His

stories are always inspired from his constant travel around Mindanao since his family

moved to places when he was ten years old. His stories mirror the aspirations and

uniqueness of the Mindanaoan people and culture. He dreams of leaving a legacy in

helping build an inclusive local film industry where grassroots communities are

catered.



FILMOGRAPHY

******************************************************************

NARRATIVE FEATURED:

PRODUCER

Crossfire (2011)

Sheika (2010)

Hospital Boat (2009)

Hunghong sa Yuta (2008)

DIRECTOR

Crossfire (2011)

Sheika (2010)

Hospital Boat (2009)

Hunghong sa Yuta (2008)

SCREENPLAY-WRITER

Crossfire (2011)

Sheika (2010)

Hospital Boat (2009)

Hunghong sa Yuta (2008)

NARRATIVE SHORT:

PRODUCER

Panaw Kalinaw (2010)

DIRECTOR

Panaw Kalinaw (2010)

SCREENPLAY-WRITER

Panaw Kalinaw (2010)

AWARDS

*****************************************************************

WON:

34th Gawad Urian Awards 2011:

BEST SCREENPLAY: Sheika (2010)

Gawad Tangi Awards for Films 2011:

BEST SCREENPLAY: Sheika (2010)

2010- 6th Cinemalaya Film Awards:

NETPAC Category (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema)

BEST FILM: Sheika (2010)

2004 Palanca Awardee:

Regional Language Division - Short Story in Cebuano

1st Prize : Ang Katapusang Sonata sa Clarinet ni Nikolet

2003 Palanca Awardee:

Regional Language Division - Short Story in Cebuano

3rd Prize : Tikbalangkapre

NOMINATIONS:

Best Director

Sheika (2010)

34th Gawad Urian Awards 2011

and

Gawad Tangi Awards for Film 2011

Hospital Boat (2009)

33rd Gawad Urian Awards 2010

Hunghong sa Yuta-Earth's Whisper (2008)

32nd Gawad Urian Awards 2009

Best Screenplay

Hunghong sa Yuta-Earth's Whisper (2008)

32nd Gawad Urian Awards 2009

PLAYWRIGHT

*************************************************************************

Bulawan - (KAFI, 1986)

Bakwiter - (KAFI, 1987)

Adlaw Bulan - (KAFI, 1988)

Tagay - (KAFI, 1989)

Siak sa Duha Ka DamgoTanod ng Dayuhang Agila - (KAFI, 1986)

Kaliwat Theatre Collective - (1991)

Tulo ka Baye - (1990)

Noli Me Tangere sa Entablado - (1992)

Birds' Flight to the East (Asian Migrants Theatre Company, HK 2001)

Taytayan (2003)

Iboto Ko!!! - Musical Play

Ay! Quile (2008) - Musical Play

LYRICIST

*************************************************************************

SALIMA
Script and Libretto by  Arnel M. Mardoquio

------------------------------------------- 

Reference :

______________________________________________________

33rd GAWAD URIAN AWARDS 2010 NOMINEES

BEST FILM

The Arrival, Erik Matti
Bakal Boys, Apogee Production with Queen Bessie, LLC
Colorum, Wild Cayote Pictures
Engkwentro, Pepe Diokno
Himpapawid, Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media and Butch Jimenez
Hospital Boat

(Skyweaver Productions, HYDEout Entertainment, Alchemy of Vision & Light)

Kinatay, Swift Production and Centerstage Production
Lola (Swift Production and Centerstage Production) - Winner!!
Last Supper No. 3, Veronica Velasco, Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr. and John Silva
Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe, Women’s Crisis Center

BEST DIRECTOR

John Steffan Ballesteros, Colorum
Pepe Diokno, Engkwentro
Ralston Jover, Bakal Boys
Erik Matti, The Arrival
Arnel Mardoquio (Hospital Boat)
Brillante Mendoza, Kinatay
Brillante Mendoza, Lola - Winner!!
Raymond Red, Himpapawid
GB Sampedro, Astig
Veronica B. Velasco, Last Supper No. 3
Alvin Yapan, Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe

 

BEST SCREENPLAY

Linda Casimiro, Lola
Pepe Diokno, Engkwentro
Christopher Gozum, Anacbanua
Armando Lao, Biyaheng Lupa
Armando Lao, Kinatay
Erik Matti, The Arrival
Raymond Red, Himpapawid
Veronica B. Velasco and Jinky Laurel, Last Supper No. 3
Alvin Yapan, Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe

 

BEST ACTOR

Raul Arellano, Himpapawid
Allen Dizon, Dukot
Dwight Gaston, The Arrival
John Lloyd Cruz, In My Life
Coco Martin, Kinatay
Joey Paras, Last Supper
Felix Roco, Engkwentro
Alfred Vargas, Colorum
Lou Veloso, Colorum - Winner!!
Jacky Woo, Walang Hanggang Paalam

BEST ACTRESS

Irma Adlawan, Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe
Janice de Belen, Last Viewing
Iza Calzado, Dukot
Rustica Carpio, Lola - Winner!!
Eugene Domingo, Kimi Dora
Anita Linda, Lola - Winner!!
Che Ramos, Mangatyanan
Rosanna Roces, Wanted Border
Vilma Santos, In My Life
Tessie Tomas, Sanglaan

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

John Arcilla, Himpapawid
Dennis Ascalon, The Arrival
Soliman Cruz, Himpapawid
Milton Dionson, The Arrival
Jose Ma. Javellana, Colorum
John Regala, Kinatay
Jake Roxas, Walang Hanggang Paalam
Ariel Ureta, Kimi Dora

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Gina Alajar, Dukot
Glaiza de Castro, Astig
Jea Lyka Cinco (Hospital Boat)
Maria Isabel Lopez, Kinatay
Gina Pareno, Baseco Bakal Boys
Marissa Sue Prado, Himpapawid
Miriam Quiambao, Kimi Dora
Dimples Romana, In My Life

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Bryan Bajado (Hospital Boat)
Deans V. Habal, Bakal Boys
Brillante Mendoza, Kinatay
Brillante Mendoza, Lola
Danny Red, Himpapawid
Digo Ricio, Independencia
Mic Tatad and Giselle Andres, Last Supper No. 3

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Dax Canedo (Hospital Boat)
Ruben H. Dela Cruz, Bakal Boys
Neil Daza, Engkwentro
Odyssey Flores, Kinatay
Odyssey Flores, Lola
Sol Garcia, Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe
Joni Guttierez, Anacbanua
Jeanne Lapoirie, Independencia
Raymond Red, Himpapawid

BEST EDITING

John Steffan Ballesteros, Colorum
Jay Halili, Biyaheng Lupa
Raymond Red, Dave Hukom and Jay Halili, Himpapawid
Kats Serraon, Kinatay
Kats Serraon, Lola
Orlean Tan, Ralph Crisostomo and Miko Araneta, Engkwentro
Borgy Torre and Ronald Banawa, The Arrival
Veronica B. Velasco and Pablo Biglang-awa, Jr., Last Supper No. 3

BEST MUSIC

Teresa Barrazo, Kinatay
Dan Gil, Last Supper No. 3
Lutgardo Labad, Independencia
Gauss Obenza (Hospital Boat)
Francisbrew Reyes, Dinig Sana Kita
Francis de Veyra, The Arrival

BEST SOUND

Ditoy Aguila, Himpapawid
Mark Locsin, Bakal Boys
Albert Michael Idioma, Kinatay
Albert Michael Idioma and Addiss Tabong, Lola
Mark Laccay, Engkwentro
Andrew Millalos and Mike Idioma, Last Supper No. 3

Reference:

Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino:

http://www.manunuri.com/33rd_gawad_urian_nominees_2010