Papil sa Panganduy: The Concept, The Process, The People

I SHOULD blog about this film. Well, first because it’s the first film I have directed and written. Heheh. And the rest (reasons)?…read on..

This film was conceived as a project of our Cebuano class. This project about filming or songwriting or documentary was informed to me by my classmate ( since uhm..I had been often absent in class…oops ) last week of August. Most of my classmates were from MA-Communications. Only four of us were from MA-Literature. The filmmaking project was more for the media students. The professor would have asked me another form of a project, but I insisted I could do it (*Remembering my friend, Tabz, who had wanted to make films…I could just uhm “partner” with her ).

Since I believed that my Masteral classes ( 1 of them this Cebuano class ) were” threatened” due to my absences and etcetera, that filmmaking had been my driving force to finish all the way through. However, since I finished birthing the concept, I promised myself that I would finish the film whether or not I would pass my classes. Fortunately, by God’s grace, I passed the midterm exam ( 55/60 ). That gave me vigor to jump-start the making of the film.

Since I knew that my friend, Tabs, had some desire for film making, she was the first person I talked to about my project. I also gave her the concept (which was not yet, at that time, the “final” and used concept).

I had friends I usually met during film showings at The Outpost: Clado and Jorich. They were into films, too. They had joined “Sinebuano”, a group of Cebuano filmmakers. I just happened to chat with them once about our ( me and Tabz’ ) desire to make a film. Clado was kind of adamant to be with us, to help us with the film and all. However, at that time, due to tabz’ uhm lack of confidence yet on “shooting” (whch Clado & Jorich had more knowledge of ), she was hesitant that Clado and Jorich would join with us.

After all the coaxing, Tabz finally agreed, given that she would be the “video editor” instead of the “videographer”, so that she could learn from them. And so, we now had two videographers, an editor, and a script writer.

I wanted the film to end in a “cool but reflective” mood, and I thought of “Better Days” by Andy Calope. His song was about the “corruption in the world and the importance of “listening to your ‘Father’s’ instruction”. So, I asked Andy if we could have his song during the “roll of credits”, and he agreed.* Better Days by Andy Calope:

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/11/21/2194739/better%20days.mp3

I had a very close friend who loved music so much. Her name was Zy. I asked if she could do the official soundtrack for the film. Surprisingly, after days of telling her my idea about the film, she said she already had the “music”.

The music was there, but the lyrics had not been made yet. I came up with the lyrics for “Papil sa Panganduy”. We also asked our friend, Ebet who had a voice that could do justice to the song, to sing it. With Ebet and Zy’s collaboration, the official soundtrack of the film was arranged and recorded in a raw form:

PAPIL SA PANGANDUY ( clearer version, but no bass etc. ) by doris_ogdoc



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The Concept

The story, at first, would have been different. As a person passionate about women and their issues, the film would be about women. I had this in mind when I tried to conceptualize the film:
http://ichocomyself.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-level-of-relationship-do-you-have.html

However, I realized that if I would make a 10 minute or less film, I kind of felt that I would have to have more time to display this kind of explanation I had.

In addition, I should have used more Literature and “Cebuano language” theme in the film for the purpose of the Cebuano class project.


As I usually do before any write-up, I prayed to God for an inspiration. At that time, I had been hearing about premarital sex so predominant. And many young women engage in it as it has been practiced by almost anyone who has a romantic relationship ( even with those who don’t have any romantic relationship ). They say we have already been liberated and embraced Western culture much. It is even shown in Philippine soap operas nowadays. The songs, movies, media, etc have great impact on our view on sexual relationships in our days. Now, whether we hate to admit it or not, unwanted pregnancies happen.

The Lord impressed it in my heart that if I really wanted to be a part in changing this nation, I should look on the family issues first. Some women apt for abortion when they have this unwanted pregnancy, especially when they are still studying or when their boyfriends suddenly leave them, or etc. Young children have been called “accidents”. This poses a great effect on the children’s self-esteem. The women raising the child can have emotional and financial responsibilities then for herself and for her child as well. For women who push through the pregnancies, they carry a burden to support the child…that their once beautiful dreams are delayed, or worse, forgotten.

“Papil sa Panganduy” does not just tackle on waiting on sex before marriage, but it is also about waiting for our “dreams” to come to pass. It also shows that we are mere humans that we tend to lose focus and get tempted ( so we do sidetrack instead of doing something about our dreams). Yet, we have to get back on track with God’s strength to help us through.


The Process


Pre – Production

We spent at least 1 to 2 weeks for the planning stage. We needed to look for the cast and crew. Firstly, the main team ( videographers, script writer, music arranger, and editor) was finalized. The next important thing would be the searching for the cast. At that time, we were specific on who to look for. For example, the lead actress should be a “20-year old, Filipina-looking woman”. The challenge for the searching of the cast does not only include the “qualifications” per se but also their availability that would match our schedule as a team. All of us in the production were also tight in schedule because all were working, but we made an agreement that we had all to be together during the shooting. After looking for the cast, we had to scout for locations. We greatly thank the people who allowed us to use their houses and rooms.

The planning on the time, location, and budget for the production phase was also done to save time, effort, and money. ^^

Production Stage

This is the first film we have had as a team. During the shooting stage, we learned a lot about lighting and the importance of video log sheet. We had to record every take on the sheet so that the editor would not have to have so much hassle when finding the best takes and all.

During this stage, I also realized the importance of having great actors, so that the director would not have to instruct the acting much, and that the takes would be few. This saves time and headache. Hehe. Thankfully, we had good and “professional” actors for the film, who could easily get instructions and exceeded even my expectations.

We only spent four afternoons and evenings to finish the production stage. Two weeks after, the production stage was finished. Phew!

Post-Production

Now, this stage is the editing stage. Tabz did the editing part. The rest of us simply gave our feedback. The best part of it all was that Tabz was so easy to understand what we directed her, like on the effects, subtitles, music, etcetera. We are just blessed to have her hehe ^^

The People

When making a film, one should team up with people who are “passionate about it” (*jorich says ).

All of us were not pros, but we all had an intense love for what we were doing. The cast and crew were not paid (-there, said ) hehe. So, only people who really catch your vision will run with you, especially when they don’t have any monetary gains from it. Even those actors were not paid, and only did it for the love of helping us make this film get to pass.

Friendship and professionalism, both working together, are very important elements that members in the film making should have. We could just talk freely about our suggestions, and things that need improvement without hesitation that the party might get offended.

Another important value I have learned is that most of my team mates have low tolerance for mediocrity. I mean, we have constraints in our ability ( both that of the cast and crew), equipment used, etcetera, but with what we have, we make the best out of them.


Himaya Productions: The Name

During one of our meetings, we discussed that we needed a name, so we could put on our OBB and also at the end of the credit list. We came up with a few names, and decided to call it, “Himaya”. It is a Cebuano term that means “glory” or “bliss”, and it sounds “happy”. Lol.

( Yesterday, a student in UCLM ( during the film showing at the school ) asked Zy: “Why Himaya?”. Zy replied, “because we want to bring back the glory to God ).Zy was right.




Papil sa Panganduy was first shown in CNU Katarungan Hall with my professor and classmates as the viewers last October 23. Some friends were also able to watch it. The Trailer was posted on Facebook last October 26:



It was then shown on FB last October 30:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1464122359248&oid=101486896587693&comments&ref=mf

Since then, the film has been “shared” by some people. People sent messages, and we’re grateful about that.

( This film is for the women who have always been in my mind. You are special and beautiful in God’s eyes. You will forever be my inspiration. )


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Hopefully, we can come up with more substantial films. by God’s grace. And for His glory.

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“Like” the Himaya page on fb for more info and updates:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Himaya-Productions/101486896587693