There’s
a lot of lessons to be learned (yes, by everybody) from Bamboo Flowers, a film by Direk Maryo delos Reyes.
Think positive.
Faith is a tool. When
the world is darkest, and you struggle to survive, faith can get you over the
worst.
Simply survive each
day and you will succeed. Learn from each step, better yourself on the next
step, and you will succeed.
Make good things that
you can say your own legacy.
Make your own bamboo
flowers.
Last
Tuesday morning, the Bamboo Flowers stars
Xyrus Cruz, Asley Strom, Orlando Sol and Ruru Madrid were in Bohol for
(another) Bohol premier. They also answered the questions from the media and
crowd during the presscon.
It
was also a sort of “reunion” when I met some people in the film industry like Direk
Maryo delos Reyes, Lailette Geulen-Boiser,
TinTin Ng, Gerry Lugod, Jerome Sarabia, Gardy Labad and Yuri.
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Veteran
broadcaster Peddie Bolanio (who claimed he’s Robert De Niro’s lost twin) with
Direk Maryo delos Reyes during the Bamboo
Flowers premier last Tuesday. Photo
by Arlene Pisquera
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“Para
sa akin kaya pinili ko Bamboo Flowers na title dahil universal ang ibig sabihin
ng bamboo flowers. It has ancient flavor na maintindihan natin lahat ito,”
Direk Maryo told the media while having our lunch at The Buzz. “It has a universal appeal and universal sounding film.”
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A
lovely day with friends (l-r) LPU, Gerry Lugod, Tintin Ng, Inday Charity and
Lailette Boiser.-Jade Boiser
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In
addition, according to Inday Charity (who loved the trailer and, of course,
Ruru Madrid), Bamboo Flowers is a
movie about achieving one’s dreams in life. “We should learn how to fight for
our true love,” shared Inday Charity.
“Kapag nag-fade na ang bamboo tree, the flower
starts to bloom. Ganun din ang heritage kapag wala na ang magulang ang mga anak
naman nila mag-take over. Ganun din ang buhay natin kapag umalis na tayo ang
maiiwan ay ang magagandang alaala natin,” said Direk Maryo.
(Note: The Bamboo
Flowers regular screening is until Feb. 18, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the ICM
Screenville Cinema. Proceeds will go to PROCESS-Bohol
Inc. for the development of the Abatan River.)
Three
days after, I saw myself at Cion-Virge Restaurant (inside the Tagbilaran
Airport) for a tête-à-tête with Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose
Soy.
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Bohol’s
Queen of Tourism Rose Soy (2nd from left, with her staff at Cion-Virge Restaurant) amazes many
people by looking forever young. Her secret? “I don’t think of problems!” -LPU
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The
widely-smiling Rose Soy (who offered me her product “Up,” an instant coffee mix
with tongkat ali and ginseng which is available only at her restaurant), shared
about loving her work and helping other people through the Rotary Club of
Tagbilaran.
Unfazed
by her back-breaking job running the restaurant and charity works, Rose Soy
amazes many people by looking forever young, never mind if she insists that
she’s “loveless.”
So
what keeps lovely in lovelessness?
“I
don’t think of problems. I just love my work,” said Rose Soy.
From
where we were seated, I had a good view of a vintage photograph of Rose Soy at
the top of the Chocolate Hills in Carmen.
It was Rose, the only Rose, who promoted Bohol to the world when Bohol was
not yet known at that time.
At
3p.m., at Eva’s Flowershop, I’d witnessed how people were busy buying flowers
and Valentine items for their loved ones.
At
4p.m., I went to Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School to see their Valentine
gimiks.
They
had a “love bulletin” where students could display their love messages for five
pesos. Other offerings were face painting for five pesos, card reading for
three pesos and palm reading for two pesos.
Proceeds
from these gimiks will go to their charity projects.
“We aim to
go to Sunshine Home and help the kids. We also want to help the girls who are
involved in drugs,” said student Mary Rose Castro.
But the best of all was the “funny” wedding
ceremony for 10 pesos. Student volunteer Vanessa Siao explained that someone
could pay for the couple’s wedding. The team would look for the pair and had
them married.
“It’s for
fun and enjoyment as celebration of Valentine’s Day,” said Vanessa.
Proceeds will go to rehabilitate their classroom.
At
5 p.m., Inday Charity and I went to Camp Dagohoy to witness how Philippine
National Police (PNP) -Bohol marked Valentine’s Day with a mass wedding.
Ten couples, whose
spouses are members of the PNP have exchanged their vows at St. Michael
Archangel Chapel inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Dagohoy.
Solemnized
by Msgr. Jeff Malanog, the mass wedding ceremony was organized by the PNP under
Senior Supt. Dennis Agustin.
“This
is to allow police personnel the opportunity to legitimize relationship with
their partners,” explained PSupt Joie Pacito Yape Jr, PNP-Bohol Information
Officer.
One
of participants, PO3 Darwin Andales of PNP-Loon, has been civilly married to
his wife PO2 Rosalinda Andales for four years.
"We’re
very happy because after four years sa among civil marriage our church wedding came
true,” said Andales while gazing into the soulful eyes of his inamorata. “I am
very thankful for this opportunity”.
The
police officials advised newlyweds to remain faithful to their chosen lifetime
partners.
The
ceremony, including the reception, was provided by the principal sponsors, Supt.
Agustin. Gov, Edgar Chatto, Reps. Rene Relampagos, Aris Aumentado and Art Yap.
In
Ubay town, 84 couples finally tied the knot at San Pascual Church on Valentine’s
Day. It was sponsored by Bohol 2nd Rep. Aris Aumentado.
After
the mass wedding, I went to the city and I saw Valentine’s Day was a busy night
for Cupid, but it was just as busy for restaurants and their staffs. The
restaurants all across the city up the ante with prix-fixe meals and
amour-themed specials that the lovebirds and family sure to love.
What
a busy Valentine! Ako? Busy-busyhan lang
pag may time! Ha!Ha!Ha!
***
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