ILOILO - A Special Premiere in Cebu

***

The Cannes Film Festival-winner “Iloilo” will have a special screening in Cebu on November 30 at Ayala Center Cinema 3 at 10:00 AM. The screening will be for the benefit of The Freeman Foundation.

ILOILO, winner of Cannes Film Festival will have a special premiere in Ayala Center Cebu.

“Iloilo” is a film from Singapore that is written and directed by 29-year old Anthony Chen. It stars Filipino actress Angeli Bayani and Singaporeans Yeo Yann Yann, Chen Tian Wen and Koh Jia Ler. It is first full-length feature of Chen who was born and grew up in Singapore. The story is inspired by his recollections of his Filipina nanny Teresita Sajonia who took care of him and his brothers Justin and Christopher from 1988 to 1997. The title refers to the home province of Teresita. The Chen brothers and Teresita (fondly known as Auntie Terry) had not seen each other since 1997 until Cebu-based PR consultant Charles Lim helped find her and reunited the former nanny and her wards for the first time in July this year with the assistance of Cebu Pacific.

The film was unveiled last May at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival where it won the Camera d’Or for Best Debut Feature. In the citation read before the awarding, Camera d’Or jury president Agnes Varda declared, “We were touched by four characters, and the story of a family in Singapore. The director's intelligence and sensitivity bring forth very important issues —childhood, immigration, class struggles, the economic crisis. We were unanimous in our first round, and have chosen to award the Camera d'Or to Anthony Chen for ILO ILO."

“Iloilo” has so far traveled to more than 20 international filmfests. It has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Singapore’s Best Foreign Language Film entry to the Oscars, Best First Film at the British Film Institute London Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the Molodist International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at the Philadelphia Film Festival and Best Film at the Pacific Meridian Film Festival. The film also reaped four more awards last weekend during the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan which includes Best Supporting Actress for Yeo Yann Yann, Best New Director and Best in Original Screenplay for Anthony Chen and the Best Feature Film.

Bayani is set to grace the special screening in Cebu.

For more information, contact Precious Heradura at 09228596363 or email selrahcopr@gmail.com.

***

(Official Press Release)

Kopi Roti at Smallville - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

From Robinsons Iloilo, we took a jeep going to Smallville.

I was really tired! I guess everyone felt the same, but some friends wanted to have a coffee first before going back to the hotel so they have decided to go to Kopi Roti at Smallville.

For me not to ruin the day, I decided to come along. We had some good conversation and it was indeed fun! It was a worthwhile stay! Even though I was tired, I enjoyed everyone's company that night.

Back to main.

Robinsons - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

Since our friend was looking for a shirt for his brother, we went to Robinsons Iloilo since it was the nearest Mall from the Super Market.

Robinsons Iloilo

We were somehow tired at this point. No one even bothered taking pictures anymore, but we still had a quick tour inside Robinsons. We covered the ground floor and went to the 2nd floor just to check some cheap shirt for our friend's brother. Unfortunately, we failed.

It was a long day and everyone was really tired...

Back to main.

Super Market - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

After tasting Perri Todd's biggest burger, we went to the Super Market. I, again, forced my friends to go there for I need to buy dried squids which is also one of Iloilo's delicacies.

Super Market Iloilo

It was already dark when we arrived the Super Market.Everyone was warned to be extra careful because it was also known for thieves and the like. We were on a buddy-buddy system just to make sure and prevent bad things to happen. It didn't took us some time to find what we were looking for and hastily bought what I needed.


Success! I have now my dried squid!

In addition, I like their Super Market by the way because it's cleaner and nose-friendlier compared to Dumaguete. Calling Dumaguete Government and City Officials.

Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)

Perri Todd's - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

It was almost dinner; however, we ate too much at the Original DeoCampo Barquillos. We were supposed to eat dinner at Perri Todd's which offers the biggest burger in Iloilo. It was me who forced everyone to try the biggest burger in Iloilo.

Perri Todd's All-American Grilled Burger

We went inside and was welcomed by smiling waiters. We actually had our reservation hours earlier before going to the restaurant. We ordered the Premium Burger with Cheesy Mushroom Dressing and an Iced Tea Tower. We just ordered enough to taste the biggest burger in Iloilo which was rumored to be really delicious and indeed they were right!

Made our biggest smile after eating the biggest burger at Perri Todd's Iloilo

I was given the chance to interview the manager of Perri Todd's Iloilo, but I will be posting that in my food blog which is iSwallow.info. I will make a more detailed entry for Perri Todd's on my food blog on the first day of 2011!

Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)

Original DeoCampo Barquillos - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

After all those walks, we decided to rest for a while...

From the Jaro Cathedral and the Belfry, went to DeoCampo Barquillos.

Original DeoCampo Barquillos

I thought it was just another ordinary store where you can buy pasalubong or delicacies of Iloilo, but I was wrong. This place was the BEST place I've been to, so far in Iloilo. The interior design of Original DeoCampo Barquillos was outstanding! I was simply stunned on how amazing the place was. I just wish I know the right words to say it.

They have this lovely pond which gave the whole place a different aura. Mystical! This is the perfect word for the place. The ambiance of the Original DeoCampo Barquillos was just perfect to relax our body, our soul and our stomach!

After taking our rest, we abused the place and had some fun shots! The cam-whoring disease has struck us again!

Calling the fishes in the pond to bow before me! Hahaha!

I'm working with my poses for future photo shoots! LOL!

...and did I forgot to say that their rest room was AWESOME! It was really clean and eye-friendly. The lighting was also great!

Wacky photo in the rest room

Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)

Jaro Cathedral and the Belfry - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

After buying some pasalubong at the Original Biscocho Haus, we took another jeep going to Jaro Cathedral which is popularly known as the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Jaro Cathedral and the Belfry

Traffic was starting to grow and people are getting crowded. In the middle of the ride, we decided to walk and burn the remaining food we took during brunch at JD Bakeshop.
It was starting to rain and my head was about to spin. I usually get this weird headache everytime I get hit by rain. Due to this, I wasn't able to explore the place. This will definitely be one of the reasons why I will be going back to Iloilo.

The photo below is the Jaro Cathedral. It has a very unique structure...a very interesting one indeed.

According to the vendorI spoke to while I bought a candle, which I usually collect whenever I travel, the Church is about to celebrate 'Candelaria' in honor to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of the Candles). Maybe that's the reason why the place was so crowded and there was a bazaar or ukay-ukay going on at the area.

The photo below is the Belfry of Jaro Cathedral. This structure has been existing since the 18th century and until now it still looks really good. Iloilo definitely paid close attention in maintaining this historical landmark.

Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)

Original Biscocho Haus - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

After walking at the Boulevard-themed University, Central Philippine University in Iloilo, we took a jeep and went to the Original Biscocho Haus.

The Original Biscocho Haus

The very popular Biscocho Haus was full-packed! There were lots of people inside buying their one of a kind biscochos and other delicacies. I wish they had more ceiling fans.
Despite the ventilation, their employees were awesome! Speaking of customer service, they were really accommodating and helped me buy the things I wanted to buy. Kudos to the employees!


Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)

Central Philippine University - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

After having our brunch at JD Bakeshop, we went to this lovely University which is most famous for their Engineering and Nursing Graduates.

Central Philippine University Iloilo

The very first thing I saw in the University was their personal Ambulance. I was pretty much amazed on how the University is concern with their students health promote a green and healthy environment. Like the University where I went to, Silliman University, they are most concern with their students and staffs' health.

I'm not sure if it's true, but I have heard that Central Philippine University is a sister-school of Silliman University (or some sort of like that). Whether is it's true or not, both University definitely has similarities on how the school looks like (the physical setup). They have a long lengthy field with Acacia trees on its bot sides and their Church is on the end of the field.

If you try to look at this picture below, you can see the Church at the back and the Acacia trees on the side. Sorry, I couldn't find a better picture to show the Church.

What I love the most of this University is the Boulevard-like theme. It just feels like you are walking in a park. See more photos below:




Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)

JD Bakeshop - Exploring Iloilo - Escapades

From the Hotel where my friends and I stayed, we took a jeep going to a bakeshop that is very popular for their chicken. Outstandingly, a bakeshop is not limited to bread alone.

JD Bakeshop Iloilo

JD Bakeshop is the best place for you if you are on a limited budget. They serve you very affordable food yet will definitely bloat your stomach! Haha! They serve you a different taste of what chicken is in Iloilo.

I ordered Chicken and Salad for only Php 49.00 and it definitely made my whole day worth while! There are more great foods here that you should try. I will definitely come back here soon!

More photos below:

The 2nd floor was closed according to this signage, but we actually went upstairs. Haha!

Cebu Bloggers at JD Bakeshop Iloilo

Waiting for our order...

Back to main.

(Photos by Mark Gallardo)