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Alvin Yapan directs GMA News TV’s "Titser"


Critically-acclaimed independent filmmaker Dr. Alvin Yapan ventures into television as the director of GMA News TV’s second original series, “Titser,” which stars Lovi Poe and premieres this August 11.

Alvin Yapan is well-established within independent filmmaking circles. In this year’s Cinemalaya, his film “Debosyon”–the unlikely love story between a Bikolano devotee of the Virgin of Peñafracia, Mando, and a mysterious woman, Salome, who lives in the forest of Mount Mayon–has received rave reviews, with top critic Francis “Oggs” Cruz describing “Debosyon” as a “visually sumptuous observation on cultural and religious phenomena.”

In 2012, Yapan’s “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” bagged the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Music awards in the 35th Gawad Urian, while in 2009 and 2008, his entries “Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe” and “Rolyo” won the Special Jury Prize and Best Short Film in the Cinemalaya, respectively.

 

Alvin Yapan (center, in yellow) posts with actors Karl Guevarra (left), Mara Lopez (center, right), and Lovi Poe (right) on the set of "Titser."


This time, Yapan brings his unique vision to the GMA News TV mini-series “Titser,” which tells the story of an underprivileged high school girl, Michelle, who dreams of becoming a teacher, but resorts to working as a housemaid after graduation. Lovi Poe stars in “Titser” as Michelle. Mara Lopez also joins the cast as Michelle’s best friend, Rosa. Agot Isidro portrays Teacher Sandra, Michelle’s mentor and inspiration.

When he’s not making films, Yapan serves as Chair of the Kagawaran ng Filipino at the Ateneo de Manila University. Drawing from his experience, Yapan was able to coach Lovi and the other actors about how to handle a classroom.

"Kasi kapag nagtuturo ka, project kung project ‘yung voice,” shares Yapan. "Ikaw, bilang teacher, dapat hindi nawawala ang composure mo kasi alam mo nandoon ka para i-inspire ang mga estudyante mo, na hindi sila mawalan ng pag-asa at gana sa pag-aaral,” he said.

Yapan sees the project as a way to encourage discourse about the state of Philippine education and the importance of teachers.

“Ang gusto ko talagang iwan sa mga manonood na ang pagiging teacher ay isang vocation. Isa itong dakilang propesyon at kinakailangan ito [bilang] pundasyon ng lipunan natin,” he said.

“Para sa akin ganoon kahalaga na kung ano man ang ilalahad namin na problema sa educational system sa Pilipinas ay sana mabigyan ng solusyon dahil nga dito nagsisimula ang lahat ...’yung paghubog natin ng isip ng mga bata,” he ended.

“Titser” premiers on August 11, Sunday, 7:15 PM on GMA News TV. The 10-part series will run until October 13.

For more updates about the show, follow “Titser” on Facebook and Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/TitserGMANewsTV
http://twitter.com/TitserNewsTV
 

–Bernice Sibucao, PF/GMA News