Chris Martinez travels with his stars for '100'

Si Chris Martinez ay isang mahusay at award-winning screenwriter, theater director, playwright, commercial director, at author. At kahit siya mismo'y aminadong it's about time na maging direktor na rin siya ng pelikula. Pinatawa niya ang mga manonood sa kanyang screenplays ng Bridal Shower nina Dina Bonnevie, Diana Zubiri, and Francine Prieto (2004) at Bikini Open ni Cherry Pie Picache (2005). Natakot tayo sa likha niyang Sukob nina Kris Aquino at Claudine Barretto (2006) and ang pinakahuli ay ang blockbuster Star Cinema flick na Caregiver ni Sharon Cuneta this year. Bilang playwright, nag-wagi siya ng Palanca Memorial Awards for Last Order sa Penguin, Welcome to IntelStar, and Our Lady of Arlegui at ang prestihiyosong NCCA Grand Prize for Ars Poetica. As theater artist, he directed the stage adaptation ng nakakaaliw na Temptation Island, the call center monologue Welcome to IntelStar and he adapted Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal ni Eula Valdez na super-hit sa larangan ng teatro. His first short film, Bakas, won him a CCP Award for Alternative Filmmaking. He is also the author of Laugh Trip and Last Order sa Penguin which earned a National Book Award nomination. For a living, he directs TV commercials. Ang latest na nagawa niya ay 'yung Bear Brand Choco TV commercial ng best friend niyang si Eugene Domingo. Pagkatapos ng kanyang maraming proyekto, may pelikula na rin sa wakas si Chris Martinez. Ito ay ang 100, na kabilang sa sampung full-length feature films na currently showing sa Culutral Center of the Philippines (CCP) sa 4th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Bida sa pelikula si Mylene Dizon bilang isang babaeng may cancer at ano ang gagawin niya sa kanyang buhay sa loob ng 100 days bago siya mamatay. Kasama rin sa pelikula sina Eugene Domingo at Tessie Tomas. Nakapanayam ng Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) si Direk Chris, na very proud sa kanyang unang-unang pelikula as a director. Umani ng malakas na palakpakan sa gala screening nito sa CCP Main Theatre nu'ng Martes (July 15) nang gabi. Bukod sa stars, dumalo rin dito sina Mother Lily Monteverde, Direk Maryo delos Reyes, Direk Gil Portes, talent managers Manny Valera and Bibsy Carballo, Ricky Davao, ang ex-boyfriend ni Mylene na si Paolo Paraiso, among others. Kumusta nga ba ang experiences ni Direk Chris as first time director? "Noong una, overwhelming, but as we go along, nagsimula na akong i-enjoy every minute of it. Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, 'I should have done this a long time ago.' "Kasi, ang 100 is a ‘big' movie, kahit na independently produced siya. We have a lot of locations like Mt. Pinatubo, Bolinao, Manaoag. Umabot pa kami ng Hong Kong. From the start, my vision for the film was to make a piece na magiging unforgettable experience for the audience. I wanted them to feel and sense what Joyce (Mylene's character) goes through the last three months of her life. "So, talagang careful ako na paganahin lahat ng senses ng makakapanood. As a first time director, I can say I am proud of my first film. Nagpapasalamat naman ako at marami ang naka-appreciate." How was it working with Mylene Dizon, na isa sa pinaka-magagaling na aktres sa kanyang henerasyon? "Mylene has always been our first choice. Actually, silang tatlo: Mylene, Eugene and Tessie—lahat sila first choice ko. So, talagang happy ako that I got the actresses I was envisioning for the roles from the time of conceptualization and scripting. "About Mylene, of the three actresses, siya 'yung parang hindi ko naman talaga kilala from the start. I haven't even seen any of her films either, minsan nakikita ko siya sa TV. But I wanted her for the role kasi may aura talaga siya ng strength which the character really calls for. Kumbaga, natural kay Mylene maging ‘astig' and that's what I wanted. And she delivered tremendously. "I was surprised by the emotions she can convey with the smallest gestures and nuances that come out from her. I am more than happy with Mylene," papuri ng writer-director-producer sa kanyang lead actress. Kumusta naman si Tessie Tomas, who is playing Mylene's mom? "Tessie is so committed to the role. At 'saka artist talaga siya. She takes acting seriously. I appreciate our talks and discussions before and after the take. "The joy of working with her is that I also learned a lot about the actor's craft. What's great about this movie is that I was able to stretch and display her range—A to Z and back to A ang acting range ni Tessie Tomas dito. Buong buo at natural na natural," patungkol naman ni Direk Chris sa beteranang actress-comedienne. Ano naman ang masasabi niya tungkol kay Eugene Domingo na kakapanalo lang as best supporting actress sa PMPC Star Awards for Movies at Golden Screen Awards for Pisay? "Best friend ko 'yan. I have known Eugene since we were 'kids' sa UP. I have written and directed a lot of plays for her. "Kumbaga, Eugene has always been my 'muse,' an inspiration. Sobrang versatile 'yan. She is always effective in all the roles that she tackles. At times, nagtataka na lang ako kung saan niya nahuhugot lahat ng emosyon niya. "In 100, Eugene is the ‘heart' of the story. She is the emotional center of the film—her character takes the audience through Joyce's last journey. Hindi na rin ako nagtataka kung bakit in demand na in demand 'yang kaibigan kong 'yan—masarap katrabaho, very professional, matalino, supportive at masayang kasama sa set! All I can say is, I am so lucky to be supported by these three great actresses!" masayang pagtatapos ni Direk Chris. Ang iba pang natitirang schedule ng screening ng 100 sa CCP ay July 17 (Thursday) 3:30 pm at 9:00 pm; at sa July 19 (Saturday) at 3:30 pm at 9:00 pm. Awards Night na ng Cinemalaya 2008 sa CCP ngayong Linggo, July 20, at open ito sa public. - Philippine Entertainment Portal