my inbox has never been this all-star powerhouse

DISCLAIMER: what you are about to see may pose to be bragging and boastful. also, the contents may seem offensive, but the retelling of the account is based on facts and unbiased truth. reader discretion is advised.

it started last thursday afternoon. at around 2pm, i was at the UP Film Institute, doing calls and sending faxes to the speakers, panelists, and moderators of the 1st Cinemalaya Film Congress. i was just a student volunteer but everybody in the office made me feel like an employee already! good thing or bad? ahahaha... well, i enjoyed 'working' even if we went home at around 10pm. overtime kagad!

the next day, Friday, was the start of the film congress at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Little Theater. the program started late of schedule (as usual). but the 1st panel discussion did not start until around quarter to 2pm. and that time between 8.30am and 2pm, my mobile was as hot as pancakes. smsing and calling panelists and speakers, reminding them to arrive 30 minutes ahead of their schedule: indie filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, and directors Nick Deocampo, Erik Matti, and Jeffrey Jeturian. was bugging them with text messages as the organizers were bugging me about there whereabouts. eventually, all of them showed up... late. but at least they were there for the forum.

but my mobile did not rest until 4pm when the next panel discussion started with a new set of panelists, namely indie filmmaker and Palme d'Or winner Raymond Red, filmmakers Mark Meily and Quark Henares, and cinematographers Nap Jamir and Robert Quebral. This batch was a younger one compared to the first batch, so I had easier time making arrangements with them. And this is the batch which consistently replied to my every message. Thus, my inbox reached maximum capacity. And it was starstrucky 'coz once i open my inbox, these are the only names contained in it. =)

and so that was the first day of the film congress. come Saturday, the congress continued for its final day. and again, my job was to contact the new two batches of panelists. the third batch comprised of directors Gil Portes, and Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, indie filmmakers Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, and Cris Pablo (Cineastes alumni), producer Joji Alonzo, and govt official Benel Lagua. And the last and fourth panel included singaporean Philip Cheah, media executives Wilson Tieng, Lucas Pasiliao, and Brenda Bayhon, producer Robbie Tan, actor/director/producer Cesar Montano, and SM Cinema executive Ric Camaligan.

Perhaps the most difficult to communicate with is the fourth batch. Since most of them are executives, of course, i still have to relay my message to their secretaries or assistants before to them. But they were all nice.

Here are some quotable and memorable experiences with them:

1. No matter how many times you barrage them with messages and reminders for them to arrive at least, 30 minutes before their schedule, they will not arrive early. Some of the early birds include Robbie Tan, Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Raymond Red, Nick Deocampo, and Erik Matti. The horror list obviously goes to the unmentioned.

2. The congeniality award goes to Jeffrey Jeturian. Among them , he is the least intimidating and he stands out as the most apologetic for being late. 2 awards for you! ahaha.

3. The primadona award goes to Gil Portes. 1st, he refuses to attend because he claims the invitation was not sent to him. 2nd, he then agrees and assures to be there 8.30am. 3rd, clock strikes 8.30am, he texts, 'i am on my way, is the restaurant open for breakfast?' (so i have to check if it is open) 4th, he demands me to buy him a ticket for that night's screening of Bigtime, as consolation for his waking up early for the forum. and 5th, but when i checked at the box office that it is sold out and is no longer selling tickets, he texts, 'that is the least you can do. is this how you treat your guest?'
argh. no wonder your films suck bigtime!

4. The smiley award goes to Quark Henares. the only one who sends sms with a smiley.

5. The catch-me-if-you-can award also goes to Gil Portes. 'nuff said.

6. The anlabo-ng-text-mo-chong award goes to Kidlat Tahimik. no offense meant. it's just that we were wondering when he said he was three LRT stations away, it seemed he wasn't. hehehe. but credits for him for the best surprise in a speech. haha. you're the best, kidlat!

7, The oops award goes to Mark Meily. at 2.04pm, he sent this: 'Thanks.Wil try to go thereASAP.Comng from Cinémalaya judgng n Dream theatr makati'
thank you, Mr Meily, now we know you are one of the Cinemalaya Film Festival judges who are supposed to be a top secret until the announcement of the festival winner on saturday. ahahaha. gotcha!

8. The i'm lost award goes to Quark Henares. At 3.39pm, he sent this: 'Just left my shoot in Makati Ű see you soon!' a little later at 3.47pm, he sent: 'Andre where in up will th panel discussion be? Ű'