Cinemalaya 18: Red Carpet Gala

The weather was at its worst when we traveled from Dipolog City to Dapitan City yesterday at 5 pm to attend the most awaiting part of Cinemalaya: The Cinemalaya 18's Breaking Through the Noise: Festival of Winners Red Carpet Gala.

Yesternight was the grandest night I ever had I never expected I would have the chance to experience. Surreal: my dreamer self felt like I am steps forward towards a brighter future now.

The previous blog was dedicated to the Cinemalaya film workshop whereas I wrote how glad and happy I was to be able to learn new incredible things about the folmi industry. However, although I somehow expected that that film workshop would be a key to open doors for me, I never thought it would be this grand. I was invited to represent my fellow young filmmakers in the awarding ceremony of Cinemalaya's Festival of Winners with the attendance of award-winning directors and writers, world-class actors and actresses, and big families of our province.

I knew it by then that being there will really help me on discovering my true self potential more soundly than before . I knew it by then that it will be somehow a headstart to achieve my goals. All I just need to do is to move and never give up.

Supposedly, the venue was to be held outdoors in one of the tourist landmark of our city. But because of the rain and the weather forecast, it was moved to the city's cultural. At first, I wasn't really able to visualise the cultural venue. That's why we, my boyfriend and our friend, were left in awe when we saw the transformation of the once-simple cultural interior.

It was fabulous!

Since it was a big event, I could not help but to be anxious. Because I do not want to be too extravagant if I wear my prepared dress, a black barong gown embroided with golden beads and has a mermaid tail of feathers, I chose a simple-intricate detailed barong top instead with a customized malong patterned skirt to match the night's theme Modern Filipiñana.

Our table was beside the red carpet's aisle at the back so we easily had the chance to took photos and wander around without the fear of getting attention. We enjoyed as well the served food that were so delicious and the cocktails before the night's event started.

It was a night full of excitement such that veteran actors and actresses from Manila were present to host and to receive their awards and certifications.

It was my first time seeing artists, directors and writers that close, and even had the chance to interact with them and talk. The feeling was overwhelming, but I still manged to joke around if they're in need of extras, we hope they would consider us.

Baron Geisler, Ina Feleo, Ricky Davao, Soliman Cruz, Tommy Alejandrino, Sir Chris Millado, Direk Theodore Boborol are few of the artists and direktors we've seen on the gala and premier night.

Baron Geisler, one of the well-known actor in the Philippines, was one of them. He asked our age and even noticed that among the crowd, he noticed our group are the youngest.

The Directors on stage gave their utmost gratitude to everyone on the festival and left tips for aspiring artist like us to never stop dreaming and working for what we want. Award-winning writers who I found really cool and strongly caught my attention told us that in creativity, always find the uniqueness.

It's already Sunday now but when my mother posted a congratulatory and appreciation post for me saying they were beyond proud. She said on her post that: "Feeling artista na talaga ang anak ko...Isang buwan na lang mag eighteen ka na. Ganap na dalaga ka na talaga.💕❤️ Sana pagbutihin mo muna at tatapusin mo pag aaral mo, para matupad mo lahat ang mga pangarap mo sa buhay.. We're here lang naman to support your dreams...Huwag ka sana magtampo sa amin na minsan hindi ka namin pinapayagang dumalo sa okasyon na gusto mo....takot lang naman kami...pero sabi mo gusto mo talaga maging bihasang writer at film director, so heto, baka ito na ang simula na matupad mo na gusto mo, naging guest ka na sa sinabi mong Cinemalaya...heheh...sabi ng Lola mo , sauna daw gamay pa ka ingnon daw ka sa atong silingan sa nga naay kamukha nga artista... hehehe...lipay kaayo imong lola nga nakapapicture ka kauban sa artista daw...mag amping lang daw ka...ug mag ampo kanunay 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻"

I just knew awhile that some of my neighborhood are even talking about me—not of badmouthing but of how proud they were as well. Thus, everything makes my heart melt and I am still very thankful until now while writing this. I thank our city government so much for actively opening our City's door with things like this related to art and film industry and enriching our city tourism. I thank God for allowing me to meet new friends whom I can nourish my interest more. I thank this Hive community for making me believe of what I am capable of and for improving my writing. Lastly, I am very thankful for my parents that even though they are strict most of times, they will always let me to experience opportunities like this and are very proud of every milestones I do have.

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