I'm currently helping my friend Alvin Yapan produce his indie movie for Cinemalaya 2009. It is entitled, "Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe" with an English title, "The Rapture of Fe." Our movie was fortunate to make it into the finals this year and we're one of the ten that will be premiered at the CCP.
On the titular role is Ms Irma Adlawan. CCP legend, critically-acclaimed and award winning winning actress, she will take on the role of Fe, a former OFW who comes home to a husband who abuses and batters her.
Opposite Ms Irma, will be no other than TJ Trinidad, as the younger lover, Arturo, whom Fe did not marry because he is 10 years her junior. Instead, she chose Dante, played by Nonie Buencamino.
The whole movie is set in a Pampanga rattan furniture workshop and it will be mood movie. Mood, because amidst all these, elements of the supernatural will looming in the background.
It is also a great acting piece because of the wide range of emotions the character will be having. Every actor, down to the minor ones, will have a moment and requires a strong grasp of their emotions. However, we do not want the actors to be overly dramatic (OA) and melodramatic. Everything will be subdued and contained.
We are very excited about doing the project with TJ and Ms Irma and so we hope all of you will support us in this venture. We are all neophyte players in the world of Philippine cinema and we're hoping to blow our competitors away.
Check out our website, www.theraptureoffe.com and please feel free to leave your messages there. Tell us also what you want to see on our site and movie. We would love to hear from TJ's fans.
Be part of our movie with TJ Trinidad: www.theraptureoffe.com
Ay di ko type ang theme napaka dark sa title na title pa lang. I notice most indie films nowadays are all extremes masyadong radical kakaturn off parang soft porn na like the ones being shown recently.
Susko marami ng depression sa mundo wag nyo namang dagdagan pa ang bigat ng dibdib namin. We want to see TJ in a nice setting movie na romantic, light comedy and drama similar as his role in gulong ng palad where he was at his best.
I agree kasi baka naman matypecast na si TJ sa mga ganyang klaseng films. No offense meant we know this will be an acting piece for him as you said in your post but please we're not ready to watch him in that kind of role yet.
Thank for your comments. I do feel a little sad with reading some of them though.
One of the reasons why we did the movie is really to partner with the Women's Crisis Center and give abused women a voice that has long been silenced. The movie has a different twist to the story so that it's not depressing or sad. It's really something you haven't seen on Philippine cinema yet.
Also, one of the reasons why we believe in TJ is because we believe in his acting prowess and this will definitely test his talent. We're also going to show this in international film festivals after the CCP premiere.
I still hope that you will support our film.
Be part of our movie with TJ Trinidad: www.theraptureoffe.com
thank you for further explaining the theme of the movie. i am an advocate of victims of domestic violence. i am currently an active volunteer with the asian pacific domestic violence organization. this is a group that assist asian women in their escape from abuse. i will visit your site and will post there. been there...i am a survivor so it is a mission for me to help others who are in this situation. i do admire your guts in creating a movie that depicts a theme that is a reality in our lives. this is happening in our culture but had been swept under the rugs for such a long time because our society tend to turn a blind eye. Divorce is not an option in the Philippines so women in this situation end up staying in a marriage that is not safe physically and emotionally.
I am sure that TJ took on this role because he believes in the cause. I am also sure that he gave this a great thought. I am also sure that he believes this movie will open the eyes of so many victims and could help them get out of this situation. I salute TJ for taking a risk in his career for a good cause. More power to you and your group. Good luck and I will be here to support your endeavor.
I admire TJ for taking on a role that is a far cry from what he is used to portraying. A good actor is not limited to love story or comedy. taking on a cutting edge role is proof of an actor's versatility. More power to you TJ. I look forward to watching you in this unusual movie. Good luck!!!
will this movie be distributed as a cd? if so, please let me know where I could buy it. I would like to review it and maybe get several copies for the domestic violence group i volunteer at.
I just scanned the website of this indie film. I will read it further. however, just by scanning, i find this project interesting. Please visit the site and read what this film is all about before making any judgements. I urge everyone to really understand what this project is all about. I am certain that you will have a different view after having a better understanding of it.
Race to Raise Funding
6
Feb
2009
Filed under: Behind the Scenes, Sponsors and Donors
Author: Alem
Tired of the usual Tagalog commercial films? Well, heres your chance to help make a difference in the Philippine movie industry.
This is a call to everyone to help us fund our film. We need to raise P500,000 (approximately $10,500) before our first shooting day on February 19 and were losing time. We need this money to pay for equipment rentals, fees of the actors and production design. Otherwise, we will not be able to start filming.
We have already sent out sponsorship letters to all the companies whose products we can show in our movie and got very few responses.
Any amount, even as low as $1 will really go a long way if multiplied by 10 or even 100 people. If you give $20 (around P1000) or more, we will put your name in the end credits of the movie as a co-producer of the movie. (Remember that our movie will be shown in CCP as well as a number of international film festivals abroad.)
You can pay securely using the Chip-in widget here. You just have to sign up for a Pay Pal account and use your credit card. Its very safe and secure.
For our friends, you may give it to us directly. We can arrange for me to pick up your money. Those in Ateneo can give it to Mr Vim Yapan (of the Filipino Department) while those in Xavier can give it to Ms Je Ching (at the Faculty Development Office, 3rd Floor of the Multiple Purpose Center).
Please help us spread the word.
We assure you that every cent you give will be used wisely. Not only do we guarantee the quality of our movie, we will also give a voice to all the abused women who have long been kept silent.
Salamat po!
Note: For places where the internet system has a firewall, theres a chance that you may not be able to view the Chip-In widget. We tried it in Ateneo and it didnt show up. I dont know if this will be the case in Xavier and other companies and schools.
About Rapture
Alvin Yapans feature film The Rapture of Fe is one of the ten finalists in this years Cinemalaya Film Festival by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It will compete against several films from different well-known as well as starting indie directors and subsequently be entered into various international competitions. The movie stars critically acclaimed stage and film actress Irma Adlawan as Fe, a former OFW forced to come home due to the effects of the global financial crisis. TJ Trinidad stars opposite Ms Adlawan as the young lover burdened by his responsibilities to his family with Nonie Buencamino as the abusive husband.
Kindly email me privately as to how we can use the movie to advocate against VAW. As it is, the Women's Crisis Center is already going on a 18-day 10-province caravan using our film to discuss VAW. We are more than happy to help out.
Tl, thanks for the lengthy and clear explanation. I am with you in this one. I do believe that TJ agreed to do this film for a worthy cause and I have faith in his decisions. I will support this film. Thanks for posting the link.
it is a great honor to have tj in your film!!!!!! thank you very much.. truly!!!!!! we really believe that tj has what it takes to be an actor because he has the passion and the dedication. on my part, whatever roles will be given for him will do. this will be a great avenue for him to prove his worth in the industry. thank you very much!
sa mga nabasa ko sa iilang comments dito, some tj fans are not yet ready to see tj in a sensitive role like this. i respect their opinion, however, in this field, we have to expect the inevitable. i guess we have to be open minded about this. you take whatever role will land on you and take it as a challenge.. thats the job as an actor. anyway, this just a role. at the end of the day, people will still see tj as what he really is, without the cameras.
entertainment for me is a way to take off life's daily pressure - kaya i don't like watching any movie or soap na serious ang theme but in this case, i think it's to bring awareness on this true to life issues. kudos to tj for being a prt of this campaign. sana nga this movie will impact on our society and somehow it will help the women that's entangled in this kind of abusive relationship.
I agree with you. Looks like this movie is worth supporting. I am glad TJ will do one of the important parts of the movie!
TL, why not spearhead the fundraising campaign for this movie? Just please ask where we could send the check. I am sure, some would not want their names at the screen but maybe TJIF ( TJ INTERNATIONA FRIENDS ).
Why is the title "the rapture of fe?" sana iba na lang ang term na gamitin sa title nila. just my opinion.
i think that word rapture is popularly associated with something else, and here's what i gathered -
Rapture (From Wikipedia-Christianity portal)
For other meanings, see Rapture (disambiguation).
The Rapture is a prophesied event in Christian eschatology, in which Christians are suddenly taken from the earth to participate in the Second Coming of Christ. Christians who have died are to be resurrected to participate in the coming of Christ along with those who are still living at the time of the event.
The primary passage describing the Rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, in which Paul cites "the word of the Lord" about the return of Jesus to gather his saints. Although all Christian denominations believe in Christ's return, there are two primary views regarding its nature.
THAT'S RIGHT. PHILIPPINE MOVIES SHOULD START TO MATURE, WITH REAL ACTING AND REAL DIRECTING, WITH GREAT PROFESSIONALISM. OF COURSE THE GOAL OF PHIL MOVIES TODAY IS TO GET BACK THE MONEY THAT THE PRODUCER SPENDS. NATURALLY. BUT WHEN WILL THE TIME BE WHEN BOTH ART AND MONEY CAN COMPENSATE JUST LIKE WESTERN MOVIES, NOT THAT I'M PRO-WEST. BUT HOLLYWOOD ACTORS ARE STUDIED ACTORS, AND THAT'S WHAT OUR ACTORS SHOULD DO, STUDY ACTING!
HAIL YOU GUYS. I SALUTE TJ TRINIDAD FOR TRYING TO IMPROVE THE BREED. DO INCLUDE KRISTINE HERMOSA IN YOUR PROJECTS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT SHE DID NOT REACH LINO BROCKA THE WAY HILDA KORONEL DID, AS SHE'S AS BEAUTIFUL. BUT I SEE THAT SHE HAS THE POTENTIAL, DEFINITELY. SHE'S JUST NOT GIVEN THE RIGHT STORY AND THE RIGHT DIRECTOR. MAYBE YOU GUYS COULD TRY TO LEAD HER ENERGY AND TALENT INTO THE PATH OF THE REAL ART OF ACTING, THE WAY YOU DID WITH TJ TRINIDAD.
yes i agree with the poster above. consider a tj trinidad-kristine hermosa starrer - we will definitely support 200%
both are gorgeous and talented - pang hollywood mga itsura nila and they both can act. unfortunately they are both straight kaya they seem not to get a fair break and chance in the phil showbiz.
maybe an indie film will help them get an international recognition. more power to you!
daisy - that is a very good idea. however, for now, this is not gonna happen. tin is contracted with abs cbn for a couple of serye and i believe movies, as well. after this contract is served, then and only then, will she be able to be paired with tj outside of abs cbn. as we all know, as hard as we are trying to ask for a project for the two of them with abs, hanggang pangako na lang sila sa atin.....if ever, tj and tin will have a serye together at abs while tin is under contract with them...that will be a bonus and a blessing. what is the chance of this happening?....all i can say is dont hold your breath. we will have a better chance if and when tin is no longer under contract. but if magbago ang ihip ng hangin and abs will no longer "look down" at tj and will at least recognize his talent....then maybe magkaka show sila while tin is under contract. but busy din si tin sa mga shows niya kasama ang ibang leading men...so for me....i am going to support kung ano man ang project ni tj and tin separately. i just dont want to get hurt na naman sa kaaasa.
this is just my two cents.
sorry guys but naglalabas lang ako ng sama ng loob at tinatanggap ko lang ang reality.
Tama si tl, let's not hold our breaths baka manigas tayo sa pagka-blue -lol!
pero let's always be hopeful for another TJTIN reunion someday. I think pag movies pwedi silang magsama kasi di naman exclusive contract si tin sa abs cbn at ganun din si tj sa gma 7.
******to be able to come out of an abusive marriage in one piece, be safe and just knowing that no one will ever hurt you again...THAT IS EUPHORIA.
thanks for that..
the rapture of fe, ang panggagahasa kay fe
if you look at the tagalog title, ang panggahasa kay fe..
you cant connect panggagahasa to rapture... its totally different. maybe "rupture" which means break or burst or tear will do..oh well, i guess you cant take it literally.
i hope tj will be given more exposures here.. the guy can act.. he deserves recognition.
When you check the etymology of the word "gahasa" it actually means to take away. "Rape" here is not just literal rape but how a woman is "raped" in our society, whether physically, emotionally, psychologically, economically, etc. The reason we used "rapture" is because we want to highlight the fact that a woman trapped in such a situation can also escape from their plight. And there is nothing wrong to have the sense of ecstasy when the woman has escaped from her dire predicament.
You have raised very interesting points. I really hope we can catch you at our CCP screenings!
since a lot are from outside of the Philippines, will there be video we can purchase... if this will be available...please post how this can be purchased.
so far, our regular theater run is very uncertain. it is only if a major movie outfit or distributor or even a theater wants to release us commercially, then we get a commercial run. in the meantime, try to catch one of our shows at the CCP. please note that TJ will be attending our gala night so if you are free, this is the best way to watch the movie and catch him there. tickets are priced at only P100. much cheaper than local cinemas. if you were to get the tickets directly from us instead of the CCP box office, our proceeds will go to the Women's Crisis Center. below is our sched. hope to catch you there.
Here is the Cinemalaya festival sched of "Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe" at the CCP:
July 18 (Sat)
3.30 Little Theater
July 19 (Sun)
9.00 MKP Hall (4th Floor)
July 20 (Mon)
CCP is closed on Mondays
July 21 (Tues)
6.15 MAIN THEATER GALA NIGHT
July 22 (Wed)
12.45 Huseng Batute
July 23 (Thu)
3.30 MKP Hall (4th Floor)
July 24 (Fri)
12.45 Main Theater
July 25 (Sat)
3.30 Huseng Batute
Be part of our movie with TJ Trinidad: www.theraptureoffe.com
sa premiere, you get to see TJ and the other actors. kaya i hope that's worth going to ccp for it. hehehe!
we will also have a UP showing tentatively set at Friday, July 31 9PM at the UP Film Institute. this one is sponsored by UP film students and other UP student orgs. however, we don't have any final word on this yet. once we do, we will keep you posted.
