SANDAAN opens the New York Filipino Film Festival INQ7.net
October 12, 2006
To commemorate the Centennial of Filipino immigration to the United States, the Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Insititute’s Asian Pacific American Program, opened the New York Filipino Film Festival with the premier showing (in northeast USA) of the movie documentary SANDAAN. Venue of the Festival was the Imaginasian Theater on 59th St. in Manhattan.
The documentary ran for one hour and a half. It was produced and directed by US-based Fil-Am film producer and director Noel Izon. Sandaan chronicled the struggles and achievements of Filipinos in the United States in the last century. Intimate portraits of Fil-Ams who went through the struggle and later gave their significant contributions to American society were presented. Fil-Ams such as businesswoman and community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis, US Army Major General Antonio Taguba, former Clinton assistant Maria Mabilangan Haley and many other prominent Fil-Ams shared their life experiences in the process of making America their home.
The screening was followed by a 40-minute discussion on “Filipino american History: New Reflections, “ by Dr. Joan May Cordova, an assistant professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia and renowned resource person in Fil-Am history.
Dr. Cordova highlighted the continuing consciousness among new generations of Fil-Ams of their heritage. She emphasized the need to use our lessons in history and our shared values to plot the future and make a present impact. Summarizing the Fil-Am pattern of surviving amidst challenges, Dr. Cordova saw the following attributes: fighting for what is right, daring to be Pinoy or Pinay, giving back to the community, and letting personal stories strengthen the future.
Sandaan opened the New York Filipino Film Festival which is running from 6 October to 19 October at the Imaginasian Theater in Manhattan. The project is an initiative of Fil-Am Vince Nebrida in coordination with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Imaginasian theater and supported by the Philippine Consulate General.
To commemorate the Centennial, the movies being shown are Philippine Golden Classics such as Biyaya ng Lupa (1959) and films which tell the stories of Filipinos abroad (La Visa Loca, American Adobo,etc.)
Sandaan will be featured once more on 19 October, the last day of the Festival. Screening is at 6:00 p.m.. The public is invited. Producer/director Noel Izon will be the guest speaker after the screening. Also expected to attend are Mrs. Francey Youngberg of Smithsonian’s Asia Pacific Program, filmmakers Sari Dalena and Keith Sicat. The movie Rigodon will also be shown on 19 October to close the Festival.
“I enjoin one and all to see our classic Filipino movies at the Festival. This is a rare opportunity and I am sure everyone will enjoy seeing these movies. For our Fil-Am friends, young and old, Sandaan will prove to be an informative film, truly worth seeing” said Consul General Cecilia Rebong.
“Our movies impart lessons in life. If one heart is touched by any one of these films, then all the efforts in putting up the festival will be all worth it,” added Vince Nebrida, the over-all coordinator.
