Film Review: Gomburza (MMFF 2023)

Rating: 2/5

Aside from being martyrs executed via garrote, most Filipinos do not know anything more about Gomburza - - - the trio made up of Padre Mariano Gomez (Dante Rivero) , Jose Burgos (Cedrick Juan), and Jacinto Zamora (Enchong Dee).

Pepe Diokno begins the film with a glimpse into the life of Hermano Pule, who ended up leading a quasi-cult of rebels just because he was not allowed to become a priest, no thanks to his Filipino lineage.

This sets up the expectation that the film would be about Gomburza's fight for equality when it comes to priesthood, or so I thought.

Instead, the film focused on how Burgos' defense of Pedro Pelaez upon the latter's accidental death paved the way to his notoriety in the eyes of both Filipino and Spanish priests, how his teachings roused the activism of his students though  he did not directly take part in it, and how the two other priests were just dragged along by being in the wrong time and place.

Yes, Gomburza, contrary to its promotional materials, actually questions the martyrdom of the said priests. We have Burgos the teacher, Gomez the plant lover, and Zamora the gambler.

I can't help but notice that Diokno's direction staggers the more people are in the scene unless it is focused on just about two subjects. My favorite scene is the conversation between Burgos and Gov. Carlos Maria dela Torra, with the tone going from jolly to dreary, as the topic of the change of guard came up and what it means for the Filipinos.

Enchong Dee shone in all of his scenes, even though he was given so little to work with, like Ketchup Eusebio, whose presence is felt even in his silence. 

Newcomer Borja Saenz de Miera was intriguing and menacing in the few frames he was in as Gov. Rafael de Izquierdo. 

In a dialogue-heavy biographical drama such as this, it is almost a commandment to cast actors whose stare alone evoke a whole paragraph. But alas, half ofthe Filipino supporting actors are bogged down by ham acting and exaggerated gestures, as opposed to the actors playing the Spanish supporting roles.

However, one of the best aspects of the film is its chiaroscuro laden cinematography, which was more obvious during candlelit and nighttime scenes. 

In the end, thanks to that little scene with Leo Rialp and the shadow puppetry, Gomburza was just a tool to rewrite history and absolve the friars of their culpability when it comes to death of the three priests. 

THE 1ST PHILIPPINE PAGEANTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS, 1ST BEST AWARDS AND 7TH PHILIPPINE BEST QUALITY BRANDS AWARDEES BARED

A celebration of the Philippine Pageantry Excellence Awards, BEST Awards, and Philippine Best Quality Brands with a glittering evening at Teatrino Greenhills. 

A fantastic and star-studded event took place at Teatrino Greenhills in San Juan City last Saturday, December 2. Rising performers in the Philippines provided engaging performances at the event, which honored remarkable individuals in their respective industries and recognized the top businesses in the country. Special guests attended. It turned out to be a very glamorous, glitzy, and joyous event. The guests were treated to a display of the best Philippine pageantry throughout the evening. 

Last Saturday, December 2, Teatrino Greenhills in San Juan City hosted a wonderful and star-studded event. Engaging performances by up-and-coming artists in the Philippines were shown at the event, which celebrated exceptional people in their fields and acknowledged the best companies in the nation. There were notable attendees. It proved to be an extremely stylish, lavish, and happy occasion. Throughout the evening, the attendees were treated to a showcase of the best pageantry in the Philippines. The Philippines Best Quality Brand event at Teatrino Greenhills, along with the Best Awards 2024 and the First Philippine Pageantry Excellence Awards, were a success. It honored exceptional people in their domains and emphasized their life accomplishments. The event created a lasting impression on everyone who attended and further reinforced the significance of aiming for greatness in the Philippines with its glamor, elegance, and outstanding performances. In attendance on the night of the awards to accept their individual prizes:

BEST AWARDS 2024: Cye Soriano (Promising New Singer / Recording Artist of the Year), Eraseph Winters (Live Entertainer of the Year), Faith De Silva (Promising Actress of the Year), Frankendal Fabroa (Operation Manager of the Year), Genesis Gallios (Talent Manager of the Year), Giani Sarita (Promising Young Singer of the Year), Ima Castro (Seasoned Singer of the Year), Capt. Jesus J. Dela Cruz Jr. (Businessman of the Year), Joel Cruz (Businessman of the Year), Johnny Abad (Fashion Designer of the Year), John Fontanilla (Media Personality of the Year), Kelvin Miranda (Teen Actor of the Year), Kim Atienza (TV Host of the Year), Kimson Tan (Promising Young Actor of the Year), Lito Gruet (Public Servant of the Year), Maxine Misa (Advocacy Queen of the Year), Atty. Persida Rueda Acosta (Public Servant of the Year), Rabiya Mateo (Promising TV Host of the Year), Raoul Barbosa (Businessman of the Year), Sephy Francisco (Seasoned Performer of the Year), Bigboy Villariza (Executive Producer of the Year) and Lloyd Umali (Seasoned Performer of the Year).

PAGEANTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2024: Andrew Badiola (Pageant Fashion Designer – Barong de Calado), Arlene Cris Damot (Mrs. Universe 2023 2^nd Runner-Up), Arlene Jane Camus Knof (Model Mom Universe 2021-2022), Ashley Gomez (Miss Campus Role Model Philippines), Atheena Taccad-Dizon (Model Mom Philippines 2022), Avon Morales (Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019), AZ Martinez (Miss Summit International 2023), Braeline Jade Jimenez (Miss Pre-Teen Tourism World 2023 Grand Winner), Carlo Morris Galang (Manhut Philippines 2010 / PEPPS Man of the World / Misters of Filipinas), Cas Villones (Ginoong Laguna 2023), Catriona Gray (Miss Universe 2018), Daisy Reyes-Tobias (Bb. Pilipinas World 1996), Diane Querrer (Miss Philippines Air 2014), Emhilie Brenn Kimberly P. Ybanes (Miss Kid Humanity International 2023 / Princess of the Universe 2023), Eren Noche (President Noble Queen of the Universe / Mrs. Universe Philippines 2011), Erika Joy Santos (Mrs. Philippines 2023 Woman of the Universe 2023), Evangeline Pascual (Miss World 1973), Faye Tangonan (Ms. Universe International 2018-2019), Francine Reyes (Ms. Eco Teen Philippines 2023), Gianna Margarita Llanes (Miss Philippines Water 2020 / News Anchor – Mata ng Agila sa Tanghali & Mata ng Agila International), Gwen Furniol (Miss World Philippines 2022), Janelle Tee (Miss Philippines Earth 2019), Jeanne Angeles Harn (Miss Philippines Earth 2007), Jenette Fernando (Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 1993), Jenny Lin Maaño Ngai (Miss Pampanga 1999), JM Razon (Model Mom Universe 2021), John Jeffrey Carlos (Mr. Gay World 2019), Kirk Bondad (Mr. World Philippines 2021), Leandrea Batingan (Miss Humanity International 2022), Loue Manuel Bozhilov (Mrs. Continental International 2023), Mabel Vitor (Noble Queen of the Universe Philippines 2023-Mindanao), Maria Charo Calalo (Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019-2020 / National Director Mrs. Universe Philippines), Marjorie Rozol (Mrs. Philippines Tourism Globe 2023), Maxine Misa (Model Mom Universe 2023-2024), Melanie Marquez (Miss International 1979), Monaliza Hernandez Salenga (Mrs. Universe Philippines Northeast Asia 2023), Monique Teruelle Manuel (Miss Earth Philippines-Eco Tourism 2014), Patricia Fernandez (Bb. Pilipinas International 2008), Patricia Javier (Noble Queen of the Universe 2019), Rhonalyn Whigan Cabigao (Miss Eco Saver 2023 – 1^st Runner-Up), Dr. Riza Oben Dormiendo (Mrs. Philippines International Face of Beauty 2019), RJ de Vera (Misters Filipinas Manhot Star International 2023), Robert Douglas Walcher IV (Mister Teen International 2023), Sheralene Shirata (Noble Queen Earth 2022), Princess Margaret Olarte (Noble Queen of the Philippines 2023-Luzon), Susan Villanueva (Mrs. Face of Tourism 2023), Vanessa Magbojos (Elite Mrs. Philippines International 2023) and Mr. Wilbert Tolentino.

WINNERS FOR PHILIPPINE PAGEANTRY AWARDS based on Judges decisions:

PAGEANT SYSTEM OF THE YEAR (MALE): Misters Filipinas

PAGEANT SYSTEM OF THE YEAR (FEMALE): Miss Universe Philippines

PAGEANT BLOGGER OF THE YEAR: Edge Tenoria

PAGEANT BLOG SITE OF THE YEAR: Eventologie

PAGEANT VLOGGER OF THE YEAR: Adam GenatoHeyAdamG

PAGEANT PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Carlo Morris Galang (Misters of Filipinas / Man of the World)

PAGEANT LENSMAN OF THE YEAR: Joy Arguil

PAGEANT CHRONICLER OF THE YEAR: Eton Concepcion

3 Lessons from the 'Unspoken Letters' Movie Opening on December 13

'Unspoken Letters' stars Jhassy Busran as Felipa, a teenage girl with autism spectrum disorder. She becomes the center of a conflict when the rest of her siblings come together for their absentee father's 70th birthday. Their late mom's letters might just hold the key to end all misunderstandings.

1. Communication is key to understanding each other's point of view.

Simon Ibarra plays Felipa's, as well as Ton-ton Gutierrez' father. The latter harbors ill will against his father, thinking that his dad hates him and always looks at his wrongdoings. This escalates when his father disappears on them. However, it turns out that his dad did not leave out of his own free will and if one of them just reached out to the other earlier, then grudges would not have been held and precious time would not have been wasted.

2. Spanking someone won't teach them obedience but fear.

Boomers, many of them our parents, disciplined us, their children, with hurtful words and physical punishment. When Gladys Reyes spanked Felipa, as was shown in the trailer, she displayed fear. When someone with the intellectual capacity of a child is punished, it will just result in a deep-seated trauma and avoidance of that adult.

What I liked about that svene, when I saw it in full, was the multiple emotions that Gladys was able to convey with her eyes. There was instant regret because of what she did, a sense of superiority over someone like Felipa, protectiveness as a mother, and the suppression of that innate nature og human beings to hurt others, all delivered in mere seconds.

3. Singing can make a movie weird but jovial

One thing that has disappeared from modern-day Filipino films is the element of sarswela in our movies, which would remind one of Bollywood. Memorable songs from 'Unspoken Letters' include the one about ABCs (abakada) between Felipa and her father at the grave of the matriarch.

The film might be flawed given the production budget, but it has many heartwrenching scenes, as well as unintentionally funny ones, which will entertain the family.

'Unspoken Letters' opens on December 13 in cinemas nationwide.

Visit the official Facebook page for more info

OPM Artists Come Together for A Cause: AGILA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023

Magkuno Defender Eagles Club, a sorority/fraternity non-profit organization, are bringing AGILA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 CONCERT FOR A CAUSE. The said event aims to raise funds for the construction of 2 classroom buildings equipped with full amenities located in Pantoc Elementary School in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.


With this, a lineup of talented and diverse artists from different genres are coming together to join in for a night of exceptional music experience, all for a greater purpose. The event will be featuring performances of the following:

YENG CONSTANTINO
FLOW G
CHOCOLATE FACTORY
TYPECAST
BLACK ROSARY
REPAKOL
HAGIBIS 4TH GEN
EYE CANDIES
NOELLE & NATASHA
REYMACK DUO
KEN
BRYAN & REN
RAMPAGE DUO
BEAUTY THE BEAST
IRENE DIVA
DARIUS CAÑETE

Hosted by POOH the Comedian

AGILA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 CONCERT FOR A CAUSE is happening on December 16, 2023, Saturday, at Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City. General admission tickets are available for 500PHP and can be purchased through the link below: https://www.ticketmelon.com/magkunoeag.../agilamusicfest2023