Attended the world premiere of Kip Oebanda's `Tumbang Preso' (Running Time: 110 Minutes), held at Cinema 7 of SM Megamall.
`Tumbang Preso' will have its commercial theater run starting 08 OCTOBER 2014!
Don't miss it!!
Learnt the amazing story behind the making of the film, and why everyone should watch it!!
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| Movie Poster #1 |
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| Movie Poster #2 |
| SYNOPSIS
“Tumbang Preso”, based on some of the 60,000 cases of Filipino human
trafficking annually, tells the story of Carlo, a 14-year-old boy’s daring
attempt to escape slavery in a sardines factory in Manila, risking death or
torture for his freedom.
The film title has two meanings, namely
1. A traditional Filipino children’s game involving hitting tin cans with rubber slippers
2. Etym: a) Tumba – to fall; to topple / b) Preso - prisoner
When I first heard the title, I thought of `fallen prisoner' first, since admittedly, I wasn't familiar with the name of the children's game, although I played it on occasion (many years ago, of course!)
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| Kokoy and Teri play the role of cousins in this suspenseful film about human trafficking in the Philippines
CAST of CHARACTERS :
Kokoy De Santos (Carlo)Kean Cipriano (Vito) Teri Malvar (Jea) Ronnie Lazaro (Jose) Dominic Roco (Nico) Star Orjaliza (Liz) Kerbie Zamora (Don) Ron Cieno (Joeven) Ms. Jaclyn Jose (Doctor Mila) With the special participation of Shamaine Buencamino as Tiffy |
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PRODUCTION STAFF :
Director – Kip OebandaExecutive producer – Albert Almendralejo and Kip Oebanda Producer – Ferdinand Lapuz Screenplay – Kip Oebanda Cinematographer – Jet Leyco and Niel Bon Production Designer – Harley Alcasid Film Editor – Carlo Manatad Music – Teresa Barrozo Sound – Wild Sound  | ||
| Gala Night cocktails with Kokoy De Santos, Mell Navarro, Kiko Matos and friends |
What I like about advocacy films like these is because :
1. They provide an awareness of harsh realities in life, whether it be slavery, discrimination, or any form of injustice.
2. The groups supporting the movie have a mission to eliminate these injustices by promoting their causes, educating the masses, and inciting them into action.
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| With Direk Kip Oebanda, who was also the Production Designer in `SHIFT' |
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR :
Kip Oebanda was born in prison during the Martial Law in the
Philippines to parents who fought the dictatorship. His name is from the
Filipino word that means “capture”, as his parents were violently caught when
his mother was pregnant with him. He stayed in prison until he was four. To
shelter him from the atrocities he lived, his mom would bring him up a tree and
show him the world outside. When the People Power Revolution toppled down the
regime, they fought for the liberation of modern-day slaves via their
organization Visayan Forum, featured in the CNN Freedom Project. The organization
reached out, rescued, and sheltered thousands of women and children, and have
allowed their lives to get back on track. Needless to say, freedom is the most
important value for him, hence this film.
“In the Can” is based on rescues in sardine factories – in 1998 and in
2011. All the events, strategies, and personalities depicted here are based on
real survivors, traffickers, and bystanders that the director met in his work
with victims of human trafficking.
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| Reunion with `SHIFT' co-star Yeng Constantino, here with her fiance Victor Asuncion. Yeng supports the iFIGHT Movement against human trafficking and modern slavery. |
THE CAUSE
The film was independently produced and shot by Kip and local producers
on a relatively small budget, but the team was able to secure a first-rate
production team and cast. The production of the movie and its initial
distribution to SM theaters is secure. However, for the movie to have its
desired impact, it should be shown to people who cannot afford to go to
theaters to watch.
The people who are most vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation
are victims of poverty, conflict, and natural calamities; they reside in areas
that are remote, devastated, and/or poor. Traffickers target young people the
most, and therefore, the movie has to be shown in schools and communities where
there are a lot of young people.
Hence, the movie is in partnership with the iFIGHT Movement.
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| Free iFIGHT Loom Bands were distributed to raise awareness for the cause
What is the iFIGHT Movement?
The iFIGHT Movement is a youth movement that partners with different schools
and universities to end human trafficking and modern slavery. It seeks to raise
awareness on the issue, and to prevent further incidences of human trafficking.
It targets the youth, particularly the students. Its goal is to create a
proactive generation in the fight against human trafficking (see more info below) |
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| Reunion of UFO workshoppers and SHIFT-mates Siege Ledesma and Theo Chua |
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| Kokoy De Santos and Teri Malvar lead the cast of `Tumbang Preso' |
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| Doms Lim, Iris Lee, and Callalily singer Kean Cipriano, who plays Vito in `Tumbang Preso' |
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| Cast, Crew, and Friends of `Tumbang Preso' |
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| Having second thoughts of buying canned sardines in tomato sauce |
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| `Tumbang Preso' - film with a cause. Fight human slavery! |
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| The talented Cast & Crew |
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| Teri Malvar with Direk Kip Oebanda |
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| Would you believe this little girl is a CineFilipino Best Actress Awardee and a Gawad Urian Best Actress Nominee? That's Teri Malvar! |
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| Kokoy De Santos and Teri Malvar demonstrate what life was like before the Cellphone era. |
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| This is what Conference Calling looked like before the Cellphone era |
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| `Tumbang Preso' introduces talented newcomer Kokoy De Santos in the lead role of `Carlo' |
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| Exam Question: "What comes after Four?" |
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| The sweet, gentle, and loving owners of the sardines factory |
More on the iFIGHT Movement:
Why the youth?
Young people are the most vulnerable. They are seen as desperate, gullible, naïve, and easily deceived. Because of this, the youth are highly at risk of becoming victimized, making up the supply of trafficking. Also, in the age where the internet and social media are society’s gateway to cybersex and child pornography; and in an age where the mentality of objectification exists, young people are highly vulnerable to being a part of the demand.Why the youth?
How will we do this?
The strategy is to EQUIP the youth with the necessary knowledge and skills in the fight against human trafficking. This is done through awareness-raising events, seminars, workshops, and other similar projects. The movement seeks to TRAIN the youth. Since it the movement’s goal to turn the youth into fighters, they must know how to fight properly and intelligently. This will be done through training workshops and interventions to be provided by Visayan Forum and other stakeholders. The movement also seeks to EMPOWER the youth; empowerment defined as the ability to make good choices for themselves.This is to counter today’s culture in which human trafficking thrives. In addition, empowerment also involves the youth in being pro-active. They must know how to be engaged and involved in activities that would prevent others from exploitative situations.
RAISING AWARENESS: Tumbang Preso and iFIGHT
If you are interested in having a special screening of Tumbang Preso in
your school; and/or have the iFIGHT Movement activated in your campus, you may
contact the iFIGHT Coordinator Ernest de la Cuesta
Web: www.ifight.visayanforum.org
Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. Headquarters
Address: No. 18, 12th Avenue, Barangay Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel No.: (02) 709-0573
