GK

Ito pa ang isang nakaka-aliw: may pelikula na tungkol sa Gawad Kalinga. Saan ka pa, di ba?

Well, isa sa mga dahilan ng aking excitement sa nalalapit kong pag-uwi sa October ay ang participation ko sa activities ng SFC-Meco. At siyempre kabilang do'n ang mga gawain sa GK.
Pangungunahan ko na- kung mula sa 'ibang ideolohiya,' maiintindihan ko kung bakit may oposisyon sa ganitong mga aktibidades- NGOism. Ewan pero sa tingin ko, may mga bagay na kailangang tugunan kaagad at iyon ang pinupunan ng gawaing NGO tulad nitong Gawad Kalinga ng Couples for Christ.

Hindi ako makapaghintay na makasama sa pagbuo ng God-centered community-- saan mang area 'yan sa Maynila. Sana makaladkad ko rin ang mga kapatid ko para mas masaya.

Effective itong GK at sobrang pamoso na. Lahat halos ng pulitiko nakikisawsaw na rito sa GK. At kahit sa ibang bansa, sikat na sikat rin ito. Nakatawid pa nga ng pagtatayo ng mga bahay at communities sa ibang bansa tulad ng Indonesia, etc.

Kahapon lang lumabas pa ngang editorial sa inquirer tungkol GK. ngayon naman, may pelikula pa. Wow, big time!

Ito ang sumirkulong article sa egrp tungkol sa GK movie:

With much anticipation, Paraiso, the Gawad Kalinga movie is now a reality. Watch the trailer here or visit our website and also check out what the cast and crew had to say about their experiences in making the movie and why.

Cesar Montano - "I didn't think twice when asked..."
Maricel Soriano - "I was already crying, just reading the script..."
Ricky Davao - "This is a labor of love..."
Michael V. - "The Filipino spirit was very much alive..."

The movie is a trilogy, featuring three powerful true-to-life stories of heroism, bringing to center stage the mission and vision of GK in reshaping the image of the new Filipino; cultivating, transforming, tilling the centuries-old mindset of the Filipino; and finally calling and challenging
everyone to reach out, to a higher cause, a nobler calling of rebuilding a nation by rebuilding each other. Hence the GK battlecries of "Less for Self, More for Others, Enough for All", "No more Poverty, No more Slums" and "No One Left Behind."

The Trilogy:

Umiyak Man Ang Langit (Even If Heaven Cries) is based on Jocelyn's life experiences who lost loved ones in the mudslides of St. Bernard, Leyte . The story captures the pain, the internal struggles and the healing that takes place in all of us once faced with life-changing events.

Ang Kapatid Kong Si Elvis (My Brother Elvis) is a story, on a lighter note, centered on a boy who ate pebbles to satisfy his hunger and a GK volunteer’s family who adopted him as their own. The story captures the challenges and rewards of being involved with GK.

Marie is a story based on how a tragic loss can be turned into a living legacy and a new beginning. Marie Rose Abad perished in the twin tower tragedy of 9/11. Rudy Abad honors his wife, with a living legacy.

The movie is the first of its kind whose making in itself captures the very essence of GK, the bayanihan spirit or being heroes for one another. Mainstream movie producers (the likes of Butch Jimenez, senior VP of PLDT , Tony Gloria of Crying Ladies and Tony Tuveria of Eat Bulaga), actors (the likes of Maricel Soriano, Cesar Montano, Robert Arevalo, Ricky Davao, Carmi Martin, Michael V. and Lilia Dizon), and entertainment executives (the likes of Bobby Barreiro), all waived their fees for GK. The production people and vendors likewise sacrificed and did their own share of GK padugo (bleed for the cause) in getting this movie made.

Building a Paradise for all by reshaping an image, cultivating the mindset and reaching out to a higher calling of being a hero is what Gawad Kalinga is all about.

In the USA , watch out for the WowGK in your area which will be the nationwide premiere of Paraiso starting in March and April 2007 in other areas.

For specific area points-of-contact, dates and venues please check our websites frequently for latest updates: ANCOP and Gawad Kalinga.

The Power 3 behind Gawad Kalinga Film
by Ricardo F. Lo, The Philippine Star - December 21, 2006*

How do you get three top movie producers to work together? Apparently, for Butch Jimenez of Jose Rizal and Muro Ami, Tony Gloria of Unitel and Tony Tuviera, beloved boss of Eat, Bulaga! and APT Films, give them a good cause to work for.

Word is out that the three producers have been handpicked by Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga (GK) for a forthcoming GK movie. The movie, entitled Paraiso is a trilogy and Jimenez, Gloria and Tuviera will produce one segment each of the trilogy.

Butch confirmed the project and said that the movie is practically finished. Tony Tuviera’s story is about a family swept by the Leyte landslide and how their lives were rebuilt by GK. Tony Gloria is producing a drama focusing on a Filipino married to an American wife whose burning
desire was to help ease poverty in the country. After she was killed in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center Attack, her husband remembered her wish by building a GK village. Butch breaks away from the drama mold and tells a humorous tale of a juvenile delinquent named Elvis who enlightens the GK leaders that adopted him to the true meaning of the word, "family."

The movie has an "all-star cast" featuring Maricel Soriano, Cesar Montano, Michael V, Carmi Martin and Maricel Laxa. But the real story behind the story is how these stars and production people shared their talents freely to help GK.

I asked Butch how he was able to juggle his job in PLDT and producing a movie. He explained that the project was perfect for him since his segment had a running time of only 30 minutes and was finished in a few days. He reviewed scripts at 6:30 a.m. and production meetings were usually set late in the evening. "This movie is a tribute to the modern-day heroes of GK,"
shared Butch. "I could never say no to being a part of such a noble cause."