from left: ADMU Ricardo Leong Center Dir. Sidney Christopher Bata, Shangri-la Plaza Mktg. Div Head Marline Concio-Dualan, ADMU Editor and Publications Head Julie Javellana-Santos, Confucius Inst. Coordinator Cris Gilbert Garcia and ADMU Ricardo Leong Center Coordinator Marianne Ho. Photo was taken during the press preview of PIANO IN A FACTORY. Catch it and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which will be held from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

Written and Photographed

By Jude Bautista

Now on it’s 7^th edition the Spring film fest has grown to other cities.  What has become a yearly tradition of the best Chinese films screened for free at the Shang Cineplex running from February 1-10, 2013 has now expanded to Cebu, Davao, Ilo ilo and Cagayan De Oro. Moviegoers last year got to watch Chinese stars like Jet Li, for free. This year JASMINE WOMEN stars Zhang Zi Yi of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame. All the screenings are free admission and seats are on a first come-first served basis.

Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Ricardo Leong Center Dir. Sidney Bata said, “We’re setting our goal at 20,000 apart from Cebu and Davao we’re adding Ilo ilo and Cagayan De Oro. This year we’ll be having 6 films. Its still free to the public. The films will be PIANO IN A FACTORY, THE STORM WARRIORS, GOLDEN TIMES, JASMINE WOMEN, 2 BECOME 1 and SPACE DREAM.”

Bata explained that because of their new partnership with the Film Development Council of the Phil (FDCP) they are able to extend the screening to more cities, “Last year we got 12,000 in total viewers, for Manila, Cebu and Davao. This year’s goal is to have 20,000. FDCP will add four other venues, so fingers crossed, we will achieve the target.” He also thanks Phil Daily Inquirer writer Bayani San Diego for referring them to the FDCP, which used their venues, the Cinematheque in key cities: Cebu (Feb 10), Ilo-ilo (Feb 4), Cagayan De Oro  (Feb 7-Limketkai center) and Davao (Feb 7).

Bata added, “Kaya naming na pili yung film festival dahil a lot of Filipinos are movie goers. Moviegoers talaga ang Pinoy. To see a movie you can see a lot of aspects of a culture. In an hour and a half marami ka na mapapanood. There’s history, politics, current events and society marami na. And na feature natin dito na films about the migrants, about the technology in China medyo na covered na a lot of aspects na Chinese. As we all know Chinese really don’t know the Filipino culture and vice versa. We’re thinking through films we’d really be bridging the gap faster than reading a book or traveling to China.”

Sponsors according to him really helped with the fest, “We started last year. We believe that with Shangrila (Plaza) helping us we’d be fine with Manila. We are giving it free for the public. Last year nag start yung free admission, which came about through the help of sponsors. We’d like to thank: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Confucius Institute, Ateneo Celadon, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Credit Suisse, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Limketkai Center, Cha Time, Richprime Global Inc., Citisec Online Financial, Chevrolet, Flexo Marketing, Raphyten Marketing, Lyric Piano, Baby Mossimo Kids, First Estan Trading, Teresa Marble and Footzone Greenhills.”

From left: ADMU Ricardo Leong Center Dir. Sidney Christopher Bata and ADMU Celadon Proj. Head George Pang. Photo was taken during the press preview of PIANO IN A FACTORY. Catch it and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which will be held from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

Cooperation from educational institutions like Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan University, Sacred Heart School, Ateneo de Cebu, Ateneo de Davao University, University of San Carlos, Ateneo de Ilo-ilo, Santa Maria Catholic School also helped in bringing the fest to other cities.

He also credits media sponsors like Business World, Chalk Magazine, HerWord.com, RX93 and Chinoy TV help promote their event grow.

Simultaneous with the film fest is the launch of Chinese Painting in the Philippines, a 180-page art book featuring the works of notable Chinese-Filipino artists. The compilation celebrates the past and present generations of painters who have passionately devoted themselves to enrich the practice of Chinese painting in the Philippines.

Finally, happening at the same time at the Grand Atrium is the 2013 Spring Festival Chinese Painting Exhibit, which aims to promote Filipino-made Chinese paintings and encourage the emergence of new talents that will continue the rich legacy of the ancient art in the country. Meanwhile, the On the Wings of Culture Chinese Photo Exhibit at the Shang’s 4th level, features images and scenes that depict the new wave of cultural reform now taking place in China.

PROVIDED SYNOPSES of films: 

Catch 2 BECOME 1 and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which runs from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

All the screenings are free admission and seats are on a first come-first served basis.

2 Become 1 opens the film fest on February 1. Here, advertising executive Bingo Leung finds new meaning in her once carefree life after discovering a lump in her breast and begins a close relationship with Doctor V and teenage friend, Sing. Screening shortly after is Piano in a Factory, a multi-awarded family drama on a father’s struggle in going through divorce and fighting for custody of his daughter, while trying to pursue his passion in the low-paying music industry.

PIANO IN A FACTORY stars Tokyo Intl Fest Best Actor Wang Qianyuan. Catch it and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which runs from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

THE STORM WARRIORS stars Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng. Catch it and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which runs from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

Storm Warriors, special effects-laden, Hong Kong fantasy action film that chronicles the war between Lord Nameless and his battle against his nemesis Lord Godless, who imprisoned his soldiers, raided and took over his land. Award-winning film Jasmine Women, starring Zhang Ziyi and directed by Hou Young. The film tells the story of a family’s struggle to overcome its tragic history, as each daughter repeats the mistakes of her mother.

JASMINE WOMEN stars Zhang Zi Yi and Joan Chen. Catch it and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which runs from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

Catch SPACE DREAM and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which runs from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.

Space Dream, follows the story of Zhang Tiancong, a veteran member of the first generation of Chinese astronauts, who—despite now being in his 40s—has never been given a space mission yet. Golden Times, a touching story about teacher Fang and police officer Sun Dayang, who put up “Home for the Left-Behind children”, to care for those whose parents have migrated to find work in the cities.   

For inquiries, contact 633-7851 loc.113 or log on to http://www.shangrila-plaza.com. Add Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook: shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage.

Catch GOLDEN TIMES and many more Chinese films for free at the 7th Spring Film fest, which runs from February 1-10, 2013 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza Mall.