Czech Republic’s LITTLE BABY JESUS is about a Christmas miracle performed by the Sto Niño. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015.

Written & Photographed

By Jude Bautista

Most Filipinos are not aware that the strongest commonality our country has with the Czech Republic is our faith. The two nations are bonded in history by a strong devotion to the child Jesus. Ferdinand Magellan landed on our shores and introduced the Sto Niño in 1521 from Madre España. Not long after it also made its way to Prague in 1555.

From left: Czech Amb. Jaroslav Olsa Jr, Shang Rila Plaza GM & EVP Lala Fojas and FDCP Exec Dir. Teddy Granados at the East Wing of Shang Plaza Mall for the reception of Cine Europa 18. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Czech Embassy in Manila led by Amb Jaroslav Olsa Jr hopes to remind us of this common history and devotion to the Child Jesus through the film PŘIJDE LETOS JEŽÍŠEK? (Little Baby Jesus). As part of the Cine Europa 18 Pinoys can watch this inspiring film for free at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall starting Sept 12-5pm, Sept 14-6pm and Sept 16-6pm. The line up of films from 18 countries includes virtually every genre from romance to action. Cine Europa fest will be free and open to the public starting September 10-20, 2015 in Shang Plaza Mall.

Czech Republic’s LITTLE BABY JESUS is about a Christmas miracle performed by the Sto Niño. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015.

Ambassador Olsa said, “This time we are bringing quite an interesting film. It is a Czech Mexican co production. What is so special why did we bring it to the Philippines? The centerpiece of the film is Sto Niño de Prague. And I’m very pleased this Czech film, which is named Little Jesus or MILAGRO EN PRAGUE, will be shown in Cine Europa Film Festival. Not surprisingly this film will open the festival in Cebu. Also we will bring the director of the film Lenka Kny. She will be talking about the film talking to press, film people and we hope the film will be successfully received by the Filipinos”. Lenka Kny will be in the Philippines early October also as part of the Pelicula Spanish Film festival.

Czech Amb. Jaroslav Olsa Jr; Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Cine Europa will be screening in Cebu from Oct 9-11, 2015 at the Ayala Center Cebu. The fest will then move to different parts of the country AFTER the run at Shang Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong to: Sept 22-27 Baguio City– FDCP Cinematheque, Sept 29-Oct 4 Iloilo City-FDCP Cinematheque, , Oct 13-18 Zamboanga City-FDCP Cinematheque, Oct 21-25 Tacloban City-University of the Philippines, Nov 3-8 Davao City FDCP, Nov 10-15 Leyte Visayas State University, Nov 18-22 Cagayan De Oro City-Liceo De Cagayan. And finally it returns to Makati City Nov 24-29 at the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015 and move on to other cities in later dates.

He also discussed the role of filmmaking of Prague and the Czech Republic in Europe, “Prague the capital of the Czech Republic has a tradition and important place in film history. In the 1930s it was the second biggest film studios in Europe after Berlin. And still for a small country of 10 million people the production of 30-40 feature films every year is quite remarkable. This year we bring something very special. It is a tradition that we do many co productions. Foreign films are produced in Prague namely MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 & 4 was filmed entirely in Prague. There was this most famous Korean film from last year, SNOWPIERCER.”

Shang Rila Mktg Div Head Marline Concio Dualan. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The increasing number of different films from different countries is evidence that Cine Europa is getting bigger. Shang Rila Plaza Marketing Division Head Marline Dualan said, “It is the Longest running film fest here in Shang Plaza and we are happy to note that this gem of a festival has been growing bigger and better. Not only in terms of reach but also in terms of membership. Today we welcome the embassy of Poland who is a new member in the increasing number of countries joining Cine Europa.”

top row 2nd from left: Czech Amb. Jaroslav Olsa Jr, from left: FDCP Proj Dev Officer Quintin Cu Unjieng, Inst Cervantes Dir. Carlos Madrid, PIA officer Cristina Moricca, Netherlands Emb rep Lisan Bijdevaate Mid row from left: French Audio Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, Shang Plaza Mktg Div Head Marline Concio Dualan, Swiss Emb Sr Proj Officer & Asst to the Head of Mission Diana Chan, Swiss Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach, EU Info Officer Robert Leon, Goethe-Inst Phil Prog Coordinator Shadin Kitma, bottom row: Czech Emb Cultural & Media Affairs Officer Charlene Balaan, British Council Programmes Assistant Justine Ong. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Cine Europa’s education component will continue with its series of lectures from Filipino experts in the movie industry providing intellectual insights. Filipino movie that have significant connections with Europe will be shown back to back with Cine Europa movies that portray the similarities between Filipino and European culture.

HENERAL LUNA’s Lorenz Martinez and lovely wife Shiela Valderrama-Martinez at the East Wing of Shang Plaza Mall. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Czech Emmbassy recently announced: After a long thirteen years since the anthology of Philippine short stories „Darovaná žena“ has been published in Czech, a new selection of works by Philippine writers is now available in Czech translation. Co-edited by Silvie Mitlenerová and Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olša, jr., the brand new issue of literary monthly Plav contains a wide range of works by classics as well as brand new Filipino talents. And to show the scope of Philippine literature, there are translations of works written originally not only in English, but also in Spanish, Chinese and Tagalog/Filipino.

from right: EU Delegation Head of Political & Press Information Lubomir Frebort, Shang Rila Mktg Div Head Marline Concio Dualan, Norwegian Emb First Sec Deputy Head of Mission Kristian Netland, FDCP Proj Dev Officer Quintin Cu-Unjieng. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Literatura ng Pilipinas“ issue of Plav (www.svetovka.cz) contains short stories by Philippine classics F. Sionil Jose (Graduation), Nick Joaquín (May Day Eve) and, one of the earliest precursors of the literature in the Philippines, Pedro Paterno (La dalaga misteriosa y el puente del diablo). The most contemporary literature is represented by short stories Wild Water by Crystal Koo (from the anthology „The Farthest Shore“, ed. Dean Francis Alfar and Joseph Nacino), Harinuo´s Love Song by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz (from „Alternative Alamat“, ed. Paolo Chikiamco) and Man of Letters by Marc Gaba (from „Maximum Volume“, ed. Dean Francis Alfar and Angelo R. Lacuesta).

Czech Republic’s LITTLE BABY JESUS is about a Christmas miracle performed by the Sto Niño. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015.

According to the Czech Emb website: Santo Niño de Praga in Vigan was donated by the Czech Ambassador to the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in the historical city of Vigan in February 2008.

Santo Niño de Praga is a very strong bond between the Philippines and the Czech Republic. Santo Niño arrived to the Philippines as soon as 1521 when Magallanes discovered the archipelago. The First Spaniards landed at Cebu island and brought along the image of Santo Niño de Sevilla which later became known as Santo Niño de Praga.

from left: Czech Amb. Jaroslav Olsa Jr, Swiss Emb Sr Proj Officer & Asst to the Head of Mission Diana Chan and PDI Lifestyle’s Fran Katigbak. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Czech Embassy in Manila is well connected with the church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague and thanks to its generosity there are already five blessed genuine replicas of Santo Niño de Praga in the Philippines. The last one was donated by the Czech Ambassador to the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in the historical city of Vigan in February 2008.

Poland’s MIASTO is a story of love, friendship and the pursuit of adventure during the bloody and brutal reality of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015.

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from right: EU Delegation First Sec Jerome Riviere, FDCP Exec Dir Teddy Granados, EU Info Officer Robert Leon and Swiss Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Danish Embassy contingent; Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Switzerland’s KEEP ROLLING is an inspiring story of how a former snowboarder now confined to a wheelchair pieces his life back together. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015.

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from left: ABS CBN Online Lifestyle Editor Duey Guison, Bizworld writer Zsarlene Chua, Piano prodigy Martin Macalintal and Music & film auteur Susan Claire Agbayani. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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From left: Inst Cervantes Dir. Carlos Madrid, Pioneer Offset Printing Exec Jeleen Pek, Casino Español Pres. Paco Gomez de Liaño and wife Rebecca Gomez de Liaño. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from right: Goethe-Institut Press Relations Office Stefanie Gersdorf and intern Melanie Piser. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from left: The Executive Band’s Martin Macalintal, FDCP Proj Dev Officer Ina Avellana Cosio & FDCP Head of Cinema Evaluation & Coordination Wilma Isleta. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Czech Republic’s LITTLE BABY JESUS is about a Christmas miracle performed by the Sto Niño. Watch European films for free in Cine Europa 18 at Shang Cineplex, Shangri La Plaza Mall from September 10-20, 2015.

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