Aquino to grace opening of newest cinematheque

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

IN A BID to preserve and enrich the cinematic culture and heritage of the Philippines, the first cinematheque in Metro Manila is set to open on Dec. 15.

Cinematheque Manila, a movie house specializing in avant-garde films, is the fifth cinematheque in the country. The other cinematheques are in the cities of Baguio, Iloilo, Davao and Zamboanga.

Housed in the new offices of the Film Development Council of the Philippines on T.M. Kalaw Street, the movie theater also has a film museum, classrooms, a souvenir shop and, by next year, a library.

The inauguration of the cinematheque will be graced by President Aquino and will include the unveiling of the statue of National Artist for Cinema Gerry de Leon.

The most awarded filmmaker by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (Famas) directed all-time classics such as “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Daigdig,” “Noli me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

There will be a screening of the new documentary “Salamat sa Alaala” about the life and works of De Leon. The film is directed by photographer and filmmaker Dik Trofeo.

The restored version of master filmmaker Manuel Conde’s “Genghis Khan” will also have its formal DVD launch.

Renowned screenwriter Ricky Lee will also conduct a three-day master class. Nikka G. Valenzuela