I hope you are all doing well. I am nearing completion of my aswang adventures and am hoping for your assistance. ‘The Aswang Phenomenon’ is my feature length, straight documentary, regarding the origin, evolution and impact on the Philippines that the Aswang has made. What’s an aswang? Well that was the question that started this 3 year journey of mine.
I am hoping you might be able to attend a test screening of the documentary and give your feedback on its strengths and weaknesses, so I can ensure I have the best film possible when I begin to market it. Feedback can be given verbally or via an anonymous form which will be provided.
The screening is Thursday June 25th, 2009 at 7PM, at the Bayanihan Community Centre – 1709 Blanshard.
I hope to see you there. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you feel may be interested. Thank you so much.
Wow! How bad of a blogger am I? To be honest I have been so absorbed in the research and editing of “The Aswang Phenomenon” that I kind of fell off the radar for a bit. This involved reviewing all my footage, transcribing the interviews for reference purposes, scanning and acquiring permission to use artwork and comic images, and reading the material that I had ordered, bought and been given throughout the process. A special thank you to Gilda Cordero-Fernando who has graciously granted permission to use two of her books “The Aswang Inquiry” and “The Soul Book” as well as one of her stage plays “LUNA: An Aswang Romance”. So after I had compiled and organized all my notes, thoughts and data I started the editing process. I should be holding a test screening soon – I am about a month behind schedule, but the reason being I had 3 animations created by Denver Jackson, who did a brilliant and beautiful job on them. The animations ended up being more work than he had anticipated and the fina results shows the hard work he put into them - and to be honest I was thankful for the extra time. It gave me a chance to improve on a few maps and things I had created in Photoshop and After Effects. All animations cover folk stories regarding the aswang origins. Charlie Armour has provided the music again. This was also a great opportunity to use some of the pieces he submitted for the last film – they didn’t work then, but were perfect for this latest film.
I’ve updated the http://www.aswangmovie.com/ website – it looks so cool with 2 movies regarding a similar subject. It would look even cooler as a trilogy – kidding! (after this film I am finished with the aswang folklore for a loooong time – famous last words). So what’s next? Well I am still working on securing rights for a couple of things, but other than that, I will be working on the EPK for the next while, doing a little tweaking and then promotion!
I will be loading some clips on the website and YouTube soon. Here is the current synopsis.
What would happen if a country of 97 million people were taught at a young age that the boogie man was real? In the Philippines, this isn’t far from the truth. Over the last 400 years, the ‘aswang’ has come to represent everything that is ‘vile, disgusting and evil in Philippine society’. It has become the most controversial, and popular, creature in Philippine Mythology and is the main subject in hundreds of movies, television programs, comics, and books. The aswang can appear in many forms- a young woman, a witch, a large black pig or dog, a corpse stealing ghoul, or the Manananggal – a self segmenting beast with a long hollow tongue that will feed on the fetus of pregnant woman.
Where did this word come from? Why are there so many different types of aswang? Why are they predominantly women? And why is the small Visayan province of Capiz suspected as their home? Jordan Clark (Bangkok Girl) sets out to find the answers. His journey explores folk stories in pre-Spanish Philippines - re-created in animated sequences by Denver Jackson. He uncovers historical tales of social control and black propaganda by Spanish Colonizers, the Catholic Church, the Philippine Administration, and even the CIA - who all used the stories of ‘aswang’ for their own agenda.
The Aswang Phenomenon is the first in-depth documentary regarding the aswang myth - discovering where manifestations of the creature came from and how they evolved and embedded themselves in Filipino society. Learn how Filipinos have been transformed by the myth and are now evolving the aswang to fit into their developing cultural identity.
“Understanding where the ‘aswang’ came from is the first step in taking away its power and the fear it creates.”
I have been lucky enough to have some very talented comic and graphic artists give permission to use images from their work in the documentary. It is so important to include modern/artistic interpretations of the myth in as many mediums as possible. This is what people will look back on to gain an understanding of where the myth was at that moment in time. All of the images are unique as well are the stories accompanying them. I encourage anyone interested to pick up copies of the following and prepare to be impressed. For non-Filipinos, you will be introduced to a world so rich and bizarre with societal integration through folk tales that it will be unlike anything you have ever experienced:
Diliman is Tobie Abad's dream project . It is an indie comic book that shall allow him to explore his ability to both sequentially illustrate and tell a story. The project is currently on-going with updates coming in every so often. Diliman is currently available to read online at the link above.
When the sun sets in the city of Manila, don’t dare make a wrong turn and end up in that dimly-lit side of the metro, where aswang run the most-wanted kidnapping rings, where kapre are the kingpins of crime, and engkanto’s slip through the cracks and steal your precious possessions.When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese.
International model and comic artist Jinky Coronado presents the full-throttle adventures of her favorite heroine: herself! As her 18th birthday approaches, a beautiful young woman begins having nightmares of apocalyptic proportions. But her disturbing visions are the least of her problems, because tentacled, man-eating monsters from her dreams are now appearing in the real world, threatening her friends and family!
ROXAS City – To raise funds for the poor island of Olotayan here and patients of dystonia parkinsonism in Capiz, a young filmmaker from Canada is doing a documentary on the “aswang” myth.
High Banks Entertainment Ltd. filmmaker Jordan Clark hopes to make his documentary a definitive material on the myth that has put Capiz in a bad light for decades.
Olotayan is 30 minutes by boat from this city. Eighty percent of its 985 inhabitants are poor. Their main source of livelihood is fishing, but the catch has not been good due to years of destructive fishing methods.
On the other hand, dystonia parkinsonism is a progressive movement disorder endemic to Panay Island, particularly in Capiz.
The 36-year-old Clark is now in the thick of his research. This is his fifth visit to Roxas City and Capiz.
“Roxas is the cleanest and safest city in the Philippines. The hospitality of its people is second to none,” Clark said.
No, he said, he does not believe in “aswang.” But he wants to know how the myth started and how it had affected the province’s way of life.
Clark said he had also consulted with acclaimed Filipino director Peque Gallaga of Bacolod City.
Gallaga had directed successful horror flicks such as “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (Part 1-4), “Aswang” and “Sa Piling ng Aswang.”/PN
I recently met a gentleman named Percival Biadora through YouTube. He maintains a blog regarding Filipino folklore and myths. His latest entry 'Thoughts on Myth and Reality' is a great read - as some of you may remember, 'myth vs. reality' was the main theme of 'Aswang: A Journey Into Myth'. We were able to sit down over coffee and share some of our thoughts regarding the aswang. We have planned an on-camera interview so he can share some of his knowledge in the film. In the meantime, please check out his blog: http://themoonlitwindow.blogspot.com/ It is also on my 'blog list' at the bottom of the page.
The following was published in 'The News Today', which serves Panay Island. It was also picked up nationally by GMA-7. To save the questions later, I mentioned holding a mini-aswang festival, and no, I did not say I was a TV host - I guess they just assumed that because of my devilishly handsome looks :P
It came about as I was interviewing two local news correspondents, Joel E. Capundun and Felipe Celino, regarding the Aswang festival being shut-down.
2 days ago I had the pleasure of interviewing acclaimed horror director Peque Gallaga for the new documentary. He has directed films like, 'Shake, Rattle & Roll 1-4', 'Aswang' and 'Sa Piling Ng Aswang'. He has also directed the award winning Filipino cinematic masterpieces 'Oro, Plata, Mata', and 'Scorpio Nights'.
Anyways, more on that later. Here is the article:
Canadian filmmaker to bring Aswang Festival to Canada BY JOEL E. CAPUNDAN TNT Capiz correspondent Joel Capundan with Canadian Film Maker Jordan Clark of High Banks Entertainment, Ltd, Victoria, British, Columbia, Canada. Right, Capundan being interviewed by Clark regarding the Aswang Festival.
ROXAS CITY – A Canadian filmmaker and international T.V. host wanted to adapt this city's controversial Aswang Festival and hold it in their country.
The project would be for the benefit of Destonia victims and the Save Olotayan project.
Olotayan is an island barangay, about 30 minutes travel from the city, with white sand beaches.
Jordan Clark, 36, told The News Today (TNT) that he also is not a believer of the existence of witches but he wanted to make a documentary on the subject of which this writer was one of his sources.
"I love Roxas City, the cleanest and friendliest place to go. It's now my fifth time to visit here that's why I thought of making a documentary regarding the Aswang forklore," Clark said.
He said, he has also interviewed actress Maricel Soriano who plays a role in Sa Piling Ng Aswang in Filipino movies.
Clark's interview with this writer show that there is no such things as Aswang in Capiz and it's only in the mind of the people and has spread through gossips and stories from other people.
Clark's interview with this writer and colleague Felipe Celino was facilitated by Mrs. Cheche Lastimoso, wife of Board Member Rommel Lastimoso, at their residence in Brgy. Mongpong this city.
It can be recalled that Dugo Capiznon, Inc., a private organization, organized Aswang Festival here for three consecutive years but it stopped after several public officials and religious sectors particularly the Catholic church opposed it in 2006.
Public officials opposed it because they said that holding Aswang Festival has negative effect to the economy of Capiz considering that this province is a Seafood Capital of the Philippines exporting marine products.
Religious sector also said that holding Aswang Festival is an act of adoring the devil spirit which is against the stand of the church.
Indignation rallies were held against the holding of Aswang Festival and when City Mayor Vicente Bermejo assumed office, the controversial festival was scrapped.
Dugo Capiznon Inc, on the other hand, claim that holding Aswang Festival does not mean adoring evil spirits, but to promote tourism in Roxas City and Capiz.
They said that the Aswang Festival intend to manifest that Capiz is not haven of Aswang as branded in Manila and instead, it's only stories and in the mind of the people that never existed. They instead said that Aswang are those people who are corrupt public officials, drug lords and addicts, and other bad elements of the society.
Aswang festival is usually held last week of October before the Halloween celebrations.
A feature length, straight, documentary is being edited - regarding the origin of the aswang myth. The current film, 'Aswang: A Journey Into Myth', will be supplementary on the DVD as an artistic exploration of the myth, while the current film will expose the origins and historical events that have perpetuated it. We are hoping to make this documentary the most comprehensive and informative presentation of the word Aswang and the myths surrounding it.
On June 21st, 2008 Typhoon Frank slammed into the central Philippines. Iloilo & Capiz, including Olotayan were amoung those that were hit hardest. I received this letter from my friend CheChe Lastimoso in Roxas City, Capiz.
"Jordan! This was the worst typhoon I have ever experienced. Our province, Capiz, Iloilo, and Aklan were hit pretty bad. We were all caught unaware and unprepared. The news said we will only be signal #1 and the storm will be out of our island early morning. The news was wrong. June 20, Sunday night, around 11pm, the wind and rain hit us. It was signal #3! It lasted about 18 hours. All were devastated! A lot of houses especially the coastal areas got totally and partially destroyed. Some fishing boats sank. Peole died in the storm. Our house suffered damages also like the roof and a few trees were down. We don't have water, electricity, and phone for a week! Until now we still don't have electricity here at home. One of the worst hit places was Olotayan. Our Rotary group has been doing relief operations for a week now, asking for donations from freinds and family. Yesterday our group went to Olotayan to give relief goods of rice, noodles, sardines. I was so shocked! If you were there, your heart will bleed. I felt like crying. 90% of the houses were destroyed. The trees in the mountains were down and dead. As we were in the boat approaching the island, it looks as though a giant chain saw passed over the whole island. I even recognized 1 kid there that was following you the last time we were there. He just looked hopeless and sad :( The once lively island, looked like a ghost town :( I'll forward you a few pictures taken by our fellow Rotarian.
Badly hit also was the province of Iloilo and Aklan. There were flash floods in Iloilo and mudslides in Aklan. Tomorrow, our Rotary group will go to Aklan for the 2nd time to bring a fire truck full of portable water and relief goods.
Typhoon Frank has hit us pretty bad. It will take a while for all our lives to be normal again. I just pray to God that people who has lost so much will never lose hope in their hearts."
The funds raised for the Olotayan, Philippines generator were instead used to assist with relief efforts after the island was devastated during hurricane Frank. The relief was done in two waves. First, new school supplies and books were purchased and brought to Olotayan on July 20th, 2008, so school could resume. Second, clothing and food were handed out while we were there this past August. Here is a list of what was bought with the funds (list submitted to Powell Del Rosario, president of Save Olotayan Inc. by the Olotayan School principal):
2110 pcs. NOTEBOOK 103 pcs. GRADE II PAD PAPERS 24 pcs. GRADE IV PAD PAPERS 47 pcs. INTERMEDIATE PAD PAPERS 108 pcs. #1 PENCIL 79 pcs. BALLPEN 174 boxes CRAYON 174 pcs. SCISSORS 174 pcs. RULERS 174 pcs. SHORT BROWN ENVELOPE 80 boxes CHALK 80 pcs. SHORT YELLOW FOLDER 80 pcs. SHORT BLUE FOLDER 80 pcs. LONG BLUE FOLDER 80 pcs. LONG YELLOW FOLDER 80 pcs. LONG WHITE FOLDER 80 pcs. SHORT WHITE FOLDER 80 pcs. BROWN LONG ENVELOPE 10 pcs. PENTEL PEN 160 pcs. MANILA PAPER 80 pcs. RED CARTOLINA 80 pcs. YELLOW CARTOLINA 80 pcs. BLUE CARTOLINA 80 pcs. WHITE CARTOLINA 2 rims SHORT COUPON BOND 2 rims LONG COUPON BOND 5 boxes TYPEWRITER RIBBON 1 pc. PHILIPPINE FLAG 8 pcs. CALCULATOR
Here are some photos from our trip:
Loading the boat with relief supplies:
The boat all loaded up:
The children wave hello:
Board Member Rommel Lastimoso hands out t-shirts:
Forming lines - I believe this was handing out material for the parents to do patch work or make new clothing:
No, the school roof is not painted sky blue, it was destroyed during the typhoon.
Save Olotayan Inc.'s and Roxas City Rotary Members Powell Del Rosario, Rommel Lastimoso, and Jerry Lames:
A special Thank You for the children at Selkirk Montessori:
Still lots of work left - here is the Olotayan church:
An Olotayan Home:
The children on Olotayan composed an original song about their island after the storm. I am planning on getting this translated. I am also hoping to upload more video from the trip. I am currently still on Filipino time ( not to mean that I am always late :P ) but that the time zone change is literally day and night.
I am working with Save Olotayan Inc. to try and come up with a long term fund raising effort to benefit Olotayan. Please feel free to contact me if you have any ideas or input that may help with this.
Thanks to all of those who were so generous and supportive we were able to reach our goal. I wanted to give a special thanks to the Bayanihan Community Centre for their support, Michael Reid at the Times Colonist, and Selkirk Montessori School - especially the kids in Jhoanna's class. There were a few very generous private donations - I won't put their names here, but you know who you are and thank you so much for helping me acheive this.
Powell Del Rosario with Save Olotayan Inc. in Roxas City will be overseeing the repair of the generator. He has been working hard to complete the last preparations before I transfer the funds. The main one is bringing an independent technician over to get another quote on the project. The last one was done by the Roxas City government. We will be signing contracts on the appropriation of funds and then we will bring back the power, lights and slowly the economy of Olotayan.
I hope my next blog entry will be a short video or pictures of the generator starting up. Thanks again!!!
