Fine Tuning and Other Aswangs

First, I want to thank people for all their helpful feedback regarding ‘The Aswang Phenomenon’. Please know that I am taking everything in during this fine tuning of the film. I am off to the Philippines again this Nov 22nd, until Jan 09th. I am going to get some more footage to help polish the final edit. (Timelapse, frame rate variations, more people shots and some footage with my new fisheye lens – exciting!). The feedback really helped me in deciding my shot wish list – so thanks again.

I’ve always got my eye open for different information regarding the aswang and came across a couple of things.

Last year SciFi (now Syfy) Channel aired an episode of Destination Truth – an infotainment show where the host searches for mythical creatures. There is a short learning time about the creature, then lots of green night vision, running through the woods. Fun stuff!!! I was, of course critical of this episode. It started with a Haunted Forrest in Japan (they tend to search for two creatures per episode), where the spirits were communicating in English to the medium character on the show. I was excited to know that once I die, I can speak all languages as the spirits in Destination Truth apparently can - or maybe it’s just English (universal language of the dead) J

Then they went to the Philippines (shortly after Typhoon Frank hit Panay Island) and they searched for the aswang in Aklan – the province next to Capiz, and two provinces over from Duenas, Iloilo (the homes of the aswang). I suspect they picked Aklan so they could hit Boracay afterwards. Besides them pronouncing aswang incorrectly I was amused that they went and did things to ward off the aswang first, and then expected it to come to them. I was also a bit offended when the host and crew spat out and gagged on the Balut right in front of the vendor! (Balut is a cooked egg with a partly formed duck embryo inside – yeah, it sounds gross, but right in front of the vendor! – come on, you guys are guests.) Other than that, it was good infotainment. I’ve watched some other episodes and they have a great formula and a lot of the time they create some good tension – all manufactured of course. Here is the link:

http://www.syfy.com/destinationtruth/creatures.php?seasonid=1&episodeid=104

The other thing I came across was an aswang movie that was recently completed starring Billy Zane called ‘Surviving Evil’ A TV documentary crew arrive on a remote island in the Philippines to film a survival special. Their back-to-the-wild adventure proves to be more terrifying than they ever could have imagined. It turned out to be a standard horror flick, it didn’t seem important that it was the aswang – it was just something we don’t hear about often – so a good filmmaking tool. Similar to ‘WrongTurn’, ‘The Hills Have Eyes (remakes), ‘House of Wax’ and the like. Just change the people or monsters and why they are there – it’s pretty much been the same formula since the first “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it). I do have to say that it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be – although I can’t in clear conscience recommend it. Here’s the IMDb listing:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804539/
Until next time, thank you so much again for all the support during the making of my ‘unfinished symphony’ called “The Aswang Phenomenon” – I’m almost there.

Thursday June 25th, 2009 at 7PM

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.

The Aswang Phenomenon - Documentary

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.”

Comic Book Images in the Documentary

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

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.

TRESE

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.

Banzai Girl

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!

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Here is an article that went national today in the Philippines.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=169577

Another article

‘Aswang’ catches interest
of Canadian filmmaker

By FELIPE V. CELINO

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

The Moonlit Window

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.

Panay Island News Article

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.

New Direction for Aswang Documentary

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.

Back From Olotayan Relief

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):

WHITE T-SHIRTS SLIPPERS CARPENTRY TOOLS

3 pcs. XL 3 pcs. Size 11 1 pc. HAMMER
13 pcs. L 31 pcs. Size 9 1 pc. SAW
3 pcs. M 28 pcs. Size 8 1 pc. PLIER
47 pcs. Size 22/20 24 pcs. Size 7 1 pc. 21 24 pcs. Size 18 27 pcs. Size 6 1 pc. 50WATTS
51 pcs. Size 16 53 pcs. Size 5
52 pcs. Size 14 23 pcs. Size 4

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.