MikeLigalig.com

US director shoots two films in RP

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:01:00 04/20/2009

MANILA, Philippine -- American photographer Tim Fitzharris recently shot a movie in scenic Loboc River in Bohol.

“A Far Away Life,” Fitzharris’ debut film, features Filipino actor Joross Gamboa in the lead, with a cast of Boholanos.

For Fitzharris, whose works have appeared in publications like Life, Audubon and Popular Photography, filmmaking was a natural progression.

“I’ve spent many years (since 1971) capturing images around the world,” Fitzharris, who’s based in New Mexico, related in an e-mail to Inquirer Entertainment. “But my real interest is telling stories... that depict the small dramas of everyday life.”

Fitzharris, whose wife Joy is Filipina, said the film is “based on actual occurrences.”

He said he wanted to make the world aware of the plight of Filipinos overseas. “Few Americans appreciate the sacrifice that Filipinos make when they leave their homeland,” he said.

Shooting in the island-province went smoothly, he reported, thanks to the “excellent, enthusiastic production staff.”

The biggest challenge was the heat, he said. “We must have used 49 umbrellas! We shot early, or late, in the day.”

Fortunately, most of the scenes were set near Loboc River, “where we could often cool off with a swim.”

On the first day of shoot, however, Fitzharris lost a camera to the Bohol sea.

“The boat suddenly tipped and the cameraman, tripod and camera fell into the water,” he recalled.

Fitzharris was also impressed with Gamboa. “He gave his all in each scene. He came up with nice ad-libs that we included in the movie.”

But he said the film’s true star is Bohol. “It’s a beautiful destination,” he said. “So this film would appeal to people in the US and Europe where winters are cold and dark.”

Fitzharris hopes to distribute the film in the US and the Philippines and enter it in a major film festival.

His next film will also feature Filipinos. “It’s a comedy about rural Americans — hicks or rednecks — who marry Filipinas,” he said, “a light-hearted look at the clash of cultures.”

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=19244.0

The synopsis of the film made me chuckle in glee, and fraternal happiness.

Regarding rural-based American men falling in love with Filipinas.
I grew up in the mid-atlantic states, where there is a considerable amount of Filipno-Filipino relationships, new immigrants, 1st generation Fil-Ams and 2nd or even 3rd and 4th generation Filipinos.

When I went to college in northwestern Pennsylvania, in Allegheny College--an institution perfect situated in the Allegheny mountains and on the foothills of the scenic Adirondacks mountain range, I would occassionally traverse to local towns and boroughs to purchase foodstuff and goods.

In one farmer's market, I met a man by the name of Bill Erling, a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Typical German-Irish blooded American, whose ancestors were the early settlers of the great state of Pennsylvania "Deutsch Pennsylvania" as the state is called, lol.

And when I was purchasing tomatoes and some bean sprouts, a very familiar voice received me from behind, "Hoy kammusta!"

I turned around I saw an asian female, who I guessed was the wife of Bill. Then I realized she was talking to me, i guess she made the correct guess of knowing I was Filipino. I couldn't help but smile and laugh, and answered back. A long dialogue occurred.

Then to my surprise that Bill started talking in Tagalog.
I found out that Bill was in the US Army and stationed in Subic some decades ago and met Mrs. Arlene Erling there. They now have beautiful 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren.


Isn't it beautiful? In the blue ranges of America's midatlantic state, and other states, that there are American men, conservative men with strong ideals that reaffirm and characterize American idealism, are married to Filipina wives.

And I also found out that Bill is a well-taught chef who specialized in Adobo and pang kare kare. lol.

I attended some of their barbeque events in my college year.

Yes. it is beautiful. The Filipina is indeed, very beautiful.

Many, many American men have already made that known

lol

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=19244.0