Brocka, Bernal and the City, a special exhibition that features the interesting lives and impressive works of Philippine National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, was recently launched at the 12th Floor Gallery of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus.
The show is part of the series of activities to commemorate the 100th year of Philippine cinema, and the 30th anniversary celebration of Benilde.
Both Bembol Roco and Cherie Gil, who are considered as Brocka and Bernal “babies” respectively, imparted their personal experiences and memories on how the iconic filmmakers had mentored and made them into the award-winning actors they are today.
Meanwhile, LDS-CSB Digital Filmmaking Program Chair Jose Javier Reyes shared with the audience how he, as a young writer then at the time of the two icons, was given an opportunity to work with them.
“We celebrate not only because of the genius of their films but because of their love for the Filipino and the city of Manila,” Reyes noted. “Lino and Ishma are truly Filipinos in the sense that if you see their films, they were all reflections of the city of Manila. Lino represented Misericordia, Quiapo, Avenida Rizal, whereas Bernal represented Malate. And these are the two phases of Manila – the old and the bohemian,” Reyes shared.
Center for Campus Art Director Architect Gerry Torres confessed that to label the project as a challenge is an understatement.
“For how can one capture the work of two giants of cinema within a 150-square-meter space?” Torres asked.
“The show is but an introduction because there is so much more to learn from them —so much more to be gathered and presented to the new generation, so the younger Filipinos will learn from these two remarkable individuals who fought relentlessly against all odds, foregoing personal comfort and security to be the voices that speak out against abuse, injustice, ignorance, and intolerance,” he reiterated.
The first night of the exhibition was well-attended by Brocka’s brother Danilo Brocka and grandnephew aspiring director Kokoy Brocka Anupol, film director Gabby Fernandez, Roselle Monteverde-Teo of Regal Films, De La Salle Philippines President Br. Armin Luistro FSC, DLS-CSB President Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, and DLS-CSB Board of Trustees (BOT) Members Br. Mike Fernandez FSC, Nestor Jardin, and Dr. Lydia Echauz, and a crowd of filmmakers, film enthusiasts and archivists, and student-artists.
The exhibit is on view until April 29. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the 12th Floor Gallery of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila.
