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Los Angeles —The memoir “Chasing the Light: Writing, Directing, and Surviving Platoon, Midnight Express, Scarface, Salvador, and the Movie Game” of 73-year-old award-winning director-writer-producer Oliver Stone talks a lot about his experiences in the Philippines while filming both “Platoon” (1986) and “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989).

“I’d found a new home out here after my first family came to an end, and although I had no claim, I felt welcomed back,” he told us in an interview. “People smiled with genuine happiness; there was such a thing in life as joy, and it could be had — here and now, it need not be delayed.

“I plunged into rainforests outside Manila with a small Filipino crew under the local producer, Jun Juban. We knew with our budget we’d have to be a guerrilla version of ‘Apocalypse Now,’ which had experienced well-documented problems in the Philippines, among them trying to shoot in the typhoon season. But the jungle itself was pure, and I could imagine cutting trails deep into it, leading actors down into the riverbeds and up into the valleys. I fell in love with the landscape and the people.”

He told us, “The Philippines gave birth to my new life in a way. It was my beginning as a director. Right from ‘Salvador’ in Mexico to the Philippines was exciting beyond belief. I had been to the Philippines the first time in 1983 with Dino De Laurentiis so Alex Ho and I planned out the whole thing. I went to many places, beautiful people, and beautiful reception, not much of a film industry. They made a lot of films but it wasn’t like very expensive films. But they were wonderfully cooperative

From the Article: “Oliver Stone recalls filming in PH in new memoir”Read More »

The local producer of the Hollywood spy-thriller Bourne Legacy was once voted ‘Most Unlikely to Succeed’
BOURNE TALENT. Lope Juban is the man behind the movie.

MANILA, Philippines – During his days at De La Salle University, Lope ‘Jun’ Juban was voted ‘Most Unlikely to Succeed.’ Years later, Juban is one of the most successful producers in the country.

Philippine Film Studios, his production house, has worked on a string of international titles, including: “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Platoon,” “Born on the 4th of July,” and the “Survivor” series for Israel, Sweden and France.

Juban, who has helped keep international film focus on the Philippines, is now the local producer for “Bourne Legacy.” The spy drama is the first Hollywood film of its magnitude to be shot here and feature Manila as itself, instead of as a double for another Southeast Asian locale. From securing locations, negotiating fees and assembling crew, tremendous responsibility sits on Juban’s shoulders.

What makes the Philippines such a great place to survive? We asked Koh Lanta-Caramoan producer Thierry Griffin and the Christelle – the winner of Koh Lanta – Caramoan. Here’s what they had to say:

For Thierry: Thierry Graff

PHILIPPINE STAR: What is your best memory of the Philippines?

THIERRY GRAFF: Regarding our shootings, the D-Day of Koh Lanta-Caramoan with the hueys. It was a very long preparation with Jun Juban, all the people involved, all the details to check, everything was absolutely fabulous, like in a dream… from the country, definitely the kindness and gentleness of all the people.

 After the two Koh Lantas in the Philippines, do you think many more French folks would be interested in visiting the country?

Yes, of course! Koh Lanta is a huge promotion for the country because we only show the magnificent beauty of the locations. Boracay is famous but there are so many other beautiful islands…

From the Article: “Surviving ‘Koh Lanta’”Read More »

Tonight, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will stage the 5th Film Ambassador’s Night (FAN) online at the FDCP Channel to recognize the filmmakers and films that put Philippines in world cinema spotlight last year.

It’s a first for us to hold FAN online — we are used to having a personal gathering with warm greetings and hugs for one another as we applaud our peers for their accomplishments. However, the challenges brought about by the pandemic did not diminish the meaning of FAN for the filmmakers, artists and professionals who made cinema their way of life. If anything, it pushed us to dream bigger and perform on a higher level.

The artists and films that we are honoring tonight have given us one very significant thing — hope. For how can we lose hope if we have dedicated film ambassadors such as directors, actors, writers and technicians who are recognized by foreign award-giving bodies and established film festivals?

From the article: “A celebration of artistic excellence, hope and Pinoy pride”Read More »

Rejoice basketball world! Gregory Slaughter‘s coming back to thrill the basketball world but before the “Gregzilla” lifts the hopes and aspirations of the Ginebra Nation, it’s time for us to know one of the gentle giant’s sources of strength and inspiration.

Slaughter, an Atenean, and no doubt a vital piece in the Gin Kings’ bid for supremacy is happily married to the wonderful and gorgeous Schinina, a De La Salle alumnus and logistics producer at Philippine Film Studios, Inc. Schinina’s also one of the owners of COCO Couch Clothing lines.

And this is where the name Lope V. Juban Jr., comes into this interesting story. Jun, 62, and another DLSU graduate happens to be Schinina’s father. Jun is the father-in-law of Greg.

This is what Slaughter thinks of the amiable, polo-loving Jun, who became the talk of the town after being named the Camera Obscura Artistic Excellence Awardee. It is a lifetime achievement award from the highly-respected Film Development Council of the Philippines. Juban’s film studios put Philippine cinema on the global map.

From the article: “Film legend: The Magical eyes of Jun Juban”Read More »

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 (UPDATED) — The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has named the 62 honorees and special awardees for this year’s 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night (FAN) as well as the performers for the online event that will take place on February 28.

The FAN, an annual event spearheaded by the FDCP since 2017, recognizes Filipino film industry creatives, artists, filmmakers, and films of various formats that gained recognitions from established international film festivals and award-giving bodies in the past year. 

Leading the FAN 2021 honorees are the A-Listers, filmmakers Rafael Manuel and Lav Diaz. A-Listers pertain to those who bagged awards in prestigious A-List international film festivals as declared by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). 

From the article: “FDCP Reveals Honorees, Special Awardees & Performers of 5th Film Ambassadors’ Night”Read More »