The Asia Society Philippine Foundation Inc. (ASPFI), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Shangri-La Plaza present the first Asia-specific film festival in the country which promises to show compelling stories on the region's rich culture under the theme 'Asia as our Society.

Seventeen films from China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines will be screened at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 4 from May 17 to 21.

Film to bridge international relations

ASPFI Executive Director Harvey Keh said at the press screening on May 3 that he hopes the festival will give Filipinos a better understanding of its Asian neighbors with whom it shares many cultural similarities.

"I believe film can be used not only to educate but to unite, and hopefully create bonds of cooperation towards peace and development in this region," he adds.

The film "Jakarta Maghrib" (Jakarta Twilight) was screened for  members of the media that day. And no, it's not about teenage

Cast member Rhian Ramos poses for photographers at the North American premiere of the Filipino film "The Road" …Yam Laranas' thriller "The Road" will be shown in over 50 cinemas in the US starting Friday, May 11. The development is a feat in itself since Pinoy films rarely get attention, much less commercial distribution in the US.

In a press conference announcing the film's US distribution, Annette Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Films claimed that this is a first for the country.

"As far as we know, this is the first Filipino film to be commercially distributed in the United States," she said.

It will be recalled that in the late '70s, Kidlat Tahimik's 1977 film (his first) "Perfumed Nightmare" was released in the US by no less than Francis Ford Coppola via his Studio Zeotrope, through the efforts of German film director, and Kidlat's contact and friend, Werner Herzog.

But this most recent feat for the Philippines got the coveted attention of the New York Time, which published two stories about it,

On May 8, NY Times writer Floyd Whaley described the film as lacking the "melodrama, simplistic

Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago (NPPA Images)After rumors of her troubled showbiz and acting career, Claudine Barretto proved to be  a "blockbuster hit" again with the uploaded video on YouTube  of her, husband Raymart Santiago and company ganging up on broadcast journalist Mon Tulfo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Sunday, May 6.

Millions have seen the video since it was uploaded last Sunday night, May 6. Claudine in the video is in action - a fighter  looking for an opening and then punching the manhandled Tulfo when the opportunity arose.

It wasn't though the kind of "blockbuster hit" Claudine would have wanted to bury speculations that her acting career was sinking or has sunk already. Then, too, the said YouTube video, accordiing to Raymart, did not show the truth about the incident.

Just the 'end story'

During Raymart and Claudine's press conference at Red Garlic Bistro last May 7, the actor explained that the  video was just the "end story" of what really transpired.

"Mga two meters ako, nilapitan ko