04 March 2014- The Timorese audience inside Timor Cineplex, Timor-Leste’s lone commercial theater, enjoyed Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok (English title: The Woman Behind the Tattoo Artist), a Filipino cultural documentary, on March 01.
Set against the backdrop of the exotic and interesting culture of the Kalingas, an indigenous group in northern Philippines, the documentary depicts some vignettes on the life and profession of Fang Od, 92-year old traditional tattoo artist.
The screening was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Dili as part of its vigorous efforts to forge stronger cultural and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Timor-Leste through the potent power of cinema.
For this cultural diplomacy initiative, the Embassy invited the current batch of Timorese students who are taking a bridging course in Chemistry and Physics. Invitations were also extended to Timorese nationals who graduated from Philippine colleges and universities.
The event became even more special with the presence of Timor-Leste’s Vice Minister for Higher Education Marçal Avelino Ximenes and Director General for Higher Education Abrão dos Santos.
Activities aimed at heightening both the interest and participation of the Timorese audience were also held immediately after the screening. This lively interaction with the audience was effectively facilitated by Professors Dante J. Sauquillo, Dante P. Bernabe, Ricardo F. de Leon, Jr. and Marilyn A. Miranda of the MAPUA Institute of Technology who are presently conducting the bridging course.
The screening was made possible through the invaluable assistance of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Created pursuant to Republic Act No. 9167, the FDCP is a “government-backed lead agency for film in the Philippines” with the mission of making “Philippine cinema the pre-eminent instrument for the enrichment of Filipino culture and the articulation of the Filipino identity.”
“I wish to convey my deep appreciation to FDCP, under the leadership of Chairman Briccio G. Santos and Executive Director Teodoro C. Granados, for supporting this cultural diplomacy initiative of the Embassy. This simple activity has provided an excellent opportunity for the Timorese to better understand and appreciate Filipino culture and society, as well as, feel the rhythm of the heartbeat of the Filipino soul,” Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Maria Aileen H. Bugarin said in her opening remarks.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Cultural Diplomacy Unit, also provided logistical support for this cultural project of the Embassy. END