28 March 2014 – Filipinos in Laos shared a night of meaningful discussion and exchange of views on film making, Philippine movies and its audience with Independent Film Director Auraeus Solito also known as Kanakan Balintagos in a “Meet the Director” event held on March 12 at the Rendezvous Café, Vientiane.

Mr. Solito shared his inspiration in making the “Busong:  Palawan Fate” movie and explained how he conceptualized and carried out interesting scenes, particularly the cocoon to butterfly transformation scene, in the film.

Film Director Solito also shared his views on independent and mainstream Philippine movies vis-à-vis its local and international audiences, and the challenges and triumphs in independent film making.

Excerpts from his previous works were shown like his multi-awarded music video “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, multi-awarded film “  Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros)”, his first short-film “Ang Maikling Buhay ng Apoy - Suring and the kuk-ok” and his most recent film “Baybayin (The Palawan Script)” starring the De Rossi sisters, Assunta and Alessandra, which captivated the interest of the audience.  “Baybayin” was featured during the International Workshop on Endangered Scripts of Southeast Asia in Tokyo, Japan on February 2014.

Busong and Baybayin films are part of a trilogy which is a tribute of Auraeus Solito to his hometown, Palawan.

Film Director Solito expressed his appreciation to the Philippine Embassy and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for bringing him to Laos and for providing him an opportunity to share his films with the Lao and Filipino Communities.  He also expressed how his trip in Laos taught him the value of patience and the joy of embracing life’s simplicities.

Twenty three (23) Filipino film and photography enthusiasts, artists, teachers, and consultants enjoyed the cozy and intimate session with renowned director. END