The 2011 Cinemanila International Film Festival (CIFF), presented by the Cinemanila International Film Festival Foundation headed by director Tikoy Aguiluz (right) in cooperation with the City Government of Taguig under the leadership of Mayor Lani Cayetano (center), kicked off to a splendid start Friday night at Market!Market! Cinemas, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Showbiz personalities led by the Superstar, Ms. Nora Aunor (left), graced the opening night of the 2011 CIFF. The CIFF which is now on its 13th year, started the cinema screening of 80 films in from 30 different countries including the Philippines will last until November 17 however outdoor screenings via the Cinebarangay shall be continuous the whole-year round in public venues such as plazas, barangay covered courts etc.

The 2011 Cinemanila International Film Festival (CIFF), presented by the Cinemanila International Film Festival Foundation in cooperation with the City government of Taguig under the leadership of Mayor Lani Cayetano, kicked off to a splendid start Friday night at Market!Market! Cinemas, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The CIFF which is now on its 13th year, started the cinema screening of 80 films in from 30 different countries including the Philippines will last until November 17 however outdoor screenings via the Cinebarangay shall be continuous the whole-year round in public venues such as plazas, barangay covered courts etc.

Gracing the opening night of the 2011 CIFF are prominent personalities led by Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Cinemanila founder Tikoy Aguiluz, showbiz personalities led by the Superstar, Ms. Nora Aunor, and members of the diplomatic society.

Highlighting the opening night of the CIFF was the conferment of the Cinemanila International Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award to Nora Aunor, Superstar of Philippine Cinema who is regarded as the most accomplished star starting in the 1960s. Her enormous contribution to the entertainment industry as an actor, singer, host, and even producer earned her stellar achievements through the years.

Mayor Lani Cayetano said the City Government of Taguig fully supports Cinemanila believing in the importance of arts and culture in any community and showing her genuine concern for Filipino artists and the entertainment industry.

"Our rekindled partnership with Cinemanila Foundation under the headship of Tikoy Aguiluz demonstrates our advocacy for public-private partnership as a tool towards the attainment of our social development programs. Besides, our primary objective here is giving a new lease of life to the dwindling local film industry, thus providing an opportunity for our Filipino artists and filmmakers to show their prowess and likewise the creation of jobs for the entertainment workers," explained Mayor Cayetano.

Meanwhile, Cinemanila founder Tikoy Aguiluz expressed ample appreciation of Mayor Lani Cayetano's generosity of playing host to the 2011 CIFF.

"The 2011 edition of CIFF is truly special mainly because of the untiring support of the Taguig City government under Mayor Lani. We are deeply grateful for the sponsorship given to Cinemanila not only this year but more importantly, that of making Taguig City as the permanent home of the succeeding Cinemanila International Film Festivals," beamed Tikoy Aguiluz.

Moreover, Atty. Darwin Icay, Mayor Cayetano's spokesperson is hopeful that the joint venture of Taguig City and Cinemanila Foundation will lead to the revival of the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema. Atty. Icay said that what the local film industry needs is full support from both the private and public sector similar to what the administration of Mayor Cayetano is currently doing, in order to achieve this goal.

[in tagalog]

2011 Cinemanila International Film Festival, Umpisa Na !

Umpisa na ng public screening ng mga pelikulang kalahok sa 2011 Cinemanila International Film Festival (CIFF) sa mga sinehan ng Market ! Market ! sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig kung saan kalahok ang 80 pelikula mula sa 30 bansa kabilang ang Pilipinas. Magkatuwang na itinaguyod ng Pamahalaang Lunsod ng Taguig sa pamumuno ni Mayor Lani Cayetano at Cinemanila Foundation na pinamumunuan ni Ginoong Tikoy Aguiluz and ika-13 edisyon ng CIFF.

Tatagal hanggang Nobyembre 17 ang pagpapalabas ng mga pelikula sa mga sinehan subalit magpapatuloy ito sa buong Taguig sa pamamagitan ng Cinebarangay na magpapalabas ng mga pelikula sa mga pampublikong lugar tulad ng plaza at barangay covered courts.

Naging espesyal ang opening night ng Cinemanila International Film Festival dahil sa pagdalo ng ng mga prominenteng personalidad mula sa mundo ng pelikula sa pangunguna ng Superstar na si Nora Aunor na pinarangalan ng Lifetime Achievement Award, filmmakers at mga kaanib ng diplomatic community.

Ayon kay Mayor Cayetano, sinusuportahan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Taguig ang Cinemanila dahil sa paniniwalang mahalaga ang sining at kultura sa isang komunidad.

"Makakatuwang ng Taguig City Government ang Cinemanila sa hangarin nitong buhayin ang local film industry. Kung muling mabubuhay ang industriyang ito ay makikita ng publiko ang galing ng mga Filipino artist. Bukod dito ay magkakaroon ng pag-asa ang mga manggagawa sa industriya ng pelikula na nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa malungkot na nangyari sa local film industry," pahayag ni Mayor Cayetano.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Ginoong Aguiluz na tunay na espesyal ang 13th Cinemanila International Film Festival dahil sa suportang ipinagkaloob ni Mayor Lani Cayetano.

"Dahil sa suportang ipinagkaloob ni Mayor Cayetano ay hindi na magiging palaboy ang Cinemanila dahil ang Taguig na ang magiging permanente nitong tahanan. Bukod dito ay mas maraming tao ang makakapanood ng mga pelikulang kalahok sa taong ito dahil sa Cinebarangay," pahayag ni Aguiluz.

Buong tiwala namang inilahad ni Atty. Darwin Icay, tagapagsalita ni Mayor Cayetano, na ang pagsasanib-pwersa ng Taguig at ng Cinemanila ay mag-uumpisa ng panibagong golden age ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Idinagdag pa ni Atty Icay na kung mabibigyan ng sapat na suporta ang local film industry tulad nang ginagawa ngayon ni Mayor Cayetano ay madaling maisakakatuparan ang hangaring ito.