Style and Soul

The UP College Admission Test (a.k.a UPCAT) will be held this coming August 4 - 5, which will fall on a Saturday and Sunday. I can't help but be excited for those of you who will be taking the exam. A college entrance test means you're four (or more) years closer to getting into what the adults call the real world. 

I'm not so sure how many high school students are actually reading my blog. But if you're one of them, well first things first: I wish you the best of luck! I can imagine how nervous you probably are since not too long ago (ooowwws? haha) I was one of those senior high school kids, who like you, applied to the University of the Philippines.

UP is said to be the premiere university in the country. (Emphasize on the word "said to be." I purposely didn't claim it as a "matter of fact" because I honestly believe that a lot of schools are equally competent in giving quality education and have produced successful individuals as well.) Due to this "reputation," tens of thousands of students all over the country take their chances on possibly acing this entrance exam with hopes of studying in their "dream" school.

So let's go back to the title question. Is there really a secret to passing the UPCAT?

July is the month of Philippine independent cinema. As usual, the well-known Cinemalaya film festival, now on its 8th year, puts the spotlight on alternative films no longer exclusive to the intelligent film enthusiast. Now, indie films have been extended to the mass audience who were all spoon-fed with sickening romance, slapstick comedy and teledrama movies created by the country's major movie studios. 

Although it's sad to say that only during this film fest do people really pay attention to indie films, at least even for a short period of time, Filipinos get to be exposed to a wider variety of narratives, filmmaking style and different types of issues and themes which help shape culture and thought; from an independent, not commercial perspective, among the general public.

Yes, films about social and political issues as well as poverty and art matter. However, the audience is no longer confined to these subjects anymore. This year, Cinemalaya offers a buffet of films for every type of film buff.

Some of us wish we could just watch everything. But with 25 films for showcase and only a limited budget in your pocket, how do you choose which one to watch? Here are my top personal picks this Cinemalaya 2012.