(Reporter7.com 2007-05-04) Return to a land called 'Paraiso"
For Immediate Release
Contact: Grethel Bolandrina
(508) 476-0009 Gretheline@aol.com


Paraiso, Tatlong Kuwento ng Pagasa (Paradise, Three Stories of Hope) Movie Premiere benefit Gawad Kalinga Massachusetts Village



Boston, MA: 'Return to a land called Paraiso- croons Joey Albert, Gawad Kalinga's (GK) Canadian Ambassadress (from the movie theme song by award winning songwriter, musical director and conductor Ryan Cayabyab) to her 'Beantown- audience. But, don't let me get way ahead of myself.



Massachusetts GK advocates transformed Bentley College's La Cava Center (175 Forest Street, Waltham 02452) into 'almost- Hollywood complete with red carpet entry. La Cava Center is home to administrative offices including Marketing and Communication, MIS, and Web Services, and some campus conveniences, a lower cafeteria, a bookstore and a Hair Salon (plus ATM and TV lounge). Bentley's Dr. Earl Avery graciously made all of third floor available for the premiere, from the Press Room (where Planet Philippines did pre-show interviews) to the gallery area (where a GK exhibit was open) to extra dressing rooms (for the evening's performers) and the spacious main function room where 'Paraiso- was screened and a lavish Hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception was held after. There were fruit and vegetable platters, cheeses and crackers, chicken fingers and a variety of rolls. There was an abundance of professional and courteous wait and bartending staff. Add the colorfully clad 'Mabuhay guides- and it is one movie experience not at all easy to forget.



Seeing the movie 'Paraiso, Tatlong Kuwento ng Pagasa- (Paradise, Three stories of Hope) was like a long and intensely personal experience for most of the GK advocates like Dr. Nora Dube of Saugus. She not only handled logistics, her husband Vincent drove guests from point A to B, sometimes C and then back, their children Karina (13) and Nolen (10) performed as part of the Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) Rondalla ensemble. Ditto to other GK advocates family like the Paradelas of Roslindale, Penas of Ashland and the Zuelkes of Natick. Couples helped with planning, fathers did most legwork, mothers attended to details while daughters and sons performed happily with either banduria or octavina. It was all in the family. It was all for a good cause.



The film, whose Boston premiere (4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 10, 2007) benefits GK's Massachusetts Village, has its roots in the 'Bayanihan- spirit of Filipino moviemakers and actors who all volunteered their talent and time for GK. Paraiso highlights three stories of ordinary people who have answered the call to be a hero for others and how GK has touched, inspired and transformed their lives forever. Paraiso stars award winning actress Maricel Soriano 'Umiyak man ang langit), Michael V (Kapatid kong si Elvis) and Ceasr Montano (Marie) .



Tickets cost $100 and were by special invitation only. The premiere began a new era of cooperation and collaboration between the office of the President, Bentley College, GK advocates, the Filipino community and the American audience in general. Massachusetts GK Coordinators Eugene and Evita Florendo hopes to tap into the other colleges like MIT and Harvard.



Though there were no cast members from the movie in attendance, the night did not lack for star or hero appearances. From all parts of the globe, they came.

Joey Albert direct from Canada (she performed with Jaime Blanch at the reception), inspirational speakers Cito Lorenzo (from Manila) Dylan Wilk (originally from UK) and

Consul Cecil Rebong from New York.



Making wonderful introductions was Fil-Am newsanchor Frances Rivera of Boston's channel 7. Joseph Bolandrina did voice overs and other announcements. Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla ensemble regaled the audience before and after the screening with classics such as Mabuhay, Rosas Pandan, Maria Cristina among others.



Who looks fabulous? We've got pictures, thanks to Charlie Castro and Mitch de Leon. What does 'Beantown- think of the event? We've got it all on tape, thanks to Video Coverage by John and Henry (508-405-1430, johnandhenry@msn.com)



All in all, no one would dare say that 'Paraiso- is just an emotional tale though it tugs on the heartstrings very heavily. There's unexpected humor, disarming honesty. It is a story of life, waking up to life, letting go and holding on. Most importantly, of love coming from unexpected places, circumstances. The film is not unusual in a Filipino sense. It has character. It's a cry-laugh-cry movie. The characters are human. The stories are human. There are heroes in our midst. And there is hope.





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Paraiso will premiere in the Philippines in June. A Saturday, June 9, 2007, general screening is scheduled in Boston. For more information, please visit www.ancopusa.org or call 888 GOGK777 (4645777) or contact Evita Florendo evitaflorendo@hotmail.com 781-860-0988