Chosen as festival director, Bibeth Orteza asked, “Bakit ako?”
Acclaimed scriptwriter and TV director Bibeth Orteza had the chance to work with the late veteran director Maryo J. delos Reyes in “High School Circa ‘65.”
For her,to be chosen as the new festival director of Tofarm Film Festival is a great honor, indeed.
“Actually, when I came into the picture, may mga ilan na silang nakausap. She chose me not only in terms kung marami na bang awards, but my capacity to the task that was left behind by Direk Maryo,” she said.
Aware that some kibitzers might question her credentials, she believes that with Direk Maryo’s guidance and vision, she could run the festival.
“Noong ngang napili ako, I asked why. I’m aware naman that I haven’t directed a movie. I directed a lot of stuff on television. So, ang tanong ko, bakit ako? Ang sagot sa akin, I’m maternal. Direk Maryo was, in that way, maternal to the point na he would meet with the filmmakers kung ano ang problema sa iskrip. They would discuss along with the filmmakers what needs to be done. It was that quality that they found with me. Hindi dahil sampu na ba ang awards ko o ano. I was not that,” she clarified.
According to Bibeth, she wants to continue what Direk Maryo J had commenced last year.
“We decided to make sure to continue ang karamihan ng mga nasimulan ni Direk Maryo, who was really on top of that kaya we’re drawing back at the time na he had this meeting with the selection commitee nina Raquel Villavicencio. He left kasi with the verbal instructions to the committee which he did not jot down and we want to continue that,” she said.
She also said that Tofarm and its advocacy has a soft spot in her heart.
“Para kasing si Direk Maryo, pabalik-balik siya ng Bohol.I think also what I said na ang grandfather ko was a farmer so may soft spot siya sa akin.
“Personally, pangarap ko na magkaroon ng movie sa Tofarm na comedy. Iyong mga kamag-anak namin sa Samar, kahit gaano kahirap ang buhay, kahit may threat ng bagyo, tumatawa talaga sila.
“Sa pelikula nga natin, kahit na may inililibing, nagagawa pa rin ang katatawanan.
“Ganoon naman talaga ang Pinoy. Ganoon ang nuances ng mga Pinoy. We’re able to survive the challenges because we laugh and I want to see that kind in this festival,” she pointed out.
As the new festival director, she also wants her husband Carlitos and son Rafa to inhibit from participating in the filmfest.
“Kasi parang ang sagwa. Pag kinuha ko naman sila, baka sabihin na… In-explain ko naman sa anak ko na “Anak, pag kinuha ka, it’s not as if naman na malaki kang artista na pag ginawa mo, makakatulong ka sa Tofarm. But the fact is you’re just a beginning actor, practically tatlong taon ka pa lang na para namang gagamitin mo iyong festival para sumikat ka at magkapangalan na parang ang sagwa kung mother ako,” she declared.
She’s also glad to say that she’s already cancer-free.
“I’m in my 14 years of remission and I thank God for that,” she said.
“Ang problema kasi sa cancer, parang true love iyan na pag tinamaan ka, babalik siya. Kaya nga, I decided noong tinamaan ako na I’ll just be of service to my family and to the community,” she concluded.
Tofarm Film Festival is a brainchild of Dra. Milagros How, CEO of Universal Harvester, Inc. and Tofarm Chief Advocate.
The festival aims to champion the stories of our farmers and their journeys, struggles,trials and triumphs.
It is now currently in the process of accepting entries to their 3rd edition.
The 2018 Tofarm Film Festival will run from September 12 to 18.
