From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 31): Dalena sisters reassess the revolutionary movement
When we visited the set of “The Guerrilla is a Poet,” codirector Sari Dalena was down with the flu, so we chatted with her sister, Kiri, to discuss their entry for the CineFilipino Film Festival.
Kiri, who was the cinematographer of the 2011 CinemaOne Best Picture winner, “Ka Oryang,” shares, “I’ve worked with Sari in various capacities—as a cinematographer, production designer, talent, writer and, now, as codirector.”
The multitasking siblings complement each other. Kiri shares, “We’re interested in Philippine history, martial law, living historical figures, and the revolutionary movement. Our collaboration starts before we go to the set—meetings, deciding on the actors, the budget, etc. We also correct each other.”
Young activist
The movie was shot in the Netherlands and the Philippines. Kiri interviewed Jose Maria Sison, the central figure of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),
played in the film by Karl Medina as the young activist who started the revolutionary movement in the late 1960s. Kiri explains, “The movie sees activists in a different light. During their youth, they were motivated to demand change for our society. We all want peace.”
Dalena has a message for viewers: “Don’t be afraid of the film. The actors aren’t activists, nor are they a part of the revolutionary movement—but, they have learned to appreciate it. We might disagree with the way activists push for change, but they aren’t terrorists!”
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/96295/dalena-sisters-reassess-the-revolutionary-movement
However, while the decision is inclined to establishing this political party but the issue of whether the MILF will convert itself into a political party or organizes a separate political party is still hotly debated. Even the top leadership of the Front is not unanimous on which way to adopt. Arguments, whether pros and cons, are strong on both sides.
A third view, however, is very much alive. Proponents, while they agree to put up this party, argue that we wait for the completion of the annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the comprehensive peace agreement is signed before the MILF engages in seriously in putting up this political party. They also called for the massive consolidation of all the organs of the MILF, arguing that the future is full of uncertainties.
Officially, there is no decision yet to put up this political party. The MILF leadership calls for more time to appreciate the whole issue before it will decide. The urgency is diluted by the seriousness of the issue and the snail-paced GPH-MILF peace negotiation.
Why is the MILF contemplating on putting up this party?
The reasons are varied. First, when the Moro Question is settled through a negotiated political settlement, there is no need to assert our aspirations through the barrels of the gun. The means are getting more and more democratic until the resort to armed struggle becomes less and less appealing or even irrelevant. Second, the unacceptability of the status quo can be well articulated by a political party that has clear ideology and platform and airtight mass-based membership.
Third, the MILF, which then becomes a social movement, will be shielded from the nitty-gritty of the dirty linens of politics. The truth is that even the ideologically-guided political parties such as those in Germany and perhaps including those in Turkey, Japan, and Egypt are not completely immune from the effects of politicking. Fourth, a strong political party is a requirement in a ministerial form of government where the executive and legislative are fused into one.
The party which wins the most seat in the assembly will not only form the government but all chooses the head of that government. And fifth, there is no other path the MILF can go except to participate in elections where the playing field is level, not the one we know of today in this country where only the moneyed and powerful win and control government.
http://www.luwaran.com/