Criticine :: elevating discourse on southeast asian cinema

Today is Saturday, September 11, 2010

Book: Critic After Dark
Cinema is his love; Philippine cinema his steady girlfriend.

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Dear Mr. Tioseco, I must say I got a kick reading your tribute to Noel. I know firsthand how what he writes inflames the passions of some people. But I must take issue with your last statement — He has left a large void in his absence. Noel is still writing reviews regularly for BusinessWorld, the same newspaper where most of the articles included in his book first saw print. While it is true that he finds it harder to review Filipino films where he is in the US, that does not mean that he does not. Check out what he wrote a couple of weeks ago on "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.” If you check out the Weekender section of BusinessWorld on Fridays, you are more than likely to be able to read another witty analysis by Noel. Yours truly, Alicia Herrera Arts & Leisure Editor BusinessWorld

Posted by: alicia herrera at February 19, 2006 - 12:47 PM

Dear Ms.Herrera, Thank you very much for your comment. I know that Noel still contributes consistently to Business World, and a valuable contribution it is (I am grateful for your continued support for his writing). The comment at the end is my personal lament that because he is abroad and can write only about the works that are sent to him, a certain immediacy that was once there is lost: of having Noel there as someone you can count on to see most every local film. That was the void that I am referring to. In fact, I've even taken steps to encourage and help filmmakers to send him their works, so that, be his review positive or negative, he can write still write and write plenty about the local film scene.

Posted by: Alexis at February 19, 2006 - 07:43 PM

Ah yes, it is difficult to be confused by the reference if you are from Manila. Thanks for your comment JP, and I agree with your wholeheartedly about the need for honest criticism period, let alone in this country.

I know for certain that Noel intended "Critic After Dark" to be a play on the Marcos preferred title of Bernal's "Manila By Night"! Probably should have mentioned that in the review...

Do pick up a copy of the book when you get a chance. It's available in Dateline Bookstore, and I believe in CCP Bookshop as well.

Posted by: Alexis at March 15, 2006 - 06:35 PM

Great insights. Thanks Alexis. You will never be forgotten.

Posted by: Erik at January 31, 2010 - 01:09 AM