NEWSFLASH

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RP ENTRY TO '99 OSCARS ANYBODY'S GUESS

Manila, Sept. 13, 1998 - Director Mel Chionglo, who is now a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, has been named head of the five-man committee tasked to select the Philippine entry to the 1999 Oscar Awards Best Foreign Film category.

This year's Philippine entry is "Milagros," directed by Marilou Diaz Abaya. Previous Philippine entries were "Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin," directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna and "Segurista" directed by Tikoy Aguiluz.

Philippine-made movies shown within this year qualify for the selection process. At the top of the list of films most highly recommended by critics are: Abaya's "Sa Pusod ng Dagat" and "Siguion Reyna's "Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya." Both pictures were received well in international filmfests: Berlin, Toronto, New York, among others. Other suggested titles: Chito Rono's "Curacha," Gil Portes' "Miguel/Michelle," Uro de la Cruz's "Sagad sa Init."

The committee might also consider Rono's "Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?," Siguion Reyna's "Tatlo...Magkasalo," and Joel Lamangan's "Sidhi", all of which have yet to be shown.

Because there's less than four months before the year ends, industry analysts doubt whether any more laudable projects still in the process of conceptualization/production would make it to the theaters in time to qualify for Oscars consideration.