[Music] everyone good evening uh thanks for
everyone good evening uh thanks for
everyone good evening uh thanks for having me
having me
having me I remember watching this online actually
I remember watching this online actually
I remember watching this online actually one of my favorite filmmakers JJ Abrams
one of my favorite filmmakers JJ Abrams
one of my favorite filmmakers JJ Abrams had a really inspiring TED Talks called
had a really inspiring TED Talks called
had a really inspiring TED Talks called the mystery box so it’s kind of cool to
the mystery box so it’s kind of cool to
the mystery box so it’s kind of cool to see myself up here also so the TED
see myself up here also so the TED
see myself up here also so the TED committee thank you for having me humble
committee thank you for having me humble
committee thank you for having me humble and honored and grateful to share a
and honored and grateful to share a
and honored and grateful to share a little bit of my life and maybe my
little bit of my life and maybe my
little bit of my life and maybe my experiences with you this evening and
experiences with you this evening and
experiences with you this evening and hopefully you you get a little bit of it
hopefully you you get a little bit of it
hopefully you you get a little bit of it and it can inspire you and something to
and it can inspire you and something to
and it can inspire you and something to take home but before I do if I could
take home but before I do if I could
take home but before I do if I could just show you a little video of what
just show you a little video of what
just show you a little video of what I’ve been doing I guess for the last
I’ve been doing I guess for the last
I’ve been doing I guess for the last eight years yeah so there we go kind of
eight years yeah so there we go kind of
eight years yeah so there we go kind of a thank you thank you so as a Steven
a thank you thank you so as a Steven
a thank you thank you so as a Steven Spielberg says I also dream for a living
Spielberg says I also dream for a living
Spielberg says I also dream for a living I guess the importance of imagination
I guess the importance of imagination
I guess the importance of imagination and creativity is kind of something I
and creativity is kind of something I
and creativity is kind of something I want to tackle today because it’s kind
want to tackle today because it’s kind
want to tackle today because it’s kind of a business that I’m in this coat kind
of a business that I’m in this coat kind
of a business that I’m in this coat kind of stuck out to me and I’m glad our
of stuck out to me and I’m glad our
of stuck out to me and I’m glad our previous speaker proved Einstein right
previous speaker proved Einstein right
previous speaker proved Einstein right because I couldn’t agree with Einstein
because I couldn’t agree with Einstein
because I couldn’t agree with Einstein any more imagination is more important
any more imagination is more important
any more imagination is more important than knowledge I don’t know if you can
than knowledge I don’t know if you can
than knowledge I don’t know if you can agree with me on that but I I believe
agree with me on that but I I believe
agree with me on that but I I believe that in my heart because stop I mean to
that in my heart because stop I mean to
that in my heart because stop I mean to be honest that’s all I really have is my
be honest that’s all I really have is my
be honest that’s all I really have is my imagination I didn’t finish school I I
imagination I didn’t finish school I I
imagination I didn’t finish school I I was I had that cliche story I was third
was I had that cliche story I was third
was I had that cliche story I was third year in college I went to Santa Clara
year in college I went to Santa Clara
year in college I went to Santa Clara University and in in the Bay Area
University and in in the Bay Area
University and in in the Bay Area to be honest I went to college to play
to be honest I went to college to play
to be honest I went to college to play golf I had a kind of a free ride ie that
golf I had a kind of a free ride ie that
golf I had a kind of a free ride ie that was my first dream was to be a
was my first dream was to be a
was my first dream was to be a professional golfer but when I got into
professional golfer but when I got into
professional golfer but when I got into Santa Clara I realized that’s gonna that
Santa Clara I realized that’s gonna that
Santa Clara I realized that’s gonna that wasn’t really going to happen
wasn’t really going to happen
wasn’t really going to happen because the competition was quite tough
because the competition was quite tough
because the competition was quite tough but filmmaking and storytelling has
but filmmaking and storytelling has
but filmmaking and storytelling has always been a part of my life I kind of
always been a part of my life I kind of
always been a part of my life I kind of grew up around it my grandfather was an
grew up around it my grandfather was an
grew up around it my grandfather was an actor my father was a director and so
actor my father was a director and so
actor my father was a director and so production and and creativity
production and and creativity
production and and creativity imagination was kind of my playground
imagination was kind of my playground
imagination was kind of my playground and when I saw this quote I said you
and when I saw this quote I said you
and when I saw this quote I said you know what I do have the imagination and
know what I do have the imagination and
know what I do have the imagination and maybe that’s all I can bring with me so
maybe that’s all I can bring with me so
maybe that’s all I can bring with me so I remember I was in my I was in a it was
I remember I was in my I was in a it was
I remember I was in my I was in a it was even a religion class in Santa Clara
even a religion class in Santa Clara
even a religion class in Santa Clara that they make you take there
that they make you take there
that they make you take there and it was one exam and I said I’ve had
and it was one exam and I said I’ve had
and it was one exam and I said I’ve had enough of this I just couldn’t take it
enough of this I just couldn’t take it
enough of this I just couldn’t take it anymore but the golfing wasn’t going
anymore but the golfing wasn’t going
anymore but the golfing wasn’t going well I wanted to tell stories and you
well I wanted to tell stories and you
well I wanted to tell stories and you know Hollywood was about a four or five
know Hollywood was about a four or five
know Hollywood was about a four or five hour drive south so I was like you know
hour drive south so I was like you know
hour drive south so I was like you know what so on the exam I actually wrote a
what so on the exam I actually wrote a
what so on the exam I actually wrote a goodbye letter to the school I didn’t
goodbye letter to the school I didn’t
goodbye letter to the school I didn’t know the question I didn’t know the
know the question I didn’t know the
know the question I didn’t know the answer to those questions I didn’t study
answer to those questions I didn’t study
answer to those questions I didn’t study for it so I just wrote okay my name is
for it so I just wrote okay my name is
for it so I just wrote okay my name is vulture I’m gonna leave right after this
vulture I’m gonna leave right after this
vulture I’m gonna leave right after this exam I was the first to finish because
exam I was the first to finish because
exam I was the first to finish because you know I probably wrote a paragraph
you know I probably wrote a paragraph
you know I probably wrote a paragraph and I literally packed up my stuff told
and I literally packed up my stuff told
and I literally packed up my stuff told my roommate look you gotta rent my room
my roommate look you gotta rent my room
my roommate look you gotta rent my room out I’m gonna if you don’t find someone
out I’m gonna if you don’t find someone
out I’m gonna if you don’t find someone to rent it I’ll have to pay for it but
to rent it I’ll have to pay for it but
to rent it I’ll have to pay for it but I’m going to Los Angeles and I’m gonna
I’m going to Los Angeles and I’m gonna
I’m going to Los Angeles and I’m gonna try to tell stories for a living so this
try to tell stories for a living so this
try to tell stories for a living so this is around 2004 so that’s why I really
is around 2004 so that’s why I really
is around 2004 so that’s why I really believe that imagination is more
believe that imagination is more
believe that imagination is more important and then I’ll kind of take you
important and then I’ll kind of take you
important and then I’ll kind of take you on my journey to how I’ve got to be in
on my journey to how I’ve got to be in
on my journey to how I’ve got to be in front of you guys this evening I asked a
front of you guys this evening I asked a
front of you guys this evening I asked a lot of people where has your imagination
lot of people where has your imagination
lot of people where has your imagination taken you I mean do you guys imagine yes
taken you I mean do you guys imagine yes
taken you I mean do you guys imagine yes if you haven’t yet I suggest you start
if you haven’t yet I suggest you start
if you haven’t yet I suggest you start after this event it’s a wonderful it’s a
after this event it’s a wonderful it’s a
after this event it’s a wonderful it’s a beautiful thing something you can do for
beautiful thing something you can do for
beautiful thing something you can do for free and the reason why I find it so
free and the reason why I find it so
free and the reason why I find it so amazing this word imagination so it has
amazing this word imagination so it has
amazing this word imagination so it has taken me to places I couldn’t have even
taken me to places I couldn’t have even
taken me to places I couldn’t have even imagined of that is like the kind of the
imagined of that is like the kind of the
imagined of that is like the kind of the irony of it right um when I was younger
irony of it right um when I was younger
irony of it right um when I was younger I met this guy you guys know this guy et
I met this guy you guys know this guy et
I met this guy you guys know this guy et I think I was you know 6 7 years old
I think I was you know 6 7 years old
I think I was you know 6 7 years old when I recall the first time I saw this
when I recall the first time I saw this
when I recall the first time I saw this film it was probably the first film I
film it was probably the first film I
film it was probably the first film I saw as a child and my mother confirms
saw as a child and my mother confirms
saw as a child and my mother confirms this actually to go to my home actually
this actually to go to my home actually
this actually to go to my home actually have a life like et there because it
have a life like et there because it
have a life like et there because it taught me to imagine seven years old I
taught me to imagine seven years old I
taught me to imagine seven years old I watched this film and it taught me that
watched this film and it taught me that
watched this film and it taught me that I can actually have a friend that’s from
I can actually have a friend that’s from
I can actually have a friend that’s from outer space I mean how cool is that or I
outer space I mean how cool is that or I
outer space I mean how cool is that or I can have an imaginary friend at matter
can have an imaginary friend at matter
can have an imaginary friend at matter of Ag and then I did that as a child and
of Ag and then I did that as a child and
of Ag and then I did that as a child and it just that’s when my relationship with
it just that’s when my relationship with
it just that’s when my relationship with my imagination just took off and ever
my imagination just took off and ever
my imagination just took off and ever since I was a young child I imagine and
since I was a young child I imagine and
since I was a young child I imagine and I imagine and that’s why I feel that
I imagine and that’s why I feel that
I imagine and that’s why I feel that taking up golf or I played golf at a
taking up golf or I played golf at a
taking up golf or I played golf at a young age it kind of was helping me in
young age it kind of was helping me in
young age it kind of was helping me in what I do today is tell stories and make
what I do today is tell stories and make
what I do today is tell stories and make films
films
films if you know the sport of golf actually
if you know the sport of golf actually
if you know the sport of golf actually imagination and mental toughness ISM is
imagination and mental toughness ISM is
imagination and mental toughness ISM is what makes it go you need to imagine
what makes it go you need to imagine
what makes it go you need to imagine that shot before you hit it and kind of
that shot before you hit it and kind of
that shot before you hit it and kind of what I do now and in telling stories and
what I do now and in telling stories and
what I do now and in telling stories and making films so yes so I’m in the
making films so yes so I’m in the
making films so yes so I’m in the business of turning imaginations into
business of turning imaginations into
business of turning imaginations into reality that’s kind of what I do so 2004
reality that’s kind of what I do so 2004
reality that’s kind of what I do so 2004 I kind of dropped the books went to Los
I kind of dropped the books went to Los
I kind of dropped the books went to Los Angeles and for about two years I had to
Angeles and for about two years I had to
Angeles and for about two years I had to work I was jobless so I actually the
work I was jobless so I actually the
work I was jobless so I actually the previous stalker could relate that I
previous stalker could relate that I
previous stalker could relate that I actually worked in a blockbuster video
actually worked in a blockbuster video
actually worked in a blockbuster video because the perks there we should get
because the perks there we should get
because the perks there we should get the rent films for free
the rent films for free
the rent films for free I remember Quentin Tarantino said he of
I remember Quentin Tarantino said he of
I remember Quentin Tarantino said he of course he uses profanity but I won’t
course he uses profanity but I won’t
course he uses profanity but I won’t repeat what he said but he goes you know
repeat what he said but he goes you know
repeat what he said but he goes you know eff film school just watch movies just
eff film school just watch movies just
eff film school just watch movies just watch films that’s your education right
watch films that’s your education right
watch films that’s your education right there and I took that to heart
there and I took that to heart
there and I took that to heart I was like well just watch console I
I was like well just watch console I
I was like well just watch console I said you know what go to Blockbuster get
said you know what go to Blockbuster get
said you know what go to Blockbuster get a job there in return I get take home
a job there in return I get take home
a job there in return I get take home about five free movies at night and I
about five free movies at night and I
about five free movies at night and I watched everything from horror to
watched everything from horror to
watched everything from horror to romantic comedies to to be movies and I
romantic comedies to to be movies and I
romantic comedies to to be movies and I just educated myself that way and it
just educated myself that way and it
just educated myself that way and it really set a solid foundation to kind of
really set a solid foundation to kind of
really set a solid foundation to kind of what I do today turning my imaginations
what I do today turning my imaginations
what I do today turning my imaginations into a reality and that’s where I kind
into a reality and that’s where I kind
into a reality and that’s where I kind of encouraged a lot of people because
of encouraged a lot of people because
of encouraged a lot of people because I’ve met a lot of people that that
I’ve met a lot of people that that
I’ve met a lot of people that that talked but I always like show show it to
talked but I always like show show it to
talked but I always like show show it to me and that’s kind of the hard part
me and that’s kind of the hard part
me and that’s kind of the hard part because we all can imagine a lot of
because we all can imagine a lot of
because we all can imagine a lot of people imagined but showing that
people imagined but showing that
people imagined but showing that imagination to an audience is the real
imagination to an audience is the real
imagination to an audience is the real challenge it’s not easy I wish I could
challenge it’s not easy I wish I could
challenge it’s not easy I wish I could talk to a to a tech person out there and
talk to a to a tech person out there and
talk to a to a tech person out there and create an app that you can just plug
create an app that you can just plug
create an app that you can just plug into your brain and then it just
into your brain and then it just
into your brain and then it just projects what you imagine and you know I
projects what you imagine and you know I
projects what you imagine and you know I make so many films but it’s just not the
make so many films but it’s just not the
make so many films but it’s just not the case but maybe 20 years from now there
case but maybe 20 years from now there
case but maybe 20 years from now there would be something like that you never
would be something like that you never
would be something like that you never know 2009
know 2009
know 2009 so from 2004 to about 2009 I was working
so from 2004 to about 2009 I was working
so from 2004 to about 2009 I was working I was doing all these odd jobs from a
I was doing all these odd jobs from a
I was doing all these odd jobs from a production assistant standpoint to a
production assistant standpoint to a
production assistant standpoint to a practicing for cinematography I then got
practicing for cinematography I then got
practicing for cinematography I then got into advertising started telling
into advertising started telling
into advertising started telling thirty-second stories I didn’t want to
thirty-second stories I didn’t want to
thirty-second stories I didn’t want to really get into advertising but it was
really get into advertising but it was
really get into advertising but it was opportunity so I took it it led to this
opportunity so I took it it led to this
opportunity so I took it it led to this my first film in 2009 not many people
my first film in 2009 not many people
my first film in 2009 not many people know about it because one person just
know about it because one person just
know about it because one person just called me up and today you know I like
called me up and today you know I like
called me up and today you know I like your commercials I like your TV
your commercials I like your TV
your commercials I like your TV commercials would you like
commercials would you like
commercials would you like do a film I said sure and when I put the
do a film I said sure and when I put the
do a film I said sure and when I put the phone down I was like how do you make a
phone down I was like how do you make a
phone down I was like how do you make a movie I mean all I know is how to watch
movie I mean all I know is how to watch
movie I mean all I know is how to watch them and I successfully made a journey
them and I successfully made a journey
them and I successfully made a journey home I would like to think it was a good
home I would like to think it was a good
home I would like to think it was a good film
film
film some people do say that but when I watch
some people do say that but when I watch
some people do say that but when I watch it today I kind of cringe now because
it today I kind of cringe now because
it today I kind of cringe now because it’s like what was I thinking back then
it’s like what was I thinking back then
it’s like what was I thinking back then but you know every project you only get
but you know every project you only get
but you know every project you only get better after I made this first film I
better after I made this first film I
better after I made this first film I thought that was it hey I’m a movie
thought that was it hey I’m a movie
thought that was it hey I’m a movie director I’m gonna do films for the rest
director I’m gonna do films for the rest
director I’m gonna do films for the rest of my life but no no nobody called me I
of my life but no no nobody called me I
of my life but no no nobody called me I was still doing TV commercials which is
was still doing TV commercials which is
was still doing TV commercials which is fun which which kind of paid the bills
fun which which kind of paid the bills
fun which which kind of paid the bills and I was enjoying that but I wanted to
and I was enjoying that but I wanted to
and I was enjoying that but I wanted to make cinema I wanted to tell stories I
make cinema I wanted to tell stories I
make cinema I wanted to tell stories I wanted to put what was in my mind and I
wanted to put what was in my mind and I
wanted to put what was in my mind and I wanted to share it with you guys
wanted to share it with you guys
wanted to share it with you guys so that’s what I had to do in 2011 I I
so that’s what I had to do in 2011 I I
so that’s what I had to do in 2011 I I had to produce it’s a direct and I also
had to produce it’s a direct and I also
had to produce it’s a direct and I also co-wrote a film called Thelma I had to
co-wrote a film called Thelma I had to
co-wrote a film called Thelma I had to take action
take action
take action no one was calling me up I thought I’d
no one was calling me up I thought I’d
no one was calling me up I thought I’d made it with the first film but
made it with the first film but
made it with the first film but apparently that’s not how it is
apparently that’s not how it is
apparently that’s not how it is so I encouraged myself look you can’t
so I encouraged myself look you can’t
so I encouraged myself look you can’t just stay in your room and expect people
just stay in your room and expect people
just stay in your room and expect people to call you and and make make it happen
to call you and and make make it happen
to call you and and make make it happen for you got to kind of do it yourself so
for you got to kind of do it yourself so
for you got to kind of do it yourself so I was imagining all this time but I just
I was imagining all this time but I just
I was imagining all this time but I just had to do it so I put this imagination
had to do it so I put this imagination
had to do it so I put this imagination on paper I talked to some people to help
on paper I talked to some people to help
on paper I talked to some people to help me produce it and boom Thelma came out
me produce it and boom Thelma came out
me produce it and boom Thelma came out in 2011 it was a really challenging but
in 2011 it was a really challenging but
in 2011 it was a really challenging but a fulfilling film because fortunately it
a fulfilling film because fortunately it
a fulfilling film because fortunately it kind of validated my imaginations I took
kind of validated my imaginations I took
kind of validated my imaginations I took home we took home a lot of words we want
home we took home a lot of words we want
home we took home a lot of words we want in Mexico we want in Madrid and my lead
in Mexico we want in Madrid and my lead
in Mexico we want in Madrid and my lead actress here wants some pretty pretty
actress here wants some pretty pretty
actress here wants some pretty pretty heavy Best Actress Award so it kind of
heavy Best Actress Award so it kind of
heavy Best Actress Award so it kind of validated that you know what I can
validated that you know what I can
validated that you know what I can actually use this imagination thing this
actually use this imagination thing this
actually use this imagination thing this can actually make a life for me and I
can actually make a life for me and I
can actually make a life for me and I still pursued I kept going and I kept
still pursued I kept going and I kept
still pursued I kept going and I kept going of course I can talk longer about
going of course I can talk longer about
going of course I can talk longer about this but you only have about 10 minutes
this but you only have about 10 minutes
this but you only have about 10 minutes here so so after Thelma I I pursued and
here so so after Thelma I I pursued and
here so so after Thelma I I pursued and I pursued and I made a another film I
I pursued and I made a another film I
I pursued and I made a another film I didn’t direct this one though I just
didn’t direct this one though I just
didn’t direct this one though I just produced this and actually transit was
produced this and actually transit was
produced this and actually transit was if ever that turning point in your life
if ever that turning point in your life
if ever that turning point in your life where if you all have one transit was it
where if you all have one transit was it
where if you all have one transit was it for me
for me
for me um I emptied my bank account nobody
um I emptied my bank account nobody
um I emptied my bank account nobody wanted to fund this film I had nobody to
wanted to fund this film I had nobody to
wanted to fund this film I had nobody to partner up with me so I emptied up my
partner up with me so I emptied up my
partner up with me so I emptied up my bank account even put my apartment in my
bank account even put my apartment in my
bank account even put my apartment in my car up for from mortgage er and I made
car up for from mortgage er and I made
car up for from mortgage er and I made transit this was the first time
transit this was the first time
transit this was the first time filmmaker she was a young lady Hana
filmmaker she was a young lady Hana
filmmaker she was a young lady Hana espía
espía
espía and people thought I was crazy why the
and people thought I was crazy why the
and people thought I was crazy why the hell are you investing your life into
hell are you investing your life into
hell are you investing your life into this thing she’s about 24 25 year olds
this thing she’s about 24 25 year olds
this thing she’s about 24 25 year olds because I just believe in the story it’s
because I just believe in the story it’s
because I just believe in the story it’s a story that must be told and long story
a story that must be told and long story
a story that must be told and long story short for about a year we made the film
short for about a year we made the film
short for about a year we made the film it premiered in a cinema laia Film
it premiered in a cinema laia Film
it premiered in a cinema laia Film Festival I think it took on pretty much
Festival I think it took on pretty much
Festival I think it took on pretty much every award that evening it became the
every award that evening it became the
every award that evening it became the Philippine entry to the Oscars we didn’t
Philippine entry to the Oscars we didn’t
Philippine entry to the Oscars we didn’t get the shortlist but it got me my life
get the shortlist but it got me my life
get the shortlist but it got me my life back
back
back I got to meet this gentleman named Dean
I got to meet this gentleman named Dean
I got to meet this gentleman named Dean Devlin who acquired the film and put my
Devlin who acquired the film and put my
Devlin who acquired the film and put my life back on track in terms of financial
life back on track in terms of financial
life back on track in terms of financial gain it was I said we need to have a
gain it was I said we need to have a
gain it was I said we need to have a photo Dean Devlin is the producer of
photo Dean Devlin is the producer of
photo Dean Devlin is the producer of independence day’ godzilla’ he has a
independence day’ godzilla’ he has a
independence day’ godzilla’ he has a movie called geo storm coming out he
movie called geo storm coming out he
movie called geo storm coming out he produces Librarian so these guys a
produces Librarian so these guys a
produces Librarian so these guys a Hollywood a big shot how you call it
Hollywood a big shot how you call it
Hollywood a big shot how you call it he watched my film through a friend of
he watched my film through a friend of
he watched my film through a friend of mine who worked in Sony Pictures and he
mine who worked in Sony Pictures and he
mine who worked in Sony Pictures and he emailed me about three weeks later
emailed me about three weeks later
emailed me about three weeks later saying I don’t want people Hollywood
saying I don’t want people Hollywood
saying I don’t want people Hollywood like to swear so effing great film and
like to swear so effing great film and
like to swear so effing great film and We Need to Talk
We Need to Talk
We Need to Talk okay yes I literally flew to Los Angeles
okay yes I literally flew to Los Angeles
okay yes I literally flew to Los Angeles I met him and this is like you know
I met him and this is like you know
I met him and this is like you know being picked up by the limo is just like
being picked up by the limo is just like
being picked up by the limo is just like literally from like sweating in coffee
literally from like sweating in coffee
literally from like sweating in coffee shops at Manila imagining the story and
shops at Manila imagining the story and
shops at Manila imagining the story and we went to Tel Aviv Israel to shoot you
we went to Tel Aviv Israel to shoot you
we went to Tel Aviv Israel to shoot you were like 20 people crazy people – now
were like 20 people crazy people – now
were like 20 people crazy people – now this Hollywood producers office we
this Hollywood producers office we
this Hollywood producers office we premiered in several festivals and then
premiered in several festivals and then
premiered in several festivals and then we we were the Philippine entry at the
we we were the Philippine entry at the
we we were the Philippine entry at the Oscars and you know he acquired the film
Oscars and you know he acquired the film
Oscars and you know he acquired the film and he showed it all over North America
and he showed it all over North America
and he showed it all over North America so you know transit was a really a
so you know transit was a really a
so you know transit was a really a turning point for the company as well
turning point for the company as well
turning point for the company as well the company that I started with with a
the company that I started with with a
the company that I started with with a good friend of mine
good friend of mine
good friend of mine Marc but he’s not here now but we were
Marc but he’s not here now but we were
Marc but he’s not here now but we were just two crazy kids and I think you need
just two crazy kids and I think you need
just two crazy kids and I think you need to be a little crazy in this industry
to be a little crazy in this industry
to be a little crazy in this industry and I guess maybe in the world
and I guess maybe in the world
and I guess maybe in the world I mean there are some crazy people
I mean there are some crazy people
I mean there are some crazy people running countries not right so that’s a
running countries not right so that’s a
running countries not right so that’s a different talk for every imagination
different talk for every imagination
different talk for every imagination expect challenges and I cannot stress
expect challenges and I cannot stress
expect challenges and I cannot stress this enough because you know when we’re
this enough because you know when we’re
this enough because you know when we’re in our room aircon on we can imagine
in our room aircon on we can imagine
in our room aircon on we can imagine about the good life but I think for
about the good life but I think for
about the good life but I think for every imagination there’s three or four
every imagination there’s three or four
every imagination there’s three or four nightmares that want to break it down
nightmares that want to break it down
nightmares that want to break it down and you just got to be strong just got
and you just got to be strong just got
and you just got to be strong just got to be strong
to be strong
to be strong you got to be passionate about what you
you got to be passionate about what you
you got to be passionate about what you do and if you are passionate I always
do and if you are passionate I always
do and if you are passionate I always say I look for passionate driven people
say I look for passionate driven people
say I look for passionate driven people because passion kind of separates the
because passion kind of separates the
because passion kind of separates the people that just say they want to do it
people that just say they want to do it
people that just say they want to do it and people that are passionate about it
and people that are passionate about it
and people that are passionate about it because when the going gets tough the
because when the going gets tough the
because when the going gets tough the passionate people hang on and I like to
passionate people hang on and I like to
passionate people hang on and I like to work with people like that moving
work with people like that moving
work with people like that moving forward I in my advertising days I got
forward I in my advertising days I got
forward I in my advertising days I got to work a lot with Manny Pacquiao
to work a lot with Manny Pacquiao
to work a lot with Manny Pacquiao consider one of the best boxers of all
consider one of the best boxers of all
consider one of the best boxers of all time boxers of all time so let’s just
time boxers of all time so let’s just
time boxers of all time so let’s just talk about the boxing I met him on a lot
talk about the boxing I met him on a lot
talk about the boxing I met him on a lot of commercial sets and one day he told
of commercial sets and one day he told
of commercial sets and one day he told me Paul can you make a film about my
me Paul can you make a film about my
me Paul can you make a film about my childhood and I said of course and I my
childhood and I said of course and I my
childhood and I said of course and I my challenge here was of course putting his
challenge here was of course putting his
challenge here was of course putting his story on script which is just you know
story on script which is just you know
story on script which is just you know cinematic already so we had to choose a
cinematic already so we had to choose a
cinematic already so we had to choose a portion of his life but as I was moving
portion of his life but as I was moving
portion of his life but as I was moving forward I did have some investors in
forward I did have some investors in
forward I did have some investors in this because the budget was quite huge a
this because the budget was quite huge a
this because the budget was quite huge a lot of the investors asked me do you
lot of the investors asked me do you
lot of the investors asked me do you have a contract with Manny Pacquiao I
have a contract with Manny Pacquiao I
have a contract with Manny Pacquiao I said he told me he wanted me to do his
said he told me he wanted me to do his
said he told me he wanted me to do his film but that I made a contract I mean
film but that I made a contract I mean
film but that I made a contract I mean like he signed I said you know what oh
like he signed I said you know what oh
like he signed I said you know what oh my god I’ve been working for about a
my god I’ve been working for about a
my god I’ve been working for about a year and I don’t even have a contract
year and I don’t even have a contract
year and I don’t even have a contract with the guy who knows maybe he forgot
with the guy who knows maybe he forgot
with the guy who knows maybe he forgot that he told me this right I don’t know
that he told me this right I don’t know
that he told me this right I don’t know so long story short I flew to general
so long story short I flew to general
so long story short I flew to general santos city with a contract in hand I
santos city with a contract in hand I
santos city with a contract in hand I had to talk to several of his lawyers
had to talk to several of his lawyers
had to talk to several of his lawyers and I had to go back to Manila back and
and I had to go back to Manila back and
and I had to go back to Manila back and forth back and forth to finally we got
forth back and forth to finally we got
forth back and forth to finally we got that contract signed this is literally
that contract signed this is literally
that contract signed this is literally in his home and that greenlit the film I
in his home and that greenlit the film I
in his home and that greenlit the film I mean everything was ready and then the
mean everything was ready and then the
mean everything was ready and then the investors signed the checks okay we’re
investors signed the checks okay we’re
investors signed the checks okay we’re in legal business now so you know never
in legal business now so you know never
in legal business now so you know never trust a handshake I guess rights as they
trust a handshake I guess rights as they
trust a handshake I guess rights as they say kid color food did very well for me
say kid color food did very well for me
say kid color food did very well for me also it brought me all over the world
also it brought me all over the world
also it brought me all over the world again places that I could not have it
again places that I could not have it
again places that I could not have it imagine it brought me to so
imagine it brought me to so
imagine it brought me to so the power of imagination is that
the power of imagination is that
the power of imagination is that Einstein coats is really you know
Einstein coats is really you know
Einstein coats is really you know hitting home to me now I always say this
hitting home to me now I always say this
hitting home to me now I always say this align your imaginations with others that
align your imaginations with others that
align your imaginations with others that can help you sometimes half the job is
can help you sometimes half the job is
can help you sometimes half the job is just working with equally talented
just working with equally talented
just working with equally talented people or people that are even more
people or people that are even more
people or people that are even more talented with you you know growing up I
talented with you you know growing up I
talented with you you know growing up I try to get the best cinematographers the
try to get the best cinematographers the
try to get the best cinematographers the best production designers go ahead you
best production designers go ahead you
best production designers go ahead you know what if I make a bad film at least
know what if I make a bad film at least
know what if I make a bad film at least it look good so that’s what I do and I
it look good so that’s what I do and I
it look good so that’s what I do and I love to align myself with people that
love to align myself with people that
love to align myself with people that think like me are passionate like me and
think like me are passionate like me and
think like me are passionate like me and we know we can make great films one of
we know we can make great films one of
we know we can make great films one of those films was this hell Asahi wagon
those films was this hell Asahi wagon
those films was this hell Asahi wagon poppies are a lullaby to the sorrowful
poppies are a lullaby to the sorrowful
poppies are a lullaby to the sorrowful mystery the English translation we
mystery the English translation we
mystery the English translation we brought together two of the biggest
brought together two of the biggest
brought together two of the biggest stars in the Philippines for the first
stars in the Philippines for the first
stars in the Philippines for the first time I think abs-cbn was even quite
time I think abs-cbn was even quite
time I think abs-cbn was even quite shocked how we were able to do that but
shocked how we were able to do that but
shocked how we were able to do that but I guess you know story conquers all and
I guess you know story conquers all and
I guess you know story conquers all and these two actors just believed in it I
these two actors just believed in it I
these two actors just believed in it I got to work with a visionary called love
got to work with a visionary called love
got to work with a visionary called love Diaz he currently won the Best Picture
Diaz he currently won the Best Picture
Diaz he currently won the Best Picture at the Venice in Festival regarded as
at the Venice in Festival regarded as
at the Venice in Festival regarded as the biggest prize in Philippine cinema I
the biggest prize in Philippine cinema I
the biggest prize in Philippine cinema I produced this film because I just wanted
produced this film because I just wanted
produced this film because I just wanted to learn from him so this was my
to learn from him so this was my
to learn from him so this was my education I said okay I’m going to
education I said okay I’m going to
education I said okay I’m going to invest in the film but I get to learn
invest in the film but I get to learn
invest in the film but I get to learn from a master and not only did I learn
from a master and not only did I learn
from a master and not only did I learn from love Diaz I mean I learned from him
from love Diaz I mean I learned from him
from love Diaz I mean I learned from him really the passion of cinema this film
really the passion of cinema this film
really the passion of cinema this film is eight hours long not for everybody
is eight hours long not for everybody
is eight hours long not for everybody long story short again I wish I could
long story short again I wish I could
long story short again I wish I could tell you the whole thing we made the
tell you the whole thing we made the
tell you the whole thing we made the film he tells me it’s eight hours long
film he tells me it’s eight hours long
film he tells me it’s eight hours long hall that’s eight hours I’m not cutting
hall that’s eight hours I’m not cutting
hall that’s eight hours I’m not cutting a second okay we get a call from Berlin
a second okay we get a call from Berlin
a second okay we get a call from Berlin International Film Festival saying that
International Film Festival saying that
International Film Festival saying that they love the movie but they need to
they love the movie but they need to
they love the movie but they need to make it four or five hours because it
make it four or five hours because it
make it four or five hours because it would not fit in the program they were
would not fit in the program they were
would not fit in the program they were going to put it in competition I go back
going to put it in competition I go back
going to put it in competition I go back to love I said laughs four hours we got
to love I said laughs four hours we got
to love I said laughs four hours we got a cut half and I know we can do it
a cut half and I know we can do it
a cut half and I know we can do it because I you know I and I know we can
because I you know I and I know we can
because I you know I and I know we can do it and he goes Paul you know and it’s
do it and he goes Paul you know and it’s
do it and he goes Paul you know and it’s very poetic he goes it would be you know
very poetic he goes it would be you know
very poetic he goes it would be you know unjust and unpatriotic of us or if we do
unjust and unpatriotic of us or if we do
unjust and unpatriotic of us or if we do cut this film the Filipinos need to see
cut this film the Filipinos need to see
cut this film the Filipinos need to see the hours they need to suffer with me
the hours they need to suffer with me
the hours they need to suffer with me but I’m suffering I said I’ve got money
but I’m suffering I said I’ve got money
but I’m suffering I said I’ve got money in this you know Berlin competition the
in this you know Berlin competition the
in this you know Berlin competition the market we’re going to sell this after
market we’re going to sell this after
market we’re going to sell this after convincing can visit even trying to cut
convincing can visit even trying to cut
convincing can visit even trying to cut it myself which I know he didn’t like I
it myself which I know he didn’t like I
it myself which I know he didn’t like I had to call up Berlin and say you know
had to call up Berlin and say you know
had to call up Berlin and say you know what 8 hours take it or leave it
what 8 hours take it or leave it
what 8 hours take it or leave it they deliberated and thankfully they
they deliberated and thankfully they
they deliberated and thankfully they accepted it they accepted and we had I
accepted it they accepted and we had I
accepted it they accepted and we had I think we were the first film in the
think we were the first film in the
think we were the first film in the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival history that had a premiere at 8:00 in
history that had a premiere at 8:00 in
history that had a premiere at 8:00 in the morning so then again my imagination
the morning so then again my imagination
the morning so then again my imagination taking me to places I never thought I
taking me to places I never thought I
taking me to places I never thought I would imagine and I guess the cherry on
would imagine and I guess the cherry on
would imagine and I guess the cherry on top was we want a silver bear but for me
top was we want a silver bear but for me
top was we want a silver bear but for me uh remember I was talking about being
uh remember I was talking about being
uh remember I was talking about being crazy at the awards night dinner it was
crazy at the awards night dinner it was
crazy at the awards night dinner it was validated because I met this wonderful
validated because I met this wonderful
validated because I met this wonderful lady
lady
lady and she came up to me and said are you
and she came up to me and said are you
and she came up to me and said are you that crazy guy that crazy producer that
that crazy guy that crazy producer that
that crazy guy that crazy producer that produced an 8 hour film I said yes
produced an 8 hour film I said yes
produced an 8 hour film I said yes I said I guess you have to be a little
I said I guess you have to be a little
I said I guess you have to be a little crazy and she goes yes you need to be
crazy and she goes yes you need to be
crazy and she goes yes you need to be very crazy in this industry so I was
very crazy in this industry so I was
very crazy in this industry so I was like great I’m validated and other than
like great I’m validated and other than
like great I’m validated and other than Meryl Streep told me that she was the
Meryl Streep told me that she was the
Meryl Streep told me that she was the head jury of the Berlin Festival and
head jury of the Berlin Festival and
head jury of the Berlin Festival and literally looked for the hell a team
literally looked for the hell a team
literally looked for the hell a team because she herself suffered with us and
because she herself suffered with us and
because she herself suffered with us and so I mean if Meryl Streep says it’s okay
so I mean if Meryl Streep says it’s okay
so I mean if Meryl Streep says it’s okay to be crazy then it’s damn right okay to
to be crazy then it’s damn right okay to
to be crazy then it’s damn right okay to be crazy right
be crazy right
be crazy right practicing your imagination brings it
practicing your imagination brings it
practicing your imagination brings it closer to reality because every day guys
closer to reality because every day guys
closer to reality because every day guys I think of films I watch films I think
I think of films I watch films I think
I think of films I watch films I think of it every day sleep I know my wife I
of it every day sleep I know my wife I
of it every day sleep I know my wife I know sometimes she I have a son now he’s
know sometimes she I have a son now he’s
know sometimes she I have a son now he’s five months and I was showing him some
five months and I was showing him some
five months and I was showing him some Stanley Kubrick the other night Full
Stanley Kubrick the other night Full
Stanley Kubrick the other night Full Metal Jacket and she was like turn that
Metal Jacket and she was like turn that
Metal Jacket and she was like turn that off
off
off I said hey he’s gonna watch it one day
I said hey he’s gonna watch it one day
I said hey he’s gonna watch it one day right might as well watch it with me so
right might as well watch it with me so
right might as well watch it with me so I showed him et but the kid just stepped
I showed him et but the kid just stepped
I showed him et but the kid just stepped through it but one day he’ll he’ll
through it but one day he’ll he’ll
through it but one day he’ll he’ll realize the value of films and I can’t
realize the value of films and I can’t
realize the value of films and I can’t wait to share that with him so practice
wait to share that with him so practice
wait to share that with him so practice your imagination do it on a daily basis
your imagination do it on a daily basis
your imagination do it on a daily basis you know Manila is the best place to
you know Manila is the best place to
you know Manila is the best place to imagine because sometimes just getting
imagine because sometimes just getting
imagine because sometimes just getting to Makati – quezon city’s ours so
to Makati – quezon city’s ours so
to Makati – quezon city’s ours so you know put your phone in your pocket
you know put your phone in your pocket
you know put your phone in your pocket use the mind I want to show you a clip I
use the mind I want to show you a clip I
use the mind I want to show you a clip I don’t little going a little over time
don’t little going a little over time
don’t little going a little over time here is about four minutes this is my my
here is about four minutes this is my my
here is about four minutes this is my my future imagination and I’m declaring it
future imagination and I’m declaring it
future imagination and I’m declaring it today because maybe hopefully a year or
today because maybe hopefully a year or
today because maybe hopefully a year or two from now you’ll read about it
two from now you’ll read about it
two from now you’ll read about it that I was able to do this it’s a dream
that I was able to do this it’s a dream
that I was able to do this it’s a dream film of mine the reason why I say it’s a
film of mine the reason why I say it’s a
film of mine the reason why I say it’s a dream film is in terms of financing it’s
dream film is in terms of financing it’s
dream film is in terms of financing it’s huge even Dean Devlin had to turn me
huge even Dean Devlin had to turn me
huge even Dean Devlin had to turn me down even though he has you know
down even though he has you know
down even though he has you know millions and millions of dollars but I
millions and millions of dollars but I
millions and millions of dollars but I am very passionate about the film where
am very passionate about the film where
am very passionate about the film where Manuel Kazan save the Jews in 1939 by
Manuel Kazan save the Jews in 1939 by
Manuel Kazan save the Jews in 1939 by opening the doors of the Philippines
opening the doors of the Philippines
opening the doors of the Philippines it’s a period film I think it’s very
it’s a period film I think it’s very
it’s a period film I think it’s very timely today where a lot of countries
timely today where a lot of countries
timely today where a lot of countries today are actually closing their borders
today are actually closing their borders
today are actually closing their borders but in 1939 the Philippines
but in 1939 the Philippines
but in 1939 the Philippines you know the Philippines we just find a
you know the Philippines we just find a
you know the Philippines we just find a way to just you know welcome people and
way to just you know welcome people and
way to just you know welcome people and Quezon opened the doors and saved over
Quezon opened the doors and saved over
Quezon opened the doors and saved over 1300 Jews and I pitch this film to many
1300 Jews and I pitch this film to many
1300 Jews and I pitch this film to many people they always say it’s too big it’s
people they always say it’s too big it’s
people they always say it’s too big it’s it’s monumental and it is I want to do
it’s monumental and it is I want to do
it’s monumental and it is I want to do it correctly so to kind of strengthen my
it correctly so to kind of strengthen my
it correctly so to kind of strengthen my imagination I said you know what let me
imagination I said you know what let me
imagination I said you know what let me put it let me put this to this so maybe
put it let me put this to this so maybe
put it let me put this to this so maybe they will understand what I what I feel
they will understand what I what I feel
they will understand what I what I feel and how passionate I am about this
and how passionate I am about this
and how passionate I am about this subject it’s about four minutes please
subject it’s about four minutes please
subject it’s about four minutes please you know later that we can open doors
you know later that we can open doors
you know later that we can open doors for people when the world is now closing
for people when the world is now closing
for people when the world is now closing them kick it open and let them in
them kick it open and let them in
them kick it open and let them in regardless of who they are and you know
regardless of who they are and you know
regardless of who they are and you know the Philippines I know the Filipinos
the Philippines I know the Filipinos
the Philippines I know the Filipinos will do that so let’s that should be an
will do that so let’s that should be an
will do that so let’s that should be an example to the world today you know and
example to the world today you know and
example to the world today you know and then who knows the power of imagination
then who knows the power of imagination
then who knows the power of imagination guys the power of cinema I always say
guys the power of cinema I always say
guys the power of cinema I always say this it can define a generation it can
this it can define a generation it can
this it can define a generation it can create awareness and it can spark a
create awareness and it can spark a
create awareness and it can spark a revolution and I just really wish that’s
revolution and I just really wish that’s
revolution and I just really wish that’s really my my my plea and it’s it’s gonna
really my my my plea and it’s it’s gonna
really my my my plea and it’s it’s gonna take it’s bigger than me but I just
take it’s bigger than me but I just
take it’s bigger than me but I just really wish that there would just be no
really wish that there would just be no
really wish that there would just be no more support government wise into the
more support government wise into the
more support government wise into the arts yes I know we have millions of
arts yes I know we have millions of
arts yes I know we have millions of problem don’t forget the arts you know
problem don’t forget the arts you know
problem don’t forget the arts you know arts if you study history if you study
arts if you study history if you study
arts if you study history if you study cultures you look at the art you see
cultures you look at the art you see
cultures you look at the art you see where they are you know art defines you
where they are you know art defines you
where they are you know art defines you know who you are
know who you are
know who you are gives you identity your imagination
gives you identity your imagination
gives you identity your imagination should scare you that scares me
should scare you that scares me
should scare you that scares me scarier the better as Meryl Streep said
scarier the better as Meryl Streep said
scarier the better as Meryl Streep said you got to be crazy so be crazy
you got to be crazy so be crazy
you got to be crazy so be crazy before I close I’m just happy to
before I close I’m just happy to
before I close I’m just happy to announce that I in 2017 my imaginations
announce that I in 2017 my imaginations
announce that I in 2017 my imaginations taking me to the wonderful line of the
taking me to the wonderful line of the
taking me to the wonderful line of the Sharjah we’re gonna be making a film
Sharjah we’re gonna be making a film
Sharjah we’re gonna be making a film there in May I’m also going to be making
there in May I’m also going to be making
there in May I’m also going to be making a film about the palawan culture in 2017
a film about the palawan culture in 2017
a film about the palawan culture in 2017 to kind of promote what is the lost
to kind of promote what is the lost
to kind of promote what is the lost indigenous tribes over in Palawan and
indigenous tribes over in Palawan and
indigenous tribes over in Palawan and you know that’s going to happen this
you know that’s going to happen this
you know that’s going to happen this year so hopefully make sure you read
year so hopefully make sure you read
year so hopefully make sure you read about it you hear about or you watch it
about it you hear about or you watch it
about it you hear about or you watch it so where has your imagine taking you
so where has your imagine taking you
so where has your imagine taking you it’s taken me here in front of you guys
it’s taken me here in front of you guys
it’s taken me here in front of you guys and hopefully that story or that little
and hopefully that story or that little
and hopefully that story or that little experience my last I guess eight nine
experience my last I guess eight nine
experience my last I guess eight nine years you know will inspire you to do to
years you know will inspire you to do to
years you know will inspire you to do to create and to imagine so thank you guys
create and to imagine so thank you guys
create and to imagine so thank you guys for listening three take your time
for listening three take your time
for listening three take your time [Applause]
”
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