The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen reported that as part of its multi-film event, “Piling-Pili Pelikulang Pilipino:  The Making of the Filipino Nation” on the occasion of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, a film showing of “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” was held on 25 September 2016 at Post’s Bulwagang Bagumbayan / Heroes Hall.  Consul General Flores led in attending the film showing with members of the Filipino community and Consulate General’s officers, staff and dependents.

The movie was adapted from the literary play written in English in 1950 by Nick Joaquin, a National Artist for Literature and one of the Philippines best postwar authors, poets and playwrights and filmed in 1965 by director Lamberto V. Avellana, the first National Artist for film.

Consul General Flores expressed appreciation to the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) for providing the film material which explored the many aspects of Philippine society during the pre-World War II period. In 2014, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) co-financed the restoration of the 1965 film with the restored version shown at the CCP in 2015.

The Filipino community welcomed the movie with a deep appreciation of not only the depiction of a Filipino family struggling in pre-war Manila but as well as the cinematic showcase of Nick Joaquin’s literary gem as well as Lamberto Avellana’s obra maestra, both of which form part of our rich cultural heritage. END