Ganito Siya Noon, Paano Tayo Ngayon?: A Close Up of Eddie Romero's Cinematic Odyssey

 

Ganito Siya Noon, Paano Tayo Ngayon?: A Close Up of Eddie Romero's Cinematic Odyssey

The year 2024 was a momentous year for the late Eddie Romero, one of the country’s greatest film directors, producers and screenwriters and a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts (May 26, 2003) known for his picaresque yet meaningful films, whose birth centennial was held last July 7.  A centennial celebration, held at the Dusit Thani Hotel, united colleagues, loved ones, and admirers inspired by Romero’s cinematic vision and dedication to Philippine culture. Together, they paid tribute, not only to his invaluable contributions to film, but also to his enduring spirit as a storyteller who brought the Filipino experience to a global audience.

 

Eddie Romero

The gathering was attended by his friends, members of media, film colleagues (including Gloria Diaz) and a number of Romero’s relatives which include his sons Joey and Ansel and their spouses, his younger brother Rodolfo "Rudy" Romero, his nephews and nieces (which includes actress Chanda Romero) and grandchildren (including Pasay City Congressman Gustavo "Gus" Tambunting).

 

Jose Romero

Though reserved, Eddie’s gentle guidance shaped his sons into principled, thoughtful men.  In his welcome remark, Joey Romero (also a film director and a MTRCB board director), recalls his father’s mantra that defined, not only his life, but also his legacy, saying “You can be anything you want to be as long as you like what you’re doing and strive to be good, if not the best at it. You can be a carpenter but be darn good at it and like it.” 

Ancel Romero

Eddie believed that true success wasn’t about fame or wealth, but about what you could give back, especially to those less fortunate. This value was poignantly instilled in one quiet moment when he reminded Ancel to be grateful and compassionate toward those who had less. Ancel Romero recalls him saying “The most important value he instilled in us was putting others above oneself.”

 

Atty. Rudy Romero - Eddie's younger brother

Tributes to Romero where not only delivered through words, but also through songs, some of which were theme songs in movies Eddie directed.  The Letran Singing Ambassadors (established in 2004, it is the official choir of Colegio de San Juan de Letran) sang Iduyan Mo, a song, composed by Ryan Cayabyab (2018 National Artist for Music), and made for Romero’s film Aguila. Featuring an ensemble cast including the late Fernando Poe Jr., this 1980 epic, said to be one of the biggest Filipino films ever made, explores the impact of colonization and war on the Filipino spirit. 

 

Letran Singing Ambassadors

The choir also sang Saan Ka Man Naroroon, a song composed, in 1968, by Restie Umali and Levi Celerio (1997 National Artist for Music and Literature); and Allegro Musica, a fast song, with medley, also composed by Ryan Cayabyab and arranged by Anthony Go Villanueva.  Ms. Aleli V. Salazar (of the Ateneo Chamber Singers), on the other hand, sang Goodbye Joe, Hello, the theme song from the 1982 Filipino-American film Desire (starring Tetchie Agbayani), also directed by Romero.

 

Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?

The highlight of the day was the announcement, by Nicolas “Nick” A. Deocampo, celebrated filmmaker, film educator, and chairperson of UNESCO Philippines, that Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976, translated as “This Was How We Were Then…. How are You Doing Now?), one of Romero’s most celebrated films, has been selected for inclusion in the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Register, honoring its role in preserving cultural heritage for the world.  The MoW, a UNESCO program, established in 1992,  under the communication and information sector, is an international effort to promote the preservation of humanity’s most historically, and culturally, significant documents and treasures. 

 

Nicolas "Nick" Deocampo

The film, widely regarded as a masterpiece of Philippine cinema, delves deeply into Filipino identity and culture during the Spanish colonial era, skillfully blending humor, drama, and historical insight. This movie narrates the adventures and misadventures of Kulas (played by Christopher de Leon), a naive peasant boy, who wanders through the Philippine Revolution of 1896-1898 and the Philippine-American War of 1899-1901. Gloria Diaz, as Matilda “Diding” Diaz, plays the love interest of Kulas.  The events serve as catalysts for Kulas to come to a realization about his identity as a man and as a Filipino. This film reflects powerful themes that recur throughout Romero’s works, including the epic Aguila (1980), which spans generations.

 

Gloria Diaz - played Didang, Kulas' love interest

In 2013, the film was digitally restored and remastered by the ABS-CBN Film Archives in partnership with Central Digital Lab.   During its restoration, the film print had noticeable impairments such as heavy splices, scratches, and breathing and it took 2,479 manual hours just to restore the film.  Another 80 hours was spent for color grading, with Joey Romero (who had a cameo in the film) personally involving himself in its restoration and technical run and helping with the color grading process. For its restoration, ABS-CBN Film Restoration borrowed and used the only extant 35-millimeter copy of the film found in the collection of the Cultural Center of thePhilippines. The original mono audio was lifted from the Betacam copy, restored and upgraded, to stereo, by ABS-CBN Audio Post.

 

Romero being conferred the title of National Artist for Film by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Deocampo first met the film's director, Eddie Romero, while they were both working at Movie Workers Welfare Foundation or MOWELFUND (Romero was a prime mover in its creation as well as that of the Film Academy of thePhilippines and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB). For him, this classic uniquely captures the essence of Filipino identity, resilience, and heritage. This film doesn’t just tell a story; it embodies a legacy, a piece of history, and a powerful statement about Filipino culture and spirit.

 

Eddie Romero directing Fernando Poe Jr.

Deocampo marveled at the symbolism Romero infused into his work, describing it as “Perfectly semiotic” and explaining that each frame reflects the Filipino soul. He considers this film the “national text” of Philippine cinema—akin to Noli Me Tangere in literature.  As a cultural artifact, Ganito Kami Noon,Paano Kayo Ngayon? is a testament to the Philippines’ complex history and enduring spirit. His efforts to have it recognized, by UNESCO, highlights its role as a piece of national heritage for future generations—a cinematic time capsule preserving not only the past but the core of Filipino culture. For him, this film is more than a story; it’s a legacy embodying the heart of what it is to be Filipino.

Season of Lights (Lanson Place Mall of Asia Manila, Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

Season of Lights 2024 Christmas Tree Lighting Program

Just 42 days before Christmas Day, Lanson Place Mall of Asia officially welcomed the festive Christmas Season with an enchanting display of festive lights, music, and holiday cheer via their enchanting Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Held at the Level 3 Lobby, they celebrated this joyous time and the magic of the season with valued friends and media partners.   

The gaily decorated, Christmas gift-laden tree

The evening started with welcome remarks by Lanson Place General Manager Mr. Nils Rothbarth and Christmas messages by Ms. Peggy E. Angeles (Executive Vice-President of SM Hotels) and Lone District of Pasay Congressman Antonino Calixto. All three then joined Ms. Elizabeth T. Sy (President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation) and Atty. Peter Pardo (chief-of staff of Pasay City Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano) in the jointly illuminating the huge, gaily decorated Christmas tree which made the hall come to life with its radiance and joyous colors as well as filled the air with warmth, bliss, wonder and togetherness.

 

Sheila Valderrama-Martinez

The highlight of the evening was a special Christmas concert by multi-awarded performers Shiela Valderama-Martinez (acclaimed musical theater artist known for her captivating performances and exceptional musical prowess), Arman Ferrer (musical theater performer, Aliw, Awit and Gawad Buhay awardee), Imusicapella (internationally acclaimed church choir from Imus City, Cavite), and Bernie Pasamba and the Music Masters (a most sought after music ensemble in the country).

 

Arman Ferrer

The concert kicked off with Bernie Pasamba and the Music Masters’ orchestral rendition of veteran composer Robert Longfield’s Turning Point, a bold overture-style original work for strings. Imusicapella then followed this up with master choral music arranger and composer Tom Fettke’s You Are the Light, an elegant acapella song glorifying the living, loving God. 

 

Imusicapella

Arman Ferrer debuted on the stage with his soulful rendition of British composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s ’s PureImagination, an inspirational ballad originally performed by Gene Wilder in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and theChocolate Factory.  Shiela Valderama-Martinez then made her grand entrance with American composer StephenFlaherty’s The Human Heart, an earthly ballad from the 1990 contemporary theater-crowd favorite musical Once on This Island. 

 

Bernard Pasamba and the Music Masters

Together, Shiela and Arman then sang composer Alan Irwin Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater’s lovely and simply gorgeous love ballad I See the Light (watch video here), a romantic duet, filled with mystical allusions and symbols, from the Walt Disney animated 2010 film Tangled.  Imusicapella returned to the stage to perform the Christmas staple Joy to the World.  Written by English minister and hymnist IsaacWatts, it is a celebration of Jesus Christ’s role as king of both his church and the whole world, intended to show his return rather than his birth.

 

Honored guests at the Christmas tree

All four performers capped the evening Christmas concert with 19th century Scottish poet and hymn writer James Montgomery’s beloved and captivating hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory (watch video here).  Based on the French carol Angels We Have Heardon High, it focuses on each of the key players in the Christmas story (angels, shepherds, the Wise Men, all nations and all the people).”  Their thrilling and dynamic carol arrangement, beginning with a hush, slowly built up in momentum to a joyous invitation, from wherever they are, calling them to “come and worship Christ, the newborn King.”

 

Cocktails at Focus

Following the tree lighting ceremony and concert, guests proceeded to the nearby Focus (the hotel’s co-working space) where they indulged in a delightful, expertly prepared spread of international gourmet dishes from Cyan Modern Kitchen, traditional madeleines and exquisite mini cakes from Madeleine High Tea and refreshing, specially crafted cocktails, to toast the season, from BLK 12 Café/Bar.   It truly was an unforgettable evening of great food, wonderful music and festive cheer, filled with holiday joy and togetherness.

Hotel and Inn Review: Savoy Hotel Manila (Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

Date of Stay: November 5 to 6, 2024

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *********

Rooms: *********

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: **********

Room Comfort: *********

Food and Beverage: *********

Other Amenities: *********

Value for Money: *********

 

Savoy Hotel Manila

What gift do you give your loving wife on her birthday?  Flowers? Chocolates? A greeting card? All these are fine but, thinking outside the box, I went the extra mile by arranging a hotel staycation instead. Well not just any hotel but one that goes beyond the traditional hospitality by rising above conventional business practices to contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions (a subject that is dear to our heart) – the 4-star, 11-storey Savoy Hotel Manila which had its soft opening last June 28, 2018.

 

Our bed at Space Suite (5066) with all the birthday trimmings

The Philippines’ Leading Airport Hotel for four consecutive years (2021 to 2024), this Newport City hotel is located just 350 meters from NAIA Terminal 3 (plus seamless access to NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 via the Skyway) and is a premier choice for leisure travelers, business professionals, millennials, young families, and cherished Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Balikbayans travelers seeking both comfort and convenience, enhanced by the warm, welcoming spirit of Filipino hospitality. 

Space Suite

Our living area

Work desk

The hotel is one of 13 homegrown hotel development launched by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts across the Philippines.  Also within Metro Manila are the 19-storey, two-tower, 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel (the biggest hotel in the Philippines in terms of total room keys), the 529-room Kingsford Hotel Manila (Paranaque City), Hotel Lucky Chinatown (Manila), ArcoVia Hotel (Pasig City), Belmont Hotel Manila (Pasay City), Richmonde Hotel Ortigas (Pasig City) and Eastwood Richmonde Hotel (Quezon City).

Classic Room

Premier Room

Also within Luzon are Savoy Hotel Capital Town in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel, Batangas; and the 10-storey, 306-room Savoy Hotel Palawan  and the 313-room  Paragua Sands Hotel, both in San Vicente, Palawan.

Premier Deluxe Room

Runway Suite

Within the Visayas are Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and Belmont Hotel Iloilo, both in Iloilo City; Savoy Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Boracay and  Chancellor Hotel Boracay, all in Boracay; Kingsford Hotel Bacolod in Bacolod City; and Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Belmont Hotel Mactan, all in Cebu. 

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by no less than the hotel’s General Manager Mr. Ferdinand “Den” Navarro, a seasoned hotelier and, himself, an OFW for 17 years, together with Ms. Maritess “Thessa” Dela Paz (Director of Marketing & Communications) and Mr. Karlo Evangelista, the hotel’s Compliance Manager and a sustainability champion.

 

Deck Suite

We stayed in a 49 sq. m., clean, cozy and comfortable Space Suite (5066), one of the hotel’s 684 cozy and well-appointed airconditioned rooms.  Our room was furnished with electronic door locks, a flat-screen TV, NDD/IDD phone, tea and coffeemaking facilities, a snack bar with Nespresso machine, a minibar, safety deposit box, a work desk, blackout curtains, a spacious living area and ensuite bathroom with walk in shower and free toiletries.  

Our ensuite bathroom

Other room categories include the 23 sq. m. Classic Twin Room (two single beds), the 23 sq. m. Classic Queen Room (one large double bed), the 23 sq. m. Premier Twin Room (two single beds), the 23 sq. m. Premier Queen Room (one large double bed), the 27 sq. m. Premier Deluxe Queen Room (one queen bed), the 27 sq. m. Premier Deluxe Twin Room (two twin beds), and the 53.3 sq. m. Deck Suite (one large double bed). The 38.1 sq. m. Runway Suite, located on every floor, has one large double bed and a view of the NAIA Terminal 3 runway.  All rooms come with Wi-Fi access and some rooms have access to the 150-pax Executive Lounge which is also available for special events.

Savoy Cafe entrance

 

Savoy Cafe

The hotel has three food and beverage outlets. Our usual hangout was their on-site, all-day dining Savoy Cafe (open 6 AM to 10 PM) which serves a menu of international and Filipino cuisine and special dishes ala carte. 

Wild Mushroom Cream Soup

Lechon Kawali

Here, we tried out their Wild Mushroom Cream Soup (3 kinds of mushrooms blended with cream and served with sesame pretzel grissini, Php275), Lechon Kawali (crispy pork belly served with special vinegar dipping sauce and steamed rice, Php460), Sampaguita Rubbed Pork Barbecue (smoky, tender slices of pork belly smothered with their homemade barbecue sauce, Php550) and their Halo-Halo (Filipino cold dessert with assorted fruit compote, drizzled with evaporated milk, and topped with ice cream, custard flan and maraschino cherry, Php350).   

Fresh Salmon Ravioli Pasta

Halo-Halo

Zabana Bar, open 7 AM to 12 midnight, is located at the hotel's spacious lobby.  Named after Zabana Rum, the latest product from Emperador Distillers, Inc., it offers signature drinks, specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and bar bites.  

Zabana Bar

Located on the second floor are a spacious outdoor area with a swimming pool, jacuzzi and the Poolside Bar (open 7 AM - 10 PM) which offers expertly crafted signature cocktails and a selection of premium wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. 

The Poolside Bar

Both bars’ menu includes Gambas Al Ajillo (garlic shrimp in olive oil served with bruschetta), Bruschetta Trio (cream cheese balls, cocktail shrimp, classic tomato, and pesto), Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls (kani sticks, Chinese sausage, cucumber, vermicelli, fresh herbs, nuoc cham, and peanut sauce), Nuoc Cham Chicken Wings (Crispy fried chicken wings glazed with honey and fish sauce), Salmon Croquettes (crispy golden brown crust, pan fried salmon, peppers, onions, and seasoning), Crispy Pata (crispy pork leg with special vinegar dipping sauce), Chicharong Bulaklak (crispy fried pork mesentery, served with pickled vinegar, and cucumber dip), Meatball in Tomato Sauce (mix of ground beef & chicken stewed in fresh tomato salsa served with bruschetta) California Maki (sushi stuffed with ripe mangoes , cucumber , and crabstick , served with wasabi and soy dipping sauce) and Charcuterie Plate (salami lyoner, boursin, brie, sharp cheddar, pickles, grissini, assorted nuts, and dried fruits).

Connect Lounge

The Connect Lounge is a versatile space for meetings, conferences, workshops and social gatherings that brings people together for meaningful encounters.  It offers Business Packages that can be customized according to your needs.

Sauna and Steam Room

Spa

Located on the second floor are a spa and sauna room (open 7 AM to 8 PM) and the fully-equipped fitness gym (Move Health Club) which offers modern cardio machines, strength training and free weights.  Open 7 AM to 8 PM. 

Move Health Club

Move Health Club

The unique Squares Lounge, located at every two floors of the 11 storey building, are open, co-working spaces with lots of rooms and electric sockets.  An ideal spot for productivity and relaxation, it has a wide, long and bright lobby.  Here, you can hang out with friends, get work done or stream your favorite TV series, all while keeping your personal space private.  Stationed at every square are computers, a snack bar and hotel staff that can take your orders from any of Savoy's F&B outlets.

Squares Lounge

The hotel also has a 24-hour Front Desk and a business center.  Located on the same floor are a spa and sauna room (open 7 AM to 8 PM), and an indoor swimming pool (open 7 AM to 8 PM).  They also offer complimentary airport shuttle, laundry service, car rental, concierge, currency exchange, on-site parking and 24-hour room service.  The customer service was excellent and the hotel staff were respectful, friendly and accommodating. 

The outdoor swimming pool

The hotel is located 200 m. from the vibrant township of Newport City, which features top-notch residences, hotels and enterprises.  It is also located 3.2 kms. (a 10-min. drive) from the City of Dreams Manila, 5.1 kms. (a 15-min. drive) from SM Mall of Asia, 5.5 kms. (a 15-min. drive) from Glorietta Mall, 8 kms. (a 20-min. drive) from The Mind Museum, an interactive science center, and 9.6 kms. (a 20 min. drive) from Rizal Park. 

The spacious outdoor seating area beside the pool

A cabana beside the pool where you can relax

As previously mentioned, the hotel is dedicated to sustainability through practices that contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions and the Philippines’ ongoing efforts against food scarcity. A proud advocate of sustainable tourism, the hotel is an official signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched on November 4, 2021. The declaration’s goals include cutting greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030, achieving Net Zero by 2050 or earlier, and annually reporting progress on climate action plans.

 

A Vertical Garden overlooking the swimming pool

A testament to this is its Vertical and Rooftop Gardens, where guests enjoy fresh, locally grown produce, reducing the hotel’s dependence on external food sources. To further reduce waste, the hotel repurposed over 500 containers from its Housekeeping Department and used plant boxes made from scrap materials, minimizing the carbon footprint between garden and plate. 

In line with these goals, the hotel has introduced the innovative WeSave Sustainability Program, which aims to reduce its operational impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions, measure its carbon footprint, reach carbon neutrality by 2030, foster a culture of recycling, and integrate eco-friendly practices into daily operations. The program also answers to the sustainability campaign of Megaworld Corporation, MEGreen, in contributing to greener townships. 

The dedicated staff, the backbone of the hotel’s sustainability efforts, embody this commitment by making eco-friendly practices a natural part of their daily routines both at work and at home. A rigorous food waste management system measures waste and identifies spoilage patterns by analyzing every aspect of the food handling process. Future menus align servings with actual consumption, reducing waste and optimizing efficiency for both guests and the environment.

 

Savoy Hotel ManilabGM Den Navarro and Compliance Manager Karlo Evangelista holding the UNEP Badge of Honor

In November 2022, the WeSave Sustainability Program received a “Badge of Honor” from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc. Additionally, the program’s dedication to reducing food waste earned it the “Guardians of the Grub Badge” from the UK-based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a testament to the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. 

Most recently, Savoy Hotel Manila was named one of the top six finalists in the Business Marketing category of the Green Destinations Story Awards 2024 at the ITB Berlin tourism conference. Their Good Travel Story, “WeSave – Empowering Sustainability, Transforming Lives in Pasay City,” has also been nominated for the 2024 “People’s Choice Award,” allowing the public to vote for their favorite destination and Good Practice Story from the 2023 Green Destinations Top 100 competition. 

The hotel’s commitment to sustainability extends to its Sampaguita Initiative, which aims to revitalize the sampaguita industry by incorporating the Philippines’ national flower into its branding and supporting communities in San Pedro, Laguna, once known as the “Sampaguita Capital of the Philippines.” In fact, Megaworld maintains a 9-hectare, solar-powered Central Nursery in Tanza, Cavite, opened in 2016, that propagates sampaguita as well provides all of the tree seedlings, plants and flowers for their Luzon townships.

 

Sampaguita Boursin and Salmon Tartlets

Some of their signature dishes, such as the Sampaguita Boursin & Salmon Tartlets (Php420), Roasted Vegetable and Sampaguita Terrine (Php350), the aforementioned Sampaguita Rubbed Pork Barbeque, Sampaguita Polvoron (Php180), Gambas Royale (Php650) and Mango Sampaguita Cheesecake (Php320) as well as the Sampaguita & Lychee (Php220), Sampaguita Smoothie (Php280) and  SanMaRRa Tea (Php220), are infused and enhanced with sampaguita, adding a fresh flavor to a meal or drink. 

 

Sampaguita Rubbed Pork Barbeque

Savoy Hotel Manila: 101 Andrews Ave., Newport City, 1309 Pasay City. Tel: +63 (02) 5317-2869.  E-mail: stay@savoymanila.com. Website: www.savoyhotelmanila.com.