Oslob, Cebu whale shark in indie film

CEBU CITY - Oslob's whale sharks will become even more famous. The sharks will play a "cameo role" in director Brillante Mendoza'z independent film, which he said he plans to submit as entry in the Cannes Film Festival in France.
The film is about a couple from Tawi -Tawi in Mindanao who have been trying to conceive, but were not blessed with a child.


It stars Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco.


One of the few scenes that will be shot in Cebu feature Oslob town and the sharks that have hained popularity worldwide.


The full feature movie "Thy Womb" is not a movie about the whale sharks, the director said, "but they will appear in a side scene."


"Parang isa na rin  itong paraan para ma-showcase natin ang ating culture, and the things  we are proud of, like the whale sharks of Oslob, "Mendoza said in an interview aired over radio dyAB on Sunday.


He said that 95 percent of the film was shot in Tawi - Tawi, and they plan to start filming in Oslob soon.


In a phone interview, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said he has not heard from Brillantes yet, but he is open to having the sharks and his town featured in a film if this will benefit them.


he said there are no guidelines yet in  having the sharks appear in advertisements or movies. For now, what the Municipal Government allows is filming for research work and documentation of the sharks.


"We'll see what director's plans and intentions are. If it will beneficial to the town in terms of promoting tourism and care for the sharks, of course, we will allow them to come here and shoot, " Guaren told Sun.Start Cebu.


Brillante is a multi-awarded director whose works have been recognized here and abroad. He won the award for Best Director for "Kinatay" at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His film "Lola" also won the award for Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival.


Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas has initiated efforts to promote environment conservation education of host communities of eco-tourism projects.


The agency will hold an information caravan from Argao to the towns in the southern tip of Cebu, DOT-Central Visayas Director Rowena Montecillo said.


She told Sun.Star Cebu these areas are part of the route of the whale shark.


Montecillo  said the tourism agency has tapped the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resorces (BFAR) in educating the community about the whale sharks and perhaps turtles too.


The participants who will be required to attend training's are the boatmen and other members of the affected community.


Montecillo said that with this effort on environmental management education, the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) resources can be tapped.


The School of the SEA managed by the Law  of Nature Foundation headed by environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay laureate Antonio Oposa Jr. was re-launched a few years after its infrastructure laws and policies through environment -friendly practices such as waste segregation and water conservation.


Montecillo had pledged to continue to support the school and at the same time bring environmental conservation awareness to Regions 6 (Western Visayas) , 7 (Central Visayas) and (Eastern Visayas). (LCR/BAP/Sun.Star Cebu).