Batangas City movie director Jojo Driz paid homage to brave lady director Carla Pulido Ocampo of the outstanding 2019 Cinemalaya award-winning short film "Tokwifi."
Carla resides in Bontoc among the indigenous peoples in the region.
Carla has been Jojo's mentor.
She's someone the Batangueno film artist looks up to in the industry.
Here's Jojo's testament of his admiration on Carla:
"Sa kabila ng pagkakaibigang di pa nagkakakitaan (Even if we haven't seen each other as friends).
"Pinagtagpo tayo ng pelikultura, sa CALABARZON Film Festival, wala akong alam sa'yo at ganun ka din sa akin, mentor kita habang ako’y finalist sa nasabing festival, nag-uusap tayo sa pamamagitan ng FB messenger (We were united by the film culture at the festival. We were not familiar with each other from Adam. You were my mentor and I was one of the finalists in the fest. We were just communicating online).
"Magaan ang loob ko naging ate kita, kapatid, teacher at higit sa lahat kaibigan.
may kung anung hibla na nagdurugtung sa atin nasa hanggang ngayun di pa napuputol (I was light-hearted you became my older sister by affinity and especially, friend. There's a certain strand that connects us).
"Binigyan natin ang espasyo ang bawat isa para magtagal at magtiwala (We provide space to trust each other).
"Hanggang unti-unti nang nagkakaroon ng mukha kung sino tayo (Until gradually we have known each other).
"Award winning director ka pala at nang mapanood ko ang mga pelikula mo, ay may ibang pitik ang babaeng ito (When I saw your films, I suddenly realized.you have a different stroke as a woman).
"Malikot mag-isip, kakaiba pero mas hinangaan ko ang paglalahad mo ng kuwentong walang rape sa (You have a creative mind, unique and I admire the way you told the story that there's no rape) in Bontoc).
"Kakainggit (I'm envious).
"Kaya ko bang gumawa ng ganung katapang na pelikula, marahil kaw lang yun para saiyo yung kuwento na yun, basta magaling ka (Can I make fiery movies only you can do. You're very good)!
"Naging tungtungan natin para magkalapit nung ibahagi ko sa'yo ang aking sinulat na pelikulang (We became closer when I shared with you my screenplay of) 'Burda.'
"Marami akong nilapitan pero ikaw lang ang bukod tanging umupo, tumayo, nagpabale-balengtong, bumusisi, humimay, nag-ayos upang maging isang pelikula ang 'Burda,' na hanggang ngayon ay nananatiling pangarap pa rin (I approached many but you were the only one you sat, stood and tumbled with me, meticulously examined and corrected my screenplay project which is atill my dream film). .
"Sinamahan mo ako sa pakikipaglaban at paglalakbay ng 'Burda,' ikaw ang humaharap sa aking mga kahinaan (You joined me in my struggles and journey of my dream movie. You guided me to strengthen my weaknesses).
"Ang lakas mo ang sinandalan ko matupad lang ang pangarap, sinamahan mo ako sa taas-babang buhay ng (Your strength is my aegis to realize my dreams so you went along with me in the roller-coaster ride of) 'Burda'.
"Naalala mo mga paglaban natin sa Cinemalaya, hindi mo ako sinukuan marahil sa kagustuhan mo na maging pelikula ang 'Burda' noong matapos ito, sinamahan mo pa rin ako sa pagtatayo ko ng aking film festival, kasama rin kita dito nakasuporta, nakabantay, nakamasid (I remember you didn't give up on our pitching for Cinemalaya to realize 'Burda' and you also joined me in organizing, supporting, monitoring and guiding through my film festival, the Sine Batangan, Batangas Film Festival...)..."
"Malayo man tayo sa isa’tisa nasa timog katagalugan ako habang ikaw ay nasa norte (We are far from each other. I am from southern Tagalog while you're from the north).
"Dahil nasa takipsilim na ako ng aking buhay, may sakit at walang kasiguraduhan ang buhay, naglista ako ng mga taong gusto kong puntahan (I am already in the twilight of my life, sick and uncertain of life so I listed down people I want to pay visits to...)
"Naisip ko, nais kong ipagbili sa iyo ang pelikulang 'Burda,' kaw lang binibigyan ko ng karapatang bigyang buhay ang kuwento (I thought of selling you 'Burda.' I am giving you the sole rights to give life to it).
"Ako ang nagbuntis at nagluwal, sa iyo ko na iiwan ang pagpapalaki kung sakaling ako ay papanaw (I am the one who conceived and gave birth to it and I am entrusting it to you if I die...
"Gusto ko lang di masayang ang mga panahong naubos ko sa (I just want my time devoted and aquandered with) 'Burda'...).
"Carla, bibisitahin ko pa rin kayo ni Lester, pipilitin, lalo pa ngayun tatlo na kayong bibisitahin, pag nagkataon (I will pay you and Lester a visit especially now that you'd be three--Carls is on the family way...).
"Salamat ha, sa mga laban natin sa sining at para sa bayan, sasamahan kita (Thanks and I will be with you in our fights for the art and country
"Mabuhay ka, kapatid (Long live, Sister)!"
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon