Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo, executive producer of Culturtain Musicat Productions, writes a letter to invite support for their film "Ang Larawan" which will be screening at the Metro Manila Film Festival from December 25. "Ang Larawan" is an adaptation of the classic play "A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino" and its themes of family, faith, and nationalism are important to the producers. They provide excerpts of glowing reviews the film has received to encourage teachers and students to watch and support their passion project.

1. 6 December 2017
Dear Friends in the Academe,
Warmest greetings from myself, Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo, and my partners at Culturtain
Musicat Productions, Rachel Alejandro and Girlie Rodis!
We have been producing original Filipino stage musicals since 1987, one of which is “Ang
Larawan,” which is based on the classic play “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” by National
Artist Nick Joaquin. This year, the movie version of “Ang Larawan” has successfully made it to
the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which begins on December 25.
We have long wanted to bring to the silver screen this musical. This is our passion project for
many reasons: The libretto by National Artist Rolando Tinio is beautiful. The music by Ryan
Cayabyab is divine. The themes of family, faith in God, and nationalism are important to us. But
most of all, the struggle of “commerce versus art, pragmatism versus materialism” is a matter
that hits our core as artists; it is a discourse that we want to impart to the younger generation
whom we want to inspire to love the splendor of our Filipino heritage.
We would like to seek your help to encourage your teachers and students to watch our film
during the MMFF. “Ang Larawan” is up against big mainstream movies. Its presence in this
year’s MMFF is a welcome development as points back to the days when the filmfest featured
artistic works by the likes of Lino Brocka and Marilou Diaz-Abaya.
Admittedly a story about two unmarried sisters who stubbornly hold on to their father’s painting
may seem unappealing to certain viewers but we assure you that “Ang Larawan” is not lacking
in surprises, fun, kilig, humor and “spectacular fireworks.” With a star-studded cast composed of
the best singers in our country, we promise viewers a wonderful nostalgic trip to Old Manila.
There’s plenty of biritan and kantahan while re-discovering Filipino culture and history to boot!
“Ang Larawan” has gotten excellent reviews at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the
San Francisco Cinematografo International Film Festival. Our film has also received
endorsements from the Commission on Higher Education, the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts, and from Senators Pia Cayetano and Bam Aquino. Not to mention a lot of good
feedback from those who’ve seen our film at special previews.
Attached to this letter are excerpts from reviews that we also hope you can share with your
school community. For more information, please refer to www.anglarawan.com and
facebook.com/AngLarawanTheMovie.
In short, we appeal for your support and patronage. We enjoin you to invite your students,

2. teachers, parents and staff and alumni to support “Ang Larawan.” We assure you that watching
the film will be a fantastic and educative experience.
Should you wish to get in touch with us, you can contact our producer, Alemberg Ang at
ang.alem@gmail.com, 09178110217 and 09998496000.
Maligayang Pasko at mabuhay ang artistang Pinoy at ang pelikulang Pilipino!
Maraming-maraming salamat po!
Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo
Executive Producer

3. REVIEWS
“A stirring musical drama set on the eve of World War II in Manila and centered on the
cash-strapped spinster daughters of a famous old painter, “The Portrait” proves a
handsomely produced big-screen adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s revered play “A Portrait of
the Artist as a Filipino,” featuring classy melodrama and terrific tunes performed by a
dream cast… Ampil and Alejandro’s voices and performances soar
“This impeccably performed and crisply photographed tuner zips along nicely toward its
highly emotional and tremendously satisfying finale. Clearly made with the utmost love
and care, “The Portrait” is beautifully decorated and top-notch in every technical detail.”
—Richard Kuipers, variety.com
“‘Portrait’ provides a deep history lesson set off by a soaring score and crisp libretto. This
is no light operetta. Instead, it is a searing musical journey into the complex lives and
emotions of fading Filipino members of the upper class who desperately cling to their
relationship with the elegant Spanish Empire decades after their island passed to the
control of the United States by the Treaty of Paris.
“Life, like art, is intricate—charting paths carved by a force. We do not possess the
future,” sings a poet-turned-politician during a climactic scene when the sisters fight to
retain their home in the walled city. “We do not possess the future. We are but
bystanders, making side bets. Propositioning Fate.”
Producers Girlie Rodis and Celeste Legaspi have gathered some of the finest Filipino
musicians and actors for this rich adaptation of Joaquin’s masterwork. Although the
setting is contained to film locations that are not much larger than a stage set, each frame
of the film looks like a work of art. Lush orchestration accompanies the vocal passages,
which are interspersed with spoken dialogue, memorable duets, and choral segments
equal to the best of Broadway or London’s West End. The poignant theme music woven
into the drama carries the viewer through this journey into the world of a treasured
culture under siege.”
— Lawrence Harmon,
former Urban Affairs and Political columnist for the Boston Globe

4. “From its inviting beginning to its thought-provoking ending, ‘Ang Larawan’ captures
the heart and soul of its source material… Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as
Filipino…. The multi-layered narrative is punctuated by well-orchestrated musical
numbers that simultaneously pierce and brighten your heart. Ang Larawan speaks
volumes about our identity as Filipinos.
… ‘Ang Larawan’ has beautiful cinematography and intricate storytelling that swells up
to an emotional crescendo!... It’s a thoughtful and powerful elegy on the death of Old
Manila.”
—Manny the Movie Guy, The Filipino Channel (TFC)
“It’s this immensely talented cast, from major characters to even minor ones played by
veteran actors and young talents… that make the movie. Ampil’s poignant performance
steals the show whenever she is in the frame. Alejandro doesn’t just carry her own, her
chemistry with Avelino is palpable and she shines at her most vulnerable moments. As
for Avelino, though not as vocally sound as the seasoned thespians that surround him, he
lends genuine charm and nuance to his role.
“Boasting of libretto by National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio and music by Ryan
Cayabyab and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Larawan is a musical feast…”
—Aimee Dacanay, spot.ph
“’Ang Larawan’ was truly incredible, from both a technical and emotional perspective. I
admire films that can set its entire narrative inside a single building but at the same time
represent an entire world…The acting was perfect; with a handful of funny scenes in
between an intense story. To be honest, I didn't know it was a musical film until the last
minute but despite that, and despite me not being the biggest fan of musicals in general, I
really enjoyed ‘Ang Larawan.’”
—Arianne Bulanos
(Filipina who watched the film in Tokyo)