Truth be told, I’m still overwhelmed. Although it’s almost been a week, it feels like yesterday.

While I’m still trying to compose a decent letter to share my gratitude for the big blessing that came my way last Tuesday (it was Independence day, too!), let me just get the ball of gratitude rolling through this post.

My documentary short entitled, “Ang Biyahe Ni Marlon“, would have never been what it is without the bunch of kind and generous people in my life.

So here goes my big thanks to the following:

To Mariannel Crisostomo, Jonnie Lyn Dasalla, Clare Yee and Meika Catog for being ever supportive and encouraging in the making of the short film. To Meika, who has mentioned the festival in passing during one of our talks in a coffee shop, I’m glad, somehow, the info slipped your tongue because the Istorya ng Pag-asa Film Festival (INPFF) would have never reached my radar. With barely five weeks ’til the deadline, the thought of giving up never really crossed our minds. I’m glad we’ve always embraced positivity early on! Thank you, ladies!

To Ms. Hazel Alvero, Mr. Marlon Barnuevo and most especially, to Sir Marlon Fuentes, maraming maraming salamat po! Salamat sa tiwala at sa pagsuporta. You’ve been very generous with your knowledge and time, and that’s something I was never really expecting since I was, at that time, a stranger to all of you.

Ms. Hazel, it was you whose Facebook post I read, and you were very accommodating in answering my private messages. It was so easy to ignore them, and yet you took time to reply and from there, I got a hold of the contact number of Sir Marlon Barnuevo, who is the president of the Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association (PTSA). 

Kay Sir Marlon Barnuevo, from the start, you’ve been very trusting of us, to the point of even welcoming us to your music studio in Quezon City. There, we learned so much about your advocacy, the PTSA, the association’s members and their struggles and victories. And it was you who connected us to Kuya Marlon Fuentes.

Kuya Marlon, ikaw ang tunay na lodi! You’re a walking symbol of hope. Ni minsan, kahit sa ikling panahon na nakasama namin kayo, ay hindi niyo naiparamdam sa amin na nahihirapan na kayo, o napipikon kayo sa mga basher niyo. I’ve always felt like you were genuine to share the positivity that you had in you. And it was unmistakably contagious. Na-bless po kami sa good vibes na dala-dala niyo parati. Salamat!

Sa production team na nakasama ko, ang galing niyo! Salamat Mark Badillo at Bennel Canlas for the sound design. Bennel, inentertain mo pa rin ang request ko kahit di kita nakita ng personal. At Sandro, kahit last minute, pumayag kang sumama sa project na ito. Maraming salamat sa inyo!

Kay John Julian Muniz, we’ve gone a long way. Nangarap tayo noon, heto na tayo ngayon. Cheers to more projects! Mabuhay ang mga mangingibig!

To Jenry Ann and April Grace, salamat sa pagtulong na mag-transcribe.

I will always be grateful for Ma’am Ludz Labagnoy, my former professor in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, who’s a good friend of mine now. Ma’am, matagal na natin itong pinangarap. I’m lucky I got to share this blessing with you.

Of course to my family. Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan? 🙂 Ever supportive and understanding! I’m extremely lucky!

I know I’ve said this many times. But thank you to the Office of the Vice President for spearheading this campaign! Maraming salamat, her excellency, VP Leni Robredo. Thank you to Ayala Foundation. To Cindy and Korinne, big thanks for your warm welcome.

At sa lahat ng tumulong, sumuporta at nagtiwala, sa mga kaibigan ko nung college na mga kasamahan ko rin sa student publication, sa mga Ang Pamantasan people, kina Macky Macarayan, Cherry Aggabao at Lem Santiago, salamat!

Sa fellow finalist ko na miyembro rin ng PLM- Film Society na si Kimberly Ilaya at Adele Oqueriza.

Thanks din kay Ran Perez for designing the official poster.

Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo.

Forever grateful,

Florence

Our film will be screened in Ayala cinemas starting this Wednesday. 🙂