CJ Andaluz Revisits His Roots

Independent filmmaker Christopher John Andaluz returned to his first love, theater, with the successful restaging of Frank G. Rivera's modern zarzuela "Ambon, Ulan, Baha" last December 13 at SM Centerpoint Cinema 5.

Andaluz was back on the helm of Rivera's 2004 Aliw Awards Best Musical Production after directing the short film "Nekro" and the full-length feature "Sisa" for OnCam Productions.

"Ambon, Ulan, Baha" is another production of Alab Artistika and Pixel Art Media Production Co. based on Rivera's play aside from "Tao, Isang Tagulaylay" and "Oyayi."

Andaluz earlier dipped his hands in directing films with "Nekro," which won best narrative short film in the first Pambujan Pelikula Para sa Publiko (PPPP) National Short Film Festival and Competition held in Northern Samar and also competed in the Lyons Asian Film Festival in France, Exground Film Festival in Germany, Third Eye Asian Film Festival Mumbai in India, and .MOV International Digital Film Festival in Manila.

His short film, which tells the story of a man who fulfills his sexual urges by having sex with the dead, was also part of the Short Wave program of the 7th World Film Festival of Bangkok and the selection of the 16th Filipino American Cine (FACINE) Festival in San Francisco last month.

Meanwhile, "Sisa" competed in the Digital Lokal competition of Dekada Cinemanila last year with Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson bagging the Best Actress award in the international film festival.