Johnny Moon: Modern-day Juan Luna

"Looking for Johnny Moon" poster

Director Mark Meily and SkyBlue

Director Soxy Topacio and SkyBlue

Johnny Moon! What a name for a modern-day Juan Luna.
Around 200 participants flocked to Plaza del Norte last July 14-16 to seek for Johnny Moon, thus, the festival's theme:"Looking for Johnny Moon".

It was a delightful search for me and my groupmates ( Gyver, Jonathan and Dondi) because we were able to come up with a short film ("Bubble Gum") as output in Scriptwriting and Directing. The script I wrote won first place. Thanks to our mentors, Director Soxy Topacio and Mark Meily. Until now, the realization of having the creative remnants of Juan Luna in all the participants makes me beam with pride. Juan Luna lives and has resurfaced as Johnny Moon. He has crept into new fields like cinematography, digital photography and animation too.

I can say...I'm Johnny Moon!

Looking for Johnny Moon Found New Juan Lunas

I was delighted to chance upon my blog "SkyBlue's Activity Hub" on the fan page of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. I'm in the loop! Great! Check it out!
The first Ilocos Norte Creative Media Arts Festival dubbed as "Looking for Johnny Moon" was held at the Plaza del Norte last July 14-16, 2011. The said festival was attended by educators, writers, budding film makers and artists from DLSU-College of St. Benilde, University of Baguio, SLU-Baguio, schools from Ilocandia like MMSU, DWCL, INCAT, INNHS, ISALA, Savior's Academy and HSAL.
Resource speakers were Soxy Topacio and Mark Meily, both stage and film directors.
I was the lone representative of INCAT on the first day when Scriptwriting was tackled by Soxy Topacio and Directing was shared by Mark Meily. A tour of the different tourist spots in Ilocos was included to enable the workshop participants to get inspiration for the output, a short film shot on the same day.
I joined 3 young gentlemen, one of them was my actor for INCAT Theater Arts Guild of which I've been an Adviser for years now. We made a short movie, "Bubble Gum". I made the script. The 4 of us acted in the film, one was the camera man, and one was assigned as director.
"Bubble Gum" bested other entries in the short fim category. We won first place with a cash prize of 3k.
"Looking for Johnny Moon" paved the way for discovering new talents in digital photography and animation too.
Awarding of prizes was held in a most fitting place, the house of Juan Luna (Johnny Moon) in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.
The new breed of Juan Lunas will inspire others who have what it takes to be a famous Media Arts enthusiast.
I believe there's a Johnny Moon in each of us. There's a Johnny Moon in every gathering or group. There's a Johnny Moon in every Ilocano.