Only in Hollywood Fil-Am actress confirms Tarantino’s love for the barong By Ruben V. Nepales Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 01:30:00 12/22/2007
LOS ANGELES—“Don’t tell me he wore that barong to the nominations announcement?,” Fil-Am actress Tiffany Limos excitedly asked us via e-mail if indeed her friend, director Quentin Tarantino, wore the Philippines’ national shirt when he helped announce the nominees to the 65th Golden Globe Awards. Tiffany, who accompanied Quentin on his two-week visit to Manila last August, added: “If he did, then good for him. He loves that barong!”
Even before Quentin surprised us by wearing the barong at the Globes, we talked to the actress about Tarantino’s favorite new ensemble—the barong, track pants and sneakers! The iconoclastic filmmaker was previously seen in this get-up at various events.
We asked Tiffany for her perspective on Quentin’s Philippine trip, since she was with him most of the time—including a storm-soaked ride to Malacańang, where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Cinemanila Film Festival from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Tiffany, who was born in Texas to Filipino parents, shares the director’s passion for the films of Cirio H. Santiago, Eddie Romero and Gerry de Leon. She has appeared in music videos, commercials, and American films, including the controversial “Ken Park,” which was banned in several countries due to its graphic sexual content. Excerpts:
In what way was your recent trip different, because you probably experienced the country from the perspective of a first-time visitor like Quentin?
It was different going with Quentin, because it was more like work and meeting the industry people. The highlights were meeting Joonee Gamboa and Joe Mari Avellana.
The first time
Were you surprised at how well-known Quentin was in Manila?
Yes, people came from all over the world to see him. I had friends from Malaysia and Indonesia who went to Manila just to see him. Quentin was mobbed everywhere we went!
I know Quentin has a lot of female fans in the US and Europe, but I honestly didn’t expect him to have such a huge fan base in the Philippines. It made me feel more proud that Filipinos have great taste!
What questions did he ask you while you were there?
He asked me about Filipino Time!
What uniquely Filipino traditions or habits did you have to explain to him?
How Filipinos do certain things out of respect—like calling someone Ate or Tito. And politics.
Did Quentin eat balut? Did he have a favorite Filipino food?
No one fed him balut. He loves pancit, adobo, Tanduay Rum with Coke, San Miguel Beer, and the desserts.
Were your parents and family excited that you went to Malacańang and met President Macapagal-Arroyo?
They didn’t believe me until they turned on the TV. They saw that we rode a pedicab to the Palace, because our car got stuck in the floods. We were late, and the President was waiting for us to arrive.
I wore a terno and had white orchids in my hair. Quentin was in a barong—my mother nearly fell over! She will probably never catch me dressed like that again until I get married. Ha!
Manila visit
Since coming back from the Philippines, what are things regarding his Manila visit that Quentin is still talking about?
He was shocked at how so many of the 35mm prints of Filipino films weren’t saved—like Brocka’s movie prints.
He has been spotted wearing the barong since then, even in Ireland. How many barongs does he have?
He has about three or more barongs. Cirio Santiago gave him one that is dope (hip)—it’s in blue with a nice design. Another one is in auburn. I actually want to steal it and wear it with knee-high boots and a belt. (laughter) He has some great barongs!
What new insights did you get about the Philippines?
I feel a connection with the people! I helped Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas raise money for the Love 4 Leyte Foundation to help the mudslide victims. I had to help, since my mother is from there.
Did you watch the movies of new Filipino filmmakers at Cinemanila?
I didn’t get a chance to, but I wanted to watch Quark Henares and Ryan Eigenmann’s films. I wanted to watch “Tribu” because I heard so many things about it. If the filmmaker of “Tribu” is reading this, please contact me—I want to work with you!
I’m also a fan of Marie Jamora. I showed my parents her short films, and they fell in love with her work, too. I also admire Nora Aunor, Michael De Mesa, Vic Diaz, Ricky Davao and Cesar Montano—there are too many to name!
Script
You were probably not as surprised as I was when I watched “Death Proof” and heard one of the actresses talking about filming in the Philippines.
It would surprise me if Quentin wrote a script and did not mention the Philippines at all! He knows a lot about B-movies and that whole genre of filmmaking. It doesn’t surprise me that he would write that in his script, because those movies did take place in the Philippines!
Quentin said, “I know a lot about cinema from all over the world, but the Philippines is the only country that had two industries at the time—maybe the only country ever!” Meaning, one part of it made movies solely for export, and another made films that were meant for its people.
Like Tarantino, you appreciated the movies of Santiago, Romero and De Leon at an early age. How young were you when you started watching Filipino films? Was it exciting for you to be in Manila with Quentin and to meet some of the country’s most prolific directors in the 1960s and 1970s?
It was a surreal experience for Quentin and me, since we’re both cinephiles. I set up a meeting with Quentin and Cirio Santiago on my birthday, Jan. 31, last year. I kept calling Cirio until I got hold of him on the phone.
I left a message on Quentin’s voice message. I said, “Quentin, you’re not going to believe who’s here in Los Angeles...” I said it in a little kid’s voice. Quentin called back and he was freaking out, too. We were in hysterics! On the way to Nate ’n Al’s in Beverly Hills, I was shaking, because I was so excited to be meeting Cirio for the first time! I got there early—I was shocked to be sitting in front of him!
Thrilling
You can’t imagine how thrilling that was for us! Quentin had never been to the Philippines before, and he always dreamed about going there. I had the idea to set up Quentin and stalk Cirio and Eddie Romero when I was in Austin, Texas in the summer of 2006. Quentin invited me to Austin for his “Best of Quentin Tarantino Film Festival.” He was showing the films that have been hits over the last few years, and Cirio’s “The Muthers” was one of them.
Quentin got up, introduced the movie, and all of a sudden, he started giving a whole speech about the Philippines. He talks about Romero and Santiago in detail. He talked about the country like he’d been there! When the movie was over, I asked Quentin if he has ever been to the Philippines before, and he said no. That’s when I decided to make it happen!
Wrong era
Quentin told me that I was born in the wrong era. He said I would have been queen of the ’60s and ’70s if I was at my prime during that era. I grew up watching all of those exploitation movies. I said to Quentin that it was a sad thing that the B-movie generation was gone, but he told me that independent filmmaking is the modern-day, B-movie generation.
Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
To
subscribe to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper in the Philippines,
call +63 2 896-6000 for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu or email your subscription request here.
Factual errors? Contact the
Philippine Daily Inquirer's day desk.
Believe this article violates journalistic ethics?
Contact the
Inquirer's Reader's Advocate.
Or write The Readers' Advocate:
c/o
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Chino RocesAvenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets,
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94
![Zoom Image](javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/entertainment/entertainment/images/pic-12220531010764.jpg", 640, 480))
Zoom
