M.C. Tolfo - Storywriter

I'm not a hater of Philippine cinema. I understand in a certain sense how the industry works, and I have never lost hope in the potential of our auteurs to produce films we can be proud of. But to be frank, it is rare for me to find a trailer for a local movie that I would want to spend my money on. Sleepless  is different. From the first time I saw the trailer for this movie, I've always wanted to see this film, and I finally did.      Sleepless is a story about two kindred spirits: Gem, played by Glaiza de Castro and Barry, played by Dominic Roco. The two met when the latter was hired in the call center agency where Gem works. And unlike other romantic comedies, there was no "kilig moment", no pick up lines or cheesy dialogue. They were introduced to each other casually. Just like that. But despite that, you can feel their chemistry even with just the non verbal way they communicated.      Aside from working at the same dead-end job, and li...

This is my perfect love story. We meet while I am having a summer vacation in Puerto Princesa. Or maybe Boracay. Or Pagudpud. Or Baler. You are visiting your family. Or maybe you are taking a break with your friends. Or colleagues. We are in a restaurant, a cafe, and I am ordering a drink or a meal, and you are doing the same. We catch a glimpse at each other, and at that instantaneous moment, we both know. We are meant to be. The world stops spinning. But only in our heads, because everyone around us continue moving. Yet, we don't care. Time stands still, and all I see is you. I smile, and you catch yourself smiling back. You break your stare and blush. Time starts moving again. From that moment on, I couldn't stop looking your way. Yet you keep avoiding my eyes. Of course you will. You are a proud woman, you're not cheap, you're not easy to get. You stand up and excuse yourself. You say you are not feeling well and you start walking back to your cottage. I stan...

My job is to fix things. Your job is to find the problem in everything. Your heart is broken, waiting for someone     My heart is jaded, waiting for no one. You were lonely and looking for company     I was bored searching for somebody. You looked at me and found a friend     I looked at you and found something more. I wanted to be there until the end     You have nothing for me in store. You were someone who needed so much love     I was someone with too much love to give. I was willing to give everything I have     You only want yourself to receive. You reach out looking for someone who will care     I reached to you telling you I'll be there. I opened my heart out, expecting you would see     You closed yours and left me nothing but a memory. I asked, you didn't answer.  I demanded explanation, you gave nothing but a cold shoulder. All I wanted was to unde...

I know Baguio for a lot of things, but I've never seen it's artistic side before. So, for my first travel for 2016, I was glad that I got to visit what is probably the country's coolest art museum ever. Home of a National Artist Located outside the busy streets of Baguio City at the town of Tuba, Benguet, the  BenCab Museum  is just a jeepney ride away from the summer capital's down town district. It houses a vast number of artworks, most of which from the renowned National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, better known as BenCab. Apparently, the museum is also the home of the National Artist, as well as his workshop. Aside from BenCab's works, the museum also displays artworks from various contemporary artists from Manila and throughout the country. With an entrance fee of only 100 pesos, BenCab is the perfect place to discover modern masterpieces. Northern Pride Among the first artworks you can see upon entering the museum are wood crafts depic...

It's been a while since the last time I updated this blog. I tried so many times to resurrect this, proved by the various unfinished drafts here and in my Google Docs, but to no avail. With this new year, I promised myself to update this more often, and since there's no new story ready in hand, it wouldn't be bad to start by making a list of five  six contemporary Filipino books that I recommend to every bookworm out there who wants to see how our local writers fare in literature (and in case the only Filipino books you know are Noli and Fili) or, you know, you're looking for more books to read for 2016. 1. ABNKKBSNPLAko?  by Bong Ong   A staple favorite of teenagers and young adults, this book touches on the life a typical Filipino student. Reading it now is like life pressing all the nostalgia buttons. I was in High School when I first saw this, and this is the first Filipino book I've read that is not written by Rizal and is not a romance novel. (technicall...

Cornea Marie and The Dead Stranger (excerpt) Cornea Marie is not an ordinary girl, though she lives an ordinary life. A gifted young prodigy, she spends her days studying in a well-known university and her nights partying at the city's loudest venues. But her mundane existence is about to change when her beloved friend and mentor was reported missing; in his house the police found the dead body of a John Doe. Fearing that he is being framed for murder, Cornea Marie must race against the authorities in finding her missing teacher and prove his innocence. But as mysteries begin to unfold, she discovers that sometimes, even the people you know the most are not what they appear to be. Chapter 7             Cornea woke up to a deafening silence. The lights are off and for a brief moment she was puzzled by her surrounding, until everything slowly came back. She turned to the jalousie window but couldn't see anything o...