H.E. Minda Calaguian-Cruz, delivers her welcome remarks during the first screening of Ang Larawan at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) in Canberra on 05 June 2018. The screening was a result of a partnership between the Philippine Embassy in Australiaand Victoria International Container Terminal in celebration of the 120th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.

The Philippine Embassy in Australia in partnership with Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), held the free screenings of “Ang Larawan” (The Portrait) in two cities in Australia reaching an audience of almost 500 people.

The film was first screened in Australia’s capital city, Canberra, on 05 June 2018 at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and followed by Melbourne on 07 June 2018 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).

Ang Larawan is based on a three-act English play entitled A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin, first published in 1952 and considered one of the most pedigreed literary works of the Philippines. The producer of this film, Culturtain Musicat Productions Inc., headed by Celeste Legaspi and Girlie Rodis first staged this as a musical rendition. This time, as a film, Ang Larawan, reaches an even bigger audience. Directed by multi-awarded Broadway theatrical set designer and director, Loy Arcenas, Ang Larawan brings nostalgia for the beauty and classic scenes of Old Manila.

“We hope is that this film will open our eyes to traditions long gone, inspire us to celebrate our Filipino identity, and encourage us to continue to learn about ourselves, as a people and as a country,” said H.E. Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, during her welcome remarks at the screening in Melbourne.

This film screening was part of the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the 120th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and was made possible by Victoria International Container Terminal, Australia’s first fully-automated container terminal, Department of Tourism of the Philippines and the Filipino Australian Student Council of Victoria (FASTCO).