In last week's column, we talked about the launch of the annual International Silent Film Festival Manila which is now on its 15th year. It had its opening ceremony last Wednesday at the newly reopened Metropolitan Theater. We noted that instead of presenting one original silent film classic like our partner countries to represent their country, the Philippines will be represented by nine newly-made silent short films.

You see, unlike the rest of the partner organizations hosting the screening of their silent film gems, we really have no original and extant silent film to show. Sadly, we have lost most, if not all, of our original silent films.