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c h i k k a
w a n d e r l u s t
TEXT
CHARMAINE BAYLON
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF JUN LANA
Just have
fun!
Do
your thing
AS AN AWARD-WINNING
playwright,
screenwriter and director, Jun Lana travels
for work, leisure and inspiration. In fact,
it was quite busy for him last year, as he
went to New York and Toronto for the
screening of his internationally acclaimed
film,
Bwakaw
—
a moving story that
focuses on an elderly gay man who learns
to live again when he cares for a stray dog.
It was also the Philippines’ entry for the
Best Foreign Language Film category at
the 2013 Oscars. Here, Jun reveals how
seeing the world has taught him how to
create his best scenarios and memories.
Filmmaker Jun Lana offers tried-and-
tested tips to make the most out of
your trips
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO FAR TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL
Sometimes the best destinations are just a few hours away from where you live. When I want
to write a screenplay and get away from the city, I take a 30-minute flight to Boracay to find
inspiration and clear my head. I also get a nice tan in the process.
TALK TO THE LOCALS
I love being asked where I’m from,
because it starts a very natural
conversation. And before long, I get to
derive insights on what those locals’
lives are like. It’s always fascinating how
people go through the world depending
on their environment. I learn a lot about
creating characters that way.
Jun Lana during the shooting
of
Bwakaw
The famous Boracay sunset
The crowd at Harajuku
