The Poro Forever Team
Gary Winstead Producer/Director
“Gary is a best selling author of eighteen Oh! nineteen! books (as of this writing) plus two serialized graphic comics published by Crimson Cloak Publishing! And the director of our first two award winning films, “Riding Through Life with Love by my Side” and our new documentary, “Poro Forever – The Little Town that Could.” Poro Forever is winning multiple awards at Festivals literally around the world and “cleaning up” in almost every category. Do take a look at our Awards Page!
He is a former Marine, a Vietnam Veteran, a Card Carrying Cowboy and a retired Veterinarian. Gary and his wife Jerasol gifted the new, free, Public Library (where there was none before) to the town of Poro, Camotes, Cebu, Philippines. The People of Poro and its new library are the subject of our current documentary, “Poro Forever.”
Gary Finishes! The Poro Fun Run
Christine Liao Actor
Christine Liao (Laughing Lady) in Poro Christine Liao (Forever, played Waverly Jong in the Sierra Madre Playhouse production of ‘Joy Luck Club’ last fall. She is also known for her role as the clerk/waitress in the comedy sketch ‘The ABC Who Can’t Read Chinese’ and as Kendy in Wong Fu Productions’ ‘Yappie.’
Christine as Laughing Lady in a rare moment of mirth
Christine Liao has been selected as a finalist for Best Actor in in a Monolgue!
Lawrence Benedict Co-Producer/Writer/Editor – Oh, and Actor
Lawrence Benedict (Sweet Tooth) a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, and veteran of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada, has performed on stage in over 42 full Equity productions, as well as in TV and film, in both United States and Canada. starring in the Canadian Police series, The Collaborators, (21 episodes). He recently won “Best Actor” and also “Best Supporting Actor” at 2020 film festivals for his role of “Cutter, The Old Cowboy” in Gary Winstead’s “Riding Through Life with Love by My Side.” His enviable recent resume after a ife in film, TV and on Stage, includes a short feature he starred in, “In Girum Imus Nocte” (Things spin up in the night) by Jorge Pallas that became a Cannes Selection in 2016. Multiple awards for Poro Forever, including Best Writer, (for Poro Forever), Best Editor and Best Trailer.
An Impromptu Laughing Lesson from the Laughing Lady
Jerasol Winstead Associate Producer/Actor
Jerasol Winstead hails from Poro and knows the lay of that land! She and Gary, realized the urgent need for a public Library, as the local language, Porohanan, was disappearing. So they set out to provide one for the town. Such an event must be filmed so Gary, who was already producing independent films, that had begun willing awards picked up the camera. Jerasol became associate producer, liaison and, of course, actor. All producer’s wives are long suffering but Jerasol seems to survive that role with the broad smile you see below. When a stellar acting performance is needed Jerasol can be seen running away from the camera! – Thankfully for us she didn’t get far.
Jerasol Winstead plays herself in Poro Forever
Aljon Gonzalez Loon (John) cameraman on the fly, DSLR Operator, phone-cam, Go Pro and scooter-cam! John got his fill of lensing on Poro Forever!
Jon was born in Cebu City and was raised there, graduating in nursing from San Carlos University and began an impressive nursing career. We’re glad he could hang up the scrubbies briefly to do some impressive camerawork on Poro Forever. Married to his lovely wife Nikki, our film is dedicated to their tiny son who was only with us a short while, Ezekiel.
John is a Finalist in the Asian Cinematography Awards for Poro Forever
Our Indefatigable Crew is starting to bring in those Film Festival Laurels!
Meet Rodscar Garciano, Johnaces Guinocor, James Garciano, Maureen Burgos, Sim Isaac Asmada. Our rock-solid cameraman, John Gonzales Loon isn’t pictured because he’s, where else? behind the camera! Oh, and the tall gentleman in the hat is our esteemed Director, Gary Winstead!
Nice Work Guys!
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! – If you missed our trailer the first time!
THEY DIDN’T WHAT?
And NOW!!!
Our 20 minute version of Poro Forever winning awards Globally From Istanbul to Kalkota!
Not to mention New York, Paris, Toronto, London and places like that!