Art Fuels​​​​​​​ The Artist

Filmmaker Quark Henares treasures his rare collection of cinematic memorabilia, creates independent features with hidden meanings, and encourages the youth by spreading all he has learned in a decade of being in the business.

- Chino R. Hernandez

Quark Henares was only 27 years old when he began principal photography for his first feature film Gamitan. He was headed towards the set at Quezon province, riding a caravan filled with members of his cast and crew. His only armor on the battle field: passion, raw talent, an original screenplay, and a diploma from the New York film Academy. “How do you feel about controlling all of this?” asked his script coordinator. Quark couldn’t mutter a word. Training did not prepare him for the day he would be promoted to general of a movie set.

“I think I had a mini heart attack,” he recalls about that day on the road nearly a decade ago. Now 36, Quark has gained a reputation as one of cinema’s brightest minds. He has completed six movies, acts as the head of Globe studios, contributes to the family business, teaches film at the Ateneo de Manila University, and hones his love for music during his free time.

CINEMA AS AN INSIDE JOKE

After graduating from the Ateneo de Manila University, Quark furthered his studies by pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of southern California. He later moved to the east Coast to study at the New York film Academy. Returning to Manila, he penned his first original screenplay and adapted it for the big screen. Gamitan was a critical darling and the public began to notice the young director. He followed it up with his dream project Keka and what was to be known as his most personal film Rakenrol.