Cinemalaya 2016 will make waves, ‘break the surface’

MANILA, Philippines – Now on its 11th year, the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), one of the most successful indie film competitions in the country, will be held at the CCP and other festival venues in Metro Manila come Aug. 5 to 14. Its theme is Break the Surface.

“Last year, Cinemalaya showed only short features,” explains Minda Casagan, head of the CCP’s Film Division. “It was kind of serene, so festival director Chris Millado this year decided the theme would be Break the Surface. So make it very strong, ready to go to the next challenge.”

In other words, shake things up, make waves and disturb the serenity of the surface.

Ten full-feature films and an equal number of short features are up for grabs.

The 10 full-length features are Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching by Inna Salazar; Dagsin by Atom Magadia; Hiblang Abo by Ralston Jover; I America by Ivan Andrew Payawal; Kusina by David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares; Lando at Bugoy by Vic Acedillo Jr.; Maselang Bahaghari by J.E. Tiglao; Mercury Is Mine by Jason Paul Laxamana; Pamilya Ordinario by Eduardo Roy Jr.; and Tuos by Derick Cabrido.

The short features are Ang Hapon ni Nanding by Rommel Tolentino; Ang Maangas, Ang Marikit at Ang Makata by Jose Ibarra Guballa; Bugtaw by Noah del Rosario; Butas by Richard Cawed; Fish Out of Water by Ramon Alberto Garilao; Forever Natin by Mary Clarence Espiritu; Get Certified by Isaias Herrera Zantua; Mansyong Papel by Ogos Aznar; Nakauwi Na by John Relano; and Pektus by Isabel Maria Luz M. Quesada.

A total of 120 entries were submitted in the full-length category, and the winner will receive P350,000. Other prizes in this category are the Special Jury Prize (P100,000) and Audience Choice (P75,000). As for the short features, a total of 158 entries were submitted. The winner will receive P150,000.

In Tuos, Nora Aunor plays a leader of an indigenous group, a kind of cultural czarina. Dagsin brings together Tommy Abuel, Lotlot de Leon and Janine Gutierrez, making for three generations of the Aunor family participating in the festival.

What promises to be one of the outstanding entries in Cinemalaya is Hiblang Abo, based on a play, a kind of cult classic in theater, by the late great dramatist Rene Villanueva. It stars four Golden Oldies, stalwarts of the Philippine theater, movies and TV: Lou Veloso, Nanding Josef, Leo Rialp and Jun Urbano. It is set in a home for the aged abandoned by their families, and was actually shot in one such institution in Montalban, Rizal.

Nanding plays Pedro, a manic-depressive, while Jun (as Teroy) is a traumatized worker. Blas (Leo) is an authoritarian union leader and Lou (Jose) is a writer, a closet gay. It is a grim play-turned-film, with comic relief provided by Louie Manorola as a flirtatious elderly woman.

Thus, the four men laugh, argue and quarrel, bringing their demons with them. At the end, one is killed, another arrested and a third commits suicide.

There is a lone survivor. Is there hope for him?

Abangan in August.