Special Mentions
5 best performances by actresses
MANILA, Philippines - 1. Everybody raved about Eugene Domingo’s demonstration of three kinds of acting in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. But I found Janice de Belen’s tirade in Mga Mumunting Lihim far more incredible.
2. Irma Adlawan is a Cinemalaya staple. She’s done several portrayals of wives and mothers. But her best moment has to be playing Janet in Transit. That confrontation scene with Jasmine made me choke up a bit.
3. I find it a bit a unfortunate that Jean Garcia’s performance in Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa was kind of left unnoticed in 2011. It’s understandable, given the competition. She went up against the ladies in Niño and Eugene Domingo. But I think Jean’s understated performance was one of the strongest that year. She had to do so much by doing so little. It was all about control, and she had it.
4. I also have to pick LJ Reyes for The Leaving. I never really took her seriously until I saw her there.
5. Sharmaine Buencamino for REquieme! Again, she’s had several Cinemalaya roles, but I loved her as Swanie. She really made you want to root for her and commiserate with her.
— Jansen Musico
5 best performances by actors
1. I loved Joey Paras in Last Supper No. 3. I loved him even more in Babagwa.
2. Again for Babagwa, Alex Medina. Compared to his dad, he’s less theatrical. Compared to Ping, he’s more composed. There was no point in Babagwa that I ever felt Alex acting for acting’s sake.
3. Michael De Mesa as Don Manolo in Big Time, forever and ever, amen.
4. A lot of people praised Eddie Garcia for his portrayal of a grumpy aging gay man in Bwakaw. I liked him better as a grumpy aging man who’s pointing a middle finger at death in ICU Bed #7.
5. Baron Geisler as Jay. Some straight people should never ever play a gay man. He’s one of the exceptions. — Jansen Musico
Underrated films
Jessica Zafra
• Instant Mommy (Leo Abaya, 2013)
• Purok 7 (Carlo Obispo, 2013)
• Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno, 2009)
Oggs Cruz
• Rekorder (Mikhail Red, 2013)
• Limbunan (Teng Mangansakan, 2010)
• Ranchero (Michael Cardoz, 2008)
• In Da Red Korner (Dado Lumibao, 2006)
• Ang Pangagahasa Kay Fe (Alvin Yapan, 2009)
Dodo Dayao
• Kalayaan (Adolfo Alix, Jr., 2012)
• Last Supper No. 3 (Veronica Velasco, 2009)
• Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe (Alvin Yapan, 2009)
• Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno, 2009)
• Vox Populi (Dennis Marasigan, 2010)
• Amok (Law Fajardo, 2011)
Jose Javier Reyes
• Amok (Law Fajardo, 2011)
• Purok 7 (Carlo Obispo, 2013)
• Ang Nawawala (Marie Jamora, 2012)
Jade Castro
• 24K (Ana Agabin, 2009)
• Ang Nerseri (Vic Acedilio, 2009)
• Baby Angelo (Joel Ruiz, 2008)
• My Fake American Accent (Ned Trespeces, 2008)
• Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio (Mario O’Hara, 2010)
• Oros (Paul Sta. Ana, 2012)
• Amor y Muerte (Cesar Evangelista, 2013)
Cinemalaya runs until Aug. 10. Screenings are held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Greenbelt 3, TriNoma, Alabang Town Center, and Fairview Terraces. For more information on the films, screening schedules, and tickets, visit http://.cinemalaya.org.
