ToFarm Film Festival Paglipay harvests major awards

MANILA, Philippines – The recent awards night of ToFarm Film Festival was an evening like no other for Paglipay (Crossing) as it was named Best Picture by the competition jury (composed of veteran director Peque Gallaga, Manunuri Grace Javier Alfonso, Cannes winner Jaclyn Jose, award-winning scriptwriter Ricky Lee and film and TV commercial cinematographer Odyssey Flores).

Tackling about the main character’s (Atan) fulfillment of his arranged marriage and the slash-and-burn livelihood, Paglipay also won Best Cinematography for Albert Banzon, Best Actor (for Garry Cabalic, sharing the award with veteran actor Bembol Roco of Pauwi Na), Best Supporting Actress for Anna Luna and Best Director for Zig Dulay.

Dulay couldn’t contain his happiness when The STAR met up with him right after the event. His movie also secured the special citation People’s Choice Award, proving Paglipay’s appeal to moviegoers.

“I’m happy that somehow I have given them (the Aeta) the avenue through ToFarm Film Festival to tell their story,” said Dulay. “Like what I have said, na nasa laylayan sila at hindi masyadong napapansin (they are in the periphery and they are not given much attention). (The clips played during the awards night) have shown that they live in a distant place. With this win, I hope it will serve as a chance for the government to take notice of them and address their needs.”

In a brief interview, Dulay also reiterated the process he has gone through as Paglipay screenwriter and director, who tapped the acting services of Anna and the Aeta talents led by Garry and Joan dela Cruz.

“While I was writing the screenplay and shooting the scenes, I tried my best to portray the Aeta culturally and politically correct,” he shared. “It was always my utmost concern; I asked people there to cross-check if I had made the proper portrayal. I had a consultant (working with me).” Dulay added that his team prepared a workshop for the Aeta to give them the basics on “how to act towards the camera and in front of it.” He came in to guide the actors in each scene and to make sure that they were not “acting”.

“I was enlightened,” Dulay said on doing the film. “Before and after they do kaingin, they would pray. (They ask the sprits) if they could do slash and burn in an area. What I’m trying to say is, there is a connection between their lives and the mountain, and why will they destroy something (nature) if they consider it as part of their existence.” Paglipay has shown that kaingin is the sole source of livelihood among the Aeta people and kaingin, specifically the small-scale one, does not do significant damage on the environment. The farming style is a means to meet the Aeta community’s daily sustenance.

Asked to comment on the merits of Paglipay, jury member Javier Alfonso replied, “It has the technicalities of great cinematography. It has the story that touches us, Filipinos. It also talks about our roots. We have to go back to see who we really are. There is beauty in simplicity and going back to the basics and knowing that we can grow from there. The characters move the narrative with reality. Garry Cabalic as Atan was so natural. Alam mo na na-fe-feel niya ang lahat. (As a moviegoer,) you’ll see the fascination of the Aeta with tuwid na buhok (the straight-haired ones). It’s the other text (story). People will also see the beauty of his (Atan’s) roots. You’ll see the dignity of the Aeta people. When you watch it, parang galing na galing ka sa kanila. You will be proud of them.”

To borrow the words of festival director direk Maryo J. de los Reyes, Dulay, along with other filmmakers, have finally reaped what they sowed. Whether Atan, who is Paglipay’s point of view, has fulfilled his promise to Ani (Joan) or not, it’s clear that Dulay has followed his instinct as “a fan of realism or realistic movies.”

Below is the list of winners:

•Best Picture: Paglipay

•Second Best Picture: Pitong Kabang Palay

•Third Best Picture: Free Range

•Best Director: Zig Dulay, Paglipay

•Best Actor: Garry Cabalic (Paglipay) and Bembol Roco (Pauwi Na)

•Best Actress: Cherry Pie Picache (Pauwi Na)

•Best Supporting Actor: Micko Laurente (Pitong Kabang Palay)

•Best Supporting Actress: Anna Luna (Paglipay)

•Best Cinematography: Albert Banzon (Paglipay)

•Best Screenplay: Maricel Cariaga (Pitong Kabang Palay)

•Best Story: Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos (Pauwi Na)

•Best Editing: Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos (Pauwi Na)

•Best Production Design: Mao Fadul (Pauwi Na)

•Best Music: Lorenzo Nielsen (Pitong Kabang Palay)

•Best Sound: Arnel de Vera (Pitong Kabang Palay)

•Ingenuity Award: Pilapil

•ToFarm Festival Professional Responsibility Award: Kakampi

•Jury Special Award for Outstanding Film: Pauwi Na

•ToFarm Film Festival Special Award for Outstanding Ensemble: Pitong Kabang Palay

•People’s Choice: Paglipay

(The run of ToFarm Film Festival at SM Megamall Cinema 7 has been extended for another week, from July 20 to 26. The public can still catch Paglipay, Pitong Kabang Palay, Free Range, Kakampi, Pilapil and Pauwi Na. After the SM Megamall screenings, the film festival will have its provincial tour starting at SM Angeles Pampanga and SM Cabanatuan on Aug. 24 to 30. Then, it will proceed to SM Cebu, from Sept. 14 to 20; and SM Davao, Oct. 12 to 18. For more information, visit www.tofarm.org or the festival’s Facebook site, TOFARM Film Festival Philippines.)