Will Ma’Rosa still be shown in Cinemalaya?

MANILA, Philippines – Before Brillante “Dante” Mendoza’s Ma’Rosa competed in Cannes and won for Jaclyn Jose the country’s first Best Actress award from the world’s foremost film event, he committed it as the opening film of the 2016 Cinemalaya (Aug. 5 to 14).

But after Cannes (where Ma’Rosa failed to bag the Best Picture prize), Brillante changed his mind and backed out, prompting those behind Cinemalaya to choose Carlo Obispo’s 1-2-3 as the opening movie instead. It will screen on Aug. 5 after the opening ceremonies.

A Cinemalaya source told The STAR that Brillante changed his mind again and agreed to have Ma’Rosa as the opening film. Too late, though, since the invitation and the program have already been printed. Cinemalaya offered to hold a special night for Ma’Rosa but, added the STAR source, “Brillante was adamant. He insisted that it’s either opening film or bust. He wouldn’t settle for a special night.”

Will Brillante relent? Remains to be seen.

Produced by the makers of Heneral Luna, TBA (Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment and Artikulo Uno Productions), 1-2-3 explores the harrowing tale of human trafficking in the country, starring Carlos Dala as Luis, a teenage boy from the idyllic fishing village of Silag. It also stars Barbara Miguel and Therese Malvar who has won awards abroad for Hamog.

Aside from directing the movie, Obispo also wrote the screenplay. Obispo is a native of Tarlac and a graduate of St. Louis University. His first full-length film, Purok 7, had its debut at the 2013 Cinemalaya. The film, which follows the lives of children of an OFW facing a death sentence in China, gained local and international recognitions, including Best Full-Length Feature at the Lucas Children’s Film Festival in Frankfurt, Germany.