Why Cinemalaya’s ‘Kaka Sa Yawan’ had to earn Mangyan community’s blessing
MANILA, Philippines — Beyond completing the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026 entry “Kaka Sa Yawan (Brothers by the River),” the film’s cast and director came away with valuable lessons after filming in Mindoro and immersing themselves in the culture of the Mangyan-Tadyawan community.
A film by Alpha Habon, the 90-minute drama revolves around two friends in Mindoro: Niko, a Manila boy, and Ayan, a Mangyan-Tadyawan, who bonded one summer. Years later, adult Niko returns to honor a promise.
The synopsis reads: Niko, a 21-year-old young man from Manila, returns to Mindoro, the island that once broke him. This unravels the memory of a pivotal summer from his youth: his friendship with Ayan, a playful Mangyan boy with big dreams. Their eventual friendship helps Niko see the world differently.
In time, they make a pact to be inseparable and fulfill their dreams together.
Now, in the present, a jaded Niko is back to keep his word. Torn between land and sea, memory and reality, he confronts a forgotten past: an estranged identity, a fractured childhood and a promise left unfulfilled. He eventually learns to rise above the currents of his grief and carry forward the spirit of a bond that once saved him.
The film celebrates the richness of Mangyan-Tadyawan traditions, intergenerational healing and how the poignant memory of a friend can bring forth healing and the courage to rewrite one’s future.
“Kaka Sa Yawan” stars Beaver Magtalas, Queenay Mercado, Nikki Valdez, Bryce Nicolo Mercader, Dennis Dato, Noelle Polack, Luis Alandy, Karl Medina, Deanne Bautista and Benedix Ramos.
Telling the stories of underrepresented communities, such as the Mangyans, has long been one of direk Alpha’s advocacies.
When he encountered a Mangyan community while in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, it piqued his interest and inspired him to learn more about their culture. That experience also fueled his desire to share their stories through film.
“When the opportunity came and I met Miss Ana (Liza Aklan, co-producer/executive producer), who is a resident of Oriental Mindoro, that’s when the project was conceptualized. We looked for a community to represent, and we spent a lot of time immersing ourselves in the community before we were able to come up with this beautiful story that we can share with everyone,” he said during the recent presscon.
For direk Alpha, one of the toughest parts of the filmmaking journey was securing the permits required by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
“(The permits are required) to make sure that the community is well represented and true to form yung pini-present niyo sa pelikula. The film went through a long process, but in the end, we were able to show the finished product to the community. Thankfully, we were able to receive the blessing of the community,” direk Alpha shared.
Immersing himself in the Mangyan culture and traditions left a lasting impact on the young filmmaker. He learned the value of community, as well as the importance of taking only what is enough and leaving enough for those who come after.
“The spirit of being communal, parang lahat po ng event sa kanila laging as a group. Lahat ng mga decisions sa community ay pinagbobotohan nila, pinaguusapan nila sa isang pagpupulong and parang ang sarap makakita ng ganung setting na every opinion is accounted for. Kung isa dun ay ayaw niya, ayaw niya. So, parang dinaanan po namin yung process of approval na with the elders,” direk Alpha elaborated.
“They also have this belief na para silang ilog, like when someone dies, they believe another Mangyan will be born to continue the cycle of life. Kaya may value sila na kung anong kukunin mo sa Earth, kung ano yung enough sa’yo, kung anong mabubuhay lang sa’yo for the day para magtitira ka dun for the next life.”
Such is the belief that direk Alpha and his team hope to convey through the film: “You can subsist on what is enough and leave space for the one that’s gonna leave next.”
Beaver echoed direk Alpha’s sentiments, adding that Mangyans “live as one with nature.”
“They live in harmony with one another and with nature. I like what direk said, basically, they take only what’s enough. Kinuha po kung ano lang po yung sapat. So, very harmonious and very at one with nature,” Beaver reflected.
For Nikki, what stood out most about the Mangyans was their emphasis on health, their simple way of life and the respect and kindness they show to others.
“I spoke to a woman who gave birth at 50 years old. She’s now in her 60s, but she doesn’t look at it at all. Maybe because of the way they live. These days, our health is our greatest wealth. And they’re so rich with it because of how they live, how they think and how they treat other people.
“I think that’s what I want to take home, and that’s my biggest takeaway from the Mangyans — their way of living and way of treating people. I mean kung ano lang naman yung ibibigay mo, yun din naman ang babalik sa’yo.”
Meanwhile, direk Alpha clarified that “Kaka Sa Yawan” is not a boys’ love film, following speculation from some viewers who interpreted the trailer as suggesting that theme during the presscon.
“It’s understandable why people might see it that way, but it’s not a queer film,” he asserted. “If it will be perceived as such once it’s shown in cinemas, that’s their own interpretation. We also accept that, and that is valid.”
He added, however, that there are members of the Mangyan community who identify as queer.
Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections runs from Aug. 6 to 18 at the Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway Cineplex and Ayala Malls Cinemas.
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