PPP 2019 line-up: Audience-friendly, arthouse, masters, newbies

MANILA, Philippines — From female-fronted action, LGBT comedy, millennial commentary, to cinema legends, family, love and some risqué business. These are what audiences can expect from Year 3 of the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Pista ng Pelikulang Pelikula (PPP) on Sept. 13 to 19. 

“This year is very special because we are celebrating officially the 100 years of Philippine cinema,” said FDCP chair and CEO Mary Liza Diño during the grand launch on July 11 at the Sequoia Hotel.  

Lola Igna’s Angie Ferro

“Actually, we have been celebrating 100 years for the last three years,” she added, citing cultural institutions had assigned the date of the establishment of the Malayan Movies, the first Filipino film production outfit, in 1917 as the birth of Philippine cinema. Two years later, in 1919, Malayan produced the first-ever Filipino silent film Dalagang Bukid starring National Artist Atang dela Rama.  

Nevertheless, Liza said that in terms of the official Presidential Declaration, Sept. 12, 2019 marks the centennial year of Philippine cinema.

Cuddle Weather’s Rod Marmol and Sue Ramirez

As a fitting commemoration, more films were selected. Three were announced early this year, while seven other feature films were unveiled during the grand launch, including three films under Sandaan showcase in line with the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema.

The selection committee was composed of Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Sheron Dayoc, Lee Briones, Manet Dayrit and Joey Reyes.

Direk Joey said that it was tough choosing the final entries. “We were looking for originality. Because this is for a nationwide release, it has to be audience friendly.”

Open’s Andoy Ranay, Arci Muñoz and JC Santos

As for the arthouse Lola Igna, Pagbalik and Circa, “we have one cinema in every area that will alternately show these films” to guarantee their screening, said direk Joey.

Here’s the full line-up of PPP films: 

Jade Castro’s LSS (cast: Gabbi Garcia, Kahil Ramos and Ben&Ben). Two people find themselves in a series of near-romantic encounters as they follow an indie-folk band.

Rod Marmol’s Cuddle Weather (Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing). An experienced prostitute meets a newbie call boy, while having loud paid sex in separate motel rooms. They become mentor-mentee until one of them begins to want more than just loveless lovemaking.

Panti Sisters’ Martin del Rosario, Christian Bables, Carmi Martin and Jun Lana with Liza

Jun Lana’s The Panti Sisters (Paolo Ballesteros, Christian Bables and Martin del Rosario). Three gay sons are summoned by their estranged and terminally-ill father and offered a P300M inheritance in exchange for giving him a grandchild.

Dondon Santos’ G! (McCoy de Leon, Jameson Blake, Paulo Angeles and Mark Oblea). Good and bad times will make this barkada realize the value of friendship, family and life.

Boy 2 Quizon’s I’m Ellenya L. (Iñigo Pascual and Maris Racal). Ellenya is a “typical” millennial who also dreams to become the next big vlogger. Will fate be on Ellenya’s side as she goes after her dreams? 

Pagbalik’s Suzette Ranillo, Gloria Sevilla and Vince Ranillo

Andoy Ranay’s Open (JC Santos and Arci Muñoz). When things between a long-term couple go stale, they explore the idea of an open relationship. 

Tyrone Acierto’s Watch Me Kill (Jean Garcia and Jay Manalo). A ruthless assassin’s plan is interrupted when she discovers that her target has more to hide than expected.

Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Circa (Anita Linda, Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Jacyln Jose, Elizabeth Oropesa, Ricky Davao and Enchong Dee). Doña Atang, a once-celebrated film producer from the earlier years of Filipino cinema, celebrates her 100th birthday. For her wish, she wants a reunion with everyone she has worked with in the past.

Watch Me Kill’s Jay Manalo, Jean Garcia Angeles, Mark Oblea and Jameson Blake and Sigrid Magno

Eduardo Roy Jr.’s Lola Igna (Yves Flores, Meryll Soriano, Ma. Isabel Lopez and Angie Ferro). Lola Igna is a foul-mouthed, stubborn woman eager to die, but her neighbors are hung up on her winning the title “oldest living grandmother in the world.” Her long-lost great-great-grandson Tim is an aspiring vlogger who wants to latch on to her now-famous grandma but ends up giving her a new reason to live.

Hubert Tibi and Maria Ranillo’s Pagbalik (Gloria Sevilla, Suzette Ranillo and Vince Ranillo). After working abroad, Rica comes home to stay with her aging mother Choleng until she finds new work. She finds out what her mother did during all the years she was abroad.

I’m Ellenya L.’s Iñigo Pascual, Maris Racal and Boy 2 Quizon

Each PPP 2019 finalist received up to P2M worth of funding to support production and marketing costs. Short films by young filmmakers will also screen during PPP under Sine Kabataan. They will receive P10,000 and be paired with the feature films. 

With the theme Pamilya, Pagkakaibigan, Pag-ibig, FDCP’s flagship program will also kick off Sandaan: One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, with the opening event on Sept. 12. “Department of Tourism (DOT) is part of it. They are sponsoring our biggest event, the Sine Sandaan. It is the history of Philippine cinema in one big show at the New Frontier Theater, to be attended by about 2,000 industry people,” said Liza.

G!’s Dondon Santos, McCoy de Leon, Kira Balinger, Paulo Watch Me Kill’s Jay Manalo, Jean Garcia Angeles, Mark Oblea and Jameson Blake

There are also plans to showcase the first Filipino film Dalagang Bukid. 

Apart from PPP, FDCP will also hold a special tribute to the living legends on Sept. 8; a grand fans day ala comicon on Aug. 31 at SMX; an awards night on Sept. 15 at One Esplanade in Pasay City; and an industry conference from Sept. 13 to Sept. 15.

LSS’ Quark Henares, Jade Castro, Gabbi Garcia, Kahlil Ramos and Ben&Ben