The Supreme guide to Cinemalaya

MANILA, Philippines – Strangely, we seem to be getting used to the idea that Philippine cinema is a dying creature. We remember the ‘50s, the golden age of Philippine movie-making, when the major film studios known as the Big Four would crank out about 350 films each year, we remember the time of the directorial greats like Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka, and feel wretched about the state of today’s industry.

But what would Brocka say? Philippine cinema is neither dead nor dying. In fact, we might be approaching another phenomenon in local cinema. At a time when art films are considered to be box-office bombs, here comes a festival that pushes the production of such, and we can see from the rising numbers of its returning audience that it’s making a real impact. From a mere 8,000 attendees in its first year in 2005, last year’s festival drew a whopping 39,000 to its silver screens, it's only getting bigger. 

The reasons that’ll move you to rush to CCP, line up for that ticket, and sit through this year’s Cinemalaya Cinco may be as varied as a curiosity to see if Tarog's Mangatyanan lives up to critics’ expectations or your undying need to see Piolo Pascual in anything he stars in. But ultimately, there is a growing hunger for new stories told by Filipino filmmakers. Filipinos will always look to local cinema to tell our stories, in a way Hollywood never can.

The definitive guide to Cinemalaya Cinco 2009

‘24K’ By Ana Agabin

The gist: Don’t expect this to be an Indiana Jones sequel. 24K is all about treasure hunting in the mountains of Suyo, Ilocos Sur. In this film, protagonist Manok, a middle-class treasure hunter who’s been digging for Japanese treasure for years, convinces his godfather in marriage, Freddie, to finance the rest of their hunting operations.

Spoiler alert: A gleaming end awaits Manok.

Why you should watch this film?: If you love gold and some Julio Diaz, you better watch this film!

Film screenings:

19 July/Sun., 6:15 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

21 July/Tues., 12:45p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

22 July/Wed., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

23 July/Thurs., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

24 July/Fri., 9:00 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

25 July/Sat., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

26 July/Sun., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

‘ENGKWENTRO’ By Pepe Diokno

The gist: Crazy Davao gangs. This film introduces Richard and Raymond, two teenage brothers in Davao City. Richard is the leader of his gang, “Bagong Buwan,” while Raymond is just being inducted into rival gang, “Batang Dilim.” the conflict starts at a deadly midnight engkwentro (square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother. Meanwhile, the Davao Death Squad, real-life vigilante group allegedly backed by the city mayor, lurks the streets.

Spoiler alert: The Davao Death Squad is hunting down Richard. Will they take the younger brother too?

Why you should watch this film? The trailer alone shows how this film feels like a documentary. Reality madness!

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 9 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

19 July/Sun., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

21 July/Tues., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

22 July/Wed., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

23 July/Thurs,, 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

24 July/Fri., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

25 July/Sat., 9 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

‘ASTIG’ By GB Sampedro

The gist: Astig may be the ultimate Tondo movie in the making. The tale revolves around the lives of four young men from the slums: Ariel, a conman who has to leave his girlfriend upon learning that she is in love with him; Boy, an expectant young father who has to sell his body to pay for his wife’s hospital bill; Ronald, a Chinese mestizo who is coming to grips with his identity; and Baste, an overly protective son of an OFW who has to avenge his sister.

Spoiler alert: It’s obvious that the movie tells the stories of tough guys (almost like gang members) from Manila and their aim to survive the dirt and filth of the “Distinguished and Ever Loyal City.”

Why you should watch this film? Vhong Navarro and Ai-ai delas Alas have cameos in the four-episode film produced by TV host Boy Abunda.

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

19 July/Sun., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

21 July/Tues., 3:30 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

22 July/Wed., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

23 July/Thurs, 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

24 July/Fri., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

25 July/Sat., 6:15 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

‘COLORUM’ By Jon Stefan Ballesteros

The gist: This is one hell of an FX ride. Colorum is a story of Simon, a young cop who works as a part-time driver of one of the many undocumented and illegal FX taxis in Metro Manila who encounters a 70-year-old ex-convict named Pedro. An unfortunate incident forces the two together to embark on a road trip across the historic Philippine East Coast.

Spoiler alert: What was expected as an escape route doomed to be a domino of crime-begetting-crime becomes a wagon of life choices to them and to the people they meet.

Why you should watch this film?: Who wants some FX action?

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

19 July/Sun., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

22 July/Wed., 9 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

23 July/Thurs., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

24 July/Fri., 3:30 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

25 July/Sat., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

25 July/Sat., 6:15PM at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

‘DINIG SANA KITA’ By Mike Sandejas

The gist: Dinig Sana Kita is an irony. The film is a touching, love story between a deaf boy who loves to dance and a troubled rocker girl who abuses her hearing. One lives in the world of solitude and silence, the other in noise and fear.

Spoiler alert: Crossing paths in a Baguio camp that mixes deaf and hearing kids, both find that they have more in common with each other including a love for music. They might end up together.

Why you should watch this film? Love, love, love. You can relate to this teen love angst.

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

19 July/Sun., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

21 July/Tues., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

22 July/Wed., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

23 July/Thurs, 6:15 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

24 July/Fri., 12:45 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

25 July/Sat., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

‘ANG PANGGAGAHASA KAY FE’ By Alvin Yapan

The gist: If you’re up for some twisted mystery, Ang Panggagahasa may be your ultimate love story. The story revolves around Fe and her baskets of black fruits that mysteriously appear by her front yard. Now, she doesn’t have a clue as to who has done such acts. Caught between an abusive husband and an impotent lover, Fe has to decide.

Spoiler alert: Will she escape with her elusive suitor who could very well be just a figment of her imagination or stay trapped with the men in her real life who could never protect her or make her happy?

Why you should watch this film? Yes, heartthrob TJ Trinidad stars as Irma Adlawan’s (Fe) former suitor.

Film screenings:

21 July/Tues,, 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

18 July/Sat., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

19 July/Sun., 9 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

22 July/Wed., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

23 July/Thurs., 3:30 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

24 July/Fri., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

25 July/Sat., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

‘LAST SUPPER NO. 3’ by Roni Velasco & Jinky Laurel

This may be a comedy aimed at bashing our challenged legal system. An assistant production designer named Wilson Naawa is tasked to look for a Last Supper to use as a prop for a TV commercial. He finds three, but loses the one owned by Gareth Pugeda.

Spoiler alert: What happens next changes Wilson forever as he spends the next two years entangled in bureaucracy and red tape, facing estafa and serious physical injury charges. How will this ordinary man fare against a system he knows nothing about?

Why you should watch this film? What is it about the Last Supper? This film is based on a true story.

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

19 July/Sun., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

21 July/Tues., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

22 July/Wed., 3:30 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

23 July/Thurs., 9 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

24 July/Fri., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

25 July/Sat., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre) 

‘NERSERI’ by Vic Acedillo Jr.

The gist: Is it pity or courage? Whatever prevails in this story, 12-year-old Cocoy takes on a great responsibility of taking care of his older siblings while his mother, Mai, goes to the province to get money to pay for the expensive hospital bills for her three mentally sick children. His mother is gone for two weeks and Cocoy’s struggle in managing his personal, school, and home life is a nerve-racking challenge.

Spoiler alert: In the end, he faces truth and life head-on as he fights for his own sanity.

Why you should watch this film? Veteran actor Jaclyn Jose portrays Cocoy’s mother.

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

19 July/Sun, 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

21 July/Tues., 12:45 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

23 July/Thurs, 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

24 July/Fri., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

25 July/Sat., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

26 July/Sun., 3:30 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall) 

‘MANGATYANAN’ by Jerrold Tarog

Symbols portray a major part in this lucid dream of a film. Himalaya “Laya” Marquez dreams of her father’s constant sexual abuse. Now, at 27, Laya possesses a cold exterior that hides torrents of pain. Working as a travel photographer, Laya is sent to Isabela to capture a rare harvest ritual called Mangatyanan by the Labwanan tribe. Soon, Laya senses a strong connection between the tribe’s predicament and her own troubled life.

Spoiler alert: Events spiral out of control as the Mangatyanan crumbles under Mang Renato’s desperate grip and Laya is forced to flee. But something happens that brings her face-to-face with her own demons.

Why you should watch this film? Mangatyanan is a thematic sequel to Confessional (2007), but the time and pacing are different. It’s less stylistic and more atmospheric. But like the first film, the story, has several layers that hold different meanings, says Tarog.

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

19 July/Sun., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

21 July/Tues., 6:15 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

22 July/Wed., 12:45 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

23 July/Thurs., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

24 July/Fri., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

25 July/Sat., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute 

‘SANGLAAN’ by Milo Sogueco

The gist: Sanglaan is all about seemingly ordinary events in a very mundane institution: a religious and single-minded businesswoman with a losing proposition, afraid of old age; a timid, vulnerable girl hopelessly in love with a high school crush; a security guard whose wife has a fragile heart; a charming and mysterious seaman just passing through; and a loan shark who wont take no for an answer.

Spoiler alert: What ever happens in a pawnshop?!

Why you should watch this film?: We love Tessie Tomas, Joem Bascon, and Ina Feleo!!!

Film screenings:

18 July/Sat., 12:45 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

19 July/Sun., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

21 July/Tues., 9 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

22 July/Wed., 6:15 p.m. at Tanghalang Huseng Batute

23 July/Thurs., 12:45 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

24 July/Fri., 3:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Aberlardo (CCP Main Theatre)

25 July/Sat., 3:30 p.m. at Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)