Cinemalaya 18: Breaking Through the Noise

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Contents

04 About CCP
05 About Cinemalaya
06 Messages
09 Main Competition Full-Length Films
34 Main Competition Short Films A
48 Main Competition Short Films B
62 Ika-34 Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video
68 Cinemalaya Retrospective Shorts: 2020 and 2021
84 Opening and Closing Films
88 Tribute: Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez, Benji Garcia,
Joseph Israel Laban, Eduardo Roy, Jr., Flor Salanga
110 Main Competition Jury
114 NETPAC Jury
117 CCP Venues and Partner Cinemas
118 Festival Pass and Ticket Information
121 Festival Schedule and Events
130 Cinemalaya Talkback Sessions
132 Cinemalaya Book Launches
139 Exhibits
140 About the Photographer: Idan Cruz
141 Cinemalaya Organizing Committee and Festival Team
143 Cinemalaya Logo and Balanghai Hymn
144 Cinemalaya Balanghai Trophy
145 Sponsors and Adverts

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was created in 1966 Through its Cultural Exchange Program, the CCP supports the growth
with the purpose of promoting and preserving the best of Filipino arts and development of arts councils all over the country through relevant
and culture. Since then, the CCP has sought to embody the values of workshops and seminars. With its exchange programs with various
katotohanan (truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness). organizations and institutions, Filipinos have been able to glimpse the
The best artists from all over the country and around the world have beauty of different cultures from different countries, witnessing many
enthralled Filipinos onsite (at the CCP venues), offsite (at regional triumphant performances from highly acclaimed artists from all over
venues) and online (through social media and the world wide web). The the world.
CCP has been at the forefront of culture and the arts for more than 50
years. The Arts Education Program nurtures the next generation of artists
and audiences who will support their work through training, exposure
Performing arts companies representing dance, theater and music and audience development activities. The Cultural Content Program
reside within the CCP. It has four resident dance companies: Ballet develops engaging content for digital formats and new technologies.
Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric
Group and the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. The CCP continues to emphasize malasakit (compassion) in its
Tanghalang Pilipino is the CCP’s resident theater company while music programs that highlight the virtues of galing, galang and dangal
is represented by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST (excellence, respect and integrity), reaffirming its commitment to the
Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the National growth and development of the Filipino nation and its arts and culture.
Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation (NAMCYA).
THE CCP PRE-SHOW CHIMES
The CCP also covers the film and broadcast arts as well as the literary The CCP pre-show chimes carry the melody from “Prelude Etnika” — a composition for solo
and visual arts, encouraging the growth of aspiring artists in these guitar written by Lucrecia R. Kasilag, National Artist for Music and former Artistic Director of
fields through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibitions, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The pre-show chimes was launched on September 8,
symposia, competitions, and award programs. 2004 replacing the simple bell chimes that signal the start of a program. The melody recalls
the dong-dong-ay air heard during social gatherings of the tribes in the Cordillera region.

Photo credits: Rodel Valiente

The Cinemalaya Foundation is a non-stock, not-for-profit, non- The core project of the Cinemalaya is the annual Cinemalaya
government foundation, committed to the development and Independent Film Festival and Competition. It provides financial
promotion of Philippine independent film. grants for the production of, at most, 10 full-length feature films
which will then compete for the Best Full-Length Film award. The
The Cinemalaya Foundation was established for the following Cinemalaya competition also recognizes the work of filmmakers
purposes: to help develop and support the production of cinematic in the short film format. The Cinemalaya Campus is an important
works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate component of the Festival, providing a venue for interaction and
and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight dialogue between filmmakers and audience members.
and artistic integrity; to discover, encourage, support, train and
recognize gifted Filipino independent filmmakers; to promote The Cinemalaya Foundation also aims to support other projects
Filipino independent films locally and internationally; to inspire such as national outreach, seminars and workshops on production,
Asian filmmakers by showcasing the Philippines as the cinematic marketing and distribution of independent films. It hopes to
center of creativity and free artistic expression; and to establish strengthen the presence of Filipino independent films in foreign
a network for exchange, communication, and cooperation among festivals and competitions, encouraging Filipino filmmakers to enter
members of the independent film sector as we commit ourselves to and be part of the international film circuit.
the professionalization of film practitioners in the various aspects
of film production through the Cinemalaya Institute.

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 05

After two long years in cyberspace, the Cinemalaya Philippine
Independent Film Festival comes home to the Cultural Center of
the Philippines with compelling full-length films and short films
that mirror the realities of our society.

Not only are we celebrating the return of onsite screenings, but
this year’s edition also marks the 18th year of the biggest indie
film festival in the country.

Cinemalaya was born out of a noble vision to provide an impetus
to revive a dying film industry and foster independent filmmaking
in the country.

Fast forward to 18 years, Cinemalaya has earned a solid
reputation for bringing a renaissance to the cinema industry
with outstanding films that went on to win awards in various film
festivals around the globe and eventually put back the Philippines
on the international cinema map. The film festival became a
nesting ground for young filmmakers to experiment and explore
the boundaries of filmmaking.

I want to send my congratulations to the filmmakers for
continuously doing provocative new works despite the challenges
of the current time. We are excited to open our venues for the
18th edition of Cinemalaya, with 11 full-length films and 12 short
films competing for the coveted Balanghai trophies.

See you at the cinema!

MARIA MARGARITA MORAN-FLOIRENDO
President

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The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival becomes not only the
most influential indie festival but the longest running one on its 18th year as
it emerges from the industry-devastating lockdown caused by the pandemic.
Festival 2022 presents 11 full-length films and 12 shorts in competition to be
screened “live” at the CCP and selected cinemas nationwide.

It must be remembered that the short filmmakers kept the festival afloat for
two years and in the process earned the spotlight they thoroughly deserved.
The 11 full-length features represent the “survivors” from the original batch of
20 and I consider them all victors, having won against all production related
odds—financial backers backing out, the increased cost of production due to
protocols, the limitation of locked in shootings, further delays due to Covid
infection—these conditions the filmmakers and their producers had to face on
top of the usual hurdles before the pandemic struck.

In 2019, the Cinemalaya Festival was honored by the prestigious Nikkei
Asia Prize for Culture and Community for “sparking a resurgence in the
Philippine film industry”. The flame kept on burning through the darkness
of the pandemic lockdown and the guardians of the flame were the
hardy and persistent leaders, managers, programmers and staff of the
Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc.
The functional relationship between a government agency and the private
corporation enabled the engagement of filmmakers with their audiences. The
collaboration was not without its difficulties but the vision of giving a platform
to a new breed of filmmakers overpowered the challenges.

Cinemalaya sees another looming challenge for 2023 and this time it will
need the expanded and concerted efforts of cinema operators and local
government units if it must continue to serve the purpose of enlivening the
consciousness of moviegoing audiences and contributing to the cultural
patrimony of the nation.

CHRIS B. MILLADO
Festival Director

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 07

It is with great joy and optimism that we welcome the opening of the
18th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival!

This edition finally returns live at the CCP and selected Ayala and SM
cinemas after two years! It also marks the return of the full-length
feature competition with the premiere of 11 new films from the 2020
and 2021 finalists. Members of the jury will also be watching live and
attending the proceedings in person. As an added treat, the traditional
portraits of this year’s filmmakers were taken by award-winning actor
John Lloyd Cruz.

Apart from related screenings, talk-backs, and activities, six books will
be launched. Ricky Lee, the recently conferred National Artist for Film
and Broadcast Arts, will launch two books within the festival’s run:
Mga Screenplay ni Ricky Lee Volume 1: Brutal, Moral, Karnal, the film
trilogy by fellow National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Marilou
Diaz-Abaya; and Mga Screenplay ni Ricky Lee Volume 2: Himala, Cain
at Abel, Salome.

We will also have separate programs for the book launches of Nick
Deocampo’s Alternative Cinema: The Unchronicled History of
Alternative Cinema in the Philippines; Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr.’s Ang
Daigdig ng mga Api: Remembering a Lost Film and the live relaunch
of Riding the Waves, 15 Years of Cinemalaya. And finally Philippine
Cinema, 1897-2020 edited by Teddy O. Co.

On Awards Night, the 10 finalists for 2023 who completed the newly
created Film Lab will be introduced.

And so the process continues, as Cinemalaya moves onwards on its
journey!

Congratulations, Cinemalaya!

LAURICE GUILLEN ANTONIO O. COJUANGCO

President Chairman

08 CINEMALAYA18

Finally we are back home.

After two years of being kept apart because of the scourge of the
pandemic, Cinemalaya has come back to its original abode—the
Cultural Center of the Philippines—for its 18th edition.

Through the decades, Cinemalaya has endured numerous
problems, confronted many challenges and weathered many
storms. But the biggest and most prestigious of Filipino film
festivals has survived not only because of the inexhaustible
creativity of the generations of Filipino filmmakers. It has reached
its 18th year because of the passion and loyalty of the audiences,
cutting across all ages and economic brackets, in their faith in our
national cinema.

Cinemalaya would not have returned home if it were not for the
enthusiasm and excitement of both creators and audiences. This
year we celebrate more than just survival but the assurance that
Filipino cinema will remain alive and well in its transformations
and evolutions.

This year we honor 12 filmmakers fueled by the fire of passion to
deliver 11 new full-length feature films produced during the most
difficult of times. We also present 14 new voices in our short film
program spanning the archipelago and representing the future of
Filipino filmmaking in its myriad of regional voices.

Yes, we are finally home. And we have opened our doors once
again for all to savor the joy and genius of Filipino filmmaking.

Mabuhay ang malayang pelikulang Pilipino!

JOSE JAVIER REYES
Competition and Monitoring Chairperson

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 09

File Photo

MTRCB Classification Horror This section has Gender And Development (GAD)-oriented films
Drugs which tackle themes on gender equality.
Strong Language PRIDE (LGBTQ+)
Nudity BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 11
Sex
Violence

RAINERIO C. YAMSON II Photo credits: Idan Cruz

A two-time FAMAS awardee, RAINERIO C.
YAMSON II is a multi-awarded cinematographer
for Bhoy Intsik, Silong, Area, and Magkakabaung.
He has done works for TV, including Hanggang
Saan and The Greatest Love, to name a few. He
trained under JA Tadena. Since 2004, he has
worked with local and foreign directors for full-
length films, commercials, and documentaries. He
is also the liaison officer for the Philippines at the
ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards, and
the Philippines’ representative for the Asia Pacific
Film Festival.

The filmmaker could be reached at
[email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Angkas is inspired by a documentary by Arbi
Barbarona about a habal habal driver from
Compostela Valley who picks up dead bodies
using his motorcycle. My amazing writer, Jaymar
Castro, brought the characters to life through his
vivid imagery captured in words and dialogue that
we have been polishing since 2013.

Angkas delves into how friendship and love
bond people despite their diversity, the choices
they make, and their principles and differences
as individuals. The film also takes a hard look
at our life choices — we cannot undo the wrong
decisions we have made nor can we hit a reset
button, and we can only move forward to try to
make things better.

It has been my dream to present my work at
Cinemalaya since it started. Angkas is my first full
feature as a director, and it has been an eventful
journey, one that has made me learn not just as a
filmmaker but also as a person.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang pelikulang
Pilipino!

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ANGKAS
The Backride

by RAINERIO C. YAMSON II

90:00 minutes | Drama, Magical Realism | R-13 |

Leo is not just an ordinary habal-habal driver. He
is the resident ambulance and delivery man in a
remote village in Compostela Valley who is hired to
transport the dead down the mountain. One day, his
estranged friend Miguel appeared on his doorstep
and insisted to join Leo in fetching the corpse of
Ditas, their childhood friend who is a rebel pursued
by the military. As Leo and Miguel embark on a
dangerous journey in a habal-habal, their fragile
friendship will be tested, and they will encounter
danger only to be saved by an unlikely hero.

CAST
Joem Bascon, Benjamin Alves, Meryll Soriano, Jolo
Estrada (special participation)

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Rainerio C. Yamson II
SCREENPLAY Jaymar Castro
EDITOR John Wong
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Rain Yamson II, LPS
MUSICAL SCORER Gie Shock Jose
SOUND DESIGNER Gie Shock Jose
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Gie Shock Jose
PRODUCERS Martin Mayuga, Ferdy Lapuz
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Jonas Gaffud, Darryl Yap

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 13

REAL S. FLORIDO Photo credits: Idan Cruz

A screenwriter, director and producer, REAL S.
FLORIDO is no stranger to Cinemalaya. His full-
length feature 1st Ko Si 3rd debuted in the 2014
Cinemalaya before it went on to win and compete
in QCinema International Film Festival 2014, the
Hawaii International Film Festival 2014, Jersey
City International Film Festival 2015, and won the
Rising Star Award for Full-Length Feature in Canada
International Film Festival 2015.

He co-directed Kabisera (2016), and produced Iska
(2019), which won Best Sound, Best Script and Best
Actress in Cinemalaya 2019 and the Best Actress
plum in the Harlem International Film Festival.

After working in GMA 7 for 13 years, he now
manages his own film and digital content
production company, Firestarters. His current
movie and series projects include: Pilgrim: 500
Years Of Catholic Faith In The Philippines (2022);
Habangbuhay (2022); Kumusta Bro The Series
(2022); and Bakit ‘DI Mo Sabihin? (Tell Her).

Florido could be reached at [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

As a filmmaker, I always ask myself, what is it
about this film project that I want to create that is
worthy to be put on the big screen? Why should
people go out of their way to go to the cinemas to
watch this movie rather than just see it on their
mobile devices? These questions are my integral
guide in making this full-length feature.

It amazed me how loud the deaf people can be
when they are together, an irony of how we usually
define their case as people who can’t hear or
speak. With this film, I’d like to dabble into that
world where no word is needed to say what you
want and how you feel. And at the same time, it is
harder to get resolve when you can’t find the right
message to convey. I would like to create a portrait
of this unique story of two people. I want to make
a film that shows the beauty, pain, and chaos of
love where no spoken words exist.

When I first heard about this real-life story, I got
immediately curious and challenged myself on
how to translate this painful yet beautiful tale
about marriage.

14 CINEMALAYA18

BAKIT ‘DI MO SABIHIN?
Tell Her

by REAL S. FLORIDO

90:00 minutes | Drama | PG |

Deaf couple Miguel and Nat have been struggling
to keep their marriage. After a huge fight, Miguel
leaves his wife alone in Manila and decides to
live in Baler with their kids. As he starts a new
life, Miguel is reminded about the reasons why
he married Nat by his family’s relentless stories
about how modern a woman Nat is, and how he
failed in so many ways to recognize that he fell in
love with a younger deaf woman. One Christmas
Eve, Miguel finally makes a move to tell Nat
everything she needed to know.

CAST
JC De Vera, Janine Gutierrez, Divine Aucina,
Sheenly Gener, RJ Agustin, Sunshine Teodoro,
Althea Ruedas, Luke Simon Cornel, Dess Verzosa,
Disney Aguila, Jamil Carvajal

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Real S. Florido
SCREENPLAY Flo Reyes
EDITOR Tara Illenberger
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Lee Briones
MUSIC SCORER Teresa Barrozo
SOUND DESIGNER Ronald De Asis
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Heart Eusebio
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS RJ Agustin,
Real S. Florido, Vic Del Rosario,
Vincent Del Rosario and Valerie Del Rosario

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 15

RONALD ESPINOSA Photo credits: Idan Cruz
BATALLONES

After working in Kuwait as a Medical Laboratory
Scientist, RONALD ESPINOSA BATALLONES
returned home to fulfill his dream to become a
director. His film Excuse Me Po, which won in the
MTRCB Screenplay Writing Contest in 2015, was
a finalist in the 2018 CineFilipino starring Ms.
Elizabeth Oropesa. He was part of the CineFilipino
2020 digital film series Raket, which was based
on his award-winning screenplay Kalyehera. The
Ilonggo director from San Dionisio is currently
working on Benedict Mique’s Two Love You and
Martin Mayuga’s Anatomiya. He is inspired by the
simple narratives of people around him or by his
first-hand observations of life’s explicit and subtle
realities.

Batallones’ email is [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

The film presents a simple, happy, and innocent
life of the youth in the 1980’s amidst the rural
landscape to today’s millennials. One of the
film’s goals is for millennials to cherish and relive
this mystical and enchanted past which they
unfortunately did not experience.

The film likewise provides viewers the ultimate
sensory experience to savor the famous comfort
food of the Ilonggos: the Batsoy.

Most importantly, the film highlights the noble
and supreme love of an elder child for his younger
sibling which in turn would lead the audience
members to reach out and give a much-coveted
hug to their sibling.

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BATSOY

by RONALD ESPINOSA BATALLONES

66:00 minutes | Drama, Fantasy | G

After selling firewood for their basic needs, siblings
Toto and Nonoy go and buy batsoy, the food that
the younger brother has been craving the most. Mt.
Manaphag, which faces the town of San Dionisio,
becomes the silent witness to their journey to satisfy
their craving. Their adventure will ultimately bring
viewers to a world of magic, fantasy and reality.

CAST
Sean Ethan Sotto, Markko Cambas,
Karen Laurrie Mendoza, Nathan J. Sotto,
Jonalie Asdolo, Annalyn Biona Hipolito

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Ronald Espinosa Batallones
SCREENPLAY Ronald Espinosa Batallones
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS Nathan J. Sotto, Xander Alih
EDITORS Kyle Fermindoza, Richard Martin Mayuga,
Jun Albert Morden
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jun Albert Morden
MUSIC SCORER Rodrigo J. Sotto, Jr.
SOUND DESIGNER Timothy John Jambalos
PRODUCTION DESIGNER, VFX, ANIMATION
Kyle Fermindoza
PRODUCTION MANAGER Ma. Lilia Julita Balogo
PRODUCERS Richard Martin Mayuga,
Ferdinand D. Lapuz
LINE PRODUCER Richard Martin Mayuga

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 17

MA-AN L. ASUNCION- Photo credits: Idan Cruz
DAGÑALAN

Born in San Fernando, Pampanga,
MA-AN L. ASUNCION-DAGÑALAN attended
cinematography class in 2003, and studied
Mexican filmmaking under the Mexican director
Gustavo Loza in 2006 at the Mowelfund Film
Institute. She trained under National Artist Ricky
Lee and Armando Lao for scriptwriting. She
was a Pro Online Delegate in the 74th Locarno
International Film Festival for Blue Room. She
was also the producer, cinematographer, and
co-writer of Layang Bilanggo which won Best
Screenplay and Best Picture at the 2010 Cinema
One Originals Film Festival. Blue Room is her first
feature film as director.

Asuncion-Dagñalan could be reached at
[email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Inequality exists as long as prejudice comes
from those in power who are on top of the social
pyramid. Power has pros and cons in society
– some use it to influence people to become a
better individual, but some abuse it to bully or
to be greedy against others. For Rebel Rebel, its
power lies in the band’s collective talent which
the members translate through music.

For the police, they (though not all) abuse their
power by showing how entitled they are and
by forcing others to accept their “authority” in
society. For the rich people or the moneybags,
money is their power. They have all the means to
turn things around.

Blue Room is a character-driven piece that
focuses not just on the unfortunate turn of
events but also on the conflicted morality of
several individuals who are victims of power
plays.

After watching the movie, I would like the
audience to realize how important relationships
are, how to respect others especially the
less fortunate and the needy, and how to be
responsible in using their own “power”.

18 CINEMALAYA18

BLUE ROOM

by MA-AN L. ASUNCION-DAGÑALAN

107:00 minutes | Coming-of-Age, Comedy, Crime,
Drama | R-13 |

Rebel Rebel, an indie rock band composed of woke
albeit sheltered teens, gets its biggest break at
a prestigious local music festival. But after their
celebratory night at the local bar, they are arrested
for drug possession. Instead of the standard
procedures, they were hauled to the Blue Room, a
VIP detention area where they can bribe their way
out through rogue cops. The band members have
to decide whether to use their privilege to go on
with their lives or to own up to what they had been
preaching.

CAST
juan karlos, Harvey Bautista, Nourijune, Keoni
Jin and Elijah Canlas. With Soliman Cruz, Bombi
Plata, Jericho Arceo, Bon Lentejas, and Richard
Cepeda

PRODUCTION
PRODUCERS Harlene Bautista,
Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, Wilfredo Manalang
and Ferdy Lapuz
CO-PRODUCERS Maylyn Enriquez and Carlo Obispo
DIRECTOR Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan
SCREENPLAY Siege Ledesma;
Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, FSG
EDITOR Vanessa De Leon
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Neil Daza, LPS
MUSIC Jazz Nicolas, Mikey Amistoso
SOUND DESIGNERS Jannina Mikaela Minglanilla,
Michael Keanu Cruz
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Marxie Maolen Fadul
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Harlene Bautista,
Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 19

SHEENLY GENER Photo credits: Idan Cruz

SHEENLY GENER is a Berlinale Talents alumna and
award-winning actress for stage, television, and
film. She won the Best Supporting Actress for her
performance in Emerson Reyes’ Dormitoryo (Mga
Walang Katapusang Kwarto) in the 2017 QCinema
International Film Festival. She was nominated for
Best Actress for her performance in the theater play
Insiang in the 2002 Aliw Awards.
She holds an Arts Management degree from De La
Salle College of Saint Benilde, and was a full scholar
for Theater Arts at the Philippine High School for
the Arts (PHSA). Her short film Ikahuli was a finalist
in the 31st Gawad Alternatibo and in the .giff Festival
of New Cinema. She is a mother, director, teacher,
acting coach, yogi, kalista, biker, voice talent, and
dubber. She is an SM, ASM, AD, 2AD, SC, FD, LP, PM
and many other acronyms in a colorful and compact
package.
Gener’s email is [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Bula sa Langit is about Wesley, a young soldier’s
homecoming. Passively tending to unseen wounds
as he adjusts to life and his relationships, an
unseen post-war. It explores the different scenarios
of reintegration, unintentional exoticization of
tragedy, and alienation. The story covers the
shifting realities and secrets – how he moves and
attempts to cope with changes.
War changes everything. It changes everyone.
There is no denying the reality of war. But the
bigger, more aggressive reality—begins once the
war is over—going back to our families and loved
ones. How does one deal with the shifting of these
realities?
Soldiers are trained to be void of emotions.
Become weapons of war. How does this affect
them and their relationships as they shift between
the realities during periods of turmoil and peace?
After being deeply immersed in a setting where
home means togetherness in triumph, which
means bloodshed, how do you return to a home
you were built to set aside?
Not all wounds bleed. Not all wounds are visible,
but in war, all wounds run deep.
Full Director’s Notes: https://sheenlygener.wixsite.
com/sheenlygener/bula-sa-langit-trigger

20 CINEMALAYA18

BULA SA LANGIT

Trigger

by SHEENLY GENER

80:00 minutes | Drama | R-13 |

Acting as if coming home from a vacation, young
Marawi war veteran Wesley is excited to bring his
girlfriend Ritz home to meet his family. Showered with
unsolicited hero worship upon his homecoming, Wesley
struggles to reconnect his present relationships with his
family and lover all while celebrating the town fiesta.
Overwhelmed and alienated, the young soldier finds
himself haunted by one of his traumatic kills, and in this
internal war he is alone. Compounded and triggered, his
frustration shoots up in one of his conversations with
Ritz. He impulsively goes to the carnival to confront his
trauma.

CAST

Gio Gahol, Kate Alejandrino, AIR, Shamaine Buencamino,

Soliman Cruz, Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, Easy Ferrer, Tess

Antonio, Paolo O’Hara, Joel Saracho, Gie Onida, Acey

Aguilar, Ross Pesigan, Joshua Cabiladas, John Henzo

Emberga, Hiraya Liwanag, Yanni Buenaventura, Zeus

Bunyi, June Veras, Ainah Remonte, Carlos Lising, Herald

Habin, Cristian Clarito, John Lexter Sebugan, Michelle

PRODUCTION Castro, Lily Aldana, Felicia Fran Aldana, Kimberly Lei

DIRECTOR/PRODUCER Sheenly Gener Aldana, Pfc John Paolo Atanis, Pfc Junelle Satuito, Bula sa

SCREENPLAY Andrian Legaspi Langit staff and crew

CINEMATOGRAPHER Dix Buhay

PRODUCTION DESIGNER Michael Bayot

COSTUME DESIGNER Eivy Rose Lavalle

EDITOR Chuck Gutierrez

COLORIST Mikhail Von Asmuth

MUSIC SCORER/SOUND DESIGNER Pepe Manikan

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS Max Celada, Maki Liwanag 

PRODUCTION MANAGER Maxine Sacris 

ASSISTANT PM Don Melvin Boongaling

1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Antonette Go

2nd ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Joshua Tayco 

PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE Trixia Magdaraog

ARMORER AND MILITARY TECHNICAL ADVISER

Tuhon Harry D. Caramat 

POSTER DESIGNER Rommel Joson  

SUBTITLES Ruth Gadia

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Sheenly Gener, Happy Pill

Productions, Voodoo, Sine Pop, Voyage Studios and

Chrysalis Films

WITH THE SUPPORT OF The Philippine High School

for the Arts and Film Pabrika

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 21

CHRISTIAN PAOLO LAT Photo credits: Idan Cruz

Filipino-Canadian filmmaker CHRISTIAN PAOLO
LAT studied filmmaking at the International
Academy of Film and Television. Currently, he is
the show-runner for an upcoming TV series in an
LA-based streaming platform UrbanFlixTV, and
director/writer for an upcoming American TV
series for the network ForUsByUs.

His career highlights include: a Best Short Film
nomination at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival;
a recipient of the 2017 Viddsee Juree Silver Award;
and winner of Best Film and Best Actor at the
Sinulog Film Festival 2018. His short film Pangako
participated in the 2018 Los Angeles Shorts Film
Festival.

Lat could be contacted via
[email protected]
and [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Imagine if Rocky was set in Maynila, Sa Mga
Kuko Ng Liwanag. These films truly speak to me
because of their timeless influence. Rocky, for
the protagonist’s fighting spirit; and Maynila, Sa
Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag, for its moral exploration
of poverty.

Ginhawa is not only about the fight in the ring that
a boxer has to overcome but it’s what happens
outside the ring – the system, the politics, and the
daily struggles of the poor in the Philippines.

For thousands of kids around the provincial and
urban areas of the Philippines, boxing is an escape
and a fight from the harsh realities of a third world
country. As soon as the bell rings, the only thing
that stands in the way of a measly cash prize or a
sack of rice is their opponent.

Ginhawa presents the day to day struggle that
these fighters go through in their village, in their
community and in their family who are constantly
facing the plague of poverty. Regardless of the
deadly consequences, lack of government funding
and knowledge in general, these boxers continue
to chase after their dreams in the hopes of a
better future.

22 CINEMALAYA18

GINHAWA
Solace

by CHRISTIAN PAOLO LAT

105:00 minutes | Drama, Sports | PG |

Anton is an aspiring boxer. He hopes to continue
the legacy of his older brother Saul who was
given a chance to escape poverty by joining a
competition in the city but later faced tragedy.
Against his mother’s wishes, Anton leaves their
small fishing town to pursue boxing in Manila
where he unravels the ugly truth of the brutal
sport.

CAST
Andrew Ramsay, Duane Lucas Pascua, Ruby
Ruiz, Rolando Inocencio, Dido de la Paz, Ruth
Lopez-Dee, Elan Villafuerte, Shun Andrei Bacalla,
Roel Abao, Kiko Matos, Jun Nayra, Jan Rebong,
Chanel Latorre

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Christian Paolo Lat
SCREENPLAY Christian Paolo Lat
EDITORS Alec Figuracion, Outpost,
Sebastian Olivedo
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Dominic Lat
MUSIC SCORER Paulo Protacio
SOUND DESIGNER Wild Sound Studios
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Melvin Lacerna
PRODUCERS Mia J. Salisbury,
Hannah May Ybalez
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Christian Paolo Lat,
Warren Carman, Melvin Matibag, Ann Matibag

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 23

ROMAN S. PEREZ, JR. Photo credits: Idan Cruz

ROMAN S. PEREZ, JR. has a degree in
communication arts from the University of the
East Caloocan, and a master’s degree in Philippine
Studies from the University of the Philippines
Diliman. He studied filmmaking at the Mowelfund
Film Institute. A long-time TV assistant director
for different TV networks and film companies, he
has written, directed, and won awards for his music
video, theater plays, and short films.

He directed Sol Searching (2018); Adan (2019);
the Filipino adaptation of The Housemaid (2020);
the Pandemic Cinema Blockbuster film Taya
(2021), House Tour (2021), Siklo (2021), Hugas
and Putahe (2022). He is the most prolific director
of Pandemic Cinema. Most of his works serve as
social commentaries on different social issues. He
established Bagong Buwan Artist Collective and
Pelikula Indiopendent.

He could be reached at [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

In filmmaking, it is very important to tell not just
the truth about society but also the things that
society is afraid of or it deems inconvenient to
talk about. Kaluskos is a psychological domestic
thriller about domestic violence: a mother who
has challenges performing her expected role
that makes her look bad to other people. In the
story, we can see a mother-daughter relationship
challenged by different factors.

In preparation of doing the film, we examined a
kind of feminism that exists from within, which
also presents a mental health movement in
regards to domestic violence. This film reminds us
not to belittle women, especially mothers, as they
continue to find ways in solving different problems
in whatever ways in the society we live in.

24 CINEMALAYA18

KALUSKOS
Rustles

by ROMAN S. PEREZ, JR.

100:00 minutes | Domestic Drama Thriller | PG |

Rebekah files for sole custody for her young
daughter Amaya. But this doesn’t sit well with
her estranged husband Jay. Amid the custody
battle, Rebekah finds another “Amaya” under the
bed. When the other Amaya emerges, Rebekah
feels the motherly connection that she lost with
her daughter. The other Amaya insists that she is
the real Amaya trapped under the bed because
of a curse, and the other one is the impostor.
Wanting to start a new life with the other
Amaya, Rebekah seeks to set her free. But to do
that, she needs to kill the impostor.

CAST
Coleen Garcia, Queenzy Calma, Karl Medina,
Cara Gonzales, Elora Españo

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Roman S. Perez, Jr.
SCREENPLAY Enrique Villasis
EDITOR Chrisel Desuasido
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Rodolfo Z. Amandy, Jr.
MUSIC SCORER Emerzon Texon
SOUND DESIGNER Immanuel Verona
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Junebert Cantila
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Mary Ann S. Perez

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 25

TM MALONES Photo credits: Idan Cruz

TM MALONES finished his Diploma degree in
Filmmaking at the International Academy of Film and
Television (IAFT) in Cebu.

His film SALVI: Ang Pagpadayon debuted in the
New Breed Category in the 2013 Sineng Pambansa
National Film Festival: All-Masters Edition. For the
film Baconaua (directed by Joseph Israel Laban), he
received Best in Cinematography from the Young
Critics Circle in the Circle Citations (2017) and the
Cinemalaya Film Festival (2017).

He also received nominations for Baconaua in
the Asean International Film Festival (2019);
and garnered the Outstanding Achievement in
Cinematography at the 66th FAMAS (2018) and at
the 41st Gawad Urian (2018). His short film Bawod
won Best Screenplay at the Cinemalaya (2017), and
was nominated for Best Short Film in 41st Gawad
Urian.

The filmmaker could be reached at
[email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Being present in a tragic accident involving a
person’s life made me think how fragile our
existence can be. In a single moment, everything
could end and be lost forever. And all the people
involved, whether the victim or culprit, face a
complete turning point in their lives.

The film revolves around this inevitable point, tied
by a single event, two people standing on both ends
of a spectrum, the unsuspecting culprit and the
unforgiving victim in the search for their own kind
of retribution.

Born out of a short film concept confronting a past
traumatic experience, Kargo became a feature film
about living and redemption. This film is a story of
one of countless fellow Filipinos that I would like
to tell. As someone from a small town in a region
far from the capital, I wanted to show these stories
born from our place.

26 CINEMALAYA18

KARGO
Cargo

by TM MALONES

80:00 minutes | Road Movie | PG |

When her entire family perished in a motorcycle
accident at a rough highway in Maasin, Iloilo,
Sara crashed into a deep depression, which was
gradually replaced with an overpowering need
to avenge them. Believing that her husband
and daughter were murdered, she searches
for the man who killed her entire family to find
some closure. But at the end of her journey, she
untangles something she did not quite expect
– a discovery that could profoundly change her
entire life.

CAST
Max Eigenmann, Jess Mendoza, Myles Robles,
Ronnie Lazaro (special participation)

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR TM Malones
SCREENPLAY Joseph Israel Laban
EDITOR Tara Illenberger
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY TM Malones
MUSIC SCORER Armor Rapista
SOUND DESIGNER Immanuel Verona
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Buggy Amplayo
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Sara Santiago,
TM Malones

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 27

MILO ALTO PAZ Photo credits: Juan Martin Paz

MILO ALTO PAZ worked as an Executive Producer and
Director for GMA 7’s Entertainment Group and News
& Public Affairs. His documentaries and short features
won in the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula
at Video in their respective years. He directed and
produced Star Cinema’s first Digital film Taxi ni Pilo,
Lugaw for Viva Films’ omnibus film Imahenasyon, and
co-directed Boses, a Cinemalaya finalist.

The filmmaker can be reached at
[email protected].

CYNTHIA CRUZ-PAZ

CYNTHIA CRUZ-PAZ has written romance novels
and is currently a brainstormer/writer in various TV
series. Her screenplays were selected as semi-finalists
in various film festivals. Her short film Boda de Oro
won second prize at the 25th Gawad Alternatibo. She
has been involved in some seminal independent film
productions as producer and production manager.
Together with her husband Milo, they produce video
documentaries on important issues and advocacies
such as child protection, environmental and cultural
conservation, human rights, and values formation for
NGOs, government agencies and private institutions.

She can be reached at [email protected].

DIRECTORS’ NOTES

“Ardently do today what must be done.
Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.”
- Buddha

Retirada explores life’s meaning and purpose in the
face of old age and death. The story idea came about
as we witnessed how some of our close relatives
struggled to live out their senior years after retiring
from an active day to day work life. In a society
where being young and active is given more merit,
growing old can lead to a sense of alienation and
even depression as one contemplates one’s own
mortality.

The main character of the film begins to question the
reason behind her existence. Why are we here? Is
growing old a blessing or a curse? How do you find
meaning as we eventually grow old and weak?

The pandemic has led us to reflect on what is
essential in one’s life. What is my purpose? Where
am I going? What is the meaning of life? The
exploration of these eternal questions is the impetus
for the concept of the film as humanity finds courage
and hope amidst the current existential crisis.

28 CINEMALAYA18

RETIRADA
The Retiree

by MILO ALTO PAZ and CYNTHIA CRUZ-PAZ

93:00 minutes | Drama | PG |

Despite her husband Edong’s assurance, Azon
Marcelo experiences melancholia as she adjusts
to her life as a retired government employee.
Their neighbor Chayong introduces the game
of Bingo to Azon. After hitting the jackpot,
Azon becomes a regular Bingo player hoping to
duplicate her initial windfall. But her new sense
of purpose and the adrenaline rush from her new
hobby would teach her what retirement really
means.

CAST
Peewee O’Hara, Jerry O’Hara, Donna Cariaga,
Dexter Doria, Nanding Josef, Lui Manansala,
Johana Basanta

PRODUCTION
DIRECTORS Milo Alto Paz, Cynthia Cruz-Paz
SCREENPLAY Milo Alto Paz, Cynthia Cruz-Paz
EDITOR Chiarra Mogol
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Ogi Sugatan
MUSIC SCORER Isha Abubakar
SOUND Allan Hilado, Aeneid John Pajo
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Bobet Lopez
PRODUCER Ariel Diaz
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Cynthia Cruz-Paz,
Milo Alto Paz

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 29

CARLO OBISPO Photo credits: Idan Cruz

CARLO OBISPO took up Bachelor of Philosophy
minor in Arts Communication at Saint Louis
University. His feature debut Purok 7 (Zone 7)
formed part of the 2013 Cinemalaya New Breed
Category. His second feature, Gasping for Air (123),
was the opening film in Cinemalaya 2016. In 2020,
he wrote and directed a Boy Love series called
Better Days.
Obispo’s email address is [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Armed conflicts ruin the basic necessities of life.
Families are broken apart, opportunities are lost.
Dreams—especially those of the children, if they
even had the chance to have any—are shattered.
Unfortunately, up to this day, wars still continue
to destroy the lives of many. Children are always
the most vulnerable. The impact of war adversely
affects the life trajectory of the young ones. But
this is always being overlooked. This film is made
to take a closer examination of the distressing
battles children have to fight because of the
decisions that adults make.

30 CINEMALAYA18

THE BASEBALL PLAYER

by CARLO OBISPO
75:00 minutes | Drama | G
Amir, a 17-year-old Moro child soldier whose
father was killed in an all-out war in 2000,
dreams to live a different life – he wants to
become a baseball player. Training extensively
with his coach, he makes it to the final tryout of
a local university. Unfortunately, another all-out
war against Moro rebels breaks out in 2003, and
he is confronted with making a choice between
pursuing his dream or fighting in the war.

CAST
Tommy Alejandrino, JM San Jose, Tess Antonio,
Don Melvin Boongaling, Sue Prado, Pongs
Leonardo, Joel Saracho, Bon Lentejas, Ely Cellan,
Arnold Reyes (special participation)

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Carlo Obispo
SCREENPLAY Carlo Obispo
EDITOR Zig Dulay
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Marvin Reyes
MUSIC SCORER Pepe Manikan
SOUND DESIGN Alex Tomboc
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Michael Bayot
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Rommel Carlos

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 31

ANNA ISABELLE Photo credits: Idan Cruz
MATUTINA

ANNA ISABELLE MATUTINA is a multi-awarded
filmmaker who has been producing, writing,
directing, and editing her own short films since
2004. She currently works as a director and editor
for the documentary program I-Witness where
she and her team have bagged multiple local and
international awards including the prestigious
George Foster Peabody Award in 2009 and a
nomination for the International Emmy Awards in
2013.

12 Weeks is her first feature-length film. It has
participated in the Bangkok Asean Film Festival’s
first edition of the Southeast Asian Project Pitch
(SEAPITCH).

The filmmaker’s email is [email protected].

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

When I started writing 12 Weeks in late 2017, I was
about to turn 40 and struggling with the likelihood
of never having children. So I took to writing in
order to confront my frustrations and feelings of
inadequacy as well as reexamine my preconceived
ideas about motherhood.

That journey was messy but cathartic, an earnest
attempt to expose myself and my darkest
thoughts. And though I still have no clear answers,
I knew I had a story – one that I’ve always hoped to
see in our own local cinema.

12 Weeks is not just a story about mothers but the
modern Filipino woman who continues to struggle
in a highly conservative and deeply patriarchal
country where anti-woman laws continue to exist
and misogyny is as blatant and common as your
daily dose of midnight press conferences. It is
about the women who struggle to give birth to the
kind of world we want our children to live in.

32 CINEMALAYA18

12 WEEKS

by ANNA ISABELLE MATUTINA
105:00 minutes | Drama | R-13 |
After ending her toxic relationship with her
boyfriend Ben, 40-year-old Alice discovers she is
pregnant. With her age and current relationship
status, her first instinct is to have the pregnancy
terminated. As her body undergoes dramatic
changes, Alice struggles and needs to decide
what to do. Will she slide back into the arms of
Ben? What will this mean for the child growing
inside her?
CAST
Max Eigenmann, Bing Pimentel, Vance Larena,
Claudia Enriquez
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR Anna Isabelle Matutina
SCREENPLAY Anna Isabelle Matutina
EDITORS Michael Lacanilao,
Anna Isabelle Matutina
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jippy Pascua
SOUND DESIGNER Lamberto Casas, Jr.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Marielle Hizon
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Jules Katanyag,
Danzen Santos Katanyag

BREAKING THROUGH THE NOISE 33

File Photo