For the past five years, July has been a time of harvest for
the independent filmmaking scene. Hundreds of entries from all over the Philippines are
submitted to the screening committee for the chance to compete in the Cinemalaya
Philippine Independent Film Festival that is highly anticipated by film
enthusiasts and members of the academe.
With Cinemalaya as their springboard, Filipino filmmakers have proven that they
are a force to be reckoned with. Our homegrown directors have shown that with
Pinoy creativity and ingenuity, they can come up with original stories that will
attract viewers and have aesthetic appeal as well.
GRAND OPENING. The opening-night
ceremonies of Cinemalaya Cinco last Friday, July 17, at the Cultural Center
of the Philippines
had a very festive atmosphere. Students, guests and members of
the film industry trooped to Pasay
City despite the heavy
rains that day.
Audiences were treated to a carnival theme, complete with contortionists,
jugglers, puppeteers, fire eaters, and unicycle-riding clowns.
CCP President Nestor Jardin, competition director Laurice Guillen and
Cinemalaya Foundation chairman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco officially announced
the beginning of the film festival that will have its awarding ceremony on July 26, 2009.
The Philippine Ballet Theater, Airdance and the College of St. Benilde
Romancon Dance Company were tapped to showcase
production numbers that night. Real-time videos of their performances were
projected on the walls of CCP for the benefit of those watching at the second
and third floors of the venue.
Even the directors of the competition films—10 full-length and 10 short films—arrived
in style: they emerged from a vintage car before being introduced to the
viewing public.
STARS OF MANILA GRACE PREMIERE. The
1,800-seater Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) was filled to capacity that
night. Co-producers Edgar Mangahas and Arleen Cuevas welcomed the audience to the Philippine premiere of Manila.
As the producer-lead star of Manila Piolo Pascual made his speech, he was sometimes
interrupted by cheers of his fans.
"Malaking karangalan para sa akin ang mapiling opening film sa Cinemalaya this
year. When the concept was presented to me more than a year ago, hindi ko
inakala na aabot sa ganito kalaking karangalan ang aming matatanggap. Sa
pagpi-premiere sa Cannes
two months ago at ngayon nga, maging opening film sa Cinemalaya.
Direk Adolf Alix Jr. (who helmed the Night episode of Manila) also pointed out why they decided to create this twin-bill film that aims to pay tribute to two great Filipino directors.
"Naisip naming gawin ang pelikula dahil sa panahon ngayon, yung mga tema ng mga pelikula nila [Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka], hanggang ngayon po ganun pa rin ang ikot ng buhay sa siyudad," said Direk Adolf.
Laurice Guillen and Nestor Jardin then awarded framed certificates of recognition to Adolf and Raya for being chosen to open this year's film fest.
Also present that night were Piolo's co-stars in Manila: Jay Manalo and Rosanna Roces. Piolo's leading lady in Lovers in Paris, KC Concepcion, made it a point to attend the premiere night along with ASAP mainstay Erik Santos.
Prior to the screening of the movie, the trailer of Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme was shown, eliciting laughter and cheers from the audience. It showed Eugene Domingo portraying twins who have distinct personalities. In one scene, she was even shown wearing a gray swimsuit. This mainstream film is also co-produced by Piolo Pascual.
GRAND TRADITION. There is no doubt that Cinemalaya has placed the Philippines on the world map. The list of entries that have earned recognition abroad keeps on growing year after year.
But even more importantly, Cinemalaya has placed indie films closer to the hearts of Filipino viewers. The annual film festival is developing a new generation of discriminating viewers who will learn to appreciate films that reflect our unique Filipino heritage.
According to a poll conducted among 215 respondents during last year's Cinemalaya, young Filipinos aged 18-24 comprise a majority of the audience (58.8 percent). Majority of them were students (63 percent) and most of them were already in college (96.3 percent).
By exposing the youth to these independent works, this annual film festival helps enhance their sensibilities and promote critical thinking. The hallways and staircases of CCP come alive with the excited chatter of viewers. They exchange ideas about the films they watched, what scenes they liked, what flaws they noticed.
Soon, these students will give rise to the new breed of filmmakers who will carry on with the tradition of Cinemalaya.
And that is what makes it all so grand!