Your Cinemalaya 2016 Guide

July 25, 2016

Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. celebrates its 12th year with nine full-length and 10 short films. This year’s theme is “Break the Surface,” providing films that go beyond with all kinds of narratives that may either comfortable and typical or straight-in-your-face for Filipino viewers.

The premier Philippine independent film festival will run from Aug. 5 to 14 in the following venues: the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Makati City (Ayala Cinemas in Greenbelt 3 and Glorietta 4), Quezon City (Trinoma and UP Town Center), and Sta Rosa, Laguna (Nuvali). In addition, Cinemalaya will exhibit all the films in competition at Ayala Center Cebu from Aug. 9 to 14.

OPENING and CLOSING FILMS

Carlo Obispo’s “1-2-3” will be the opening film of the 12th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It will be shown at 7 p.m. following the Cinemalaya opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on August 5. The event is open and free to the public.

Cinemelaya Foundation has chosen the historical drama “Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli” as the closing film of the festival. It will premiere at the CCP Main Theater on August 13, on the eve of the festival’s awarding ceremony.

FULL LENGTH ENTRIES

Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching

Genre: Dark Comedy, Light Family Drama
Director: Inna Salazar and Dos Ocampo

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
A religious man who does petty crimes, Ponching, gets into a new venture, text scamming, thinking it will not really hurt anyone. One day, his seemingly “innocent” text scam accidentally cons a recipient into thinking he is the bastard child of their late relative.

Dagsin

Genre: Drama
Director: Atom Magadia

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
After surviving the Death March, Martial Law and the loss of his legs, Justino became an atheist. But when his wife dies, a part of him is yearning to believe in life beyond death; just for a chance to be with her again. Searching for parts of her he can still hold on to, he devours her diaries for information into their past –opening a Pandora’s Box of secrets.

Hiblang Abo

Genre: Drama
Director: Ralston Jover

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
“Hiblang Abo” speaks volumes of muted memories and infinite struggles among four men in their twilight years, confined in a hospice facility or home for the aged. Their gray hair grows and fades unnoticed, their lives enter the void of oblivion. Everything unfolds so naturally into their swan song until their body pains and heartaches yield the same intensity, when their hearing and their feelings become permanently impaired; and when their blurry vision and memories become “clear” signs that the inevitable state of death is as fleeting as the vibrancy of life itself.

I America

Genre: Drama, Comedy
Director: Ivan Andrew Payawal

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
“I America” is a dramedy about a complex half-Pinay, half-Caucasian lady looking for American living in Olongapo City (Philippines) who tries to get her passport and US visa in order to meet her father personally for the first time.

Kusina

Genre: Drama
Director: David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
“Kusina” (The Kitchen) is the silent witness to the life and love of Juanita. It is her sanctuary, the place where she creates dishes for her family, her friends, even enemies and strangers. Through cooking, she gets to know the people around her, and in return, reveal herself to them.

Lando at Bugoy

Genre: Drama
Director: Vic Acedillo, Jr.

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
Disrespected by his teenage son, a 40-year-old High School dropout tries to solve this problem by returning to school which only makes his son hate him even more. Amidst the struggle between them, an unexpected event changes everything.

Mercury is Mine

Genre: Drama, Comedy
Director: Jason Paul Laxamana

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
Carmen, a middle-aged cook, is about to close down her eatery at the foot of Mt. Arayat when a white American teenage boy named Mercury approaches her and begs for work in exchange of nothing but shelter.

Pamilya Ordinaryo

Genre: Drama
Director: Eduardo Roy, Jr.

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
Jane and Aries are teenage parents. They make a living out of stealing on the streets until fate hits back at them.

Tuos

Genre: Drama
Director: Derick Cabrido

Synopsis via Cinemalaya:
A woman chosen to keep an age-old tradition alive must now choose between her granddaughter’s life and a belief that shackled her in solitary confinement.

SHORT FILM ENTRIES

SHORTS A

Ang Maangas, Ang Marikit at Ang Makata

Genre: Comedy
Director: Jose Ibarra Guballa

Bugtaw

Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Director: Noah del Rosario

Mansyong Papel

Genre: Drama
Director: Ogos Aznar

Nakauwi Na

Genre: Drama
Director: John Relano

Pektus

Genre: Action, Black Comedy
Director: Isabel Quesada

SHORTS B

Ang Hapon ni Nanding (Nanding’s Afternoon)

Genre: Drama
Director: Rommel Tolentino

Butas

Genre: Drama
Director: Richard Cawed

Fish Out Of Water

Genre: Coming Of Age, Drama
Director: Mon A.L. Garilao

Get Certified

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy
Director: Isaias Herrera Zantua

Forever Natin (Our Forever)

Genre: Romance, Drama
Director: Cyrus Valdez

Other Film Screenings:

FREE Admission Section

*Interested viewers must get a free ticket at the FREE Admission Booth located at the CCP Little Theater Lobby not later than 2 hours before screening time.

There will be two Japanese films (in partnership with EIGA SAI Japanese Film Festival) that will be screened:
- “Ken And Kazu” (2015) by Hiroshi Shoji (August 6. Saturday, 6:15 PM, CCP Little Theater)
- “August In Tokyo” (2015) by Ryutaro Nakagawa (August 9, Tuesday, 6:15 PM, CCP Little Theater)
There will be a tribute screening for the works of Francis Pasion, who died early this year. Among his films to be shown during the festival are “Jay,” “Sampaguita,” and “Bwaya.”

Special Screenings Section

Critically-acclaimed “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” by Lav Diaz will also grace the festival, along with the 2016 Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear awardee’s “Ang Araw Bago ang Wakas.”
Nick De Ocampo’s documentaries “Eiga” and “Gunita.”
Cinemalaya will also showcase the works of Cannes Film Festival best actress, Jaclyn Jose.

Ticket Information:

Regular Price:

P150 per screening at the CCP
P150 per screening at Ayala Malls Cinemas

Student Price:

PHP 100 per screening at the CCP. (Must present valid student ID upon purchase at the CCP box office or Ticket World outlets.)
No discounted student price at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Cinemalaya Festival Pass and VIP Box (CCP Only):

ALL-ACCESS FESTIVAL PASS: P3,500
FIC PASS (Films-in-Competition): P1,500
VIP BOX (for the entire festival run): P20,000
VIP BOX (for one whole day): P3,000
VIP BOX (for one screening only): P1,200. (for one screening only)
BARKADA PASS: P1,500. per screening for a group of five (5) people (maximum)
ONE DAY PASS: P500 (4 screenings either full length or short films in competition) and P700 (5 screenings either full length or short films in competition)

Other Prices:

20% for Senior Citizens, PWD, Government and Military Personnel (present valid ID when purchasing tickets)

Purchase your tickets at:

CCP Screening: CCP box office from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (no lunch break), Ayala Cinema Ticket Booths, Ayala Cinema Online, and via Ticket World Outlets.
Ayala Cinema Screenings: Tickets can be purchased in advance via Sureseats.com website or just call 752-7877 (local 1112).
Starting Wednesday, July 27, tickets for CCP screenings will be available at CCP box office and Ticket World Outlets. It will be open on July 31 (Sunday) from 1:00 to 6:00 PM only, but closed on August 1 (Monday) then resumes on August 2 (Tuesday) until the festival run.

For further information and complete screening schedule, just visit the Cinemalaya Foundation Facebook page.