“School Service” gives us a dismal look at what goes on in the streets of Manila
What’s great about Cinemalaya is that it allows filmmakers to talk about society’s maladies without filters. By being uncensored, these films give us a clearer picture of what’s going on around us. And they can do that unapologetically. Louie Ignacio’s “School Service” is one good example. Just like “Liway” and “The Lookout” the Ai Ai […]
“Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon” is heartbreakingly beautiful
Carlo Enciso Catu’s unique love story that involves three seniors is a painful reminder of the thing most of us fear most: dying alone. Bene (Dante Rivero) lives out the rest of his days inside his gloomy, ramshackle home, with nothing to do but take care of his game cocks. Terminally ill, Bene has no […]
“Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma” presents a searing image of war’s true casualties
There are no winners in wars, only casualties. That’s the sad reality. But what’s even more despairing is that the ones who suffer most are the one who have the least to do with these battles: the children. Iar Lionel Arondaing’s “Musmos Na Sumibol Sa Gubat ng Digma” tells the story of a young Muslim […]
Relive the horrors of Marial Law in “ML”
They say we are a country that has a short attention span; and that we forgive too easily. That should be a positive thing but when we’re dealing with heinous crimes against the nation (i.e. Martial Law), being too forgiving might not be the best thing because we’re bound to make the same mistakes. Add […]
Afi Africa’s “The Lookout” is a campy guilty pleasure
Afi Africa’s suspense-thriller-erotic-drama “The Lookout” was very promising from the get-go. It had a unique and interesting premise. Until you see it on the screen. All that promise turned into confusion. First off, it felt like it didn’t know what it wanted to be. Is it drama? Action? Thriller? Porn? Lester (Andres Vasquez) is a […]
“Mamang” gives us a sneak peek at life’s sad inevitable truth
Perhaps nothing can be more terrifying than the knowledge that you are slowly losing yourself and there’s nothing you can do about it. Denise O’Hara’s 2018 Cinemalaya entry, “Mamang” tells the story of a geriatric, Mamang (Celeste Legaspi), who is battling the evil claws of dementia. She lives with her son, Ferdie (Ketchup Eusebio), who […]
“Pan de Salawal” is cute, inspiring, and hopeful
Adorable and inspiring. These words perfectly describe Che Espiritu’s “Pan De Salawal.” Stories like that of Salvador (Bodjie Pascua) and Aguy (Miel Espinosa) where random events bring them together, paving the way for an unlikely friendship. Salvador is an old bachelor, inflicted with a very painful case of chronic kidney disease. He basically has no […]
“Kuya Wes” is a wake-up call for many
Goodness can sometimes feel overrated but only because many of us have settled for boorishness as a norm. Because of that, many people’s initial reaction to pure goodness from others is often unpleasant. We either meet them with harshness or take advantage of them. Like sharks preying on fresh carcass. Maybe we’ve all gotten used […]
“Distance” peeks into an unconventional family drama
Family dramas are somewhat of a dangerous territory because they’ve been done a thousand times over. And if you’re going to re-tell another story and want it to resonate with a larger audience, it has to be in a manner many of us haven’t seen before. Perci Intalan’s “Distance” managed to do that, to some […]