Watch and Learn By Beanca Navarro

The Cinemalaya Film Campus 2015 gave us two questions, especially to those who plan on taking up film or majoring in film: First, how does one read film? Second, what are some basic approaches to writing film critiques? Each session featured films from a collection of Cinemalaya short films. The featured films were, as per order, “Andong” by Milo Tolentino, “Walang Katapusang Kwarto” by Emerson Reyes, “The Houseband’s Wife” by Paolo O’Hara, “Mansyon” by Joel Ruiz, “Bonsai” by Borgy Torre, and Cole Stramm’s “Jane’s wedding.” The screenings were then followed by a number forums or a discussions about the films by film reviewers and critics. Among all of the speakers were movie critics Mr. Mario Hernando, film maker Mr. Jose Javier Reyes and academicians Mr. Patrick Campos, Mr. Miguel Rapatan, Mrs. Anne Frances Sangil and Mr. Ronald Baytan. According to Mr. Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., the aim of the Cinemalaya Campus 2015 was to “Shed the light on the art of reading films.” Reading a film is not just merely watching and enjoying a film. It is truly understanding deeply the context or meaning of a film and compiling all the elements and small to big details of the movie to make it unique and extraordinary. Like said in the forum about critiquing a film, “Film is just a pretext, the real text is the world outside of the film.” But they also said that sometimes a film is just a film, you don’t have to overthink it and especially don’t under think it. In the end we are entitled to our own critiques and opinions. Because being yourself critiquing a film is unique because it is YOUR opinion.

Last August 12, 2015 Wednesday, we were able to watch a various amount of amazing short films.

Shorts a started at 3:30pm, I was shocked at the amount of viewers there were lined up to get a glimpse of the short films. Shorts a featured the films, Apasol by Ryanne Murcia, Gatilyo ng Baril by Glenmark Doromal and Eero Yves Francisco, Sanctissima by Kenneth Dagatan, Kyel by Arvin “Kadiboy” Belarmino and Nenok by Milo Tolentino.

Apasol (Chasing the Sun) directed by Ryanne Murcia was about gay lovers lasted for 19 minutes, the film started with the theory of the moon and sun; then a tree with letters hanging from it. At first I was thinking “what? I don’t get it” because when Mark played by Iko Alcuizar went back to El played by Ryanne Murcia himself, he said something to El, which I didn’t hear clearly and it triggered a rampage inside of El, I was caught off guard I was coming up with some judgements that El was a bipolar person, I was wrong. The scenery of the ocean and the tree on the left part of the screen was a beautiful thing to see, it makes you feel relaxed and relieved, maybe that’s why El was standing there and looking straight to the view of the ocean, he was thinking of how their relationship will work, the characters of the film showed 2 sides, El embodies a person that thinks about the reality of life, while Mark shows of a person in a fairytale world; this movie is pretty accurate when you’re in love. El was leaving so that he could stay away from Mark, he was in a hurry of leaving he wasn’t savouring every second of the time he had with Mark, but Mark did the opposite despite the short time El had with him, he pleaded El to stay until the sun went down in order to relish the few hours he had with El. He taught El to appreciate time, of how one can be contented with spending a whole afternoon with the person he/she loves. What an amazing and inspiring text indeed.

Gatilyo ng Baril in English “trigger of a gun” by Glenmark Doromal and Eero which lasted for about 9 minutes was about the year 1983 when Ms. Estrella investigates the case of Carlito Dimahilig, the assassin who attempted to kill Imelda Marcos. A black and white film was very accurate of what it is portraying it really felt like the olden times, when the investigator started the recorder I noticed that the answers of the possible accomplice of the assassin was scripted-like although it is a film but when you’re being investigated you’ll either feel defensive and nervous because you did it or confused and trying to convince the other party you’re innocent, but he wasn’t I got the impression of him being sarcastic I can’t explain why though. But if you noticed his words, he was giving hints that he was an accomplice and that he would later on kill the lady, he said things like the assassin Carlito Dimahilig was always harassed by the officials and that he would someday have his revenge and the suspect was agreeing with him indicates that he too had something against the officials himself because of what they did to his friend. He then said that when Carlito initiates or tells someone about classified information or events the official would kill that person he talked to. Thus, stating that the suspect was talking to the investigator about some things that are meant to be kept and resulting to killing the one talked to. What perfect timing to kill a person when the recorder is not recording anymore and you’ve convinced the investigator that you are not a suspect, a brilliant representation of how one kills.

Sanctissima by Kenneth Dagatan lasted for about 15 minutes, it tells about the story a barrio abortionist, named Marissa played by Ligaya Rabago; who disposes the fetus she aborts from various mothers from their area and feeds it to the demonspawn she keeps inside her home. Marissa might not have skeletons in her closet but she has demons under her bed. This short film embraces its locality as it is a demonic horros in a barrio setting. The first half of the film sets a creep vibe or atmosphere using silence. Minimal dialogue and those ambient sounds were used to set the tone of the film. I actually voted this short film to win, because it gave me jumps in just a few minutes, although it was a Filipino horror film which I am not a fan of, I’ll admit that in a short span of time the film had I can compare it with successful horror movies that I am fond of. Kudos to Kenneth for a successful horror movie.

Kyel directed by Arvin “Kadiboy” Belarmino, created a film of 18:21 minutes. The film at first was creepy, scary and funny at the same time I have to admit. It was creepy and scary because of the man’s appearance and the setting; I didn’t know what to expect if it will somehow turn into a horror film, thankfully it didn’t. It was funny because of the special edits it had. It shows a troubled man that finds a solution in a dark room. He was waiting for his lover to come back, he waited and waited, hours passed and still the woman hasn’t returned. He tried to find ways of passing time, a few minutes he discovers a bag with a “katol”, hammer and a 1000 peso bill. He then crushed the “katol” using the hammer and used the 1000 peso bill as a tube to inhale the crushed “katol”, the edit portrayed the feeling or perspective of what you see when stoned. He then had complications because of the substance he inhaled, his mouth full of bubbles of saliva an indication of poison. He then fainted and when he woke up he saw someone and said a foul word then a gun shot. It was Kyel. I thought the man taking the drugs was Kyel, what a controversial twist! You can hear everyone in the theatre murmuring about how confused they were.

Nenok by Milo Tolentino was about an orphan kid that lives in a church, a funny and “kengkoy” movie. At the first half of the movie I was contemplating on whether to pity the kid or be annoyed at him because he kept on taking the old man’s food, although yes he was a kid; he should also understand that the man is working hard to clean and maintain the area of the church, but that thought was erased when the film lead to the kid looking for flowers, I had a gut feeling that the lady in red was a spirit I just can’t pinpoint if she was the mother or the sister of the boy. But the credits rolled and it stated that he was the mother of the boy. The old man followed the boy to the graveyard, the kid cleaned the grave of his mother, placed the flowers and lit a candle; the man was touched and understood the situation of the child. So the next day when Nenok woke up there was a plate next to him with bread and a cup of coffee. An act of kindness from the old man. The movie embodied the saying “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Now, shorts b consists of the films Lisyun qng Geografia directed by Petersen Vargas, Wawa by Angelie Mae Macalanda, Mater by Annemikami Pablo, Pusong bato by Martika Ramirez Escobar and Papetir by Darwin Navicio.

Lisyun qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) by Petersen Vargas, a kapampangan movie that shows two boy bestfriends and the other falls in love with the other one. A love that can’t happen because of so many hindrances, that can also be related to typical love stories. At first Tib was mad and ashamed of Tric’s confession, he pushed Tric away and disposed their friendship but later on the movie shows Tib trying to find Tric using a map that Tric made. He then visits his old school, goes to their secret place and smokes, then a few moments later another person joins him and when he turned around he saw Tric, and the film ended with them asking how they were.

Wawa by Angelie Mae Macalanda was a film about the way she grieved, the different types of grieving processes as Angelie herself stated in the Question and Answer portion after the show of shorts b.

Mater by Annemikami Pablo, was a disturbing film for Catholic believers in my perspective, although I am a Catholic I am open to these kinds of films. I came up with the summary that the mother will choose her devotion to the sto. Niño and kill her daughter. It makes you wonder what really is important, and it opens your eyes that there are people like this.

Pusong Bato (Stone Heart) by Martika Ramirez Escobar, was a mix of comedy and reality. It is true that some of us are still stuck in the past not just our physical past but our emotional past as well, it shows that a woman is caught in the moment of her teenage years, and missing her lover and the fame she gained. It says a lot about some of us who can’t let go of our pasts.

Papetir (Puppeteer) by Darwin Novicio, the film is about a puppeteer performer who has a problem with the past and can’t let go of it. Darwin said in the Question and Answer portion that not everyone is happy when they are smiling, sometimes they are happy in the outside and sad in the inside. Especially for performers like Darwin himself, they sometimes have to sacrifice their own needs just so they can make others happy, and I can relate to that. It saddens my heart.

LIFE

August 12^th the most awaited day and event everybody is ready and stoked to watch shorts A and B. Hearing some people shouting “vote for your favourite film” then someone jokingly whispering the ones that they like. Now the time was right and everyone is getting inside and as we enter the theatre it was like a new place even if it was the same place. It was like a different kind of aura and vibe maybe because everybody was expecting a lot. A lot of whispering and chattering others laughing and waiting for the people they should be with. First shorts (A) film started with “APASOL” by Ryanne Murcia the story is about a couple named “El” and “Mark” they went to this place that has this special tree also where they tie letters containing their wishes. It shows how hard it is to love someone who will be far away from you that you’re so scared of losing him/her and the memories that you have. Showing how they want to stop time chasing the Sun even more and not wanting the Moon to rise. Making every second to be memorable for one another and the scene that “El” shows how scared he was to leave “Mark” behind showing his love to him and that he got mad because he does not want to have a relationship like Mark’s parents. Pain and love mixed together also the thought of giving everything to the one you care about. Then the next one would be “GATILYO NG BARIL” by Glenmark C. Doromal & Eero Yves Francisco the concept of this short film is about politics and mysterious killing of others competition. Hiring someone to kill others just for your own sake just like what happened to NINOY AQUINO’s death it was shown in the last part of the film. Giving me the idea that other people would use the power they have to take a life. Then the third one would be “SANCTISSIMA” by Kenneth Dagatan I was expecting already that this would be a little bit bloody well not little but a lot because of the display and the poster itself. It was worth the watch and by not closing your eyes of the intense things like how blood drips slowly and the creepy “Son of the Devil” character. Showing how to be a real mother even if your own child is a monster you would never kill his/her life. I love the part where she said that “you would understand if you became a true mother” it made a big impact to my life knowing that in the film there are people going to her place just for them to have a so called “Abortion” to kill a life of an innocent child. It is so simple yet meaningful even if they won’t say a word like nothing you would just simply understand it by the actions made. Second to the last in the list of shorts (A) would be “KYEL” by Arvin Belarmino this short film is about a drug addict which is also a drug pusher. In my POV it appears that he was in a dream but the case was that he wasn’t at all maybe it’s just how the film wants the audience to think. But by looking at it closely I can say that what happened to him in the film and the part of him waking up was his hallucination and his part of the mind of wanting to be in peace waiting for himself since he has been calling his name out and screaming knowing that he wants to stop what he has been doing to his own body. Also at the end of the film he died he was shot in the head which was a thrill to all of us making us have that screech of excitement and shock. Now the last one in shorts (A) is “Nenok” by Milo Tolentino this film started with animations of balloons and a cute little kid who sleeps outside a church and talks to the statues he ask money for his coffee and tries to get some bread to this worker who has a crush on this woman that goes to church to pray. It was really heart breaking because the little kid who is a boy somehow feels the presence of his dead mother taking good care of her grave replacing the flower by getting some and asking permission to Mother Mary’s statue. Again the title would be really simple to understand and it’s all because of how the little kid shows his action in the film.

Going to shorts (B) another set of short films and for sure an exciting one. First one would be “LISYUN QNG GEOGRAFIA” by Peterson Vargas a film about friendship and about finding, reminiscing, and not forgetting that one person even if the past was not something you wanted. A film that revolves around friends sharing the most sweetest and cutest kind of time together but then scared of how society judges them thus, ending their relationship in a bad way where one does not want to see the other and keeps on pushing him away. A story that shows how a friend gets hurt but still didn’t expect that in the future everything can change which goes to the part of finding each other and might start everything again from scratch. Next would be “WAWA” by Angelie Mae Macalanda a film of cultural funeral which is by putting the dead bodies in a bamboo like floater and pray as they sail. But it was hard for me to understand fully the part of the kid suddenly falling and then he woke up I’m not quite sure about how my mind understands it but the director itself said it was full of metaphor. It was simple yet mysterious also it caught my attention because my mind worked a lot to get to the point of the film. The third one would be “MATER” by Annemikami Pablo about a mother washing and worshiping the “Sto. Nino” and other saints and a daughter that hates her own mother I think what the film is talking about is that how the mother does not even give time to her own daughter and making her daughter be open to anything like drugs and smoking because she doesn’t have the proper attention and care from a mother. Also I think they’re in a bad situation like they need money and the mother is facing an illness that can’t be healed because it will cost them a lot. Thus ending to the part of the daughter getting crazy and dies because she can’t handle it anymore. Second to the last would be “PUSONG BATO” by Martika Ramirez Escobar the film is based about a popular actress in the year of the 80’s and having this series namely called “Pusong Bato” having Cinta and Gardo as the main characters but their love wasn’t true because it was only acting. But Cinta’s feelings were true and somehow the symbolism of the rock that Cinta found was Gardo in some kind of way not loving her back. Also the part we’re Cinta had an intimate relationship with a rock shows how her needs was not answered by her true love. Also her turning into a stone and this old man who owns her apartment found her like that shows the same cycle of how Gardo acted to Cinta. Finally the last one in shorts (B) is “PAPETIR” by Darwin Novicio I thought this short film is about a comedy kind of thing but it prove me that I was wrong because it’s all about how an entertainer suffers and how he tries to keep this pain inside of him but then only he realizes and his co – worker that he was already out of character. The people in this party taught that it was all part of his act and he meant on doing that but everything they see was not a part of his act but the pain he felt and traumatic kind of event that would be stuck forever in his life specifically in this short film losing his own son.
by: Chi Palisoc

Cinemalaya: Where The End Is Only The Prelude

By: Kristen Huang

The Cinemalaya Film Campus 2015 addressed two questions that should spark interest with students, especially those who plan on taking up film or becoming a film major: (1) How does one read film? (2) What are some basic approaches to writing film critiques? Each session consisted of a screening of a film from a collection of Cinemalaya short films. The featured films were Milo Tolentino’s “Andong”, Emerson Reyes’ “Walang Katapusang Kwarto”, Paolo O’Hara’s “The Houseband’s Wife”, Joel Ruiz’s “Mansyon”, Borgy Torre’s “Bonsai”, and Cole Stramm’s “Jane’s Wedding.” The screenings were followed by a forum or discussion about the featured film by film reviewers and a critique by a film a film academician, writer or scholar. Among the speakers were movie critic Mario Hernando, film maker Jose Javier Reyes and academicians Patrick Campos, Miguel Rapatan, Anne Frances Sangil and Ronald Baytan. According to Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., the aim of the Cinemalaya Campus 2015 was to “Shed the light on the art of reading films.” To sum up my learnings from this year’s film campus, reading a film is not just merely watching and enjoying a film. It is truly understanding deeply the context of a film and compiling all the elements and details of the movie to make it unique. Like said in the forum about critiquing a film, “it goes beyond liking and disliking a film.” Film is just a pretext, the real text is the world outside of the film. “Apasol” (Chasing Sun) by Ryanne Joseph Murcia is a bittersweet short film that starts with a myth, hence the title, and captures an afternoon of love and goodbyes within the life of a couple, Mark and El. The film uses the Chavacano de Zamboanga language which at first I honestly thought was pure Spanish. Also, to be honest, I didn’t get a part of the film wherein El got mad at Mark because his parents apparently “did this too” but as Ryanne explained it further in the question and answer portion at the end of shorts B, I slowly understood the significance of the movie. The short film looks into the trials of gay love and it is able to delineate the anguish of the future and the hardships that Mark and El are trying to signify as they pursue their own thoughts. As Murcia said, sometimes there are memories or experiences in a day we don’t want to forget and moments we want to last. When night comes, the day ends leaving us with only a memory, and so we chase the sun. “Gatilyo ng Baril” or “Trigger of the Gun” by Eero Yves Fransisco and Glenmark Doromal is quite serious as compared to the other short films as it looks deeply and takes a closer look into the assassination attempt on then First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1972 and the murder of Ninoy Aquino at the Tarmac Airport. The short film includes the actual Betamax footages that creates a more eerie mood. In the short film, Mrs. Estrella is investigating on the case of Carlito Dimahilig, the suspect of the assassination attempt on Imelda Marcos by swinging a bolo at her. Mrs. Estrella interviews Rolando Galman, who might have revealed a little bit more than she would need to know and we are merely left suprised and cold just like Mrs. Estrella. “Sanctissima” by Kenneth Dagatan was one of my favourites among the 10 short films and personally, it is the best out of the films in Shorts A so props to Kenneth Dagatan for executing a well-executed short film despite being a Cinemalaya first-timer. It is a dark film and it delivers a very Fillipino barrio-set horror. The short film tells a story about an abortionist named Marissa who keeps a dark secret. In the hopes of not spoiling too much, it’s filled with gore, blood, and at times becomes quite disturbing and horrifying, but also, delightfully appalling. “Kyel” by Arvin Belarmino is a short film that takes us and lets us look closely at the life of a troubled man who seeks freedom from his own mind and finds comfort in using drugs or vices and using it as a form of therapy. Arvin Belarmino also dedicated Kyel to one of his friends. Kyel shows a hazy and confused state of mind not only through its lead, Frank Ferguson Jr., but also through technical aspects. It presented powerful images, but for me, it falls short on it’s conclusion. “Nenok” by Milo Tolentino is a short film about a mischievous nine year old street kid named Nenok who adopts the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan as his home. The story revolves around Nenok and the church groundskeeper, Mang Johnny who Nenok plays tricks on. Nenok makes mischief around the church not out of naughtiness but out of genuine thoughtfulness.This short film is quite different to the other entires in Shorts A, as it is light, playful, and heart warming. “Lisyun Qng Geografia” (Geography Lessons) by Petersen Vargas has got to be one of my favourites following “Sanctissima” by Kenneth Dagatan. Not to mention the soundtrack in this short film by Ourselves the Elves was breathtaking. This short film is about friendship and factors that could ruin it, and love, among other things. Lisyun Qng Geografia made me feel a lot of emotions at once. It is very captivating and enchanting, but at the same time, heart wrenching. Vargas wishes to emphasise the personal struggles the characters, Tric (Ross Pesigan) and Tib (Earl Poliparpio), go through than to depict the typical gay stigma. I see a lot of people saying that this short film is a coming of age love story, but it is way more than that. It is the fading of a friendship which needs closure. All feelings are valid and love knows no boundaries. For Vargas, it is a personal matter and an experience, but it gratifies an ubiquitous thought. “Wawa” by Angelie Mae Macalanda is a silent film but its cinematography speaks millions. The story deals with a father’s death and his sons unconventional and despondent way of coping. I think the short film also relies on the scenery or the landscape to do most of the story telling. As Macalanda said, it was a reflection of her own grieving process for a loved one. To be honest, there isn’t really much to it as compared to the other short films. It is a process diverging from point A to point B. It is a simple, yet prompting film about loss and lament. “Mater” by Annemikami Pablo actually left me quite scared and disturbed and I still don’t know what to feel about it. The fictional family consists of a very religious mother and her rebel child, should I say. As shown in the short film, the family is stuck constantly doing the same thing everyday; praying, eating, throwing fits. It shows a different kind of motherly love and it also show how powerful jealousy is and how jealousy can lead to detrimental things. The short film is creepy yet intriguing. “Pusong Bato” (Stone Heart) by Martika Ramirez Escobar is definitely in my top 3 for all the short films. Escobar takes her “what ifs” into film and creates a masterpiece. It is about a middle aged former actress Cinta dela Cruz who absolutely adores her past career. Cinta tries to relive her great days as a famous movie start back in the 1970’s by watching films at home. This short film talks about a very different kind of love - love for inanimate objects, which might I add, is a real thing called Objectophilia. Love for a heart shaped rock, to be exact. When you think of it, it is quite of absurd to think of a person falling in love with a rock, there is just the right amount of borderline craziness which makes it absolutely priceless. As entertaining it is to watch a woman fall in love with a rock, the ending is quite dismal. I think it’s true what people say that when we love a rock, we become the same. Love changes people. “Papetir” (Puppeteer) by Darwin Novicio had me taken aback, it was seriously not what I expected. I feel ashamed to say that I judged the movie by its poster; I thought it was going to be a fun and happy film, but at the end I was left pitiful and melancholy. The puppeteer, played by Ruther Urquia, a real life puppeteer and a former contestant of “Pilipinas Got Talent”, whose job is to entertain people by making a puppet his mouthpiece literally talks to his past self about a sorrowful memory. It made me quite sad, actually, that people were laughing and having fun, while he was hurting. It shows us that behind the happy and gleeful facade the puppeteers put on every show, there is a mournful experience they are trying to hide. Albeit being shorter than usual, it is light yet despairing.

CINEMASAYA: #IndiengIndieNaMapipigilan

Last August 12, 2015, we had our last day of Cinemalaya Campus lead by Prof. Flor Abanto with other film critics. First thing we did is our recap in Cinemalaya Campus Day 1, lead by Ms. Eva Mari DG. Salvador, the Cinemalaya Campus Forum Co-Director. In session 5, for the continuation of the last sessions during Cinemalaya Campus day 1, we watched Jane’s Wedding (2015), that is directed by Mr. Cole Stamm. It is a story of Jane, a bride-to-be with an older foreign guy. But, before the preparation for her wedding starts, she went to Geraldine, her past lover, who is lesbian and invites her to come to her (Jane) wedding. Ms. Agnes, one of the film’s critic, said that the film featured different kinds of relationship that isn’t typical—girl and girl, but reflects in today’s reality. After session 5 comes the introduction for the people behind NETPAC and introducing Mr. Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, a multi-awarded screenwriter and director of films and television here in our country. Mr. Joey presented us an example of a silent film, Oliver’s Apartment. Obviously, there are no dialogues. but it tries to tell the story by just looking at it. Mr joey explained to us the difference between a film and a movie. He said, “Films are created by artists. Movies are products because they are meant to be sold.” And also, the difference between a filmmaker’s job and a film critic’s job. A block mate of mine asked him of what he advice he can give to us aspiring filmmakers and he said, “One word: Passion.” I think that really is should be. I think people complain with their work because they don’t love their work. They say it’s what pays the bills but, if you’ll add passion, you will strive for it and be the best you can be and you will never work for the rest of your life. To end his topic, Mr. Joey said, “You don’t do films for critics. You don’t do films because you want to earn awards/trophies. You do films because you have something to say.” End of Cinemalaya Campus day 2. After a break, long line awaits for Shorts A and Shorts B films.

 For Shorts A, since I love rating films/movies from 1-10 (10 is the highest), I’ll start with Apasol, directed by Ryanne Murcia, with a 5/10. 5, because at first it was “okay”. It is a story of a couple that one of them will eventually leave the country and the other one, El, is saddened by it that he is furious because he wants Mark to stay with him. I like how the camera showed a beautiful scenery. The actors, El and Mark also did a good job portraying their roles. It was already in the ending, which for me is the best part, is when I got what the film wants to say, “chase the sun” that means “savor the moment”. Next is Gatilyo, directed by Glenmark C. Doromal and Eero Yves Francisco, with a rate of 6/10. … Sanctissima, directed by Kenneth Dagalan, is the third film in line and I give it a 9/10. It was a very good film but I don’t really like seeing scenes with blood in it. I’m sorry, It’s just that I really hate seeing blood, especially in person. The time when the abortionist told the woman, “If you’ve been a mother, you would understand,” is when we, the audience, thought that, she became an abortionist to feed her son, from a demon. It is a very good film among the films presented in Shorts A because it succeeded in giving viewers the thrill, suspense and indeed, we were horrified by the film. That’s why me and my friends were not surprised that Sanctissima won the Audience Choice award for this year’s Cinemalaya. Kyel, directed by Arvin Belarmino, is a story of a drug addict who, in the end, was murdered by Kyel, by the order of a certain Mayor. I give it a 7/10 because of good editing. The film is an example of an open-ended film, so for me, it is maybe because a certain Rona, whom the drug addict had been calling, is related to the mayor—his wife, his sister or his daughter. The last film for Shorts A is Nenok, directed by Milo Tolentino. Knowing Milo Tolentino, the genius behind his film, “Andong,” I was expecting for great entertainment and, for sure, the kid in the movie, would portray his role very nice and just as we were expecting, the kid in the film succeeded in entertaining us—he made us laugh, cry and we actually want to hug him personally for doing great in the film at such a young age. Fortunately, outside the theater, he was there with (I guess) his dad, taking pictures with some of my block mates and luckily, we had a chance to hug him and congratulate him. Now going back to the film, Nenok, I’m very much happy with it, I give my perfect 10/10. I love the editing, the cinematography and how the film itself looked happy and light. Nenok, is obviously my favorite among the films in Shorts A.

For Shorts B, same with what I did in Shorts A, I would rate the 5 remaining films from 1-10 (10 is the highest). Let me start with Lisyun Qng Geografia (Geography Lessons), with a rate of a perfect 10/10. The two protagonists in the film…, succeeded in making us, the audience, laugh, feel sad, and “kilig” even just for a short period of time. I’m also glad to know that Mr. Vargas, won “Best in Direction” because he deserves it. In the film, Wawa, directed by Angelie Mae Macalanda, is a film that shows how and what some people do during their state of grieving. Direk Angelie, told us after the film, that she, herself, chose the place, the characters and she also said that what the film showed to us is just the same on how she is in her “state of grieving.” I give it a 6/10 because, yes, I can relate with the film, but I’m not really fond of watching films that doesn’t entertain me. The third film, Mater, directed by Annemikami Pablo, will have a rate (for me) is a 5/10. Overall, it was good film. But, I didn’t really get what the film wanted to say. I couldn’t even put in words the story because I don’t know where will I start or what word will I use first. With the film Pusong Bato, directed by Martika Ramirez Escobar, I give my perfect 10/10 because I really love the flow of the story, not typical and it's actually my first time to watch a film that a person falls in love with an object and to think that it really exist that is called “Objectophilia.” Indeed, hands down to the director of pusong buto for showing us a different world by making the film and introducing us a different kind of relationship and also for the characters who played their roles very well. I would really say it had a big impact on us, as the audience because most of the scenes are (I think) new to our eyes and again, not typical unlike other romantic movies. I'm also glad that pusong bato won best film for this year's Cinemalaya festival. Last film for Shorts B is Papetir directed by Darwin Novicio. It is a story about a puppeteer who goes to children's parties to entertain, and in this film, he was asked by a friend that they can back out any time. He still continued the show, yet he started blurting lines that are not inckuded in the script that made the people shock because they all wonder what was he talking about. Also, the director also shared to us that he was inspired by his job as a puppeteer that's why he came up with an idea of making this short film. It is so surprising that for only 5 minutes, the film had us laugh and teary-eyed. That is why it deserves a 10/10 rate (for me) and no wonder it won best screenplay in this year's Cinemalaya.

Where did I get my title? "Cinemalaya: #IndiengIndieNaMapipigilan"? My idea came from the most talked about video of the " Pabebe girls" and I got it from one of their lines, "Hindi mo kami mapiigilan!" We have been told that they had some problems last year, so they almost pull out this year's cinemalaya, but still they continued the annual festival, but only presented us short films. For me, films showed in Cinemalaya should be in so many places here in the Philippines, because it is one of the things that Filipinos should know and should be proud of.

-Orge, Xandra