In the continuing celebration of Philippine Cinema this August, the Film Development Council of the Philippines proudly presented six (6) award-winning independent films under the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 Special Feature Section during a Press Launch held last August 1, 2018 in Quezon City.
The PPP Special Feature Section opened its doors to outstanding Filipino independent films which gained numerous awards from prestigious award-giving bodies as featured in independent local film festivals. Balanginga: Howling Wilderness directed by Khavn (QCinema 2017), Gusto Kita with all my Hypothalamus directed by Dwein Baltazar (Cine Filipino 2018) , High Tide directed by Tara Illenberger (ToFarm 2017), Kiko Boksingero directed by Thop Nazareno (Cinemalaya 2017), Paki directed by GianCarlo Abrahan (Cinemaone Originials 2017) and Tu Pug Imatuy directed by Arnel Barbarona (Sinag Maynila 2017) are all to be screened in selected cinemas nationwide from August 15-21, 2018 along with the PPP’s main entries.
The Special Feature Section of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 will be screened from August 15-21 in SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Fairview, SM Sta. Mesa, Gateway Cineplex and Robinsons Galleria.
“We are very grateful and proud that PPP gets to screen these six films which are more than worthy to be watched and appreciated by a wider audience,” said FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño during the Press Launch. “This month is certainly an exciting time for Philippine Cinema as all types of Filipino films that we have today will be featured,” she added.
Balanginga: Howling Wilderness (QCinema 2017)
Writer: Khavn, Achinette Villamor and Jerry B. Gracio
Director: Khavn
Cast: Justine Samson, Pio Del Rio, Warren Tuaño
1901, Balangiga. Eight-year-old Kulas flees town with his grandfather and their carabao to escape General Smith’s “Kill & Burn” order. He finds an infant amid a sea of corpses and together, the two boys struggle to survive the American occupation.
Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus (CineFilipino Film Festival 2018)
Writer: Dwein Baltazar
Director: Dwein Baltazar
Cast: Iana Bernardez, Nicco Manalo, Dylan Ray Talon, Soliman Cruz, Anthony Falcon
Writer/director Dwein Baltazar takes us to one of Manila’s smoky avenues, and sinks us in a compelling observation on desire following four men yearning for one enigmatic woman.
High Tide (ToFarm Film Festival 2017)
Writer: Tara Illenberger
Director: Tara Illenberger
Starring: Arthur Solinap, Sunshine Teodoro, Dalin Sarmiento, Forrest Kyle Buscato, Christine Mary Demaisip, Riena Christal Shin
High Tide dives into how climate change, particularly rising sea levels impact the locals of coastal villages. At its core is the story of a young boy that is left an orphan, and as an effect of a massive typhoon, he loses his ability to speak.
Kiko Boksingero (Cinemalaya 2017)
Writer: Emmanuel Espejo Jr., Ash Malanum, Denise O’Hara
Director: Thop Nazareno
Starring: Noel Comia Jr., Yayo Aguila, Angel Aquino, Denise Soliva, William Buenavente at JM Canlas
Kikko Boksingero tells story of a child who was under custody of her Nanny Diday (Yayo) while the relatives are leaving on states. Kiko’s mother died while he is unfamiliar with his father. George (Yul Servo) returned, he tried to reestablish relationship with his son Kikko with boxing.
Paki (Cinema One Originals 2017)
Writer: Giancarlo Abrahan
Director: Giancarlo Abrahan
Starring: Dexter Doria, Eula Valdez, Ricky Davao, Shamaine Buencamino, Paolo Paraiso, Ina Feleo, Noel Trinidad
Paki is a portrait of the modern Filipino family, and follows a 80-year old woman who decides that she will be an old maid. As the woman tries to leave her husband for sixty years, their children forbid their parents to separate to keep their long-lasting bond alive.
Tu Pug Imatuy (Sinag Maynila 2017)
Writer: Arnel Mardoquio
Director: Arnel Barbarona
Starring: Malona Sulatan, Jong Monzon, Luis Georlin Banaag III, Jamee Rivera, Jillian Khayle Barbarona, Henyo Ehem
Tu Pug Imatuy, which means “The right to kill” in Manobo, follows Lumad couple Obunay and Dawin who are uprooted from their traditional way of life after a military encounter. Soon, they find themselves unwilling instruments in the soldiers’ anti-guerilla operations. What will it take for them to reunite with their family? Inspired by actual events, the film tackles the Manobos’ struggles against environment plunder and the militarization of their communities.
These films will also join the festivities in the following Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Events – Pista at the Park Grand Fans Day and All-Star Parade, August 11, 2018 at Quezon Memorial Circle from 10AM onwards, FREE ADMISSION and PPP 2018 Opening Night at SM North Edsa on August 13, 2018.
Watch out for the Special Feature Section in the following schools beginning next week:
UPFI Film Studio on August 6, 4PM
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa on August 7, 2PM
Unibersidad de Manila on August 8, 1PM
Asia Pacific Film Institute on August 9, 3PM
Adamson University on August 10, 10AM
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina on August 13, 3PM
MAPUA University on August 14, 10AM
PPP is presented in partnership with National Cinemas Association of the Philippines (NCAP), Unicef, Globe Play It Right, SOLAR Entertainment Corporation, Outpost Visual Frontier, Nestle, ThinkBit, Sequioa Hotel. It is also supported by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED), CNN Philippines, PEP.ph, MOR 101.9 For Life, The Manila Bulletin, Malaya, Philippine Star, Wish 107.5, Push.com, Uniquely Pinoy, as well as by the following government agency partners, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Youth Commission (NYC), Office of the Vice Mayor Quezon City (OVM) and Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC)
