Cinemalaya as an institution has always been a beacon of hope for independent filmmakers, but it must mean even more for filmmakers who started their careers in the provinces some of which are still based there.
Published July 20, 2021 12:43pm Back in 2016, the film Pamilya Ordinaryo highlighted disturbing truths about the Philippines. It once again proved to be a reflection of reality in the latest episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. The episode told the story of Jennifer Tinapay, who gave birth to her sixth son Carl Michael last June 24. However, less than two weeks since she welcomed him to the world, he was taken from her. I cried all the time. I was having such a hard time, I felt like I was going crazy, Jennifer said in Filipino. Carl Michael was stolen by a person they had already met a woman who approached Jennifer one day, introducing herself as Elidia. Jennifer was still pregnant at the time.
Published July 3, 2021, 8:00 AM
INDUSTRY DIRECTION This week’s Philippine Panorama goes behind the scenes of the local film industry. Cover design by the author
A year ago, at the height of the current health crisis, a couple of my friends in film were distressed as productions, like many other businesses, had to shut down due to lockdown. Shoots were ceased, movie theaters closed, and jobs were lost. Box office losses amounted to at least ₱11 billion in 2020. Even before the pandemic, the Philippine film industry had seen a constant and drastic dip in viewership. The quarantine period was a death blow.