MANILA, Philippines — For the past 14 years, Cinemalaya has been a cinematic gold mine.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has been discovering, encouraging and supporting cinematic works created by veteran and upcoming Filipino filmmakers who boldly articulate and freely interpret the Philippine experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

This August, it is the time of the year again when the Cultural Center of the Philippines transforms into a big cinema hall, and welcomes film enthusiasts from all ages and walks of life who want to engage with stories that mirror the realities of life and create thought-provoking discussions that will help in nation-building.

Judging by this year's line-up of full-length films and short features, there is something that will surely capture the audience's imagination because the 14th edition of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival promises to deliver the best visual storytelling and bring something for every film enthusiast.

Full-length films

Following the theme “Wings of Vision,” this year's Cinemalaya will screen 10 full-length films, all competing for the major awards.

“Distance”

First on the list is “Distance,” directed by Percival Intalan. The film tells about a woman who returns to the family she abandoned five years ago, and how everyone in the family struggles. They try to stay together even though a secret from the past threatens to always keep them apart.

Starring Iza Calzado, Nonie Buencamino, Therese Malvar, Alessandra Malonzo, and Max Eigenmann, among others, writer Keavy Vicente effectively captures how it is being with a group of people that you can love and resent at the same time.

“Growing up in a big family, I know a thing or two about family secrets, especially in a Filipino home where many things are better left unsaid. With all the emotions building in the characters, in a way, I was playing with fire. Like in a family, you find yourself holding back the emotions - you hide the flame and you mask the smoke, until there’s no more rope to burn,” said Intalan.

“Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset)”

In “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset)” by Carlo Enciso Catu, an old unmarried couple breaks the monotony of their daily lives when the woman’s estranged husband reaches out to them, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness. It stars veteran actors Dante Rivero, Perla Bautista, Romnick Sarmenta, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Che Ramos.

“Kuya Wes”

Director James Robin Mayo tells what happens when a timid and earnest remittance clerk falls in love with his regular customer in “Kuya Wes.” Ogie Alcasid and Ina Raymundo take the lead roles.

In “Kuya Wes,” the director tackles the idea of love - “not just as a romantic gesture but a necessity for survival, from loneliness, misfortunes, mistakes and failures. In a way, love appears like the solution to all of the world’s problems. No matter how selfless love can be, it could be a selfish act to one’s self when one starts to prioritize the loved one before the self.”

“Liway”

Based on a true story, “Liway” by Kip Oebanda tells how a young mother uses storytelling to protect her child from the reality of growing up inside the prison and the difficult life she has endured. Glaiza de Castro portrays Liway.

Through his film, the director believes that “for us to get to the point when equality and freedom reign, people who know the history firsthand should speak up and share their stories.”

“Mamang”

Meanwhile, in “Mamang,” director Denise O'Hara expounds the struggles of an old woman against senility to be with her son. Actors Celeste Legaspi, Ketchup Eusebio, Alex Medina, and Peewee O’Hara, among others, bring the story to life.

Inspired by her memories of her lola, O'Hara wanted to create "a story that would resonate with other people, who like me, have to witness someone they know grapple with their past as they face death.” She proposes that “engaging our past is the necessary first step if we are to break this cycle of abuse that has gripped our nation for so long.”

“ML”

In the film “ML” by director Benedicto Mique Jr., three teenagers get more than what they bargained for when they learn about the dark days of Martial Law straight from an old retired soldier. Veteran actor Eddie Garcia returns to Cinemalaya through “ML.” He previously starred in “ICU Bed #7” and “Bwakaw.”

“Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma (Unless the Water is Safer than the Land)”

“Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma (Unless the Water is Safer than the Land)” by Iar Lionel Arondaing, takes a deeper look on the political unrest in Mindanao and the Maranao culture of “rido.”

The director reveals that the film uses Quran verses, which are recited by the character and interwoven into the narrative to advance the plot and develop the characters.

“’Musmos na sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma’ uses the Quran recital to tell a parable of young love that crosses forbidden class boundaries,” said Arondaing.

“Pan De Salawal (The Sweet taste of Salter Bread and Undies)”

Director Che Espiritu follows the story of a wandering girl who violently hurts the sick to heal them and brings miracles to an ill-striken neighborhood in “Pan De Salawal (The Sweet taste of Salter Bread and Undies).”

“Pan de Salawal is a modern-day miracle story that shows how beautiful it is to be Filipino. From simple joys like pan de sal bread dipped in coffee and the exciting Manila train ride to unwavering virtues like smiling, laughing even, at the face of illness, and 100-percent faith that a loved one will get healed,” said the director.

She shared that the story was inspired by her experience while doing her pre-med before she became a filmmaker. While in the hospital, she has witnessed the struggles of the patients and, yet instead of being depressed, they had the inspiring courage to win over their pain. She also dedicated the film to her friend Chichi, “a genuinely good person but, at some point, felt her life was not worth living anymore.”

“School Service"

“School Service" by director Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio tells the story of a young girl who is taken against her will from the province by a small-time syndicate and becomes a beggar in Manila. Written by Onay Sales, the film stars Ai Ai delas Alas, Joel Lamangan, Celine Juan, Therese Malvar, Felixia Dizon, among others.

Inspired by the viral photo of a young girl - high on rugby - carrying a big rock, threatening to smash a car’s window, and demanding for alms amid the rush hour traffic, director Ignacio found it "frightening and disturbing” but what interest him more was how people were reacting to it.

“Online, majority of the comments were about bashing her or blaming her parents on how she ended up like that. True, the girl’s action was far from being right. But it also made me realize how it has become so usual for us to see kids on the streets, so normal that we end up judging them instead of feeling for them,” he said.

"The Lookout"

"The Lookout" by Afi Africa follows a gay hired killer who has a score to settle from his past. Actors Yayo Aguila, Rez Cortez, Efren Reyes, Jeffrey Santos, and Alvin Fortuna, among others, take the lead.

The director hopes that the viewers will come to a realization that “people are inherently good and become corrupted when their backs are pushed against a wall. [The film] also aims to underscore lessons on the effects of abuse and the consequences of crime, and the futility of revenge.”

Short films

This year, Cinemalaya will also screen 10 short films, including: “Babylon” by Keith Deligero; “Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month” by Carlo Francisco Manatad; “Kiko” by Jojo Driz; “Logro” Kani Villaflor; “Nangungupahan (Who Rents There Now?)” by Glenn Barit; “Sa Saiyang Isla (In His Island)” by Christian Candelaria; “Si Astri maka Si Tambulah (Astri and Tambulah)” by Xeph Suarez; “Siyudad sa Bulawan (City of Gold)” by Jarell Serencio; “Yakap” by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan Jr.; and, “You, Me and Mr. Wiggles” by Jav Velasco.

Audiences will continue to enjoy the festival's mainstays: Dokyu, the documentary section; Best of the Festivals, which showcases the best films from local festivals; Indie Nation, a special section featuring independent films; Visions of Asia, featuring award-winning Asian and Netpac films. There will also be a showcase of the final projects of the Directing and Production Management workshops under the 4th Cinemalaya Institute.

Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Bernardo Bernardo tributes

Cinemalaya will pay tribute to Maryo J. Delos Reyes through a special screening of his best films “Bagets” and “Magnifico,” and to Bernardo Bernardo by showing “Manila by Night” by Ishmael Bernal. The Retrospective section will feature the 2017 Cinemalaya Best Film “Respeto” by Treb Monteras, and “Baconaua” by Joseph Israel Laban who won Best Director.

On its 30th edition, the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, considered the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in the ASEAN region, will once again harvest the best of the best, with films competing in various categories such as Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary and Animation. Pre-selected entries will be screened on August 4 to 6 at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater).

The Cinemalaya Campus, a major component of Cinemalaya, is slated on August 7 & 8 at the Silangan Hall. The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on August 12, 2018 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). — Videos from YouTube/Cinemalaya Foundation Inc.