Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. - Making Waves

Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.

Editor

Cultural Center of the Philippines

2014

Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr.
Editor-in-Chief

Teresa S. Rances
Managing Editor

Annaliza B. Villar
Project Coordinator

Cesar Hernando
Book Design Director

Tom Estrera III
Design & Layout

Alice Esteves
Indexer

Nestor O. Jardin
Editorial Adviser

Ma. Victoria Belarmino, Acryt V. Vallido, Noreen Antonio, Raul Asis,
Angelica B. Villar, Laeilani P. Arocha, Melissa Escueta, Vicky Isiderio,
Luzviminda Casagan, Richel Revestir, Jude Bautista,
Lester Babiera, Milagros Pasion, Edna Nocum

Copyright 2014
Cultural Center of the Philippines
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ISBN 978 -971-27-3049-8 (e-book)

Version 1.0.1

By Nestor O. Jardin

By Clodualdo Del Mundo, Jr.

Essays

Cinemalaya Indie Films Take Flight

By Doreen Yu

By Lito B. Zulueta

By Philip Cheah

Shoot Locally, Win Globally Telling the Filipino Story to the World

By Bayani San Diego, Jr.

By Jessica Zafra

WHAT CINEMALAYA HAS accomplished during the last ten years has delighted and inspired those of us who established the festival in 2004. At that time, our goals were lofty but we were careful not to be too grandiose in our ambitions. We merely wanted to do something that would help the flagging film industry.

Cinemalaya was born with a clear mission: Cinemalaya aims to discover, encourage and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. It also aims to invigorate the Philippine film industry by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers.

Going back to our first festival in 2005 and analyzing what our contribution to the development and promotion of Philippine independent cinema has been, we cannot help but be proud of how far we have progressed in pursuit of our mission. We therefore invited five distinguished writers who saw the birth of Cinemalaya and watched it grow to maturity to tell us how they think we have fared in various areas. Doreen Yu writes the story and history of Cinemalaya. Lito Zulueta discusses our contribution to the development of a body of original film works that truly reflect what we are as a people and society. Philip Cheah contributes an essay on our goal to discover and support new indie filmmakers. Bayani San Diego writes about the impact of Cinemalaya on the international film circuit. And Jessica Zafra analyzes our achievements and needs towards developing an audience for independent cinema.

Beyond brandishing Cinemalayas accomplishments, this book is also a tribute to the Filipino indie filmmaker who is at the core of our raison dtre. The success of Cinemalaya is undoubtedly due to the 165 filmmakers who for the past ten editions of the competition and festival produced quality films that have broken the boundaries of filmmaking in the country. They dared to tell stories that commercial cinema would not have touched. The country and the world saw their uniqueness and significance which encouraged us to forge ahead.

My gratitude and admiration go to the people whose vision and perseverance made Cinemalaya what it is today Antonio O. Cojuangco, Laurice Guillen, Emily Abrera, Tess Rances, Vicky Belarmino, Nicanor Tiongson, Chris Millado, Robbie Tan, Mel Chionglo, Maan Hontiveros, Irene Rada, Ariel Yonzon, Eva Mari Salvador, Arturo Diago, Vicky Isiderio, Minda Casagan, Rodel Valiente, Tess Alcuaz and the countless CCP and Cinemalaya Foundation officers and staff.

My special thanks also go to the five writers, editor-in-chief Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., book designers Cesar Hernando and Tom Estrera III and project coordinator Eyna Villar for producing this commemorative book. I wish to express my deep gratitude as well to Karina Bolasco and Anvil Publishing, Inc. for their invaluable support in making this book project possible.

And to all the Cinemalaya enthusiasts who have patronized and partnered with us through the years, our sincere gratitude and appreciation. I hope this book will be a useful source material that will inform and remind us that Philippine independent cinema is flourishing but needs our continuing patronage to reach new and greater heights.

NESTOR O. JARDIN
President, Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc.

CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO, JR.

WHAT DOES A decade of Cinemalaya mean? What can happen in ten years? Certainly, many things can happen in ten years. Lawrence Fajardo made his debut in Cinemalaya 2005 with his short film Kultado. To date, he has edited around 23 full-length and short films and directed at least four full-length films, including his Cinemalaya entries Amok and Posas. Adolf Alix, Jr. started with Donsol in Cinemalaya 2006. Since then, he has done two or three full-length films in a year, a total of 23 films in eight years (!), including Kadin, Kalayaan, and Porno. Mercedes Cabral starred in Ligo na U, Lapit na Me, became an indie star, appeared in several films, including Transit. Rocco Nacino also starred in Ligo na U, Lapit na Me and Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwanag Paa; he is now a regular on TV. Ditto with Paulo Avelino, who also starred in Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwanag Paa, Debosyon, and Sana Dati. Others not only made films, theyve also found their identities: Jun Lana, who took a break from his mainstream TV work and did Bwakaw, finally exchanged vows with his gay partner. Auraeus Solito started with Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros in Cinemalaya 2005, followed it up with Pisay and Busong; now, being true to his Palawan roots, he has changed his name to Kanakan Balintagos. Raymond Lee, who also made his debut in 2005 with Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros and was instrumental in conceptualizing and marketing some indie films, has now changed Raymond to Moira. Then, a few have gone to the Great Beyond Joy Soler and Yoyoy Villame who appeared in