Controversies and celebrations at Cinemalaya 2014 awards

(Story originally published for The Manila Times.)

Past and present filmmakers of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival expressed “violation of rights” over the online upload of 2012 and 2013 competition films over the weekend.

Including last year’s Best Film director, Hannah Espia (Transit, 2013), and the first year’s Best Film director, Auraeus Solito (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, 2005), the filmmakers took to the stage of the festival’s awards night on Sunday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

After accepting the New Breed Category’s Best Screenplay award for director Giancarlo Abrahan V’s Dagitab, Espia said, “I want to express my heartbreak over the upload of our films on YouTube . . . To see our films on YouTube is a violation of our rights as artists and filmmakers.” 

Espia, who co-produced Dagitab, added that she and fellow filmmakers are calling for a dialogue. “We cannot stay silent,” she ended her speech.

Meanwhile, Solito, who now goes by the name Kanakan Balintagos, read an official statement from the first batch of Cinemalaya filmmakers.

“We are in solidarity with our fellow filmmakers whose artistic rights were violated when their films were uploaded on YouTube and on the Cinemalaya website without their final consent,” he said in between presenting awards.

It was on Saturday that the 2012 and 2013 full-length films were uploaded at the Cinemalaya website and the personal YouTube account of a certain Janssen Agbada.

In a statement posted by Cinemalaya Foundation in its Facebook account, it said, “Only half an hour ago, we got wind of the fact that Cinemalaya films were uploaded by Janssen Agbada, technical personnel of the Cinemalaya website yesterday. We apologize for this situation which we had no idea of nor we are aware of what or who caused or gave instruction for her to upload the films.”

The films were then immediately removed from the website and the YouTube account was disabled.

But at the awards, Tonyboy Cojuangco, chairman of the Board of Cinemalaya Foundation, claimed responsibility for the act.

In his speech, Conjuangco explained that for the past 10 years, he had struggled to subsidize Cinemalaya. And in the next years, they are predicting that the festival will reach a “plateau.”

In search for ways to make the festival sustainable, Cojuangco gathered a group of experts for discussion. And the uploading of films online was what “they thought was the answer.”

“[By] getting people to get hooked to Cinemalaya product. And the only way to get that is by giving them the chance to watch,” he explained. “It’s either we upload everything, or we upload nothing at all.”

So, he added that they decided to upload all films they had still rights on. Cinemalaya has rights of a film for three years only. 

The foundation, led by its president Nestor Jardin, also apologized to the filmmakers in contention.

A family affair

Hosted by Ina Feleo and Epi Quizon, the Cinemalaya 2014 Awards Night was a family affair.

Feleo, the daughter of the late Johnny Delgado and Cinemalaya’s very own festival director Laurice Guillen, and Quizon, the son of the late King of Comedy Dolphy, noted that this year’s festival presents some of the most trusted families in the film industry like the O’Haras and the Siguion-Reynas.

Making his big screen return after 14 years in the limelight, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna directed Hari ng Tondo, which won three awards in its Directors Showcase category namely, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor for Robert Arevalo and Best Supporting Actress for Cris Villonco.

Carlitos is the son of Armida Siguion Reyna, and Villonco is his niece.

In accepting the awards, film producer and writer Bibeth Orteza expressed delight to see the return of the “Reyna” logo in the big screen.

Meanwhile, sisters Janice O’Hara and Denise O’Hara of the O’Hara clan accepted the Audience Choice award for their film, Sundalong Kanin, in the New Breed Category.

Nora Aunor wins

For the acting awards, Nora Aunor was the biggest winner of the night for her performance in Hustisya, Joel Lamangan’s film for the Directors Showcase.

Her win was much-anticipated as it was her first time to join the indie film festival. She said, “Sa wakas, nagkaroon din ako ng pelikula sa Cinemalaya [Finally, I had a film at Cinemalaya].”

The Superstar continued, “Patuloy po akong gagawa ng pelikulang makabuluhan. Sa mga kabataan, sana magsilbi itong inspirasyon [I will continue to make meaningful films. I hope that it will serve as an inspiration to the youth].”

Under the New Breed category, Actress Eula Valdez won Best Actress for Dagitab in the New Breed category, while Dante Rivero won Best Actor for 1st ko si 3rd in the Directors Showcase.

While Villonco was named the Best Supporting Actress in Directors Showcase, it was young GMA talent Barbie Forteza who accepted the honor in her category. She was in the film Mariquina.

Best Supporting Actors were Miggs Cuaderno, a Kapuso child actor, for his role in Children’s Show (New Breed), and Nicco Manalo in The Janitor (Directors Showcase).

A special award for Best Ensemble Acting went to the cast of #Y by Gino Santos.

Major awards

The major awards of the films last night were spread out in different films under the three categories.

For the Short Films, young director Kevin Ang won Best Director and Screenplay for his film Lola, while Sari Estrada got the Best Film for Asan si Lolo Me?.

Michael Tuviera also received two awards for Best Director and Screenplay for The Janitor, while Joselito Altarejos got the Best Film honor for Kasal under the Directors Showcase.

Kasal is Altarejos’ last gay-themed film, as he said that he had served his purpose for the LGBT community.

Finally among the New Breed entries, Dagitab won Best Screenplay and Best Director, and Bwaya the Best Film.

In accepting the award, director Francis Xavier Pasion also commented on the issue of uploading. He said, “I only have one word, respect. That filmmakers must respect Cinemalaya and Cinemalaya must respect the filmmakers.”

Kidlat Tahimik was honored the 2014 Gawad Balanghai for being the “Father of Philippine Independent Cinema.”

Full list of winners:

Best Film

New Breed: Bwaya

Directors Showcase: Kasal

Short Feature: Asan si Lolo Mê?

Best Director

New Breed: Giancarlo Abrahan V (Dagitab)

Directors Showcase: Michael Tuviera (The Janitor)

Short Feature - Kevin Ang (Lola)

Best Actor

New Breed: Dante Rivero (1st ko si 3rd)

Directors Showcase: Robert Arevalo (Hari ng Tondo)

Best Actress

New Breed: Eula Valdez (Dagitab)

Directors Showcase: Nora Aunor (Hustisya)

Best Supporting Actor

New Breed: Miggs Cuaderno (Children's Show)

Directors Showcase: Nicco Manalo (The Janitor)

Best Supporting Actress

New Breed: Barbie Forteza (Mariquina)

Directors Showcase: Cris Villonco (Hari ng Tondo)

Best Screenplay

New Breed: Giancarlo Abrahan (Dagitab)

Directors Showcase: Aloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera (The Janitor)

Short Feature: Kevin Ang (Lola)

Special Jury Award

New Breed: K'na the Dreamweaver

Directors Showcase: Hari ng Tondo

Short Feature: The Ordinary Things We Do

NETPAC Award

New Breed: Bwaya

Directors Showcase: Hustisya

Best Editing

New Breed: Gerone Centeno (Children's Show)

Directors Showcase: Tara Illenberger (The Janitor)

Best Production Design

New Breed: Toym Imao (K'na the Dreamweaver)

Directors Showcase: Harley Alcasid (Kasal)

Best Cinematography

New Breed: Neil Daza (Buwaya)

Directors Showcase - Mycko David (Kasal)

Best Sound

New Breed: Jonathan Hee and Bryan Dumaguina (Children's Show)

Directors Showcase - Mike Idioma (The Janitor)

Best Musical Score

New Breed: Erwin Fajardo (Buwaya)

Directors Showcase: Richard Gonzales (Kasal)

Special citation for ensemble acting: Elmo Magalona, Coleen Garcia, Sophie Albert, Kit Thompson, Chynna Ortaleza #Y

2014 Gawad Balanghai: Kidlat Tahimik, "Father of Philippine Independent Cinema"

Audience Choice

New Breed: Sudalong Kanin

Directors Showcase: Hustisya

Best Poster Design: Asintado

Canon's Best Cinematography: Kasal (Mycko David) 

'OTJ': Worth it

I do not watch mainstream, Filipino films in big screen. 

The last time I did was back in college when my best friend and I saw Chito Roño's Sukob starring Kris Aquino. I remember I did so, ONLY because it was my best friend's treat. Take note also that I hate horror movies and do not like Kris' acting, but that's a whole different story--lest I digress. 

My point here is, I do not spend a peso from my own pocket to watch crappy local films MOST especially those romantic comedies (I cringe at the thought) and Metro Manila Film Festival entries. 

The only Filipino films I truly appreciate are independent ones which I annually follow via the Cinemalaya film festival. However, I am sorrowful and guilty for missing this year's edition. And that's also another story so let me go back to why I am writing this in the first place:

I watched 'On the Job' by Erik Matti on Sunday at the Glorietta 3 Cinema! 

Let me begin by sharing that my curiosity was aroused when I first read a The Manila Times article (by our Entertainment editor) in which I found out that the film got standing ovation after it's world premiere/screening AT the 2013 Cannes! 

My interest further shot up after our film columnist wrote a positive review, and as prominent people continue to post good things about it on social networking sites. Giving in, I took Mama to the mall to see it. And as I was buying the tickets, I thought to myself: "This better not disappoint." 

Lucky me for my good instinct, it did not! Phew!

And it was one hell of a film actually--in a very good way. Let me share some random thoughts--hopefully without spoiling--on why you should NOT miss On the Job. 

• The story is gripping. I had watched various indie films tackle the different "cancers" of our society, but OTJ's is far more intricate. Beginning with the note: "This film is based on true events"; the film presented the corruption of those in power, specifically the police, who hire inmates to carry out a "job". Released for a day, the prisoners actually become hitmen and kill various targets. I'm more than sure so much research had gotten into this film. So for translating this "terrible" of a story into the big screen, bravo!  
• The cinematography is beautifully ugly. Throughout the entire film, everything was a clear picture, from the slums, to San Juan's Basaan Festival, to the government offices. For me, the most unforgettable was how OTJ vividly painted the bilibid! I have been hearing for so long how deprived the situation of the inmates in this country's prisons are. But I didn't realize it was like THAT! OMG, ang layo sa itsura ng Prison Break.
• The script is convincing. There were few long conversations and plenty of bad words (the t*ng-inas and p*tas!). But it was fine. There were few quotable quotes to remember either after. I tried to think of one now. Nothing came to thought. But, nevertheless, straightforward and believable dialogues from every character did justice. These were real people who talked of reality. Kudos to scritwriter Michiko Yamamoto (Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, 2005).
• The actors are superb. Yes, all of them even Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson. Let me note, however, that even though OTJ was headlined by the two younger actors of this generation (probably for marketing purposes so I wouldn't complain if it will actually make MORE Filipinos watch it); I still believe that Joel Torre was the main actor of the film. The story really revolved and evolved around his character, Mario Maghari . Known to many as "Tatang", Maghari was the veteran, hired hitman who was currently training his back-up Daniel (Gerald). All I can say is Torre's performance is deserving of major acting awards. Another notable performance was that of Joey Marquez who played the incorruptible police, who thankfully, added humor to the dark thriller; and Leo Martinez, the hateful, powerful, former police general. Of course, much credit of this also goes to Matti's skill. 

All this said, I can truthfully say that my P180 spent for On the Job is totally worth every penny. But more importantly, I feel that my belief for the commercial films is partially renewed, thanks to Direk Erik Matti's creation. This film will be remembered. 

Finally, I hope more of this kind of films will hit the local scene, and along with it, more Filipinos (the common masa) appreciating it. So that I can wholeheartedly declare: Mabuhay and pelikulang Filipino!