A synergy of the senses for Cinemalaya 9: Cinaesthesia

July 26-August 4, 2013

Various CCP Locations

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

July 27-August 4, 2013

Greenbelt 3 Cinema 3 & 5

Ayala Center, Makati

TriNoma Cinema 1 & 2

TriNoma Mall, Quezon City

Alabang Town Center

Alabang, Muntinlupa

With a hope that the films screened this year will stimulate the audience, resulting in one sensation after another, the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition has adopted the slogan Cinaesthesia, a play on the word cinema and synaesthesia. The synaesthetic experience starts on July 26 up to August 4, 2013 at various locations at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Satellite venues screening the films include Greenbelt 3 at the Ayala Center in Makati, TriNoma Mall in Quezon City and the newest Cinemalaya venue, the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa.

Quite possibly, the Cinemalaya debut of none other than Vilma Santos can cause a stimulation overload among ardent fans of the actress herself, but also among Cinemalaya viewers that make this film festival the most attended event at the CCP. Joining Vilma Santos in increasing the star power of Cinemalaya this year are Eugene Domingo, Gretchen Barretto, Alessandra de Rossi, Jake Cuenca, Lovi Poe and Paulo Avelino among many others.

As always, there will be three competition categories: Short Feature (10 entries), New Breed Full Length Feature (10 entries) and the Directors Showcase (5 entries). When I saw the trailers of the films during the press conference that was held at the CCP Main Theater Lobby, I noticed that a lot of entries had strong sexual themes and content. On the other hand, some entries are centered on stories about children. So the extremes in themes and content might indeed cause the much anticipated Cinaesthesia among film enthusiasts. And when the directors were introduced to the press, I found it very amusing to see how stiff and terrified the short feature directors looked when they were called to the stage. And after the press conference, they were asking directions as to where Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater) was. I am pretty sure that halfway through the Cinemalaya, these young filmmakers will be already very comfortable, at ease and enjoying the experience like what I saw from the previous two batches.

It was announced later on, a few days after the press conference that the Cinemalaya 9 opening and closing films will be Jazz in Love and Burgos, respectively. Aside from the films in competition, there will be other films to be screened as well grouped in the following sections: Ani, Cinemalaya Documentaries, Cinemalaya Premieres, Retrospective: Urian’s Best (The Gawad Urian Best Film 2000-2009), and tributes to Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Celso Ad. Castillo and Eddie Romero.  There will also be the two day 2013 Cinemalaya Forum which is a major part of the festival. Other film-related activities happening during the festival include the Philippine Independent Film Makers Multi-purpose Cooperative’s 3^rd Manila Film Financing Forum.

Amor y Muerte's Adrian Sebastian, Kuya Manzano, Althea Vega,
Ces Evangelista and Markki Stroem

It will be a Herculean feat for me to view all the films in competition which I accomplished back in 2011. I missed a huge chunk of films last year due to various circumstances and I hope that I’ll be able to make up for it this year.

Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Econolink Investments, Inc. and Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Short Feature Category

Bakaw by Ron Segismundo

Katapusang Labok (Last Strike) by Aiess Athina Alonso

Missing by Zig Dulay

Onang by JE Tiglao

Para Kay Ama by Relyn Tan

Pukpok by Joaquin Pantaleon, Stephan Domingo and Immanuel Canicosa

Sa Wakas by Nica Santiago

Taya by Adi Bontuyan

The Houseband’s Wife by Paolo O’ Hara

Tutob by Kissza Mari Campano

New Breed Full Length Feature Category

Babagwa (The Spider’s Lair) by Jason Paul Laxamana

David F by Emmanuel Palo

Debosyon by Alvin Yapan

Instant Mommy by Leo Abaya

Nuwebe by Joseph Israel Laban

Purok 7 by Carlo Obispo

Quick Change by Eduardo Roy Jr

Rekorder by Mikhail Red

The Diplomat Hotel by Christopher Ad Castillo

Transit by Hanna Espia

Directors Showcase Category

Gil Portes, Ces Evangelista, Jeffrey Jeturian, Adolfo Alix Jr. and Jerrold Tarog

Amor y Muerte by Ces Evangelista

Ekstra by Jeffrey Jeturian

Sana Dati by Jerrold Tarog

The Liars by Gil Portes

Porno by Adolfo Alix Jr.

For tickets and other inquiries:

CCP Film Office 832-1125 local 1704/05

CCP Box Office at 832-3704

Text by RAd

Photos by Kiko Cabuena