IT’S NOT only on the in-person attendance in a film event that newsworthy, compelling and transformative sound bites are captured to share with the audience for discussions but also on digital exercises and experiences.
It happened when I was inadvertently advised of what time was the presscon for the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
Yes, I missed the face-to-face star-studded, fiesta-like event Wednesday noon at the Shangri-La Grand Atrium in Shangri-La Mall Plaza in Mandaluyong City but I found a solid, uninterrupted and fluid flow of events from the Facebook Live of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
This time, all the speakers and the colorful scenes attendant to the occasion were lent with clearer and more multi-dimensional and significant insights to grapple with an entertainment spectacle and its meanings to the spectators online.
In a pulsating rush of people, events and sets, being in the middle of a physical event like show business function could be disruptive and unfocused in a frenzy although one could call for calmness if only to with oneself but still accommodate other selves.
Yes, I missed the personal interactions with my media colleagues, friends and acquaintances, favorite stars, public figures from all walks of life, corporate honchos and familiar faces but I had to contend with what is available to catch up with current happenings.
I found the extemporaneous speech of Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), very stimulating and revolutionary.
FDCP has been a perennial partner of Cinemalaya and Joey Reyes has been a witness to this partnership.
Why is Cinemalaya important?
To quote him verbatim on his three-pronged points about Cinemalaya, here’s his take: “Let me share with you three important points as to why we are here today. The first point is, why is Cinemalaya important? Number two, why must Cinemalaya continue? And thirdly, what is the future of Cinemalaya?
“Why is Cinemalaya important for a very good reason? Looking back at the most recent developments of Philippine cinema, four out of the ten best films for last year came from Cinemalaya (Applause from the audience). If that is not an indication of the importance, the significance of young filmmakers finding their voices, but more so, finding a platform to share these voices then I do not know of any other film event in this country that can match that.
“Secondly, why must Cinemalaya continue?
“We are at that very critical point in the history of Philippine cinema that is not only a matter of persistence but a matter of existence and survival. If Philippine cinema could survive amidst the forays of all kinds of technological developments including streaming, we must be innovative, we must think out of the box, and we must think global. And there is no better example than the works of the independent filmmakers who think out of the box, who defy conventions, but more so, push the very value of the existence of the Filipino creatives.
“And then lastly, what is the future of Cinemalaya?
“The future of Cinemalaya is seated right on this table (Joey gestures towards the location of the nine filmmakers for the Full-Length category sitting together in front of him). The nine filmmakers who will share their voice and their vision to define the direction and the future of Philippine cinema.
“…And it is not only the responsibility of these filmmakers but also the responsibility of the audience to appreciate the value of the Filipino creatives.
“To the filmmakers who are here, the young filmmakers who are here today…Be brave, break rules, think Filipino, you are making films for Filipinos to show to the world that we are creative who deserve their appreciation, admiration and affirmation.”
Balangay Trophy
Meanwhile, to announce the presentation of the teasers and trailers of the official selections to the 22nd Cinemalaya, Competition and Monitoring Committee Chairman Carlitos Siguion-Reyna did the chores.
Competing for the coveted Balanghai Trophy in the Full-Length Category are: “A.ni.mál” by Dustin Celestino; “2 Valid IDs” by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz; “Ganggang” JL Burgos; “Han of God” Mark Duane Angos; “Mag-iina” by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Luarca; “Kaka Sa Yawan” Alpha Habon; “Status: Rejected” by Vahn Leinard Pascual; “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” by David Corpuz and “Tirik” by May-i Guia Padilla.
Competing in the Short Film Category are “Elenita Elena Elaine” by Gabriela Serrano; “Honey, my Love, so Sweet” by JT Trinidad; “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!” by Norvin de los Santos; “kung paano kakalas.” by Joseph Vitali; “Para-Paraan” by Mae Chan Li; “Runo!” by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña; “Silkscreen” by Rey Anthony Villaverde; “Sorbetes” by Jennissie Gilbuena; “The Keeper” by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ and “The River Flows in Different Places” by Lot-lot Hermosura.
During the confab, CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan hosted the gig.
Marasigan presented Shangri-La Plaza Corporation’s Head of Operations Mary Anne Therese B. Dumayaca who expressed her gratitude for the partnership of her office, Cinemalaya Foundation, CCP and Cinemalaya.
He also called on CCP President Kaye Tinga who spoke about the contributions of Cinemalaya to arts and culture of the Philippines.
Laurice Guillen
Cinemalaya Foundation President Laurice Guillen who welcomed partners like the media, the filmmakers, Shangri-La Mall, Ayala Malls, CCP, Gateway and other entities, talked about the organization’s vision on Philippine cinema. “For more than two decades, Cinemalaya has looked toward the horizon, every year has brought new filmmakers, new stories, new discoveries and new ways of seeing ourselves. This year, we thought it might be worthwhile to pause for just a moment and look behind us, not to linger in the past but to appreciate the journey that brought us here. What have these years revealed to us? What have our films taught us? What have we carried forward? They are not questions for today alone, they are questions we hope will stay with us as we discover this year’s films and the conversations they will inspire,” she said.
Festival Director Chris Millado collated all the people, purportedly the filmmakers, inside the hall by emphatically calling them collectively as “kuwentistas (storytellers).”
Millado summarized the meanings of all the themes Cinemalaya had shared with the audiences.
This year’s theme is “Reel Reflections” and Chris aptly described cinema as a mirror that reflects the realities, aspirations, struggles, and triumphs that shape the Filipino experience.
He explained the metaphor and symbolism of the balangay this time after the tumultuous voyage it had gone through over the years.
This year’s boat in the poster image, he said, “isn’t moving, it’s moored, waiting, that diver swimming to the surface, that odd, dipping into memory, trauma, into joy in the parts of our consciousness that we don’t usually post on social media.”
Chris Millado
The diver, Millado singled out, is the Cinemalaya itself who after battling the odds, is ready to surface alive.
Among the stars who are featured in the full-length and short films were around to represent their projects, among them Bituin Escalante, Frances Makil Ignacio etc. for “a.ni.mal”; Pokwang and some of her co-stars and creatives for “2 Valid IDs”; Francis Mata and his fellow stars in “Ganggang”; Ronnie Lazaro, Iza Calzado, Ruru Madrid and other cast members of “Hand of God”; Agot Isidro, Janine Gutierrez, Jackie Lou Blanco and the other members of the cast of “Mag-iina”; Beaver Magtalas, Luis Alandy and others in “Kaka Sa Yawan”; Ruby Ruiz, Alessandra de Rossi, Beverly Salviejo and their fellow creatives in “Status: Rejected”; Yayo Aguila, Epy Quizon and other stars and crew of “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” and Rocco Nacino and his fellow cast members of “Tirik.”
Marasigan announced that the opening film of the 22nd Cinemalaya is “Enjoy Your Stay,” a film directed by Honeylyn Joy Alipio and Dominik Locher which was screened at the Panorama section of the recently concluded Berlin International Film Festival in Germany and the closing film of the Philippine Independent Film Festival is “Filipiniana,” a masterpiece by Rafael Manuel which was also shown at the 2026 Berlin and the prestigious 42nd Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Choice Award.
According to the CCP Corporate Communications, running concurrently with the festival is the 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the Southeast Asia’s longest-running independent film competition. Showcasing works across Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation, the competition continues to champion alternative forms of cinema and provide emerging filmmakers with a platform to push creative boundaries.
The festival once again brings the audiences to Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza as its primary venue. Continuing its long-standing support that spans for more than two decades, Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex remain partner venues for Cinemalaya 22 that kicks off on August 6 and ends on August 18, 2026.