Cinemalaya Cinco opens to warm applause on a stormy night

Scores of movie buffs defied the tail-end of a storm on Friday just to attend the opening of the 5th Cinemalaya Film Festival and Competition. The rain-soaked trip to the Cultural Center at the edge of Manila Bay last July 17 was worth it for everyone, judging from the warm applause they gave Manila, the launching but non-competing full-length feature of the annual indie film fest. Some girls seemed to have made the trip just to see heartthrob Piolo Pascual, both on the stage of the CCP Main Theater and on the screen. Pascual is the lead actor in Manila, and also its co-producer along with Ed Mangahas and Arleen Cuevas. "PIOLO!" the girls screamed as soon as the actor walked up on stage. He introduced the film before its screening along with co-directors Adolf Alix Jr. and Raya Martin, and some of the cast members led by Rosanna Roces and Jay Manalo. One particularly star-struck girl would screech "PIOLO!" every minute or so during the introduction, stopping only when the film started rolling, much to the relief of the audience, composed mostly of students and young professionals. After all, they were not there just to ogle at the actors but to see for themselves why this film was chosen to be part of special, though non-competition, screenings at two international film festivals – in Cannes last May and in Moscow last June. Carnival theme At the start of the festivities, the carnival atmosphere of the CCP main lobby warmed up an otherwise cold and damp evening. There were acts featuring contortionists, jugglers, dancers, puppeteers, fire eaters, and unicycle-riding clowns. There were also stalls selling snacks like popcorn and cotton candy. The lobby, which looks cold and cavernous on regular days, became cramped and literally warm. People spilled over to the second and third floor, craning their necks over the railings to see the participating filmmakers introduced as soon they got off Volkswagen Beetles remodeled into stretch limos. Twenty films are showcased in the festival, 10 of which are competing in the short film category. In between the film introductions, there were performances by the Philippine Ballet Theater, Airdance, and the College of St. Benilde Romancon Dance Company. The opening program was led by CCP president and festival director Nes Jardin, competition director Laurice Guillen-Feleo, and Cinemalaya Foundation chairman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco. Prizes and schedules Prizes at stake – to be awarded on July 26 – are P200,000 in the full-length category and P100,000 in the short-film category, plus a Balanghai trophy. Each full-length feature finalist received an initial P500,000 production grant. Screenings of the entries are scheduled at six venues of the CCP, including the main theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo). For the complete schedule, as well as details on the films, visit the Cinemalaya Web site at www.cinemalaya.org. Full-length films • 24K - produced by Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Ana Agabin; written and directed by Agabin • Ang Nerseri - written, directed, and produced by Vic Acedillo Jr. • Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe (The Rapture Of Fe) - written, directed, and produced by Alvin B. Yapan (with Alemberg M. Ang as executive producer) • Astig (Mga Batang Kalye) - written by Jerry B. Gracio, produced by Noel Ferrer, and directed by GB Sampedro • Colorum - written by Jobin Ballesteros, Diana Malahay, and Jerry Gracio; directed by Jon Steffan Ballesteros; and produced by Wild Coyote Pictures • Dinig Sana Kita - written, directed, and produced by Mike Sandejas • Engkwentro -written, directed, and produced by Pepe Diokno • Mangatyanan (The Blood Trail - Part 2 Of The Camera Trilogy) - written by Ramon Ukit, directed by Jerrold Tarog, and produced by John Silva and Franco Alido • Sanglaan - written by Milo Sogueco, Audie Gonzales, Jerome Lorico, and Gay Ace Domingo; directed by Milo Sogueco; and produced by Milo Sogueco and Gay Ace Domingo • Last Supper No. 3 - story by Winston Villanueva Acuyong; written by Veronica B. Velasco and Jinky Laurel; produced by Veronica Velasco, Pablo Biglang-awa Jr., and John Silva; and directed by Veronica B. Velasco Short films • Behind Closed Doors - written, directed, and produced by Mark Philipp Espina, with Bart Guingona as co-producer • Blogog - written, directed, and produced by Rommel "Milo" Tolentino, with Toti Reyes as associate producer • Bonsai - directed by Borgy Torre • Hulagpos - written and directed by Maita Lirra Reyes Lupac • Latus - story by Jermien Piquero, Joaisa Alpa, Phobeluna Lozano, Annalie Lucion, Nellie Fe Angot, Eddielyn Emnacin Elsie Abella, Vicky Yalong, Christie Fe Andrada; directed by John Paul Seniel; produced by Amalia Bandiola Cabusao in partnership with Cordaid and Save the Children Sweden • Musa (The Muse) - written and directed by Dexter B. Cayanes and produced by Brainchild Studios in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts • Si Bok at ang Trumpo - written and directed by Hubert Tibi and produced by Gigi Tibi • Tatang - written by Ipe Asuncion, directed by Nico Hernandez, and produced by Jabs Bolok and Janice Jose • Ugat sa Lupa (Roots On Earth) - written and directed by Ariel M. Reyes, with Almed Garcia as executive producer • What Floor Ma’am - written by Robert Seña, co-directed and co-produced by Robert Seña and Mike Sandejas

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