A story about love, companionship and forgiveness in the twilight years of an unlikely trio — an unmarried couple and the woman’s estranged husband — bagged Best Film at the 14th Cinemalaya held Aug. 12 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Cinemalaya 2018 winners with the Cinemalaya Organizing Committee and Jury members (Photos by Kiko Cabuena)
Directed by Carlo Enciso Catu, “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset)” also won Best Production Design (Marielle Hizon), Best Cinematography (Neil Daza), and Best Screenplay (John Carlo Pacala) plums. The movie stars Dante Rivero, Menggie Cobarrubias, Perla Bautista.
The Special Jury Prize went to “Pan de Salawal (The Sweet Taste of Salted Bread and Undies) by Che Espiritu,” who also won for Best Direction. It was praised “For its vibrancy and vigor, its sense of wonder and poignant humor, and its effective conjuring of a suffering world where miracles are possible.”
Ai Ai Delas Alas (Photo by Orly Daquipil)
“Pan de Salawal” also bagged the Best Original Musical Score award (Len Calvo) and Special Jury citations for the young actors in its cast, namely Miel Espinosa, JM Salvado.
Kenken Nuyda of “Liway” and “School Service” earned the same Special Jury Citation for outstanding performance.
The Cinemalaya Board of Jurors gave Special Jury commendation to Kip Oebanda’s autobiographical film “Liway” that told the story of Oebanda’s life as a child living with his parents, rebels detained inside a military camp.
The Jury praised the film “for its timely subject matter and for its writer-director who courageously opened himself up to share with others his very revealing past.” “Liway” bagged the Audience Choice award in the Full Length Feature category.
Eddie Garcia
Eddie Garcia was honored with the Best Actor award for his role in Benedict Mique’s “ML.” Garcia was applauded by the jury “for his wickedly frightening portrayal—himself embodying the horrors of a dark past.” It’s his third time to win the award at Cinemalaya after “ICU Bed No. 7” and “Bwakaw” some years ago.
Ai Ai Delas Alas garnered the Best Actress award for her role in Luisito Ignacio’s “School Service.:” Therese Malvar tied with herself for the Best Supporting Actress award for her performances in two films, “School Service” and Percival Intalan’s “Distance.”
Ketchup Eusebio won the Best Supporting Actor for his role in Denise O’Hara’s “Mamang.”
Now on its 14th year, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of full feature independent films and short films. Many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals.
Carlo Enciso Catu
Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.
Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Established in 2005, Cinemalaya is an all-digital film festival and competition that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers.