This Christmas, the best gift to your family is to go to cinemas and watch Zig Dulay’s Firefly. We have been following his career from his earlier short films to his newest creation, a magic realism film written by Angeli Atienza.
As a kid in the 1990s, Zig was addicted to television. He would watch shows on his neighbors’ TV and daydream of becoming a film and TV writer. In college, at the University of the Philippines in Baguio, he enrolled in a scriptwriting class and knew his destiny. Then he discovered the workshop of Armando “Bing” Lao.
“Wala akong pambayad sa workshop n’un kaya nakiusap ako kay Sir Bing, tapos ang sabi niya mag-PA ako sa workshop para libre na ako (I had no money to pay the workshop so I begged Sir Bing and he made me a production assistant so I could enroll for free),” the 38th PMPC Start Awards for Movies Best Director muses.
The Found Story philosophy of filmmaking opened Zig’s eyes. “Yung mga natutunan ko sa kaniya, mula noon hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay dala-dala ko (What I learned from him is embedded in me),” he says.
He had to get out of his comfort zone when GMA Network offered him to direct this coming-of-age mainstream drama.
A story of a mother played by Alessandra De Rossi giving all her love and support to fulfill her son’s dream is the film’s theme. “Hindi kailanman matatawaran ang pagmamahal ng isang ina at kung tayo man ay maging alitaptap gaya sa kuwento, 'yung pagmamahal na 'yun ang magsisilbing ilaw natin sa ating paglalakbay, sa pag-abot ng ating mga pangarap (No one can doubt a mother’s love and if we become a firefly, that love will be the light that guides us in reaching our dreams),” he said.
Watch out for child actor Euwenn Mikaell as he plays Tonton, who shares a love for stories with his mother while searching for a mythical island.
To this day, Zig credits his late mother’s wisdom and love. “'Yun ang nagsisilbing ilaw ko sa daan, may bagyo ma’t may rilim (It serves as the light to my journey, whether the path is stormy or dark).”
What are his thoughts about joining the Metro Manila Film Festival? “Yung inaabangan ng buong bansa ‘yung bawat pelikula, excited silang manood (The whole country is looking forward to all the films and are excited to watch),” says the Maria Clara at Ibarra director.
Zig’s goal when making a film is to reach a wider audience. “Iba rin 'yung pakiramdam na inaabangan ko lang dati sa probinsya ’yung mga pelikulang ipapalabas, tapos ngayon—kasama na ang pelikula namin sa mismong festival (It’s a strange feeling! I used to just wait for the MMFF screenings in the province, but now, my film is part of the festival).” beams the Isabela-born filmmaker. “Surreal!”
Zig promised his late mother that he would fulfill her dream. “I am happy that my dream is turning into a reality—my dream for myself, for my family, especially my parents who are both in heaven,” he says.
All his achievements are borne out of pure hard work. “All the things I do, I work hard for so my mother can be proud of me.” says the Capricorn-born director. “Ito ang puso ng kuwento, doon ako nanggagaling (This is the heart of the film, this is where I am coming from).”
Zig is behind the critically acclaimed and award-winning films Black Rainbow, Bagahe, Paglipay, and Missing, among others. He was also one of the screenwriters of Ekstra starring Vilma Santos.
Firefly is best seen on the big screen and not on a tablet, computer monitor, or phone or television screen. This should be your first pick among the ten entries. Guaranteed winner!