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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Golf devider Filipiñana, a tale of a teenage golf caddy, set for New York screening

Filipiñana, a tale of a teenage golf caddy, set for New York screening

Published Jul 16, 2026 08:13 pm

At A Glance

  • The film explores a satirical take on post-colonial class divisions through the story of Isabel, a teenage golf caddy who develops an attraction to Dr. Palanca, the president of the country club where she works.
Promotional film poster. (IMDB)
Promotional film poster. (IMDB)
A 2026 coming-of-age film centered on a 17-year-old “tee girl” -- now known as a golf caddy -- is scheduled to open at New York City’s historic Film Forum next month.
“Filipiñana”, the feature film debut of writer-director Rafael Manuel, has quietly garnered accolades on the international film festival circuit since premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision in the World Cinema category. The film was also nominated for the festival's Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Features.
In May, Manuel also received the New Directors Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival for the movie.
The film explores a satirical take on post-colonial class divisions through the story of Isabel, a teenage golf caddy who develops an attraction to Dr. Palanca, the president of the country club where she works. Her infatuation takes a dark turn as she uncovers the violence lurking beneath the club’s polished facade and discovers a disturbing connection between them rooted in the past.

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