Veteran actress Ruby Ruiz added another milestone to her already remarkable Cinemalaya journey after winning the Best Actress award at the 2026 festival for her performance in "Status: Rejected." Known for her work across film, television, and theater, Ruiz has built a career marked by memorable...
When your golf ball strays away from the manicured fairways of the golf course you’re playing on, the term used is to say you’ve found the “rough.” With all the events of the film “Filipiñana” taking place on the way to, and while at, a golf course, it seemed only right to use a golf...
Filmmaker Giancarlo Abrahan used his Best Director acceptance speech at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival to thank the people behind his film “Mag-Iina” before taking a swipe at what he described as the “incestuous” nature of Philippine political dynasties. Abrahan...
A vindication for Pokwang. For much of her career, she has been known as a comedienne, with her colorful personal life and outspoken nature often making as many headlines as her work. But at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, Pokwang offered a reminder of what she is, at her...
Mag-iina” and “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam” emerged among the biggest winners of the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, with both films earning multiple honors across the major competition categories. “Mag-iina” took the festival’s top full-length prize, winning Best...
For anyone who has ever wanted to write a screenplay but did not know where to begin, National Artist Ricky Lee’s new book may be the closest thing to having him conduct a workshop on paper. “Quiapo Ilalim: Pagsusulat ng Iba’t Ibang Daan (Trip to Quiapo 2),” launched on Aug. 14 as part of...
“2 Valid IDs” is emerging as the film to beat at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. The film, led by Pokwang, topped the box-office rankings released by Cinemalaya on August 14 across its reported Metro Manila venues. “2 Valid IDs” maintained the top spot at...
Glaiza de Castro was visibly holding back tears as she talked about Ricky Davao after the special screening of “58th” at Cinemalaya Thursday night. The actress had just watched the film with us at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, and she was beaming as she shared how proud she was to be...
In a nutshell, “Kaka sa Yawan” takes a simple idea and lets it breathe. In his first Cinemalaya feature, director Alpha Habon follows the friendship between Niko, a young man from Manila, and Ayan, a Tadyawan Mangyan boy. Played by Beaver Magtalas and Benedix Ramos, with Queenay also in the...
“In the kingdom of the crazy, the weird is Queen!” I made up that quote, just so I could use it to open this review of the film "Mag-Iina." A gothic family melodrama that stretches over four generations, and takes place in one derelict mansion, the Cinemalaya entry reminded me of such films as...
Let us put it out there pronto: “Enjoy Your Stay” is a difficult watch. It should come with a disclaimer. Those who think they’re in for a mellifluous drama will be terribly disappointed. In fact, there are moments when you forget you are watching a movie at all. It feels like real life...
Around these parts, it is easy to get lost in the daily cycle of politics. A new controversy trends. Another public debate takes over social media. Another headline pushes everything else aside. Thankfully, somewhere in the middle of all that noise, a healthy, happy diversion. Filipino filmmakers...
