CineFilipino fest showcases uniquely Filipino stories

THIS year’s batch of filmmakers

CineFilipino, organized and led by Unitel Productions, in partnership with the MVP Group of Companies, offers a fresh spin on independent or “indie” films—more moving stories and a diverse mix of genres. The films are set to be screened from Feb. 2 to 8.

“Life is composed of diverse stories. This year’s selection of CineFilipino films takes these tales but retains their uniquely Filipino elements,” said Madonna Tarrayo, president of Unitel Productions.

The entries in the feature-length category are as follows:

“1st Sem” by Dexter Hemedez and Illan Ibañez

When a kid leaves home for college, the milestone gives way to a struggle between giving in to homesickness or choosing a good education and a better future. Sixteen-year-old Maru Marasigan chooses to give in and goes home to be with his mother. But instead of strengthening the relationship, the decision finds both mother and son drifting apart.

“A Lotto Like Love” by Carla Baful

This isn’t your typical love story. Kayela and Itot are brought together by a single desire—to win the lottery! But on their way to claim Kayela’s prize, they encounter thieves. To solve the problem, Kayela throws her bag into a moving bus, thwarting the thieves’ plan but leaving them with a new problem: how to retrieve the bag with the winning ticket!

“Ang Taba Ko Kasi” by Jason Paul Laxamana

Weight loss isn’t an easy task. For Olga (Cai Cortez), it requires a huge amount of willpower, discipline and inspiration. She decides to enroll in a swimming class, where she meets a hot instructor who becomes her source of inspiration. Olga takes on afternoon jogging sessions in a university campus where she meets Benji, an equally fat man whose motivation to lose weight is to impress his ex-girlfriend. But as the two spend more time together, Benji finds himself falling in love with Olga! Will Olga go through with her plan? Or will she choose to accept herself?

“Ang Tulay ng San Sebastian” by Alvin Yapan

Superstitions have a way of becoming reality. In Alvin Yapan’s film, Bong and Francis (an ambulance driver and a nurse) tell each other ghost stories on a Good Friday on their way home from Manila. While driving on the San Sebastian bridge, both men realize their stories are coming true—a white lady hails the ambulance, a flying coffin chases them, and they witness a ghostly reenactment of a vicious murder! Can they get out of this ghostly story cycle?

“Buhay Habangbuhay” by Paolo Herras

Sandy, a devoted housewife, dies in an accident. Soon after, her ghost appears and haunts the family home as she waits for the death of her husband Joel. Life goes on for her family, while Sandy is in limbo, waiting to start the afterlife with Joel. But when Joel finally dies, he vanishes, leaving Sandy to wonder if all her efforts were in vain. Paolo Herras weaves a tale that explores life after death, the importance of moving on—and celebrating life!

“Ned’s Project” by Lemuel Lorca

An itinerant tattoo artist joins a reality show for lesbians in the hope of winning the prize money that will enable her to get artificially inseminated and achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a mother.

“Sakaling Hindi Makarating” by Ice Idanan

After Cielo’s (Alessandra de Rossi) breakup with her boyfriend of 11 years, she receives a set of mysterious hand-illustrated postcards. Intrigued, she decides to pack her bags and go on a journey around the Philippines. As she makes her way from Luzon to Mindanao, lessons are learned, friendships are made, and the identity of the anonymous sender unfolds.

“Straight to the Heart” by Dave Fabros

What happens when a gay hairdresser slips into a coma and wakes up a straight guy? Dave Fabros explores this possibility in “Straight to the Heart.”  Filled with funny antics and uniquely Pinoy hugot lines, the film is filled with the “good” kind of chaos as relationships and lives are turned around by this one major change.

“Van Damme Stallone” by Randolph Longjas

Mothers are expected to always give their 100 percent. But for mothers of children with special needs, they’re expected to give more. “Van Damme Stallone” follows the story of VanVan, a child with Down Syndrome, his quest to become an artista, and his mother’s desire to make this dream happen!

The films were selected from 442 entries. The Feature-Length category attracted 151 submissions. For the new categories, 51 Documentaries came in, while 34 were listed under the TV Series category. In the Shorts category, there were 206 entries: 164 for Short Features, 15 for Mobile and 26 for Online platform.

CineFilipino 2015 is also supported by Meralco and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC). For further information, visit the official website, www.cinefilipino.com.