Cheer factor: ‘Liberacion’ wins in Manhattan fest

Filipino filmmaker Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Liberacion” won best global narrative film at the International Film Festival Manhattan in New York City last week. The indie drama stars Jacky Woo, Mercedes Cabral, Hideo Muraoka and Suzuki Sadatsugu. Set after World War II, it tells of a Japanese soldier who hides in Philippine jungles for 20 years.—Bayani San Diego Jr.