3 PH films compete in top-tier Portugal fest

Ogie Alcasid in “Kuya Wes”

Three Filipino films, James Mayo’s “Kuya Wes,” Louie Ignacio’s “School Service” and Carlo Catu’s “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon,” will be competing at the 39th Fantasporto Festival Internacional de Cinema du Porto in Portugal this month.

The news was announced by Mayo, whose “Kuya Wes” had a special screening on Jan. 28 at UP Cine Adarna in Diliman. The director said he would be arriving in Portugal on Feb. 25, along with the film’s lead star, Ogie Alcasid.

Ai-Ai delas Alas (right) in “School Service”

“It’s my first international film fest,” Alcasid told the Inquirer. “I’m excited about this but, at the same time, scared. It’s a totally a new world for me. I will make time for it. Both Leo (Dominguez, his talent manager) and Joyce (Bernal, coproducer of ‘Kuya Wes’) told me to go. That would be a really tiring trip since I’ll just be flying in and out.”

The three films will be competing in two categories, namely Director’s Week and Orient Express, according to Mayo.

Alcasid, however, said he refused to feel pressured to bring home any acting award. “I will just go there for the experience,” he declared.

Fantasporto, rated by Variety as one of 25 leading festivals in the world with an annual average of 110,000 attendees, runs from Feb. 22 to March 2. —MARINEL R. CRUZ

Cast of “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon”