PelikuLAYA festival relaunched as part of LGBT Pride Month celebration

FDCP Chair Liza Diño

Let’s be kind rather than be self-righteous,” pleaded actress Liza Diño. She has been married for over seven years now to singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra, who identifies himself as a transgender man.

Liza, who is also the chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), was reacting to a question during a recent media conference on the plan of another celebrity transgender man, Jake Zyrus, to marry fiancee Shyre Aquino in the United States.

Liza placed emphasis on the struggles of transgender people in terms of “finding that path for them, of finally being comfortable in who they really are.” She also recalled that when she and Ice got married—first in December 2014 in the United States, then in January 2015 here in the Philippines—they’ve experienced “a different kind of hate.”

Empower the LGBTQIA+

“It’s just sad that in terms of policies, recognition, as well as the system and structure that will allow members of this particular community to live freely, we still have a lot of work to do,” Liza declared.

In this connection, the FDCP is relaunching its PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, which will run virtually from June 4 to 30 on the FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph).

Carrying the theme “Sama-Sama, Lahat Rarampa,” the event aims to further empower members of the LGBTQIA+ community through a lineup of local and international films, lectures, musical performances and even a drag yoga event.

The festival was created in 2018 as part of the FDCP-initiated CineLokal, which ran in partnership with SM Cinemas. “However, we wanted to have something annually that would solidify our support for the community,” the FDCP chief explained. “As we planned our activities for June, which is Pride month, we thought that this was the perfect platform to talk about the ongoing struggles of the community and the discord that’s still happening up to now.”

Beginning June 4, a total of 23 subscription films can be viewed for only P99, including the seven PelikuLAYA titles that are available until June 30: Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Masahista,” Charliebebs Gohetia’s “I Love You. Thank You,” Gerardo Calagui’s “Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko,” Ara Chawdhury’s “Miss Bulalacao,” Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita,” HF Yambao’s “Best. Partee. Ever.” and Lem Lorca’s “Ned’s Project.”

JC de Vera in “Best. Partee. Ever.”

Online premiere

Available for rental starting June 4 is Céline Sciamma’s Cannes-winning French film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (starring Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant), which will have its Philippine online premiere at PelikuLAYA 2021.

To be screened for free: Rhadem Morados’ documentary “Budjang” and three shorts from CineSpectra 2019, a film festival for HIV/AIDS awareness: Rod Modina’s “A,” Dexter Paul de Jesus’ “Alex & Aki” and Yong Tapang Jr.’s “Doon sa Isang Sulok.” The opening film (to stream on June 4, at 8 p.m.) is Joel Lamangan’s “Lihis,” while Danny Zialcita’s “T-Bird at Ako” will close the festival (June 30, 8 p.m.).