‘Tumbang Preso’ exposes child trafficking

OEBANDA. Uses film to raise awareness for his advocacy.

“Tumbang Preso1,” an IFC Best Pitch winner at the 2013 Manila Film Financing Forum, will be screened at SM Cinemas on Oct. 8. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Kip Oebanda, the true-to-life feature tackles human trafficking and is set in a sardine canning factory.

How did he discover filmmaking? Oebanda replies, “I’ve always loved watching movies. I took a filmmaking course at the Asia Pacific Film Institute—that’s when the opportunity to do it came. I was  assistant director on Jet Leyco’s ‘Bukas Na Lang Sapagkat Gabi Na,’ and the production designer of Siege Ledema’s ‘Shift,’ for which I got an Urian nomination.”

Suspense-thriller

Kip sees film as an important tool to raise awareness for his antitrafficking advocacy. The suspense-thriller is topbilled by newcomer Kokoy de Santos, who, as Carlo, attempts to escape his child-trafficking captors.

Kip adds, “Trafficking has been happening right under our noses. I understand the psyche of both the victims and traffickers—what motivates them, and why they do what they do. The victims are often portrayed as helpless—but, in truth, they’re fighters!”

Kip was born in prison during martial law, and was named after the Filipino word, “dakip” (capture). His movie has funny moments. He explains, “You can find humor even in desperate situations. For me, entertainment has a social value. I want my films to be entertaining and engaging, at the same time.”
“Tumbang Preso” also stars Ronnie Lazaro, Kean Cipriano, Dominic Roco, Jaclyn Jose and Shamaine Buencamino.