Upbeat developments

AFTER a despiriting number of failed attempts, Sharon Cuneta is finally winning her Battle of the Bulge (knock on wood), with almost 40 lbs off.

Of course, there’s a lot more to unbulge, but we hope that, as a mentor-judge, on the new season of “The Voice Kids,” she will continue to lose weight, so we can focus, not on her distracting weight and girth, but on the astuteness of her comments and decisions.

On the film scene, the 2016 Cinemalaya film festival and competition has announced its finalists in both full-length and short film categories, making film buffs feel bullish about the pioneering indie showcase’s “quality” prospects this year.

More than a decade ago, Cinemalaya took the then “risky” step of providing seed money for projects that would otherwise not have been made, and proved the important point that “uncommercial” movies were feasible.

Since then, other festivals and sponsors have come to the fore and should similarly be commended. But, Cinemalaya should still get an extra tip of the hat for “rushing” in where angels (of the sponsoring kind) once feared to tread.

Finalists

This year’s finalists:

Full length: “Hiblang Abo” by Ralston Jover, “Pamilya Ordinaryo” by Eduardo Roy Jr., “Maselang Bahaghari” by J.E. Tiglao, “Kusina” by David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares, “Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching” by Inna Salazar and Victor Villanueva, “Dagsin” by Atom Magadia, “I America” by Ivan Andrew Payawal, “Lando Ang Bugoy” by Vic Acedillo Jr., “Mercury Is Mine” by Jason Paul Laxamana, and “Tuos” by Derrick Cabrido.

Short film finalists: “Bugtaw” by Noah del Rosario, “Butas” by Richard Cawed, “Fish Out of Water” by Ramon Alberto Garilao, “Pektus” by Isabel Quesada, “Nakauwi Na” by John Relano, “Ang Hapon ni Nanding” by Rommel Tolentino, “Mansyong Papel” by Ogos Aznar, “Get Certified” by Isaias Zantua, and “Forever Natin” by Mary Clarence Espiritu.