MANILA – GB Sampedro’s “Astig,” Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel’s “Last Supper No. 3” and Mike Sandejas’ “Dinig Sana Kita” were the top three favorite films at the 5th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
According to a porter at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where Cinemalaya Cinco was held, the three official entries to the main derby were the favorites of cinema lovers.
The porter, who requested anonymity, commented it must be the mass appeal of the three films that lured the moviegoers.
“’Astig’ is youth-oriented, kinda comic, likewise ‘Last Supper No. 3,’ which is hilarious but deep in humor. And ‘Dinig Sana Kita’ is drama. Not necessarily tearjerker but the whole film is very endearing and charming,” observed the porter.
Like in the past, Cinemalaya management did not set the target amount to be collected from this year’s film event. According to the officers of the board like Laurice Guillen and Robbie Tan, all they wanted was to support the artistic pursuits of the young filmmakers.
Box-office returns, they said, are very important but artistic freedom is equally as relevant.
From the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema), a new category in this year’s Cinemalaya, director Ralston Jover’s “Baseco Bakal Boys” filled the rafters of the Little Theater (Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino) of the CCP when it was screened last Sunday.
Adolf Alix, Jr.’s “Aurora” and “Karera” were received warmly by the moviegoers while Monti Parungao’s “Bayaw” was closely monitored to have its big chunk of goers from the gay community.
Meanwhile, Jowee Morel’s “Latak” fared well at the box-office. According to supervising producer, Dennis Adobas, he was surprised to see a lot of interested parties to watch the film.
“Nang pumila ako para bumili ng ticket para sa ibang pelikula, nakakagulat. Ang dami ring bumibili ng tiket sa ‘Latak.’ May ready market na kasi ito from the bloggers and email groups,” said Adobas.
Religious film like “Fausta,” a Felino Tañada’s foray into the life and times of the founder of Sacred Heart Academy in Lucena City, Hermana Fausta, in the 1920s, also gathered in a relatively big crowd at the Dream Theater (Tanghalang Manuel Conde) during its premiere showing on Thursday.
