Discoveries from Philippines World Cinema

Paolo, a young boy, wants to buy a flower for someone, but the money he saved was nowhere near enough.

A daydreaming man is haunted by the memories of his past that leaves him missing the ride of the passenger vehicles that come by, in which will take him to his awaited destination.

After losing her job at the end of a stressful finals week and having no choice but to move back home with her family, Nel wishes nothing but to be alone--and that's exactly what she gets. A story of loneliness and the realization that the human relationships you build with the people around you are what keep you afloat.

A satirical look into the mind of the future first lady of the Philippines, Mrs. Sandro Marcos.

Experience a breathtaking look on the legends of Tagalog Deities namely "Tala the goddess of stars, Hanan the goddess of morning, Mayari the goddess of the moon, Lakapati the goddess of good harvest & Amanikable the god of the sea". This animation film is created to promote and preserve Philippine myths about Tagalog gods & goddesses.

ABS-CBN Ball is the biggest celebrity red carpet event of the year — where over 300 Kapamilya stars comes together as one family for a cause.

Liza makes a promise on her mother’s deathbed to care for her newly born younger sister.

The story follows the Imalawa Tribe of Vintar, Ilocos Norte, as they strive for cultural preservation, rights, and acceptance. Tribu Imalawa is based in Barangay Isic-Isic at Sitio Dasar, deep in the Valley's hinterlands, within the mountain peaks. The plot revolved around the elders' desire to preserve their culture and pass it on to the next generation. They are worried that new technologies and the passage of time may cause them to lose their heritage.

A vague dream gives former lovers a final chance to reconnect. The man has turned into a hybrid zombie, the woman gets a chance to speak her thoughts, and they both face the second to the final stage of their lost relationship.

A desperate security guard tries to rob a bus when 2 actual robbers beat him to the punch. This sudden twist of events forces him to be the hero he did not intend to be.

A documentary on the "xenobiological" essay by one restituto A. Calampangan, Head Analytical Service, Philipine Orbital Research Center in the Year 2125

From Tales from the Camp: Bonfire Stories - a collection of films created by the new voices and personalities of Philippine cinema that explore tales developed or discovered during the 2015 Davao Ngilngig Film Camp.

Agusto, a man who gets by day to day by singing on the street ends up getting caught in the middle of his younger brother's problem that got him crossing path with the inevitable violence the slums of Cebu is constantly battling. This is a short film about the drug addiction that plagues the poverty stricken community to the endless cycle of killing around these.

In a remote mountainous region of the northern Philippines, an illiterate indigenous man gets fed up with being exploited by his employers and decides to go to school. With the goal of making a better life for himself and his family, 41-year old Agustin Tiburcio starts learning his ABCs.

A desperate man does everything to have sex with an escort who lives next door.

On the eve of Christmas, two lovers confront faith and forbidden love, deciding whether devotion means obedience or choosing each other.

Photographs of a modern love story is about two lovers who find on diverging paths that change their trajectories. The story is told using circles, different colors, and synth sounds that express the emotions of both characters and explores how they navigate different worlds while seeking and maintaining connection amidst change.

The Whole Town's Out To Meet Him - The Dashing "Toreador" From "Spain" - Who Turns Out To Be A - CHABACNO.

A mother mourns the loss of her only son alone.

"No Filipino shall starve."

Dabid and his elder brother have a strained connection, due to their opposing views on what it means to be a man. Both of them are slowly trapped in their cages, fighting over their battles of sadness, and hiding behind the world’s prejudice that a man should never be vulnerable or weak.

Two men are met with a rack of white clothes somewhere in the forest, they fight and find themselves transported into a blank dimension and get a glimpse of what it’s all about.

Story of a celebrated Kapampangan sculptor who has been battling his personal demons for years.

A nation’s echoing demand for truth and accountability as generations unite proving that even amid fatigue and fear, collective hope can still ignite change.

A child: Dog! GHOST? and— tooth, aching continuously...

Based on the true-to-life of Dr. Vicente Domingo, US Gold Cross awardee for Valor.

For centuries, fisherfolk from the sleepy town of Masinloc, Zambales in the northern part of the Philippines have considered the Scarborough Shoal not only as their traditional fishing grounds but also their shelter from stormy seas. But after losing access to their main source of livelihood due to Chinese intrusion in the West Philippine Sea, the Masinloc fisherfolk now face turbulent waters. Some continue to fish in nearby coastal waters for their own survival while others hold on to hope that one day they will once again be able to fish at the shoal and regain their sense of security.

Synopsis: Dagohoy plays a flute near a river when disrupted by an ethereal voice and the tragic news of his brother's death. Desperate for a proper burial, he pleads with the reluctant Friar for blessing, leading to a disagreement and Dagohoy's injury. A kind villager found Dagohoy helplessly and tended his wound. Afterwards, a 'spirit' visited Dagohoy in his dream. The following day, they seek Tamblot, a male Babaylan and revolutionary leader, to further heal Dagohoy's wounds. While performing the ritual of renewal and baptizing the new resistance fighters, the Friar saw the traditional baptism. He disapproves and challenges Tamblot, leading to a fight. After some time, while still constantly visited by the 'spirit,' the revolutionaries prepare for a significant uprising led by Dagohoy. Their battle cry for justice signals the beginning of 85 years of revolution.

A multi-awarded journalist needs to find out who stole Rizal's books for ransom back in 1961 in order to save her show.

Alex Javier, a troublemaker, attempts to shake up the sheltered life of conservative Marina Flores, at an all-girls Catholic school. Love ensues.

A writer narrates the moral conundrums of the times.

The Grepor Butch Belgica Story is a 1995 Filipino biographical action film directed by Toto Natividad. The film stars Joko Diaz as the title role.

A visually impaired Babaylan—or pre-colonial Filipino shaman—has a vision of her seafarer son in danger, and so summons her ancient power to try to save him.

In Quiapo, Manila, one can find an intersection of different faiths. The place is not only a center of Catholic faith but also of Muslim faith where one of the largest mosque can be found. Amanah Busran-Lao is a Muslim woman who conducts a tour in her community in Quiapo. From the tour, she learns how people from different faiths can unite to a common goal: peace.

A couple tries to salvage what's left of their relationship by going on a walk in a forest.

Mendiola Massacre is a newsreel of the massacre in Mendiola Bridge on January 22, 1987. The protest action for genuine agrarian reform by peasant organizations led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) resulted in the deaths of thirteen farmers and injuries of hundreds of civilians.

A man in 50's Philippine society.

In the midst of a global epidemic that causes a delay of sight from sound, a retiring hitman must honor one last mission: eliminate the city's biggest supplier of spid, a potent drug that syncs one's senses.

This documentary delves into the wild, colorful, and uproarious world of Filipino professional wrestling and its increasing popularity.

During the World War 2, Japanese soldiers raid houses in the Philippines. Thousands of men were shot and killed while women were brought to the Bahay na Pula and raped. The Bahay na Pula is being demolished. From the 1000+ comfort women, only a few remain alive, or fighting to be alive.

A man plants trees around the world.

A poetic quartet on contemporary Philippine realities.

Here's what happened, according to Magic. And here's what happened, according to Pablo. Okay, play both at the same time.

An author of conventional horror books who suffers from an unknown illness experiences writer's block. Isolation and frustration force him to delve deeper into his creative demons in order to finally free himself from unwanted exhaustion.

In a game called life, when one move can drastically change the trajectory of your fate, will Ritta find the path to her victory, or set herself up in tragedy?

Fraternity is brotherhood. Brotherhood is love. Does it only exist between two men with the same ideals? Only with brothers of the same sexuality? What does it take to co-exist in a world dominated by strong norms and tradition? Terence is a 20-year-old graduating pre-law student who believes that entering a prestigious fraternity will help him with his ultimate ambition to become a lawyer. But will his being gay become a hindrance? Tad is a 22-year-old law student. He is the second highest leader of the fraternity. When in the exercise of duty, he is tough – outside, he is kind and gentle. As a poor boy who wants to uplift his status, fraternity seals in his chances for sure and better jobs when he graduates. Nevertheless, between Terence and Tad, their mutual attraction becomes a greater force that they need to conceal. But how do they do that as the final initiation night looms, and their secrets are already revealed?

Sarah is a debt collector who lives among the inhabitants of the village of Guimbal on the island of Panay. She wants to find the young man who appeared to her in a dream and goes to the island of Negros. Here, as she interacts with the inhabitants, Sarah continues her search, gathering memories of life and war, dreams, myths, legends, songs and stories that she takes part in and at times revolve around her. She is the daughter of an ancient mermaid, a revolutionary, a primordial element, a virgin who was kidnapped and hidden away from the sunlight. “The film is a retelling of fragments of the American occupation. Dialogue, shot in the Hiligaynon language, is not translated but used as a tonal guide and a tool for narration. Using unscripted scenes shot where the main character was asked to merely interact with the villagers, I discard dialogue and draw meaning from peoples’ faces, voices, and actions, weaving an entirely different story through the use of subtitles and inter-titles.”

Barbie is delayed. She and Charlie playfully recall how things can possibly go wrong in their sessions in bed. Worry reveals its sharp thorns, responsibility bites their asses, so does regret.

Marcus and Gabriel are new found friends who are slowly exploring their mutual admiration for each other. They just get along really well. One night, Gabriel asks Marcus to go and grab some midnight snacks together. In the process they get to spend time talking and getting to know more about each other.

In a rural town gripped by fear, a mother struggles to break free from a haunting cycle that defies time itself.

In Pietà, a mother reflects on how Mary never feared for Jesus’ safety, unlike her constant worry for her son Josh. One night, as she waits for him to return, time mysteriously stops. Replacing the clock’s batteries, it begins ticking backward, transporting her to a haunting memory—the night she dozed off waiting, only to be jolted awake by a gunshot that shattered her world.

Jocoy, a running politician joins his barkada for a tagay, but in the spur of drunken games, reveals his true identity.

Bertong Ipu-Ipo (1969) is a tornado-turned-superhero. with a remarkable history to boot.

Three powerful shamans fight it out in a series of bizarre encounters over an a-go-go dancer. Their final encounter ends disastrously for all three, while the a-go-go-girl ends up acquiring all their powers.

Matakot Ka Sa... transports the audience into the iconic Puno ng Balete in Baler, Aurora, where a Tikbalang, Nuno sa Punso, and Numputul gather in an unusual supernatural support group. In this safe space, the three mystical beings find themselves in a confession of their deepest fears and struggles which reflect human lives. They likewise unravel the main reasons for their recent silence as they discover the evil that goes beyond their own strength.