In partnership with Cinemagis 9: Northern Mindanao’s sentiments and sensitivities By Stephen J Pedroza s a springboard for budding and from the personal to a more collective of our voices and aspirations shared established artists to tackle a wide experience where social issues could and celebrated beyond any competition The films ... Arange of social issues in Mindanao either be clearly seen or implied to there is — I would like to emphasize using film as the medium, Cinemagis has magnify tension and to 'problematize' that Cinemagis’s prime role, apart from ‘problematize’ curated motion pictures that have already the mundane and dissect it as giving away awards, is to celebrate the the mundane been screened and awarded in national and determination, pursuit, identification, harvest, the good harvest, the good international independent film festivals. emancipation, tradition, poverty, life, ones. We may not have the school for and dissect it as Now on its ninth installment, love, and death,” he adds. filmmaking yet, but I hope we have the Cinemagis continues to serve as a platform Over the years, Cinemagis has grown humility and high respect for the craft determination, for young and professional filmmakers prolifically and Savior, who helms Xavier beyond any other reasons there are. pursuit, in Northern Mindanao to pour out their University - Ateneo de Cagayan's Xavier Northern Mindanao filmmakers create passion, stories, and filmmaking skills, and Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) these films because there is so much to identification, for cultivating the experience and growth as director, attributes this momentum show and share!” says the XCCA director. of local film audiences. to the dynamic presence and pertinent Cinemagis 9 shortlisted five emancipation, “Cinemagis 9 harvests new experiences talent of the filmmakers, cast, and crew, professional entries, 12 student films, tradition, poverty, that voice the terrain of Northern Mindanao's who come from various provinces and and seven special film features, which sentiments and sensitivities,” says festival cities of Northern Mindanao. were screened at the XU Little Theater life, love, and death. author and curator Hobart Savior. “Looking at the future, we hope and SM Cagayan de Oro Cinema 1 from “The films this year tackle issues that there would be more reflections January 25 to 28. Acedillo’s Lando at Bugoy : Familial disconnect and taking chances A film review by Angelo Lorenzo he 9th Cinemagis: Northern Mindanao growing up in an incomplete family and Digital Short Film Festival opened on an impoverished home. TJanuary 25 with the presentation of Along with drama and subtle humor, nominees and the screening of "Lando at the heart of the story beats with familial Bugoy" (2016). love. Lando working overtime to earn so Written and directed by Camiguin- his son could receive the opportunity based filmmaker Victor Acedillo Jr, the to go to school despite economic film was one of the entries during the drawbacks is one revelation. How far the 12th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent father goes to care for his son reaches Film Festival. the extent where he discovers what they Set in the scenic backdrop of both need. Camiguin Island, the film tells the story Its depiction on issues concerning of a gravestone carver, Lando (played by the vicious cycle of poverty which affects Allen Dizon), who struggles to discipline Filipino families in similar situations is his rebellious son, Bugoy (Gold Azeron), LANDO AT BUGOY (2016). Hated by his teenage son Bugoy (Gold Azeron), a 40-year-old high school dropout one of the film's reflective theme. and maintain his trust and respect while Lando (Allen Dizon) tries to solve their familial disconnect by returning to school to watch over his son and take a Along with Lando's hope for a better second shot at learning. In the midst of the struggle between the two characters, an unexpected event changes making ends meet. everything. (Film still.) life for his son and Bugoy's realization of When the school principal tells his father's effort and measures to save Lando that Bugoy has been absent in back to school so he could keep watch had to cope with individual challenges and protect him, the film centralizes the his classes, and discovers him spending over Bugoy and make sure he attends his — Lando juggling with work, school, value of love and sacrifice as the firm most of the time with his friends in vices, classes. and his paternal responsibilities while foundation of a family, upon which trust, Lando, who wasn't able to graduate Much of the film revolves around the latter attempts to break free from respect, and empathy stand. when he was his son's age, decides to go Lando's relationship with Bugoy as each peer pressure and the frustrations of CinemagisNorthMin 2 CINEMAGIS ISSUE EDITORIAL EDITORIAL TEAM Project Editor: Stephen Pedroza Festival Writer: Angelo Lorenzo Layout Artist: Rico Magallona Festival Director: Hobart Savior A revolution on Producer: Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts the mediocre stock Circulation: 400 Copies here was a time when the Philippine and Hans can observe how Filipinos overseas cope cinema reigned in its golden age. Christian with life working in unfamiliar places and TFrom the 1960s to the 1980s, viewers Andersen's cultures to send for their families back had been awed by the stellar performance “The Ugly home. With art as a priority, who could of Fernando Poe Jr, famously cheered for Duckling” — have thought that live action and animated his stunts and charisma in action films. specifically one characters could be incorporated well in Laughter came from the gesticulated which ascends the scenes in “Saving Sally”? Talent and risk and verbal humor of Dolphy and songs character from rags to made some of these films possible and catapulted Maricel Soriano to stardom riches by winning the proved that Filipino filmmakers can reach after starring in a musical. Most fell in love heart of a wealthy bachelor far by their craft. with Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion or dame against the approval of the In a similar trend for nine years now, Illustration by Rico Magallona Rico Illustration by with their onscreen romance, feared latter's family? Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan's the Japanese invasion in Pepe Gallaga's Plots have been reused as the Cinemagis Digital Short Film Festival magnum opus, and wept with Nora Aunor industry plays safe, sacrificing talent to continues to feature the evolving talents when miracles had been falsified. achieve fame and fortune. and voices of budding and professional With the cinema much different However, miracles come with the new filmmakers. Among the 17 entries in now than it was before, it would take trend. In 2015, Jerrold Tarog's historical student and professional categories, this a miracle to bring back and improve its biopic of the assassinated Filipino general year’s films presented issues such as drug former artistry. There can be no mistaking marked proof that Filipino viewers want use, cultural differences, and poverty that the films earning big in a country to see films tackling different issues which encourage viewers to think critically where celebrity is prioritized more than that break from traditional overused and empathize with people in similar art are those produced only to keep the plotlines. The highly grossing “Heneral Even the annual Metro Manila Film situations. Films like these reflect our industry running. Apart from the present Luna” belonged to the sort which Filipinos Festival began honoring authentic talents realities, good or bad, beautiful or ugly. mediocrity, films that have become famous could appreciate for its historical angling. in December 2016. The Yuletide season, To curb this promising rise of in the mainstream gave rise to recurring Tarog's film presented how leaders strive too, is an opportunity to appreciate quality exceptional pictures, as one senator love teams, shallow slapstick humor, to retain power and choose to betray their films, be it mainstream or independently- deems necessary, is to rob Filipino viewers and predictable typecasting. The trend fellow countrymen to stay in position produced. An emergence of filmmakers the opportunities to learn from issues includes recycled plot with celebrities while unknowingly risking the country to that endeavored to present relevant concerning our developing country. As (made famous by entertainment its downfall — an issue still prevalent in and relatable issues in their films, along films with such subjects can be used for oligarchs) effortlessly portraying common Philippine politics today. with new styles of cinematic storytelling, education in a nation with problems as roles, a mockery of prevalent issues, and Last year was a landmark for new deserve to be commended for setting diverse as its people's views, they should unsubstantial themes bereft of societal Filipino films that cater more to artistic this trend in the industry. The entries not be reduced. With a government that reflections. and aesthetic quality. Some had been differed from those released in the promises change, it is essential to uphold How many films in the mainstream produced independently and were previous years by comprising real issues the arts and support artists who can have been conflicted with the collision of recognized globally such as Brilliante happening among those overshadowed by awaken our social consciousness by wife and mistress, have elicited random Mendoza's “Ma Rosa.” With its timely the mainstream. In “Die Beautiful,” cross casting glimpses of reality into their works laughter by the insensitive and insulting depiction of a drug-torn community, it was dressers aren't portrayed as objects of with cinematic language and creative humor of a boisterous cross-dressing recognized during the prestigious Cannes humor but as people struggling to keep finesse that speak to our core as Filipinos comedian, or have concocted the same Film Festival with Jacklyn Jose receiving their dignity amid the stigma set against — igniting a revolution on the mediocre formula of Charles Perault's “Cinderella” the award for Best Actress.