This was my first time to attend Cinemalaya. I've had external knowledge about this festival since I was 13 years old (or so) but I never really had the time to go to CCP since I was too busy with school and I was too young to go, lol. Anyway, I rode the bus to Vito Cruz and rode the orange jeep to CCP. It felt liberating, really, walking around Manila all on your own--especially because I was alone and it only meant one thing: yay for doing the all the things you want without the pressure of thinking about what your companions what to do! Don't get me wrong, I love being around with people but I can't totally deny the fact that being alone pleasures my whole being and it feels peaceful. I just really love being alone.
The whole place was booming with film enthusiasts. I'd like to laud these people for not letting themselves drown in the mainstream industry, whose goal is to earn the peso sign instead of the breath-of-life sight of cinematography, plot, and art. Film is not dead!
So since I was alone, I decided to watch a movie. I saw Buwaya and although it had pretty good cinematography, something was missing... for me. It's about a girl attacked by a giant crocodile in the Agusan Marsh. Basically, the movie was trying to tell the audience that there are monsters living around us (figuratively, okay. Please don't be dumb). So yeah, beware of people trying to feed you with their lies when in reality, they're the ones who are devouring you... heh
I'M SO UPSET because I wasn't able to get tickets for 1st Ko si 3rd!!! God, this movie is so intriguing. I was originally planning on watching this but it sold out pretty fast. I'm really looking forward to seeing this very soon , though. I CAN'T MISS THIS.
(A lot of people looked at me in disbelief as I take this photo. You cans sense the desperation on this one)
And then I entered this very cold room. It had three interactive kiosks wherein you could watch past Cinemalaya entries on a big screen with your headphones on. I never got to try it, though. I blame those soft, fluffy seats I sat my ass on. Also the smell of pesto from the other room.
The entries.
These three were my favorites, by far! I've seen them all and they have a special place in my heart, especially Ang Nawawala. I swear to God, you should see it. Also Bwakaw and Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.
My block mates finally joined me and YAS SHOWTIME! We saw Dagitab. A few weeks before, I thought it meant Kuryente. (Well, according to Bob Ong). But it was Sparks, after all. "The Sparks", to be exact.
It was such a quiet, spur-of-the-moment movie. I don't even know how was it "quiet" but for me, it had this sense of honesty within tranquility. They say you can find solitude in muted colors. This movie was very loud when it comes to cinematography but the plot was very straight-to-the-point...quiet. It had strong poetic language and the actors were phenomenal. I loved how Eula Valdez portrayed the character of a wife who has a lot going on in her mind...and her life. She's not really the normal do-the-chores housewife; for God's sake, she gets drunk on a regular (if not occasional) basis--and that's what sparked my attention.
You really need to see this film; it's a breath-of-life movie, a break from all these senseless features we see on our local cinemas. Judging from the movie poster, you can really feel the peace on this one. This movie can really make you think about your choices. Heh.
Here, have a photo of Pasay at 4pm.
