The seventh Cinema Rehiyon in Cebu on August 6 to 9, 2015 is an opportunity for the present generation, especially the Cebuanos, to experience the convergence of old and new cinema works from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Down memory lane, it is refreshing to trace works in cinema that keep our culture and heritage.
Considered as the seventh art, cinema comes after architecture, sculpture, painting, dance, music, and literature. It is an art that requires high level of innovativeness and boldness in thought, which our new generation is oozing with.
Cebu has had a glorious history in cinema. A local industry sprung from the province around 1932 to 1975, took a long break that seemed to die in a natural death. But for the past decade, there is a resurgence of a new breed of Cebuano filmmakers. They are the kind of filmmakers who are bold and innovative enough to experiment and be challenged by new ideas. With so much exposure in the new media, they explore heavily on the technicality aspect utilizing novel materials.
This year's theme "Cinema Rehiyon 7: At the Crossroads of the Seventh Art" sees a greater challenge for the new generation. We need to reminisce the past as it guides us in tackling the present and beyond. At present, we need to see what's in store both from the left and right paths. But it is not a question of whether we need to forward or move back. We need to move forward for us to see a better future for the seventh art. Support for local cinemas is what we need. Real and consistent assistance from the government and stakeholders to local initiatives in cinema must be in place.
Serving in the forefront, the NCCA "envisions to enrich Philippine cinema with the largely undiscovered filmic creativity dubbed as cinemas in the region," Cinema Rehiyon is born as the flagship project of the National Committee on Cinema of the NCAA. Creative minds and their films from all over the country will converge to showcase before the widely described as discriminating Cebuano audience in various venues such as SM Cinema, Cine Oriente 1 & 2 and Film Media and Arts International Academy Mini Theater.
Films to watch out for are T.M. Malones' Dapya Sang Paglaum, Charena Escala and Rowena Sanches' documentary Nick and Chai and Thomas Fitzgerald's Tigdao. Films taking on various indigenous traditions like Ida del Mundo's K'Na, The Dreamweaver, Nef Luczon's documentary on the Pan-ay Bukidnon community entitled Father Said, Let's Return Home, Lester del Valle's Walang Rape sa Bontok, Adjani Arumpac's War is a Tender Thing and Ivy Universe Baldosa's Marciano. One entry under this category, the Cordilleran tradition featured in Boyong and Sendong's Busol: The Last Headhunters, is a perfect example of native indigenous film, produced by and for the Cordilleran community.
Other films included in the lineup are Remton Zuasola's Soap Opera, Bagane Fiola's Sonata Maria, John Paul Laxamana's Magkakabaung, Lemuel Lorca's Mauban: Ang Resiko, Charliebeb Gohetia's Chasing the Waves, and Alec Figuracion's Bitukang Manok.
Pre-opening film is the Soap Opera. Opening films are the classic Cebuano film by Leroy Salvador, Badlis sa Kinabuhi starred Sevilla and Mat Ranillo Jr, and Handuman sa Usa ka Salida. The closing film is Kidlat Tahimik's internationally acclaimed Balikbayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment Redux III at SM Cinema on the 9th of August.
I am likewise fortunate and grateful that the short film Sanctissima, which I starred, under the directorship of Kenneth Lim Dagatan, will also be shown. Sanctissima, a product of young minds, will also be shown in Manila as an official entry and finalist to this year's Cinemalaya.
Cebu is perhaps the only region, outside of Manila that boasts of its own film making culture. For Cebu, the Cinema Rehiyon will be a glimpse of the past glory of the Cebuano cinema. As host, it is reaffirming its strong commitment to promote local heritage through cinema. Let's bring back Cebu cinema's golden years.
To the men and women behind this year's celebration: National Commission for Culture and the Arts' National Committee on Cinema director William Mayo, Vice Head Teddy Co, festival director Ms. Bambi Beltran and Mr. Ronnie Tan, I commend.
On its seventh year, let us support this laudable undertaking that will lead us to the right direction for more vibrant regional cinemas. Mabuhi ang Cinema Rehiyon 2015!