Pelikula and popcorn at Sinehan sa Summer

Posted: August 20th, 2019 ˑ Filled under: Entertainment ˑ  No Comments
A jampacked Kalayaan Hall during the second night of Sinehan sa Summer 2019. Photo by the Philippine Consulate.

It was standing-room only at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall on August 8 with more than 170 film-goers turning up for the second night of the Philippine Consulate’s very popular Sinehan sa Summer.

The evening featured 12 short films directed and/or written by upcoming filmmakers:  Joey Agbayani’s “Lola;” Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Jodilerks Dela Cruz: Employee of the Month;” Craig Nisperos’ “Mr. Immature;” Jameelah Rose Lineses’ “Atareek;” Gabby Malvar’s “Walis;” Joel Ruiz’s “Mansyon;” Nicole Dizon’s “Boxed;” Raymund Eugenio’s “Mukbang Masarap;” Emma Noelle Buhain’s “Wedding Dance;” Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan’s “Yakap;” Wester Demandante’s “Kaaway;” and Rommel Tolentino’s “P”. A trailer of the film “Yellow Rose” directed by Diane Paragas was played at the beginning of the film screening. 

The short films received raves from the audience. One described some of the films as “thought-provoking” while “Lola,”  “Mansyon,” and “P”  elicited laughs from the audience. 

During the talk-back at the end of the screening, film directors Craig Nisperos, Jameelah Rose Lineses, Nicole Dizon, Raymund Eugenio, and Diane Paragas answered questions from moderator Gil Quito and the audience. To questions about challenges and opportunities in the film industry, Eugenio said that “family and food are the two things that always connect us and are always part of Filipino culture.” Dizon shared she wants her films to  bridge the generational gap between her parents’ generation and that of the young FilAms, particularly during this time when culture in America tends to be individualistic. Paragas shared that it took her 15 years to develop and get “Yellow Rose” produced. She said the film comes at an opportune time when debate on immigration is intense. 

Emma Noelle Buhain’s ‘Wedding Dance’ about a young bride and a dismembered male mannequin.
‘Mukbang Masarap’ by Raymund Eugenio depicts the life of an aspiring chef who is also a ‘mukbang’ or a person who eats large amounts of food while interacting with his Internet viewers.
‘Kaaway’ is a film about immigrant families, assimilation,  and shame. Directed by Wester Demandante.

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal presented certificates of appreciation to the directors and thanked them for allowing their films to be featured at Sinehan sa Summer.

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate thanked the screening committee members, Cinemalaya, TBA Studios, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and members of Friends from Abra, Association of Fil-Am Accountants Inc. NY, Cagayan de Oro City – Misamis Oriental Association of NY, Inc.,  Cebuanos Engaging in Building Unity, Inc., and the Filipino-American Association of Engineers  for their continued support for Sinehan.

© The FilAm 2019



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