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| Some of the grantees in this year's 'CInema Rehiyon 15 x Montanosa Film Festival' |
Several grants were awarded to promising filmmakers at Baguio Convention and Cultural Center last April 1 during closing ceremony "Pagliyab" of the Montanosa Film Festival (MFF) in partnership with Cinema Rehiyon, the flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).The grants went to finalists in the mobile, documentary, and narrative categories, including two development grants.
The grantees, chosen through their pitches presented after mentoring from award-winning filmmakers, each received certificate and seed money.
They are: (Mobile Category) Vincent Abesamis, Rommel Angeles, Yvianne Tzaddie Cacay, Roland Cartagena, Timothy Set de la Llana, Raine Joshua Gado, Huey Javier, Doneth Grace Merka, Daniel John Sanchez, and Iaego Villanueva; (Documentary) Leonard Ian Billones, Jonathan Jurilla, Joshua Lumahan, Ma. Alyanna Casandra Molera, Rommel Pascua, Charlmagne Christian Ramoso; Ranniel Semana, and Charley Sta, Maria; (Narrative) Kent Michael Cadungog, Reymark Estael, Florence Anne Taino, Ryan Mojica, Jadrien Morales, Katherine Maine Nobleza, ALberto Mari Reyes and Kyla Danelle Romero.
The two additional recipients are Christopher Balase and Roseller de Guia Jr. whose grants came from filmmaker Paulo Villaluna.
The mentor/juror panel was comprised by Emman dela Cruz, Tristan Cua, Jade Castro, Ditsi Carolino, Agganmar Rebetta, Nico Fernandez, Harlene Bautista and Paolo.
Performances during the closing ceremonies were provided by the Tanghalang St. Louis University, Kadwa Drums, and the University of Baguio Bibak Ubbon Kaafuan (UBBUK).
'Divergence + Convergence'
The theme of Cinema Rehiyon 15 x Montanosa Film Festival is “Divergence + Convergence.” The partnership increased the number of movies that people were able to watch, as well as the array of activities they participated in. The convergence is aligned with the city government’s objective to establish an interwoven creative and tourism endeavor of Baguio as a Creative City.
Together with 20 Cordillera-themed entries from the 3rd Montañosa Film Festival (MFF), cinematic gems made the rounds at the Cinema Under the Stars, Sine MusiKain, Lakbay Sine, and Sine Icons viewing venues, as well as the Ili-likha Balanghay ni Iking and SM Cinema Baguio.
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| The screening at Diplomat Hotel |
"Baguio is one of the country's two creative cities, with Cebu being the other one. Culture and the arts never die, despite the threat of global pandemic. This event may end Cinema Rehiyon 's 15th year, but this also begins the 2024 season," said NCCA Executive Director Oscar Casaysay.
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| NCCA Executive Director Oscar Casaysay |
Cinema Rehiyon 15 x Montanosa Film Festival gave the filmmakers opportunity to build networks through onsite and online activities held in various venues in Baguio. These included film talks with an online component, online, and on-ground screening and festival, and talkback and round table discussion held at SM City Baguio, Malcolm Square People's Park, Melvin Jones Grandstand in Burnham Park, Baguio Country Club, and The Diplomat Hotel.
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| Traditional Igorot dance at Baguio Country Club |
According to a release, "Cinema Rehiyon 15 follows the overall theme of National Arts Month, with special emphasis on Films with Social Commentary and Historical Memory. The project aims to present the best of more recent regional films coming from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR."
Cinema Rehiyon 15 @ MFF2023 was co-presented by the Baguio Tourism Council and BARP Foundation Inc., SM City Baguio, Department of Tourism- CAR, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Grand Sierra Pines Baguio, Baguio Country Club, The Manor at Camp John Hay, Le Monet Hotel, The Podium Boutique Hotel, Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, UP Baguio, Baguio City National High School, and Pines City National High School, TWIMedia, and LOStories.
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| Some of the participants at an event of 'Cinema Rehiyon and Montanosa Fillm Festival' |
The festival partners are Ili-Likha Artists Wateringhole, Vivistop Baguio, Cordillera School of Digital Arts, Solibao, Black N’ White Apartments, Witchcraft Brewery, Balai Studio Cafe, Jollibee, Paladin Hotel, UFO Workshops, Fullpost Asia, and Soundbox Mix.
Next year's Cinema Rehiyon will be held in the Visayas. By then, there will also be grants for animation, experimental cinema and children's films.
Cultural crawl
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| Media representatives with NCCA Head of Public Affairs and Information Office Rene Napenas (center) right before leaving for the coverage in Baguio City |
Media representatives from Manila who covered the Cinema Rehiyon 15 X Montanosa Film Festival went around Baguio City in a creative crawl prepared for them by NCCA.
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| National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik at Ililikha |
We were able to visit the Tam-awan Village and the Ililikha owned by National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, as well as Mines View Park, Burnham Park, Baguio Country Club (where we were able to interview MFF director Ferdie Balanag) and The Diplomat Hotel.
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| Montanosa film festival director Ferdie Balanag |
Of course, no trip to Baguio would be complete without going to the public market where we bought (what else?) strawberries and even more strawberries!
Here are our interviews with Ferdie Balanag, Oscar Casaysay and Kidlat Tahimik:
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