The Cinemalaya 7 Experience

The Cinemalaya 7 official poster.

About 7 days. Almost 10 films. Apparently 1 fried brain.

Renewed and rejuvenated, nonetheless.

For the past couple of months, I was accustomed to 'bumming around'. That I refuse to further blog about. But for what it's worth, yes, I have (had) a job. Not the 9 to 5 office work though; it's a freelance thing... And it's complicated.

Just to break the monotony of the commonplace, I decided to venture into something I was interested in without necessarily elevating the hope of its outcome. Luckily, fate lived up to its name. And even though, I'm not its fan, I had it in the palm of my hands. Woot. Woot. Hence, Cinemalaya 7.

                                                                       

All of the lights feat. 'Cinemalaya'. 

Light bulbs illuminate the place.

Such a breeze from the otherwise suffocating predictable air. A respite.

Indeed, renewed and rejuvenated.

Teehee... A privilege. Yes. A responsibility. Yes. Hotdog war room. Heck, yes. (My Cinemalaya friends definitely know what I'm talking about here. Anyway, inside joke. Moving right along)

People from all over Metro Manila (perhaps even farther) flocked to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to witness the event. It was not a surprise, especially because the opening film was open to the public ( for free.)The place was indeed jam-packed! Aside from film enthusiasts, movie goers and filmmakers, celebrities attended the event. Actress Gretchen Baretto and producer Mother Lily Monteverde were also present.

A top view of the audience who were at the opening ceremony. Actress Gretchen Barretto and producer Lily Monteverde were seated next to each other.

Now on its seventh year, it was said during our orientation that the Cinemalaya audience had increased to as much as 70% since it's first year.

*credit goes to Jovie Dayon for the pictures

Indeed. Perfect description.

The Hotdog Supply is just overflowing! An apparently happy Kenneth Lee is caught in the act. 

Fellow volunteer Erika fixes the title label for  the new breed film, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.

Cinemalaya 7 volunteers are looking rather happy, with Jenny, Janna and Philip wearing the exclusive gray commemorative tee. Behind them is the box office #1 where tickets were sold. The big red arrows pointed the direction of the venues. (TNA for Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, etc)

The basement lobby of CCP, near the Little Theater, exhibited the New Breed, Shorts, and Director's Showcase's posters, as well as props which were used in the movies' pre-production. In this picture: Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank and Amok.

In this picture: Teoriya, Nino and Ligo na U, Lapit na Me.

One of my favorite posters, if not my ultimate fave, among  all of the showcased graphic art during the festival is this one, featuring the production stills from the short films in competition.

Director, producer and actor Ronwaldo Reyes, popularly known as Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ, was given tribute in the Cinemalaya 7, through the Retrospective Showcase, where some of his movies were shown in the Dream Theater of Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

During the opening, closing or particularly a movie's gala night, the TNA lobby would be jam-packed. It's where the actors, filmmakers, fans, media (as well as volunteers aka creepers like us) would hang out to talk about the film shown or just plain engage in the Celebrity Spotting challenge, then have a photo op with him/her/them...it?? LOL



A very good example of a this Celebrity Spotting challenge is this one. In this picture: creeper Romel Santiago and director Soxie Topacio.


The press interviews actress Eugene Domingo for her portrayal in the comedy film Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. She won Best Actress at the Cinemalaya 7 awards night for this performance.

After its showcase in CCP and Greenbelt, Cinemalaya 7 goes to University of the Philippines.  However, only the movies in the new breed, shorts and director's showcase categories are shown. Tickets are sold for 80 pesos each.

What's is the worth of my Cinemalaya 7 experience? It's priceless. 

Dear Cinemalaya and its volunteers, til next year!