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Cinemalaya 22 Opening and Closing Films Reflect the Diversity of Filipino Experiences

For its 22nd edition, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opens and closes with two internationally acclaimed independent films that reflect the complexity of Filipino experience: the opening film, Enjoy Your Stay, explores a mother’s enduring love for her daughter, while the closing film, Filipiñana, follows a teenage girl whose job at a country club leads to unexpected discoveries.

Opening Film 

Directed by Dominik Locher and Honee Alipio and co-produced by Close Up Films and JBA Production, Enjoy Your Stay follows Luz, a Filipina who has spent years working as an undocumented cleaner in Switzerland. Living in the shadows alongside her friend Aileen and other Filipina migrant workers, she constantly faces the threat of being discovered and deported.

Enjoy Your Stay.

When she sees her ex-husband appear on a Filipino reality TV show with their six-year-old daughter, Luz’s life is shaken. In desperation to keep her child after years of working abroad, she promises on live television to return home in time for her daughter’s birthday.

Looking at her savings and her ballooning debts, will she be able to secure her daughter’s future? Racing against time, Luz is forced to find ways to earn money even if it means betraying her community and crossing her own moral boundaries.

Actress Mercedes Cabral headlines Enjoy Your Stay, alongside acclaimed Filipino actresses Anna Luna, Hasmine Killip, Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, and Madeleine Nicolas.

Enjoy Your Stay had its world premiere in the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in Germany on February 14, 2026.

The opening film will be screened free to the public on August 6 (Thursday), at 7:30 p.m. at Red Carpet Cinemas 1 and 2, Shangri-La Plaza.

Closing Film

Filipiñana tells the story of Isabel, played by Jorrybell Agoto, a teenage employee at an exclusive country club who finds herself drawn to its president, Dr. Palanca, played by Teroy Guzman. But as Isabel begins to uncover the violence hidden beneath the country club’s pristine facade, she realizes that what started as an innocent infatuation is rooted in a far more sinister shared history.

Filipinana.

Directed by Rafael Manuel, Filipiñana is a feature-length expansion of his acclaimed 2020 short film of the same title. The film had its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival  in January 2026.

As the closing film of the 22nd Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Filipiñana will be screened on August 16, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. at Red Carpet Cinemas 1 and 2, Shangri-La Plaza. Tickets are priced at ₱350 for regular admission and ₱250 for students.

Reel Reflections

Anchored on the theme “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections,” the festival’s opening and closing films embody the spirit of this year’s edition by telling stories that reflect the realities, struggles, and triumphs of women and the communities they belong to.

Tickets to the opening and closing films screening will be given on a first-come, first-served basis two hours before the screening schedule.

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages and other social media accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok.

#Cinemalaya22 #Cinemalaya22ReelReflections #rubyspreciousmoments

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K-dramas and movies to binge-watch this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is drawing near, and love is evident in the air. During the month of love, it is best to keep your loved ones safe and loved through staying indoors–but still making this occasion a special day to remember. Here are some of the movies and series that might capture your hearts– and lead you to love as well! 

 

  • Our Beloved Summer

Released in December 2021, Our Beloved Summer has gained popularity for its sublime interpretation of love in different forms through heartfelt dialogues. Years after shooting their school-themed documentary, ex-lovers Kook Yeon Soo (Kim Dami) and Choi Ung (Choi Woo Shik) are forced to reunite once more for one final project. Will they be able to reconcile their differences, or will they stay sworn enemies forever? This K-drama will make you relive your high school days while giving you a crash course about love and the sacrifices it entails. To top it off, the actors’ chemistry is just off the charts, you can truly feel their connection on and off-screen. If you’re looking for a comfort drama armed with depth and perspective, Our Beloved Summer is just the perfect thing to watch! 

 

  • It’s Okay Not to Be Okay 

This K-drama hit the world by storm and captured the viewers’ hearts across different countries. Ko Mun Yeong (Seo Yea Ji) writes children’s books for a living and achieves fame out of her original and edgy works. She crosses paths with Moon Gang-Tae (Kim Soo Hyun), a psychiatric ward caretaker, which signals the start of their journey towards emotional healing and eventually, love. This drama grapples with various topics such as self-love, family ties, psychological health, and the rawness of first loves. The drama’s underlying messages within each episode are crafted so meticulously that the viewers are also enthralled as the story progresses. Who knows, it might just help you discover things you didn’t know about yourself, and about your partner as well! It’s Okay Not to Be Okay will work its magic this Valentine’s Day. 

Photo credits to Dramas with a Side of Kimchi

 

  • Elise

Are you a fan of the ‘love at first sight’ trope and slow burns? This movie is perfect for you! The film’s namesake, Elise (Janine Gutierrez), is extraordinary– especially to the eyes of love-struck Bert (Enchong Dee). As time passes, they forge a connection that could last a lifetime. His affection for the girl endures from childhood to adulthood, but will it finally be requited?  This romance movie appeals to the young at heart for it also features a 90’s vibe armed with the nostalgia of that era. Elise will surely take you on a trip down memory lane alongside your lover! 

Photo credits to Rappler

 

  • Letters to Juliet 

This movie will satisfy the hopeless romantic in you as it whisks you to the breathtaking streets of Verona, Italy. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) visits Verona with her fiance, hoping for some downtime before the wedding. However, she is in for an adventure of a lifetime as she discovers an ancient letter–written in 1957– sent to none other than Juliet herself! This movie is just the right thing if you’re looking for a light-hearted storyline with an enemies-to-lovers trope. Join them this Valentine’s Day as they look for the one that got away– and witness how this love story stood the test of time!

Photo credits to TIME

With these K-dramas and films, partnered with a bowl of popcorn, you can create a cinematic atmosphere within the comforts of your home. Of course, don’t forget the tissues– sometimes love can indeed be a tear-jerker. These films will surely make you feel loved and cherished this Valentine’s Day!

By Princess Friel Lontoc

Featured photo courtesy of Tatler Asia

#kdrama #movies #bingewatch #valentinesday #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph