The Philippines lost many of its beloved filmmamers, actors, production crew, and cinematic champions in recent years. In its 20th year, the Cinemalaya pays tribute to Filipino film stalwarts who helped shape the landscape of Philippine cinema industry through the decades.

This year, Cinemalaya Tributes puts the spotlight on director Armando Lao, actress Jaclyn Jose, National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. and fim curator-archivist Teddy Co.

These individuals have accomplished many greats and made extensive impact during their lifetime, served as inspirations to new breed of filmmakers, and initiated conversations on truthful storytelling through their works.

An awarded and revered Filipino screenwriter, Lao wrote remarkable films such as Takaw-Tukso, Itanong mo sa Buwan, and Oras-Oras, Araw Araw. Beyond his screenwriting career, he founded the “found story” school of filmmaking over 40 years ago.

Jose was one of the most respected film actresses of the Philippines during her time. She made a name for herself and became the first Filipino actress to win the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her portrayal in Ma’Rosa.

Known as “Da King” in the industry, Poe Jr. was not only an actor but also a writer, director and producer. He made approximately 300 movies in his 48-year career. He was known for his films such as Only the Brave Know Hell, Santiago!, and Adesillo.

A curator and archivist, Co worked hard in preserving the PH’s artistic heritage through film preservation and archiving. He also founded Cinema Rehiyon, one of the flagship projects of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) aims to highlight and mainstream regional filmmaking.

Join Cinemalaya 20 to honor these individuals with special screenings of their works.

To pay tribute to Lao and Jose, Brilliante Mendoza’s Ma’Rosa will be screened on August 8 at 8:30pm, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinema 2. The film is about a well-liked small convenience store owner in a poor neighborhood of Manila and her struggles leading her resort in selling drugs.

Celso Ad Castillo’s Asedillo, a biopic first shown back in 1971, is a tribute film to Fernando Poe Jr. This film showcases the story of Teodoro Asedillo, the terror of Sierra Madre. Set in San Antonio, San Pedro, Laguna, Asedillo is an idealistic school teacher who became a revolutionary leader against the American Commonwealth government. Catch the film on August 9, 1pm, at the Metropolitan Theater.

Tribute to Co centers on short films, which he championed throughout his career. A selection of Cinemalaya short films – City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez, Duwa-Duwa by Nena Jane Achacoso, Mga Hundas Nga Nasulat Sa Baras by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay, See You George by Mark Moneda, and Si Oddie by Maria Kydylee Torato – will return to the big screen on August 7, 1pm, at Metropolitan Theater.

A story about a couple’s attempt to survive the dip in their flower farm business, City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez and Alemberg Ang is a story about how this couple tries to push through their struggles for the birth of their first-born child. Set in Zamboanga City during the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, the couple was given an opportunity to solve all their problems that were too good to pass up.

Nena Jane Achacoso’s Duwa-duwa is a film about a runaway daughter who comes home for anything but reuniting with her mother. Because of her need for money to support an operation, the daughter comes back home to steal from her mother.

Set in the time of the COVID Pandemic, Mga Hundas nga Nasulat sa Baras is a story about three boys who became teachers to their parents. This film by Arlie Sweet Sumagasaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico depicts how parents become teachers to their children, and how children become teachers to their parents as well.

See you, George by Mark Moneda is a film about a group of hospital workers who take a trip down memory lane. Because they wanted to commemorate the life of one of their colleagues who died, they gathered together to celebrate their memories but it turned dark and haunting.

To make ends meet with his mother’s medical needs, the fictional story of this delivery rider is shown in Maria Kydylee Torato’s Si Oddie. Since we are living in an add-to-cart era, Torato’s film shows the audiences the important role of delivery riders in our lives.

This year’s Cinemalaya will run from August 2 to 11 at Ayala Malls by the Bay.

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.

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