Facebook/Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino
The moment a woman is born, a set of rules and expectations have already been laid out for her. Women are instilled to act a certain way. From the way she dresses, speaks, and acts are all monitored to perfection. A woman is scrutinized to the bone that a single mishap could be the cause of her downfall. However, the modern woman is slowly breaking the shackles that society has ingrained in her. Slowly, men and women alike are working hand in hand to rid of such stereotypes and mentality in order to create a safe space for women of all ages.
What better way to showcase this than through one of the most influential forms of entertainment: films.
Last year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) includes an all woman-themed collection of short films called Cinemarya. According to their website, “the goal is to challenge Filipino filmmakers in creating relevant women-centered short-films that intend to inspire and empower women and men alike to make gender sensitization the way of life of every Filipino.”
Dalagingding na si Isang
Written and directed by Nigel Santos, Dalagingding na si Isang revolves around a young girl as she faces her first day of every woman’s worst nightmare— menstruation.
The film has successfully delivered a heartwarming and a comedic tone to Isang’s situation. As a young woman, having your first menstruation can be confusing, at times even frustrating. Thus, the plethora of superstition is hilarious. From using your first period as some sort of lotion on one’s skin to avoid pimples, to using cigarette ashes on one’s armpits to reduce armpit hair, are a few that are quite familiar to female audiences. It manages to elicit a sense of nostalgia, reminding its audience, especially its female viewers, their very first menstrual experience.
Both Isang’s (Miel Espinoza) and Jek-jek’s (Kenken Nuyao) actors are amazing on screen. They never shy away from the camera and have executed their lines naturally. It feels like the viewers are watching two actual kids bantering and having fun. This in contrast to some of their older counterparts, who in fact are a little too cheery and felt less genuine at times.
In a span of seventeen minutes, the film not only tackles the struggles of experiencing one’s first menstruation, but as well as serious issues women face as they start to reach puberty. However, Isang’s struggles are amplified by her surroundings as she lacks the very person she could only trust with her. Nevertheless, it ends with a sincere and loving tone that reflects how adults should treat children during their moments of sudden change.
Super-Able
The documentary short-film Super-Able tells the story of Marites Burce, a polio victim from the 1970s who is now a mother, a wife, an employee, and a national para athlete who was supposed to be training for the upcoming ASEAN Para Games and hopefully to be qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. However, Covid-19 happened.
The short documentary is directed by Arjanmar Rebeta who executed a straightforward, informative, and inspiring story about Marites Burce. From the beginning of the film, the audience are immediately informed of the cause of Marites’s disability and how she came to be. She lives a simple life and like most middle class families, she works hard to earn and make sure everyone is alive and well-fed.
One thing that is noteworthy about Burce’s story is her mother’s unconditional love for her. It shows how parents, especially mothers have a lasting impact on their child’s self-esteem. Marites’s mother has never left her daughter, nor has she brought her down. Instead, at a young age she encouraged Marites to fight for herself. This very feat is evident in Marites’s character, not only as an athlete, but as well as the person she has grown to.
The only downside to the documentary is the sound. The background music is a little loud and sometimes it overlaps when someone is talking. This makes it hard for some audiences to catch what the people are saying. Nevertheless, the use of comic book designs as a tribute to Marites’s superhero-like talents is interesting. It catches the eyes of the viewers and makes it a joy to watch.
Winged Dreams to the Blue Heavens
During the time when the art of writing was dominated by men, a young writer, named Magdalena Jalandoni shares her story. The then six-year-old from Ilonggo is at the brink of a historical change When she learns of Jose Rizal’s death, it further ignites her passion for writing that is slowly growing inside her each day.
The biographical short-film is a testament to all young Filipino girls. During 1896 where a woman’s job was to bare children and do household chores, writing, as a profession, was shunned. Only men had the luxury of such a job, thus, Magdalena’s family was against her dreams.
By the end, the film explains how Magdalene’s life came to be. After a tragedy that struck her and her family, she devoted her entire life to writing and not marrying.
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020 streamed from Oct. 30 to Dec. 13. Its short films, such as Cinemarya, are available to stream without any payment.
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