Typhoon Maymay greets Cinemalaya 22 opening

By Boy Villasanta

If rains signify manna from heaven, then the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has all the graces coming from above making box-office hits after hits of the fest’s entries in its entire run.

The opening of the 22nd Cinemalaya last Thursday at the Grand Atrium of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Shaw Boulevard was marked by typhoon Maymay, international name Kujira.

Heavy rains and gusty winds greeted the first day of one of the most awaited film events in the country.

Despite the bad weather, it kicked off with color and excitement.

A red carpet was rolled out to welcome the hosts and guests of the annual event.

Pre-program host KaladKaren welcomed the stars, filmmakers and officers of the affair led by the President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Kaye Tinga and the honchos of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Antonio Cojuangco and Laurice Guillen, Founder and President, respectively.

Among the early birds were directors Dennis Marasigan who is also CCP’s Vice-President and Artistic Director, Dan Villegas, Ruby Ruiz who in one portion of the presentation represented her director Vahn Leinard C. Pascual for her solo starring film “Status: Rejected” which is one of the official entries to the Main Competition.

Bibeth Orteza, Raquel 

Villavicencio, Manet Dayrit

Movie, television and theatre luminaries Bibeth Orteza, Raquel Villavicencio and Manet Dayrit came to lend encouragement and good vibes to the occasion.

Although the arrival and appearance of the filmmakers and especially the stars of the participants in this year’s Cinemalaya were incomplete and came in trickles because of the inclement weather, the presence of active and punctual celebrities was a defining moment that the show must go on, rain or shine.

KaladKaren called in the cast and other creative members of “Enjoy You Stay,” the opening film of this year’s film fest, led by directors Dominic Locher and Honeylyn Alipio.

Some of the stars of the new release about the crises being confronted by female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Switzerland and the illegal recruitment of fellow workers by one of them were around like Ruby, Mercedes Cabral, Anna Luna, Donna Cariaga and Madeleine Nicolas.

The program proper was emceed by Klea Pineda and Janella Salvador, two of the main cast of last year’s main derby competition film, “Open Endings.”

Tinga spoke of the ideal collaboration between the state arts and culture agency and Cinemalaya to bring out the best in cinematic tradition while Shangri-La Mall Executive Vice President for Retail and Commercial Jovita Polloso welcomed to their cinemas all the filmmakers who trusted them in the showing of their films.

Special guest Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) stressed that Filipino filmmakers should think globally.

Laurice Guillen and AI 

Guillen talked about the wonders and perils of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking. 

The actress-director emphasized that a film isn’t only a product of technology but the human heart of filmmakers which is irreplaceable.

Monitoring and Competition Head Carlitos Siguion-Reyna presented the directors of the ten short films, namely “Elenita Elena Elaine” by Gabriela Serrano; “Honey, my Love, so Sweet” by JT Trinidad; “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!” by Norvin de los Santos; “kung paano kakalas.” by Joseph Vitali; “Para-Paraan” by Mae Chan Li; “Runo!” by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña; “Silkscreen” by Rey Anthony Villaverde; “Sorbetes” by Jennissie Gilbuena; “The Keeper” by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ and “The River Flows in Different Places” by Lot-lot Hermosura and the filmmakers of the full-length features, namely Dustin Celestino for “A.ni.mál,” Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz for “2 Valid IDs,” JL Burgos for “Ganggang,” Mark Duane Angos for “Hand of God,” Giancarlo Abraham and Guelan Luarca for “Mag-iina,” Alpha Habon for “Kaka sa Yawan,” David Corpuz for “Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam” and May-I Guia Padilla for “Tirik.”        

Meanwhile, Festival Director Chris Millado defied the deterrent effects of Maymay on the results of the 22nd Cinemalaya.

Before the event’s closing, OPM singer Noel Cabangon rendered new interpretation of Cinemalaya’s theme song about the balanghai, the ancient boat in the Philippines that symbolizes resilience and bravery.

Cinemalaya 22 runs from August 6 to 18 at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway and select Ayala Malls’ cinemas.