Limelight

By Boy Villasanta Sail, balanghai, sail! Balanghai, the traditional and national boat of the Philippines, adapted and adopted by the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival as its symbol of excellence in filmmaking, is again in the forefront of embarkation this season. Written in its ensign unfurling is this year’s Cinemalaya theme: “Layag sa Alon, Hangin at Unos,” a catchphrase in …

In the advent of independent filmmaking, film festivals in practically all parts of the world have mushroomed overnight. I have attended a few of them like Hong Kong, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Gwangju (the last two, both in Korea) Hanoi and FACINE in San Francisco. What do Filipino filmmakers and other stakeholders get from attending iworld film events? …

Multifaceted artist Demi Padua was feted by the Asian Cultural Council of the Philippines (ACCP) and the National Museum in a special show billed “Layers and Shadows” which aimed to foster cultural exchange and development that also marked ACCP’s 2th anniversary recently held at the Sergio Osmeña Hall, of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila. Padua, a renowned …

David Haldane, American author based in the Philippines, has recently launched his new book, “Dark Skies: Tales of Turbulence in Paradise,” a collection of essays, which explores life’s complexities, cultural intersections, and the turbulent yet inspiring realities of finding “paradise” amid personal and social challenges. One of the highlights of the charity book event, hosted by Kawa Pilipinas Foundation, was …

by Boy Villasanta The vision is very clear—”to encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers—works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.” Yes, the objectives of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival have always been applied and achieved no matter how challenging at the oddest times. The Cinemalaya 2025 isn’t …

by Boy Villasanta The death of iconic and socially relevant filmmaker Mike de Leon has shaken not only the local film community but the nation as well. Mike de Leon of the memorable films “Itim,” “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising,” “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” “Batch ’81,” “Kisapmata,” “Bilanggo sa Dilim,” “Sister Stella L,” “Aliwan Paradise,” “Bayaning Third World,” Citizen Jake” etc.) has …

By Boy Villasanta After more than a month of grief and lamentation over the death of her husband Trevor Magallanes, actress and comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto has come home from the US trying to be calm and okay about the whole thing. “Speechless pa din ako sa shock sa naganap sa buhay namin (I’m still wordless over the shock that …

by Boy Villasanta Actress Mara Lopez and American businessman Chandler Booth have the most wonderful news to break to the world. They are now proud parents of a healthy baby girl. Mara gave birth recently in the US and Chandler, who was present nearby in the delivery room, was very excited about his being a first-time dad. Lopez and Booth …

by Boy Villasanta It’s official. Internationally acclaimed director Lav Diaz’s historical film on the expedition of Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines is the country’s entry to the Best International Feature Film section of the 2026 Oscar Awards in Hollywood. This was announced last night by Paolo Villaluna, Director-General of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). Villaluna said that …

By Boy Villasanta Lucena city, quezon—The City Hall stands proudly in the middle of a  sprawling ground at the same time conveys wonders, questions and mysteries, primarily about the personal innuendos of its highest occupant. Until now, the talks persist that Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala are dancing to sweet music together but no one is admitting or denying, …