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Aug 22-28


Aug 29-Sep 4


Sep 5 thru 11


Sep 12 thru 18

Sep 19 thru 25

Sep 26 thru Oct 2

Oct 3 thru 9


Oct 10 thru 16
Happy Slip: UNCENSORED!
Oct 15
"Manila & Beyond"
Oct 17 thru 19
FOSTER CHILD/JOHN JOHN
Oct 20 thru 23
SANTA MESA
Oct 17 thru 19 
 TIRADOR
Oct 20 thru 23
The Films

PLEASE NOTE: All Philippine Cinema Showcase screenings took place at the Goldilocks Theater, located at UltraStar Chula Vista.

When available and except where noted, ratings shown were by the Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Donsol
Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr., 2006
Philippine Cinema Showcase Opening Night Feature!


Lonesome, heartbroken Daniel takes tourists diving to behold magnificent whale sharks in the turquoise waters of Donsol. He is drawn to Teresa, a beautiful and mysterious woman also burdened by past heartache and uncertain of the future. Stars Cherie Gil, Jacklyn Jose, Bembol Roco, Mark Gil, Simon Ibarra, Sid Lucero, Angel Aquino.

Philippines' Official Entry, Best Foreign Film, Academy Awards 2007; Best Cinematography, FAMAS Awards 2007; Best Cinematography, Breakthrough Performance by an Actor, Golden Screen Awards, 2007; Best Cinematography, Best Actress, Cinemalaya 2007; Spirit of the Independent Award, Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival 2006. 1 hr, 45 min. Rated PG-13.

Inang Yaya
Directed by Pablo Biglang-awa and Veronica Velasco, 2006
Multiple BEST ACTRESS AWARD winner


Norma leaves her daughter Ruby in the care of her mother to work as a domestic worker in Manila, where she cares for a wealthy couple’s daughter, Louise. Norma’s mother suddenly dies, forcing Norma to bring Ruby to Manila, where Ruby and Louise struggle, sharing the woman they both love.

Best Child Actress, FAMAS Awards 2007; Best Actress, Golden ScreenAwards 2007; Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound,Best Film, Young Critics Circle Awards, 2007. 1 hr, 39 min. Rated G.



Rotonda
Directed by Ron Bryant, 2006
BEST DIRECTOR Awarded Crime Drama


In a sketchy city intersection, a marked one-thousand-peso bill journeys from one offbeat character to another: a disillusioned tabloid reporter planning to commit suicide; a nightclub dancer/prostitute vowing to give her kid sister a better life; a disgraced henchman resurfacing, hoping to score big time; a chronic runaway teenage girl held captive as sex slave by a cop; and a long-suffering son suffering his brutish, half-paralyzed father’s abuse. Like a ticking time bomb, the story unravels with unforgiving immediacy, exploding in a stunning, full-circle ending.

Best Feature Director, Cinemalaya 2006; Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, Gawad Urian Awards, 2007. 1 hr, 32 min. NOT RATED (appears to be R-18).

Gulong
Directed by Sockie Fernandez, 2007
Heartwarming Family Fare


School is out and two cousins dream of spending their vacation at a fishpond. To get there, they decide to buy a used bicycle. Working hard at odd jobs, they earn enough to buy it, only to give the money away to someone who needs the money more. Fortunately, the bicycle’s owner gives them another chance—but at a higher price. They have to think of ingenious ways to earn this money.

1hr, 26 min. NOT RATED (est. G).




Ligaw Liham
Directed by Jay Abello and Manny Montelibano, 2007

Sometime in the 1970’s, in a small town in Negros, the post office simply stops operating. No one knew except for the postman and his caretaker. Nor finds out about this secret, reading letters hidden in an old warehouse. Impersonating Karen’s absent husband Nor finds himself truly falling in love. Stars John Michael Lee, George Macainan, Clarissa Deles, Karylle.

1 hr, 35 min. NOT RATED (est. PG-13).






Kubrador
Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian
Internationally-acclaimed Drama


Amy, the family matriarch, makes ends meet by running a small convenience store out of her home. But times are tough and customers are scarce, and without the help of her husband or pregnant daughter, she is forced to supplement the family income by collecting bets for an illegal numbers game. This starkly realistic narrative presents a captivating portrait of a once-proud woman, haunted by memories of a dead son and hounded by the police, and her fragile and lonely life as a kubrador (bet collector) on the streets of Manila. Stars Gina Pareño, Fonz Deza, Soliman Cruz, Nanding Josef, Johnny Manahan, Jhong Del Rosario, Nico Antonio

98 minutes; Not Rated (est. PG-13)

Blackout
Directed by Ato Bautista
Pschological Mystery Thriller


Gil is a lowly apartment landlord who suffers frequent blackouts due to his heavy drinking. His alcoholism drives his wife away, leaving Gil to take care of his adorable son, Niño. Gil awakens from another drunken blackout to discover a mysterious bloody rear bumper on his run-down Mercedes. His life spirals into hysteria as he struggles to uncover the truth where the lines between real and unreal are blurred. Stars Robin Padilla, Iza Calzado, Ella Guevarra.

1 hr, 25 min. NOT RATED (est. PG-13).




Tulad Ng Dati
Directed by Mike Sandejas
Musical Fantasy


A Filipino rock band (real-life THE DAWN) finds fame in the 1980s. Following the sudden death of a key band member and years of decline, the band is reduced to playing small gigs. The lead singer is robbed and, suffering amnesia, throws the band and his family into chaos when he insists on living as his 1980s self. All must decide whether to live in the past or unite to fight for future success.

1hr, 26 min. Rated PG-13.





Happy Slip: UNCENSORED
YouTube Sensation CHRISTINE GAMBITO In Person!

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL REPRISE SHOW!  Internet phenomenon Christine Gambito's hilarious "Happy Slip" videos--she's a one-woman creator, cast, and crew--have made her a new-media darling, and hers one of the most-subscribed sites on YouTube.com.  She will present her shorts along with her "Experience Philippines" travelogues.

Not Rated (est. G)






Manila & Beyond

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL REPRISE SHOW! Four short films reveal the connection between the Philippines and the U.S.: An Immigrant Girl's Journey, dir. Lonny Stevens; Celebration, dir. Rochelle Lozada; Legend, dir. Mark Villegas; and Little Manila: Filipinos in California's Heartland, prod. Marissa Aroy.

73 minutes; Not Rated (est. PG)







Foster Child (John John)
Directed by Brillante Mendoza

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL REPRISE SHOW!  Internationally acclaimed since its premiere at Cannes: the last day in the life of a foster child in the care of his foster family before he's finally adopted bares strong emotional bonds, and the state of Philippine foster care.  Stars Cherry Pie Picache, Eugene Domingo, Jiro Manio, Kier Segundo, Alwyn Uytincgo, Dan Alvaro.

98 minutes; Not Rated (est. PG)





Santa Mesa
Directed by Ron Morales

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL REPRISE SHOW!  When his mother dies, Hector arrives in Manila to live with his grandmother.  He falls in with a street gang before he is befriended by a photographer.  Haunted by memories of his mother, Hector photographs an anonymous woman and these seemingly disconnected lives collide.  Stars Jacob Kiron Shalov, Angie Ferro, Jaime Tirelli, Lynn Sherman, Maria Lopez, Pierro Rodriguez, Melissa Leo, Sly Vargas, Billy Balais, Mosib Limbao .

82 minutes; Not Rated (est. PG-13)




Tirador
Directed by Brillante Mendoza

SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL REPRISE SHOW!   Set in Manila slums against the backdrop of corrupt electioneering politicians and religious fervor, the crime-ridden life of the Philippines' poorest is lad bare in Mendoza's internationally acclaimed, spare, unflinching fashion.  Stars Jiro Manio, Coco Martin, Kristofer King, Nathan Lopez, Harold Montano, Nico Taverna, Angela Ruiz, Benjie Filomeno, Arman Reyes; with the special participation of Julio Diaz, Simon Ibarra and Jaclyn Jose.

86 minutes; Not Rated (est. PG-13)



We are truly grateful for having been afforded the opportunity to present these films, and thank our sponsors and patrons for their support.