Top directors, emerging filmmakers host forum on status of PH cinema

Leading directors together with emerging filmmakers in Philippine cinema will discuss the present state of moviemaking in the country in Pelikulang Pilipino Ngayon: Problems and Possibilities, at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Cinema De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) tomorrow, Jan. 26, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

The forum, held in cooperation with the Directors Guild of the Philippines, is open to the public.

Jose Javier Reyes, DLS-CSB Film Department head, will be the moderator of the panel, composed of Joel Lamangan, Ronnie Bertubin, Paul Soriano and Paolo Villaluna.

Lamangan, who started his career in entertainment as a member of Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), is an award-winning film and TV director and actor. He rose to fame through his acclaimed films The Flor Contemplacion Story, Sidhi, Deathrow, Hubog, Aishete Imasu 1941, Blue Moon and Mano Po.

Bertubin, a producer and assistant director earlier in his career, is an actor and director known for the movies Last Viewing, Ku’te, Gayak, Sikil and Kurap.

Soriano, the son of ’50s actor Nestor de Villa, began his career as a director for TV commercials. He later transitioned into moviemaking, helming movies such as A Journey Home, Thelma, Kid Kulafu and Dukot. His latest film Siargao won second Best Picture in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Villaluna is a TV, commercial and film director. He was named as one of the “most significant digital frontlin- ers of the indie movement,” emerging in the 2000s, ushering a new era of filmmaking in the nation.