An online LGBTQ+ film festival from FDCP
To Love Some Buddies, on 27 June, is on how important it is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to have significant support systems as they embark on their personal journeys of coming into terms with their real selves
In celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month this June, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is holding the second PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival online from 4 to 30 June.
With the theme “Sama-Sama, Lahat Rarampa!” this year’s PelikuLAYA aims to further empower the members of the LGBTQ+ community through a lineup of local and international films, film talks and lectures, a drag yoga event and musical performances.
A total of 23 subscription films can be viewed for only P99 on the FDCP site (fdcpchannel.ph), including the seven PelikuLAYA titles that are available until 30 June: Masahista by Brillante Mendoza; I Love You. Thank You by Charliebebs Gohetia; Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko by Gerardo Calagui; Miss Bulalacao by Ara Chawdhury; Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo; Best. Partee. Ever. by HF Yambao; and Ned’s Project by Lem Lorca.
Available for rental is award-winning French film Portrait of a Lady on Fire by Céline Sciamma, starring Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant, which will have its Philippine online premiere at PelikuLAYA 2021. The 2019 Cannes Queer Palm Prize and Best Screenplay winner will be available for rental for P220 with a seven-day access that will expire 48 hours after the first play.
PelikuLAYA screens four films for free throughout the festival: Rhadem Morados’ short documentary, “Budjang”; and three shorts from CineSpectra 2019: A Film Festival for HIV/AIDS Awareness, “A” by Rod Modina, “Alex & Aki” by Dexter Paul de Jesus and “Doon sa Isang Sulok” by Yong Tapang Jr. In addition, one-time free screenings will be held for Lihis by Joel Lamangan for the opening program and T-Bird at Ako by Danny Zialcita for the closing program.
“The Film Development Council of the Philippines is relaunching PelikuLAYA this year as an annual LGBTQIA+ film festival organized by the national government as our way to express our continued support for gender equality and inclusivity by creating platforms to bring to light the struggles, celebrate the achievements, and champion the causes of the LGBTQIA+
community,” said FDCP chairperson and chief executive officer Liza Diño.
The FDCP’s Cine Lokal held the first PelikuLAYA in 2018 with screenings of award-winning films in selected SM Cinemas. The following year, the FDCP mounted the first International Pride Celebration at Cinematheque Centre Manila in partnership with the embassies of the United States, Austria and Sweden in Manila.
Special events and panel discussions
The PelikuLAYA opening program, called “Thank God, It’s Pride Day!,” started at 7 p.m. on 4 June and featured the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 entry Lihis, a love story during the Marcos regime involving two New Peoples’ Army comrades played by Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon. Lihis also stars Lovi Poe, Isabelle Daza and Gloria Diaz.
“Thank God, It’s Pride Day!” as
well as all other PelikuLAYA events was streamed live on the FDCP site and on the FDCP’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. From12 to 27 June, four FDCP Film Talks on PelikuLAYA will be held.
The second PelikuLAYA: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival online from 4 to 30 June aims to further empower the members of the LGBTQ+ community through a lineup of local and international films, film talks and lectures, a drag yoga event and musical performances.
“My Coming Out Story,” on 12 June, is about the inspiring stories that helped us understand our community’s differing expressions and celebrations of freedom. It was moderated by actor and writer Phi Palmos and featured directors Kim Timan and Rod Singh, actors Fifth Solomon and Zar Donato, and musician Miguel Odron.
“In His/Her/Their Shoes,” on 13 June, is on how transcending on-screen portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters help us understand the “real and reel” themes and issues that relate to the members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It was moderated by director Jade Castro and featured actors Anthony Falcon, Angeli Bayani, Adrian Lindayag, and EJ Jallorina and director Petersen Vargas.
“P’wedding Pwede Na Ba?,” on 26 June, is on how seemingly-controversial conversations about same-sex unions and the SOGIE Equality Bill are being handled, processed, and interpreted by members and non-members of the LGBTQ+ community. It will be moderated by actor and director John Lapus, featuring Diño, actor and musician Ice Seguerra, directors Andoy Ranay and Noel Es condo and director-producer Perci Intalan.
“To Love Some Buddies,” on 27 June, is on how important it is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to have significant support systems as they embark on their personal journeys of coming into terms with their real selves. It will be moderated by Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, featuring Francis Dacanay of Love Yourself PH, Pat Bringas of University of the Philippines Babaylan, Ronn Astillas of the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chase Tolentino of Transman Equality and Awareness Movement and Dr. Mikee Inton-Campbell of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines.
Replays of panel discussions will be shown for free on 19 June. The two Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) Film Talks featured are “Depiction of LGBT Characters and Queer Cinema History” on how members of the audiovisual industry develop and empower LGBTQIA+ characters, and “Philippine Queer Cinema Lecture” by Nick Deocampo, a special lecture that explores how queer cinema has always been present in Philippine cinema history and how it has evolved through the years.
The “Yo, Gay!” drag yoga session, where participants can attain physical and mental wellness and get a chance to win special prizes for best dressed, will be held on 20 June. Prizes include gift cards and vouchers worth up to P1,500. The three winners will each receive an FDCP Channel Hoodie while other participants will receive FDCP Channel merchandise.
The PelikuLAYA closing program, “Awra!: Mga Awit at Rampa para sa Ating Makulay na Komunidad,” on 30 June at 7 p.m. will feature a musical performance, a fashion show from members of the LGBTQ+ community and a free one-time screening of the restored version of T-Bird at Ako starring Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, presented by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Program.
To watch the PelikuLAYA films, visit and register at the FDCP Channel. For more information and inquiries, visit www.facebook.com/ fdcpchannel or fdcpchannel.ph.