NOW on its third year, the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) is back once again to delight audiences with a slate of ten entertaining and thought-provoking films.
From modern romances that follow lovers navigating the new dating landscape, to a laugh-out-loud follow up of sorts to the Jun Robles Lana blockbuster “Die Beautiful,” to a gritty faux western that enlists Jean Garcia as a hired killer, the third iteration of the PPP promises to be a tantalizing affair, a fitting tribute to the 100th year of Philippine Cinema.
Championed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) – headed by its firebrand chair Liza Diño-Seguerra – the annual PPP is a week-long celebration of Philippine Cinema that aims to showcase novel Filipino genre films in all regular cinemas nationwide. During its run, no foreign films are allowed to be screened – except in specialty cinemas – to give the whole country the opportunity to herald its own local films. This 2019, the PPP runs from Sept. 13 to 19. Below are the short synopses of this year’s roster of films.
1. CUDDLE WEATHER
Director: Rod Marmol
Cast: Sue Ramirez, RK Bagatsing
Synopsis: After realizing that prostitutes are not entitled to the best part of love making, two sex workers form a screwy relationship as “cuddle partners” only to realize that they want something more.
2. LSS (LAST SONG SYNDROME)
Director: Jade Castro
Cast: Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos
Synopsis: Sara and Zak, an aspiring musician and a yearning son, find themselves in a series of almost-but-not-quite romantic encounters as they follow an upcoming indie-folk band. The two are struggling dreamers in their 20s who discover what it means to grow up as they experience the joy and pain of love and loss accompanied by the music of Ben&Ben.
3. THE PANTI SISTERS
Director: Jun Robles Lana
Cast: Paolo Ballesteros, Christian Bables, Martin del Rosario
Synopsis: Three gay sons are called back by their estranged and terminally ill father and given an offer they can’t refuse: a P300-million inheritance in exchange for each of them giving him a grandchild.
4. I’M ELLENYA L.
Director: Boy 2 Quizon
Cast: Inigo Pascual, Maris Racal
Synopsis: Ellenya’s life revolves around social media just like a typical millennial, seeking validation from the online society. With aspirations of being a big influencer and vlogger, she chases her dreams by creating a persona and content with the help of her family and friends. Will Ellenya earn online fame or will she be an epic fail?
5. G!
Director: Dondon Santos
Cast: McCoy de Leon, Jameson Blake, Paulo Angeles, Mark Oblea
Synopsis: A series of good times, bad times, cherished bonding moments will make a group of friends realize the value of love, friendship, family and life.
6. OPEN
Director: Andoy Ranay
Cast: JC Santos, Arci Munoz, Ina Raymundo, Sofia Andres
Synopsis: Rome and Ethan have been together for 14 years. He is the love of her life, and she is his number one supporter. They are each other’s firsts, and to their friends, they are the perfect couple. When the two begin to feel that their relationship has gone stale, they explore the idea of going open. It’s something Ethan wants to do, and it’s the only way Rome feels she can keep her man. They agree that they are allowed to have sex with strangers, but they are not allowed to fall in love. In a relationship built over time, the two begin to “explore” expecting to salvage the exact same thing they are giving up. In the end, they learn the importance of the very thing they have been blind to – a relationship without trust will eventually crumble.
7. WATCH ME KILL
Director: Tyrone Acierto
Cast: Jean Garcia, Jay Manalo
Synopsis: A ruthless assassin’s plan is interrupted when she discovers that the man she needs to kill has more to hide than expected. Her life unravels as she must juggle her new priorities with her inner demons. Set in a world where violence rules over virtue, she must face the hardest reality – is she the real danger or the monsters that control the criminal underworld?
8. CIRCA
Writer/Director: Adolfo Borinaga Alix, Jr.
Cast: Anita Linda, Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Jaclyn Jose, Elizabeth Oropesa, Ricky Davao, Enchong Dee with the special participation of Eddie Garcia
Synopsis: Doña Atang, a once celebrated film producer from the earlier years of Filipino cinema, celebrates her 100th birthday. For her wish, she wants a reunion with all the actors and staff that she has worked with in the past. She is also looking for an unfinished film from one of her directors. Her grandson Michael decides to take the task of finding them. As he does, we remember the glorious years of cinema from its workers – fragments of a colorful past filled with faded memories.
9. LOLA IGNA
Director: Eduardo Roy Jr.
Cast: Yves Flores, Meryll Soriano, Ma. Isabel Lopez
Synopsis: Lola Igna is a foul-mouthed and stubborn woman who is eager to die but her neighbors are hung up on her winning the title “the oldest living grandmother in the world.” Her long lost great-great-grandson, Tim, is an aspiring vlogger who wants to latch on to her now-famous grandma but ends up giving her a new reason to live.
10. PAGBALIK
Director: Hubert Tibi and Maria S. Ranillo
Cast: Gloria Sevilla, Suzette Ranillo, Vince Ranillo
Synopsis: A troubled OFW is forced to return home and come to terms with the family she left behind.
Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!/PN
