BY HELEN J CATALBAS
WE TAKE pride in sharing with the world a glimpse of Philippine indigenous culture through the film “Sa Paglupad ka Banog”. Researched, written, produced and directed by renowned Western Visayas indie film producer and director Elvert Dela Cruz Banares and Jesus Insilada, the film showcases authentic indigenous culture of the Sulod Bukidnons of Panay and invokes pride of place among Filipinos in general and Western Visayans in particular. Shot mainly in Calinog, Iloilo and partly in Lambunao, “Sa Paglupad ka Banog” is a huge contribution to film tourism and pride of place promotion.
The following data were shared by Direk Elvert Banares and, we, in turn, share them with the world through this column.
“This film, with 95% of its major cast and crew being indigenous (including writer, producer, etc.), makes history in The Philippines as the first film to have been given consent by the Panay Bukidnon Council of Elders through the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to do a cinematic translation of portions of the Suguidanon Epics.
Our film, in Kinaray-a and Sulodnon (indigenous) languages, is made together with the Panay Bukidnon community and have the following Panay Bukidnon in major/key production roles: Co-Producer, Writer, Main Actors, Dancers & Percussionists, Original Music, Chanter, Consultants.
The film is meant to evoke hope amidst the most challenging of times including the struggles of the indigenous peoples everywhere. As both filmmaker and cultural worker, it has been my honor to collaborate with the indigenous peoples of our country, particularly the Panay Bukidnon.
The Panay Bukidnon is one of only two indigenous communities in Visayas, The Philippines, and are scattered all over Panay islands. Because of isolation, most of their pre-colonial practices persist to this day,” as stated by Direk Elvert as we fondly call him.
The film synopsis says that the Amang Baoy, a Panay Bukidnon old man, and his son Rohan sit in a bonfire one evening when the latter looked very sad, prompting the father to tell a portion of the Sugidanon, an epic of the indigenous Panay Bukidnon people of the Philippines, by way of chanting. This portion of the epic narrates the hero, Humadapnon, who will be saved through the help of Banog, the hawk. This leads the indigenous peoples doing the traditional hawk dance, celebrating a tale of hope, love and resurrection.
“Sa Paglupad ka Banog” is perhaps the only Western Visayan film we know to be awarded with various accolades in different international film fora and stages. These recognitions include the following:
* Winner, Golden Kinabalu for Indigenous Language Film (Top Prize), 13th Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival 2022 (Malaysia)
* Winner, 7 Awards at FACINE 29 (USA)
* Winner, Best Poster, Alternative Film Festival 2023 (Canada)
* Director Elvert Bañares awarded “Ani ng Dangal” by NCCA at Malacañang Palace.
Film Festival Selections (holds the record for the most for any Western Visayan film):
* 42nd Porto International Film Festival FANTASPORTO 2022 (Portugal)
* 38th Los Angeles Asia Pacific Film Festival 2022 (USA)
* 33rd São Paulo International Short Film Festival (Brazil)
* 50th CURTAS – Festival do Imaxinario Vilagarcía de Arousa (Spain)
* 39th BOGOCINE Festival de Cine de Bogotá (Colombia)
* 9th Maoriland Film Festival (New Zealand)
* 21st DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival (USA)
* 16th Wairoa Māori Film Festival (New Zealand)
* 13th Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (Malaysia)
* 21st DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival (USA)
* 11th Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival (Canada)
* 13th Festival Internacional de Cine de Santander – Picknic Film Festival (Spain)
* 8th Festival Internacional Cine en las Montañas (Colombia)
* 16th Native Spirit Film Festival (United Kingdom)
* 15th IndiFest Festival de Cinema Indigena de Barcelona (Spain)
* 9th Festival Internacional de Cine de La Paz (Plurinational State of Bolivia)
* 4th Film and Folklore Festival (Trinidad and Tobago)
* 2nd Filipino San Diego Film Festival (USA)
* 13th DAUPARÁ – Muestra de Cine y Video Indígena en Colombia (Colombia)
* FACINE29 – 29th Annual International Filipino Cine Festival 2022 (USA)
* 16th Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente Villa de Leyva (Colombia)
* 11th Festival de Cine Kunturñawi (Ecuador)
* 6th Festival de Cine Independiente de Sogamoso (Colombia)
* 6th Hanoi International Film Festival (Viet Nam)
* 10th FilmQuest (USA)
* 14th Shockfest Film Festival (USA)
* 15th Festival de Cine Global de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
* 3rd Quetzalcoatl Indigenous International Film Festival (Mexico)
* 12th CMS International Children’s Festival (India)
Credits for the film “Sa Paglupad ka Banog” include:
* Produced by E Unlimited. Co-produced by Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc, City of Iloilo, Negros Cultural Foundation and DOT-Region VI
* Produced by Elvert Bañares & Jesus Insilada
* Executive Produced by Jerry P. Treñas, Jobert Peñaflorida, Eric Divinagracia, Helen J. Catalbas, Tanya P. Lopez
Cast: Romulo Caballero, Jashem Rosh Padernal, Aleck Jeanne Calata, Angelo Oroso, Freya Jell Arreglo, John Julian Muñiz, Aaron Dave Escobido, Rowen Delopines, Lordjane Dordas, Erlinda Caballero, Jay Pope Larroza, Rennel Lavilla
Shot in Calinog, Iloilo with a few scenes shot in Lambunao, Iloilo.
We hope and look forward that more films of this nature, depth and quality will be produced by other film makers of Western Visayas. Let us look at this film as the best legacy for tourism promotion in this region.
We salute you, Direk Elvert! May your tribe increase!/PN
