Philippine Cinema is alive and kicking — just take a look at some of the films slated for release this year. Despite being in the thick of a pandemic, our filmmakers have persevered to give us great films.

Our local cinemas ended in 2021 with Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries like "Whether the Weather is Fine," "Hard Day," and "Big Night!" Many more Filipino titles received attention in the global stage. And it just keeps getting better because this year, we are looking forward to a new roster of Filipino movies.

Most of these movies are currently in post production. Let's take a sneak peek at some of what's for release this year.

1. "Apag" by Brillante Mendoza/Center Stage Productions

A hit-and-run accident intertwines the lives of Rafael and Nita. Rafael (Coco Martin) employs a widow played (Jaclyn Jose) in his family restaurant in an effort to make amends for a secret past. This is a reunion movie for the two Cannes award-winning actors.

2. "Pula" by Brillante Mendoza/Center Stage Productions

Police Senior Master Sergeant Daniel Faraon is tasked to investigate a recent murder-rape case of a teenage girl. As the investigation progresses, he uncovers something else. Daniel starts to suspect an extramarital affair involving his wife, Magda, and the town's chief of police, Raymond, who happens to be Daniel's immediate superior.

3. "When The Waves Are Gone" by Lav Diaz / Epicmedia, Sine Olivia Pilipinas, Films Boutique, Rosa Filmes, Snowglobe, Tier Pictures

A film noir supported by Arte France, "When The Waves Are Gone" stars John Lloyd Cruz and Ronnie Lazaro. Decades after his imprisonment, the prisoner is freed and embarks on a bloody trail of revenge against his old friend to reclaim all that he lost.

4. "Amoral" by Jun Robles Lana / The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films

What happens when people lose their moral compass? In Jun Robles Lana's "Amoral," the lives of four people get entangled in a web of lies and deceit, luring them all to an end where destruction is inevitable.

5. "About Us But Not About Us" by Jun Robles Lana / The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films

A conversation between a professor and his student turns into a game where truth could be at stake.

6. "Abo" (Ashes) by Loy Arcenas / Daluyong Studios

A grieving widow returns to her husband's island estate to scatter his ashes. She becomes obsessed with a boy rumored to be her husband's son to a servant. She hatches a plan that leads to tragic consequences.

7. "Divine Factory" by Joseph Mangat / Daluyong Studios with Volos Films

"Divine Factory," formerly known as "Holy Craft," is a documentary that guides us through the universe of a city-factory, a labyrinth where the marginalized work day and night painting and molding the likeness of Catholic holy saints. While for many worshippers in the Philippines their work fulfills desires of redemption, for the workers, the factory is nothing more than a place to hide from the world and a means to survive.

This film was chosen by Asian Shadows, a film sales company based in Hong Kong, for international representation. It also won the Docs-in-Progress Award at the Cannes Film Market in 2020.

8. "Cancelledt" by Quark Henares / Anima (formerly Globe Studios)

Hopeless romantic Janzen finds another chance at love when she matches with the handsome and seemingly perfect Theo on a dating app. Unfortunately, on the day of their meet-up Theo ghosts her, leading Janzen into an intricate web of deceit, lies and catfishing led by sociopathic mastermind, Beanie. Based on the shocking and sensational Twitter Thread that rocked the Philippines in 2020, "Cancelledt" is a dark comedy thriller from the studio that brought you "Dead Kids" and "On The Job."

9. "The Brokers" by Daniel Palacio / Center Stage Productions

"The Brokers" follows the story of Mike, a real-estate agent trying to sell a swath of land for development. The problem is, there are people living there. The drama starring JC De Vera was selected to participate in last November's Tokyo International Film Festival.

10. "Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan" by Chito Roño / Regal Entertainment and Black Sheep Productions

Based on the popular book of the same title by author Bob Ong, the movie follows the story of Galo, portrayed by Joshua Garcia, and his mysterious and scary encounters.

11. "Kontrabida" by Adolfo Alix Jr. / Godfather Productions and Ovation Productions

Different from her usual roles of the long-suffering and lowly protagonist, Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor will be playing the villain as the title role in "Kontrabida." Esteemed actors Bembol Roco, Rosanna Roces, and Jaclyn Jose will be in the movie as well. The film was written by Jerry Gracio and produced by Joed Serrano.

12. "Sentensyador" by Richard Sommes / Ampersand Campaign, Strawdogs Studio Productions, and Tag Team Stunts

Simple man Ramil Vergara (JM De Guzman) marries beautiful and well-off Michelle. But a tragedy violently ends the fairytale sending Ramil in a downward spiral of anger and vengeance in his quest to take justice into his own hands, taking those who did them wrong with him.

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Regardless of where we watch these films, the local film industry will not stop in creating films and content. Some of these may do the rounds in festivals around the world (and get recognized!) while some may be acquired in various film markets for screening in other countries or may even be released theatrically, while some may be made available on local and international streaming platforms.

The Philippine film industry is alive and growing. Kudos to our filmmakers for persevering through our industry's growing pains and for continuously striving to give us well-crafted films to be excited about.

Notes from the Chair
The Sunday Times Magazine  - The Manila Times

Notes from the Chair is part of the Arts Awake section of The Sunday Times Magazine published by The Manila Times. Click HERE to view the article on The Manila Times website.