Top 10 Best Filipino Films of 2017

2017 was a great year for Philippine cinema. Despite the failures of the Metro Manila Film Festival in maintaining the changes that were implemented in the previous year's festival (which is one of the best and most unforgettable edition of the MMFF), we were still blessed with other Filipino films of outstanding quality, some of which came from other film festivals in the country such as the annual Cinemalaya International Film Festival, and the first ever Pista ng Pelikulang Piilipino. We also got the chance to see some independent films from 2016 getting wide theatrical release last year. Therefore, it was quite hard to pick just ten out of all the films that I've watched last year.

Here are the few Honorable Mentions:

• Patay Na Si Hesus (2017 Theatrical release)
• Triptiko
• Smaller and Smaller Circles
• Deadma Walking
• Ang Manananggal  sa Unit 23B (2017 Theatrical release)

Now, without further ado, here is my own pick of the Top 10 Best Filipino Films of 2017.

10. Ang Larawan. Directed by Loy Arcenas, based on A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by National Artist Nick Joaquin, starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro, Paulo Avelino, Sandino Martin, Nonie Buencamino and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo with Celeste Legaspi, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dulce and Ogie Alcasid. Ang Larawan follows the Marasigan sisters, Candida (Joanna Ampil) and Paulo (Rachel Alejandro) as they struggle living in poverty in their ancestral home with their reclusive artist father Don Lorenzo. Their siblings Manolo (Nonie Buencamino) and Pepang (Menchu Lauchengco) who both live luxuriously kept on convincing them to sell the house, but they always reject the idea. The last painting that their father finished before he got into his "accident" can save them from poverty, but the sisters don't want to give up their father's final masterpiece to preserve their family's legacy.

One of the grandest Filipino films of the year. I'm really glad that I chose to watch this during the start of the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival on Christmas Day. From it's rich visuals, outstanding music and bravura performances, Ang Larawan is a must-watch spectacle... Pinoy musicals have never been this gloriously stunning and entrancing.

9. Kita-Kita. Written and directed by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, and starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez. Lea (Alessandra De Rossi) and Tonyo (Empoy Marquez) are two Filipinos living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Lea is a Velo taxi tour guide. She suffers an accident which leads to her being affected by temporary blindness. Her blindness, if not cured in a few weeks, could become permanent. Tonyo is also a Filipino who lives right across from Lea. Lea tries her best to ignore him at first because she is scared of not seeing him. But Tonyo is persistent and is determined to be her friend, using humor and kindness to make a connection. With every effort that he makes the two gradually become closer. In an ironic way, becoming blind allows Lea to see the true character of Tonyo.

Kita Kita is one of the biggest surprises of the year - a funny, charming, delightful type of entertainment that will leaves a smile in your lips (or a tear in your eye for others). It's an unconventional movie with a heart, overflowing with charm that never overstays it's welcome.

8. Kiko Boksingero. Directed by Thop Nazareno, starring Noel Comia Jr., Yayo Aguila and Yul Servo. In this coming-of-age drama, Kiko (in an award-winning performance by Noel Comia Jr.), an 11-year-old boy left aimlessly alone with his nanny Diday (Yayo Aguila) after the recent death of his mother, rekindles a long lost relationship with his father (Yul Servo) in an attempt to find a new lease on life. His father, a washed-up boxer, is currently staying in Baguio for a few days while waiting to find a buyer his home. During his stay, he meets Kiko who, unbeknownst to him is his son. After finding out the truth about the kid, the two of them starts to bond together through boxing. As Kiko starts to spend more time with his father, he starts to grow up and change too.

This is probably the simplest entry from last year's Cinemalaya International film Festival, yet it's also the most heartfelt film among other entries.  It's sweet, humorous, heartwarming and full of emotions. Kiko Boksingero is a small film with a big heart. A champion by all means.

7. Birdshot. Directed by Mikhail Red, starring Mary Joy Apostol, Arnold Reyes, John Arcilla, and Ku Aquino. The coming-of-age thriller tells the story of a young farm girl who wanders off into a Philippine forest reserve. Deep within the reservation, she mistakenly shoots and kills a critically-endangered and protected Philippine Eagle. As the local authorities begin a manhunt to track down the poacher, their investigation leads them to an even more horrific discovery.

Birdshot is undeniably one of the most compelling stories from the Philippines. It's story mixes a coming-of-age tale with a mystery thriller angle as it follows Maya, a teenage girl who is forced to face the consequences of her actions which results to a twisted and tragic fate for everyone involved. The characters in the story are all entangled in a web of lies and deceit, and the choices that they make eventually causes them to get pushed further into a darker path. Mixing sharp social commentary with a compelling story, coupled with great performances of the cast and brilliant direction of it's helmer, "Birdshot" is a one-of-a-kind, must-see movie that elevates Philippine Cinema to a whole new level.

6. I'm Drunk I Love You. Directed by JP Habac, starring Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino. Maja Salavador and Paulo Avelino plays Caridad Sonia “Carson” Herrera and Dionysus “Dio” Brillo respectively. They're best friends who are finally about to graduate from college after their long overdue stay in UP for three years. They've know each other for seven years, and they've gone through a lot of stuff already that they're practically closer than BFFs. Days before their graduation, Dio invites Carson to go on one last road trip to La Union for a music festival. Carson agrees, and she is joined by her ever supportive gay bestfriend Jason Ty (played by indie favorite Dominic Roco). Little did Dio know is that Carson has been harboring feelings for him for the past seven years. Problem arises when Dio's ex-grilfriend Pathy (Jasmin Curtis Smith) shows up in the picture to reconnect with him. Will Carson finally get the courage (with the help of a bottle of beer) to tell Dio her true feelings for her before it's too late?

It is very rare for movies to tackle romance in a gritty, real way. Most of the time, romantic films focus on how good it is to feel in love. Most films we see today uses romance as an escape to reality. But then, there are those films who would rather hit us with the painful truth about love than portray it as a colorful adventure. And I have never seen a movie to ever do that as hard as I'm Drunk I Love You. JP Habac's film is a lot of things. A coming-of-age story. A wake-up call. A self-help manual. A reminder. But most important of all, it's a slap in the face. A harsh slap to make you realize that hey, it's time to grow up and move on. 

5. Love You To The Stars And Back. Directed by Antoinette Jadaone, starring Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia. Feeling out place in her own home, an eccentric and socially awkward girl, Mika (Julia Barretto), decides to go on a road trip with a very strange goal – to look for aliens. In her trip, Mika accidentally bumps into a simple and good-humored boy, Caloy (Joshua Garcia), whom she chooses to give a free ride to until he reaches his destination. Mika is surprised to know that Caloy has cancer. But despite his condition, he has learned to accept his fate and remained positive and joyful. The two embark on a roadtrip filled with adventures and misadventures, not knowing that it will lead them to experiencing their most memorable romance at such a young age. They unexpectedly teach each other an important lesson on love and life – one that takes most people a lifetime to learn.

Antoinette Jadaone's Love you to the Stars and Back proves that mainstream cinema can still come up with great stories. It is one amazing romantic coming-of-age movie that reminds us of her great skills as a director and writer, and also serves as a proof that the JoshLia tandem is a loveteam to watch out for. It also features one of the year's best performance by actor, with Joshua Garcia's heartbreaking portrayal of Caloy. It's a movie that is full of laughter and pain, oozing with kilig and tears.

4. 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2017 Theatrical release).  Directed by Petersen Vargas, starring Khalil Ramos, Jameson Blake and Ethan Salvador. Felix Salonga (in an unforgettable performance by Khalil Ramos) is a friendless, overachieving top notcher in a typical public high school in the province of Pampanga during the late 1990s whose life is turned upside down after the Film-Am brothers Magnus (Ethan Salvador) and Maxim Snyder (in an award-winning performance by Jameson Blake) transfers to his his school. Felix becomes curious at the two mestizos, particularly with elder Magnus, after his first glance of the boys. As days passed by, he soon develops a strong, unusual friendship with the brothers. He gets to know more of their background, particularly their family. As things get more complicated, this relationship with the Snyder brothers ultimately leads him to be entangled in a dark path involving a plan for murder, his sexual awakening and his first heartbreak.

Petersen Vargas' feature film debut is sweet, humorous, romantic, yet turns dark and disturbing as it moves along, dragging the willing audiences back into one of the hardest phases of a person's life-growing up. It's an experience not to be missed. An experience that's too cool to be forgotten. No pun intended.

3. BLISS. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, starring Iza Calzado, Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad and Adrienne Vergara. BLISS tells the story of an aging actress, Jane Ciego (played by Iza Calzado in her most daring role yet) who started acting in showbiz at a young age. Now in her 30s, she decides to produce her own film to win some respect in the industry. But things do not go as planned and an accident on location cripples her. Jane wakes up unable to walk and trapped in her own home, a large house filled with strange sounds and people who may want to harm her. She is looked over by her cold husband Carlo (TJ Trinidad) and a sadistic nurse named Lilibeth (Adrienne Vergara), and then there is Rose, a nurse wanted by authorities for sexually molesting a patient. She mysteriously enters Jane’s life and soon begins affecting her dreams as much as her waking life. Jane’s sanity begins to crumble as the horrors pile up in a symphony of blood, tears and madness. What was supposed to be a simple dream for Jane soon becomes an endless nightmare.

BLISS is one of the most fucked up, unapologetic, disgusting, shameful, and demented Filipino films I've seen on screen. But it is also one of the most fun, mind-boggling, surreal, riveting and wildly entertaining local films I've watched. Intelligently written, imaginatively directed and brilliantly acted, this film pushes the boundaries of Philippine Cinema way past it's limits. BLISS is deliciously disturbing. It's like that little, sugary confection that you've been warned not to eat because it's bad for your health. Problem is, once you get a taste of BLISS, you'll be craving for more.

2. Bar Boys. Directed by Kip Oebanda, starring Rocco Nacino, Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda and Kean Cipriano. The film follows the three (yes, just three) young men as they enter law school and how their lives are drastically changed by this new world. Here, they have to endure fraternity initiations to terror teachers, on top of their own problems with their families and relationships.

This film serves as my top pick from this year's Pista ng Pelikulang Piilipino (next is Triptiko). Everything in this movie is just perfect, from it's slick, production design to it's awesome soundtrack (that sequence featuring APO Hiking Society's San Na Nga Bang Barkada triggered my memory of my school days!) to it's outstanding direction and bravura performances. Kip Oebanda's Bar Boys is no doubt my most favorite entry of all the films I was able to watch. It's a youth-oriented comedy drama, a coming-of-age story, and a throwback barkada flick rolled into one. It's a hilarious, heartwarming, emotional, and inspiring feel-good joyride that will leave more than what you expect.

1. Respeto. Directed by Treb Monteras II, starring Abra, Dido Dela Paz, Loonie, Kate Alejandrino, Chai Fonacier and Silvester Bagadiong. Henrdix (played in a surprisingly effective performance by Abra) is a wannabe rapper who's trying to make a name for himself through the underground rap battle known as "Berso". He aspires to make it big and hopes to get out of the life that he was born with- an abusive home (his sister and her drug pusher boyfriend) and a violent surrounding (as people from their squatters village always ends up being killed by unknown assailants supposedly due to drugs). Soon, he meets Fortunato Reyes, known with his nickname Dok, an old poet and Martial Law victim (played by veteran Dido de la Paz) who ends up helping him straighten up his life and puts him in the right direction.

Treb Monteras II's Respeto is undeniably the breakout film of this year's Cinemalaya Film Festival. It's a very powerful film that disguises itself as a simple movie about rap battle. It's a tragedy of a young man, his mentor and how the world around them led them to destruction. It's a satire to our government's actions and brutality. It's an elegy to the dying moral of our society. Respeto will also leave you breathless with it's heart-stopping and jaw-dropping ending. One of the most unique and most heart-wrenching endings in a Filipino movie in recent memory.

And that sums up my Top 10 Best Filipino Films of 2017. Looking forward to more amazing Filipino films this 2018. 'Til next year's countdown!

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino : "Birdshot" (2017) movie review

Mikhail Red's "Birdshot" (2017)

The highly anticipated "Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino" has officially begun last August 16, 2017. And I decided to kick off this film festival with Mikhail Red's "Birdshot" (2017). I've been hearing a lot of positive feedback about this movie so I was really excited to finally see it in the big screen. The film opened the 13th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last August 4, at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see it back then due to my busy schedule. Fortunately for me, the film is one of the twelve Filipino movies that has been selected to be part of the "Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino."

The coming-of-age thriller tells the story of a young farm girl who wanders off into a Philippine forest reserve. Deep within the reservation, she mistakenly shoots and kills a critically-endangered and protected Philippine Eagle. As the local authorities begin a manhunt to track down the poacher, their investigation leads them to an even more horrific discovery. The mystery-drama film has won production funding from the Doha Film Institute and the CJ Entertainment Award at BIFF's Asian Project Market. The mystery-drama film has also won the Best Picture in the Asian Future category of the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, and has been selected at the Goteborg Film Festival: The Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award. The film, penned by Mikhail Red and Rae Red, stars Mary Joy Apostol as Maya, Arnold Reyes as Domingo, John Arcilla as Mendoza, and Ku Aquino as Diego. [Source: Cinemalaya]

"Birdshot" is undeniably one of the most compelling stories from the Philippines. It's story mixes a coming-of-age tale with a mystery thriller angle as it follows Maya, a teenage girl who is forced to face the consequences of her actions which results to a twisted and tragic fate for everyone involved. The characters in the story are all entangled in a web of lies and deceit, and the choices that they make eventually causes them to get pushed further into a darker path. The film tackles relevant issues that are plaguing the country today, from corruption of the authorities to police brutality. Some of the scenes in the movie eerily mirrors similar events that happened in recent years, such as the Hacienda Luisita dispute and the Maguindanao massacre. This gives the film a gritty and realistic feel.

The film did not clearly specified the era of when the story happened, but obviously, it's at a time when cellphones don't exist yet (at one point, one character is shown using a rotary dial telephone which gives us a clue of it's period drama setting). This adds up to the overall mystery of the story. I love how the film introduces multiple yet interesting subplots in the beginning of the film. These subplots are then interwoven together, forming one big web of drama and mystery. The film follows two separate cases that soon ties up smoothly in the film's ending. The first is the death of a haribon (Philippine eagle) inside a sanctuary. Maya unknowingly shot an eagle in the said sanctuary, breaking the law on endangered animals in the country. Her father, Diego, tries his best to cover up the crime to save his daughter from the prosecution (I'm guessing it's because his daughter is almost of legal age and will have to face the penalty for the violation, though I'm not really sure). The second story follows Domingo, a policeman investigating the disappearance of a group of men on their way to Manila. He and his partner, Mendoza soon discover their missing vehicle, a bus, empty without any clue on what happened to it's passengers. As he continue his investigation (despite the strict order of his boss to let go of the case), he discovers that there's a bigger conspiracy behind all of it that will change his perspective as a man of authority. Then, there's also a subtle reference to the supernatural along the way.

The different story lines made the film more interesting and enjoyable to watch because both plots offers different kind of thrills to the viewers. We feel worried for Maya and his father as they try to hide the truth about the death of the bird from the authorities. We are mystified if the unknown entity that Maya is seeing is really of supernatural origin or not. We are puzzled on what really happened to that missing group of men. We are anxious as to where this investigation will lead Domingo in the end.

In "Birdshot", director Mikhail Red proves that he is definitely one of the most promising filmmakers of the country that we should look out for in the future. Red's masterful direction is evident from the first frame of the film until the last shot. He is focused in every aspect of the film, even up to the tiniest details. The film may be a slow-burn thriller but he made sure that the tension is kept consistent from start to finish. His attention to detail makes the film's visuals more impactful. Cinematography-wise, "Birdshot" is eye-catching and breathe-taking. From the golden cornfields stretching across the land to the claustrophobic forest that is hiding a dark secret, cinematographer Mycko David  uses these locations to the film's advantage. Every scene is shot gorgeously, leaving the audience in awe. In addition to that, the wardrobe of these characters have this unique look that you usually see in Korean or Japanese movies, from the trademark red shawl of Maya's character to the vintage looking brown uniforms of the police, which gives the movie a distinct foreign look and feel.

Mary Joy Apostol gives a surprisingly good performance as Maya. Despite the fact that she is a newcomer to the film industry as this was her first full feature film credit, she was able to match her fellow actors in terms of acting. Ku Aquino who plays Diego, Maya's father, was also great. Cinemalaya 2017 Best Supporting Actor Dido Dela Paz is one hell of an antagonist. Arnold Reyes was outstanding in his role of Police Captain Domingo. He was able to give justice to his character, which was one of the toughest to pull off. His character had to go through a harrowing change along the way and Arnold depicted that in a convincing and believable way. He shined in that interrogation scene with him and Ku Aquino in the police station, which in turn was one of the most unforgettable moments of the film. John Arcilla never fails to amaze us with his committed performance as Domingo's partner, Mendoza.  His character also have the most memorable lines from the film (like "Paano tayo magsisimula kung ang meron lang tayo ay wala?") He and Arnold Reyes have great chemistry together: one is young and innocent about the lies and deceit in their surrounding, while the other is tenured and has gotten used to the evil and corruption around him and has learned to play along to survive.



The film's final moments is also one of the most unforgettable endings in a Filipino film. It's bloody, brutal, unsettling and eerie, especially the final revelation in the finale.

Mixing sharp social commentary with a compelling story, coupled with great performances of the cast and brilliant direction of it's helmer, "Birdshot" is a one-of-a-kind, must-see movie that elevates Philippine Cinema to a whole new level. This is the kind of movie that defines the word "astig".

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ of 5
"Birdshot" (2017)
Directed by Mikhail Red, Screenplay By Mikhail Red, Rae Red
Starring Mary Joy Apostol, Arnold Reyes, Ku Aquino, and John Arcilla

***

The "Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino" is a nationwide week-long celebration where all movie theaters will exclusively screen Filipino films in line with the Buwan ng Wika. This festive event is organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with theaters nationwide and will run from August 16-22, 2017.