Visible Disruptions, a screening curated by Ricky Orellana, a Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Luminary awardee and Mowelfund Film Institute Audiovisual Archive head, will be showcased at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD).

The three-part program is free and open to the public. It is under MCADxMovingImage, a program that looks at culture, society and politics through the media of the moving images — from hybrid documentaries, video essays and narrative experiments to filmed performances and archival audio-visions.

The event features a collection of Filipino experimental films. It ranges from short animations to feature classics, which displays how Filipino filmmakers explore and utilize diverse, novel and unconventional techniques and structures to present the socio-political landscape in the Philippines.

The lineup is headlined by Tadhana (1978), the first ever Philippine full-length animated film, on 26 February. Directed by cartoonist Nonoy Marcelo, it presents a satirical, humorous, and poignant view of the country’s history of Spanish colonization through original and surreal vignettes that blend art, mythology and music.

A carousel of 11 cinematic shorts is slated for 27 February. It comprises critically acclaimed flicks, from vibrant to monochromatic, which all tackle important issues of its time, from the Filipino psyche, culture and politics, to environmental threats and global annihilation.

The list includes Tributaries (1995) by Tad Ermitaño; Pilipinas: What do you think of the Philippines, Mr. Janetzko? (1989) by Regiben Romana; Sa Maynila (1989) by Mike Alcazaren, Josephine Atienza, and Orellana; Kordilyera Images (1986) by Cooper Resabal; Bugtong: Sigaw ng Lalaki (1989) by RJ Leyran; and Lizard or How to Perform in front of the Reptile (1986) by Roxlee and Ludwig Ilio.

Also included in the lineup are Balat by Yeye Calderon; True Blue American Coconut Grove (Gawa sa Pilipinas) (1989) by Luis Quirino and Donna Sales; Ceasefire: Countrysides (1986) by Eli Guieb III; Red Saga (2004) by Kiri Dalena; and Kalawang (1989) by Cesar Hernando, Guieb, and Jimbo Albano.

On 28 February, Bahala na si Bathala sa mga Banal na Bata (2022) by Reuben T. Domingo and Tita Pambid will be on view. The documentary takes the audience on a journey up the holy Mt. Banahaw in Luzon, guided by anthropologist Dr. Prospero R. Covar, the leading expert in Filipino spirituality. 

The selection was meticulously handpicked by Orellana, who has a prolific career in directing, animation, film editing, sound recording and art direction in short and feature films and documentaries.

Visible Disruptions will be held every noon on the scheduled dates at the MCAD Multimedia Room, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Design + Arts Campus, Dominga Street, Malate, Manila. Interested participants may email mcad@benilde.edu.ph.