As the country’s leading platform for independent film, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival continues to champion the work of Filipino filmmakers with a series of book launches slated for 8, 9, and 11 October at the Red Carpet Cinema 2 of Shangri-La Plaza mall in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.

For its 21st year, Cinemalaya highlights the intersection of cinema, literature, and culture through the launch of Manong: The Life and Works of Gerardo de Leon by Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson; Agaw-Tingin (Stolen Glances) and Pinilakang Tabing (Silver Screen) by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee; and Letters from the Future, 35 Years of the Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, published by CCP through its Film, Broadcast and New Media Division. 

With a commitment to discover and hone new voices in Philippine cinema, Cinemalaya also highlights publications that reflect human narratives, film scholarship, and cultural conversation. The book launches will serve as spaces for aspiring and renowned filmmakers, writers, scholars, and audiences to delve into the history of Filipino cinema and how current trends continue to shape our storytelling today. 

Manong: The Life and Works of Gerardo de Leon honors the life and works of the National Artist for film Gerardo de Leon. The book is the first and only comprehensive study of the National Artist, tackling his personal and artistic background and analyzing over 80 films De Leon made for Parlatone Hispano-Filipino (1938-1942), the Eiga Haikyusa (1944), Sampaguita Pictures (1946-1947), Premiere Productions (1948-1963), and the local and international independent companies (1958–1976).  Dr. Tiongson delves into the works of the National Artist and his enduring legacy in filmography, immortalizing De Leon as a body of culture. 

National Artist Lee’s Agaw-Tingin (Stolen Glances) is an anthology of selected essays written for various publications such as Asia-Philippines Leader, TV Weekly, Metro Magazine, Mr. & Ms., Expressweek, Veritas and National Midweek. The book shows the Filipino filmmaker as an observer, an artist who wants his readers to pay attention to the mundane. Each piece paints a lived reality, from within cinema halls and churches to the open streets and protest rallies. Observations trigger emotions, transforming them into truths resonating across every page. 

Pinilakang Tabing (Silver Screen), another book from Lee, is a novel about cinema. Grounded on Filipino reality, Lee tells the story of characters whose lives and relationships are affected by Philippine cinema for 40 years. In an excerpt released in the author’s Instagram account, readers get to follow a character named Journey who tries to frame Nora Aunor and her swarm of fans using only his hands. Later, he captures a motorcycle riding toward him and eventually, he gets shot. The excerpt ends with the line “pinatay ako ng pelikula,” leaving a chilling tease for narratives the novel could bring.