Before Cinemalaya began two decades ago, the state of Philippine cinema was heavily burdened by creative and economic crises. Creatively speaking, the formulaic narratives and templates were no longer working. Audiences chose to cocoon in their respective homes rather than go out and watch the same old templated movies.

Free TV reigned supreme. The most-loved shows were Darna with Angel Locsin; Encantadia and the Sang’gres Amihan, Alena, Danaya and Pirena; Jericho Rosales as Flavio in Panday; Anne Curtis in Kampanerang Kuba; and Pinoy Big Brother, which became everyone’s primetime guilty pleasure.

Economically, films showing in cinemas dropped to 25 from the usual 200. The movie industry was burdened with a 30 percent amusement tax, and the government provided no infrastructure, capital, or protection to local films and their artists. Also, Hollywood megahits clobbered local films, while the Korean entertainment wave inched its way into Pinoy consciousness and taste.

Everyone said there was no more hope left for Philippine cinema. Then the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival happened, and in its first year at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), it gave us Aureus Solito’s Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Doy del Mundo’s Pepot Artista and Emmanuel dela Cruz’s Sarung Banggi.

Since then, up to this day, Cinemalaya has nurtured, given wings to, earned respect and credibility for, and built audiences for a new generation of filmmakers. The films shown in the festival became catalysts for artistic, cultural and social commentary. The festival served as a launch pad and propelled the careers of directors, screenwriters and actors. And yes, during screenings, cinema leaders, creatives, directors, screenwriters, entertainment journalists, technical people, together with students, the aroused and curious, members of the academe, and new audiences flock to the CCP and other venues that host the films, both shorts and full-length features.

Favorites

My Cinemalaya gems are Solito’s Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, the bittersweet coming-of-age story of a pubescent boy, his loving family of Pinoy barakos, and his man-crush, a policeman; Treb Monteras II’s Respeto, about the love for the spoken and written word, one from a Pinoy hip-hop artist and his rap assertions, and the mightier poems and essays created by a literati who chronicled the trauma of a dark moment in history; Kip Oebanda’s Liway, a young boy’s recollection of his life inside a prison with his fighter of a mother; and Eduardo Roy Jr.‘s Pamilya Ordinaryo and its visceral portrayal of Manila’s underbelly and the survivors it created.

Of course, films of the three longest-reigning Filipino movie queens — superstar Nora Aunor in Joel Lamangan’s Hustisya and Derrick Cabrido’s Tuos; "Star for All Seasons" Vilma Santos in Jeffrey Jeturian’s Ekstra; and "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta in Mes de Guzman’s Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha — are among my favorites.

‘Tirik’

With its core theme blending moments of grim humor, humanity and quiet dread, May-I Guia Padilla’s Tirik is one of the most highly anticipated films in this year’s Cinemalaya.

Actor Floyd Tena plays the role of taxi driver Santos opposite Rocco Nacino, who gives life to Paring Bert, and the two characters, along with their road trip, bring out the best and worst in each other.

“It was not an easy character, being Santos,” Tena said. “He was confronted with a difficult choice in life that had something to do with his family and best friend.”

“What makes this different and exciting is the fact that from start to finish, you will see me,” said Tena. “It feels good that I get this opportunity to be one of its leads.”

Working with Nacino, Tena said: “He is a great actor. He is open and collaborative. So easy to work with.”

Why must people watch ‘Tirik’?

Tena answered in conclusion: “It is a gripping examination of the present that will make all of us take a deeper look at faith, family, friendship, guilt and survival.”

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival runs from 6 to 18 August at venues including the Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway Cineplexes and select Ayala Malls Cinemas.