Don't Miss GMA News TV's First Cine Totoo Docu Filmfest Offers Engaging Entries Ranging From Ballet To Gold Mining To OFW's And Rape

GMA NEWS TV should be commended for putting up the first ever documentary festival, Cine Totoo Philippine International Documentary Filmfest, which started yesterday and will run until September 30 at SM Megamall, SM Manila, and Trinoma Mall. There are 11 entries from filmmakers from all over the country, with Joseph Laban (producer of the award-winning “Front Row”) as festival director.

They are:


“Mananayaw” by Rafael Froilan – The director is the son of premier danseur Nonoy Froilan. He shows the plight of today’s generation of male ballet dancers.

“Gitaristang Hindi Marunong Mag-skala” by Sigfried Barros-Sanchez. – This is about underrated but very talented ex-Jerks lead guitarist Nitoy Adriano seen from the eyes of music greats like Noel Cabangon, Pepe Smith, Ely Buendia, etc.

“Walang Rape sa Bontok” by Carla Ocampo - About two Filipinas who had been sexually abused and their search for a place where women can live without fear of more abuse.

“Ang Walang Kapagurang Paglalakbay ng Pulang Maleta” by Richard Legaspi – Filmed in near Milan, Italy, with the help of UNESCO and Zegna. About Loretta, an OFW in the town of Biella, Italy who’s been working there since the 70s and has brought over many of her relatives.

“Gusto Nang Umuwi ni Joy” by Jan Tristan Pandy – About an undocumented Filipina in the UK who tries to secure legal status so that she can return to the Philippines and visit her family.

“Agbalbalitok (The Gold Prospector)” by Ferdinand Balanag – About the harrowing story of Benguet miners who put their lives in danger working in a rundown, small gold mine.

“A Journey to Haifa” by Nawruz Paguidopon – A personal story of openly gay filmmaker Paguidopon from Cagayan de Oro as he goes on a religious pilgrimage with his family to Haifa, Israel.

“Kung Giunsa Pagbuhat ang Bisayang Chopsuey (How to Make Visayan Chopsuey)” by Charliebebs Gohetia – About tchoukball players from Davao City who get ready for an international tournament.
“Migkahi E Si Amey Te, ‘Uli Ki Pad…’” by Nef Luczon – Shows how a tribal community in Bukidnon asseses the issue of succession after their tribe’s chieftain died.

“Marciano” by Ivy Universe Baldoza - About the life of a gay overseas Pinoy worker who lived in Paris for 25 years and died there alone. His story is pieced together through the stories of his friends, relatives and even strangers who got to know him.

“Komikero Chronicles” by Keith Sicat – This pays tribute to the Pilipino komiks and charts its evolution into an art form that Filipinos can be proud of. Shows the work of Pinoy komiks artists like the late Gregorio Coching who’s been declared a National Artist, with interviews with historian Ambeth Ocampo.

The 11 entries will compete for best documentary, special jury prize and audience choice awards. There’s also a Southeast Asian Section with seven entries: “To Singapore withg Love” by Tan Pin Pin, “A Russian Song for Guiuan” by Misha Anissimov, “Boundary” and “By the River” by Nontawat Numenchapol from Thailand, “Denok and Gareng” by Dwi Sujanti from Indonesia, “War is a Tender Thing” from Adjani Arumpac of the Philippines, and “The Songs of Rice” of Uruphong Raksasad, also from Thailand.

Admission tickets is only P100. How we wish this filmfest was better promoted as we know local viewers only go for escapist entertainment and hate relevant films that will inform or educate them. GMA should have tied up with colleges and universities so students can go watch them and be informed. For the screening skeds, visit their Cine Totoo Facebook page and Twitter account.