Micro-cinema Cinema ’76 Film Society pays tribute to the late Eddie Garcia, one of the Philippine entertainment industry’s most prolific actors, by screening three of his independent films from today until July 11.
Garcia passed away at 90 years old late last month after suffering from an injury caused by a freak accident on set. He worked as an actor and director in more than 600 films since he started his showbiz career in 1950.
Movies to be screened in Cinema ’76’s film festival include the LGBTQ+ film Rainbow’s Sunset, romantic drama-comedy Hintayan ng Langit (Heaven’s Waiting), and the martial law movie ML.
Tickets are priced at PHP180 (US$3.51) but students can buy them for PHP150 (US$2.93).
Located in San Juan City and Quezon City, Cinema ’76 shows mainstream and independent local and foreign movies.
Rainbow’s Sunset by Joel Lamangan
Garcia plays a retired senator who scandalizes his family and community when he decides to leave his wife (Gloria Romero) and care for his gay lover and best friend (Tony Mabesa), who is dying of cancer. His decision to abandon his spouse angers his second-born child, a rising politician who has vowed to continue her father’s political legacy. Her vocal opposition to her father’s decision pits her against her sister, a feminist activist.
San Juan City schedule: July 1, 4pm; July 3, 9:40pm; July 7, 6:05pm; July 8, 7:50pm; and July 10, 10:15pm.
Quezon City schedule: July 2, 6:05pm; July 4, 4pm; July 6, 12 noon; July 9, 4pm; and July 11, 6:05pm.
Cast: Eddie Garcia, Tony Mabesa, Gloria Romero, Aiko Melendez, Sunshine Dizon, and Tirso Cruz III.
Hintayan ng Langit (Heaven’s Waiting) by Dan Villegas
Based on Juan Miguel Severo’s one-act play of the same title, this film is about a dead man (Garcia) who finds himself in purgatory before he could enter the gates of heaven. There, he is forced to share a room with his ex-girlfriend (Gina Pareño), a cantankerous woman who’s been stuck in purgatory because she’s nasty to everyone.
Produced by Globe Studios, this movie is currently streaming on Netflix.
San Juan City schedule: July 2, 4pm; July 3, 7:50pm; July 7, 8:15pm; July 9, 4pm; and July 11, 4pm.
Quezon City schedule: July 1, 4pm; July 4, 6:15pm; July 6, 3:55pm; July 8, 10:30pm; and July 10, 8:50pm.
Cast: Eddie Garcia, Gina Pareño, Joel Saracho, Kat Galang, Mary Joy Apostol, and Jomari Angeles.
ML by Benedict Mique Jr.
A retired Philippine Constabulary colonel (Garcia) suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease believes he is still living in Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law, a time best remembered for numerous human rights violations where many Filipinos were tortured and killed. He mistakenly believes that a student (Tony Labrusca) is an activist, and proceeds to abduct and torture him.
San Juan schedule: July 2, 7:50pm; July 4, 8:20pm; July 5, 8:25pm; July 7; 10pm; July 9, 5:50pm; and July 10, 8:30pm.
Quezon City schedule: July 1, 7:50pm; July 3; 6:20pm; July 6, 2:10pm; July 8, 6:35pm; July 10, 10:30pm; and July 11, 8:15pm.
Cast: Eddie Garcia, Tony Labrusca, Lianne Valentin, Henz Villaraiz, Jojit Lorenzo, and Rafa Siguion-Reyna
FIND IT:
San Juan City branch:
160 Luna Mencias St. Barangay Addition Hills, San Juan City
Open daily, 12pm – 12am
Telephone: 63 2 6376 5076
Quezon City branch:
3rd Floor Anonas LRT City Center, 968 Aurora Blvd., Barangay Project 3, Quezon City
Open daily, 12pm – 12am
Telephone: 63 2 277 1216
