Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2019 lineup of local indie and mainstream films revealed

After the announcement of the films competing in this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, movie buffs have another reason to celebrate. The Film Development Council of the Philippines announced late last week the complete lineup of this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), a week-long film festival to be held from Sept. 13 to 19 in cinemas nationwide.

This year’s PPP also happens to be a celebration of the 100th year of Philippine cinema, which began in September 1919 upon the release of Dalagang Bukid, considered the first Filipino-produced movie. In line with the centennial, this year’s PPP has the Sandaan Showcase (Which means “a hundred”), which will feature films that star veteran Filipino actresses.

On PPP week, no foreign films will be shown in cinemas to give local films the opportunity to reach audiences without competing with Hollywood blockbusters.

A combination of art house and mainstream feature films were chosen for the festival; here’s what viewers can expect from each of them.

Cuddle Weather by Rod Marmol




An experienced female prostitute meets a newbie gigolo after both of them hear each other having loud sex with their respective clients in adjacent motel rooms. They strike a student-teacher relationship until one of them begins to want something more.

Cast: Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing

LSS (Last Song Syndrome) by Jade Castro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTQfok1q3s

An aspiring musician and a romantic suffering from a broken heart find each other as they follow an upcoming indie-folk band. The band is played by real-life group Ben & Ben, one of the hottest local acts in the music scene today.

Cast: Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos, and Ben & Ben

The Panti Sisters by Jun Robles Lana




A rich man dying of cancer tells his three gay sons that he would give PHP100 million (US$1.957 million) to who among them gets a woman pregnant and gives him a grandchild.

Cast: Paolo Ballesteros, Christian Bables, and Martin del Rosario

G! by Dondon Santos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWFr7PqJihI

A teenager’s cancer diagnosis leads him and his friends to go on a road trip, one where they will discover love, girls, and the real meaning of family.

Cast: McCoy de Leon, Jameson Blake, Paulo Angeles, and Mark Oblea

I’m Ellenya L by Boy 2 Quizon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywwEK37BDLc

Ellenya wants to make it big in the world of vlogging, so she starts creating content with the help of her family.

Cast: Iñigo Pascual and Maris Racal

Open by Andoy Ranay

Poster for Open. Photo: Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Facebook page.
Poster for Open. Photo: Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Facebook page.

With their 14-year relationship going stale, Ethan and Rome decide to have an open relationship where they’re allowed to sleep with other people but are forbidden from falling for them. However, they begin to distrust each other, which puts their relationship to the test.

Cast: JC Santos, Arci Muñoz, Ina Raymundo, Sofia Andres, Vance Larena, and Ivana Alawi

Watch Me Kill by Tyrone Acierto 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiFQfGjagG4

A ruthless assassin hesitates to kill her target when she discovers that he is keeping a girl captive.

Cast: Jean Garcia, Jay Manalo, Junyka Santarin, and Rodolfo Muyuela

Saandaan Showcase films

Circa by Adolfo Alix, Jr.




A movie producer celebrating her 100th birthday wants to have a reunion with all the actors whom she has worked with in the past.

Cast: Anita Linda, Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Jacyln Jose, Elizabeth Oropesa, Ricky Davao, and Enchong Dee

Lola Igna by Eduardo Roy, Jr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSo1qhzqAy8

A cantankerous elderly woman is excited to die, but her neighbors want her to live long enough to become the oldest living woman in the world. Her long-lost great-grandson, an aspiring vlogger, tries to latch on to her fame.

Cast: Yves Flores, Meryll Soriano, Ma. Isabel Lopez, and Angie Ferro

Pagbalik by Hubert Tibi and Maria Ranillo

Poster of the movie Pagbalik. Photo: Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Facebook page.
Poster of the movie Pagbalik. Photo: Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Facebook page.

A middle-aged woman goes home to the Philippines after working for several years abroad. While waiting for her next overseas job, she learns what her mother went through during the years that she was away.

Cast: Gloria Sevilla, Suzette Ranillo, and Vince Ranillo



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