Indigenous artists are now making their mark in Philippine cinema.
Fanglayan’s memorable portrayal of a wife of a Japanese also earned her nominations at the Gawad Urian of the prestigious Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) and the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies.
PHILIPPINE cinema doesn’t run out of talented actors and actresses from the indigenous lot.
In the 1970s, Karen Lopez, a discovery of movie reporter-turned-singer Rhey Salac was launched as an actress from the Ifugao ethnicity.
The late GMA Network contract star Marky Cielo was proud of his Igorot heritage and who would forget Jeyrick Sigmaton, better known as Carrot Man who rose to prominence when he was photographed selling carrots that went viral?
Ingrid Payaket, the third runner-up in the 2010 “Pilipinas Got Talent” for singing is a Cordilleran.
From down south, Malona Sulatan, a true blue Matigsalug-Manobo was featured as main actress in the award-winning film “Tu Pug Imatoy” directed by Arbi Barbarona.
In addition to the long list of celebrities who have ethnic roots is Cordilleran Mai Fanglayan, who after winning Best Actress at the 2018 ToFarm Film Festival and Urduja Film Festival for playing the role in “Tanabata’s Wife,” is back on the big screen via “Salidumay,” a short film by Dexter Macaraeg for Sine Abreno.
Fanglayan’s memorable portrayal of a wife of a Japanese also earned her nominations at the Gawad Urian of the prestigious Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) and the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies.
In the new film, Mai will portray Ayo, a Tingguian with mix Ibaloi blood from Abra, who goes on her first date with a guy named Franz at a Korean restaurant.
Franz played by Kenneth Jhayve Bautista—a former seminarian and finalist in the Mr. World Ambassador 2020 who grew up in Abra but moved to Baguio City--can't seem to find love through dating apps, decides to use his culture's methods to arrange a marriage.
Their differences lead to a small collision of expectation and perspectives, but what it opens up in the tension offers a glimmer of hope for the would-be couple.
Filming has already started in Baguio City and nearby locations in Benguet Province.
“As Baguio City opens up its tourism I take this opportunity to shoot the film in the city as I attended the opening gala of the Montañosa Film Festival, as official city guest,” said Dexter.
Others in the cast include Seth Wayne Blas Chacapna, Mr. Benguet 2019, Austin Docyogen, locally known as “Sayote Man” and a mixed martial artist, Eric Kelly and Janet Mondata.
Sine Abreño is supported by the City of Baguio and Benguet Province.
Tags: #showbiz, #indigenousculture, #cinema