Internationally acclaimed director Brillante Ma. Mendoza should have been resting comfortably in his palatial home in Mandaluyong City because he has already established himself as an influential filmmaker and has saved a lot for the rainy days but no, he still wants to be in the thick of things in filmmaking, and show business in general.
"Marami pa akong gagawin (I still have so many things to do)," he said in an exclusive interview.
"An artist doesn't retire for his or her audience," he added.
Brillante aims to do a lot of movies in 2026.
He still has a movie in the can which awaits its proper release.
The film is about Filipino transgenders in Japan who work and experience various reactions and interactions from multiracial people in a foreign country as well as their homeland.
Discrimination is one reality they have to contend with in and out of the Philippines but these human beings have time and again found real persons among themselves and took refuge to conquer their frustrations and alienation from society.
So many film projects are lined-up at Mendoza's negotiation table, not a few of them already have been given green light to commence.
But one of his pet projects is the Sinag Maynila Film Festival, a showroom of independent films that are locally made and qualified but are internationally graded as well.
As a matter of fact, it is his baby.
This year, Dante Mendoza saw to it that the entries to the 8th Sinag Maynila (which ended its showing last March 29, 2026) were of international standards.
He and his business partner, co-founder of Sinag Maynila Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment made sure the films were qualified for international release.
In the duration of the festival, Brillante personally supervised the event.
During the opening day alone, he sat down with the rest of the staff of the fest and welcomed the participants, guests and other very important persons (VIPs) to the event.
Dante even sat at the reception table (usually occupied by the working team like receptionists who enlist names of guests and other menial tasks) and felt just like an ordinary person.
"Dito lang ako (I'm just here)," he chuckled.
"Waiting for moviegoers to catch and watch our films," he said.
There were six official feature films and many short and documentary films made by professionals and students as well.
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