Photo credits to Aga Urbano, The LANCE
The Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2024 took place at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in celebration of Manila City’s Tourism Month last Friday, October 18, 2024, at the SC Auditorium. “Ma’ Rosa” (2016), a film highlighting the story of a mother involved in drug dealing and the crooked justice system in the Philippines, was featured at the event. Its director, Brillante Mendoza, was also present for the open question session.
Colegio is best known for honing the skills of creative individuals who aim to create waves of change in the flawed system and deep-rooted social issues of the country through film and writing. Therefore, hosting this event not only brings unique works of Filipino talent into the spotlight but is also vital for providing important lessons for Letranites as they pursue their paths of purpose, while also opening doors of opportunity for students to glimpse the industry awaiting them.
“I required my students to attend the event for them to see kung ano ba ang mga nangyayari sa society natin through the film of Brilliante Mendoza. Hindi lagi nakakapagpalabas ng gano’n (“Ma’ Rosa”) sa school natin because of the content, but as time goes by kailangan din natin maging open. Kaya I’m happy na mayroong Sinag Maynila na makakapag-showcase nito,” said Instructor Gewerly Bautista, a member of the Institute of Communication faculty.
The behind-the-scenes footage of “Ma’ Rosa” was presented in the first part of the event, offering insights into the elements that brought the film to life. It provided information about Director Mendoza's style of creating films within the realm of alternative cinema.
“Alternative cinema gives you another perspective. You adapt to life itself,” Director Brilliante Mendoza said.
The film, adapted from a true story, was noted at the beginning. It highlighted the fact that the actors underwent immersion to fully understand their roles; they worked without a script, as having one might confine them, aiming instead to capture the truth as closely as possible. Director Mendoza emphasized that he did not want 'acting' in the traditional sense; rather, he wanted the actors to respond naturally in given situations to provide the audience with a clear lens on the reality the film portrays.
Once criticized for not using a tripod to shoot scenes, Director Mendoza clarified that this choice was intentional, aimed at making the audience feel as though they were witnessing events firsthand. Realism was a key element of his cinematography, which included stripping away the 'glamorous' aspects. The same approach applied to production design, where everything served a purpose to deepen character development, including music, mood, and editing.
The screening of “Ma’ Rosa” (2016) followed, keeping the students on the edge of their seats as the film opened their eyes once again to the harsh realities faced by many Filipinos, particularly since the onset of President Duterte’s War on Drugs, during which the film was shot. It ensured that the numerous cases related to drugs were not merely statistics but had a profound impact on the audience, showcasing a real story amid a mountain of deaths and drug-related incidents in the country.
“Ma' Rosa is a film that has been awarded different accolades yet the roots of this film run deep regardless of all its glory. It shows how the palit-ulo scheme is rampant in the country fueled by corruption but within that dark theme of story, we see the glowing role of the family. The film gives us an in depth perspective on the life of individuals who go through the same process of life,” said Christian Lagrimas, a second-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication student.
Director Mendoza's messages and insights flowed as he took the stage at the SC Auditorium, where both faculty and students raised their hands to ask questions. Assistant Professor Manuel Dasig Jr. inquired about the strong leading female characters and the open endings often found in Director Mendoza's films.
“I see our Filipino women as strong; our country as a matriarchal country. Life is not certain, ang ending hindi mo pupwedeng tuldukan,” Director Mendoza replied.
Jehoshieba Santiago, a Letranite, also asked about the ethical dilemma he faced in receiving awards for a film based on a true story, knowing that the people behind the story are often still in poverty, as depicted in “Ma’ Rosa.”
Director Mendoza shared that he has been accused by many of using a tactic known as "poverty porn." Justifying his storytelling approach, he noted that 80% of Filipinos live in poverty, making it an integral part of our reality, which he seeks to portray. With the goal of reaching a wider audience, he released the film abroad—not for self-recognition but to amplify the stories of marginalized individuals.
As the event neared its conclusion, Director Mendoza offered advice to aspiring filmmakers, many of whom were in attendance. He emphasized that truth should be at the core of every creative output.
“Be and stay curious. Learn. Be present and do not worry about the future. Hone your craft, because film is a never-ending learning experience.” he said.
MJ Siguenza, a Letranite freshman, said, “One of the lessons I learned from the seminar is to not lose heart. No matter what negative comments or opinions you hear from others, if they won’t help you grow as a filmmaker, just ignore them.”
This insight came from Director Mendoza's advice regarding critics, which can also be applied in all fields: “Pakinggan lang ang comments ng mga nakakaalam.”
In the creative world of filmmaking, Director Mendoza agreed that no story is original and that what matters most today is how you tell the story. Therefore, screening “Ma’ Rosa” at the Colegio for students to watch and analyze is a great opportunity not only to become socially aware but also to explore what lies behind the mainstream cinema that everyone is accustomed to watching. Alternative media truly creates films through the lens of truth, thereby having a significant impact on its viewers and inspiring them to act for change.