'Be brave': 'Filipiñana' producer addresses criticism of PH Oscar entry
MANILA, Philippines — Faith in bringing "Filipiñana" to Filipino audiences paid off, said one of the film's producers, amid criticism by viewers for its "different" take on the medium.
Rafael Manuel's debut feature based on his award-winning short film of the same name was recently selected as the Philippine entry to the 2027 Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category.
The movie follows Isabel (Jorrybel Agoto) who is a new tee girl at the country club owned by Terry Guzman’s Dr. Palanca, whom she finds strangely drawn to. Set over the course of a single day, Isabel slowly unearths a shared history between them from what was supposed to be just an initial curiosity.
Elsewhere in the country club, member Renato (Carlos Siguion-Reyna) is trying to convince his niece Clara (Carmen Castellanos) over a long game of golf to stay in the Philippines and play a major role in the family business.
The original "Filipiñana" was Manuel's London Film School thesis, later winning the Silver Bear for Best Short Film at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival.
Its feature counterpart premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year where it won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision, made its European premiere in Berlin, and returned home last month to the Philippines for its Asian premiere as the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival closing film.
A week after Cinemalaya it began screening globally to the public, earning praise for its stunning cinematography and clever take on class divide but earning criticism for its slow pacing and divisive ending.
Bianca Balbuena, one of the film's producers, spoke to members of the media including Philstar.com last September 13 after "Filipiñana" was announced by the Film Academy of the Philippines as the country's Oscar submission.
She acknowledged the comments the movie received, even recalling a joke she read that went "Kahit ang 'Filipiñana' on Filipino time din," alluding to the cultural habit that Filipinos don't follow schedules.
"Parang siguro Filipino audience, or even cinephiles, we don't get a lot of access to world cinema or the different kinds of cinema," Balbuena posited. "Mahirap mag-accept ng formalist filming na hindi narrative."
The producer reiterated what Manuel had said during the film's Philippine premiere that he didn't approach the story according to the script he wrote, rather as a piece of music through verses and a chorus.
Even her and fellow producers knew "Filipiñana" would be hard pill to swallow and accept after watching the first cut of the film.
"But... when we thought about it, we want the world to see different kinds of Philippine cinema. Sabi namin 'This is it, let's just be brave, be brave,' tapos nag-pay off naman siya," Balbuena added.
She also quoted some New York-based outlets' reviews of the film and how 'it opens [the] vistas of Philippine cinema, [a] new voice, new ways of storytelling.
As the Philippine entry, "Filipiñana" will receive funding from the government via the Film Academy's Pinoy Oscars Pursuit program.
The agency had previously said it would give support to any Filipino projects eyeing other Oscar categories, including documentaries and short films, in their For Your Consideration promotions across various industry-led honors.
As a result, the Philippines will also back Carl Joseph Papa's animated Maguindanao massacre docu-drama "58th" and Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Romero's "Agapito" in their Best Documentary and Best Live Action Short campaigns.
Given the praise "Filipiñana" received for its cinematography and production design, Philstar.com asked Balbuena if the movie would campaign for recognition in those categories as well.
The producer began by stating she gave the Film Academy a long strategy letter for the film not just to campaign for the Oscars but for other prestigious ceremonies as well like the BAFTAs, Gotham, and Indie Spirit.
She admitted that it would be a steep hill to climb to be nominated and if the film was not chosen as the Philippine entry, it would have campaigned heavily for its cinematography, given that aspect received praise in the United States.
Balbuena did point out that, however, all the department heads in "Filipiñana" were Filipino except for cinematography and production design, so it might appear unfortunate if the film only lobbied for recognition in those categories.
"Filipiñana" was shot by Xenia Patricia, who also did the cinematography for the original short film, while Tatjana Honegger led the movie's production design. Both were born in Switzerland but are based internationally.
Philstar.com also asked the Film Academy's director-general Paolo Villaluna if the agency would indeed back the Philippine entry in other categories outside of International Feature.
"Kung ano yung request ng production at kung ano yung kaya ng gobyerno, pag-aaralan natin," Villauna responded. "Our commitment is to support Filipino films, especially the ones selected by the selection committee."
In the entire history of the Academy Awards, no film from the Philippines has been nominated or even made the shortlist for the International Feature Film category.
Past Philippine submissions were “Decade ’70,” “Anak,” “Heneral Luna,” “And Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” “Birdshot,” “On the Job: The Missing 8,” and last year’s “Magellan,” which arguably came the closest to making the first cut.
Another Tagalog-language film is vying for Oscars contention this year as Australia submitted the Philippines-set "First Light" starring Ruby Ruiz as its official entry.
abtest 2 days ago Lav Diaz surprise film wins at Venice Film Festival By Kristofer Purnell | 2 days ago It's another win in Venice for Lav Diaz. Movies 2 days ago Maguindanao Massacre film '58th' cleared by MTRCB for limited wide release By Kristofer Purnell | 2 days ago Sharngri-La Plaza will screen "58th" to the general public from September 16 to 22. Movies 3 days ago Gary Oldman hopes Jack Lowden is the new James Bond By Paula Ramon | 3 days ago Gary Oldman caused a stir over the weekend when he appeared to suggest that Jack Lowden had it in the bag. Movies 3 days ago James McAvoy brings new film 'Faith' to Toronto fest 3 days ago James McAvoy said "Faith" examined how carrying on in the face of immense challenges offers a real test of a person's... Movies 3 days ago Liza Soberano, H.E.R. explore Manila in 'BRB' music video By Kristofer Purnell | 3 days ago The music video for "BRB" sees the two artists going around Metro Manila in jeepneys and tricycles experiencing... Movies Recommended Expose ni Sara September 14, 2026 - 12:00am Si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte usa sa labing unang nibisto sa budget scandal sa administrasyon ni Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Isip education secretary sugod sa Hulyo 2022 hangtod sa Hulyo 2024, nakabantay siya...r MoviesSARA DUTERTE Mura'g discount sa Temu September 13, 2026 - 12:00am Dili na motahan sa iyang boto si Senator-Judge Francis Escudero ini'g desider unya sa mga senator-judges kon sustenihan ba o dili ang 16 ka boto nga threshold aron pagkonbikto ni Bise Presidente Sara Dutert...r MoviesSARA DUTERTE Davide usa sa motambag sa impeachment court September 12, 2026 - 12:00am Ang Sugbuanong si retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. maoy usa sa tulo ka mga kanhi chief justices ug usa ka retiradong associate justice nga motambag sa Senate impeachment court sa sunod semana kabahin impeachment...r MoviesHILARIO DAVIDE JR. Paglili sa bilyones September 12, 2026 - 12:00am Pila ka adlaw sa dili pa mosugod pagpresentar og mga ebidensiya aron pagmatuod sa pasangil sa ilegal nga katigayonan ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagpadayon sa impeachment trial karong Lunes, gipalili na sa...r MoviesSARA DUTERTE Supina ni Sara September 10, 2026 - 12:00am Mas lig-on ang mga sukaranan sa defense team ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagsupak sa mosyon nga ipasaka sa prosekusyon nga moawhag sa Senate impeachment court sa pag-supina niya aron maoy mangunay sa pagtubag...r MoviesSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Expose ni Sara Si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte usa sa labing unang nibisto sa budget scandal sa administrasyon ni Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Isip education secretary sugod sa Hulyo 2022 hangtod sa Hulyo 2024, nakabantay siya og mga timaan sa maniobra: 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Mura'g discount sa Temu Dili na motahan sa iyang boto si Senator-Judge Francis Escudero ini'g desider unya sa mga senator-judges kon sustenihan ba o dili ang 16 ka boto nga threshold aron pagkonbikto ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte. 2 days ago SARA DUTERTE Davide usa sa motambag sa impeachment court Ang Sugbuanong si retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. maoy usa sa tulo ka mga kanhi chief justices ug usa ka retiradong associate justice nga motambag sa Senate impeachment court sa sunod semana kabahin impeachment batok kang Vice President Sara Duterte. 3 days ago HILARIO DAVIDE JR. Paglili sa bilyones Pila ka adlaw sa dili pa mosugod pagpresentar og mga ebidensiya aron pagmatuod sa pasangil sa ilegal nga katigayonan ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagpadayon sa impeachment trial karong Lunes, gipalili na sa House panel of prosecutors ang publiko sa iyang bank accounts: 3 days ago SARA DUTERTE Supina ni Sara Mas lig-on ang mga sukaranan sa defense team ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pagsupak sa mosyon nga ipasaka sa prosekusyon nga moawhag sa Senate impeachment court sa pag-supina niya aron maoy mangunay sa pagtubag sa mga pasangil: 5 days ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
