Cinemalaya Sets Sail At A New Venue

If you're to judge the upcoming Cinemalaya 2025 slate by sheer number of microphones and cameras thrust at celebrities in the media pit, then it was probably Ely Buendia (in a surprise leading role in Jenn Romano's debut feature Padamlagan), and the media frenzy over Janella Salvador and Klea Pineda in the sapphic drama Open Endings, that lit up Shangri-La Plaza's East Atrium, forum for the 21st Cinemalaya launch.

- SCOTT GARCEAU

Buendia was "surprised" that the filmmaker tapped him to star in a historic drama about the collapse of the Colgante Bridge in Naga in 1972, five days before the declaration of martial law. But since he's from Naga City, he called it "a return to my roots."

Open Endings, from Nigel Santos and Keavy Vicente, explores the friendship of four queer women, exes-turned-best friends, with a surprise twist.

Sporting a nautical theme, "Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos" was launched with sizzle reels of the 10 short film and feature film finalists for competition this Oct. 3-12, held for the first time at Shangri-La Plaza, what with the ongoing CCP renovations.