#CulturePH - CCP Brings Cinemalaya Films to Women Deprived of Liberty in Visayas

In celebration of National Women’s Month 2025, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is proud to present Lakbay Sine Para sa mga Inday, a special online screening of award-winning Cinemalaya films for Women Deprived of Liberty (WDL) in three jails in Iloilo City, Pototan-Iloilo, and Bacolod City every Sunday and Monday of March.

This initiative aims to bring stories inside the prison walls, shedding light on the lived experiences of incarcerated women. Through a series of online film screenings and talkbacks, over 500 detainees in three jails - Iloilo City District Jail Female Dormitory (ICDJFD), Iloilo District Jail Female Dormitory (IDJFD) Pototan Iloilo, and Metro Bacolod District Jail Female Dormitory (MBDJFD) - will be involved. This cultural caregiving initiative addresses the needs of some of the most underserved women artists behind bars, who often remain invisible, voiceless, powerless, and marginalized.

Films to be Screened

The program features Cinemalaya films by women, about women, and for women:

• Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco
• Mayohan by Dan Villegas and Paul Sta. Ana
• Balota by Kip Oebanda
• The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo
• Pan de Salawal by Che Espiritu
• Utwas and Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico
• Primetime Mother by Sonny Calvento

Screening Schedule

• Iloilo: March 9, 16, 23, and 30 (Sundays, 9-11 a.m.)
• Pototan and Bacolod: March 10, 17, 24, and 31 (Mondays, 2-4 p.m.)

Highlights of the Films

Sanglaan explores simple relationships and events in a mundane institution through various characters. This light, funny, poignant, and very Pinoy story about hope and redemption won multiple awards at the 2009 Cinemalaya and the Vesoul Asian Film Festival.

Mayohan follows the story of a young man and a provincial lass entangled in an unlikely partnership in Infanta, Quezon. The film bagged several awards at the 2010 Cinemalaya.

Balota depicts a teacher's struggle to defend the democratic process of the election, earning accolades for Marian Rivera’s performance at the 2024 Cinemalaya and other awards.

The Baseball Player centers on a Moro child soldier dreaming of becoming a baseball player amidst war. The film won multiple awards at the 2022 Cinemalaya.

Pan de Salawal tells the story of a girl with a miraculous gift who heals by inflicting pain. The film won several awards at the 2018 Cinemalaya.

Utwas is a short film about a boy's deeper connection with the ocean, winning awards at the 2019 Cinemalaya and the Western Visayas Film Festival.

Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras portrays children teaching their parents for an exam, winning Best Short Film at the 2022 Cinemalaya.

Primetime Mother is a comedy-drama about a TV game show’s audition process, winning awards at the 2024 Cinemalaya.

The Power of Cinema

At the heart of this initiative is the understanding of fundamental human psychological needs, particularly in vulnerable situations. The arts provide a crucial outlet for self-expression, transcendence, and beauty, fostering faith and hope even in dire circumstances.

The special screening project is organized through the Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division and the Cultural Exchange Department, in partnership with Super Inday Prison Art Project, a CCP Kalinga ng Sining grantee.

The CCP Lakbay Sine program brings Filipino filmmakers' works to different regions, partner communities, organizations, and campuses, encouraging film appreciation among the youth and the general public.

Through the power of cinema and storytelling, expressive arts emerge as a profound healing force for the self and the collective. The CCP continues to provide a platform for women’s narratives, recognizing the importance of representation in its programs, festivals, shows, and projects.

To get the latest updates on upcoming screenings from the CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division (CCP-FBNMD), follow the official CCP and CCP-FBNM social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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