Kuwentong Peyups

By Dennis Gorecho “Makibaka. Huwag matakot!” — a graffiti scene from the musical “Silver Lining Redux” that depicted the long history of student radical activism in the University of the Philippines (UP). Initially staged in 2023, the musical tells the story of three high school friends Leo, Anton and Raul, as they navigate the highs …

By Dennis Gorecho Class action suit as a legal action is often linked with the sinking of M/V Don Juan more than four decades ago, an unfortunate incident that led to the holding of the annual MassKara Festival of Bacolod City every October. The vessel left Manila for Bacolod at 1:00 p.m. on April 22, 1980 …

By Dennis Gorecho Despite the enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) or Republic Act No. 8371 27 years ago, conflicting laws and policies have made the implementation of this law quite challenging. This was the pronouncement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through its Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (ECIP), on …

By Dennis Gorecho “Online violence is real world violence. Social media is a deadly game for power and money. Lies laced with anger and hate spread faster and further than facts on social media.” Thus declared Rappler CEO Maria Ressa during her lecture as Nobel Peace Prize laureate on December 10, 2021 at the Oslo …

By Dennis Gorecho The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 commenced last weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the theme “Stronger, Better, Together.” “The University of the Philippines (UP) opens the Season 87 as host by sending a message to the world that together, we can be stronger and better as …

By Dennis Gorecho “Alipato at Muog,” a film about desaparecidos, was given X rating classification by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) despite the Special Jury Award during this year’s Cinemalaya Independent film festival. “Kaya kami ay nakikiusap, please open your hearts and be the voice of the voiceless. Please stand for what is right and what …

By Dennis Gorecho The Ilonggo film “Tumandok,” the biggest winner in this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, centered on the struggle of the Ati indigenous people to reclaim their ancestral domain in Iloilo. The film received five awards including Best Full-Length Film, Felipe Ganancial as Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Original Music Score, and NETPAC …

  By Dennis Gorecho Cinemalaya this year features two films on indigenous peoples: The Atis of Panay in “Tumandok” and the Kalingas in “The Wedding Dance.” “Tumandok” reveals the struggle of indigenous people to reclaim their ancestral domain along and within the Jalaur and Pan-ay rivers in Central Panay. It features an all-Ati non-professional acting ensemble, …

  By Dennis Gorecho “The Gospel of the Beast” is the opening film of this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. It features Jansen Magpusao, the festival’s second youngest Best Actor. “Gospel of the Beast” is a coming-of-age film about a teenage boy, Mateo, who is ceaselessly searching for his missing father. After accidentally killing …

  By Dennis Gorecho “Loob, Lalim, Lakas” is this year’s theme of the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival that will run from August 2 to 11. Competing in the full-length category are: “Alipato at Muog” by JL Burgos; “An Errand” by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta; “Tumandok” by Arlie Sumagaysay and Richard Salvadico; “Balota” by Kip Oebanda; “Gulay Lang Manong (No More Than Veggies)” by BC …