Kuwentong Peyups

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 …

  By Dennis Gorecho The Philippines must pursue a truly independent foreign policy, free from entanglements with any big powers. Coalition activist and Woman Health NGO advocate Princess Nemenzo said foreign bases do not contribute to the Philippines’ security but rather increase the likelihood of involvement in conflicts not of its making. The historical and sociopolitical context of foreign military presence …

  By Dennis Gorecho “Red-tagging” is a threat to life, liberty and security. Thus declared the Supreme Court in the case of Deduro vs. Major General Vinoya (G.R. No. 254753, July 4, 2023) that overturned a lower court’s 2023 decision dismissing a 2020 petition brought by Siegfred Deduro, an activist and former representative of the Bayan Muna party-list. Deduro alleged that …

  By Dennis Gorecho The dinosaur-egg-like “Asin Tibuok” is a rare Filipino artisanal sea salt from my home province Bohol that was featured in an episode of “Replacing Chef Chico” in Netflix. “Replacing Chef Chico” is a series that follows Ella (Alessandra de Rossi), a sous-chef in a Filipino fine dining restaurant who became the head chef when the original head …

  By Dennis Gorecho NEW YORK — A huge Philippine flag, estimated to be 25 feet by 50 feet, was one of the highlights of the parade in celebration of the country’s 126th Independence Day on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Considered as the world’s largest Philippine Independence Day celebration outside Manila, this year’s parade fell on June 2, 2024 (it is traditionally held on the first …