Films made by Kagay-anons hold strategic importance for Cagayan de Oro City’s promotion and development of its image across the country through Cine de Oro. This significance extends beyond the cultural aspect; it also contributes to establishing the rich tapestry of stories about the culture and history it represents.
For some individuals, it inspires them to create platforms for artistic expression, fostering appreciation and understanding of the local culture that the city of Golden Friendship holds. Such endeavors aim to inspire younger generations of filmmakers to engage with the local culture and history in a meaningful way. Joeromer Bacus shared these sentiments during the ‘Kapihan sa PIA’ while discussing the Cine de Oro Film Festival 2023 on December 12.
Cine de Oro Film Festival in CDO
During the media forum, Orpheus Nery, the festival director for this year’s edition of the Cine de Oro Film Festival (CDOFF), highlighted that in the past, there were no film festivals that were as receptive to alternative films.
“Naa man gud time sa Cagayan before nga naay shortage of film festivals nga mu-cater sa more diverse nga projects like alternative films or katong ginatawag nga experimental films. Wala kaayo siya’y avenue for Kagay-anon filmmakers nga mag-screen sa ilang films [In the past, Cagayan de Oro City lacked film festivals that would specifically cater to diverse projects, including alternative or, in common terms, experimental films. There were no platforms for Kagay-anon filmmakers to showcase such films],” Nery said.
On the other hand, Bacus emphasized that this festival aims to encourage Kagay-anons to explore a wide range of films, going beyond what is available in mainstream movies or television and embracing and appreciating the local cinematic landscape.
“Katung mga gina-ingon nato nga kabalo nata ana unsay mahitabo, mao na siya ang mga salida nga makita nato sa TV. Pero kaning makita nato sa film festivals, I’m sure makutaw imung utok, kay lahi na ang pag buhat sa salida [Films whose conclusions we tend to predict are often those we encounter on television. However, with the films exclusive to film festivals, I am confident that your expectations will be challenged as their approach and form differ from the conventional ones],” Bacus said.
Recognizing past artistry
Rodiell Veloso, the CDOFF writer, said that since then, the CDOFF has taken steps not only for audience development through alternative films but also to attract Kagay-anon artists who have been creating films since the dawn of filmmaking in the Philippines yet have remained unrecognized in their city.
Acknowledging and recognizing the feats and contributions of the past local artists that paved the way for the Kagay-anon filmmakers, the CDOFF committee created the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
With such awards vested in past filmmakers, the CDOFF hopes that previously unrecognized filmmakers will be acknowledged not only locally but also integrated into archives at the national level, such as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Their main objective is to document the history of Philippine cinema through regional and local films.
The Giant Golden Fish
Bacus mentioned during the media forum that the CDOFF movement had attracted local filmmakers and various forms of artists, including local musicians, visual artists, and sculptors such as Jericho Valjusto Vamenta and Michelle Lua. They conceptualized the Giant Golden Fish Award, serving as a trophy like the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and others. This award symbolizes the folklore of the Giant Golden Fish, a recognizable element of Kagay-anon culture.
“Amoa karong na huna-hunaan, Mao ni atong himuon nga simbolo sa atong award. Murag talento sa Cagayan de Oro nga nakatago sa ilalom sa tubig. So atong ipagawas ang mga talento sa Cagayan de Oro, and ang mag-symbolize ana is ang ‘Oro’ (Giant golden fish) [We see this as our symbol of recognition—an embodiment of the brilliant talents from Cagayan de Oro that may be hidden beneath the surface. We aim to encourage these talents to emerge, much like the giant golden fish becoming the emblem of this artistic movement],” he said.
The current challenge faced by local films in Cagayan de Oro is how other agencies can promote local films with the same level of concern given to local products that support micro and small local business owners in sustaining their businesses. Through these promotions, people will be more encouraged to buy local products. Similarly, in the case of local films, people will watch and support them as local consumers.
Bacus emphasized that film is one of the most impactful methods to promote iconic views, historical events, landmarks, the tourism industry, and the culture of our city as Kagay-anons.
He also encourages local business owners to actively participate in and support the films produced by the local filmmakers, as it will not only help boost and encourage more Kagay-anon filmmakers and artists to create excellent films, but it can also help them promote their businesses and products, aiming to engage not only Kagay-anons as local consumers but also audiences across the country.
Additionally, the CDOFF encourages all Filipinos, not just Kagay-anons, to support local films, including independent producers like those taking part in the 2023 Cine de Oro Film Festival as well as films made by established film industry makers. (DCC edited by RTP/PIA-10)
The Giant Golden Fish Trophy represents the mythical creature ‘Oro” as the symbol of the artistic movement in Cagayan de Oro City. (DCC/PIA10)
