Kapwa, a Filipino term that means "togetherness" or "neighbor", is a recognition of a shared identity; an inner self that is shared with others. WHO WE BECOME is a story of kapwa and follows three Filipino women each coming into their political consciousness and discovering themselves during a pivotal moment in their lives.
A guilt-ridden and disheveled taxi driver named Limuel Alcantara picks up a mild-mannered businessman named Emmanuel Lazaro as his last passenger for the night. Limuel's conspiracy to bring Emmanuel to the hideout of robbery gang leader Diego Gawaran takes a wrong turn. Their journey together from Manila to the foothills of Antipolo becomes a tension-filled and claustrophobic experience. The only way out of this seemingly eternal ride is to face their damnation.
Heneral Rizal uncovers the story of Paciano Rizal, usually regarded as the ever-supportive elder brother of the Filipino National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Unknown to many, Paciano was a proficient general who fought the colonizers, together with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. He was instrumental in liberating Calamba during the Philippine Revolution.
A young soldier comes home after a siege and faces a different war.
Natoy, like any other child, finds joy and excitement in the simplest of things, especially in eating halo-halo filled with pink gelatin and red sago. Things change suddenly when, as he is watching television, a news report about the ongoing war in Mindanao shows footage of a badly wounded soldier waiting to be rescued. That soldier, almost bleeding to death, is his father, Corporal Lino Bolante. This starts his journey as he and his mother Sonia wait for help that comes too late. This story does not only show how the war in Mindanao robs a child of his innocence, but also shows the shadows of war that Filipino homes confront everyday.
On a commuter's trip from Manila's business district to the suburbs, the director finds a myriad of possibilities, ranging from miniature ironic situations to a love story that is finally finding its unexpected closing.
Beneath Hong Kong's glittering facade, Filipina domestic helpers work in relative anonymity and for near-slave wages. In a beauty pageant like no other, five helpers give themselves makeovers for a day and gleefully reclaim their dignity.
Jazz in Love tells the story of Jazz, a young man from Davao whose dream wedding is within reach: his boyfriend of 11 months has proposed. Because no law allows him to get married in the Philippines, he must fly to Germany, his boyfriend's home country, and tie the knot there. One of the things that stand in his way is his inability to speak Deutsch, and to address that he must temporarily relocate to Manila for language lessons. Meanwhile, his parents remain completely unaware of the radical changes that his life is about to undergo.
Alfad, a Lumad whose soul returns to his homeland to settle unfinished businesses and to finally rest. It is based on the Lumad’s belief that when a person dies his soul goes back to his homeland.
A thriller about a never-ending war, a town ravaged by a devastating storm, and the woman caught in between.
Siyanan looks into the disappearing traditions among the indigenous peoples of Bontoc, Mountain Province. Told through a manifold narration that weaves the autobiographical with the mythological, Siyanan takes up where the sons of Lumawig, the supreme deity of Bontoc-Igorots, left off in the quest for finding their father/cultural hero.
It chronicles the life of a young football athlete who dreams to represent the country for the most coveted World Cup. After an embarrassing 13-1 loss against Indonesia, the Philippine football community dares to cut the curse of a humiliating history by forming a super team. But while the boys are giving their all, the country’s lack of funds is a top challenge.
Angeli Salazar is on death row for murder. Twenty five years in prison and fearful of the reinstatement of the death penalty, she finds solace and freedom in the art of dance.
