Finalist for New Breed Full Length Feature Category
in Cinemalaya 2012 Independent Film Festival and Competition
Synopsis:
This is the story of Lusing, mother to five grown up sons who have distinct characters and professions of their own. Her children would occasionally come by for a visit. Each son comes for a specific purpose with different stories to share. Never has there been a chance that all five siblings came together nor met each other. The only moment they will gather as a family would be when one son is stabbed to death by a drunken loony while on a pilgrimage. Aling Lusing is a representation of the typical Filipina mother of perpetual help – caring and loving to a fault, gentle and generous, passive and pious. In spite of her frailty and her sons’ failures, she remains strong and steadfast, never ceasing to listen to their endless woes as well as wonders. She is always there for them to offer comfort in every crisis.
Filmmakers Profile:
Mes de Guzman has won numerous Don Carlos Palanca awards for his scripts and Grand Prize from the NCCA for his first novel manuscript, “Rancho Dyanggo”. His 35mm short film “Batang Trapo” won the L’Etoile d’Or (Golden Star) Grand Prize for Short Film at the Festival International Du Film de Marrakech in Morocco; it also won Best Short Film at the Urian Awards, First Prize and Best Short Film for Children at the Gawad CCP for Film and Video and the Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema, CineManila International Film Festival. His feature film, “The Road to Kalimugtong” won the Altadis New
Director’s Prize, Special Mention at the 2006 San Sebastian International Film Festival; it also bagged two Best Picture prizes from the Golden Screen Awards and the Festival De Cine De Los Pueblos Del Sur in Venezuela, South America. Recently, his film entry “Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa” to the 2011 Cinemaone Originals bagged the Lino Brocka prize and a Best Director award at the Cinemanila International Film Festival 2011. Mes is an ‘’indie” filmmaker in the true sense, for he writes, directs, designs, edits, and produces his own films.
Major Credits:
Cast: Ama Quiambao as Nanang Lusing, Jose Escobedo as Ronaldo, Roeder Camañag as Alberto, Fredie De La Cruz as Fernando, Arnold Reyes as Ruben, Carlo Aquino as Oscar, Edelyn Escobedo as Ima, Althea Vega as Angela, John Paul Escobedo as Matias and Ronal Caranza as Jamba
Production: Director/Writer-Mes De Guzman, Line Producer-Rhea Operaña-De Guzman
Associate Producer-Gay Ace Domingo
Asst. Director-Ronnie De Acal
Production Design-Cesar Hernando,
Cinematography-Tristan Salas
Sound-Harold Buaron
Editing-Abbas Tabas/Ronnie De Acal
Asst. Editor-Jian Von Esmane
Wardrobe Charmagne Vidallon
2nd Unit Cinematography-Al Ocampo/Vircent Labrador
Gaffer-Randy Macadandang
Stills-Philipe Quintos/Raymond Manglo