"Cinemalaya" Significant or not?

          Cinemalaya has always been there for the past 7 years and is still continuing to get bigger and bigger as the years goes by.  Cinemalaya is not a trend but a culture and a legacy that came from some of the veteran directors in the industry. As time goes by Cinemalaya is beginning to recognize not only by the people in the field but also ordinary people that wants to be entertained and wants to see something new. Independent films are not there to please the audience but rather offer something that not all people see in typical mainstream films. Its movies are well though off and came from a very deep inspiration on making the film. For the 4 years of participating in Cinemalaya, I observed some of the changes through artist and its story plot.

            For the past years that I’ve been seeing Cinemalaya films I believe that it has change and it will continue to change as the years go by. It is because people are starting to participate, recognize and observed these kinds of films that’s why as the years goes by it will became a big issue on media and in the film industry and what I’m afraid to is that it will eventually became mainstream. Cinemalaya is important because it is an opportunity for the newly breed of directors to shine in their own ways and to showcase what they have in mind through the use of films. This will open doors for the people who are really passionate about making good films. I believe that many people are very interested and have a talent on making good stories by just watching the movies every year. Their concepts are one of a kind and I’m very impressed on how detailed every shots are. It is important because we simply have a lot of stories to tell. The future generation would need to experience appreciating these kinds of films for them to think and broaden their minds. Having Cinemalaya would always be significant in every Filipino people because it’s not just any film it’s our very own. It’s the story of each and every one of us. On the contrary of that, not all people appreciate these kinds of movies. Cinemalaya for others is not significant mainly because it’s just a somewhat conflict on the mainstream films from the director to the actresses. It is not important because for me we can always express ourselves in our own ways even not having Cinemalaya. We are free to do everything we want for the people to know the information you want to address. There are many technologies and social networks that has been discovered for the people to showcase their works. We should not always depend on something just to express what we have in mind. Nevertheless, on my personal opinion Cinemalaya is important and I would always support our very own films by our talented filmmakers.

          The Cinemalaya Congress had opened my perspective to the idea of how independent films and mainstream are different and alike. According to the Congress Doctor Sir Nicanor Tiongson there are three definitions on what is mainstream and indie film. Mainstream usually have big investments, has genres and safe themes and its filmic style is glossy and pleasant. Second is the Indie which usually has a small budget with no genres and it has a daring and novel subject matter. Its filmic style is always in support of the vision. Lastly is the Mandie, it is the indie for mainstream. It has an indie spirit and the mainstream appeal. He also believed that Indie and mainstream must build audiences for the Philippine films through the schools and through media. In summary of this, as I learned from the speakers that independent film and mainstream films are not against each other. Both mainstream and indie are part of the big hole. Mainstream and Indies are allies while the real opponents the “Batman, Spiderman, Transformers, ect.”Filipino filmmakers should still continue making films. Films with responsibility and as well as sustainability with the glorious betterment of the industry.