THE Philippines has a lot to celebrate in May. There’s Labor Day, Mother’s Day, back-to-back festivities in different provinces, and of course, the National Heritage Month.

Institutionalized by the virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 439 in 2003, National Heritage Month has been celebrated annually with different themes to highlight the country’s rich culture and history. This year’s NHM theme is “Heritage: Change and Continuity” or “Pamana: Pagpapatuloy at Pagbabago.” 

Various organizations have been joining in on the festivities by offering various activities for Filipinos, and one of them is ​​Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)’s Philippine Film Archive (PFA).

The PFA has invited everyone to join Pamanang Pelikula 2023, where it will exclusively screen six award-winning Filipino films for free from May 26 to May 27.

These will be shown in Cinematheque Centres found in these locations: Ermita, Manila; Solis Sts., Iloilo City; Palma Gil St., Davao City; Nabunturan, Compostella Valley; and Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Here are the films that PFA will screen:

Genghis Khan (May 26 at 2 PM)

Genghis Khan is an internationally acclaimed biopic film released in 1950 that centers on the adolescent years of Temujin before he became known as Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire that he ruled from 1206 to 1227 and expanded to Asia.

The film is directed by National Artist for Film Manuel Conde, who also co-wrote the movie with National Artist for Painting Carlos “Botong” Francisco. Conde also played the role of Genghis Khan.

Conde is also known for his works such as the Juan Tamad series and Ibong Adarna.

Genghis Khan gained international recognition when it was screened at the 1952 Venice Film Festival and competed for the Golden Lion, the highest honor given to a film at the festival. 

Mababangong Bangungot (May 26 at 4 PM)

Mababangong Bangungot, also known as Perfumed Nightmares, is about a jeepney driver named Kidlat from Balian, Laguna who is fascinated by the idea of the American space program and Western society. 

He dreams of leaving his hometown and making it big in the United States. However, Kidlat eventually becomes disillusioned after he moves to Paris where he lives in a 500-year-old tower.

The 1977 film was helmed by National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, who wrote the movie and also played the role of Kidlat.

The filmmaker’s other works includes Sinong Lumikha ng Yoyo? Sinong Lumikha ng Moon Buggy? in 1979, Turumba in 1983, and Bakit Yellow ang Gitna ng Bahaghari? in 1944.

Mababangong Bangungot bagged the 1977 FIPRESCI Award at the Berlinale.

Himala (May 26 at 6 PM)

This 1982 film will never not be mentioned when Filipino film classics are discussed.

Himala highlights the story of Elsa, a young lady from a drought-hit small town named Cupang, who claimed to have seen an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

She becomes a faith healer to local residents, and this gradually causes hysteria as pilgrims begin flocking to her town.

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor top-billed the movie, directed by National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal. Meanwhile, its story and script were written by Ricky Lee, now a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts.

Himala won multiple awards at the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival, namely Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Engineering, and Best Art Direction.

It also won the Bronze Hugo award at the 1983 Chicago International Film Festival.

Kinatay (May 27 at 1 PM)

Kinatay is a 2009 thriller film about a newly-married criminology student named Peping (played by actor Coco Martin) who needs money to support his family.

Peping agrees to become part of an “operation” which he had no idea would involve murdering a woman.

The movie is helmed by award-winning director Brillante Mendoza, who is known for his films Lola, Thy Womb, and Gensan Punch.

Mendoza won the Best Director award for Kinatay at the 2009 Cannes Film festival, making him the first Filipino filmmaker to receive the recognition.

The movie also won the Best Film, Best Director, and Best Sound at the 33rd Gawad Urian in 2010.

Whether the Weather is Fine (May 27 at 3 PM)

Set in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Typhoon Yolanda, in the Philippines, Whether the Weather is Fine revolves around the plight of Miguel (played by actor Daniel Padilla) who is in search of his mother Norma (played by Charo Santos) and his beloved Andrea (played by Rans Rifol).

This 2021 drama film is the feature film directorial debut of Carlo Francisco Manatad. It premiered at the 74th Locarno Film Festival in August 2021, where it won the Cinema e Gioventù Prize.

It was also screened at the Chicago international Film Festival and became an official entry to the 47th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Just last year, Whether the Weather is Fine won Best Feature Film at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Santos also bagged the Best Actress award at the Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards, while the film won Best Production Design at the FAMAS Award and at the Gawad Urian Awards.

Leonor Will Never Die (May 27 at 5 PM)

Leonor Will Never Die visualizes the unfinished screenplay of retired screenwriter Leonor Reyes (played by actress Sheila Francisco), where she finds herself being an action hero. This was after she fell into a coma due to the impact of the television that hit her head.

This 2022 comedy-drama film is the debut feature of director Martika Ramirez Escobar, for which she received the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at the Sundance Film Festival. This makes her the first-ever Filipino director to win an award at the largest independent film festival in the US.

The film also took home awards in different international film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and CAAMFest.