‘Tumandok’ wins big in Cinemalaya 2024

DOCU-FICTION film “Tumandok” reigned supreme at the awarding ceremony of the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, bagging five awards including the coveted Best Full-Length Film.

Directed by Iloilo-based filmmakers Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay, “Tumandok” narrates the struggles of a Negrito ethnic group named the Ati in Western Visayas, Philippines, as they fight to reclaim their ancestral lands. They are joined by a 16-year-old daughter of a chieftain.

During the awarding ceremony on Sunday, the docu-fiction film also bagged the Best Screenplay for Full-Length Film, Best Original Music Score, and Best Supporting Actor for Felipe Ganancial.

Additionally, “Tumandok” won the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (NETPAC) Full-Length Feature Award for its “strong inner community voice of loving their land and admirable representation of a strong young woman character who becomes a leader behind the men.”

Speaking with reporters, filmmaker and writer Arden Rod Condez shared that it took them five years of research to produce the multi-awarded movie.

“The filmmakers [Arlie] and Richard, they have been with the community for almost five years, pabalik-balik sila doon. And so, yung research talaga para sa materyal na ‘to, parang 70 percent of the script is research,” said Condez.

“The stories of every character na mino-monologue nila doon, totoong kwento ‘yon. So, napakalaking bagay for me yung research,” he added. “Thank you sa Cinemalaya for appreciating that effort.”

Other winners

Meanwhile, “Kono Basho,” a film about two estranged half-sisters who found solace in shared grief following their father’s death, bagged four awards: Best Actress for Gabby Padilla, Best Director for Full-Length Film for Jaime Pacena II, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design.

Padilla shared the Best Actress award with Marian Rivera, who was recognized for her performance in “Balota.”

Child actor Enzo Osorio won the Best Actor trophy for his performance in “The Hearing,” while Sue Prado took home the Best Supporting Actress for “Kantil.”

“Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” won the Best Short Film and the Best Director for Short Film for Sam Manacsa.

“Primetime Mother” bagged two awards at the event: the Best Screenplay for Short Film and the Audience Choice Award for Short Film.

“An Errand” also won two awards: Best Editing and Best Sound Design. “Gulay Lang, Manong” received the Audience Choice Award for Full-Length Film.

The Special Jury Award for Full-Length Film and the Special Jury Award for Short Film went to “Alipato at Muog” and “Pamalandong Sa Danow,” respectively. “Abogbaybay” got the NETPAC Short Film Award.

The 2024 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival ran from August 2 to 11.