Docuseries 'Habambuhay' looks back at the Philippine Cinema industry for the past 100 years
Philippine cinema industry has a rich history that is unknown to many. And, 100 years later, it is surviving and continuing to grow.
To commemorate the centennial year of Philippine Cinema, TBA Studios (Heneral Luna, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral) collaborated with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to encapsulate the first 100 years of Philippine Cinema through Habambuhay—a documentary series that will show various interviews and dialogues from significant characters in our local film history, film footage, and other images to provide a look back at the industry over the years, at the same time, shape the movie culture we have today.
In this documentary—led by award-winning screenwriter and director Doy Del Mundo—highly-acclaimed directors, veteran screenwriters, and some of the industry's largest producers and production house founders will discuss the golden age of filmmaking as well as the challenges it has encountered.
Divided into two episodes, Sandaan (100), Sangandaan (Crossroads) / Philippine Cinema at the Crossroads, will be the first episode that focuses on filmmaker Jose Nepomuceno's zarzuela film Dalagang Bukid, which was the first full-length film made in the Philippines in 1919.
Likewise, an introduction to the history of Philippine cinema will be presented from the pioneering reels of the 1920s to the 1940s, to great directors' masterworks of the 1950s and 1960s by Gerry De Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Manuel Solis, to some of breakthrough films of Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal from the 1970s and 1980s, and the rise of the new era including of Brillante Mendoza and Lav Diaz.
Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, who have made a significant contribution to Philippine cinema not only through the films they acted in but also through their well-known family of performers, are chronicled in the second episode, Showbiz Clan: The Eigenmann Legacy. Their children, Mark, Michael, and Cherie, who have all worked with some of the industry's best filmmakers have carried their heritage as many perceived them as among the most awarded and highly regarded thespians.
Habambuhay will also star some of the brightest talents in the local cinema business who build foundations in the industry including Philippine Cinema Superstar and People’s National Artist, Nora Aunor and 2001 FAMAS Best Actress Gloria Romero as well as pillars like Charo Santos-Concio and Luis Nepomuceno, among others.
Habambuhay: Remembering the Philippine Cinema will be available online on Jan. 28 at 8 pm via TBA Studios official YouTube account.
Watch the trailer below: