SYNOPSIS: The Slums is a mockumentary that follows a documentary team as they terrorize a poor family living in the urban slums of Manila. The film features the colourful lives of the Reyes family: Nayda, the family’s loving mother with body image issues; Julio, the hardworking but not very bright father; Oliver, the fabulous son who wants to be a supermodel; Boy, the youngest and naughtiest child; and Pam, the feisty eldest child of the family. The family TV is broken and as they struggle to fix it, they grow increasingly annoyed as the documentary team becomes more involved in their daily lives.

Quing Lalam Ning Aldo is a Kapampangan phrase which means under the sun. When I saw this short film, it easily became my favourite. Why? Because this film is full of love that radiates through the screen. Quing Lalam Ning Aldo (Under The Sun) By Reeden Fajardo Short Feature Category SYNOPSIS: Upon learning that their son is coming home after 15 years, Budang and Georgia, transgender farmers from Pampanga, decided to surprise Janjan by renovating their neglected kitchen and gather ingredients so they can cook their favourite dish “con saleng manuk” but things will not work as planned.

Presented in black and white, the next film that caught my eye is “Pabasa Kan Pasyon” or in English, Chanting the Passion by Hubert Tibi. Here a Bicolano family turns to religion to make both ends meet. Pabasa Kan Pasyon (Chanting the Passion) By Hubert Tibi Short Feature Category SYNOPSIS: Religion and economy take centre stage in a Bicolano family’s story, set during the Lenten season. To make ends meet, one of them turns to religion and pushes his mother to make a living off her faith.