Who says the celebration of love is over?
Filipinos can continue to feel the giddiness of love and bask in the romance by watching selected Pinoy romantic movies for free this February.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is inviting cinephiles to watch classic and contemporary local films this month of love at Ayala Malls Trinoma, The Metropolitan Theater (MET) and FDCP Cinematheque Centres.
The initiative, called “Sine Sinta,” aims to showcase the best of Philippine romantic films by making them available to the general public for free.
Its goal is to encourage audiences to enjoy the communal experience of watching timeless Filipino films on the big screen.
“Sine Sinta” has already shown two popular movies at the theaters — a special screening of “One More Chance” last February 16 and “Kita Kita” last February 18.
Here are more films that Pinoys can watch until February 23:
Giliw Ko
Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa and produced by LVN Pictures, the musical romance film “Giliw Ko” tells the tale of a country girl named Guia who is captivated by Hollywood and the attention of a wealthy suitor named Antonio.
This film is also included in the program “Classic Saturdays,” held every third Saturday of the month at Cinematheque Centres.
Radio Romance
Top-billed by the famous ’90s love team Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan, Jose Javier Reyes’ “Radio Romance” tells the story of a disc jockey who receives a love letter from one of her listeners, professing his desire to meet her in person.
Hey Babe!
Directed by Joyce Bernal, “Hey Babe!” follows a superstitious teenager who thinks she has found the man of her dreams after receiving advice from a sketchy fortune teller.
One More Chance
Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s box-office hit “One More Chance” revolves around a long-time couple who seem destined for each other, but frictions and differing ambitions break them apart.
Never Not Love You
A film by Antoinette Jadaone, “Never Not Love You” tells the story of young lovers who try to build a life together until career opportunities send them to a different country, where their relationship will be tested.
That Thing Called Tadhana
Also by Jadaone, her critically acclaimed film “That Thing Called Tadhana” revolves around two strangers who form an unexpected friendship that takes them out of a crowded airport and into the secluded city of Sagada, where they try to mend each other’s hearts.
Love You to the Stars and Back
Similarly directed by Jadaone, “Love You to the Stars and Back” tells the story of a young eccentric woman who bonds with a terminally ill man while on the road.
Isa Pa, With Feelings
Prime Cruz’s “Isa Pa, With Feelings” is about a frustrated architect who finds solace from her deaf neighbor, but their relationship gets complicated as miscommunication kicks in.
I’m Drunk, I Love You
Directed by JP Habac, “I’m Drunk, I Love You” tells the story of two college best friends who go on a last road trip where they settle how they really feel for each other.
The first five films can be watched at the FDCP Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Nabunturan and Negros from February 20 to 23.
Meanwhile, “That Thing Called Tadhana” and the rest of the films after it can be viewed at the Cinematheque Centre Manila on the same dates.
Other romance films can be accessed through JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel by February 23.
These movies range from classics that made a lasting impact on Philippine cinema, to contemporary films that capture the complexities of romance in the present milieu.
These are Ishmael Bernal’s “Ikaw Ay Akin,” Butch Perez’s “Haplos,” Carlos Siguion Reyna’s “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit,” “Olivia Lamasan’s “Got 2 Believe,” Dan Villegas’ “Changing Partners” and “Dwein Baltazar’s “Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus.”
The mentioned films will be available on JuanFlix via subscription, which starts at P99 per month or P499 per year.
There are also the “Sine Sinta Shorts” which feature short romance films, namely:
- Living Things (Martika Escobar)
- Pusong Bato (Martika Escobar)
- Hiraya (Kaloy Cabarrubias)
- If I Could Give You the Moon (Francis Tavas)
- Within Frames: Us in Different Worlds (Jasper Tan)
- Please, Remember This Night (Joshua de Vera)
- Two-Part Ways (Aldrin de la Paz)
- Love in the Ungodly Hour (Bradley Jason Pantajo)
The short films can be watched at the FDCP Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Nabunturan and Negros from February 20 to 23.
