Film goers watching “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” on the second day of the Filipino Film

Caravan in Calgary, 27 September 2024 (Calgary PCG)

30 September 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, in collaboration with

the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) hosted the 2024 Filipino Film

Caravan celebrating the vibrant culture and heritage of the Philippines through cinema.

The special film showcase took place on 20 September and 27 September 2024, at the

Dr. Jose Rizal Hall of the Philippine Consulate General, offering Calgarians an exclusive

opportunity to experience Filipino stories in Canada.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), through its Philippine

Embassies Assistance Program (PEAP), selected four critically acclaimed Filipino films

for the Calgary-leg of the Filipino Film Caravan, which are powerful reflections of Filipino

culture and contemporary issues. In her remarks during the showing of the Film

Caravan, Consul General Emma Sarne mentioned that “the Filipino Film Caravan is

more than just a cinematic experience, but also an immersive cultural journey into the

identity and heritage of the Filipinos.”

Filipino-Canadian Film Director Paolo Oliveros introduces his ‘Hiraya’ short documentary film series.

(Calgary PCG)

FDCP Chairperson & CEO Jose Javier Reyes, in a recorded message, expressed

thanks to the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary for holding this Filipino Film

Caravan and providing the platform for Canadians and Filipinos alike to see the wealth

of Philippine Cinema. Dir. Reyes expressed hope that Filipino films will have plentiful

opportunities to be shown in Canada as this kind of cultural exchange is inevitable and

necessary in a country with a sizable Filipino diaspora.

The films that were shown during the two day Film Caravan were the following:

“Halawod” which portrays the struggle of a local community against the pressures of

modernization, resonating with themes of identity and resilience. "Kanana Kanu" a story

that weaves together two parallel stories of the Kalinga people, bridging past and

present with profound storytelling. “Finding Angelina” a story of an elderly man’s craving

for sisig which leads his family on a quest to look for an elusive restaurant that serves

that wonderful Kapampangan dish, and, “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” which

unravels the multiple layers of the almost mythological figure-living legend, Whang Od,

who has been called the ‘Last Tattoo Artist of Kalinga.’

The Filipino FIlm Caravan also presented two locally-produced short documentaries

from the "Hiraya” TV series produced and directed by Filipino-Canadian directors Paolo

Olivarez and Jomarie Anza. The episodes “Nina” and “Harvey” highlighted the struggles

of two Filipino-Canadian artists - singer/songwriter Nina Arny, and visual artist Harvey

Nichol - as they navigate their path towards fulfilling their dreams in Canada.

Attendees of the two - day Film Caravan, who were mostly young Filipino-Canadians,

were treated to popcorn and light snacks as they learned more about their heritage and

their diverse and layered stories as Filipinos living in Canada.

Consul General Emma R. Sarne (center) with Filipino-Canadian director Paolo Olivers, officers of the

Philippine Consulate General in Calgary and the audience during the second day of the Filipino Film

Caravan on 27 September 2024. (photo by Paolo Oliveros)

The Filipino Film Caravan in Calgary was held in conjunction with the Filipino Film

Industry Month which ran from 01 to 27 September 2024, and is part of the common

cultural calendar of the Philippine Posts in Canada. The films were specially curated to

highlight the ongoing celebration of 75 years of Philippines - Canada bilateral relations.