There is something undeniably powerful about seeing yourself reflected on the big screen. While Filipino cinema has long captured the many facets of everyday life, it is our country’s queer cinema that has demanded diversity and visibility for a community that yearns for its stories to be heard, seen, and understood.
To cap off this year’s Pride Month, Ayala Malls Cinemas presents Reel Pride, a program showcasing four Filipino queer cinema classics across multiple branches within Manila. From June 25 to July 1, films under Reel Pride will be screened at Ayala Malls Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, Market Market, and Manila Bay cinemas.
Among the standout films of Reel Pride’s lineup is Pusong Mamon, the 1998 queer comedy directed by Joel Lamangan and Eric Quizon, with a screenplay by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee. The film centers around Annie (Lorna Tolentino), who drunkenly seduces her gay co-worker Ron (Albert Martinez). After learning she’s pregnant, Annie moves in with Ron and his partner Nick (Quizon). The trio navigate their unconventional living situation, balancing challenges and shifting relationships along the way.
Macho Dancer, the 1988 drama directed by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Lino Brocka, is also returning to cinemas thanks to Reel Pride. When his American lover leaves him, Pol (Alan Paule) enters the world of male stripping to support his family. Pol must learn to survive Manila’s brutal red-light district, forming bonds with fellow “macho dancer” Noel (Daniel Fernando) and call girl Bambi (Jaclyn Jose) along the way. Fernando won the 1989 Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor for his performance in Macho Dancer, while Jose took home the Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Another Reel Pride feature is Mahal Kita, Beksman, directed in 2022 by Perci Intalan. Dali (Christian Bables), a very flamboyant man, shocks his very gay family by coming out as straight when he falls in love with a woman named Angel (Iana Bernardez). Written by Fatrick Tabada, known for writing irreverent comedies such as Patay na si Jesus and his solo directorial film Flower Girl, the film blends humor and heart in its exploration of changing identities.
Two and One by Ivan Andrew Payawal, the final film in the lineup, is a 2022 romantic drama that follows boyfriends, Tino (Miggy Jimenez) and Chan (Paolo Pangilinan), as they realize they aren’t sexually compatible with one another. They bring in Joaquin (Cedrick Juan) as the third in their relationship, but betrayal and jealousy quickly sneak in. Two and One dives into themes of love, insecurity, and desire.
