MANILA, Philippines—In celebration of National Arts Month and Love Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines is hosting three film events in February: Cine Icons, Cinema Under the Stars, and the CCP Arthouse Cinema.

CINE ICONS, is a new program by the CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division highlighting the cinematic masterpieces of film masters, including the National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast.  On its soft launch, Cine Icons will feature National Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s Brutal, written by another National Artist, Ricky Lee.  Brutal is about a woman who after killing her husband and his friends goes into post-traumatic shock and withdraws from any form of communication.  A feminist journalist becomes interested in the case and resolves to unravel the truth behind the murders.

Another film to screen alongside the film classic is a Gawad Alternatibo 2022 winner entitled, Lingkis by Yvonne Elizabeth Salazar and Isabel Margarita Valenzuela. The film mixes mythology, animation, and documentary to tell the story of a country plunged into darkness by repressive regimes visually depicted by a mythological serpent.

The Cine Icons soft launch screening was held recently at the PUP Theater, located inside the PUP Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, followed by a talkback by National Artist Ricky Lee. 

The event is made possible in partnership with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

If you missed the Cine Icons last weekend, you can still enjoy CCP’s Cinema Under the Stars (CUTS) for its first screening, featuring Real Florido’s Ist Ko Si Third on February 24, 5:00PM, at the CCP Annex Parking area.

A 2014 Cinemalaya Finalist under the New Breed Category, 1st Ko Si Third rediscovers the joy and pain of first love through the story of a 65-year-old retiree Cory who bumps into her first love named Third. When their first date is about to happen, Cory brings with her a handful of love letters she never gave to Third.  She is now ready to give them to her first love.  Will she discover that first love truly never dies?

The CCP Arthouse Cinema: Of Love and Revolutions presents the screening of Lingkis on February 24, 1-4pm, via Zoom.  This online screening is specifically offered primarily for students and educators who continue conducting online courses.

All screenings are free to the public, on a first-come-first-served basis.  For more information, call the CCP FBNM Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1705 or follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.