REVIEW: Mindanao - Bigger Battle Than War

There has been countless films about Mindanao and its people, yet Brillante Mendoza wants to share another view of the diverse island which comprises of many cultures, people, and stories. Though there is still the concept of war still happening in some parts of the island, they also incorporated the story told by a mother to her child with a legend of the dragons of Mindanao.

Starring in the film are Judy Ann Santos, Allen Dizon, and Yuna Tangog as the family who is struggling with both war and the illness of thir daughter, Aisa. Originally titled "Maguindanao" it was later changed to Mindanao to reflect  an expanded worldview. Brillante Mendoza also mentioned that this is part of his trilogy about the region, the first one which is also a MMFF entry, Thy Womb featured Nora Aunor and Lovi Poe tells the story about the Bajao people.

The film garnered the most awards at the MMFF 2019 awards night that includes Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress among it's hauls. Judy Ann already had an advanced best actress award before the MMFF at the Cairo International Film Festival, while Brillante also got  an award for the Henry Barakat Award for Artistic Contribution.

Camera Juan: Pelikulang Binuo ng Mamamayan airs Sunday on GMA-7

This Sunday, April 21, GMA News and Public Affairs presents another groundbreaking election project that, unlike most television programs and specials, paints a picture of the Philippines not from the media’s point of view but from that of the ordinary Filipinos’ themselves. Titled Camera Juan, it is an ambitious undertaking that hopes to demonstrate the power of the watchful citizenry.

A collective film woven from various video contributions from ordinary Filipinos, Camera Juan depicts scenes of wrongdoing, social struggles, and even acts of modern-day heroism as witnessed by the citizens in their day-to-day living.