Mana, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (DLS-CSB) Silver Jubilee film production, earned critical acclaim and was hailed as a “film with amazing grace and old-world charm” after the private screening last April 19 and October 5 in the SDA cinema.
Starred by critically acclaimed actors including Cherie Gil, Jaime Fabregas, Ricky Davao, Tetchie Agbayani, Mark Gil, Epy Quizon, and Fides Cuyugan-Asenso, the film, set in the province of Negros, revolves around the struggle of the Villareal siblings as they make the crucial decision of who should receive their mother’s inheritance. With the Villareals depicted as an influential family in the province, the film also showed tradition and ancestry rooted in the ruling class. Their family was both loved and hated by their constituents.
“The movie is a political-suspense-thriller. It can be looked at as a handle in which portrays inheritance of power,” shared Center for Linkages and Advancement Director Cesar de Larrazabal, who also played a minor role in the film. “It was presented very creatively which is just down the line of what Benilde is all about.”
The film was written and directed by the College’s Production Design Chairperson, Mr. Gabriel ‘Gabby’ Fernandez, who started out as an acting coach in the TV network ABS-CBN and later on decided to enter the institution. He is also the 2009-2010 Festival Director of Cinema Rehiyon—the first ever festival that focused mainly on Philippine regional cinema. He co-directed films like The Magic Kingdom and Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero, and directed his first film entitled Nasaan si Francis?
From the plot twists turned to the choices of musical scores and dialogues, Mr. Fernandez shared that he knew exactly who to get regarding the cast and crew, “My special effects are my actors,” he said.
“I told them if we’re going to do a religious film, no one’s going to watch it,” shared Mr. Fernandez. “They wanted to make a film industry statement, so I told them to trust me with the concept.”
“Having hands-on apprenticeship experience with industry professionals who are considered at the top of their field, [the film] provided our students with an opportunity to apply the theories learned inside the classroom,” shared Mr. Robert Tang, Vice Chancellor for Academics, on the Benildean community’s private screening of Mana at the SDA Theater last April. “This is also an opportunity for the students to have a realistic job preview of their chosen specialization.”
The film has also caught attention of outside viewers. “With Mana, [DLS-CSB] has something to be proud of on its 25th anniversary. No doubt about it, Mana is indie film at its best,” wrote Pablo Tariman, an Inquirer Lifestyle writer, in his article “Film with amazing grace and old-world charm”.
The film was shown to the public in cinema 4 of the SM Mall of Asia on October 20, 2013, and was shown on October 21, 22, and 26 at the SDA theatre for the Benildean community’s viewing.
