FILMS use animals as mirrors of human society.
Fixed attributes are often assigned to animals to critique human behavior, reinforce cultural norms, and expose class or political hierarchies.
By watching creatures on screen, audiences can safely explore complex issues such as political power, moral values, bias, and social roles.
The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival has served as a platform for films that use animals as metaphors for social issues.
“A.ni.mál” by Dustin Celestino is a black comedy and social satire that follows a provincial mayor’s family as it deals with a compromising video involving the governor.
Lily (Maxine Ignacio), the mayor’s daughter, brings home a video showing their longtime political ally, the governor (Reymund Domingo), abusing a dog. The discovery sparks a tense domestic dispute and a political damage-control effort within the mayor’s family ahead of an election.
The mayor (Jojit Lorenzo) wants to suppress the scandal to protect his political alliance. His wife, Ofel (Frances Makil-Ignacio), however, sees an opportunity to use the information against the governor’s household, particularly his wife (Bituin Escalante), who is running for governor. Lily, meanwhile, threatens to leak the footage unless the governor gives the dog to her.
The film shows how right and wrong become negotiable once “pakikisama,” “utang na loob,” money, elections, family loyalty, or plain self-preservation enters the equation.
My classmate from the UP College of Law, Atty. Annee Buen, aptly said in her Facebook post: “It takes a sharp, uncompromising blade to the modern political circus. The film serves as a darkly hilarious mirror to our reality: endless political dynasties, unearned influence from nepo babies, and the eye-watering scale of corruption.”
She added: “At its core, the film thrives on a striking, heartbreaking backdrop contrast: the dark, self-serving world of corrupt political dynasties set against the pure, innocent world of animal rescue. It draws a sobering parallel to show how the innocent victims of abuse — in whatever form it takes — are animals and humans alike, both left to pay the price for systemic greed, neglect and egotism.”
“Ganggang” by JL Burgos tells the story of children in a rural community living under the looming threat of anti-insurgency operations by the military.
Three boys — Mel (Raine Dela Cruz), Ilay (Kenneth Vincent Mendoza), and Ten-ten (Don Richmond Cerbito) — form an unlikely bond as they search for the best fighting spider to take on the spider of school bully Anton (Prince España). Their quest, however, eventually puts their friendship to the test.
Burgos said the film not only seeks to show the intricate web of human rights violations in the Philippines but also aims to bring these issues into broader public discourse.
“Basic human rights are often swept under the mantle of economic growth. Those who speak and protest are silenced or forced to obey. The implementers are given too much power to suppress and enforce obedience to ensure economic progress,” Burgos said.
He stressed: “A nation with no respect for human rights is a nation without a spine. Its progress is forever delayed. A nation can only achieve genuine peace and economic growth when the basic rights of its people are established, recognized, and protected.”
“Tirik” by May-i Guia Padilla features scenes involving the burial of a dog, which eventually leads to the unexpected discovery of a human hand, perhaps belonging to a victim of the drug war in Manila.
A routine funeral visit turns into a dangerous, day-long journey as priest Paring Bert (Rocco Nacino) and taxi driver Santos Mira (Floyd Tena) try to survive an assassination attempt while confronting profound moral questions.
As the two men traverse urban chaos and rural silence, they confront the fragile lines between sin and salvation, justice and vengeance. What begins as a road trip becomes a confessional journey of conscience, with each kilometer peeling back their buried truths and testing the limits of their faith in God and in each other.
“RUNO!” is an animated short comedy about a rescued aspin searching for her owner during a zombie apocalypse.
“Bwaya” (2014) depicts a grieving family and community in the Agusan del Sur marshlands searching for a young girl taken by a saltwater crocodile. It won Best Film in the New Breed category.
“Bwakaw” (2012) tells the story of a lonely gay man (Eddie Garcia), who came out of the closet at the age of 60 and cares for a stray dog he named Bwakaw. Garcia won Best Actor in the Directors Showcase.
“Isda” (2011) is the story of Lina (Cherry Pie Picache) and Miguel (Bembol Roco), a poor couple living in a Malabon dumpsite who experience a bizarre miracle when Lina gives birth to a fish during a storm.
The film won Best Actor for Roco and Best Editing.
“Kadin” (2007) is set in the Ivatan village of Chavayan on Sabtang Island and follows a young boy and his sister as they search for their missing goat, Gima, against the backdrop of the traditional paypatawen fishing ritual. It won Cinemalaya awards for Best Cinematography and Best Original Music Score.
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“Peyups” is the moniker of the University of the Philippines.
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Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786./PN
