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Filipiñana

Perspectives 2026
© Potocol, Ossian International, Epicmedia, Easy Riders, Idle Eye
The Maynila Country Club is a 74-hectare compound with enough facilities to keep the creme-de-la-creme of Philippine society distracted and insulated from the country’s socio-political problems. Among its facilities is the driving range where 17-year-old Isabel works as a tee-girl. Despite being new to her job, she starts slipping away from the driving range to explore the lush greenery of the surrounding golf course which reminds her of the hometown she has left behind. On the course, she spots Dr. Palanca, a man in his 60s who is the club’s president. Isabel develops an infatuation with him and, eventually, has the chance to meet him when she is tasked with returning a golf iron he has left behind. Isabel explores the various alcoves of the country club’s facilities looking for Dr. Palanca, but is unable to find him. Instead, she uncovers a clearer, deeply disenchanting portrait of the country club and of Dr. Palanca himself.

Trailer/Film Excerpt

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by Rafael Manuel (Director, Screenplay)
with Jorrybell Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Nour Hooshmand, Isabel Sicat Singapore / United Kingdom / Philippines / France / Netherlands 2026 Filipino, English, Ilokano 100' Colour European premiere | Debut film

With

  • Jorrybell Agoto (Isabel)
  • Carmen Castellanos (Clara)
  • Teroy Guzman (Dr. Palanca)
  • Carlitos Siguion-Reyna (Uncle Renato)
  • Nour Hooshmand (Janine)
  • Isabel Sicat (Ina / Clara’s Caddie)

Crew

Director Rafael Manuel
Screenplay Rafael Manuel
Cinematography Xenia Patricia
Editing Rafael Manuel
Sound Design Vincent Villa
Production Design Tatjana Fanny Honegger
Costumes Carla Villanueva, Tatjana Fanny Honegger
Make-Up Barbie Capacio
Casting Danna Simbre
Producers Jeremy Chua, Alex Polunin, Bianca Balbuena, Bradley Liew, Nadia Turincev, Omar El Kadi, Rafael Manuel
Executive Producers Farhana Bhula, Zhang-ke Jia, Anthony C. Isais, Grace Mariel M. Isais, Maria Sophia Atayde-Marudo, Jossette C. Atayde, Sebastian Raeuber, Francine Raeuber
Co-Producer Sam Weishi Chua

Produced by

Pōtocol

Singapur, Singapore

Ossian International

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Epicmedia Productions

Manila, Philippines

Easy Riders Films

Paris, France

Idle Eye

Amsterdam, Netherlands

World Sales

MAGNIFY

New York, NY, USA

Photos

Rafael Manuel

© Rolex

The director is based in Amsterdam, London and Manila. His short films have won a number of prizes, including the Silver Bear at the Berlinale, and have screened at international festivals including Locarno, Rotterdam and Marseille. He was mentored by Jia Zhang-ke as part of the Rolex Arts Initiative. Filipiñana is his debut feature film.

Filmography

2019 Dogeater; short film 2020 Filipiñana; short film 2024 102 Narra; short film 2026 Filipiñana

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026