MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In a fitting tribute to one of the most revered voices in Philippine cinema, the 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will conclude with the screening of Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, directed by the late Mike De Leon. The closing event will be held at the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas 1 & Premiere Theater on October 11 at 8:00 p.m.
A satirical musical-comedy released in 1980, Kakabakaba Ka Ba? was directed and co-written by De Leon, alongside Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr. and Raquel Villavicencio. The film follows four Filipinos who unwittingly become entangled in a smuggling operation that escalates into a larger conspiracy involving a criminal syndicate and the Catholic Church. With its playful tone and sharp political commentary, the film remains a hallmark of De Leon’s ability to blend humor with critique.
The ensemble cast features some of the most celebrated names in Philippine cinema including Christopher De Leon, often hailed as the “King of Philippine Drama,” Charo Santos-Concio, Jay Ilagan, and Sandy Andolong – who bring to life the film’s chaotic yet incisive narrative.
Born into a post-war generation and raised within the historic LVN Pictures studio founded by his grandmother, Doña Sisang, Mike De Leon’s upbringing shaped his passion for storytelling and his critical lens on Philippine society. His films are renowned for their unflinching examinations of corruption, power, and morality – making him one of the country’s most influential cinematic voices.
De Leon’s body of work has received acclaim both locally and abroad. In 2022, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York presented a retrospective of his films, which included behind-the-scenes footage from Maynila, sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, where De Leon served as cinematographer. Earlier in his career, his films Kisapmata (1981) and Batch ’81(1982) were featured in the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, while Sister Stella L. (1984) represented the Philippines at the 1985 Venice Film Festival.
Domestically, De Leon’s Kakabakaba Ka Ba? earned two FAMAS Awards—for Best Editing and Best Sound—and five Gawad Urian Awards, including Best Direction, Best Supporting Actor (Johnny Delgado), Best Editing, Best Music, and Best Sound. These accolades underscore his mastery of both craft and commentary, cementing his status as a cornerstone of Philippine cinema.
For more details, visit the CCP website or the Cinemalaya website. Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya pages on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok for updates.
