Dagyang: An Ilonggo Story
Councilor Jamjam Baronda, Myrna
Tupas, Governor Niel Tupas, Councilor
Lex Tupas, Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog and
Councilor Ely Estante
A movie is a significant medium for communicating ideas and changing society. Thus, when Atty. Joenar Pueblo produced Dagyang and when Ilonggos like Councilor Julienne Baronda, Erwin Chiongson and Joanne Paulette Libo-on, among others, agreed to be part of the movie "Dagyang: An Ilonggo Story," we felt proud.
Maharlika Group
Dagyang: An Ilonggo Story, considered as the first full-length Ilonggo movie created by Ilonggos themselves, was presented to a selected few last month. It was a story of love and passion interwoven with Ilonggo culture and heritage. As the story went on, Iloilo's pride were presented, like the hablon of Miag-ao and Oton, the Binukot and Binanog of Calinog and Dinagyang of Iloilo City, among others.
Dagyang Producer Atty Jomar Pueblo,
Nielette Tupas Balleza and Robert Ferrer
Councilor Baronda plays a woman descended from a long-line of people engaged in witchcraft; Erwin Chiongson as a lawyer called Atty. Hablon because of his preference for hablon clothing and the object of Baronda's love; while Libo-on is a Binukot, who, because of a skin disease, cannot be exposed to the sun. But after her prodding, her father has finally allowed her to go out and go to the place she dreamt of since she was a kid --- Robinsons Place Iloilo. The other actors were Edward Divinagracia, Geoffrey Ore, Eloize Suzanne Pueblo and Rleone Gerochi.
Atty Jufrey Derequito, Councilor Lex
Tupas, Atty Joseph Lutero and company
Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog enjoined Ilonggo artists to continue making movies like this. "Having our own movie brings great pride to the Ilonggos," he said.
Atty. Joenar Pueblo, producer and 2003 CCP Best Experimental Film Awardee, said that through the support of Ilonggos, there will be a revival of independent cinema in Iloilo. "We common tao can dream of being part of the screen through moments like this. Dagyang is a celebration of who we are. Ilonggos, despite the challenges of life, continue to be happy, thus the title 'Dagyang'", he said.
Allan Rivera and Paul Chiongson
(middle) and company
The production team includes Rhodora Solis, Leanne Salas and Wilfred Galila for the cinematography, Jigo Mambo, Eric Divinagracia and Lloyd Fernandez as creative consultants, Alan Cabalfin and Dimas Esmilla as production designers, Russel Te as sound engineer, Vincent Angelo Gefes, Rhodora Solis and Leanne Salas as editors, Joyce Tabian and Yvette Hinojales as assistant directors, and Nina Matulac, Peter Deocos and Aurora Alfaras as production staff.
Dagyang, which is in partnership with Mowelfund and Robinsons Iloilo, will soon be shown to the public at the latter's cinema.