In celebration of National Women’s Month 2025, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents Lakbay Sine Para sa mga Inday, a special online screening series featuring award-winning Cinemalaya films for Women Deprived of Liberty (WDL) in three jails across Iloilo City, Pototan-Iloilo, and Bacolod City. The screenings will take place every Sunday and Monday in March, aiming to bring meaningful storytelling to over 500 detainees and foster connections beyond prison walls.
Empowering Women Through Cinema
This initiative serves as a cultural caregiving effort, offering incarcerated women a chance to engage with narratives that reflect their struggles, resilience, and hopes. Through film screenings and post-viewing discussions, the program provides a platform for self-expression and healing, particularly for women who often remain voiceless and marginalized in society.
Featured Cinemalaya Films
The curated lineup includes films by women, about women, and for women, showcasing inspiring stories of hope, perseverance, and empowerment:
- Sanglaan (Milo Sogueco) – A poignant film about intertwined lives in a small pawnshop.
- Mayohan (Dan Villegas & Paul Sta. Ana) – A coming-of-age story set during the annual May festival.
- Balota (Kip Oebanda) – A gripping tale of a teacher’s fight for democracy.
- The Baseball Player (Carlo Obispo) – A powerful narrative about a Moro child soldier’s dreams.
- Pan de Salawal (Che Espiritu) – A heartwarming film about a young girl with miraculous healing abilities.
- Utwas (Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay & Richard Jeroui Salvadico) – A short film exploring a boy’s deep connection with the ocean.
- Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras (Sumagaysay & Salvadico) – A touching story of children teaching their parents.
- Primetime Mother (Sonny Calvento) – A comedy-drama about a mother’s resilience in an exploitative TV game show.
Screening Schedule
- Iloilo City District Jail Female Dormitory – March 9, 16, 23, 30 (Sundays, 9-11 AM)
- Pototan-Iloilo & Bacolod City Female Dormitories – March 10, 17, 24, 31 (Mondays, 2-4 PM)
The Power of Film in Healing & Expression
At the heart of Lakbay Sine Para sa mga Inday is the belief that art is a vital tool for healing, transformation, and empowerment. According to Dr. Ma. Lourdes “Honey” Carandang, a National Social Scientist and clinical psychologist, storytelling through film nurtures self-expression, provides hope, and fosters resilience, even in the most challenging circumstances.
The CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division (FBNMD), in partnership with Super Inday Prison Art Project, leads this initiative under the CCP Kalinga ng Sining program. Through this and other prison arts initiatives, CCP continues to break barriers by providing spaces for artistic expression, inspiration, and collective healing.
For more updates on CCP’s Lakbay Sine and upcoming screenings, follow the official CCP-FBNMD social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
