As an avid fan of film, I eagerly anticipated this celebration of artistry, since previous years have shown that the movies that compete during the festival are worthy Filipino masterpieces. If you need an example, there is the now famous "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros," a very successful alumnus of the 2005 Cinemalaya.

Another thing that I love about this festival is it provides a refreshing break from the slurry of blockbusters that typically show during the rainy month of July. I mean, okay, I want to see "The Dark Knight" too, but watching superheroes and explosions every week depletes my functioning neurons. So armed with a lucid (caffeinated) brain and my favorite sweater, I braved the rain (and soaring gas prices) and headed to CCP.

I said to myself I am going to see at least a third of the full-length entrants this year (there are 10). I bought tickets to four films: "Concerto" and "Boses," dramas which both dealt with music and family, and two comedies, "Jay" and "Namets." Of the four, the most satisfying to me were "Boses" and "Jay."

"Boses’’ is possibly the most touching of all the films in competition. The story focused on a mute kid named Onyok, who was rescued from his abusive father and brought to a shelter in Zambales. Here Onyok encounters grumpy violin instructor Ariel, who is dealing with his own pains inside the retreat house. Ariel discovers that Onyok possesses immense musical talent, and together, they try to heal each other through the beauty of music.

The story may seem a little formulaic, but the work is so earnest and sincere, traits that are always aimed for but never handled well in local films. Perhaps it’s the restraint in direction by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, or maybe the stunning display of acting talent by musical prodigy Julian Duque. Either way, both personalities received some of the longest applause I have heard during the festival.

Then there’s "Jay.’’

In its trailer, director Francis X. Pasion did not sell "Jay’’ as a satire, so I was mildly surprised as I found out it was one. The film was a laugh-out-loud commentary on the things media practitioners do — or make people do — just to get that perfect story. In the movie, Baron Geisler, plays Jay Santiago, a media researcher tasked with chronicling the events, reactions, and emotions surrounding the murder of his namesake Jay Mercado, a victim of a gay hate crime.

Indeed the premise was dark, so that guilty feeling while guffawing at a taboo kept on recurring. I suppose most of the enjoyment came from the awkwardness presented by the situations, situations that no one in the audience would like to be in if given the chance.

The winners of this year’s filmfest were finally announced last Sunday, and just as I thought, Pasion scored with his film "Jay’’ winning three major awards. For its "sheer originality and energetic storytelling," it was awarded Best Film of the Cinemalaya 2008. Francis Pasion’s brilliance in storytelling got him the Best Editing citation while Baron Geisler’s portrayal (which was sooo believable by the way) earned him the Best Actor trophy.

Other winners were Chris Martinez, who received Best Director, and his "100,’’ which won Best Screenplay and the Audience Choice Award. Mylene Dizon deservingly got the Best Actress honor while comedienne Eugene Domingo took home Best Supporting Actress. Yul Servo on the other hand got another indie acting award by being named Best Supporting Actor. Hailed for Best Sound Design and Best Production Design were Lito Cruz’ Ranchero and Cristina Honrado’s Baby Angelo, respectively, while the Best Original Music was given to Joey Ayala. Jay Abello’s film "Brutus’’ tied with Dan Villegas’ "Huling Pasada’’ for the Best Cinematography award. Congratulations to everyone! It was one heck of a filmfest!

I haven’t seen all the films yet but I will definitely make time for it. I heard somewhere that the UP Film Institute shows re-runs of Cinemalaya films, I’ll probably check that out this weekend. How about you guys, what did you think of this year’s entries? Share us your thoughts!

Oh, and give us your take on "The Dark Knight’’ too, I would love to hear from you! Email me at mindy@wikipilipinas.org. Catch me again next week for more musings!