by Linda Dela Cruz
Sharing the Filipino story—both from the homeland and across the globe—is essential to understanding the depth, resilience, and creativity that connect Filipinos everywhere.
The 45th Hawaii International Film Festival partnered with the Film Development Council of the Philippines to screen at least eight films shot in the Philippines and beyond in the “Spotlight on The Philippines” from October 15 to November 16 on Oahu, Maui, Lana`i, Kaua`i, Big Island and Moloka`i.
With 77 feature films, 143 shorts to 42 world premieres representing 46 countries, HIFF45 offered a global cinematic feast—many of which will continue making waves beyond the festival.
“As we celebrate our 45th anniversary under the theme Convergence, we honor HIFF’s legacy as a bridge across cultures while looking ahead to new possibilities,” says HIFF Executive Director Beckie Stocchetti.
Why is it important to have Filipino films?
“Oral history and documentary filmmaking preserve cultural narratives and ensure that history is represented authentically – through the eyes of the creatives who lived it,” shares Andrea Christina Caymo-Kauhanen, Executive Director of The Filipino Community Center.
The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle previews of some HIFF45 films to watch again and put on your watchlist.
Eraserheads: Combo on the Run
The popular punk rock band the Eraserheads, sometimes called “The Beatles of the Philippines,” formed in Quezon City in 1989. The members of the band lead singer and primary songwriter Ely Buendia, guitarist Marco Adoro, bassist Buddy Zabala, and drummer Raimund Marasigan recorded six albums together.
Director Maria Diane Ventura documents their comeback tour in 2022 – 20 years after they broke up in 2002. This Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. film has already gotten awards.
The FilCom Center hosted Ventura for a Q&A session on Oct. 29 before the Hawaii premiere at Consolidated Theatres Kapolei the next day. Buendia joined via Zoom.
Caymo-Kauhanen emphasizes the role of films done by Filipinos: “This film showcased the vital role of using one’s own voice in shaping how our stories are told, remembered and passed on rather than having an outsider define that for you.”
Ventura reveals one of the most challenging parts as well as the best parts of making the film was figuring out how to dig deep to share the musician’s truth and expose their vulnerabilities.
“Their humanity and their willingness to reveal that is what is so special about this film,” Ventura notes. “The accessibility to that allowed for some profound reflections and honest look within.”
After debuting in the Philippines in March and in Hawaii in October, Eraserheads: Combo on the Run, which was released by Warner Bros. Pictures will be shown globally next year.
Quezon
Quezon is a 2025 Philippine epic historical drama film co-written, edited, composed, and directed by Jerrold Tarog. Quezon is about the political rise of Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, played by entertainer Jericho Rosales. Quezon is currently playing in some theatres.
This is the third and final film for TBA Studios‘s Bayaniverse trilogy which consists of Heneral Luna (2015) and Goyo: The Boy General (2018).
Along Comes Larry, The Larry Ramos Story
Hawaii-based entertainer Larry Ramos was the first Filipino-American to win a Grammy with the band the New Christy Minstrels in 1963. Veteran broadcast journalist Rick Quan first did a short story on KITV about him before doing this 30-minute documentary.
“I felt he deserved more recognition for being the first Asian American to win a Grammy and his role with The Association, one of the most popular bands of the late 1960’s,” explains Quan.
“I was also surprised to learn the Association had its roots in Hawaii and the song, Never My Love, which Larry sang co-lead was the second most played song in the 20th century according to BMI.”
The next scheduled screening is in San Francisco on Nov. 23. It will also include a live one hour concert from Larry’s former band, The Association as a fundraiser for Philippine International Aid. Larry passed away in 2014.
Baby Ruth Villarama, the director of Food Delivery: Fresh From The West Philippines Sea was in Hawaii for HIFF45. Other films shown at HIFF included Magellan, East Did Meet West, Maybe It’s Just the Rain, and Myself When I am Real.
Honoring HIFF
The inaugural HIFILM Industry Conference was held at the end of the Honolulu screenings in late October. The three-day event delved into the film industry and had panels on financing as well as discussions with NBCUniversal, and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF).
“The conference convenes a dynamic mix of professionals to examine how production shapes real communities, both on and off screen,” HIFF Artistic Director Anderson Le adds.
Le helped edit the book When Strangers Meet: 45 Years of the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. It features 45 heartfelt stories from people whose lives were touched by HIFF since its inception in 1981. The book is available from HIFF while supplies last.
HIFF Founder Jeanette Hereniko launched the festival as a community outreach event for the East West Center at the Varsity Theatre with seven films. She served as HIFF director for 15 years until 1996.
“What began as a modest showcase of seven films has grown into a crossroads where cinematic traditions of the past meet the boldest visions of the future,” says Hereniko.
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