Baguio City—After its world premiere at the Cinemalaya 2021 Indie Nation Shorts Section, Abrenian Heritage Film Festival 2021, “Salidumay” has been selected to participate in the 11th International Film Festival Manhattan in New York City.
Cordilleran actress Mai Fanglayan leads “Salidumay,” a short film by Dexter Macaraeg, for the weeklong Sine Abreño, which ended on Sept. 12 in a virtual celebration of the Film Industry Month via Zoom.
Mai portrays Ayo, a Tingguian with mixed Ibaloi blood from Abra, who goes on her first date ever at a Korean restaurant.
Franz (Kenneth Jhayve Bautista), a former seminarian who grew up in Abra but moved to Baguio City, can’t seem to find love through dating apps, and decides to use his culture’s methods to arrange a marriage.
Their differences lead to a small collision of expectation and perspectives, but what it opens up in the tension offers a glimmer of hope for the would-be couple.
Actor and model Kenneth Jhayve Bautista portrays Mai’s love interest, supported by Janet Mondata, Julius Legoen Lumiqued, Seth Wayne, Blas Chacapna, Austin Docyogen, Eric Kelly, and Janet Tayab Soriano.
Vicky Macay and Lilian Ocan Siapol Castro are introduced as Ibaloi grandmothers, with special participation by Director Emmanuel Dela Cruz and theater actor Onyl Torres.
The Salidumay creative team includes Director of Photography and Editor Shem Padua and Assistant Director Jonnie Lyn Dasalla; Cameras: Romnick Bayeng, JC Patnao; Makeup Artist: Ellen Castro Herrera; Production Manager: Melinda Ocan Castro; Producer: Janet Tayab Soriano; and theme song by Sherylene Bagayao from Sallapadan, Abra.