December 17, 2013
ARCH NCCA ARTICLES
The story of Kapampangan sculptor Willy Layug, as told in the independent film “Dukit,” pits itself against other mainstream films in this year’s 39th Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Dukit is my attempt to make an authentic regional film. Shot entirely in Pampanga for over a year, the film features everything that is Kapangpangan language, religion, music and the woodcarving tradition for which the town of Betis is known for. Except for one actor, the cast is made up only of Kapangpangan talents and one-half of the production team is young Kapangpangan filmmakers,” explains director Armando Lao.
Dukit, the Kapampangan word for woodcarving, is centered on the region’s culture; its arts, crafts, food, music, values, and traditions.
Award-winning director Brillante Mendoza, who produced the film, said that he is optimistic in the performance of the said film in the festival. Mendoza said he is proud to have produced the film of his former mentor.
“The film is a tribute to the century-old woodworking tradition in Betis area of Guagua. It depicts the townspeople’s faith to God and patron saint Santiago, their devotion to the church, and the willingness of the few remaining woodcarvers to retain the tradition in spite of this modern generation,” Lao shared.
The film stars Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Art Willy Layug, Bor Ocampo, Raquel Villavicencio, Mark Grisworld, Thea Lelay, Bambalito Lacap, Rhea Lim, and Grace Martinez.
Apart from “Dukit,” other works that made the cut are “Island Dreams” by Aloy Adlawan and Gino Santos, “Maestra” by Joven Tan, “Mga Anino ng Kahapon” by Alvin Yapan, and “Saka-saka” by Toto Natividad.
They will be shown in the cinemas of SM Megamall and Glorietta 4 from December 18 to 24, 2013.
