Maratabat (Pride and Honor)
The province of Maratabat set in Southern Philippines is ruled by a powerful clan – the Abubakars. They use their authority, money and weapons to instil fear in the hearts and minds of the people. Governor ZALVADOR ABUBAKAR is the clan’s patriarch while his sons RIZALINO and ALFONSO are also key political figures in their area. Together, they get rid of any obstacle that’s in their way of attaining full control of MARATABAT, using whatever means necessary –even killing others to secure themselves of their respective positions in the government. For them, everything is about power.
RONWALDO MAHARDIKA, on the other hand, is the head of another influential clan – the Mahardikas. Their family has been absent in the political scene for a long time. Their daily lives were peaceful until Ronwaldo and his family are suddenly thrown back into a world that they’ve tried so hard to forget about. Incidents of cruelty and bloodshed caused by the Abubakars and their private army occur one after another as the election period draws near. The increasing tension and misery from the people of Maratabat forces Ronwaldo to make the hardest decision of his life. Should he run against Zalvador Abubakar for Governor? Or should he just remain silent and ignore the situation? And should he decide to run –will it be for honor –or will it be for pride?
-
Arlyn Dela CruzDirector
-
Arlyn Dela CruzWriter
-
Arlyn Dela CruzProducer
-
Arlan BernalProducer
-
Sylvia CalderonProducer
-
Cristalyn LagmanProducer
-
Ping MedinaKey Cast
-
Julio DiazKey Cast
-
Elizabeth OropesaKey Cast
-
Richard QuanKey Cast
-
Kristofer KingKey Cast
-
Shyr ValdezKey Cast
-
Chanel La TorreKey Cast
-
Alvin FortunaKey Cast
-
Carlo CruzKey Cast
-
Project Title (Original Language):Maratabat
-
Project Type:Feature
-
Runtime:1 hour 28 minutes
-
Completion Date:October 1, 2014
-
Country of Origin:Philippines
-
Country of Filming:Philippines
-
Language:Other
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:Yes
-
Student Project:No
-
The IndieFEST Film Awards, California - July 2016California
United States
July 1, 2016
Merit Award -
The People’s Film Festival, New York - June 2016New York
United States
June 1, 2016
Best International Film -
2015 Star Awards for MoviesQuezon City
Philippines
Star Awards for Movies
Best Screenwriter - Arlyn Dela Cruz -
40th Metro Manila Film Festival - New Wave 2014Quezon City
Philippines
December 16, 2014
2014 Metro Manila Film Festival - New Wave
Best Supporting Actor - Kristofer King
Maratabat (Pride and Honor) is the directorial debut of veteran and multi-awarded journalist Arlyn Dela Cruz. With her rich experience on the field covering stories from various parts of the country and meeting a lot of people and observing the cultures, traditions, and even ethnical and religious beliefs of various individuals, groups and communities –her foray into filmmaking seemed to be a journey that was simply waiting for her to embark on. Now on her 26th year in the Philippine Broadcast and Media Industry, she has successfully transitioned and leaped out of her comfort zone to pursue a life-long passion-filmmaking.
In June of this year, Maratabat was awarded as winner for Best International Film for the 2016 The People’s Film Festival in Harlem New York, marking the film’s first entry as official selection in an international film festival.
Maratabat was chosen as one of five (5) finalists in the 2014 (December) Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave Category and won Best Supporting Actor for Kristoffer King.
In March of 2015, Maratabat receivd eight (8) nominations from the 31st Star Awards by the Philippine Movie Press Club; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best in Cinematography, Best in Production Design, Best in Sound, Best in Musical Score, and Best in Editing.
Dela Cruz won Best Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year.
Winner-Best International Film (The People’s Film Festival, New York, (June 2016); Winner-Merit Award (The IndieFEST Film Awards, California July 2016)
Also honored by Indie Bravo Awards for 2016
After Maratabat, Dela Cruz directed and produced three other films, Mandirigma (Warriors); Tibak (The Story of Jose Maria Sison and the Kabataang Makabayan, leading to the establishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army in the late 1960s). Pusit (Positive) a movie on HIV and AIDS.
She is now in post-production stage for her 5th movie, entitled BUBOG (Crystals), the war on illegal drugs in the Philippines.