Private Project

Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019

Centered around two brave transgender women who find the resilience of their friendship tested and affirmed over the course of one chaotic midnight, KOKURYO: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BB. UNDAS 2019 is a squalid short story of a midnight gone wrong. Mindy Jane has just won the Bb Undas 2019. While de-dragging and untucking backstage, she opens the envelope containing the cash prize. Mindy Jane is surprised when she finds out that the envelope containing the prize money is insufficient.
Mindy Jane immediately tells Diding – her best friend, that she only got half of the prize. Right after telling Diding, Mindy Jane decides to embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous robbery.
From fighting against drunkard transphobes, blasting off the sponsor's house and being summoned in a Barangay Hall; their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.

  • Diokko Manuel Paguia Dionisio
    Director
  • Diokko Manuel Paguia Dionisio
    Writer
  • Diokko Manuel Paguia Dionisio
    Producer
  • Mindy Jane Castillo
    Key Cast
    "Mindy Jane"
  • Thalia Nagaño
    Key Cast
    "Diding"
  • Resty Tirrado
    Key Cast
    "Mama J"
  • Jaime Garcia
    Key Cast
    "Barangay Captain Roderick Tampipi"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 29, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    2,727 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    Tagalog
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    21:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde
  • Piling Obrang Vidyo
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    March 24, 2023
    Best Film, Best Narrative, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design
  • Sinepiyu
    Manila
    Philippines
    May 6, 2023
    2nd Best Film, Best Female Performance, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design
  • Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
    Manila
    Philippines
    August 4, 2023
    Philippine Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival
    Kota Kinabalu
    Malaysia
    September 23, 2023
    Malaysian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Drama International Student Film Festival
    Dramá
    Greece
    September 8, 2023
    Greek Premiere
    Queer Student Award
Director Biography - Diokko Manuel Paguia Dionisio

Diokko Manuel Dionisio is a filmmaker from Gapan City, Nueva Ecija. He graduated from De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Film specializing in documentary filmmaking. His thesis film “Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019” is a finalist in the short film category of the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, the 46th Drama International Student Film Festival, and the 14th Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival. Works from the second Golden Age of Philippines Cinema have influenced his filmmaking. His works reflect the Filipino culture, especially the local queer scene.

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Director Statement

Being trans is not easy. Trans people get criticized and ridiculed by our fault-finding society on a daily basis, but their suffering doesn’t end there. Transitioning is also a struggle, especially for our trans sisters and brothers who don’t have enough money to achieve their desired bodies for themselves.

As a queer person, it is important for me to relay this message to the audience because the LGBTQIA+ community, especially trans people, still experience discrimination because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE). It is also important for the audience to know and understand the cultural and material violence that trans people continuously live through.