Private Project

Paglipay (Crossing)

The film focuses on Atan, an Aeta from Baytan village in Zambales, who makes a living from traditional farming system kaingin and hunting on the foothills of Mt. Pinatubo. The narrative opens as we follow Atan’s fulfillment of his arranged marriage with a fellow Aeta, Ani. He has to accomplish a number of responsibilities which includes the offering of bandi or bride price to Ani’s parents.

Atan needs to cross the mountain river going to Banwa, the town where he could earn the necessary amount for the bride price. In order to find a job, he needs to adapt himself with the modern way of life in town, including change in appearance, manner of clothing, religious practice, and even the use of different language in order to associate himself with the Unat or ‘straight-haired ones,’ such as Rain, a young lass from Manila who would turn his life around.

Rain has to immerse with the Aetas of Banwa for her thesis, and Atan is commissioned to accompany her in research and interviews with the locals. Atan develops special feelings with Rain in his daily encounters with her. Slowly, the young Aeta forgets the very reason of his journey—the bandi, and the arrangement with Ani.

On his effort to accommodate himself in a modern society, Atan faces cross-cultural modi cations amid changes in the mountain brought about by immense modernity.

Paglipay is a Sambal Ayta term being used by Aetas when crossing the mountain river going to town.

  • Zig Dulay
    Director
  • Dr. Milagros How
    Producer
  • TOFARM Philippines
    Producer
  • TOFARM Film Festival
    Producer
  • Zig Dulay
    Writer
  • Garry Cabalic
    Key Cast
    "Atan"
  • Joan dela Cruz
    Key Cast
    "Ani"
  • Anna J. Luna
    Key Cast
    "Rain"
  • JC Santos
    Key Cast
    "JC"
  • Arnold dela Cruz
    Key Cast
    "Matubag"
  • Joel Saracho
    Key Cast
    "Mang Lando"
  • Manel Sevidal
    Key Cast
    "Cai"
  • Natasha Cabrera
    Key Cast
    "Lota"
  • Gigi Locsin
    Key Cast
    "Ma’am Maan"
  • Upeng Fernandez
    Key Cast
    "Nanang Itang"
  • Ken-Ken Nuyad
    Key Cast
    "Mik-Mik"
  • Norman King
    Key Cast
    "Iko"
  • Genres:
    Drama, Romance
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 38 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Zig Dulay

Award winning writer and director known for the film Paglipay and Bagahe.

Awards and Recognition
PAGLIPAY by Zig Dulay

• Best Director Award - Cultural Diversity Film Festival, Canada
• World Film Awards - Indonesia - Platinum World Award / Best Film
• International Film Festival For Environment, Health and Culture, Bali Indonesia
• Best Film / International Awards of Outstanding Excellence
• Official Selection : Asean International Film Festival and Awards
• Official Entry to CineLokal August 23-29, 2017
• Official Entry for the nationwide PISTA NG PELIKULANG PILIPINO, August 16-22, 2017
• Best Director in 4th Urduja Film Festival Heritage Film Awards,
• Best Heritage Film in 4th Urduja Film Festival.
• Official Selection, Cinematografo Film Festival 2017
• Official Selection, Arica Nativa Film Festival 2017
+11 Nominations in Gawad Urian, including Best Film.
+5 Nominations in The London International Film Festival:
Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay.
• Ani ng Dangal Awardee 2018 by the NCCA
• CINETURISMO 2018 Awardee

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Ipinanganak ang konsepto ng Paglipay mula sa isang papel na isinusulat noon ng kaibigan kong antropologo tungkol sa mga Ayta sa Zambales. Tumutulong ako noon sa kanya sa pagtahi ng mga kuwento mula sa kanyang pananaliksik at paglalagi sa mismong lugar na umabot ng lagpas sampung taon. Nagkaroon ako ng interes sa kung paano unti-unting nababago ang kultura ng mga Ayta sa tuwing tumatawid sila mula sa bundok patungong bayan. Doon ko hinugot ‘yung pamagat ng pelikula – ang “paglipay” ay terminong Sambal Ayta na nangangahulugang “pagtawid.”

Naghanap ako ng kuwento sa buhay ng mga Ayta na nakausap ko at dahil isa akong fan ng love stories, na-in-love ako sa ideya ng arranged marriage at sa konsepto nila ng ‘bandi’ (bride-price). Kasabay ng kuwentong pag-ibig, hindi maiiwasang maipakita ang proseso ng gasak o kaingin, isang tradisyunal na sistema ng pagsasaka na hanggang ngayon ay ginagawa pa rin ng mga katutubo. Bago pa man nauso ang iba’t ibang proseso ng pagsasaka, lalo na ngayong talamak na ang paggamit ng makina, mainam ding maipakita ‘yung dating nakasanayan. Sa naturang proseso, nakita ko yuong malalim na relasyon ng mga Ayta sa kabundukan. Hindi matatawaran ang respeto nila sa kalikasan.

Iba ang naging proseso ko sa paggawa ng pelikulang ito kumpara sa M at Bambanti na mga naunang nagawa ko. Hindi ito personal na kuwento kung kaya’t kailangan ng matinding pananaliksik at immersion, sabi ng kaibigan kong antropologo, ethnographic ‘yung approach. Sinikap ko talagang tumira at makipamuhay sa kanila, at kung anuman ang nakita at naranasan ko roon, ‘yun ang bumuo sa naratibo ng pelikula.

Dahil sa ganoong approach, natutunan kong hindi lang pala basta pag-ibig ng isang Ayta ang aking ikinukuwento, kundi pag-ibig sa kabundukan o kalikasan, at higit sa lahat, ang pag-ibig sa mga Ayta na madalas naisasantabi. Madalas na nasa laylayan sila ng lipunan at hindi na nakaaalma sa pagbabagong hatid ng modernismo.