The Al Robles Express

“The Al Robles Express” follows five artists as they travel together to the Philippine tribal lands in tribute to the late activist poet Al Robles, taking the journey of their mentor's literary dreams that he was never able to take himself.

Robles was an original defender of San Francisco’s International Hotel and a staunch opponent of the urban renewal plans that would decimate many of the city’s working-class ethnic villages. His groundbreaking poetry would also be a major voice in what would become the genre of Asian American literature.

Much of Robles’ most powerful literary imagery referenced tribal Philippines and he felt a deep connection to the country of his ancestors. However, Robles was born in San Francisco and had never been to the Philippines himself. He tragically passed away in the same year that he was planning to take his very first trip to the country.

With this in mind, the five friends travel to the Kalinga village of Mabilong then across the Cordillera mountain range to visit the pre-colonial Philippines that lived in Robles' imagination. While exploring the icons that were important to Robles they reflect on his life and friendship and discuss the concepts of identity and home for Americans of Asian descent. In particular, the friends seek out Ifugao Mountain, a location that comes up repeatedly in Robles’ literary work, to learn why this particular site was so important to him . . . and how it is in fact directly related to the Asian American experience.

  • Chester Canlas
    Director
    "Chinatown", "Rise of the I-Hotel"
  • Caroline Cabading
    Writer
  • Anthony Robles
    Writer
    "Chinatown", "Fingerprints of a Hunger Strike", "Cool Don't Live Here Anymore"
  • Oscar Penaranda
    Writer
    "Seasons by the Bay", "Full Deck: Jokers Playing"
  • Luis Malay Syquia
    Writer
    "Fogeaters"
  • Antonio Coronado Remington
    Writer
  • Al Robles
    Writer
    "Rappin' with 10,000 Carabaos in the Dark", "Looking for Ifugao Mountain"
  • Caroline Cabading
    Producer
    "Chinatown", "Rise of the I-Hotel"
  • Anthony Robles
    Key Cast
    "Social Actor"
  • Oscar Penaranda
    Key Cast
    "Social Actor"
  • Luis Malay Syquia
    Key Cast
    "Social Actor"
  • Antonio Coronado Remington
    Key Cast
    "Social Actor"
  • Lauren Benetua
    Key Cast
    "Social Actor"
  • Cyrilo "Sapi" Bawer
    Key Cast
    "Social Actor"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 18 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 22, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital HD and 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • San Francisco Arts Commission Premiere Screening
    San Francisco
    United States
    June 22, 2019
    World Premiere
  • Pilipino American Writers Association Book Festival
    San Francisco
    United States
    October 12, 2019
  • DeAnza College
    Curpertino
    United States
    October 29, 2019
Distribution Information
  • Manilatown Media
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Chester Canlas

Chet Canlas is a San Francisco-­based independent filmmaker and cinematographer who has produced, written and directed documentaries and short format multimedia projects on San Francisco’s history and culture and traditional Philippine culture. He has also served as the cinematographer for over a dozen short narrative films and one feature film.

He was a 2017 Center for Asian American Media short film contest winner whose film, "Chinatown" was the first official entry in the May 2018 CAAMFest film festival.

Mr. Canlas’ productions include:

"The Al Robles Express" (2019): An experimental documentary following five artists as they travel together to the Philippine tribal lands in tribute to the late activist poet Al Robles. This film was funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission.

"Rise of the I-Hotel" (2005): A retrospective documentary on San Francisco’s 1977 International Hotel Eviction. This film was funded by the California Council for the Humanities.

"The Philippine Experience" (2004 ): A 3-part documentary series on traditional Philippine music and dance.

"Runbutans" (2004 ): A documentary on a San Francisco running group as they prepare and complete the Honolulu Marathon

The "I-Hotel Speaks" series of short multimedia projects co-produced with the Manilatown Heritage Foundation:
"Threads of Life: The Mabilong Weavers of Kalinga" (2017)
"Launching Point: The Photographs of Tony Remington" (2017)
"Legacy: The Photographs of Chris Fujimoto" (2017)

Chet Canlas also served as a cinematographer for Whatcha Gonna Do About It Productions’ independent thriller "Rabbits and Wolves", and its "30 for 30" series of short narrative films.

Mr. Canals studied broadcasting and filmmaking at City College of San Francisco with David L. Brown and Barbara Brubaker.

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