Private Project

Liwanag

Luis Liwanag’s images are haunting, with gritty drama that only street scenes can produce. He is one of the most prolific, in-demand, and highly respected photojournalists of our time, having worked for Gamma Liaison, Agence France-Press, Getty Images, the Associated Press, and countless other photo agencies. His life, Liwanag says, is something he owes to photography.

His recognitions are few. In the prime of his career, Liwanag developed glaucoma, which forced him to stop taking pictures for years.

Liwanag went back to photography during the Oakwood mutiny but by then, his skills had become rusty and his self-confidence was at an all-time low. Stubborn and full of grit, he persevered and is now widely recognized as the country’s leading expert in street photography.

“Liwanag” is an intimate, uncomfortable look into the thankless, endless toil of perfecting a craft and overcoming obstacles. As a man and as a photojournalist, Liwanag is difficult to get to know, and the filmmaker tries his best to peel away the layers by looking through the eyes of his colleagues and admirers.

  • ARBY LARAÑO
    Director
  • Christine Laraño
    Director
  • ARBY LARAÑO
    Writer
  • Christine Laraño
    Writer
  • ARBY LARAÑO
    Cinematographer
  • ARBY LARAÑO
    Producer
  • Nicholai Policarpio Minion
    Music
  • Akira Liwanag
    Key Cast
  • Alex Baluyut
    Key Cast
  • Carmz Lopez
    Key Cast
  • Ed Santiago
    Key Cast
  • Egay Aguilar
    Key Cast
  • Gigie Cruz – Sy
    Key Cast
  • Isis Liwanag
    Key Cast
  • Jay Javier
    Key Cast
  • Luis Liwanag
    Key Cast
  • Nonie Reyes
    Key Cast
  • Patrick Domingo
    Key Cast
  • Peter Carney
    Key Cast
  • Ramsey Hormillo
    Key Cast
  • Venus Liwanag
    Key Cast
  • Wig Tysmans
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Short Sweet Film Festival Manila
    Manila
    Philippines
    June 25, 2017
    Audience Choice Award
  • Singkuwento International Film Festival, Manila, Philippines
    Manila
    Philippines
    February 18, 2019
    Jury Prize
  • Singkuwento International Film Festival, Manila, Philippines
    Manila
    Philippines
    February 18, 2019
    Best Directors
  • University of the Philippines, Diliman, Videotheque
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    March 11, 2019
  • Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival 2019
    Los Baños
    Philippines
    March 14, 2019
    Jury Prize
  • University of the Philippines, Diliman, Videotheque
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    March 16, 2019
  • Pasalidahay sa Tagaytay
    Tagaytay
    Philippines
    May 25, 2019
  • FACINE International Festival 2019
    San Francisco, California
    United States
    Outstanding Film
  • FACINE International Festival 2019
    San Francisco, California
    United States
    Outstanding Direction
Distribution Information
  • Arby and Tin Films
    Country: Philippines
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - ARBY LARAÑO, Christine Laraño

Arby Laraño is a director, an editor and a cinematographer. Laraño also has years of experience as video editor, editing supervisor, and segment producer, cinematographer and director for TV5’s News Department, Net25, TAPE Inc Eat Bulaga and ABS-CBN.

He has also won recognition for several short films and was granted a screenwriting and film production scholarship to the University of Southern California Cinematic Arts.
He is also a co-founder, co-owner, and artistic director of Square Peg Films Co.

As of the moment, he is busy running Arby and Tin Films, shooting for Studio 125 and volunteering for Christian Family Organizations.

Christine Laraño has years of experience as a writer and segment producer for several shows at ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs Department. During this time, she manage to produced several important documentaries that tackles the story of every Filipino.

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