Never-before-seen Mario O'Hara film to be shown in Cinemanila

Iconic filmmaker Mario O'Hara may have passed on last June, but his contribution to Philippine cinema continues--his film "Pusang Gala," which was completed over a decade ago but was never shown to the public, is set to finally premiere to audiences in the 14th Cinemanila International Film Festival this December.   According to Cinemanila Festival Director Tikoy Aguiluz, fellow filmmaker Lav Diaz chanced upon the film in late director Joey Gosengfiao's library shortly after O'Hara's death.   The film was made for television but was never shown because negotiations with television networks fell through.   "Pusang Gala" tells the story of a spinster played by Janice de Belen who becomes obsessed with a young man played by Yul Servo, who is an extra in a film.   De Belen said in a tweet response to GMA News Online that it has been so long since she did Pusang Gala with O’Hara. “Di ko nga napanood. Mario O’Hara was my first director ever.” She does recall,“It’s a movie for tv. Sobrang tagal na nyan.”   "Shinoot nila, they tried to sell it to TV pero binarat sila so sabi ni [producer] Tony Veloria 'wag nalang, then they forgot about it," Aguiluz shared at a press conference Friday.   Aguiluz said that the film, though low-budget, is still an exciting addition to the festival line-up.   "Mario O'Hara siya. In other words, good acting, good storytelling," Aguiluz said.   "Ang production value niya low-budget, pero Mario O'Hara pa rin," he added. "It's exciting 'coz it's never been shown."   Festival line-up

  Joining "Pusang Gala" on the festival line-up are foreign films from top festivals all over the world, as well as films made by local directors.   The festival's competing films are divided into two categories: Digital Lokal for feature-length films, and Young Cinema, for short films.   Competing in the Digital Lokal category are "Obscured Histories and Silent Longings of Daguluan's Children" by Teng Mangansakan, "Supremo" by Richard Somes, "Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim" by Arnel Mardoquio, "Taglish" by Gym Lumbera, and "Colossal" by Whammy Alcazaren.   Meanwhile, the short films in competition include "Aurora, My Aurora" by Janus Victoria, "Ang Prinsesa, Ang Prinsipe, at Si Marlborita" by Carl Papa, "Kabilang Dulo" by Bienvenido Ferrer III, and "Unawa" by Pamela Llanes Reyes. — ELR, GMA News   The Cinemanila festival will run from December 5 to 11 at Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.