Filipiñana

fiction feature - written & directed by Rafael Manuel

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Produced by: Film4, Potocol, Epicmedia Productions, Easy Riders Films, and Idle Eye

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The Maynila Country Club is a 74-hectare compound with enough facilities to keep the creme-de-la-creme of Philippine society distracted and insulated from the country’s socio-political problems. Among its facilities is the driving range where 17-year-old Isabel works as a tee-girl. Despite being new to her job, she starts slipping away from the driving range to explore the lush greenery of the surrounding golf course which reminds her of the hometown she has left behind. On the course, she spots Dr. Palanca, a man in his 60s who is the club’s president. Isabel develops an infatuation with him and, eventually, has the chance to meet him when she is tasked with returning a golf iron he has left behind. Isabel explores the various alcoves of the country club’s facilities looking for Dr. Palanca, but is unable to find him. Instead, she uncovers a clearer, deeply disenchanting portrait of the country club and of Dr. Palanca himself.

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