THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) celebrates Pride Month by screening four award-winning films that empower and recognize the plight of the LGBT community, in all Cine Lokal cinemas as part of PelikuLAYA: An LGBT Film Festival from June 22 to 28.
The lineup includes the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 drama Lihis, written by Ricky Lee and directed by Joel C. Lamangan. Set in the turbulent 1970s, the film features Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon as communist rebels bound by a their cause to topple a dictatorship. Their relationship turns passionate amid their struggles to fight for freedom. Lihis also stars Lovi Poe, Isabelle Daza, Gloria Diaz, Raquel Villavicencio, Tony Mabesa, Jaime Pebanco, Lloyd Samartino, Alex Castro, Ruby Ruiz, Jess Evardone and Chanel Latorre, among others.
Another film featured in PelikuLAYA is the Cinema One Originals 2017 comedy Si Chedeng at Si Apple, directed by Rae Red and Fatrick Tabada. Chedeng (Gloria Diaz) decides to come out during her husband’s wake. Meanwhile, her best friend Apple (Elizabeth Oropesa) kills her live-in partner, beheads him and stuffs the head inside her favorite Louis Vuitton bag. Together, they are on the run from the law and their children as they set off on an adventure to find Chedeng’s ex-girlfriend.
The third film in the program is Joselito Altarejos’ Kasal, which won Best Film at the 2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival. It tells the story of a gay couple — played by Arnold Reyes and Oliver Aquino — whose relationship is challenged when they attend a wedding. Providing support are Rita Avila, Maureen Mauricio, Ruby Ruiz, Rener Concepcion, Sue Prado, Ronwaldo Martin, Luis Ruiz, and Ray An Dulay.
Completing the list is Out Run, a documentary about an LGBT political party mobilizing transgender hairdressers and beauty queens. Directed by S. Leo Chiang and Johnny Symons, the film provides a unique look into the challenges LGBT people encounter as they transition into the mainstream and fight for dignity, legitimacy, and acceptance across the globe.
PelikuLAYA, which is organized by FDCP in partnership with different LGBTQIA+ organizations, screens this month at Cine Lokal theaters in SM Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Southmall and SM Bacoor.

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