HIBLANG ABO (Ralston Jover, 2016)
(English title: "Strands of Gray") * Official entry, full-length feature category, 12th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Filipinos are known for close family ties, which is why most of our elderly are being cared for by relatives instead of strangers, unlike in other countries where old age means automatic hospice care. In "Hiblang Abo," Ralston Jover's big screen adaptation of Rene Villanueva's play of the same name, four aging men are living together in a hospice called Bahay ni Juan. What cruel circumstances that brought these men together under one roof is part of the story's mystery, yet as with most morality pieces, it still boils down to choice. In Jover's film, we get to witness the daily routine of former writer Huse (Lou Veloso), ex-union leader Blas (Leo Rialp), former farmer Sotero (Jun Urbano) and former vagrant Pedro (Nanding Josef). Despite their seeming friendship and the peacefulness of their sanctuary, these men