DEATH OF TRADITIONAL CINEMA

2016 has been a great year for Philippine cinema, with a large variety of stories and genres, and a number of film festivals. It is also notable for the revamp of the Metro Manila Film Festival, which reverted to its roots of handpicking entries based on finished film rather than scripts. As such, the usual escapist fares were out, in favor of thought-provoking yet accessible films. Despite this phenomena, this reviewer still had a hard time watching all films. For transparency's sake, the following films were not seen for consideration due to time and scheduling constraints: * Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis by Lav Diaz * Ang Taba Ko Kasi by Jason Paul Laxamana * Expressway by Ato Bautista * Lila by Gino Santos * A Lotto Like Love by Carla Baful * Straight to the Heart by Dave Fabros * 1st Sem by Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibanez * Pitong Kabang Palay by Maricel Cariaga * Kakampi by Vic Acedillo Jr. * Pilapil by Johnny Nadela * EDSA by Alvin Yapan * Iadya Mo Kami by Mel Chiong

"Die Beautiful" is a tale firmly rooted in contrasts and ironies. The narrative design itself, an examination of a trans woman's colorful life through the context of her unexpected death, lends to endless possibilities. The film could not have been more timely, too, released in the midst of important LGBTQ milestones in Philippine history. In May, people elected the country's first openly transgender woman lawmaker, Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman. Just about two years earlier, Jennifer Laude, another trans woman was found dead in Olongapo City, an apparent victim of hate crime. Reporters and newscasters are stumbling whether to call her Jeffrey, or Jennifer. In a way, "Die Beautiful" mirrors both important events through the ups and downs of Trisha Echevarria's (Paolo Ballesteros) life.    Rody Vera's script follows a nonlinear narrative, starting off with Trisha's unexpected death and journeying back to importan