The CinePanalo Festival entry is showing in Gateway Cinemas from Mar. 14 to 25
This year’s CinePanalo Festival will feature eight independent full-length and 24 student-directed short films.
With the theme “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay,” among the curated movies include: “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” by Baby Ruth Villarama; “Olsen’s Day,” starring Khalil Ramos and Romnick Sarmenta; “Journeyman” with JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith; “Co-Love” led by Alexa Ilacad and Jameson Blake; and “Fleeting,” starring Jannella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.
“In ‘Fleeting,’ aspiring pilot Gem (Janella Salvador) has her dreams front and center—and everything she does must lead to where she wants to be. Cafe owner and surfer JC (RK Bagatsing), on the other hand, already has what he’s looking for right in front of him—he’s already living the dream. A love story set against the picturesque backdrop of Mati, Davao, two seemingly different people learn how to tell when something is for real—or if it’s merely fleeting,” reads the film’s synopsis.
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According to director Catsi Catalan, the film was inspired by her experiences during the pandemic. “I was going through a rough time and I felt like I wanted to write a letter to my younger self. And then it turned out, that letter became a screenplay, and that became the film that it is now.”
Here, we chat with co-stars Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing, who share more about their upcoming film and their thoughts on whether to prioritize love or ambition.
What is ‘Fleeting’ all about?
RK Bagatsing (RB): It’s a story about two characters with contrasting beliefs about life and where they want to go in their careers—and we’ll see [kung] ano pipiliin nila at the end of the day.
Janella Salvador (JS): I don’t know if this film is a love letter or real talk, but pagdating sa age na ’to—like midlife, quarter-life, mga nagkakacrisis, that’s always our struggle. We don’t know how to balance our dreams.
RB: In our lives, we encounter a fork in the road; you either go left or right. So sa isang side merong love, ’yung sa isang side ’yung ambition, ’yung dreams mo and minsan nagsasabay na di mo alam ’yung pipiliin mo.
Minsan nagkakakilala din ’yung mga tao, kahit mabilis lang, fleeting—meron silang naiiwan na lasting impact sa buhay ng isa’t isa. So either love or a mission or ibang inspiration pa yan.
JS: It’s also about falling in love with the place, not just the people. I also like how it will help promote local tourism. The entire film was shot in Mati, Davao, and it’s a beautiful place, but not many people know about it.
Should love be prioritized over one’s career?
JS: Hindi naman imposible na pagsabayin ang love and career as long as natutulungan niyo ang isa’t isa na maabot ’yung pangarap niyo. Pero, not all people are blessed with that opportunity. Not all people who cross paths are meant for each other.
What is your message for those looking forward to watching “Fleeting”?
JS: It’s never too late para abutin ’yung pangarap mo. No matter how many times it seems hopeless to you, never stop trying. I feel like you’ll regret it more kung may what ifs ka in the future tas you didn’t go for it. So, jump in and do it.
RB: And it’s okay kung di mo pa alam ’yung gagawin mo. The fact na nagtatanong ka na sa sarili mo, ’yun na ’yung journey mo. It’s okay to take your time, and eventually everything will fall into place. You either meet the right person, or you go to a place na napakaganda like Mati, Davao. Just trust the process and eventually you’ll find that.
“Fleeting” is showing from Mar. 14 to 25 at Gateway Cinemas. The film was produced by WAF Studios and Mentorque Productions.
