Description
Philippine Cinema, 1897-2020
Authored by GASPAR A. VIBAL and DENNIS S. VILLEGAS
Edited by TEDDY O. CO
Foreword by CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO, JR.
Afterword by NICK DEOCAMPO
This lavishly illustrated art book not only provides a dazzling retrospective of over a hundred years of Philippine cinema, it also simultaneously traces its history, genres, narratives, tropes, and lore while subjecting its rich filmography to critique and film theory. The book tracks Philippine cinematic beginnings as a technological marvel and its many turns up to the twenty-first century as it blindly accepted, appropriated, indigenized, and even attacked Western conventions through intentionally wicked but hilarious parodies.
The volume also boldly looks at the seamier side of the industry with its unblinking examination of DVD plenitude and piracy, trafficking of low-brow exploitation flicks, dislocation of mainstream distribution brought on by the advent of streaming and Netflix, and the tragic loss of the cinematic archive and the consequent loss of national memory. Nevertheless, a common thread runs through all its pages: a fevered cinephilia that equally valorizes the sublime and the ridiculous, from the socially realistic films set in the most miserable slums to the most inspired satires of spy capers and spaghetti westerns, and from the most profound critique to a weltering listmania of nostalgia and trivia. Its one hundred essays contain 1,200 notes and gossipy asides, plus over 1,315 images, which will equally delight any diehard movie buff or casual cinematic art lover.
As in any project that is broad and sweeping in scope, this recent scan of the story of Philippine cinema from the nineteenth century to the present courts the usual problems of depth and insight, and the requirements of intellectual risk and speculation. But this does not deter the authors from taking on the daunting task of sketching out the contours of a long-running, ever winding tale. By turns anecdotal and academic, it expectedly hits and misses in an interestingly uneven way. It is a sprawling effort, strewn with curious details] and initial inquiries for both the wide-eyed and the squinting.
—Patrick D. Flores
Professor, University of the Philippines Department of Art Studies and Curator, Vargas Museum
Philippine Cinema, 1897-2020, was written and edited by cinephiles who have reviewed and researched extensively about local and foreign-made film that reflects the Filipino experience. Written close to the heart, the book records not just the big moments, but even the obscure details and forgotten episodes of its history. Catholic in adoration, syncretic in approach, and almost compulsive in its desire not to leave out anything, this art book’s capaciousness proves that telling the story of Philippine cinema is not the monopoly of any single historian but the task of every serious movie fan.
—Patrick F. Campos
Director, University of the Philippines Film Institute
©2020
416 pages
Know more from the authors. Read the behind the scenes interview here.
Refund Policy
Returns
Our policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
Gift cards
Downloadable software products
Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
Book with obvious signs of use
CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Refunds (if applicable)
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
Late or missing refunds (if applicable)
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at marketing@vibalgroup.com.
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges (if applicable)
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at marketing@vibalgroup.com and send your item to: 3F Cyberpark Tower 1, G. Aguinaldo Street, Araneta Center, Cubao, Philippines Quezon City PH 1109.
Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you’ll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and he will find out about your return.
Shipping
To return your product, you should mail your product to: 3F Cyberpark Tower 1, G. Aguinaldo Street, Araneta Center, Cubao, Philippines Quezon City PH 1109
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
