17/06/2026
Can we talk about how the Ilocos Norte film scene just keeps getting better and better? Ok.. long post ahead!
What started as Tan-ok ni Ilocano Film Festival has now grown into LAWAG - The Ilocos Norte Film Festival, and as an avid fan and follower of this creative project of the Ilocos Norte Tourism, I can honestly tell it's already making a name for itself.
I recently (last June 😎 watched the 11 films & documentaries selected this year, and what stood out to me wasn't just the filmmaking. It was the stories.. our stories!
I won't get into the details na.. NO spoiler in this post, sorry! Genuine feedback lang talaga as always AND let this be my honest invitation for you to watch them this June 22-28. Get all the details and schedule in the LAWAG - The Ilocos Norte Film Festival. DO NOT MISS IT, please lang po!
GULGOL and DENOUEMENT
- explore grief, family, and identity in ways that really stay with you.
TI KARAYAN BISLAK KEN DAGITI BABBAI TI CANAAM
- it beautifully preserves a tradition that deserves to be remembered. It talks about the journey and struggles of these "babbaket" from the good ol' days - you'll be able to appreciate that despite the big changes happening, their resilience and love for doing the usual still remains alive.
TA DUTDOT MO, KALILIBNUSAN
- It was visually stunning. Bawat shot sobrang intentional yung angles and frames. Even the cast was good. For me, this was a really good watch. It's dark but also very real yung context ng story because it focused on how trauma haunts you silently. It was haunting, honest, and beautifully told. *chef's kiss*
PUSOK INDENGAM MAN, NOON NALANG ANG NOON, and KUNG 'DI MINAMADALI
- These films remind us how important family, memories, and human connections are. These films were such a breeze to watch. Light lang pero it was nice to see how simple storytelling also touches the heart.
PAROLA
- It was one of the heaviest watches. It was a short interview-type docu. Hearing the stories of young survivors of abuse was heartbreaking, but seeing their healing and resilience was incredibly powerful. It made me realize despite how life is so so cruel, the world is broken..but it is only the grace of God that has that power to heal a person. Magbaon ng tissue! Di ko kinaya yung stories nila! I had the urge to pray for them from my seat after the film. Life is cruel, but God is mighty to save talaga.
PAGSUNGROD
- reminds us of the innocence and courage of childhood but also how fragile trust is.
NAGMANTO
- blends faith, folklore, and mystery in a way that makes you question what is real and what isn't. Mejo na confuse ako dito.. cguro yun yung point? hehe!
and GAUD
- it quietly captures the beauty of growing up in Ilocos Norte, while showing how a simple life, our communities, and even our surroundings slowly change over time.
What I loved most is that these films touch on culture preservation, mental health, family, community, and even the beauty of Ilocos Norte.
And also seeing the quality of work from these Ilocano filmmakers makes me hopeful. No doubt that the potential is there. And hellooo.. Ilocanos have the talent & skill that can be at par with the big guns talaga! All we need is enough support and opportunities!
I really hope LAWAG will always be supported, and I hope more people continue to appreciate our creatives because this industry deserves to thrive.
Let's show up for our filmmakers. Support local. Support Ilocano stories. 🧡
