CINEGOMA BRINGS ITS FILMS TO BAGUIO, IGNITES REGIONAL CINEMA THROUGH MONTAÑOSA PARTNERSHIP
In the Photo. Baguio residents and visiting tourists gather at the Rose Garden from April 3–5, enjoying free Cinegoma film screenings under the open sky—bringing regional stories closer to the community and turning public spaces into shared moments of cinema.
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Regional cinema took center stage in the Cordilleras as the Cinegoma: RK Rubber Festival (Cinegoma) brought its films to Baguio City through a landmark collaboration with the 6th Montañosa Film Festival (MFF), staging a series of free public screenings that drew strong community engagement.
As part of the partnership, Cinegoma mounted open-air screenings at the Rose Garden under the Sinemusikain program, as well as at the John Hay Sunflower Fair—transforming public spaces into vibrant hubs of storytelling and making regional films more accessible to a wider audience.
The initiative highlights a growing movement among regional film festivals to work collectively in expanding the reach of local cinema. By bringing stories from different parts of the country to Baguio, the collaboration fostered intercultural dialogue and appreciation, reinforcing the role of film as a bridge between communities.
“Bringing our films to Baguio and engaging with new audiences affirms that regional stories resonate far beyond their place of origin. It’s a powerful reminder that cinema can unite us while celebrating our diversity,” said Xavier Cortez, founder of Cinegoma.
For the Montañosa Film Festival, the partnership underscores its commitment to positioning Baguio as a key platform for regional and international cinematic exchange.
“Welcoming Cinegoma to the Montañosa Film Festival is a meaningful step in strengthening regional collaborations,” said Ferdinand Balanag, founder and festival director of MFF.
“This partnership allows us to amplify diverse voices and create more opportunities for audiences to experience stories from across the Philippines. It is through these collaborations that we build a more inclusive and dynamic film ecosystem,” Balanag added.
The joint effort stands as a testament to the growing strength of the Philippine film industry across regions, where festivals are increasingly working together to share platforms, expand audiences, and celebrate the richness of local narratives.
With packed screenings and enthusiastic reception from the public, the Cinegoma–Montañosa collaboration signals a promising future for regional cinema—one that is more connected, more accessible, and firmly rooted in the stories of its people. #
