MANILA, Philippines (Jul 2026) — Balancing the heavy workload of running a college department while directing a full-length feature film sounds like a recipe for total burnout, but one academic leader proved it can be done.
Mapúa University School of Multimedia and Digital Arts Dean David R. Corpuz is set to premiere his new 110-minute feature drama “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam” (Only Known to Us) at this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Co-written with Iar Arondaing, the film explores the fragile mechanics of love, grief, and long-standing family rifts.
The narrative centers on Neil, played by Martin del Rosario, and Bong, played by Miguel Odron, whose shared life fractures when Bong suffers a sudden, debilitating illness that lands him in the hospital. As Neil balances workplace demands with bedside caregiving, Bong’s mother Gloria, played by Yayo Aguila, tries to hold herself together for her son. The emotional tension grows even more complex with the arrival of Benjie, played by Epy Quizon, Bong’s long-estranged father who steps back into the frame seeking reconciliation.
A balancing act between the office and the set
For Corpuz, bringing this narrative to the big screen meant balancing two intense worlds as a filmmaker and as an academic dean. The project was selected as a Cinemalaya finalist in October 2025, starting a challenging journey leading up to the festival. Corpuz admitted that someone told him he was crazy for joining a film festival while serving as the dean of a school, but he shared that the desire to create mattered more to him than the pressure of being judged on the outcome.
Navigating both roles required substantial backing from Mapúa’s administration, including University President Dodjie S. Maestrecampo and the rest of the leadership team. While Corpuz was away on set, Karen Rey stepped up as Officer-in-Charge Dean, supported by the department’s faculty members. For Corpuz, the experience proved that academic institutions can serve as powerful incubators for creative practice when leadership actively backs artistic output.
What to expect at Cinemalaya 22
Cinemalaya, celebrating 22 years of Philippine independent cinema, returns this year from Aug. 6 to 18 with the theme “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections”. Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., the festival showcases nine full-length and 10 short films centering on identity, memory, justice, and family dynamics.
Aside from the lead actors, the film features a supporting cast including Madeleine Nicolas, Bodjie Pascua, Bong Cabrera, Adrian Lindayag, and Nour Hooshmand. The production is produced by Kristine Camille Sulit and Patricia Salic, with Adam Dumaguin serving as cinematographer and Joris Fernandez as editor.
Pinoy film enthusiasts can visit the official CCP and Cinemalaya websites or follow their updates on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for schedule details and ticket information.
