ECQ Diary, a timely and relevant film about the pandemic

 

 By Archie Liao

One of the must-see movies in this year’s edition of Cinemalaya filmfest is Arlyn de la Cruz’ ECQ Diary (Bawal Lumabas).

For one, its theme is as timely and relevant as today’s headlines.

Also, it stars two of the finest actresses in the country: Ms. Elizabeth Oropesa and Ms. Daria Ramirez in their reunion movie.

According to multi-awarded journalist Arlyn dela Cruz, doing the film is quite a challenge.

“Doing a film during the pandemic about one of the many facets of the pandemic is quite a huge challenge to say the least. We had to adhere to health protocols,”she said. “Thankfully,   I had professional actresses in my cast, so we were able to finish the movie in just a matter of days,”she added.

In ECQ Diary (Bawal Lumabas), Oropesa and Ramirez play the roles of Susan and Amalia,  two sisters in their senior years caught in a turmoil at the height of the community quarantine.

According to La Oro, she decided to produce the film because she strongly feels the need to create a movie about the ongoing pandemic.

"I feel we are obligated as artists to remember our shared struggle in the year of the CoVid-19 pandemic," La Oro said.

ECQ Diary ( Bawal Lumabas ) is written and directed by ace journalist and filmmaker Arlyn Dela Cruz-Bernal.

It is also Dela Cruz' first taste of Cinemalaya which starts streaming online  starting August 6 via KTX.ph.