The nine-month quarantine brought by the Covid-19 pandemic has been tough for everyone. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report last May , people around the world faced mental health fallout due to physical isolation. 

Luckily, there are simple ways to temporarily alleviate stress and anxiety… these include exercising, meditating, and watching movies.

 This December, you can take a little break and watch these Filipino movies on Netflix!

 

Bwakaw (December 16, 2020) 

Rene (portrayed by Eddie Garcia) is a 70-year-old gay man who just came out. In the final years of his life, Rene meets Bwakaw, a stray dog that follows him wherever he goes. 

When Bwakaw fell ill, Rene realized that he values Bwakaw more than he thinks. 

 

Balangiga: The Howling Wilderness (December 20, 2020)

The award-winning ‘Balangiga: Howling Wilderness’ which first premiered at the QCinema International Film Fest brings the viewers back to one of the “bloodiest” events during the Philippine-American war in 1902.

 

Patay na Si Hesus (December 20, 2020)

‘Patay na Si Hesus’ which first came out in 2016, follows the story of Iyay (portrayed by Jaclyn Jose) who went on a road trip from Cebu City to Dumaguete to attend the funeral of her estranged husband. 

Iyay is accompanied by her three children–Jay, Jude, and Hubert.

 

Kalel 15, (Now streaming)

Jun Robles Lana’s ‘Kalel, 15’, a film that follows the plight of Kalel (portrayed by Elijah Canlas) as he deals with the stigma surrounding people with HIV.

The film has been recognized in various festivals around the world including Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia where Lana received Best Director award, the Asian Film Festival where Canlas received Best Actor Award, and the Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Macau where the Best Editing award was given to Benjamin Tolentino.

It also bagged the Best Screenplay and Best Actor award at the Gawad Urian Awards last November 10.

Gameboys Level Up Edition (December 30, 2020) 

‘Gameboys Level-Up Edition’ follows the story of two live-stream gamers, ‘Cairo’ (portrayed by Elijah Canlas) and ‘Gavreel’ (played by Kokoy de Santos) who found love in each other amid the pandemic.