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Article (news)

With Love Bridgit

Israel Malasa

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178477842810811.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Director Kevin Piamonte and the poster of his film &#x27;With Love, Bridgit.&#x27; Handout</div>The creation of films in the Philippine regions continues.Filmed in a barangay in Iloilo City, the Ilonggo film &quot;With Love, Bridgit&quot; sets the theme for a story about belonging, memory, and unconditional love.The film is under the direction of University of the Philippines-Visayas professor Kevin Piamonte whose previous movie &quot;Cande&quot; won Best Screenplay at the International Film Festival Manhattan NYC (IFFM) in 2025. In this movie, Bridgit is a dog that lives in the fictitious Barangay Inday. “In our film, Bridgit is the only character who belongs to everyone. She has no political agenda, no family allegiance, and no personal bias. She quietly moves from one home to another, witnessing the joys, conflicts, and everyday lives of the people in the village. Through her eyes, we see a community as a whole rather than from a single person’s perspective because a dog can be everywhere,” said Piamonte.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/9/8/-cande-a-film-about-ilonggo-identity-named-finalist-at-sinag-maynila-2025-1323" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Cande&#x27;, a film about Ilonggo identity, named finalist at Sinag Maynila 2025</a></div>Piamonte fondly recalls a real dog also named Bridgit who used to live in his neighborhood in Iloilo City. “She was rather infamous because she was practically pregnant all the time. In fact, she eventually died pregnant…. And because of this I thought if the dog can talk, then the dog will certainly have more stories more than anybody because the dog can be everywhere unlike people who can be wary of the presence of other people,” he mused.“In many Filipino communities, dogs are part of everyday life. They greet us in the morning, follow us through the streets, and stay behind even when people leave. That idea became the emotional heart of the film,” Piamonte explains.Piamonte describes Barangay Inday as a vibrant community that faces the heartbreaking reality of demolition and displacement. As families prepare to leave the only home they have ever known, life in the barangay continues with its endless gossip, sibling rivalries, first love and faith. “Through Bridgit&#x27;s eyes, the audience discovers that what truly makes a community is not its houses or streets, but the people who fill them with memories. They are defined by the people who laugh together, argue together, celebrate together, and remember together,&quot; he added.The producers of the film were inspired by real communities in the Visayas. They worked closely with residents to allow authentic voices and everyday experiences to shape the story. Aside from local actors, residents from the barangay where the film was shot also became part of the cast.The film, like the previous movie, “Cande,” is spoken in Hiligaynon. But Piamonte believes while it is a regional cinema, its theme resonates globally. “It explores emotions that transcend geography. Every community, regardless of country, understands the fear of losing a home, the importance of belonging, the bonds between neighbors. While the details are distinctly Ilonggo, the emotions are profoundly human,” Piamonte said.The film is produced by ERK Film Production, Film Development Council of the Philippines, CreatePhFilms, and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.‘With Love, Bridgit’ will have its red carpet premiere on July 24 at SM City Iloilo.Other screening schedules are:July 25 | 2:30 PM &amp; 5:30 PM | UPV CinemathequeJuly 26 | 2:30 PM &amp; 5:30 PM | UPV CinemathequeJuly 31 | 2:30 PM &amp; 5:30 PM | Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art

Filmed in a barangay in Iloilo City, the Ilonggo film "With Love, Bridgit" sets the theme for a story about belonging, memory, and unconditional love.

Filmed in a barangay in Iloilo City, the Ilonggo film "With Love, Bridgit" sets the theme for a story about belonging, memory, and unconditional love.

Regional cinema shines in Ilonggo film 'With Love, Bridgit'

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Regional cinema shines in Ilonggo film 'With Love, Bridgit'

Israel Malasa,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 11:48 AM PHT

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With Love Bridgit

Ilonggo film

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