Vlad Bunoan

Director Alpha Habon of "Kaka sa Yawan (Brother From Another River)."

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

For director Alpha Habon, his third and latest film, “Kaka sa Yawan (Brother From Another River),” an entry in the 22nd Cinemalaya 2026, is not a boy’s love (BL) story.“Maybe it’s understandable that this looks like a BL theme,” Habon told ABS-CBN News. “But if it will be perceived as such, it’s their own interpretation. That is valid.”The community the story represents in “Kaka sa Yawan” has “queer” people. “From the time of Babaylan, there was already an LGBTQ community,” Habon said. “Gender is not that rigid. We also studied the Mangyan’s mythology and culture, then incorporated it to the story.”All the films that Habon directed, so far, are festival entries. In his two previous comedy films – “Mga Mister ni Rosario” (2018) for Cine Filipino and “Maria Azama: The Best Po*n Star” (2025) for Cine Silip – Habon had immersions with indigenous communities like the Aetas or the Ifugaos, who had their respective representations.“This ‘Kaka sa Yawan’ is a departure from what I usually do,” said the director. “This is a very personal story for me. I think for a long time, the Mangyan community is known for being secluded and very protective of their culture. There is less material from them.“That is a challenge and an opportunity for us to approach them and make them tell their story. I was able to work with the community, especially the children, the students. As a storyteller myself, I want to share the story of the Mangyans to the world and expose their style of living and their culture.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786328271915IMG_4739.jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655"/>  Director Alpha Habon of &quot;Kaka sa Yawan (Brother From Another River).&quot; </div>The Mangyan people of Mindoro is home to eight ethnolinguistic groups – Alangan, Bangon, Buhid, Hanunuo, Iraya, Ratagnon, Tadyawan and Tawbuid. “Kaka sa Yawan” highlights the culture and traditions of the Tadyawan.“Ma Hal Ta,” a popular greeting in Oriental Mindoro derived from Mangyan, Mt. Halcon and Tamaraw, are three enduring symbols of the province’s identity.In Tadyawan, “Makadot” is a Mangyan belief of the revered deity and guide of souls on their journey to the spirit world. Meanwhile, “Laban,” according to Mangyan folklore, are malevolent forest spirits that take the form of wolves and are believed to lure children away from safety.“I always wanted to tell stories of under-represented communities like the Tadyawan/Mangyans when I came across people who are often in Puerto Galera,” Habon said. “This is the story of the indigenous people of the Tadyawan/Mangyan. At its very core, this is a story of friendship and grief brought about by the loss of friendship.“Habon believes a lot of people can relate to the film. “This is very personal for me,” said Habon, who also wrote the screenplay. “I lifted some scenes from my personal life. When the opportunity came, I got to meet Miss Anna (Mercader), who is a resident of Mindoro Oriental. That was when the project came to life.“We looked for a community to represent the story. This is a story of the indigenous people of the Tadyawan/Mangyans. We did a lot of immersions before we were able to present this beautiful story. The place where we filmed was untouched and pristine. Their awareness of the outside world was very, very limited. Their culture and the community were very welcoming and very friendly.”Initially, Habon had to present the story to the leaders of the Mangyan community in Mindoro Oriental. “I had to get their approval,” said the director-scriptwriter. “It was a three-hour session and we talked about the nitty-gritty of the material. In the end, they approved the material.“There was another step where we had to follow their rituals, a measure to get the approval of their gods. We went through the process and we did. Throughout the whole process of shooting, we were very respectful of the community. We didn’t take more than what we needed. We always made sure that their elders were involved in the decision-making of the production.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786328341071IMG_4731.jpeg" style="width:655px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655"/>Producer Annaliza Mercader with child actor Nicolo Mercader </div>Filming this journey was the most difficult part for Habon, who even had to secure permits. He had to conform with the requirements of National Commission for Indigenous People. It helped that he was a frequent visitor of Puerto Galera in Mindoro.He also mentioned director Zig Dulay’s Cinemalaya short film, “Itim na Bahaghari (Black Rainbow)” (2022) and Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay’s “Tumandoc,” a Cinemalaya entry in 2024. “I always want to tell stories about the indigenous communities,” admitted Habon. “This time, it’s the story of the Tadyawans. We had our immersion in the mountains of Mindoro Oriental. Pabalik-balik na kami doon until we were able to craft the story.”The Tadyawans have kept their culture and tradition. At the same time, Habon wants to show that the natives are very developed and have adapted to modern culture to date. “The people are fortunate enough to own their own land,” Habon said. “They have their Piso-net for their WiFi. They have electricity, motorcycles, more schools.“Sometimes, their concern is if they can garner enough crops for the whole year, their standing in the community financially and environmentally, their daily living and their income. They have a very simple life but they are very happy since they take their lives day to day. Very chill lang sila. The audience can learn from them.”Securing permits when shooting out of town was “notorious” for those representing indigenous people, according to Habon. “We need to secure permits from them to make sure the community is well represented,” Habon said. “And true to form, what is presented in the film. But in the end, we were able to show the finished product to the community and they gave their nod to present the film in Cinemalaya. We were able to get their blessing.After the festival run, Habon commits to return to the Mangyan community to do a special screening of “Kaka sa Yawan.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786328378928IMG_4735.jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655"/> Director Alpha Habon with child actor Nicolo Mercader </div>Bankrolled by Bryce Entertainment Production and IGMM Film Productions, “Kaka sa Yawan” is a coming-of-age story of two friends in Mindoro – Niko, a Manila boy (Beaver Magtalas) and Ayan, a Tadyawan-Mangyan (Benedix Ramos). Their bond spans a summer of acquainting with each other’s culture and lifestyle.Habon made it a point to include Tadyawan natives in the roster of his characters to honor the rich culture of the Tadyawan-Mangyan community. Ten-year-old Dennis Dato, who essays the role of young Ayan, best friend of Niko, the lead character, joins the cast.Young Niko will be played by Nicolo Mercader, a talented child actor who “listens and focuses” on what is being required of him to do. The director wears a bracelet created by the Tadyawan-Mangyan, the “insignia” of their culture. “If someone gave it to you, it symbolizes protection, shielding you from harm, wishing you good health, prosperity and wealth,” Habon said.Also in the cast of &quot;Kaka sa Yawan&quot; are Nikki Valdez, Luis Alandy, Queenay Mercado, Karl Medina, Noelle Polack, child star Deaanne Bautista, plus a host of young and new talents.Habon chose Noel Cabangon’s “Kanlungan” as the theme of “Kaka sa Yawan,” that best describes its story of friendship. “Lumilipas ang panahon. Kabiyak ng ating gunita. Ang mga puno’t halaman. Bakit kailangang lumisan?”Cinemalaya runs in selected theaters until August 16.

“Kaka sa Yawan” highlights the culture and traditions of the Tadyawan.

Cinemalaya director shot entry on location in Oriental Mindoro

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Cinemalaya director shot entry on location in Oriental Mindoro

Leah C. Salterio

Published August 10, 2026 07:07 PM PHT

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Alpha Habon

Cinemalaya

Oriental Mindoro

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