Vlad Bunoan

A scene from 'When Heaven Inched Towards Earth.' Handout

Article (news)

Albert Josef Lirio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787551542297Film Still.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>A scene from &#x27;When Heaven Inched Towards Earth.&#x27; Handout</div>Would you move heaven and earth for a love frowned upon by society? A new short film aims to hold space for the discussion of the struggle for queer love and against development aggression in the countryside. Writer-director Vinh Marco’s “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth” follows the story of farm boy David and how he would reconcile his long-held Catholic faith with his repressed feelings for Angelo, a sacristan whom he developed a close bond with.The film draws from Marco’s experiences growing up queer in Pulilan, Bulacan, as he sought for queer spaces within religious settings.“I have witnessed industrial projects tower over the rice fields that enshrine my hometown, at the same time I struggled to assert my identity in a repressive religious environment,” the director shared.His recent work, “Walang Bakla sa Langit,” also explored similar themes of faith, queerness, and regional identity. It premiered as a finalist at the 38th CCP Gawad Alternatibo.In “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth,” Marco reframes popular Renaissance paintings and sculptures, like The Creation of Adam and the Pietà, into the local context of rice fields in the Bulacan town and the subject of creation as a coming-of-age.Starring as David is actor André Miguel, who also starred in queer short films that premiered internationally like the 2025 Cannes Film Festival Short Film Palme d’Or entry “Agapito” and “At Least We Had This Moment,” which was first screened at the Queer East Film Festival in London.Alongside Miguel is emerging local actor Kaleb Ong, who will play Angelo, with Alexa SanDiego and Dads Valencia.  “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth” premieres as part of the Set B of short films at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival from September 23 to October 4, 2026 at Gateway Cineplex 18 and select Ayala Malls Cinemas in Metro Manila.

‘When Heaven Inched Towards Earth’ is a personal piece for young director Vinh Marco, who struggled with his identity while his Bulacan hometown underwent industrialization in the background.

‘When Heaven Inched Towards Earth’ is a personal piece for young director Vinh Marco, who struggled with his identity while his Bulacan hometown underwent industrialization in the background.

New short film explores how Catholic guilt hinders queer love

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New short film explores how Catholic guilt hinders queer love

Albert Josef Lirio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 02:09 PM PHT

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When Heaven Inched Towards Earth

short film

Cinepanalo

LGBT

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