Cinemalaya’s Balota Trailer Gives A Peek Into Sacrifices of Teachers During Elections
The Cinemalaya entry Balota stars Marian Rivera as a teacher who guards the election ballot box
Teachers are second parents of a child. After all, they are the ones who look after them in school and get the trust of their parents. But more than the parents, they are also the guardians and safe-keepers of the election returns during the national and local elections in the country.
The sad reality though is that they’re overworked and underpaid. They also bear the brunt of the violence that comes with the elections. In case you don’t know, they are the ones who oversee the smooth election process.
A look into the elections through Balota
One of this year’s Cinemalaya entries is Kip Oebanda‘s Balota, starring Marian Rivera. Although the trailer was brief, it gave us a peek into what a teacher goes through when the elections were still manual and carried the ballot box after the polls.
In the synopsis provided, the film tackles the elections between a land-grabbing tycoon and a sexy actor who is tight-locked in a race to win as mayor. When violence erupts, Emmy (Marian Rivera) finds herself protecting the last election returns and outsmarting the goons who want a failure of elections.
The film also stars Sassa Girl, Will Asley, Royce Cabrera, and Nico Antonio. The movie is Kip Oebanda’s follow-up since the release of his other works which include Liway (2018), Abandoned (2019), Bar Boys (2017), and Block Z (2020).
Why the film is a must watched by families
If you are a child of a teacher who is part of every election, chances are the film is close to your heart. What our teachers go through these days is tough. Not only are they second parents of our kids but also the protectors of democracy in every election regardless of national, local, or barangay. The hard work they put into it and the long hours checking if every vote counts goes to show what we don’t often see – love for country.
As the Philippines prepares for the 2025 mid-elections, Balota comes at a time where every vote counts and will continue to count. May it be a catalyst to open everyone’s eyes, including parents and upcoming first-time voters who will choose the next set of senators and local leaders on May 2025.
Balota, and other entries at the Cinemalaya festival opens on August 2 in selected Ayala cinemas.
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