Kapamiltya actress Nikki Valdez said filming her first Cinemalaya entry, "Kaka sa Yawan (Brother From Another River)," gave her a deeper appreciation for a simpler way of life after immersing herself in the Mangyan community in Oriental Mindoro.
In the film, Valdez plays Nanay Mely, the devoted mother of Nico (Beaver Magtalas), while Luis Alandy portrays her husband, Ben, a loving and supportive father.
“This is my first Cinemalaya experience,” Valdez told ABS-CBN News. “I am really happy to be immersed with the Mangyan tribe in Oriental Mindoro. It was a very good experience for the cast. It was no joke to work with the Mangyans, especially for someone like me who did Cinemalaya for the first time.
“I got to witness people who still wear G-string (bahag) in the Mangyan community and I experienced going back to basics. We witnessed that. I realized that was the life before we had social media and all kinds of gadgets. Their community is really small. They all know each other.
“They talk to each other. They don’t have gadgets. To get a signal, you have to pay Piso-Net. Swerte ka kapag hindi nag-brownout sa lugar. There’s electricity in the area, but it was limited. When a lot of people are using the Internet, we experienced brownout. At 5 p.m., we witnessed them cooking their dinner. Nagsisiga na sila. We only saw that with the basic needs of the people. They are happy with what they have and where they are.”
Actress Nikki Valdez
Valdez got to talk with elderly moms who are really healthy. She cherished conversing with the Mangyans and loved hearing their stories. “There was a (Mangyan) mom who joined us in one scene and she told us, she even gave birth when she was 50,” she disclosed. “There was no pollution there. They eat healthy food. Even during COVID, they had a good experience. Ang ganda ng location namin.”
What challenged Valdez was the ride going to their location. “I’ve been used to shooting anywhere,” she said. “Sanay ako to strike anywhere. That’s part of our job. But it was my first time to experience glamping. We camped out in tents where we spent the night. We had no hotel, nothing really convenient.
“Having a cellphone while we were there was not a luxury during our shoot. We were not able to communicate over the phone. Otherwise, it was a good experience. It was an experience taking the Ro-Ro.
“I brought my own car and from Batangas port, it took us two hours to get to Calapan (Oriental Mindoro) port. Then we drove for another two hours to get to our hotel. I enjoyed the long drive. It was fun seeing the views, the trees. It was fun to experience all that.”
The first-time chance of working in the island of Oriental Mindoro is likewise a great experience for Valdez. “We did a lot of scenes with the Mangyans and their tribe celebrating in the river and how they are as people,” she said.
Nikki Valdez (extreme right) with director Alpha Habon (second from left) and the cast of "Kaka sa Yawan (Brother From Another River).”
Valdez’s biggest take filming “Kaka sa Yawan” is its message of friendship. “In your life, as you get older, there are people who will stay with you until you grow old together,” she said.
She cherished her few friends in the business -- Jolina Magdangal, Rica Peralejo and Kaye Abad. “Even if we don’t talk for a long time, we just know we are still here for each other,” Valdez said. “The most wonderful kind of friendship is when you can tell her mistakes without her getting offended.
“The real test of friendship is when you can be at your worst and they will be there for you. That’s the true test of friendship. When you are at your lowest and they are still around, they are really your true friends. You tell them your best kept secrets that others don’t know about.”
Coming of age
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.
While they were both small, young Niko (Bryce Nicolo Mercader) teaches Ayan (Dennis Dato) how to read, while in turn, the latter teaches Niko how to swim. Years later, adult Niko returns to Mindoro to honor a promise to his old friend.
The film reminds us that healing can be found in understanding, connection and the transcendent power of shared humanity.
“Kaka sa Yawan” is megged by film and TV director, writer and producer Alpha Habon. It was shot entirely in Sitio Gran Vida, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro and immerses audiences in the natural beauty and traditions of the Tadyawan-Mangyan community.
Filming in a location like Oriental Mindoro was a great experience for Habon and his Manila-based cast. “I really had a great time filming because we were locked in in the town of Socorro,” Habon said. “It was like going camping because we had to go back to basics to adapt to the culture of the Mangyan community.
“All in all, it was an experience for everyone. We had a great time bonding. From the town, we took a two-and-a-half hour jeepney ride and even crossed the river.”
With profound respect for the Tadyawan-Mangyan culture, Habon brings to life a story rooted in authenticity, humility and hope. Inspired by the community’s belief in the constant, unbreakable flow of life – like the river that sustains them – “Kaka sa Yawan” is a tribute to resilience, memory and the people who shape who we become.