PAGLILITIS

PAGLILITIS
(A TRIAL)
by Cheska Marfori

90 MINUTES | Drama

CAST
Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Eula Valdez, Leo Martinez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Sid Lucero, Bombi Plata, Rolando Inocencio, Cherry Malvar, Barbara Miguel

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – Cheska Marfori
SCREENPLAY/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/PRODUCER – Raymund Barcelon
CINEMATOGRAPHER – Sol Garcia, LPS
PRODUCTION DESIGN – Lars Magbanua
EDITOR – Glenn Barit
ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Hans Rivera
SOUND DESIGN – Aian Louie Caro
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – Edwin Mores
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Aika Rapay
COSTUME DESIGNER – Eivy Rose Lavalle
VISUAL EFFECTS – Eru Petrasanta

LOGLINE
Years after experiencing sexual harassment at her workplace, a former executive assistant is persuaded by a passionate lawyer to file a case against her rich and highly respected boss.

SYNOPSIS
After years of trauma from pervasive sexual harassment at her workplace, Jonalyn Samuel quietly lives as a recluse. A passionate lawyer, however, finds and persuades Jonalyn to file a case against her former employer, the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the country. Initially reluctant, the lawyer explains that times have changed and the woke generation will greatly help in pursuing justice. Convinced, Jonalyn takes a risk and finds hope through the overwhelming support she receives through social media. But, the platform that initially gives her assurance soon becomes a toxic space that presents her as a heartless perpetrator instead of a victim.

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE

CHESKA MARFORI is a Filipino filmmaker whose work centers on women’s struggles amid generational shifts from conservative to progressive environments. Her 2019 short film, Ang Gasgas na Plaka ni Lolo Bert (The Broken Vinyl Record), co-directed with Janina Gacosta, won Best Director at the CineSpectra Film Festival and was a finalist at the 2020 Cinemalaya Short Film Festival, with screenings at various local and international festivals. Her short film Saka Na (Someday) ranked in the Top 10 at Nespresso Talents 2021. Marfori has honed her craft through workshops with prominent Filipino filmmakers Jun Robles Lana, Ricky Lee, and Bing Lao. She was a participant in the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab (2021–2022) and represented the Philippines at Platform Busan in 2024. Their Cinemalaya film, Paglilitis, was selected for the DGPI-FDCP Film Pitch 2024.

Screenwriter RAYMUND BARCELON writes for television, online platforms, film, and theater. He teaches screenwriting at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The screenplay of Paglilitis won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2024. Paglilitis is his first effort as a producer.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

When we share this story to strangers and friends, their initial question is, “What’s new about this issue?”. They look for a marketable perspective and a new approach to this topic. They may have a valid point but these kinds of stories, marketable or not, continue to happen. We should never stop telling these stories on all the platforms that we have. Social media in the past years has played a big role in giving spaces to victims to tell their stories and call out perpetrators. It has created movements that empower victims to speak up, like the #MeToo Movement, and hopefully someday our country can be brave enough to set aside our conservative upbringing and create a campaign like that. Let’s not disregard any form of harassment and not weigh it on how grave or minor the harassment is. When we feel uncomfortable, we speak up, and we ask for help. You are not alone.