Owen Berico

In Quiapo, Manila, one can find an intersection of different faiths. The place is not only a center of Catholic faith but also of Muslim faith where one of the largest mosque can be found. Amanah Busran-Lao is a Muslim woman who conducts a tour in her community in Quiapo. From the tour, she learns how people from different faiths can unite to a common goal: peace.

Beastmode interweaves what at first sight seem to be two unconnected storylines: the first two years of rule by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, notorious for his war against drugs, and the reconstruction of a social and artistic experiment about violence and performance—a sort of Fight Club 2.0.

Three fashionista friends who are popular on social media attempt to have some offline fun by trying to contact spirits using the age-old Spirit of the Glass game and this opens up to a series of horrific haunting experiences.

As clouds begin to roll, we see the afternoon life of a busy city. Cars jam the streets, as people make squares of the side streets they walk on. People queue in line as they try to board the city train. This is Sam’s picture of his daily route to the university. He is a young filmmaker, who in his daily commute, picks up his girlfriend Isa from the train station before heading to school together.

A young woman revisiting memories of a lost love days before Martial Law is proclaimed -- an old, jaded mechanic -- a young man on his way to the countryside encountering a host of militia men and their tortured captive -- these are stories of forgotten hopes, of wearied struggles, of memories lost. Can they still be ever found?

In a rural seaside town, north of Cebu, Philippines, fisher folks face the harsh reality of human-induced environmental conditions. Fueled by the consequences of dwindling marine resources, Randy, a late 20's fisherman, has delved into the world of cockfighting. He wants to make his first try in the town's derby. His mother tells him that he can find hope and luck if he participates in the city's solemn procession for the feast of Senior Santo Nino. At the same time, Tonyo, a fellow fisher folk, invites Randy to take part in their fight against coral harvesters. Ultimately, Randy has to make a choice between his devotion or the struggle of the people.

In a rural seaside town, north of Cebu, Philippines, fisher folks face the harsh reality of human-induced environmental conditions. Fueled by the consequences of dwindling marine resources, Randy, a late 20's fisherman, has delved into the world of cockfighting. He wants to make his first try in the town's derby. His mother tells him that he can find hope and luck if he participates in the city's solemn procession for the feast of Senior Santo Nino. At the same time, Tonyo, a fellow fisher folk, invites Randy to take part in their fight against coral harvesters. Ultimately, Randy has to make a choice between his devotion or the struggle of the people.