Actress Nikki Valdez described her experience filming the Cinemalaya 2026 entry ‘Kaka Sa Yawan’ (Brother from Another River) in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro as both challenging and unforgettable, saying the production gave her a deeper appreciation of the Tadyawan-Mangyan community and their way of life.
During the film’s press conference, Nikki shared that spending more than a month in the Mangyan community was unlike any project she had previously undertaken, especially since it marked her first time participating in the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
“Napakaganda ‘yung experience para sa aming mga actors. Like, ako, this is my first Cinemalaya experience. Kaya sobrang masaya po ako to be immersed with the Mangyan tribe. Hindi biro ‘yung naging experience. But it was a very good one.”
The award-winning actress said she was struck by the simplicity of life in the community, recalling that it was the first time she had personally seen members of an indigenous group still wearing the traditional bahag. She also observed how closely connected the residents were with one another.
“Makikita mong magkakakilala lahat ng tao. Dahil na siguro walang gadgets, they talk to each other. Masaya na sila sa kung anong meron sila, sa kung sinong meron sila, at kung nasaan sila.”
Nikki also admired the health and vitality of many elderly members of the community, saying she was amazed to meet women who remained active even at an advanced age.
“May mga nakausap pa kami na mga elderly naman o mga nanay. Sabi ko, wow, gano’n sila ka-healthy. Meron isa nanganak pa siya at 50 years old.”
While she described the experience as rewarding, Nikki admitted that adjusting to the area’s limited electricity and internet connectivity proved difficult, especially whenever she had scheduled online meetings or needed to make important calls.
Directed by Alpha Habon, ‘Kaka Sa Yawan’ (Brother from Another River) is a coming-of-age drama that follows childhood friends Niko, who grew up in Manila, and Ayan, a member of the Tadyawan-Mangyan community. The production was filmed on location in Mindoro to authentically portray the indigenous community’s culture and daily life.
The film stars newcomers Bryce Nicolo Mercader and Dennis Dato, a real-life Mangyan youth, with their older counterparts portrayed by Beaver Magtalas and Benedix Ramos. The ensemble cast also includes Luis Alandy, Queenay Mercado, Karl Medina, Noelle Polack, and Nikki Valdez.
According to the production team, filming lasted for more than a month in Oriental Mindoro. The shoot followed the provisions of the Eddie Garcia Law, particularly regarding the working hours of child actors, while also complying with guidelines set by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the local Mangyan community.
‘Kaka Sa Yawan’ (Brother from Another River) is one of the 10 full-length feature films selected for the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which is scheduled to run from August 6 to 18.
