About this project

"Pagpag" (Garbage Food) is the story of Perla, a 70-year-old grandmother and food scavenger, living in the urban slums of Manila, Philippines. Since the death of her daughter Victoria, along with her deteriorating health, she has taken the initiative to set her granddaughter Rose for adoption in the hope of pulling the latter out of poverty. 

After a number of failed attempts, Perla unceasingly takes another chance with a married gay couple visiting their household.  What started out as a simple preparation to impress the couple and convince them to adopt Rose becomes a test of Perla's love for her own granddaughter.

"Pagpag" (Garbage Food) is a tale of love and sacrifice that aims to explore the fundamental principle of human value, and how our awareness of an individual's intrinsic worth reflects our actions towards people,especially our loved ones.

Key Collaborators:

John Paul Su (Writer, Director, Producer, Editor)

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Clarissa de los Reyes has a Master in Fine Art degree from New York University’s Graduate Film Program.
 
Her work at NYU brought her several scholarships and awards including the 2006 Sara Driver Production Award, the 2006 New York Women in Film and Television Production Grant, the Maurice Kanbar Scholarship, the Tisch Graduate Assistantship for Cinematography and an Honorable Mention at the 2007 Director’s Guild of America Student Awards East Coast Division and most recently, the Oberman and Pickert Production Award. She was also selected to be a part of the 6th Edition of the Berlinale Talent Campus.

Clarissa de los Reyes has served as Director of Photography for numerous short films, documentaries and industrials and has shot films in Taiwan, China, USA and the Philippines. She has most recently worked as 2nd Camera Operator for renown American independent filmmmaker John Sayles’ latest feature film “Amigo” which is currently being shown in theaters across the United States. She is currently working on her first feature-length screenplay based on her short film “Johnny Loves Dolores.”

Ty Lawson (Associate Producer)

Ty Lawson is an award-winning journalist turned film producer. He is based in Singapore producing films throughout the region and world. Ty is pursing a Master's of Fine Arts degree in International Media Producing at New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts while interning for Fortissimo Films. He also serves as the Assistant Director, Program Development for the Global Social Change Film Festival and Institute.

Harley Alcasid (Production Designer)

Harley Alcasid is an accomplished Production Designer/Art Director for commercials, TV, and independent films.  His is best known for his work in the Berlinale award-winning Filipino independent film: Tirador (Slingshot), where he was nominated by Philippine Society of Film Critics for his outstanding work in production design.

Shiho Miyazawa (Sound)

Shiho Miyazawa is an accomplished sound artist and an alumna of New York University's  Graduate Film program.  Her work includes the Academy Award-winning live action short, God of Love, among others.