The 6th Montañosa Film Festival (MFF) closed on a sour note with leaders in a tussle. Festival Director and founder Ferdinand John Balanag severed ties with Competition and Film Camp Director Emmanuel Dela Cruz after a public fallout over the Lenten break.
In a letter dated April 2, Balanag said, “We formally inform you that the festival will be parting ways with you. Your involvement with the Montañosa Film Festival shall end upon the completion of this year’s festival cycle. This decision applies to all current roles and extends to any future participation or affiliation with the festival. Please be advised that all programs, systems, materials, and initiatives under the Montañosa Film Festival remain the sole property and under the exclusive direction of the organization.” He added that the decision came after a discussion with the Film Academy of the Philippines(FAP).
In an interview on April 4, Black Saturday, Dela Cruz disclosed that his support for the festival goes back to 2011, in an initial meeting with Balanag on the concept of a project in Baguio, which was later formalized in 2020 through the MFF pilot run during the pandemic.
Dela Cruz said “All I want is for them (MFF) to repair what they did to me, pay me what is due and stop using my ideas,” adding there are no contracts as well as a detailed pay scale for services given to him since the onset of the MFF.
Dela Cruz was part of the MFF for six years, initially serving as part of the jury and later being named Competition and Mentorship Director.
He said collaboration as well as brainstorming sessions were part of his role in the MFF aside from his work as competition and film camp director which meant connecting his network to the highland film festival for partnerships, “Mentorship Director, is the one I most proud of… It’s the real backbone of the festival, its not just a “competition” but a developmental program. Leading to more benefits to the filmmakers, by establishing connections and confidence in their mentors, and not just monetary or physical trophies or awards. The mentorship of Montañosa is what makes it powerful, formidable and impactful.”
Dela Cruz recounted that on March 30, at the closing of the MFF at the film showing of Manila’s Finest at the University of the Cordilleras, he led the discussion and talkback with director Raymond Red.
Dela Cruz said he requested to have his food ration, which was to be collected at the Rose Garden at Burnham Park, brought instead to the university venue since he was hosting the program.
Dela Cruz said his request was not accommodated, despite MFF staff going to and from the venue during that afternoon, triggering a series of online rants he posted on his social media after the event.
In response, the MFF in a statement the following day said, “MFF has always prioritized the well-being of its team. Throughout his six-year tenure, we ensured Mr. Dela Cruz was provided for, often providing him with a minimum of four food packs a day. However, it is important to emphasize that as a member of the organizing committee, Mr. Dela Cruz was a vital part of our working team, not a guest or a VIP. On March 30, when we received a request for lunch delivery at 5:00 PM, in the middle of one of two major activities, our team asked that he collect his food at the designated station, just as every other officer and volunteer does. In a high-pressure event environment, we expect all team members to work in coordination rather than requiring specialized service that diverts manpower away from the festival’s needs.”
Dela Cruz said he has mobility issues being a Person with Disabilities which prevented him from collecting his food at the Burnham area as well as a diabetic, needing insulin doses, which entails meals taken at certain time of the day, thus, requesting his meals to be sent at the venue.
FAP reached out to Dela Cruz after the publicized fallout and checked on the welfare of the Manila based actor, screenwriter, creative producer and director with attempts to arbitrate the issue.
The MFF statement further read, “Beyond logistics, we must address the professional environment of MFF. For several years, we attempted to manage Mr. Dela Cruz’s behavior internally, hoping for professional growth. However, we have recently been confronted with a collective series of formal complaints from filmmakers, finalists, interns, and volunteers regarding his conduct. We take these grievances very seriously and are currently reviewing them with the objectivity they deserve. We owe it to our community to maintain a safe, respectful, and professional workspace; when the well-being of our participants is at stake, we must take action. We will reach out to all complainants privately regarding this.”
Since the MFF March 31 statement, complaints have likewise been made public with creatives airing their grievances against Dela Cruz shared by the MFF core team using personal accounts.
Dela Cruz said, “I am admitting to my faults, but there is a reason why I ended up this way,” alleging the MFF did not extend enough logistical support to ensure his roles were met with precision, citing problems of understaffing plaguing the organization.
Dela Cruz said his methods have come from years of training from industry leaders which he employed for the MFF throughout his tenure and attests he did not get feedback nor complaints from core team until this year. “I feel betrayed as a friend,” he added.
Balanag, in the letter, said, “Effective immediately upon the close of MFF 2026, you are no longer authorized to represent the Montañosa Film Festival in any capacity. This includes, but is not limited to, acting on its behalf, making statements, or engaging in any form of representation related to the festival.”
NLM reached out to Balanag if there are further statements by the MFF to which he declined.