rafa

sa hardin ni nanay 2024 last week, "sa hardin ni nanay" was premiered in the advanced directing finals screening along with amazing films from amazing filmmakers. medyo late na yung post ko kasi it took me some time to reflect on the process of filmmaking (i.e. umiinom), from pre-production at the start of the semester, to the day of the screening, December 17. sa hardin ni nanay follows a young gardener who goes on a solemn and meditative journey deep into the forest, carrying the corpse of his dead mother to find a perfect place to cremate her. this story was only brought to life because of the amazing actors i got to work with. Marco and Ms. Neth, thank you for portraying these characters with artistry and care. it's a story that is personal to me, which is why i am eternally grateful for my reliable and patient team. through countless headaches, toothaches, heat strokes and bug bites, thank you for letting me tell this story and being there to lend a helping hand. it's the crew who makes the film what it is. again, i will never get tired of being thankful for everyone, so thank you! this film is yours as much as it is mine. 🍻❤️ starring Marco Luna @marcolunaaaaa Neth Canosa producers - Briana Susim @brianavsusim & rafa cabal 1st Assistant Director - Briana Susim production manager - Alexis Tolosa @afztolosa director of photography - Nathan Dizon @nate_gab gaffer - Trojan Aguinaldo @rob_trojan production designer - Errol Bu @errolbu set dressers - Kaie Delgado @kaiedelgado & Koko Urgino @donttellwormwood production assistant - Koko Urgino sound recordist - Trojan Aguinaldo editor, colorist, composer - rafa cabal written and directed by rafa cabal long live cinema! buhay ang pelikula dahil sa inyong lahat.

IT'S A WRAP! 🥳 After 3 long, grueling, and immensely fulfilling shoot days, we're happy to announce that we have finished the principal photography phase of "What The Living Do"! 🎬🍃 Thank you to our cast and crew who poured their hearts and souls out into this film, who were willing to go to unimaginable lengths to see the shoot to completion. And thank you to everyone who supported us and gave us strength along the way. None of this would be possible without you! 🥹💗 We are now moving onto the post-production phase, and we still need your help to be able to finish the film. HELP US BY PLEDGING: tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm — photos by @smelline.studio , @imwheeeen , @arreluntalan 🏷️: #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #sapphicfilm #wuhluhwuh #queercinema #filipinofilm

Namiss niyo ba kami? We're still here! Take a peek behind-the-scenes of the scene-by-scene meeting for the sapphic romance/body horror short film, "What The Living Do" 🎬🍃 The crew gathered recently to closely dissect and deconstruct the script together from the perspective of every department — questioning, clarifying, editing — making sure each and every detail aligns with the story that we want to tell. We promise you guys will meet Ysabel and Sylvia very soon! 👀 For now, you can still help us make this film happen by pledging to our crowdfunding campaign at tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm 💌 — bts video by @smelline.studio edit by @rafaacabal_ 🏷️: #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #sapphicfilm #wuhluhwuh #filipinofilm #queercinema

2025

ATTENTION: the girls, the gays, and rafa need your help. 🗣️‼️ What The Living Do is currently in pre-production. We are seeking your help to make sure we give you the best version of Ysabel and Sylvia's story. Every peso you donate to us will cover the production costs and ensure the safety of our casts and crew. With this, we will be able to create the best possible version of our film. 🎬✨ By donating a specific amount, there will be perks that will come with it. ORASYON SA MULING PAGKABUHAY (₱10,000+) INCLUSIONS Company logo included in film and/or - associate producer in credits Digital spell book postcard Merchandise 2 tickets to private screening (with talkback & live performances) or Limited-time online access to the flim, for 7 days GAMOT SA SAKIT SA PUSO (₱5,000+) INCLUSIONS Major sponsor in credits Digital spell book postcard Merchandise 1 ticket to private screening (with talkback & live performances) or Limited-time online access to the flim, for 3 days GAYUMA (₱2000+) INCLUSIONS Minor sponsor in credits Digital spell book postcard Merchandise 1 ticket to private screening (with talkback & live performances) or Limited-time online access to the flim, for 3 days AGIMAT (₱1,000+) INCLUSIONS Minor sponsor in credits Digital spell book postcard 1 ticket to private screening (with talkback & live performances) or Limited-time online access to the flim, for 3 days PAMPASWERTE (₱500+) INCLUSIONS Minor sponsor in credits Digital spell book postcard Sama-sama nating buhayin ang kwento nina Ysabel at Sylvia. 🍃 PLEDGE HERE: tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm tinyurl.com/thelivingfilm If you have any questions or concerns, you may reach us via our email: [email protected] — 🏷️: #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #filmcrowdfunding #sapphicfilm #filipinofilm #queercinema #wuhluhwuh #wlw

no crowd like a mows crowd thank u @heyjunemusic for having us!! ❤️❤️ filmed and edited by @rafaacabal_ our goat #manicseason #altrock #opm

a few old (2018-2019) photographs i have of the Madrid house :)

COMING 2026: a Filipino sapphic romance-horror short film! 👀🎬 "What The Living Do" follows Ysabel, a Filipina folk healer who brings her girlfriend Sylvia back to life, only to find that Sylvia's body continues to rot in resurrection. This is a thesis short film by Jam Borja, Alexis Tolosa, and rafa cabal, currently in pre-production. We can't wait to share more details and behind-the-scenes with you! Don't miss out and follow us here on @theliving.film 🍃✨ — 🏷️: #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #shortfilm #filipinofilm #sapphicfilm #queercinema #wuhluhwuh #wlw #lgbtqia

MEET THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS — PART 3 Get to know the gentle, soulful gaze behind the camera: our director of photography, rafa cabal. 🎥🎞️ "The story is written with so much tenderness and poeticism, so it’s only right that we lens it with the respect, the artistry, and gentleness that it deserves." 🌿 "What The Living Do" is a sapphic romance-horror thesis film by Jam Borja, Alexis Tolosa, and rafa cabal, coming 2026. The film follows Ysabel, a Filipina folk healer who brings her girlfriend Sylvia back to life, only to find that Sylvia's body continues to rot despite resurrection. This thesis film is currently in pre-production. 🎬 You can follow us here on @theliving.film for regular updates throughout our journey as we bring this film to life. 🌱 — graphics designed by @smelline.studio 🏷️: #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #shortfilm #filipinofilm #sapphicfilm #queercinema #wuhluhwuh #wlw #lgbtqia #directorofphotography #cinematographer

KAWAWA OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW ON YOUTUBE!! So many people to thank for this one. Basti, Rafa, Mikey, Alexis, Bri, MARCO THE GOAT 😭😔❤️, Sir Jed, Sir Kris, Kuya Sherwin, Joshua, Ry, Lex, Candice, Tris, Jaja, MOW'S!!! THE PEOPLE WHO STAYED AFTER THE JULY 3 GIG AND WERE FEATURED SA MV!! Lupet niyo lahat. and for all those who stream and will stream hehe creds to @j4of4lltr4des for the title design!! our day 1 MANIC SEASON'S GOT SO MUCH MORE FOR ALL OF U!! Enjoy Kawawa! MV Link in story

the only local band with an action muvi (music video) 🤩 KAWAWA MUSIC VIDEO OUT ON THE 25TH. Directed by @keemreyes12 Shot by @rafaacabal_ written by @inglrsbasterd #manicseason #localmusic #altrock #crowszero

Presenting: "What The Living Do" — a sapphic romance thesis short film by Jam Borja, Alexis Tolosa, and rafa cabal, coming 2026. "What The Living Do" follows Ysabel, a Filipina folk healer who brings her girlfriend Sylvia back to life, only to find that Sylvia's body continues to rot despite resurrection. We are currently in pre-production and would love for you guys to join us in our journey towards making this film come to life! You can follow us here on @theliving.film for regular updates on the filmmaking process. 🎬🍃 — graphics designed by @smelline.studio 🏷️: #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #shortfilm #filipinofilm #queercinema #wuhluhwuh #wlw #sapphicfilm #lgbtqia