Erwin Fajardo
Composer + Musical Director
Erwin Fajardo is a composer and musical director based in Manila. His ability to think, write, and orchestrate in a wide variety of styles, and his fluency in both traditional and modern music methods, has led to 15 years of experience serving a diverse client list, including scoring for feature films, musical theatre, and advertising.
Film Portfolio
Partial Collection – Awards, Festivals & Streaming
Compiled February 2026
9 Films • 2014–2025
Rumaragasa (Raging)
Year: 2025
Director: Ryan Machado
Cast: Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Reynald Raissel Santos, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Rodney Galicha
Runtime: 110 min
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Set in the mid-1990s on the Filipino island of Sibuyan, the film follows Eli, a teenager whose life is altered after being raped by a peer. When authorities dismiss his report, Eli retreats into silence. After witnessing a mysterious plane crash, he embarks on a quest for truth and justice, uncovering connections between personal trauma and environmental destruction from mining.
Awards & Nominations
Cinemalaya 2025 - Best Cinematography - Theo Lozada
Cinemalaya 2025 – Best Sound (Lamberto Casas Jr.)
International Festival Participation
Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2025 – Full-Length Competition (World Premiere)
76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2026 – Panorama Section (International Premiere, Feb 12–22)
Streaming Availability: No widely available streaming as of early 2026; festival circuit ongoing.
Animal Lovers
Year: 2023
Director: Aedrian Araojo
Cast: Iana Bernardez, Karl Medina, Ryanne Murcia
Runtime: 17 min (Short Film)
Genre: Short Film, Drama, Dark Comedy
Synopsis: A pregnant woman, suspicious of her husband’s romantic relationship with his carabao, schemes to banish her four-legged rival and reclaim her title as the most beautiful animal on earth. Shot in black and white, the film finds dark humor in the cruelty of rural life.
Awards & Nominations
QCinema International Film Festival 2023 – Best Short Film
International Festival Participation
Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)
Streaming Availability: No widely available streaming listed.
Huling Palabas (Fin)
Year: 2023
Director: Ryan Machado
Cast: Shun Mark Gomez, Bon Andrew Lentejas, Cedrick Juan, Jay Gonzaga, Serena Magiliw, Senandra Gomez
Runtime: 90 min
Genre: Drama, Coming-of-Age
Synopsis: Set in 2001 in Romblon during the transition from VHS to VCD, 16-year-old Andoy creates narratives from every movie he watches to find answers about his identity and his absent father. His reality becomes mystified when two movie-like characters appear in his hometown.
Awards & Nominations
Cinemalaya 2023 – Best Director (Ryan Machado)
Cinemalaya 2023 – Best Supporting Actor (Bon Andrew Lentejas)
Young Critics Circle (YCC) – Best Film of 2023
Young Critics Circle (YCC) – Best First Feature (shared with Gitling)
Society of Filipino Film Reviewers – Best Film of 2023
Nominated: 74th Berlinale – Crystal Bear (Generation 14plus)
Nominated: 74th Berlinale – Teddy Award (Best Feature Film)
Nominated: Gawad Urian – Best Cinematography, Best Production Design
Nominated: Luna Awards – Best Sound Design
International Festival Participation
Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023 (World Premiere)
74th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2024 – Generation 14plus (Competition)
Stockholm International Film Festival Junior (Sweden)
Pink Apple Queer Film Festival (Switzerland)
Festival Mix Mexico (Mexico)
Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival
MiX International Festival of LGBTQ+ Cinema and Queer Culture (Italy)
19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (Indonesia)
13th Asian Film Festival Barcelona (Spain)
Streaming Availability: No widely available streaming listed as of early 2026.
Pamilya Ordinaryo (Ordinary People)
Year: 2016
Director: Eduardo W. Roy Jr.
Cast: Ronwaldo Martin, Hasmine Killip, Maria Isabel Lopez, Sue Prado, Ruby Ruiz, Karl Medina
Runtime: 107 min
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Set in Manila, the film revolves around Jane and Aries, two teenage street children who recently had a baby. Living in poverty and resorting to pickpocketing, their lives are shattered when their infant is kidnapped. A raw, unflinching portrait of urban destitution.
Awards & Nominations
Cinemalaya 2016 – Best Film
Cinemalaya 2016 – Best Director (Eduardo Roy Jr.)
Cinemalaya 2016 – Best Actress (Hasmine Killip)
Cinemalaya 2016 – Best Editing (Carlo Francisco Manatad)
Cinemalaya 2016 – NETPAC Award
Venice International Film Festival 2016 – Venice Days BNL Audience Award
London East Asian Film Festival – Special Mention for Best Director and Best Actress
Hanoi International Film Festival 2016 – Best Director Award
Hanoi International Film Festival 2016 – Best Actress Award
Nominated: Asia Pacific Screen Awards – Best Actress (Hasmine Killip)
International Festival Participation
12th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2016 (World Premiere)
73rd Venice International Film Festival 2016 – Venice Days
London East Asian Film Festival
Hanoi International Film Festival 2016
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival (Warsaw, Poland)
Dhaka International Film Festival 2017
Streaming Availability: Available on Netflix (added June 12, 2020).
Signal Rock
Year: 2018
Director: Chito S. Roño
Cast: Christian Bables, Daria Ramirez, Nanding Josef, Mon Confiado, Elora Españo, Sue Prado, Francis Magundayao, Arnold Reyes, Kokoy de Santos
Runtime: ~120 min
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Based on true events set in the 1990s, the film follows Intoy who lives with his family on Biri Island in Northern Samar. His sister Vicky works in Finland and can only be contacted from atop the island’s distinctive rock formations. When Vicky’s marriage to a foreigner falls apart, Intoy navigates family obligations, community dynamics, and the harsh realities of Filipino overseas labor.
Awards & Nominations
Philippine entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards (not nominated)
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 – Various awards
International Festival Participation
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 (Official Entry)
23rd Busan International Film Festival 2018
San Diego Asian Film Festival 2018
Udine Far East Film Festival 2019
Streaming Availability: Available on Netflix; also on iWant and iTunes (per FDCP).
Bwaya (Crocodile)
Year: 2014
Director: Francis Xavier Pasion
Cast: Angeli Bayani, Karl Medina, RS Francisco, Jolina Espana
Runtime: 96 min
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: Based on true events from 2009, Divina, a Manobo mother in the marshlands of Agusan del Sur, prepares for her daughter Rowena’s 12th birthday when she learns her daughter has been attacked and killed by a crocodile. As Divina searches for the body, she discovers that not all predators are underwater—confronting corruption and exploitation in her community.
Awards & Nominations
Cinemalaya 2014 – Best Film (New Breed Category)
Cinemalaya 2014 – Best Cinematography (Neil Daza)
Cinemalaya 2014 – Best Musical Score (Erwin Fajardo)
Cinemalaya 2014 – NETPAC Award
Tokyo FILMeX 2015 – Award Winner
Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema (France) – Cyclo d’Or (Golden Rickshaw) Award
International Festival Participation
10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2014 (World Premiere)
Tokyo FILMeX 2015
Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema (France)
9th Five Flavours Film Festival (Warsaw, Poland) 2015
Streaming Availability: No widely available streaming listed.
Apple of My Eye
Year: 2019
Director: James Robin Mayo
Cast: Marco Gumabao, Krystal Reyes, Dennis Padilla, Moi Marcampo
Runtime: ~90 min
Genre: Romance, Drama
Synopsis: An iWant original digital film created by actress Bela Padilla. A girl who wishes for a traditional relationship free from technology finds love in a boy who happens to be a web developer. A light romantic film that deliberately avoids the risqué content typical of digital releases.
Awards & Nominations
No major awards documented.
International Festival Participation
Released directly on iWant (ABS-CBN streaming), February 14, 2019.
No international festival participation documented.
Streaming Availability: Originally released on iWant (now rebranded). May be available on iWantTFC or similar ABS-CBN platforms.
Silly Red Shoes
Year: 2019
Director: James Robin Mayo
Cast: Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, Herbert Bautista, Anna Luna, Karen Reyes
Runtime: 87 min
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Synopsis: In the town of Liliw, Ashley struggles with unusually calloused feet, earning her ridicule. Chuck, an amateur shoemaker with a failing family business, asks Ashley to model for the annual Shoe Princess contest. As they prepare together, they uncover the mystery behind a pair of red shoes gifted to Ashley, leading her to reconnect with her family.
Awards & Nominations
No major awards documented.
International Festival Participation
Released on iWant, November 23, 2019.
No international festival participation documented.
Streaming Availability: Available on Amazon Prime Video (rental/purchase). Originally released on iWant.
Kuya Wes
Year: 2018
Director: James Robin Mayo
Cast: Ogie Alcasid, Ina Raymundo, Moi Bien, Alex Medina, Karen Gaerlan
Runtime: 90 min
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Synopsis: Wes is a timid and earnest remittance clerk who feels invisible, mostly ignored by his younger brother Raf and his family. His days brighten only when his regular customer Erika comes in each month. When Erika’s overseas husband leaves her, Wes begins helping her from his own pocket, transforming his life and relationships.
Awards & Nominations
No major Cinemalaya awards (competed in 14th Cinemalaya 2018 Full-Length Category).
International Festival Participation
14th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2018
39th Fantasporto – Porto International Film Festival 2019 (Directors Week / Orient Express Section)
Streaming Availability: No widely available streaming listed.