“Santa Mesa,” the first feature by writer/director Ron Morales was featured at the 21st Annual Singapore International Film Festival 6 April 2008. Morales earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000 from the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at Tisch School of the Arts.
The film, shot both in the Philippians and the United States, tells the story of Hector, a young boy who is forced to come to terms with the death of his mother. At 12 years old, Hector must move to Manila to live with his grandmother Lita. Left to his own devices, Hector falls in with a street gang before an old photographer takes him under his wing. Haunted by memories of his mother, Hector photographs a woman named Rosa until their seemingly disconnected lives collide.
“…Morales displays a deft hand with cast, atmosphere and conflicts that, in other hands, might have turned contrived, preachy or lurid. Highlights in the solid production package are Yaron Orbach's color-saturated nocturnal lensing and Daniel Belardinelli's ethereal score.” – Variety Magazine
"Santa Mesa" won the Special Jury Award at the 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and has screened at Chicago Asian American Showcase and the LA Visual Communications Film Festival.
