The Filipino Film Festival begins Friday at the Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts with six award-winning films by independent filmmakers. Festival-opener "100" by Chris Martinez is sold out. "Boses," which screens 7:30 p.m. Saturday, is a tale of rebirth and the power of friendship.

A mute, battered child is able to get back his voice from an abused and desensitized existence with the help of a reclusive musician, who gives him violin lessons and regains his own humanity. "Boses" (The Voice) directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil premiered at the 2008 Hawaii International Film Festival. "Ongkeko-Marfil's second feature is a sensitively handled plea for the rights of children and tackles unpleasant truths with great integrity, writes Variety film critic Richard Kiupers.

In Tagalog with English subtitles. Tickets: $7, non-members; $6, students, military and seniors; $5 for academy members. Alonzo's Filipino Cuisine will be for purchase 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The festival continues through April 18. www.honoluluacademy.org.

‘SECRET LIVES OF SEAHORSES’ REVEALED IN EXHIBIT

Seahorses have been celebrated in art, literature and mythology for centuries and it's easy to see why. With a head like a horse, a snout like an aardvark, a belly pouch like a kangaroo, a prehensile tail like a monkey and the ability to change colors like a chameleon, seahorses are anything but ordinary.

"The Secret Lives of Seahorses" features seahorses, sea dragons, pipehorses and pipefish at a new exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

"Seahorses are wonderful ambassadors for ocean conservation because they live in the most endangered habitats in the world — coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangrove forests," said Ava Ferguson, senior exhibit developer. "When you save a seahorse, you also save some of Earth's most precious marine habitats."

The seahorse family: fishes that have fused jaws and bony plates in place of the scales come in many shapes and sizes, and are all masters of disguise, a skill that enables them to avoid predators.

"The Secret Lives of Seahorses" opens tomorrow in four galleries at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. $30; $28 for seniors and students; $18 for children 12 and under. 866-963-9645, www.montereybayaquarium.org.