St. Dominic Student Film Wins at CineJuana

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A film by second-year Communication majors from St. Dominic College of Asia won at the CineJuana Digital Shorts Competition during the Youth Forum on Violence Against Women and Girls, organized by the Philippine Commission on Women last November 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Lara Mae Tamio collaborated with fellow SDCA sophomores Sydney Mari and Sigfrianne Aslahon to bag third prize for “Para Kay Bunso” in CineJuana’s #LabanJuana category. The film shows the miserable realities of abuse at home, presenting a woeful cycle that makes siblings suffer.

“Alas Tres” by Cinema Agustino (La Consolacion College Manila) and “Tubig” by SagipIT Production (Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology) won first and second prize, respectively. “Eluquor (To Speak Up)” by BOB Productions (Caraga State University), the sole finalist from Mindanao, and “KaSAYSAYan: Rebolusyon ng Pagbabago” by Reporma Productions (Kingfisher School of Business-Pangasinan) got consolation prizes as the two other #LabanJuana finalists.

“How to Pick Up Chicks” by 5ML Production (Asia Pacific College) led the winners in the #LigtasJuana category with “Tindahan” by 4+1 Productions (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde) and “Mulat” by EMCinema (Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila) placing second and third, respectively. The other #LigtasJuana finalists are “Kanlungan” by Hades Production (Tabaco National High School) and “Bantay” by Kahol Films (St. Paul College San Rafael-Bulacan).

“Hatdog ni Boyet” by KMBT Productions (CIIT Philippines) topped the #JuanParaKayJuana category, with “Blager” by Majarlika Productions (Tarlac State University) ending up second and “Lahat Para Sa'yo” by AgustinemA (NEUST) capturing third. Consolation prizes for #JuanParaKayJuana went to “Tanikala ng Kahapon” of Team Tanikala and “Mabuti Na Lang” by Para Bongga ang Productions, both from NEUST like the winning student filmmakers from SagipIT Production and AgustinemA.

“Mabuti Na Lang” also got the People’s Choice Award, based on the Facebook insights, specifically the number of unique viewers of each film.

First prize winners brought home 50,000 pesos while the second and third placers received 35,000 and 20,000 pesos, respectively. The People's Choice Awardee bagged 15,000 pesos and the consolation prize winners got 5,000 pesos each.

#LabanJuana features empowering stories that encourage women to seek help and break free from the cycle of violence. Meanwhile, #LigtasJuana focuses on the important provisions of the Safe Spaces Act or Republic Act 11313, as films under this category help explain and popularize its contents. Finally, #JuanParaKayJuana highlights the role of men and boys in reducing VAW, especially in their own circles.

PCW launched CineJuana as part of its activities for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, which ran from November 25 to December 12. It recognizes the power of cinema in raising awareness on violence and inspiring actions to prevent it, as student filmmakers nationwide focus their cameras on VAW issues.

Writer Noreen Capili, who also serves as PCW Commissioner for Media and the Arts, judged the finalists together with award-winning and critically acclaimed filmmakers Pamela L. Reyes, Leilani Chavez, Carlo Catu and Zig Dulay. The judges chose the winners based on their films’ relevance to the theme and objectives of the competition, creativity and originality, cinematography, editing, and sound and music.