Benilde Films Reap Awards at CALABARZON Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Capstone projects from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts film department won major prizes at the ninth Pelikultura: The CALABARZON Film Festival held at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños College of Arts and Sciences auditorium from March 13 to 15.

“Tayo” by Ron Dulatre, Elaiza Rivera and Joice Bay got the Best Screenplay and Best Production Design honors, while “Esmeralda” by Alexandra Louise Supnet and Kathrina Kate Castillo took home the Best Musical Score trophy in the student category.

“Tayo” tells the story of Reg (Karl Medina), a socially awkward stand-up comedian who gets help from his subconscious in the person of Alyssa (Veronica Reyes). However, when Reg is supposed to give the performance of a lifetime, Alyssa suddenly disappears.

“The story of ‘Tayo’ originates from a true story of when I hit a slump of depression in the past. I developed the depressed stand-up comedian from there and Elaiza had the idea to combine it with an old story of hers called ‘Dream 8’ about a girl who meets her soulmate in her dreams,” Dulatre shared.

Meanwhile, “Esmeralda” is a musical short film involving a young girl (Claire Geonzon) who sells sampaguita leis around Quiapo, her mother (Chanel Latorre) who sells herbal medicines in front of the church, and her grandmother (Maddie Martinez) who is slowly losing her memory.

Another film from Benilde, “Delta” by Luigi Macalintal and James Fuentes Garcia, also made it among the 26 finalists that tell compelling stories from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

“Delta” is about brothers Marco (Jemuel Satumba) and Lucas (Alexis Negrite) who go to the river for a weekend without their parents to celebrate the former’s birthday. As they bond together, Marco shares with Lucas his plan to explore the end of the river. Out of curiosity, Lucas heads out to the river alone.

Dr. Rolando Tolentino of the UP Film Institute, director Keith Deligero and documentary filmmaker Jewel Maranan served as jury. They also conducted a film appreciation forum and filmmaking workshops.

UPLB Department of Humanities chair and UPLB SamaSining executive director Dr. Leonora Fajutagana said that holding Pelikultura is part of their commitment to promote culture and arts in the region.

In a message delivered by Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Serlie Barroga-Jamias on behalf of Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., the UPLB administration commended Pelikultura for bringing regional films closer to more people and giving independent filmmakers an avenue to showcase their work.

On the other hand, Jayson Septimo of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts encouraged filmmakers to continue making relevant regional and national stories.

Renneth Moldes, who spoke on behalf of Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Liza Diño, stressed Pelikultura’s role in empowering other localities to develop and promote their own film culture.

Pelikultura is part of Cinema Rehiyon, a flagship program of the NCCA Cinema Committee. UPLB Pelikulab, the host of Pelikultura, is under the UPLB SamaSining, the integrated arts program of the Humanities department.

Short Film Against Victim Blaming Tops Cinemascian Tilt

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A six-minute film which attempts to counter the myth that women’s choice of clothing incites rape or sexual violence ruled the annual Cinemascian short film competition among Grade 10 students of Manila Science High School at the Augusto A. Alzona Hall last March 11.

“Wanted,” the short film entry of X-Copernicus, won Best Film, Best Director for Eunice Lavilla and Best Poster for Yana Ysabel Caraan. It makes use of the “tikbalang,” a half-human, half-horse creature of Philippine folklore to represent the convicted rapist who is on the loose.

“Gusot,” a film co-directed by David Andrew Racelis and Leira Marie Francisco of X-Faraday, won Second Best Film and Best Actress for Louise Anne Marinay, who played an overworked household help in a story involving a domineering mother and her caring daughter.

The only non-narrative work, “Omelas: Isang Pagninilay sa mga Larawan ng Maynila,” won Third Best Film for X-Moseley, Best Cinematography for Martin Zachary Asistio and Jabez Antinero, and Best Editing for Asistio. It was inspired by a short story by Ursula K. Le Guin.

“Desaparecidos” of X-Lawrence won Best Screenplay for Alicia Ablian, Christine Callueng, Andreana Flores and co-writer/director David Velasco, Best Trailer and Best Soundtrack in a tie with “Ornamento” by X-Newton. 

“Desaparecidos” tackles the issue of enforced disappearances as told in the story of a father and his daughter while “Ornamento” focuses on a young woman who was sexually abused and victimized by a local politician and his family.

“Amansinaya” of X-Einstein won Best Production Design for Rommielle Morada, who also co-directed the film with Siegourny Yap. A take on the territorial row in the West Philippine Sea, it tells the story of fisherfolk’s daughter who decides to take matters into her own hands after learning that her younger brother has not eaten fish since his third birthday.

Niccolo Roxas won Best Actor for his role as the ambitious son and politician in “Dugo’t Pilak” of X-Roentgen. The other competing entries are “Marco Polo,” also directed by Racelis and Francisco of X-Faraday and “Piglas” directed by Riana Laurice Fajardo of X-Townes.

Cinemascian is being conducted annually as part of the students’ Humanities classes. According to MSHS Humanities teacher Ms. Christianlyn Magcalayo, the event “aims to showcase students’ skills and creativity in the art of filmmaking, to allow them to express their views and insights on social issues surrounding them as youth through film, and to use film as a tool for social awareness and effecting change.”

Judging the entries are award-winning film editor John Wong (“Rosario,” “The Animals” and “Bhoy Intsik”) of EDGE Manila Creatives Corporation, advocacy filmmaker and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts film department and Far Eastern University Department of Communication lecturer Seymour Sanchez, and Cinemascian 2018 winner and “Sa Huling Piging” director Shayne Jose. Both Sanchez and Jose are MSHS alumni.

The entries were evaluated according to the following criteria: Storytelling/Message – 40%; Technical Quality – 40% (10% each for Cinematography, Production Design, Editing and Audio/Music/Sound Effects) and Acting – 20%.

PHlPost releases Aguinaldo 150th Birth Anniversary Stamps

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In line with the celebration of the 150thbirth anniversary of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first and youngest President of the Philippine Republic, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has issued commemorative stamps to honor the late revolutionary leader in fitting ceremonies held at the historic Aguinaldo mansion in Kawit, Cavite.

PHLPost Chairman Norman Fulgencio presented the Commemorative Aguinaldo Stamps Frame to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles who represented President Rodrigo Duterte in the event in Cavite.

President Aguinaldo led Filipino revolutionary forces in an uprising against the Spanish Government in 1896 and declared Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.

President Duterte has recently issued Presidential Proclamation No. 621 declaring March 22, his birthday as “ Emilio Aguinaldo Day”. According to him, Aguinaldo symbolizes the desire of the nation to be self reliant, independent and free from oppression.

The commemorative stamp features the colorful illustration of General Emilio Aguinaldo in P12 denomination and the Souvenir Sheet which will be sold at P55 each. PHLPost in-house artist Rodine Teodoro designed the two different denomination of the stamp. The postal agency has printed 50,000 pieces of the stamps.

Stamps and Official First Day Covers of the Aguinaldo Stamp will be available starting March 22, 2019 at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio 1000, Manila and post offices in the country.