WVSU films showcased in launch of FDCP’s academic programs

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Student filmmakers from West Visayas State University (WVSU) screened their cinematic works for free at Cinematheque Centres nationwide last March 18 as part of Academedia and official launch of other academic programs of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

WVSU students, or Taga-West, got to show their short films and documentaries, namely “Judith” by Daniel de la Cruz, “Kinatao” by Lovely Jaro, “To Those We Loved the Most” by Leander Hofileña and Chelsea Young, “Modyul, Modyul Lang” by Maria JC Emmanuelle Momblan, “What If?” by Hofileña and Aimee Barte, “Panakayon” by Francis Cabinos, and “Sa Likod Sang Lense” by John Angelo Arroyo and Mars Dela Cruz, at Cinematheque Centre Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Nabunturan, and Davao.

In “Judith,” a broadcasting student realizes the dangers of the pandemic as realities of life unfold.

“Kinatao” tackles the story of a student struggling to adapt to her online classes. A nursing sophomore goes through a life-changing experience when she literally finds herself between her neighbor’s legs.

Meanwhile, in “To Those We Loved the Most,” a working student is bent on doing his best as he struggles to manage his time between his job and his studies. Only his younger sister is left in his family.

“Modyul, Modyul Lang” is a documentary film about the realities faced by grade school pupils in public schools because of the pandemic.

“What If?” starts with a spark of curiosity as two young and ambitious minds meet and feel an instant connection, eager to explore the mysteries of life and constantly searching for the “what ifs” that can lead to new relationships and infinite possibilities.

“Panakayon” focuses on the journey of a multifaceted Taga-West bracing his way to success.

Finally, “Sa Likod Sang Lense” centers on the life of a woman as she tries to reach for her goal, follow the footsteps of her friends, and have a better future in the media industry.

The films won at the recently concluded University Days Short Filmmaking Competition 2023 at WVSU.

Members of the WVSU Film Society and Sinemaskom, led by their adviser Prof. Kareen Gancio, attended the event at Cinematheque Centre Iloilo.

Academedia, formerly known as UFlix, provides an exhibition platform for the works of student filmmakers to support and encourage them to pursue their passion for filmmaking. This month, the FDCP featured student films from WVSU and De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde.

In between the two sets of screenings for Academedia, two other programs, namely the Academic Film Society and the Student Film Assistance Program (SFAP), were launched through a forum led by FDCP Chair and Chief Executive Officer Tirso Cruz III, executive director Dan Morales, technical consultant Jose Javier “Direk Joey” Reyes, and program officers Mark John Pamintuan, Sed Arce, and Jen Torres Lopez.

The FDCP, through the SFAP, will open 25 slots per cycle to Filipino student filmmakers enrolled in academic institutions that will register to be part of the AFS. Successful applicants may receive up to 50,000 pesos worth of cash grants to help them produce their thesis films and capstone projects.

Irreplaceable marine resources of Verde Island Passage under threat from oil spill

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The priceless marine resources and famously pristine beaches of the Verde Island Passage (VIP) in the Southern Tagalog region remain under threat from swaths of thick black oil from the MT Princess Empress tanker that sank off Naujan, Occidental Mindoro, last February 28.

Located between Batangas and Mindoro, the VIP is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, home to thousands of unique species. With some of the highest concentrations of coastal fishes, corals, crustaceans, molluscs, seagrasses, and mangroves worldwide, it is the main source of food and livelihood for over seven million people. The area also encompasses Puerto Galera, whose white sand beaches are internationally-acclaimed tourist destinations that are another vital source of revenue for local communities.

Thick black oil has been found floating off the coast of Baco Chico Island near Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. (Photo credit: Marion Cepillo, Blue Alliance Key Ocean Defender (BAKOD), Blue Alliance)

Experts from the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science Marine Science Institute (UPD-CS MSI) have been working closely around the clock with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) alongside other universities, government agencies, and stakeholders in a race to address the oil spill and stop it from spreading.

“The VIP is home to endangered and threatened species including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, humphead wrasses, giant groupers, and giant clams,” the UPD-CS MSI said in an update. “Damage from the oil spill may affect biodiversity (including endemic species only found in the Philippines as well as species yet to be discovered), tourism revenues, and food security in the area,” they added.

The UPD-CS MSI’s forecast model for the week of March 17-26, 2023, shows that the MT Princess Empress oil spill may spread across the Verde Island Passage. Shown in the image are the possible trajectories for March 24. (Photo credit: UPD-CS MSI)

The UPD-CS MSI’s latest bulletin references a NOAA/NESDIS report based on satellite data which shows that oil was still leaking out of the sunken vessel as of March 19 and the visible oil slick is extending northwest towards the VIP.

“The Verde Island Passage represents a large portion of the country’s marine biodiversity, and is a vital resource for millions of people, past and present,” said UPD-CS MSI Associate Professor Irene Rodriguez. “If we work together, we can still hopefully safeguard it for future generations to come.”

The UPD-CS MSI is asking the public for help in monitoring the oil spill. The public is encouraged to contribute geotagged images of sightings of the MT Princess Empress oil spill through this form: https://bit.ly/MTPE_GPS. The use of a GPS-enabled phone and a GPS camera app such as “GPS Map Camera” (available on Google Play and the Apple Store) are recommended so that geotag location data can be preserved.

LPU prof vies for Lasallian Scholarum Awards

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A faculty member of the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Manila has been selected as one of the finalists in the 2023 Lasallian Scholarum Awards.

Seymour Barros Sanchez, who handles broadcasting, journalism, and multimedia arts subjects at the LPU Manila – College of Arts and Sciences, has been shortlisted under the LSA’s Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication category.

“I am pleased to inform you that one of your articles is among the finalists of the Lasallian Scholarum Awards, De La Salle University’s flagship program for recognizing exemplary media coverage of youth and education stories,” DLSU Strategic Communications Office Executive Director Johannes Leo Badillo informed Sanchez via email.

Sanchez’s article “Regional student filmmakers stand out in climate advocacy film fest,” which was published in BusinessMirror last July 31, 2022 under its Tony&Nick section, featured the winners of the Klima Film Festival, a joint initiative by the Climate Change Commission and the Oscar M. Lopez Center.

Aside from being a freelance writer and a professional lecturer, Sanchez is also a filmmaker, content and creative producer, technical consultant, and a former producer for news and current affairs programs.

LSA, with the theme “Youth: Represent,” aims to capture the youth’s voice in saying, “We are here.” It is also geared towards inspiring members of the media to put the youth and education sector in the center of national discussion. In its 18th year, LSA continues to highlight stories that champion both sectors.

The annual recognition for the media covers five categories across various channels from print and online to television. Other categories include Outstanding Feature Story on DLSU, Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a School Organ, Outstanding Online Feature Article on Youth and Education, and Outstanding Video Feature Story on Youth and Education.

The organizers collaborated with an independent media-monitoring agency for the initial screening of entries throughout the year. The entries went through a preliminary selection of a respected team of faculty and communication experts before the finalists were turned over to an external board of judges.

In addition, the Outstanding Media Personality Award will also be presented for the first time as part of the merit-based awards program. The award will be given “to a media practitioner who showed admirable attributes, serving as a role model to journalists-in-the-making.” Lasallian student journalists teamed up with the DLSU Student Media Office in choosing the recipient of the prize.

Awardees in the professional categories will receive a sculpture uniquely designed and crafted by renowned artist Toym De Leon Imao.

The LSA awarding ceremony returns as a physical event after being held online for the past two years. The finalists are expected to attend the event together with DLSU administrators and selected students on March 22 at the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, DLSU Manila.