A total of 23 films will compete in the 1st Sineng Pambansa National Film Competition, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which hosts the contest, has announced.
There are three categories—full-length (13 entries), documentary (seven) and animation (three), according to FDCP chair Briccio Santos.
“Except for the animation [section], the finalists were chosen according to geography—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao,” Santos said in a statement.
Unique aspect
He added that a unique aspect of the contest is requiring the use of regional language for each entry, which underscores “the vitality of the country’s indigenous cultural heritage through the medium of film.”
The FDCP chief noted: “Some of these finalists come from as far north as Kalinga and Benguet, and as far south as Davao, Marawi and Jolo. This means region-based filmmakers are now contributing their outstanding talent and creativity to the making of a true Sineng Pambansa, or national cinema.”
Seed money
The finalists will each be given a seed money of P600,000 to finish their films, which will then be showcased in the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival in June in Davao City.
Competing in the full-length feature category are, from Luzon: “Ang Mga Kidnapper ni Ronnie Lazaro” by Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez, Metro Manila; “Pauwi Na,” Jose Paulo Villaluna, Manila and Bicol; “Qwerty,” Eduardo Lejano Jr., Manila; “Anac Ti Pating,” Martin Masadao, Kalinga; “Kanana Kanu,” Jocelyn Banasan-Kapuno, Benguet.
Finalists from the Visayas: “Ang Mga Aswang,” John Raymund Macahilas, Iloilo; “Beadworks,” Ronny N. Poblacion, Iloilo; and “Gugma Sang Panahon Sang Bakunawa,” Peter Solis Nery, Iloilo.
And from Mindanao: “Tambara,” Orvil C. Bantayan, Davao; “Duwaya (Polygamy),” Najib Alyhar Benito-Zacaria, Marawi; “Malan,” Agustin Pagusara Jr., Davao; “In Banka Halit Sin Duwa Sapah,” Fyred Alsad Alfad III, Jolo; “Qiyamah,” Gutierrez Mangansakan II, Maguindanao.
Finalists in the documentary section are (Luzon): “Jingle Lang ang Pahinga,” Dominador Escasa Jr., Tagaytay; “Illustrated by,” Levi “Pepper” Marcelo, Manila; “Martial Law Stories,” Jose Lorenzo Diokno, Manila; (Visayas) “Walay Tumo’y ng Punterya (No End in Sight),” Cierlito Espejo Tabay, Cebu; “Ginabuhi It Bulig (Binubuhay ng Pagtulong),” Lester G. Babiera, Aklan; (Mindanao) “Tagurih: The Kites of Sulu,” Dempster P. Samarista, Sulu; and “Married to Danger,” Sheron Dayoc, Zamboanga.
Animation
Finalists in the animation section are: “Katalina,” Jose Ramon S. del Prado, Taguig; “Kalon,” Blecyrezza E. Piluden, Baguio; and “Ceiling,” Danilo Montano of Holy Cow Animation Inc., Manila.
The second phase or “Ikalawang Yugto” of the competition will consist of entries drawn from the same batch of applicants, Santos said. The FDCP will also give seed money to the second batch of finalists, which will compete in another film fest in November.
Announcement
Santos said three entries have so far been chosen for “Ikalawang Yugto”: “Sheikh Makdum” by Abraham I. Dalagan from Tawi-Tawi (feature film); “Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin” by Sheryl Manalastas from Manila (documentary); and “Si Matsing at Si Pagong” by Analyne Pineda, Manila (animation).
The FDCP chair said the other current entries are still eligible for selection in the second batch. The complete batch of finalists to be announced in March. (E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)