CINEMAGIS 2019. The participants in this year’s Cinemagis Northern Mindanao Digital Short Film Festival are composed of filmmakers from Ozamiz City, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Caraga Administrative Region, by far the most diverse in the film festival’s 11-year history. Supplied photo.

Report by Angelo Lorenzo

Northern Mindanao filmmakers celebrated the culmination of this year’s Cinemagis Northern Mindanao Digital Short Film Festival on Saturday (January 26) at SM City CDO Event Center, concluding its three-day run which screened films at the Xavier University Little Theater and SM City CDO Cinema 1, and presented lectures by prolific filmmakers and artists.

Among the 21 entries (13 in the student category and eight in the senior category), Noriell Joyce Dalman’s culturally-significant “Anggulo” and Edmund Telmo’s post-apocalyptic “3021” emerged victorious as Best Films in the student and the senior category, respectively.

A peak of culture and the future

“Anggulo,” which received six awards in the student category, including, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Story, Best Editing, Best Sound Scoring, Best Film, was honored with the distinct recognition for being the Sulyap Kultura Award recipient, a special prize purposefully given to the film that “best represents the Mindanao voice, cultural respect, and understanding.”

This was based on the film’s narrative that focuses on an adolescent war refugee’s personal struggle to recover from the trauma of the Marawi siege that occurred in 2017. Dalman, a student of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, dedicated the film to survivors.

Also recognized for its ambient musical score and vivid visuals was the National Commission for Culture and the Arts-supported “3021” which had initially been a product of Cinema Rehiyon’s Guerilla Filmathon, an artistic initiative that required filmmakers to accomplish short films within 24 hours.

The film spoke volumes about the prospective future of humanity which Edmund Telmo admitted having been inspired and influenced by his favorite science fiction films. Telmo, who was represented by fellow filmmakers from Ozamis City during the awarding, also received the same award for Best Film last year with the socially reflective drama, “Redempsyon.”

As each category was provided with the same set of awards, best films in the student category included “Passion of Cries” by Earl Hendrix Reyes in second place, and “Bituin” by Jun Vincent Abao in third. Both filmmakers are students from La Salle University in Ozamiz City.

Taking pride behind Telmo’s “3021” in the senior category’s best films are “Tabyog” by Caraga-based filmmaker Junlou Tordos which earned second place, and “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” by Kenneth Sabijon from Cagayan de Oro City which landed on the third spot.

Returnees reclaim prizes

Orpheus Nery, who returned this year with the experimental “-1^st Draft,” awed this year’s jury with his film that they labeled it the most promising film among the entries. Notable judges included Heneral Luna director Jerrold Tarog, documentary filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, and Davao-based filmmaker Bagane Fiola.

They also considered John Roel Cabana, director of “Repleksyon” in the student category as the most promising filmmaker. Cabana’s style had been manifested by the unique angles in his film that entirely showed the narrative through reflections.

Taking on another approach this year was Christian Alan Toring, also a student of MSU-IIT, whose poignant “Para sa Paboritong Anak ni Papa” had been nominated for various awards along with fellow returnees, Angelo Miguel Dabbay (“Perya”), Tat Soriano (“Pagsalop”), and Daniel Clark Cabantan (“Plastic Mirror”), among others.

Avenue for collaboration

With this year accumulating a record-breaking number of entries and diverse narratives at its core, the film festival plans to tighten the bonds shared among filmmakers and provide an avenue for collaboration besides showcasing their craft.

This was what Film Development Council of the Philippines chairperson Liza Diño declared during her speech at the ceremony. “Filmmakers have a platform to share their voices, to share their works, and to have them seen in the big screen with Cinemagis.”

As its legacy has breached the decade-mark, the NCCA and FDCP continue to support the film festival. Cinemagis is organized by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA)to promote and nurture the filmmaking community in Northern Mindanao.

“You are filmmakers that matter responsibly and artistically,” XCCA director Hobart Savior, who also directs the film festival since it began in 2009, stated. “May you continue to shape our society, to construct, deconstruct, and reconstruct our republic.”

More than showcasing narratives, Cinemagis continues to recognize films and filmmakers that highlight the vibrant culture of Mindanao and beyond.

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List of Nominations and Winning Films

Best Art Direction

Student Category (Nominees)

• “Repleksyon” (Michael Lagazo)
• “Anggulo” (Robert Omandam)
• “Plastic Mirror” (Lucio Mantua, Clyne Faith Vios, Aubrey Espino)
• “Sore” (Rodiell Veloso)
• “Come Close” (April Mae Vacalares)
• “Passion of Cries” (Rachel Dolor/Earl Agustin)

Winner: “Anggulo” (Robert Omandam)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• “-1st Draft” (Orpheus Nery, Maki Calo, Clark Cabantan)
• “Parlor” (Adrian Rey Manapil)
• “3021” (Carl Mabanag)
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Kenneth Sabijon, Arman Klyde Rodriguez)
• “Tabyog” (Mary Claire/Irah Mananggit)\
• “Perya” (Angelo Miguel Dabbay)

Winner: “3021” (Carl Mabanag)

 

Best Cinematography

Student Category (Nominees)

• “Repleksyon” (Jolream Salao)
• “Anggulo” (Angielle Schnaider)
• “Plastic Mirror” (Daniel Clark Cabantan)
• “Sore” (Jhune Rey Nale)
• “Passion of Cries” (Ashley Denorog)
• “Handuraw” (Angielle Schnaider)
• “Phantasm” (Julian Eymaro Janubas)
• “Byaheng Kariton” (Mary Claire Amora)

Winner: “Plastic Mirror” (Daniel Clark Cabantan)

Senior Category

• “-1st Draft” (Joe Bacus, Daniel Clark Cabantan)
• “Parlor” (Adrian Rey Manapil)
• “3021” (Edmund Telmo, Jun Abao)
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Kim Longos, Kervin Longos)
• “Tabyog” (Paul Harriz Jalop/Ray Anthony Sanchez)
• “Pagsalop” (Marco Villanueva)
• “Perya” (Angelo Miguel Dabbay)

Winner: “Tabyog” (Paul Harriz Jalop/Ray Anthony Sanchez)

 

Best Story

Student Category (Nominees)

• “Repleksyon” (John Roel Cabana)
• “Anggulo” (Ainosalam Serad)
• “Plastic Mirror” (Rodiell Veloso)
• “Sore” (Rodiell Veloso)
• “Come Close” (Alessandro Kennz Nioda/April Mae Vacalarez)
• “Passion of Cries” (Drix Reyes)
• “Handuraw” (Roy Arcilla)
• “Behind the Scene” (Chuckie Labio)
• “Bituin” (Jun Vincent Abao)
• “Phantasm” (Allan Jay Jamin)
• “Byaheng Kariton” (Reya Marie Abao/Mary Claire Amora)
• “Einna” (Patricia Beatriz Villamil)
• “Sa Paboritong Anak ni Papa” (Christian Alan Toring)

Winner: “Anggulo” (Ainosalam Serad)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• “-1st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)
• “Parlor” (Adrian Rey Manapil, Ruby Pearl Dael-Manapil)
• “3021” (Edmund Telmo)
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Kenneth Sabijon)
• “Tabyog” (Junlou Tordos)

Winner: “-1st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)

 

Best Editing

Student Category (Nominees)

• “Repleksyon” (Nicco Sanchez)
• “Anggulo” (Angielle Schnaider)
• “Plastic Mirror” (Daniel Clark Cabantan)
• “Sore” (Rodiell Veloso)
• “Passion of Cries” (Drix Reye/Jun Abao)
• “Handuraw” (Angielle Schnaider)
• “Behind the Scene” (Chuckie Labio/Julmarie Eliza dela Torre)

Winner: “Anggulo” (Angielle Schnaider)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• “-1st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)
• “Parlor” (Adrian Rey Manapil)
• “3021” (Drix Reye, Edmund Telmo)
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Nicco Sanchez)
• “Tabyog” (Junlou Tordos)
• “Mata” (Drix Reyes)

Winner: “Mata” (Drix Reyes)

 

Best Sound Scoring

Student Category (Nominees)

• “Repleksyon” (Nicco Sanchez)
• “Anggulo” (Bjork Colao)
• “Plastic Mirror” (Daniel Clark Cabantan)
• “Sore” (Rodiell Veloso)
• “Passion of Cries” (Reyan Amacna)
• “Behind the Scene” (Chuckie Labio/Julmarie Eliza dela Torre)
• “Bituin” (Reyan Amacna)
• “Sa Paboritong Anak ni Papa” (Christian Alan Toring)

Winner: “Anggulo” (Bjork Colao)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• “-1st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)
• “Parlor” (Adrian Rey Manapil)
• “3021” (Reyan Amacna)
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Norman Bel Sarmiento)
• “Tabyog” (Junlou Tordos)
• “Pagsalop” (Tat Soriano/Jarvi Fuentes)
• “Perya” (Angelo Miguel Dabbay/Ma. Sharlene Reyanne Mercado)

Winner: “3021” (Reyan Amacna)

 

Best Actor

Student Category (Nominees)

• Justin Cabiara (“Anggulo”)
• Gewin Evangelista (“Sore”)
• Reyan Amacna (“Passion of Cries”)
• Cloyd Gerodiaz  (“Behind the Scene”)
• Manuel Tayros (“Bituin”)
• Christian Dave Consus  (“Phantasm”)

Winner: Reyan Amacna (“Passion of Cries”)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• Louis Andrew Akut  (“Parlor”)
• Reyan Amacna (“3021”)
• Arman Klyde Rodriguez (“Kasubo sa Kahidlaw”)
• Kaycer Ramirez (“Tabyog”)
• Christian Tedlos  (“Pagsalop”)
• Jesus Christopher Salon  (“Perya”)

Winner: Arman Klyde Rodriguez (“Kasubo sa Kahidlaw”)

 

Best Actress

Student Category (Nominees)

• Nadia Cabana (“Repleksyon”)
• Claire Piscos (“Come Close”)
• Jenny Lampawog (“Passion of Cries”)
• Eliza Mabayo (“Handuraw”)
• Maferizenbel Velayo (“Bituin”)
• Patricia Maandig (“Einna”)

Winner: Jenny Lampawog (“Passion of Cries”)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• Grace Densing-Salvador  (“Parlor”)
• Dane Longos  (“Kasubo sa Kahidlaw”)
• Nicole Ramos  (“Pagsalop”)
• Ammyblaire Gienna Gecana (“Mata”)

Winner: Dane Longos  (“Kasubo sa Kahidlaw”)

 

Best Director

Student Category (Nominees)

• John Roel Cabana (“Repleksyon”)
• Norrielle Joyce Dalman (“Anggulo”)
• Daniel Clark Cabantan (“Plastic Mirror”)
• Rodiell Veloso (“Sore”)
• Alessandro Kennz Nioda (“Come Close”)
• Drix Reyes (“Passion of Cries”)
• Angielle Schnaider (“Handuraw”)
• Jun Vincent Abao (“Bituin”)
• Allan Jay Jamin (“Phantasm”)
• Joie-Mari Patrizia Tan (“Einna”)
• Christian Alan Toring (“Sa Paboritong Anak ni Papa”)

Winner: Drix Reyes (“Passion of Cries”)

Senior Category (Nominees)

• Orpheus Nery  (“-1st Draft”)
• Adrian Rey Manapil (“Parlor”)
• Edmund Telmo (“3021”)
• Kenneth Sabijon (“Kasubo sa Kahidlaw”)
• Junlou Tordos (“Tabyog”)
• Tat Soriano (“Pagsalop”)
• Angelo Miguel Dabbay (“Perya”)

Winner: Edmund Telmo (“3021”)

 

Best Short Film

Student Category (Nominees)

• “Repleksyon” (John Roel Cabana)
• “Anggulo” (Noriell Joyce Dalman)
• “Plastic Mirror” (Daniel Clark Cabantan)
• “Sore” (Rodiell Veloso)
• “Come Close” (Alessandro Kennz Nioda)
• “Passion of Cries” (Drix Reyes)
• “Handuraw” (Angielle Schnaider)
• “Behind the Scene” (Julmarie Eliza dela Torres)
• “Bituin” (Jun Vincent Abao)
• “Phantasm” (Allan Jay Jamin)
• “Byaheng Kariton” (Mary Claire Amora)
• “Einna” (Joie-Mari Patrrizia Tan)
• “Sa Paboritong Anak ni Papa” (Christian Alan Toring)

Winner: “Anggulo” (Noriell Joyce Dalman) – 1^st Place

• “Passion of Cries” (Drix Reyes) – 2^nd Place
• “Bituin” (Jun Vincent Abao) – 3^rd Place

Senior Category (Nominees)

• “-1st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)
• “Parlor” (Adrian Rey Manapil)
• “3021” (Edmund Telmo)
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Kenneth Sabijon)
• “Tabyog” (Junlou Tordos)
• “Pagsalop” (Tat Soriano)
• “Mata” (Rachel Ann Dolor)
• “Perya” (Angelo Miguel Dabbay)

Winner: “3021” (Edmund Telmo) – 1^st Place

• “Tabyog” (Junlou Tordos) – 2^nd Place
• “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Kenneth Sabijon) – 3^rd Place

 

Special Awards

Best Poster – “Bituin” (Jun Vincent Abao)

Best Trailer – “Sore” (Rodiell Veloso, Joe Bacus)

Audience Choice Award – “Kasubo sa Kahidlaw” (Kenneth Sabijon)

SM Choice Award – “Repleksyon” (John Roel Cabana)

Sulyap Kultura Award -  Anggulo (Noriell Joyce Dalman)

Male Star of the Night – Christian Tedlos (“Pagsalop”)

Female Star of the Night – Nicole Ramos (“Pagsalop”)

 

Jury Prize

Best Ensemble Performance – “-1^st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)

Most Promising Film – “-1^st Draft” (Orpheus Nery)

Most Promising Filmmaker – John Roel Cabana (“Repleksyon”)