By Stephen J Pedroza
Promoting peace in Mindanao. Dealing with a traumatic past. Strife for freedom. Bullying in school. Defying religious and cultural prejudices.
These elements have converged, assembling the captivating menu of digital short films for the seventh harvest of Cinemagis festival under the banner of Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) of Xavier University.
XCCA director Hobart Savior has expressed his delight and gratitude for the development of filmmaking in Northern Mindanao through Cinemagis which serves as a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talents and stories.
Cinemagis continues to grow in terms of the number of participating filmmakers and its audience reach. Running on January 21-24 at the XU Little Theater and SM Cagayan de Oro Cinemas 3 and 4, the event presents 4 professional entries, 9 student films and the critically-acclaimed films of the award-winning director Brilliante Mendoza.
From past conflicts to present issues
In the professional category, each entry deals with a morally-baffling theme.
Set in Maguindanao at the height of conflict between the Philippine military forces and Moro rebels in 2008, “The End of War” by Joeromer Bacus chronicles the struggles of a family stuck in a crossfire “they never wanted to be a part of.”
“May Bituin Din sa Umaga” by John Solomon T Legara takes the audience to a modern take on the colonization in the Philippines and the nation’s strife for freedom. The protagonist of the story named Bituin Maglaya represents the Philippine resilience and dignity, and the film follows Bituin’s journey of finding her heroes or “lucky stars.”
Adrian Rey Banaag Manapil’s “Bagabag” (Apprehension) displays a suspense story about an Accounting professor Grasya who is trying to forget her traumatic past while her friendship to Leonor is being tested.
“She [Leonor] entrusted her daughter Yzel to Grasya with a promise to send her financial assistance while she is working abroad—until an accident happened while Yzel was playing,” the film’s excerpt reads.
Completing the list of films from the professional category is “Ang Lihim ni Natividad” (The Secret of Natividad) by Jasmine Limas.
During the 4th Cinemagis Film Festival, Limas’ “Carmen” won the Best Student Short Film and it had its international debut at the Yerba Buena Arts Center in San Francisco, California, USA.
From bullying to defying stereotypes
On the other hand, the student films this year offer appealing storylines as much as the aforementioned entries.
“En Pace” (In Peace) by Orpheus Nery takes us to a journey of a man who met a mysterious woman who seems to fill his void after the unexpected death of his wife.
“He is having fun when he sees people afraid of him but one nightmare will change his life and perspectives,” teases the excerpt of “The Bully has Awakened” by Harold A Villegas, a Development Communication student at XU. This short film follows a transformational story of Ruben who is a bully yet he contends with making himself a better man.
“Abansada sa Hangin” by Marvelous J Bencio from Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) simply describes his film as “about promoting peace in Mindanao.”
Brian Adam Salvador Anay’s “Tingki” chronicles the story of a young and aspiring ballerina “who has been leading a ‘jacketed life’ as a Muslim and who finally decides to fight for her dreams in dancing despite facing societal reprisals because of her religion.”
“A love story between Gab, a college student who supports abortion and Vanessa, a Subanen who is devoted to her conservative beliefs,” this is the storyline of “Grasya” by Geffel Lou A Rodrigora. Opposing beliefs will test their love as they go through some dramatic encounters.
“Across the Universe,” a film by Megan Louise C Hernandez is about "the choices we make in our lives and how we should deal with them.”
“Feeling Loved” by Greanne Mendoza is something the youth can relate to with the subject on the “acceptance in social media.” It is a movie about wanting to be “in” on the new media. In desperation, the main character spreads lies about his life and goes the extra mile just to keep the ‘likes’ going.
Murder and intrigues linger in the film of Lucky E dela Rosa’s “Emosyon” (Emotion) and it follows the tousled relationship of the characters Victor and Jewel.
Completing the roster of student films for the 7th installment of Cinemagis is “Sangil” (Blame) by Christian Alan E Toring from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).
Cinemagis perks
This year’s Cinemagis will feature Brilliante Mendoza’s award-winning films “Foster Child” and “Thy Womb” at SM Cinemas 3 and 4.
Thy Womb follows the story of a Bajau midwife (Nora Aunor) as she copes with her infertility while attending to the concerns of women in her nomad community. Foster Child, on the other hand, stars Cherry Pie Picache as a temporary parent to an abandoned child.
Admission to the screening venues only requires personal care items such as soap, toothpaste and sanitary napkins, which will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Seniang in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
In addition, the festival offers a free film production design and editing workshop for film enthusiasts on Jan 22-23 at the XU Little Theater and an interaction with the award-winning Mendoza at SM Cinemas 3 and 4.
The announcement of nominees will be held on Jan 21, and the winners from the student and professional categories will be declared during the awards night on Jan 24 at SM City Event Center.
Supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through its National Committee on Cinema, Cinemagis is organized in collaboration with Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), Research Institute for Mindanao Culture (RIMCU), XU NSTP and SM CDO.
Cinemagis serves as a springboard for filmmakers from Region 10 to showcase their stories. Since its inception in 2009, a number of films have already gone to other national independent film festivals and even in the international scene.