THE Film Development Council of the Philippines has announced 23 finalists in the three categories of the First Sineng Pambansa National Film Competition: thirteen for Full-length Feature, seven for Documentary, and three for Animation. Except for Animation, the winners were chosen according to geographical area (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao). A unique aspect of this competition is that the language of the locality was used in the dialogue or the narration, in order to underscore the vitality of the country’s indigenous cultural heritage through the medium of film.
“I am happy to note that some of these finalists come as far north as Kalinga and Benguet, and as far south as Davao, Marawi and Jolo, which means that the region-based filmmakers are now contributing their outstanding talent and creativity to the making of a true Sineng Pambansa or National Cinema,” said Chairman Santos.
According to FDCP the finalists shall be awarded seed money to finish their films, which will then compete in the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival, to be held in Davao City in June 2012, organized by the FDCP in partnership with the city government of Davao.
The finalists for the full-length feature category are:
Luzon:
Ang Mga Kidnapper ni Ronnie Lazaro, Sigfried Barros-Sanchez, from Metro Manila; Pauwi Na, Jose Paulo Villaluna, from Manila and Bicol; Qwerty,Eduardo Lejano Jr., from Manila; Anac Ti Pating, Martin Masadao, from Kalinga; Kanana Kanu, Jocelyn Banasan-Kapuno, from Benguet.
Visayas:
Ang Mga Aswang, John Raymund Macahilas, from Iloilo; Beadworks, Ronny N. Poblacion, from Iloilo;
Gugma Sang Panahon Sang Bakunawa, Peter Solis Nery, from Iloilo.
Mindanao:
Tambara, Orvil C. Bantayan, from Davao; Duwaya (Polygamy), Najib Alyhar Benito-Zacaria, from Marawi;
Malan, Agustin Pagusara Jr., from Davao; In Banka Halit Sin Duwa Sapah, Fyred Alsad Alfad III, from Jolo, Sulu; Qiyamah, Gutierrez Mangansakan II from Maguindanao.
The finalists for the Documentary are:
Luzon:
Jingle Lang ang Pahinga, Dominador Escasa Jr., from Tagaytay; Illustrated by, Levi “Pepper” Marcelo, from Manila; Martial Law Stories, Jose Lorenzo Diokno, from Manila.
Visayas:
Walay Tumo’y ng Punterya (No End in Sight), Cierlito Espejo Tabay, from Cebu; Ginabuhi It Bulig (Binubuhay ng Pagtulong), Lester G. Babiera, from Aklan.
Mindanao:
Tagurih: The Kites of Sulu, Dempster P. Samarista, from Sulu; Married to Danger, Sheron Dayoc, from Zamboanga
The finalists in the Animation category are Katalina, Jose Ramon S. del Prado, from Taguig; Kalon, Blecyrezza E. Piluden, from Baguio; and Ceiling, Danilo Montano of Holy Cow Animation Inc. from Manila
The chairman also announced that there will be an Ikalawang Yugto or second phase of the Sineng Pambansa National Film Competition, which will consist of meritorious entries drawn from the same batch of this year’s First National Film Competition. These finalists will also be provided seed money by the FDCP and their films will compete in another FDCP film festival in November.
Three entries have been initially selected for the Ikalawang Yugto: Sheikh Makduhm 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 (animation). The complete batch of finalists for the Ikalawang Yugto of the Sineng Pambansa First National Film Competition will be announced in March 2012. The FDCP said that all the other current entries will still be eligible for selection in the Ikalawang Yugto.
