After a series of scriptwriting, cinematography, and film-editing workshops, the Grade 12 students from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand of the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) showcased four documentary films and one short film through their film festival titled, “Ralantawon: A Documentary Film Festival on HUMSS-Related Researches” at the UPV Cinematheque on May 18, 2023.
The Grade 10 and Grade 11-HUMSS students from UPHSI and Grade 12-HUMSS students from Iloilo National High School (INHS) watched films that shed light on various social issues. They were joined by faculty members of UPHSI and by multi-awarded Director Kevin P. Piamonte, who was the guest speaker of the film festival.
“You make the film not only because you wanted to take videos of certain things; it must be focused on being the voice of those who wanted to be heard,” said Piamonte.
The documentary film “Ang Tatay Ko Sa Sagwa” directed by Ms. Krisna Ellah Clarito was hailed as the Ralantawon Film Festival’s Best Film, while also garnering the Best in Production Design and Best Research Adaptation awards. The Best Director award was given to their director, Ms. Krisna Ellah Clarito.
Meanwhile, the short film “Closed Doors,” which was directed by Ms. Anne Lorraine Marcial, won prizes for Best Poster, Best Trailer, and Best Screenplay. Ms. Alekzandria Padrones and Ms. Jancee Fernandez, who were both in the cast, won honors for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. The Best Actor award was given to Mr. Jhon Louie Animas, with his team – “Para Kay Sin-o Ang Boto Mo?” directed by Mr. Jan Anry Gallaza – getting the Best in Editing award. Ms. Irish Gwynneth Gascon’s film “Melodies in Studies” won the Best in Cinematography award.
The event was part of the students’ course requirement for their subject’s culminating activity under the supervision of Dr. John E. Barrios. The films presented were derived from the student’s academic research from their Integrated Research Apprenticeship (I-REAP) class under the guidance of Prof. Ronela S. Jundos.
The 12 HUMSS students were tutored by filmmakers Emmanuel Lerona, Jose Ruel Garcia, and Mark Joseph Perez. (Grade 12 HUMSS, UPHSI)
