Filmmakers from the University of the East College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design are slowly carving a mark in the international scene after making waves in the local film festival circuit.
In recent years, it has not been uncommon for a UE CFAD student or alumnus to represent the country. Aside from the achievements of filmmaker and mentor Richard Soriano Legaspi, who is also a UE Fine Arts graduate, his former students have also followed suit. In 2014, Camille Teves became part of the 3rd ASEAN-ROK Film Leaders Incubator in Myanmar and Japan. Angeline Tabilog’s “Marangle” was part of the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival in Malaysia in 2017. In addition, she also got a South East Asian Migrants Inspired or SEAMi Art Residency in Taiwan in 2018.
“Yero” (Corrugated Galvanized Iron) recently won Best Short Documentary at the third 21 Islands International Short Film Festival in New York. UE CFAD Advertising Arts graduates John Lanbert Rafols, Jay Condeno and John Nico Nunag were also invited to present their student project as it competed at the 21st Ismailia International Film Festival for documentary and short films in Egypt.
Not far behind in getting recognition is “How the Beasts Got Hyped” by Elvin Jay Macanlalay, Bryan Marticio and Mars Sanchez. After competing at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India and at the Kinolikbez X Documentary Film Festival in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, it will next vie in the open category of the first Philippine International Film Festival in Korea.
Hidden from the public eye
The 13-minute documentary “Yero” reveals the life of two workers, Armando Bucog and Rowil Galicia, in a corrugated-iron recycling factory and the harsh conditions they experienced inside it. The group from UE CFAD documented the daily struggle of the workers inside the hazardous environment, as they scavenge through metal scraps without safety tools or protection for themselves from persistent hazards and imminent danger.
Rafols, who directed “Yero” before graduating from UE in December 2018, was ecstatic that their film got shown to a foreign audience. He was also beaming with pride when the local Nile Cinema Channel interviewed him about his filmmaking inspiration and process. “It was astounding to see our film on a big screen. You feel this sense of happiness and pride as you see the crowd watching a Filipino film, knowing that consequently it will expose the unpleasantness of the corrugated iron industry. It was a rewarding experience to represent my country on behalf of my production team.”
Before competing abroad, “Yero” also vied for honors at the 30th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or Gawad Alternatibo at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at the 6th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition or Nabifilmex 6 in Compostela Valley.
Rafols was accompanied in one of the biggest film festivals in the Arab world by Legaspi, who handled their video production class. The two UE alumni were hosted by the Ismailia Ministry of Culture, Egyptian Film Center and Ismailia Governorate during the six-day event. Ismailia, known as “the City of Beauty and Enchantment,” is home to the two-decade film festival which remains committed to showcasing important and significant documentaries and short films to celebrate cinema, creativity and the undeniable influence of film around the world.
Attack of the Hypebeasts
Meanwhile, “How the Beasts Got Hyped” focuses on the daily routine of “hypebeasts” or people who are “beasts” (obsessed) about the “hype” (in fashion) and their mutual interest in street-style fashion, which provides a sense of community among its followers.
“Early in the development, it took at least a day or two of convincing our professor and even ourselves on taking the story a step further, given the controversies surrounding it. It was a shrewd choice for the team to pursue the story for three reasons: our value for individuality, interest on stories of social outcasts (social injustice) and to answer a very simple question—where does this grudge root from?” director Macanlalay shared.
The documentary, which was initially focused on showing the day-to-day activities of a group of eccentric kids, has evolved to become more than what it has been primarily focused at. The story recognizes the importance of collective identity, camaraderie and solidarity in the face of “the animosity of the majority,” or just simply rediscovering a lost freedom.
“How the Beasts Got Hyped” was also an official selection in the 17th Hyperfest International Student Film Festival in Bucharest, Romania, AFFF Athens Fashion Film Festival in Greece, Lift-Off Global Network—First time Filmmaker Sessions in the United Kingdom, 2019 Music Shorts Film Festival in the USA, Nabifilmex 6 and 30th Gawad Alternatibo, among others.
Farmer’s Life
Last year, “Marangle” (Farm), an experimental short film directed by Tabilog, won Best Short Film award in the Student Category of the first Pagwanawanan Film Festival in San Juan, La Union. The nine-minute film shows the life of a farmer who risks everything, including his land, just to have a chance to work abroad and provide a better future for his family.
Apart from the win and its selection to the Cinebalu program of the Kota Kinabalu IFF, the film also competed at Sinepiyu, Cinesilangan and Gawad Alternatibo in 2017.
Tabilog collaborated with her groupmates, director of photography Isabelo Bucao, assistant director Rhuva Patiag, writer Gerard Halabaso, production manager Aldric Matthew Manapat, production designer Chelsea Mae Natividad, costume designer Erica Balaan and production staff Cyrill Mustera, Jayson Torres and Kent Santos, in shooting the film in Pampanga.
Another UE entry, the animated film “Maling Akala: Ang Misteryo ng Unamuno” by Macanlalay and Arvileen Yongzon, was nominated in Pagwanawanan’s student category. It tells the story of a special creature named Bungisngis along with a mischievous child named Ron Ron as they go on an adventure in friendship.
“Maling Akala” also competed at the second Manila Student Film Festival, Nabifilmex 6, Philippine Animation Festival or Animahenasyon 11, and CineKasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival. It was also exhibited at the Sinehan sa Summer 2019 in New York and is one of the 20 finalists in the open category of the 6th Urduja Film Festival in Lingayen, Pangasinan next month.
Highest Honor
In the meantime, Legaspi was awarded the Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela for Film by the City Government of Valenzuela, in commemoration of its local hero’s 150th birth anniversary. The award is the highest and most prestigious recognition conferred by the local government to Valenzuela City residents who have excelled in their respective fields, made significant contributions to the welfare of the city, and lived true to the values of the late Dr. Valenzuela.
Legaspi is also part of the Philippine contingent to the Sabah Pitching Training and Awards at the Kota Kinabalu IFF. He represented UE with Eloida Dagumboy as they joined filmmakers from the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia in improving their projects with the help of Mark Overett, Head of Department Film & Television, JMC Academy, Brisbane, Australia.
In addition, “Yero,” “How the Beasts Got Hyped” and “Maling Akala” will represent UE, together with animated short film “Dumbo,” at the first Cinestudyante Film Festival at Santolan Town Plaza from September 25 to October 1. Another UE student film, Rexie Robles Tamayo’s “Mga Bangkang Papel sa Sapang Delubyo” will compete in the short film category of the 26th Annual Filipino International Cine Festival or FACINE on October 26 in San Francisco, California.
As a mentor, Legaspi is elated that his students are doing well in local and international film festivals and art residencies abroad. UE CFAD’s Visual Communication (formerly Advertising Arts) Department is continuously strutting their wares in the field of design and moving images. For Legaspi, despite his personal achievements, no honor can compare to seeing his former students excel on their own.