Liceo faculty wins 5 awards in 1st Northern Mindanao Short-Film Festival

By Nikko P. Quionez Monday, 02 February 2009

Besting five short-film entries from all over the region, CAS faculty Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy bagged five awards for his independent film Kasing-kasing Amang during the 1st Cinemagis Short-Film Festival on January 23, at SM Cinema 2, this City. During the Gala Awards Night for the first ever local independent film competition in the region, Kasing-kasing Amang was adjudged 1st Prize Best Short Film, Best Story, and Best Art Direction. Liceo Creative Director Uy was likewise declared Best Director for Senior Category while lead actor Frank Lloyd Plhong Flores, a professional photographer in the City, was proclaimed Best Actor. [The awards were] unexpected. [I] was mixed emotions because I knew I could have done better, but I was thankful for everything that the cast and crew did for Kasing-kasing Amang. I was happy for the team for overcoming the odds, and yet we are facing another challenge Manila, for the national finals, Uy revealed during the interview. The film Kasing-kasing Amang depicts life in reality and explores the eerie side of humanity. It involves a gay character who, according to Uy, is one of the most misunderstood individuals in the society. It shows how the characters conceal their sentiments and emotions in the innermost recesses of their beings. Yet, on the lighter side, it teaches the audience the value of communication and expression. The cast and crew of the film include local and aspiring artists: Mass Communication student Felisa Escalona, (lead actress); Liceo Creative staffers Lawrence Babanto (actor), key grip and gaffer; Ronald Mastail, digital artist and Uys assistant cinematographer; Dinah Ygrubay, logistics head; Mass Communication student Nikko Quionez, boom operator; and local musician Jonathan Catalan, composer of the films original soundtracks. On its first year, Cinemagis presented six short-film entries in the finals, out of 20 that were submitted. It also introduced its theme song titled Kultura, Ating Daan, written by Cinemagis Executive Director Mr. Hobart P. Savior of Xavier University. Derived from the words cinema and magis, latin for more, Cinemagis aims at tapping promising filmmakers and artists from Northern Mindanao, promoting and recognizing their artistry, and providing them with a venue to address and reflect on Mindanao experiences, voices, aspirations, and issues. The said film event was organized by the Xavier University Science Foundation (XUSF), in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Share this post