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UNVEILING. Cinemagis opens with the presentation of trailers of all the competing films and the announcement of nominations for the different awards.
[J. RACAZA]
Cinemagis 8 unveils short film, entries, nominees By Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes
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unning on its eighth year, Cinemagis, Northern Mindanao’s Digital Short Film Festival, proudly unveiled 18 short film entries featuring the work of local filmmakers during its opening night held at the XU Little Theater on January 20. Graced by the event organizers, filmmakers, members of the production team, and other invited guests, the event highlighted the presentation of the trailers of all the competing films and the announcement of nominations for the different awards in the
film festival. In addition to the contending entries, a special screening presented five outstanding CINEMALAYA films – two of which have been initially shown during the opening program. The different entries featured stories inspired by this year’s suggested themes which are peace, governance, environment, health and sanitation, food security, cultural understanding and awareness, and life’s funny and subtle contradictions. This year’s film festival offered an interesting line up to the
viewing public – ranging from the pressing issues in the local scenery to the absurd imaginations of the human mind. Organized by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), Cinemagis 8 aims to appreciate and strengthen the skills of our local filmmakers in Mindanao and significantly contribute to the growing film industry in the region. “Our thrust now is to sustain it (Cinemagis) more… in that case there will be a lot of filmmakers who will really be flourishing
and we hope that they could capture our experiences and our voices here in Mindanao so we can share them to the Philippines, to Southeast Asia, to Asia in general, and to the world,” shared XCCA Director Hobart P. Savior. For the past years, Cinemagis have had only two categories in the festival – student and senior categories – but this year, a new category dubbed the “Pi” Short Films, was introduced. This category featured entries exemplifying Ignatian values (i.e. magis, cura
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EDITORIAL
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strong provoking line, a womanizing husband, a sexy mistress, and a title taken from a line in a song. This could be the perfect formula for a mainstream Filipino drama movie. How about a movie with starstudded cast, novelty songs, forced puns, insulting jokes, and slapstick humor? That would sound like a sure box-office hit — a comedy flick that has all the potential to be the highest-grossing film in Philippine cinema. Despite the predictable plot and shallow storyline, mainstream Filipino films still attract the masses. Independently produced films, on the other hand, despite depicting social realities and offering relevant ideas, do not get the same reception that mainstream movies get to enjoy. The recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an example of how mainstream movies have long been overshadowing indie films. Movies by television giants were given more screen time in cinemas while indie films got pulled out from the big screens. Of course, major movie theaters choose to show mainstream movies because they simply sell more than indie films. After all, the film industry is business. Ironically, however, the indie films are the ones that get invited and awarded in international film festivals despite having less screen time and lower audience turn out compared to their mainstream counterparts. If indie films contain more substance and exhibit greater significance than mainstream films, why are they only being recognized by a foreign audience and not patronized by the Filipino masses? Does this mean that Filipinos have lower standards than foreigners? Not necessarily. Some would say that indie movies present more serious tones and have less entertainment value than mainstream ones. Seeing the rampant social problems in our country, no wonder the masses would choose to watch a movie that
More than just entertainment
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Publishers Subscribing students of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Editors Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera Editor in Chief Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita Associate Editor Keith Obed J. Ruiz Design Editor Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas Managing Editor Andrew Rey L. del Fierro News Editor Mary Antoniette M. Magallanes Campus Features Editor Rezza Mae B. Tolinero Local Features Editor Kevin Paul P. Mabul External Features Editor Lorenzo A. Botavara Sports Editor Jericho B. Montellano Graphic Design and Layout Editor Jigo L. Racaza Photography Editor Rico M. Magallona Freehand Editor Finance Officers Jigo L. Racaza Auditor Maria Gladys B. Labis Senior Finance Manager Anna Jamela Soraida S. Balindong Junior Finance Manager Managers Lynette L. Tuvilla Human Resource Manager Marlon R. Boro Office Manager Mark D. Rodriguez Circulation Manager Evan B. Aranas Video Productions Manager Jo Marie Claire B. Balase Online Accounts Manager Senior Computer Systems Manager Staff Writers Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores (Trainee), Alexa Kim K. Bacong (Trainee), Meryanne Rose S. Bacud (Trainee), Harmony Kristel D. Balino (Trainee), Raizah L. Bagul (Trainee), Mary Therese P. Mole (Trianee), Charissa D.C. Santiago (Trainee)
keeps them entertained than a movie that makes them think. A shallow yet entertaining spectacle can serve as a temporary reprieve from the bitter realities of day-to-day grind. If this is the case, then we could justify why mainstream filmmakers choose to produce the mediocre films that the masses want. What purpose does an innovative, unconventional, thought-provoking movie serve when nobody even watches it? Producers would be better off making a film that entertains, than making a movie that gets little to no audience share at all. Then again, to let the film industry plunge into mere escapist entertainment is but a huge waste of talent and time.
If we just allow filmmakers to make the same predictable, shallow, and insubstantial films, we deny the viewing masses the chance to see a new perspective. If we seek the same, nonsensical content that is being painted before our eyes, we will see nothing but temporary relief from the issues that actually persist in our society. We are not asking you to stop watching mainstream movies; it is your right to choose whichever film you want to watch. We just want you to, every once in a while, support movies that actually contain value. After all, a good movie entertains, but a great one creates an impact.C
Staff Artists Maria Kristina G. Abing (Trainee), John Niccolo A. Aquino, Ben Clark B. Balase, Paul Clinton B. Balase, Erah M. Balindong (Trainee), Marlon R. Boro, Deciri Beione Tharyn A. Braña (Trainee), Christian Loui S. Gamolo, Dave Allyster R. Gultiano (Trainee), Benedict B. Laplana (Trainee) Jinky M. Mejica (Trainee), Jaymar T. Patana, Khristine Marjorie L. Quiblat (Trainee), Marc Anthony B. Reyes (Trainee),Mark D. Rodriguez, Jan Michael A. Sy, Melrose Rae C. Talimio (Trainee), Lynette L. Tuvilla, Rizalyka Joanne M. Waminal (Trainee) Moderator Ms. Ann Catherine Ticao-Acenas For contributions, please address your articles and/or comments to: TheCrusader Publication Office, Rm. 302, Student Center Bldg, Xavier University 9000, Cagayan de Oro City Circulation: 500 copies
Cinemagis Issue | January 2016 Layout by Jericho B. Montellano and Keith Obed J. Ruiz
NEWS FEATURE
Rolling the reels: The filmmaking life of Joe Bacus by Harmony Kristel D. Balino
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DIRECTOR. Joe Bacus shares about his award-winning films. [J. RACAZA]
elieve in yourself, even when no one will,” says 34-year old multi awarded Kagay-anon filmmaker Joe Bacus who, as a boy, believed that he could make videos like what he saw in their old Betamax. Even as a child, Bacus already had a love for storytelling. He’d talk to anyone just about anything; loving how stories could entertain oneself and another. This inspired him to make people happy through making films. His interests and abilities in filmmaking were further enhanced when he studied Development Communication in Xavier University. Taking thethe spotlight Taking spotlight One of the themes that Bacus has most interest in is history. This interest has led him to direct the short film The End of War which helped in extinguishing modern stereotyping about Mindanao as a war zone. It was set in 2008, just in time with the Maguindanao Massacre. Truly a Kagay-anon pride, The End of War earned Bacus the Golden Durian Award as Best Director, Best Sound and the 2nd
Best Film among 68 films in the Second SalaMindanaw International Film Festival. Along with The End of War, his other films Happy Fiesta and Ika-3 Putahi will also be featured in the 8th Cinemagis at XU Little Theater on January 21. Storytelling through Storytelling throughthe thescreen screen Bacus’ films have unique themes. Ika3 Putahi features a man named Emilio who keeps on having nightmares of losing his girlfriend. Helena to circumstances of morbidity. Then one day, she vanished. The film shows the inevitable dangers of jealousy, lust, and betrayal. In partnership partnershipwith with the Xavier Center In National Commission for of Culture and the Arts (NCCA), (XCCA), Bacus will direct Cagayan de Oro City’s first full-length film called Markado 29. The film tells of the pains and stories of certain gang members of the notorious Batang Mindanao 29 (BM 29) set in the 80’s-90’s. Bacus hopes that his films will awaken interests of people to take the cinematography career and open the City of Golden Friendship to the wonders of filmmaking.C
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January 2016 | Cinemagis Issue
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Cinemagis 8 film entries
Words by Stephen Pedroza
Student Category “Sabali” by Christian Alan Toring of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) takes us along the journey of an ordinary man who makes coin banks out of bamboo poles. One day, he meets an accident that changes the course of his life. What that accident is is what audiences have to watch out for.
“Relentlessly traumatized,” the film “Silid” by Karyl Jill Gonzales, an accountancy student at XU, follows the story of a young woman who is terrified of an unidentified man lurking near her house. Katapusan” (Ending) by Heintze Crile Malack from XU depicts a singlemom trying to provide her children with a “normal life” despite poverty and life in the midst of crossfire in a war-torn area in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, how Karlo will overcome his self-blame for the death of his younger brother ten years ago is the journey in“Hali” by Harold Jess Siason, a Mass Communication student at Liceo de Cagayan University. Another Licean, Lucky Dela Rosa’s “Alarm Clock” portrays how the Internet’s advantages and drawbacks shape the present generation. “Because the phenomenon [of the Internet] is very alarming for our society today, we should be careful about using it,” he cautions. “Senyas” by Kenneth M Sabijon tells the story of Kagay-anons ravaged by the wrath of TS Sendong in 2011. Aside from being an amateur film director, Business Administration student Sabijon is also a resident actor of The Xavier Stage.
“Tabanog” (Kite) by Kirby James Jagape sets about exploring “another level of stream of consciousness.” This is a film “made unique by turning language into an evocative and emotional experience of fatherly love,” explains Jagape, an XU Civil Engineering student.
“Almost” by XU Business Administration student Jan Michael Sy shows us how keeping our emotions to ourselves can turn into a “wasted opportunity.” “Aga likes Karen and vice versa, but because they keep this from each other, they struggle with their emotions and end up making decisions that are contrary to what they really feel,” Sy describes in the synopsis.
Senior Category Set at the brink of an accounting firm’s financial and organizational collapse, “The Barrel” by Orpheus Nery chronicles a member of the elite class who takes advantage of the follies of economic inequalities until a national scandal exposes their fraudulent practices.
“Here is Johnny, a ‘used-to-be’ good and nice kid of a once loving family. But one tragic event drags him to another path,” reads the excerpt of “The Mist of Mind” by Harold Villegas, a Development Communication student at XU.
Completing the roster of student films for the 8th installment of Cinemagis is “Casting Couch,” directed by The Xavier Film Society’s Gari Jamero and Rajesh Pandey. The story trails the experience of Max, a struggling student, as he is interviewed by a film crew for a “lucrative yet possibly controversial film project.”
Pi Category “Ang Mga Bulaclac ng Abuquerque” (The Flowers of Abuquerque) by Iligan City-based professor German Gervacio takes the audience to a family drama traversing through life’s nuances. This is Gervacio’s first foray into short films, being better known for his Palanca Awards, and poems and stories published in various journals.
Completing the list of films in the professional category is Cloyd Winstanley’s “Lucid,” about the story of Phillip who grapples between the realms of reality and fantasy.
From stories on misinterpretations and inspired by true events, this year’s five Pi films are “Sunset” by Jasmine Limas, “Flashback Door” by Mary Ann Warguez, “Sayaw” by Joma Corrales, “Hapi” by Kenneth Sabijon and“Kino” by Mac Kianro Naki Calo.
Cinemagis 8 film unveils... from page 1
TRADITION. Filmmakers perform the traditional exchange of their movie symbols with the Cinemagis plant.
personalis) or any topic related to Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si.” The films are limited to 3 minutes and 14 seconds – thus the reason for its name. In sum, the film festival has 10 finalist films for the Student Category, three for the Senior Category, and five for the Pi Category.
[J. RACAZA]
Cinemagis film festival is slated on January 20-23 at the XU Little Theater and SM Cagayan de Oro Cinema 3. Admission to the film screening only requires a combination of canned goods and school supplies which will be donated to target beneficiaries.C
NIGHT OUT. Festival Director Hobart Savior interacts with the filmmakers during the festival night out. [J. RACAZA]
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Cinemagis Timeline Cinemagis 5
Cinemagis 1
January 21-23, 2009
January 24-26, 2013 • Over 20 applicants • Best Short Films: • Student: “Kiss the Rain,” directed by MSU-IIT IDS • Professional: “Kasing kasing Amang,”
Cinemagis 2 January 12-20, 2010
• Over 20 applicants • Best Short Films: • Student: “Sealed,” directed by MSU-IIT IDS
Cinemagis 6
January 23-25, 2014
Cinemagis 3 January 24-27, 2011
30 applicants Themes: gender acceptance, folklore and urban living • Best Short Films: • Student: “Gahani,” directed by Lenriel Pons Lagat, (an alumnus of ) Xavier University High School • Professional: “Pan de Sal,” directed by Ray Anthony Lao
• •
January 17-20, 2012
• 9 entries • Best Short Films: • Student: “Carmen” by Jasmine Limas a senior Development Communication student at XU (at that time) • Professional: “BF”, by Ray Anthony Lao • CARMEN was featured in CINEMA REHIYON 4. CARMEN was also programmed and featured in a film festival in San Francisco, USA. MR. HOBART P SAVIOR – FESTIVAL DIRECTOR MS. ANGELENE MAE GRIO – PRODUCTION MANAGER MS. FLORA MAGRIÑA – LIAISON OFFICER MR. MARLOWE CHAN – TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Organizing Committee
MS. MARGIE MADREÑA – SECRETARIAT/FINANCE MANAGER MS. JUN MARIN AMANTE – SECRETARIAT MARY JEANTHYNE GO - SECRETARIAT ERLIE BOB NALLA – SECRETARIAT MAC KAINRO MAKI M CALO - TECHNICAL STAFF KENT BRYAN MUSICO – TECHNICAL STAFF MIKKO ALEXIS MALAZARTE – TECHNICAL STAFF ANDREW BEGAFRIA – MULTIMEDIA
Presentors:
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• 10 entries • Themes: cultural differences and stereotypes, environment, substance abuse, comedy and young love, and be recognized for their work • Best Short Films: • Student: Tutob (Skullcap) by Krissza Mari Campano of Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) • Professional: “Wonderful Nightmare” by Gray-Em Erezo • CINEMAGIS served as the springboard for short films coming from Northern Mindanao to compete in the 5th Cinema Rehiyon, the national film festival organized by the NCCA. Tutob, Wonderful Nightmare and Kuris were chosen to represent Region 10. • 13 entries • Themes: issues of climate, women, gender, peace and development, food, health and sanitation, social prejudice, self-awareness and respect • Best Short Films: • Student: “Wa Ko Kakita”, by Eastine Charles Taneo from Liceo de Cagayan University (LdeCU) • Professional: “Ika-III Putahi (Recipe No.3)”, by Joeromer Bacus • CINEMAGIS sent their best films as entries to CINEMA REHIYON 6, a national film festival organized by the National Committee on Cinema of NCCA which was incidentally held in Cagayan de Oro City on February 19-22, 2014
Cinemagis 7
January 21-25,2015
Cinemagis 4
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• 13 entries • Best Short Films: • Student: “Sangil”, by Christian Alan E. Toring, a first year BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) student of MSU-IIT • Professional: “Ang Lihim ni Natividad” by : “Ika-III Putahi (Recipe No.3)”, Jasmine Limas by Joeromer Bacus • Alongside Cinemagis was SM’s Brilliante Mendoza Film Festival where his internationally acclaimed films “Thy Womb” and “Foster Child” were screened at SM Cinema 3 and 4 on Jan 22.
Cinemagis 8
January 20-23, 2016
• 18 entries • With special screening of 5 cinemalaya films • New Category • “Pi” Category • Films limited to 3 minutes and 14 seconds • This category featured entries exemplifying Ignatian values (i.e. magis, cura personalis) or any topic related to Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si.” • In addition to the regular screening, the festival offers a free film analysis workshop for film enthusiasts on January 23 at the XULT and an interaction with the featured filmmaker.
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