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KUMAKAYOD PARA ANG PAMILYA'Y MAITAGUYOD             Overseas workers are one of the most difficult jobs, and as we all know, many Filipinos work as OFWs. In this film entitled “Sunday Beauty Queen”, by Babyruth Villarama, depicts the lives and hardships of Overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, as well as the country's beauty – widely     known as the world's most glamorous metropolis and the top option for luxury shopping. Furthermore, they demonstrate how Filipinos are very interested in pageants that they support and have used this as a kind of entertainment to alleviate the sadness that they are experiencing.      As a woman who grew up with an OFW father, I initially felt it was a wonderful experience because they go to different places and see the beauty of it. But I learned that it is difficult since you are away from your family, the people there have different perspectives on life, and you will begin as a lonely ...

       Bakunawa Cinema of the Young, is a film camp and series of film workshops for young filmmakers that culminates the youth in film festivals, which gives a lot of opportunities for those people who wants to discover their talents when it comes to filmmaking. Honestly, I am one of those people who are not aware that there are tons of films and filmmakers existing in different countries most especially in the Philippines – short films, indie films, and a lot more genres that are underrated, but because of our subject I got to discover amazing short films and talented filmmakers that I never knew existed.      Let me start with the first film that I’ve watched which is See You Next Century, I love how this film gets me when I’ve read the title and how dramatic it seems for me. At first, I was kind of confused because I am not used to seeing films that uses a bunch of pictures to conceptualize the idea of its story and how simple they’ve come up with ...

     In this short film by Nicole Midori Woodford, where a young girl which is a   resident   of a high-rise apartment in Singapore vacate the premises for the last time before its demolishment and questioned its demise. And according to a dictionary, Tenebrae is a Latin word for “shadows” or “darkness” it could also be translated to a more depth meaning which is “night” or “death”.        Upon watching the film, I love how the cinematography works, how the main character illuminates from the background to give emphasis to her role and the color used in the whole film which I think represents for a deep sorrow of the lost apartment that somehow gives a sentimental feeling in her life and slowly seeing it deconstructed in her sight. We can feel it through the camera set ups how dramatic it may seem. Lighting, effects, camera positioning can really make your film more dramatic so I owe this to the director that   gave a great job when it c...

       Love is a very complicated thing to describe and in this film by Hasoka Andagama, shows how Love is explored and showed in different aspects, types, levels, as well as experiences when it comes to it, and as we all know love is a thrilling thing to be felt, but it showcase how love is not just happy moments, it gives us   a lot of fear, decision-making, hardships, and sacrifices, not just romance and happiness.       I love how the director think of a great transition where frame by frame looks connected to each other. And how it looks complicated yet, you still understood the scenarios being presented by the director. I also noticed how simple the frames where taken and how natural lighting gives a much more realistic scenarios in the film.        Moving on to the storyline, where they emphasizes the statement   that we laughed out of fear, and how we cry out of happiness. It’s intricate how they express their feel...

        In this short film by James Lee, where it is a homage to  Chris Marker's La Jetée (1962), that involves a time travelling machine to visit a woman novelist by a scientist from the future that claims to be his husband, where it tells the simple bond of the two character which somehow showcase love from a different timeline.        As for the cinematography of the film, I can say that out of the films I’ve watched, he is the only one who uses a grayscale pictures but didn’t fail to deliver the meaning of the story or what he was trying to portray. To the lighting of the black and white picture that emphasizes the character as well as the emotions the character are trying to deliver like being sad, worried, and happy is being showed through the expression of their faces.      I love how he creatively used pictures to tell and   conceptualize his whole story. Also, those meaningful lines used in the story gives an impa...

        In this short film by Paolo Enrino Pascual, where it shows a story of a mother abused by her husband – under threat that her child will be taken away from her, what shocking in the story is the disappearance of his husband and then having meat in their table. At first, we can see how abusive his husband with the bruises that the woman has which leads to another scene where the couple fights because of the action of the guy and how he wanted to bring his son to Manila.       In the last part, the guy got lost and his sister is finding her, then the woman served the dish to them that made me realize that maybe she killed his husband and used his pieces of body to make that dish she served.   What I’ve realized is that people can do anything and can think clearly when they are mad and for the sake of getting what they want even if it leads to killing someone.

     In this film by James Fajardo which is about those fishermen with their family who struggles in life – that’s facing an impending demolition. I had to admit, it leaves a question in my head about what does the “regla” relates to the story. But as what I pictured maybe it represents something, how it symbolizes blood as the hardship of being part of fishermen community which is a dangerous and cheap work to do but still continues to do it despite the struggle they experienced.        Additionally, I would like to share things that I’ve noticed while watching the film, on how it shows that unusual things leads to fear, and judgements. But there are still friends who supports us in times of the chaos running in our heads.  

1-MINUTER VIDEO   Conceptualizing a video is hard and all I can say is that a 1-minute film is much harder because the time is very limited when it comes to expressing what the director wanted. Most of the time they leave a questions in our heads on what will happen next, or what are they trying to showcase, and even what is happening, but these people are very     creative when it comes to showing the story plot and how are they going to end it.   In the five 1-minute duration video that we watched, they all possessed creativity and a life lesson that you may apply in your everyday lives. There this one video that shows how hard this pandemic was but how great these people are handling. Also the other videos showcase an inspirational video on how to keep going despite the tremendous fall that we face in life. The 5 videos possesses a great life lessons we can use in the real world we are facing. the only difference that I have notice is the way they conceptualize th...

  DIWA MO’Y IHIMBING AT AKO”Y HANAPIN Loneliness is one of the hardest thing a human can feel. In this short film we can see how hard to hold onto someone, how loneliness can eat up our minds and be miserable, but it also showcase how the character hopes to be with the love of her life, even though just in her dreams.    To my understanding to the film, I can see how hard to let go of someone you can’t bring back, but we can see how sleep can help calm our minds, and how dreams can give us hope and happiness. But also in this film they’ve shown how dreams can be horrible when she thought that the boy in his dream is the love of her life but at the end it is some horrible creature which made me realize that dreams can give hope but can also give a horrible feeling.    One thing that I’ve realized in this film is the feeling of acceptance. We should accept that people will not be forever in our lives so we should cherish our moments with them and lastly, if we lea...

KUHA In the short film, I highly appreciate the directors way of making the film alive. At the first few minutes of the film my focus is already captured by the story. The director made the right choice from the actors down to the effects, props and music.    To my understanding to the film, the guy is having a revenge to all the photographers who refuses to speak the truth and not standing up for justice. The newspaper props used by the director shows that a photographer who witnessed the hazing didn’t testify. It was also seen that all of the missing person are all photographers.   As to the old man, I believe he is a representation of hope that someone will eventually come and will choose to do the right thing. That photographer is not just about taking good photos and presenting good pictures. It also equates to showing or revealing what is taken   

  MAGPALAGYO We all have these moments in our life that we just want to escape from everything that is happening, that all we see in life is chaos and that people looked down at us like a big mistake and not understanding the situation we are in and all we can think of is how to escape, even just for a day.   That is what I think of when I watched this movie. That the first thing that will come up in our heads is to escape from this reality the world is trying to show us. People can be tired of what they are doing even though they used to love it because of how the people reacts to a certain situation, but it made me realize that escape is not just the answer, sometimes people just need to rest up their minds and think of a better way to solve the problem and continue despite the hardship because at the end we will get what we deserve. and I love how the director really put this up in just a 1-minute video and made me realize these things.  

  HARON   To my understanding on Xavier Jabian & VJ Orbino short film, the guy is sure of what he wants and believe that he can succeed as long as his family has his support. For me, his clothing (costume) represents his dreams and desires and the person who gave him the black colored outfit and constantly following him represents the people who stops him, degrade his dreams and letting him stop to do what he wants.   At the end of the video, the guy saw a piece of his costume which I believe represents hope that no matter what the people say to him he will continue to fight for his dreams and face.    The director’s idea of this film is commendable as he was able to give message to the viewers with few actors and limited props. 

  KUNG SAAN PATAG ANG BUNDOK Based on my understanding, the girl wanted to change her repetitive cycle she struggles and do whatever it takes to change her daily duties and after series of trying she finally met someone who can be with her and share her concerns in her daily life.   I’d like to acknowledge the director’s creativity and the talent of the actors and their choreography. However I find the film boring and lack of effect. I am still expecting for the until the end for the changes in  the mood of the film.    While watching the short film, I suddenly felt that the girl finally succeed to change her repetitive cycle but she also has to change the way she dress and somehow act like a man. At the end of the film the girl chooses to be who she wanted to be and how she will present herself.

  DAGiTI TALLO A VIRGEN The short film’s message made me realized on how to protect one’s passion and dream. No matter who restricts you not to follow your dream you have to do what will make you truly happy and complete so at the end of the day you won’t regret any of your decisions.  Always remember that your chosen dreams are what can make you go through even in the worst days of your life. If you are struggling, your dreams are the reason to keep you going.   The director’s idea was presented properly to the viewers, I loved how the director chooses to have less character however with less character the viewers may focus on their performances the actress lack connection to her character. She should focus more about her eye contact. But still I’d like to commend the director’s technique.

    PABASA KAN PASYON In the short film, I highly appreciate the director’s way of giving the message to the viewers. The film made me realize that no matter how hard and dedicated you are with your work, the blessings and the outcome of your hard work is different. Others may get too much while others may not get what they prayed for.     The short film has a moral lesson, that whatever circumstances happen in your life continue to pray and trust in him. Challenges in life makes you stronger and always believe that you are not alone in your journey. 

  SA PUNTA SANG BALANGAW  The short film directed by Elvert Banares is about forbidden love that causes to fade the beauty of their land. While watching the short film, I suddenly remember the meaning of the “Rainbow’s end” that  means where you want something but you know it’s impossible or hard to achieve. Also the rainbow’s end means the cure or start of something new.   In the short film it is about choosing between your purpose or the people you loved. The director is also creative and resourceful by using good costumes and less props for the film which made the viewers focus more on the story.   At the end of the film, I realized that no matter what happen always choose to fight for your heart’s desire. 

HUROP HUROP My understanding to Kristian Sendon Cordero’s short film is that most women wanted to be consider with their hardship and sacrifices. Based on the first part of the film it was stated that all sacrifices and sufferings has an end and salvation will come. One of the women also mentioned that there is hope with the book of Ibong Adarna.   While watching the short film, the first thing that comes to my mind is the equality and freedom of women. The director of the short film  is very creative and artistic for using ceramic dolls that represents women’s thoughts and desire. This film made me realized that they are women these days are not heard and recognized. At the end of the film, the guy took the egg and use it as his breakfast and the ceramic dolls were broken which I believed that it represents about their broken hopes.  

  K[U]ADRADO This short film is part of the Eksena: Cinema Quarantine (COVID-19 FILMMAKERS’ DIARIES), as what I’ve noticed in this short film, I believed the guy is representing the poor amidst the pandemic. At first it was all boredom, trying to find things to do in the 4 walls of the house, until he’s just waiting for something or looking in the chair. Then I remember during the quarantine, each family should put a chair outside the house waiting for the “ayuda” that the Government is providing and I can see how hard to just stay in the house wondering what the other day might bring, with the hope of finding an end to this horrible pandemic.   When I watched this I learn about 2 things, first and foremost everyone is struggling during this pandemic most especially the fringe in the society. A lot of people lost their jobs just waiting for the support of the Government and worrying everyday where to get the food and money to survive every day. The second one is that it helps ...

Can you imagine a world without China? A world without those contributions that they did? With the technology, food, architecture, religion, and a lot more things? With the pancit, siomai and siopao that you are eating, down to the Horoscopes that you believe in.   Way back then China is already playing a bigger role in the world specifically in the economy, for they are one of the world's fastest growing countries and the tenth's largest exporter. China is also a significant recipient of foreign aid and a major borrower on international capital markets and it is attracting vast amounts of foreign direct investment. China is considered an emerging Global Superpower in economy, military, technology, diplomacy and soft power influence. Superpower in this context is defined as a state with a dominant position that is characterized by its extensive abilty to exert influence or project power on a global scale. And we can attest to it, because most of the countries specifically Phili...

  KAHIRAPAN SA GITNA NG PANDEMYA Hirap at bigat ang dinulot mo dahil, sa hindi inaasahang araw pumutok ang balitang kailangan nating isuot iyan, walang ka ide-ideya subalit sumunod na lamang ang karamihan. Na sa isang iglap, marami ang nawalan ng buhay at hindi alam kung ano ba ang lunas na kinakailangan. Natigil halos lahat na akala ng marami’y bukas ay babalik sa mundo na kinagisnan nating galawan. Ngunit, sa bawat galaw na ating gagawin nalimitahan ng isang kalaban na hindi man lamang natin masilayan, Biglang kailangang huminto ng lahat at sa isang iglap lamang nawala sa atin lahat lahat.  Lahat! maski ang trabaho na ating pinagkaingat-ingatan, Nawalan ng pagkakakitaan na nagdulot sa pagkagutom ng maraming buhay. Hindi na alam saan kukuha ng pera ipangtataguyod nila sa pang araw-araw, na sinamahan pa ng pangamba dahil sa simpleng sintomas at hirap na paghinga kasabay ng pagkalam ng mga sikmura, Nawalan na ng pag-asa’t hindi na alam saan kukuha ng lakas ng loob na pati sa Am...