By Mariela Angella Oladive
The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) launched this year’s CineMatahum Film Festival on November 8-9 at the UPV Extension Campus in Pandan, Antique, celebrating regional narratives through Western Visayan cinema.
The festival featured student films from UPV, such as Pagtaghoy sa Hangin by Kyle Erika Saycon and May Kulay Rosas ba sa Bahaghari by Marian Jayce Tiongzon.
It also included works from the University of Antique’s Film as Pedagogy Program, showcasing Sa Pagsalup Kang Adlaw and Sura sa Humay.
UPV Professor and filmmaker Kevin Piamonte stressed the significance of amplifying young voices in cinema.
“If we want to understand our communities, we need to look at the visions of the youth—our students.”
CineMatahum promotes the use of regional languages, including Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Akeanon, with the goal of decentralizing filmmaking and fostering an appreciation for local stories.
The initiative serves as a platform for students to craft stories that mirror their heritage while honing their skills in storytelling and film production.
Grade 12 students from Sebaste High School and Pandan National High School attended film screenings and a story development workshop led by UPV filmmakers Keith Earl Rebaño, a 2024 Puregold CinePanalo grantee, and Kyle Erika Saycon, a 2023 FDCP Student Film Assistance Program grantee.
The workshop focused on initiating film projects and encouraged students to delve into community-based narratives, supported by Professors Piamonte and Julie Prescott, along with directors Jose Ruel Garcia and Kenneth Dela Cruz.
The CineMatahum Film Festival will continue at the UPV Cinematheque in Iloilo City from November 14-16 and conclude at the UPV Miagao Campus on November 23.
The festival’s itinerary includes Film Talks with renowned filmmakers, open to students, aspiring directors, and cinema enthusiasts eager for expert insights.
Organized by the UP Visayas Division of Humanities, CineMatahum seeks to strengthen the regional film community by highlighting local narratives.
Originally launched as CineMapadayon in 2022, the festival has expanded to include workshops and talks led by Ilonggo filmmaker Prof. Nick Deocampo.
CineMatahum supports UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano’s vision of using cinema as an educational and community-building tool.
The event is backed by UPV advertising students and has Daily Guardian as its official media sponsor, upholding the festival’s motto, “Kita ang matahum sa CineMatahum (We are the beauty in CineMatahum).”
