25/03/2025
๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ: ๐๐๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ๐ข๐ค ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐
โ๏ธ๐ป: Adeline Amvin Palma
A circular paper of the number nine had been found displayed in multiple scenes in the Sineliksik, 'Kabilang Ka' for the recently concluded RFOT. It was notably found attached to the waist of the protagonist, an Aeta named Sorita Dimaguibaโreflecting the resilience of a Negro Pilipino, especially a woman.
Or, it could be found in the background. Most of the time, it was sticked onto the statue of Jose Abad Santos as the venue was in the prestigious campus of Pampanga High school.
And now, that same paper was sticked onto a TV in the ICT room of SVPSPC. A testament of their victory, now on the road to Ilocos Sur for sure, as the filmmakers of SVPSPC; Elisha Lugtu, Airies Escoto, and Patrick Ramos had secured a placement in the National Festival of Talents.
I had the opportunity to sit down with these young filmmakers to discuss their journeyโfrom concept to the ex*****on, the challenges they faced, and the emotions that gave way to their sweet victory.
๐: "Before everything else, I would like to congratulate you for winning a qualifying place in the NFOT (National Festival of Talents) for SVPSPC! Despite being a competition, did you have a target audience?"
๐: "We didn't have any target audience, yung judge lang." Aries, the director and editor answered briefly but not unkind. "Anyone can watch it, because our overall output depends on the judge, not the viewers. It's a criteria that'll lead us to victory." She continued.
๐: "I see! It makes me wonder, what were the challenges you faced as a team in the making of the film? Because I've just noticed that it was Elisha playing Sorita at the nearing end of the film!"
๐: "Legit? Grabeng makeover, 'no!" Elisha laughed, amused by the accuracy of the body paint and afro wig. "Yung init," Airies beamed, "Yung panahon, because we were walking on barefootโwell, I was barefooted." Elisha continued before speaking again, "But if you really want to winโno pain, no gain!"
I thought it ended there. Until they've started listing more dilemmas. "Marami kaming bitbit; Elisha's suitcase, a paper bag, everything Elisha wore, and could've woreโwe brought it all." Airies gestured, her responsibility reflecting.
"To be transparent, mas less yung pressure ngayong RFOT kaysa noong DFOT." Elisha spoke, in her matter-of-a-fact tone. "I mean, we felt light rather than light-headed. The environment was perfect, our confidence was unwavering, and had no trouble going with the flow." She continued.
"Grabe din naman kasi yung support system ng school eh!" Elisha grinned. And Patrick, who had been silent until now, agreed enthusiastically, "Tama, tama!"
"Coach Wes, specifically. Since TV Broad, he had been so supportive. Even other coaches like Ma'am Merlien for the Bread and Pastry Production, who also clinched SV a spot in NFOT." Aries mentioned, "Ma'am Sem and Ma'am Edlyn for EIM, nag-qualify din!" Elisha added excitedly.
"They often smile at us whenever we come across, nakakatulong pag kinakabahan kami." Airies stated, "Tsaka wala pa man, cino-congratulate na kami. It's like subtle foreshadowing." Patrick joked, yet everything he said was true.
๐: "I think it comes with the standards when applying to become a teacher at SV. They're truly something else as educators and mentors. Anyway, what reactions have you received from viewers so far? Because for me, I had goosebumps while watching the entirety of it!"
๐: "We've been told that a lot, actually. Probably the first thing they say after watching." Elisha chuckled knowingly. "Actually, pare-pareho lang mga naging reactions. After watching, we've been congratulatedโmeaning we did a great job, nagustuhan talaga nila." Airies continued, her expression filled with post-contest relief.
๐: "Something do simple can truly be remarkable. What message do you want the readers to engrave in their hearts and minds?"
๐: The question was thought-provoking enough to make them pause. Even Patrick, who had only been agreeing paused and thought with Elisha and Airies. Until, Elisha spoke up, "Since the topic is about inclusivity, yun yung gusto naming iparating. Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, tanggap ka, kabilang ka; kahit sino ka man."
๐: "Aba, nasingit pa yung film title! Anyways, this had been bugging me ever since you projected experiences of an Aeta accurately. Were there any testimonies or real-life stories that deeply affected you during your research?"
๐: "Well, we referenced from this particular story wherein one Aeta was the first to study and graduate as a lawyer." Airies answered, "So for our film, we made Sorita the first Aeta to run in an election. It's unique in a way that it's reminiscent to the upcoming elections happening in the country."
๐: "Sobrang Craftsman! The gesture is very creative and innovative. What did you personally learn from competing and making this project?"
๐: "I've learned to be attentive with every shoot. This could be highly significant for the activities in the future, not just in Sineliksik." Elisha answered, "And for the storyline, sobrang laki ng impact para sa'min non. It was our first time encountering it, and we've took so many risks. Isa na rin yung nabibilad sa araw at laging nag-aattend kay Elisha." Airies joked to lighten up the mood.
Patrick, silent until now, finally responded, "We've also learned a thing or two about their lifestyles. Their traditions, their dialectโit's like being a different person, getting to experience someone else's life."
"We're used to it, sanay kami! Iniintindi lang namin si Elisha noon. Of course, the weather was blazing hot and she had no time to wear any slippers because we had a time limit." Airies sighed, "The body paint and lotion was sticking to her skin, and it was crucial for us to keep her in good shape."
"I even recalled the both of them saying, "Buhatin na natin si Elisha!" because it was so hot!" Elisha cackled as she recalled of them taking it seriously.
๐: "Well, anything to win, right? For the final question, what message would you love to give your coach, Sir Wesly?"
๐: "I mean, you can already see his efforts since the time... well, time palang, may effort na. He stays with us whenever we go home late because of trainings." Elisha chortled, "On a serious note, since TV Broad, he's been like that. Our efforts as journalists and his as a coach just mesh with eachother like a well-oiled machine. Kasi alam niya na may goal kami... and yung goal na yun is yung sumakses!" Elisha chimed, clapping her hand once as she quoted Sir Wesly's favourite meme; "Sumakses ka eh!"
"Out of all of my coaches, he's the most considerate one. I got a little culture-shocked when I first went under him because he often cracks jokes like, "Sino ba talaga yung coach, ako o ikaw?" just to make me feel better about myself, and I deeply appreciate that." Airies stated, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "He's ready to learn from us, and so are we. It's a healthy give-and-take relationship. So, Sir Wes? He's the one who truly pushed me beyond my limits even if I knew to myself that I can do this and that, but he made me act with peak confidence."
Patrickโnow finally encouraged to speak upโstated, "At first, I genuinely did not know how to show my skill in cinematography. But when I showed him an output, he was quick to comment that I was actually pretty skilled andโ"
Patrick was cut short when Elisha reminded, "Message mo kay Sir, hindi sa sarili mo." Everyone in the room burst out laughing, Patrick was quick to adjust with a sheepish smile before continuing, "Right, well, he's the best. That's all I could say, I'm genuinely speechless because no words can describe how much great of a coach he is." He trailed off for a moment before speaking again, "Sinabi niya kasi magaling ako." His response was amusing, but it held truth.
"Okay!" Sir Wes, who was actively listening to the whole interview chimed and everyone let put sounds of agreement, thinking the interview was done, untilโ
๐: "Not yet done! I had a lot of questions in mind for this particular interview. But this one, is specially for you, Sir Wes. What message would you love to pass onto these three talented filmmakers?"
๐: "Grabe, ang unexpected naman." Sir Wesly chuckled. He pondered what to say before a small smile graced his lips, "Always be humble. That's what I've told them since training for TV Broadcasting. Yun lang naman." He smiled, "May joke rin kami para diyan, 'Always be humbleness'." He added, and sure enough, that inside joke would remain theirs.
Elisha, Airies, and Patrick's journey in Sineliksik on the way to NFOT, is more than just a 'sakses' storyโit's also an inspiration to young storytellers, a reflection of one's reality, a movement to stand up for those who can'tโspeaking for the silencedโacting for more than just the sake of entertainment.
Through all the locked suitcases, malfunctioning gadgets, unwavering determination, moments of doubt and uncertaintyโthey now resume training for the national level.
And perhaps, there are student filmmakersโmaybe in SVPSPC, or furtherโwatching their story unfold, how their prayers became answered realities, ready to pick up their camera and tell a story of their own.