Congratulations to all the participating schools of the 4th Navoteño Film Festival 2019.

This project by the Navotas City Hall Public Information Office (PIO), which celebrates the theme “Navotas History and Culture,” started last summer with a two-day filmmaking workshop with students and their teacher-advisers, followed by mentorship for the screenplays and the first cut of the films, and capped off with the awards night on June 22, 2019 at the Navotas Sports Complex.

It is my privilege to be part of this year’s festival as the schools’ mentor, as well as one of the judges, which also included director CJ Andaluz and editor/educator John Wong. Former mentors and judges Seymour B. Sanchez and Richard Legaspi were also present at the awards night.

This valuable project by the local government of the City of Navotas is a great opportunity for junior high school students to explore their talents and discover their potential skills in telling stories using the audio-visual medium. As a filmmaker and educator and as a former film student myself, seeing how this project materialized proves how the technology of these times really helps young, aspiring filmmakers in their storytelling journey this early on. This type of platform truly helps in honing the skills and talents of the youth. Indeed, it doesn’t take too much technical investment anymore to tell good stories in the film format these days.

I also commend the PIO for continuously promoting the arts and culture sector of the city through projects like this. May other local governments follow suit.

Awardees of the 4th Navoteño Film Festival

1st Best Film: “Komori No Uta,” San Jose Academy

2nd Best Film: “Navoteña sa Dako Pa Roon,” Tangos National High School

3rd Best Film: “In Nomine Patris,” Tanza National High School

Box Office Hit: “In Nomine Patris,” Tanza National High School

Best Director: Sherwin Cruz, “Navoteña sa Dako Pa Roon,” Tangos National High School

Best in Screenplay: Dhan Christian Teodoro, “Seen 9:32,” La Naval Academy

Best in Cinematography: Christian Ryan Palma, “Seen 9:32,” La Naval Academy

Best in Production Design: John Matthew Delos Reyes and Jhanzel Ayala, “Navoteña sa Dako Pa Roon,” Tangos National High School

Best in Editing: Ryon Monteloyola, “Seen 9:32,” La Naval Academy

Best in Costume Design: Lady Aggelos Shyrelm Apat, and Jose Fernando Payumarin, “Horologium,” Kaunlaran High School

Best in Sound Design: Joseph Gil Gonzales, “Memento,” Navotas National Science High School

Best in Original Song: “Ako na Talaga” by Joseph Gil Gonzales, “Memento,” Navotas National Science High School

Best in Trailer: “Seen 9:32,” La Naval Academy

Best in Poster Design: Joy Anne Duya, “In Nomine Patris,” Tanza National High School

Best Performance by an Actress: Rinoa Kate Dela Cruz, “In Nomine Patris,” Tanza National High School

Best Performance by an Actor: Jhio Kahmid Mala, “Komori No Uta,” San Jose Academy

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress: Ritch Jerielyn Halili, “Memento,” Navotas National Science High School

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor: Angel Angeles, “Walay,” San Roque National High School

Best Ensemble: “Horologium,” Kaunlaran High School

Star of the Night (Male): Prince Heart Guzilan, Kaunlaran High School

Star of the Night (Female): Alexandria Mae Santiago, Tangos National High School

Once again, to all the participants of this year’s festival, my heartfelt congratulations! Like I said when we wrapped up our two-day filmmaking workshop, the fulfillment in making your films and telling heartfelt stories are at the core of the creative process; the awards are bonuses.

Cheers to more stories, more films!

All photos courtesy of the Navoteño Film Festival, Public Information Office, City of Navotas.