The Lead - USLS, Bacolod CIty (2025)

27/10/2025

𝗔𝗕 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗨𝗣𝗩 𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗛𝗨𝗠 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

AB communication sophomore filmmakers from the University of St. La Salle earned recognition after winning four awards at the University of the Philippines Visayas Film Festival: Cinematahum 2025, held at the UPV Cinematheque, Iloilo City Campus, on October 25.

Under the Cine Barrio Category, "Twenty Years Never Passed" bagged Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Director for Farlyn John "Fahleen Fang" Casidsid. Best Production design was also awarded to Alejandro Batiancila Jr., Flynn Marie Buenaflor, and Kayehl Penuela.

"[It] was overwhelming—I did not expect to go up that stage four times—we're truly honored for the opportunity Cinematahum 2025 has given us. We are grateful that we are bringing home not just one but four trophies for Basta, Prod ni. To fellow filmmakers, keep creating and inspiring," Casidsid shared.

Cinematahum 2025, organized by the University of the Philippines Visayas, stands as a platform that nurtures filmmakers and highlights their artistic excellence, culture, and identity through the art of film.

Text | Sisa Zirkelbach

25/10/2025

𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗢 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗞𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 “𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗔𝗦: 𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗟”

“Ang Tatlong Perlas: Isang Musikal,” presented by Tales Retold, a group of third-year AB Communication students, concluded its three-day staging at the Gallaga Theatre on October 24, with its final show reaching a full-house audience.

The musical, directed by Mark Andrei Castronuevo, serves as the final output for their Theatre class under the tutelage of Ms. Tanya Lopez. It featured an adaptation of six heroic figures from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—Urduja, Lam-ang, Kanlaon, Prinsesa Minda, Sulayman, and Babaylan—brought to life through original music and an original script that stayed faithful to the characters’ roots in Philippine folklore.

According to Castronuevo, the concept for Ang Tatlong Perlas was first inspired by an advocacy project during their sophomore year, which focused on the declining interest of the younger generation in reading and their growing unfamiliarity with Philippine literature and folklore. This concern sparked the creation of the musical’s original story, aiming to rekindle appreciation for local myths and narratives among modern audiences.

“Ang Tatlong Perlas” tells the tale of six legendary heroes who unite in search of the titular “tatlong perlas.” Their journey reflects the enduring Filipino values of katapangan, bayanihan, and pagmamahal sa kapwa—virtues that continue to illuminate the spirit of the Filipino people.

Text | Archer Rafil
Photos | Erika Agsam

25/10/2025

‘𝗜𝗟𝗬𝗕𝗜𝗨’ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗛𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗨𝗣 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧

“I Love You, But I'm Ugly,” a short film by AB Communication students of the University of St. La Salle under Archived Stories, concluded with three major wins at the University of the Philippines Pride Film Festival 2025: Cine Lagablove, held at Cine Adarna, UP Film Institute, UP Diliman on October 20.

Screened alongside other q***r films, ILYBIU bagged Best Cinematography for Director Farlyn John “Fahleen Fang” Casidsid—his third Best Cinematography award—Best Lead Performance for Alejandro Batiancila Jr., and Best Production Design for Crisha Pretta and Rhadz Braga.

In a Facebook post, Casidsid shared that the film was shot using a Canon 250D with a budget of roughly ₱1,500. He reflected on the film’s recognition and expressed gratitude to his team and to “Chim,” the story’s inspiration.

The director ended his post with a message that read, “for the guy who only has a camera and a story, I hope nothing but the best for you and for the journey you still have to take.”

Meanwhile, Batiancila, on his second Best Lead Performance award, reflected on his experience playing “Fian,” sharing that it initially felt surreal to see himself on the big screen.

“At first indi ko pa ma feel nga we actually created a film… not until my face was on the big screen, and people said they can relate to Fian's struggles,” he said.

Batiancila added that hearing audiences connect with the story reminded him of their goal “to touch hearts through this story” and that it was comforting to know “you're not alone with that struggle.”

Cine Lagablove, presented by UP Pride, UP Cinema, and the UP Film Institute, aims to celebrate stories of love, identity, and resistance through film—an advocacy that ILYBIU echoed through its portrayal of q***r love and self-acceptance.

Text | Reylanie Esquerida

24/10/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 | 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗮'𝘁 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼

What happens when passion meets purpose in the pursuit of progress?

Join our host, Archer, as they sit down with Frank to explore 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗮'𝘁 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼—a visionary project born from their Development Communication class that's reshaping our relationship with agriculture.

Discover how one compelling idea bridges tradition and innovation, weaving together the roots of Filipino farming culture with the ambitions of tomorrow. Can a single concept spark the change our country needs?

Host | Archer Rafil
Videographer & Editor | Archael Aguirre

24/10/2025

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝗨𝗦𝗚-𝗗𝗔𝗣 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛

Despite an intimate number of participants, the University Student Government-Department of Advocacy Programs commenced its mental health month celebration through “Batyagon ang Balatyagon,” a symposium and interactive activities held at Cody Hall A and B on October 22.

Ms. Graziela Salvilla graced the event to talk about mental health awareness which gave emphasis on emotions and the importance of acknowledging and regulating it, along with strategies on how to do so.

“All emotions are valid and true, but how you express them is up to you,” Salvilla highlighted.

Participants were immersed in various activities that allowed them to reflect and interact with one another, which includes a group sharing.

“Batyagon ang Balatyagon” extends their advocacy through a booth located at the Coliseum Lobby on October 21 to 24.

Text | Lloyd Brizuela

23/10/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 “𝙎𝙖 𝙋𝙬𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙞 𝙋𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙜”

Bacolod filmmaker Vincent Joseph Entuna has achieved another significant milestone, winning the Best Director Award at the Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival 2025 last October 18 in Quezon City for his short film “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber's Chair).

The victory continues to mark the young filmmaker’s dedication in amplifying the stories and struggles of the marginalized through regional cinema.

“Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” is a short period film set during the Martial Law era. It follows a humble barber, Teopisto, and his nephew, Carlos, as they witness the gradual decay of freedom and the consequences of remaining neutral within their community.

The barbershop, where Teopisto teaches Carlos the craft before the latter departs for Manila, serves as a microcosm of the larger socio-political climate of the Philippines.

The film’s plot sees the restless and idealistic Carlos becoming entangled in the resistance movement against the oppressive regime. Teopisto’s journey from pacifism to action mirrors the struggles of a community in crisis.

Stylistically, the film is told entirely through a single locked camera angle, a choice praised by critics for its precision and restraint. This technique powerfully mirrors the themes of control, voyeurism, and silence under dictatorship.

In his acceptance speech, Entuna dedicated the award to the voiceless and forgotten. He specifically highlighted the victims of the 1985 Escalante Massacre in Negros Occidental, a tragic event that the film honors and whose victims are commemorated every September 20.

“This film is for those who were silenced by history,” Entuna said, following his third Best Director award. He stressed the power of cinema, reminding today’s generation that “art has the power to resist” and that storytelling must not only entertain but also “bear witness.”

The Active Vista recognition follows the film’s success at the Bacolod Film Festival in September 2024, where it swept the major awards, Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It also received a nomination for Best Musical Score.

Entuna also won the Best Director Award early this year at the Pangasine Film Festival. The film has also earned multiple nominations, including a Best Picture nod in the Open Category of the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2025 and another recognition at the Hundred Islands Film Festival 2025.

Producer Benj Ramos and Bacolod Film Festival 2024 coordinator Kristin Bactad-Jor were present to support Entuna at the Active Vista awards night.

The Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival, organized by DAKILA, is one of the country’s leading platforms for socially conscious cinema, celebrating films that uphold human dignity, freedom, and democracy.

Text and Visuals Courtesy | Bacolod Film Festival

21/10/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗣𝗢𝗣-𝗨𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧, 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥

Women entrepreneurs and student innovators gathered at the University of St. La Salle’s St. Br. Miguel Lobby for “We, The Women”, a talk on entrepreneurship and empowerment presented by HerWorth, in collaboration with Bangka’t Kubo on October 20.

The event formed part of HerWorth: She Means Business, a pop-up market and seminar celebrating women’s growth in business.

The program featured two talks that highlighted women’s role in shaping modern entrepreneurship.

The first session, “It’s All Psycho,” was led by Franczine Danielle Angelique Cordova, who explored the psychology and power of branding in business.

Following her was Rochelle Pere-ira with her talk “From Idea to Influence,” where she discussed transforming business concepts into ventures.

The event also featured interactive segments and a pop-up market showcasing products by local women entrepreneurs, fostering a space for collaboration and support among participants.

Photos | Chitley Cordova

19/10/2025

#𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱: 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗺

Sa pagsidlak sang adlaw, ako naga-isahanon.
Indi mapunggan ang pagpaminsar:
"Kasarang pa bala ako ayhan?" o
"Tubtub san-o ko ini batyagon?"

READ FULL LITERARY PIECE BELOW

Text | Avi
Layout | Joaquin Mapa

18/10/2025

#𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵

These ideas didn't appear out of thin air. For centuries, gender roles boxed women into domestic corners, shutting them out of education, law, and the workplace. In many places, women couldn't even own property or sign a contract. The so-called "natural order" was men in the marketplace, women by the stove--a pattern reinforced by everything. From religion to legislation and eventually, boiled down to one tired excuse: "That's just how it is."

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Text | Alessandra Asuncion
Layout | Joaquin Mapa

14/10/2025

𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗟𝗬𝗕𝗜𝗨

Director Farlyn John “Fahleen Fang” Casidsid’s short film “I Love You But, I’m Ugly” earned a spot at the University of the Philippines Pride Film Festival, Cine Lagablove, set to screen at the UP Film Institute Cine Adarna on October 20, 2025, alongside eight other q***r short films.

The film, produced mainly by University of St. La Salle Bachelor of Arts in Communication students for their Group Guidance class, has been screened in multiple festivals, including CINEMATA’s Sinedisipulo XIII and the Tuguegarao Pride Short Film Festival, winning Best Cinematography, Best Poster, and Best Performance in an LGBTQIA+ Role.

Cine Lagablove, a collection of q***r stories and experiences, tells tales of resistance, identity, and pride through narratives that celebrate love, challenge norms, and amplify the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Text | Archer Rafil
Layout | Joaquin Mapa

13/10/2025

#𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

On Negros Island, the air has a tinge of sour under its sweetness. The scent of both triumph and tragedy, the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines–NIR's moniker–has never had such duality encapsulated better than in Oro, Plata, Mata. Released in 1982, the film depicts Negrense families as their lives unravel against the backdrop of World War II. For anyone watching the film, the most evocative image they come across might be the fiery destruction of the hacendero families' crops going up in bright wildfire against the stark black night. Beyond the film and its historical fiction, it has managed to be a portrait of Negros history itself.

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Text | Frank Ampil
Layout | Joaquin Mapa

12/10/2025

#𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱: 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 #𝟭𝟭

You are allowed to feel okay, my sweet.
You are allowed to know hurt and not settle for it.
You can enjoy the good days and not expect sadness in return.

READ FULL LITERARY PIECE BELOW

Text | Jamea Khey
Layout | Joaquin Mapa

The Lead - USLS

27/10/2025

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