02/07/2025
๐๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐ค๐ช๐ก
๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐บ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐ฆ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐น๐บ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ
๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐, ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฎโGanaka, the official short film entry produced by the Development Communication students of Pampanga State Agricultural University, earned the 3rd Best Film Award at the first CuiSinema: The Pampanga Short Film Festival held on June 27 at Kingsborough International Convention Center, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The film ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข revolves around a heartfelt and culturally rooted story inspired by the local dish sisig and the celebration of Motherโs Day.
โMinsan ing simpleng putahi kalupa ning sisigโali ya mu kabud pamangan, minsan magsilbi ya rin ining dalan na magpayalala kareng malagu at makalalung alaala ning milabasan (Minsan ang isang putahe tulad ng sisig ay hindi lang isang pagkain, kundi nagsisilbi ring daan upang maalala ang mga magaganda at โdi malilimutang alaala ng kahapon),โ expressed Eljean Mae Parungao, the filmโs co-writer and lead actress.
Following this, film director Fritz Miguel Gonzales shared that the story was initially pitched by Princess Kyla Gilhang, who also served as assistant director and co-writer.
โGusto naming makabuo ng istoryang simple [at] totoo, pero makabuluhan,โ Gonzales said, adding that while his creative vision for the filmโs tone and pacing was clear from the start, the project was shaped through teamwork.
Highlighting the teamโs collective effort, he credited the entire DevCom Creatives group, particularly writers Parungao and Gilhang for their contributions to the scriptwriting, storyboarding, and post-production.
Parungao described the writing process as โintense, emotional, and collaborative.โ She shared that the team completed the script in under a week, with support from language professionals and continuous revisions based on feedback.
โEvery time [na] rine-revise namin ang script at babasahin ulit, laging may iyakan session na nangyayari,โ she expressed while recalling challenges of writing one of the most emotionally heavy scenesโa monologue addressed to the protagonistโs late mother.
Though the production initially progressed smoothly, the team encountered a major setback when corrupted video files forced them to reshoot the entire film just days before the submission deadline.
โNa-stress talaga ako, pero I guess part lang โyon ng plan ni Lord [dahil] mas naging maganda โyong mga shots nung nag re-shoot kami,โ Gonzales shared.
He also noted that multiple takes were needed to meet the teamโs standards, particularly in emotionally demanding scenes, which is why he once again expressed gratitude to his team members for dedicating their time to complete the film despite having to sacrifice their summer break.
As a graduating student, Gonzales considered Ganaka his final creative work in college and described the experience as overwhelming yet fulfilling.
โThis is my last project, thatโs why I want to leave a legacy. [Kaya] noong nalaman kong nominated ako as Best Director at nanalo kami ng 3rd Best Film, sobrang saya at pasasalamat ang naramdaman ko,โ he said.
As students, the DevCom Creativesโ writer and director mentioned how their experience in the competition did not just provide them a platform to show their talents but also lessons and realizations worth keeping.
For Gonzales, the biggest learning that he acquired during the competition was the power of storytelling.
โStories are truly powerfulโpowerful enough to connect people,โ he said.
Reflecting on the festival, Parungao expressed that CuiSinema wasnโt just a festival but a space for growth, collaboration and storytelling. She also emphasized that film writing is about capturing raw emotions, culture, and truth.
Aside from bagging the 3rd Best Film Award, Ganaka also won 2nd Best in Screenplay Award and 2nd Best in Cinematography Award.
It also received nominations in the following categories: Best Movie Poster, Best Soundtrack, and Best Production Design.
Individual recognitions were also given to the cast and crew: Princess Eldy Tiamzon, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Patrick Duane Avila, nominated for Best Actor, Eljean Mae Parungao, nominated for Best Actress, and Fritz Miguel Gonzales, nominated for Best Director.
The creative team behind Ganaka includes Princess Kyla Gilhang, Eljean Mae Parungao, Clark Jay Ignilan, Christian Malate, Patrick Duane Avila, Princess Eldy Tiamzon, and the 2025 Outstanding Student in Media Arts, Fritz Miguel Gonzales, led by Mr. Gabriel Lorenzo.
โ
๐๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต ๐ฃ๐บ ๐๐ฆ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐บ๐ฆ๐ด
