LPU fetes student filmmakers on 72nd foundation anniversary
SIX groups of student filmmakers from Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila won in the short film and public service announcement (PSA) video categories of Lycinema 2024, marking LPU’s 72nd foundation anniversary and founder Dr. Jose P. Laurel’s 133rd birthday celebration at the JPL Hall of Freedom on March 9.
“Garapon,” a Mithi Films production directed by Luis Musni and written by Kimberly Claire Pablo and Ivanah Araque, topped the short film category.
The film is a moving story about two orphan brothers, Jhanrey (Ace Trencio) and Kiko (Rham Palomares), who are struggling to get by on the little that they have. Antoinette Chua, Drei Manalo, Jerson Santos, Xyreal Sevilla and Aaron Evangelista provide support to the brothers. “Garapon” competed in the 8th Sorok Short Film Festival at the Philippine Women’s University last January.
The director and writers also got ample assistance from codirectors Angelica Sengson and Adriel Mandia, director of photography Genesis Lim, camera operator Dave Gutierrez, set designer Christine Andres, sound designer Nicole Codorniz, and film editor Ferlauren Umagtang.
“Sana Bukas, Pwede Pa,” a Page 8 Studios short film directed by Krizia Enage and Arbby Manahan, placed second. The film also represented LPU Manila in the 8th SSFF with “Garapon.” It had Vanessa Serafica and Yeda Faulve as production managers, Kyle Arceo as cinematographer, Mishael Concepcion as camera operator, Tyra Rapin as editor, and Dave Balanlay as writer, assistant director and set designer.
“Pintura,” directed and produced by Michelle Graciela, won third prize. It stars Rowell Laroco and Chariz Valerie, with Kyla Lazaro as writer and art director, Graciela as cinematographer, Balanlay as assistant director, and Umagtang as editor and sound designer.
Meanwhile, “Maghapong Nakayuko” by Wacky Ramirez, Marikei Caranto, Harvy Cosmiano, Ken Cardona and Yna Sansan, led the PSA video category winners.
“Sementong Plastik,” created by Lyka Rojo, Romilo Josh Difuntorum, Alexandra Jane Pancho, James Matthew Bueno, and Umagtang, got second prize, while “Siozmaiolo,” directed by Cortez, placed third.
Twelve other short films and 49 more PSA videos produced by LPU Multimedia Arts students as outputs in their Fundamentals of Film and Video Production classes under special lecturer Seymour Sanchez competed and were screened during the showcase of MMA projects.
“Strengthening the film culture in a school not only entails getting students to shoot their films but also developing an audience to watch them,” Sanchez stressed.
The board of judges consisted of Jaypee Zuñiga, production head of Knowledge Channel Foundation; Monica Lou Medina, operations manager of Eyecandy Model Management Inc.; and Kristin Jor, production manager of Red Room Media Productions.
As part of the program, Dentsu Creative Philippines executive director Biboy Royong and account manager Pat Sarmiento discussed the creative process of designing advocacy ads.
In addition, “GomBurZa” film producer and Jesuit Communications Foundation Philippines creative director Pauline Mangilog-Saltarin discussed the creative process and production of the historical film in the “Muling Pagbabahagi ng Kasaysayan” talk.
Also gracing Lycinema 2024 were LPU College of Arts and Sciences dean Marilyn Ngales; Broadcasting, Communication, Journalism, and Multimedia Arts program chairman Joanna Rojo; Psychology professor and officer-in-charge head of Psychology and Philosophy Mylah Sison; former BCJMMA head Rebecca Nieto-Litan; and faculty members Mira Ticlao and Jerick Sanchez.
For the second time, Razel Olifernes and Mikee Ricafort hosted the program. The Brand Management and Activation class and the Lyceum Visuals and Motions Guild (LVMG) co-organized the event.