DSWD 11 fetes 13 filmmakers

THE regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 11) awarded the 13 filmmakers who participated in the 1st DSWD Film Festival on Monday, July 31 at the Apo View Hotel.

Out of the 16 entries, Rexor Amancio's "Katumanan sa Pangandoy" ranked first, garnering a score of 83.89 percent (%), followed by Michael Robilla's "Alyas Inday Jenny" (82.61%) and "Bayan" of Ramil C. Salon, Jr. (78%).

Special awards were given to "Itong Tula" by John Jeus Yagon (75.57%) as People's Choice Award; "Alaga" by Rosebie May Sanchez (74.34%); and “Liwanag” by Earle Evita Mae Galindo (74.06%).

DSWD 11 assistant regional director for administration Ma. Vilia Vigil thanked participants for sharing their talents and creativity and for sharing the stories of their beneficiaries to further promote the programs and services of the agency.

"DSWD has taken effort by conducting the first DSWD Film Festival in Davao Region. This is an advocacy activity venturing in the promotion of independent film enthusiasts in an effort not only to boost the Philippine movie industry but also to promote DSWD programs and projects," she said.

Throughout the years, the agency stayed true to its mission to educate and inform various audiences by providing advocacy activities and materials.

DSWD also aims to enhance the creative skills and expertise of participants in engaging them in film festivals through short films that are informative and artistic and promotes the agency's programs and projects.

The videos will be used as promotional videos to sustain support of DSWD partners and create new partners.

The theme of the competition was "DSWD: May Malasakit". She added that amateur and profesis

sional filmmakers were welcome to participate.

Services that were showcased in the films included Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Kalahi-CIDSS, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and Social Pension for Senior Citizens, Legal Adoption, Supplementary Feeding, Licensing and Accreditation of Social Welfare NGOs, Reception and Study Center for Children, Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth, Home for the Aged and Home for Girls and Women, among others.

The grand winner won P40,000 and a plaque while the runner-up received P25,000 and the thirdplacer claimed P15,000.

Other entries got P5,000 each as consolation prize.