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March 14, 2022 – Three public high school learners from Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) were recognized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) during the 6th Film Ambassador’s Night last February 27 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
Hannah Ragudos, Grade 12, and Brad Khent Cacho, Grade 10, were recognized in the short film category award while Mark Giddel Liwanag, Grade 12, was acclaimed under the full-length documentary among the 77 entries in the annual awards night.
“Overwhelming pong makatanggap ng mga award, masaya rin na napakita ko ang kultura ng Alaminos City, ang mga tradisyon namin dito at nakilala pa ng marami yung gawa namin,” Liwanag noted.
FDCP conducts the annual Film Ambassador’s Night to recognize the films and filmmakers that gave pride to the Philippines in the past year.
In 2021, “Sa Layag ng Bangkang Paurong” of Liwanag also won the Best Documentary Film in the 25th Fresh International Film Festival in Limerick, Ireland. Meanwhile, the film “Ana Bikhayr” and “Ora Miss Mo” of Ragudos and Cacho were both recognized as Encourage Prize Awardees in the 4th Gimpo International Youth Film Festival in South Korea.
The three films are produced by Layag Productions, a film organization composed of high school students under the Special Program for Media Arts of ACNHS.
“Yung Layag Productions ay nagpo-produce ng advocacy films na nagta-tackle sa mga social issues na gawa at isinulat ng mga estudyante, ako lang ang taga-supervise kaya 100% ay gawa talaga nila para mabigyan sila ng opportunity,” Layag Productions adviser and Media Arts Teacher Raquel Rivera noted.
The three winning films tackle child labor, school bullying, and the importance of time, which are all concerning issues observed by award-winning young filmmakers themselves.
“Naisip ko po agad sa film yung online games kasi sa generation po namin, boom na boom ang online games na nakakain po yung oras sa pamilya, kaya gusto ko po ipakita na may buhay po tayo outside of online games,” Cacho shared on why he chose to create the film “Ora Miss Mo”.
“I congratulate our learners who are behind these films that depict the relevant stories of their time and their culture. You have given pride to your school and our country. May you all continue to inspire other learners in exploring their talents and skills,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
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