DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite – In celebration of one hundred years of Filipino film artistry, the organizers of “Sandaan: Philippine Cinema Centennial Conference – the Filipino Film Centenary Expedition” is gathering Philippine Cinema filmmakers, students, teachers and enthusiasts in Luzon at the De La Salle University campus here for a 2-day Filipino film appreciation from Nov. 22 to 23.
Organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and in partnership with the Communication and Journalism Department of DLSU-D, Ateneo de Cagayan, and Cine Kasimanwa, the DLSU-D leg is part of “Sandaan’s” Philippine-wide tour, targeting the three main island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from Nov. 16 to Dec 9, aimed to have wider, nationwide celebration of Filipino film industry’s 100th year.
The regional legs were conceptualized “for the regional filmmakers to be given a chance to understand the historical development of Philippine cinema,” Rosanni Recreo-Sarile, DLSU-D director for Marketing Communications Office and Sandaan PCCC TFFCE Media Liaison, said.
Besides, the diversity of film outputs from locations outside Metro Manila – the traditional center of filmmaking in the country – necessitates the inclusion of regional filmmakers in the mapping of the future of Philippine cinema.
As cinema is a powerful tool in calling attention to societal concerns and serves as a document of the culture and heritage of a particular time, “it is imperative that local filmmakers are equipped with the knowledge of the foundation of local filmmaking history and its lessons,” Sarile added.
After the 2-day Luzon conference, the participants are expected to gain insights on Philippine cinema and its icons, which could serve as inspiration to local filmmakers, students, film teachers and enthusiasts to re-connect to these foundations and influence their own filmmaking techniques.
Film screening will be conducted to provide models on style and content of iconic Filipino films and forums, talks on various topics related to Philippine filmmaking as managed by critically-acclaimed speakers and experts.
The “Sandaan” have had two Metro Manila legs, one each at the University of the Philippines (Diliman, Quezon City) and at the College of St. Benilde (Manila).
For the regional legs, it will go first on its Mindanao expedition, at the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan Little Theater from Nov 16 to 17; followed by the DLSU D, Luzon leg, while University of the Philippines Visayas (Iloilo) West Visayas State University (Iloilo), Filamer Christian University (Capiz) and Dept of Education – Schools Division of Capiz (Capiz) are the Visayas venues from Dec. 5 to 9.
The project directors include Artin Umali for DLSU-D event; Elvert Beñares (CineKasimanwa) and Hobart Savior (Ateneo de Cagayan) for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively. (/PNA)