By Randy Espares Jr. 

Far Eastern University (FEU) Department of Communication (DepComm)’s Likhang Mulat awards ‘Tirada’ (Strike) by Lente’t Liyab Productions, a story centered around a jeepney driver who gets entangled in the ‘War on Drugs’ or extrajudicial killings (EJK), as Best Short Film during its Gabi ng Parangal at the University Conference Center last December 10.

Tirada follows the story of a struggling jeepney driver, who gets framed by the police for allegedly handling drugs. It depicts how ordinary civilians get caught up in EJK. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, second-year Communication student and director Neil Trinh Connor Vo talked about braving the production despite its controversial nature. 

“Very controversial ‘yung topic namin, which is ‘yung EJK, actually tinatanong ako ng kapatid ko if safe ba i-produce ‘yung ganitong film, pero ayun tinapangan lang namin kasi ayun ‘yung purpose namin, ayun ‘yung purpose ko as a filmmaker,” the director shared. 

Vo also thanked their production team for making the film despite most of the crew being first-timers. 

“Very thankful po especially sa buong production ko kasi, ayun, na-mention ko kanina na most of them, first time nila mag-prod and most of them [are] from different programs. So ayun, na-appreciate ko sila sobra na they really tried their best and binigyan talaga ng time and ‘yung passion nila para makapag-produce ng ganitong type of film,” they said. 

Lente’t Liyab Productions also won the Best Screenplay award and the Best Director award alongside Bloddie’s Aika Atutubo. ‘Bloddie’ also won the Special Jury Mention award. 

Meanwhile, ‘Alingawngaw,’ the 2nd Best Short Film directed by Jerome Miguel Buenaventura and Loraine Peralta, also won Best Film Teaser, Best Sound, and Best Production Design.

The 3rd Best Short Film, ‘E Ku Mipalyaring Magluksa’ (Hindi ‘Ko Magawang Magluksa) by directors Marc Nicolai Ducut and Beatrize Villareal, bagged the iDEFEND’s Choice award and Best Actor for the performance of FEU alumnus Dylan Ray Talon. 

‘Andito Ka, Kasama’ directed by Ashby Lavigne won the Special Jury Prize and Best Film Poster. 

Furthermore, the film ‘Manggagaway’ by director Charisse Gwyneth Averion won Best Musical Score and Best Original Song, while ‘Isang Pitik’ by director Xamantha Younice Faith de Guzman was awarded Best Editing. 

For the Audience Choice award, ‘Maya,’ directed by Jaceekaye Sibulo, received the accolade alongside Best Cinematography and Best Actress for the performance of FEU alumna Danica Desoyo.

Likhang Mulat is the annual social advocacy film festival of the FEU DepComm, with this year’s theme ‘Korapsyon, LABANAN! TIYAKIN ang Pananagutan. Maka-karapatang paggu-gobyerno, IPAGLABAN!’ which featured the works of second-year Communication students. 

The entries are available to stream at Cinemata until December 21.  

(Photo courtesy of Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)