By Yuichi Desquitado

Love is expressed in many ways, but for the Far Eastern University Film Society (FEU FilmSoc), it is best shown when shouted at the top of their lungs—where every message is clearly delivered audibly and visually, integrating their unique flairs and interests with the young audience and filmmakers alike.

In their 17th season, FEU FilmSoc’s film festival Sinepiyu once again opened the University to fellow student-directors from different schools to celebrate the passion for filmmaking and the stories that come along with it, ending last May 9.

Sinepiyu turns 17

As third-year Digital Cinema (DigCin) student and Sinepiyu 17 Associate Festival Director Ysh Mae Aureus put it, this year’s theme 'Gimik "Isigaw ang Puso"' is a call for aspiring professional filmmakers to go wild—unfiltered—and show their true love for filmmaking. 

“We define it na parang heto ‘yung gustong isigaw talaga ng mga filmmaker—anong emosyon, anong gusto nila ikuwento. Kasi parang ‘Isigaw ang Puso,’ kahit ano ‘to, eh. Parang buong emosyon mo ilalaan mo sa pelikula mo (We define it as this is what the filmmakers really want to tell us—their emotions and stories. Everything goes with the theme ‘Isigaw ang Puso.’ You will pour all of your feelings with your films),” Aureus explained. 

Moreover, junior DigCin student and Sinepiyu 17 Festival Director Angelo Copon emphasized that the theme poses the question to the attendees of what makes them unique.

“‘Ano ba ‘yung gimik mo?’ That question kind of encapsulates—encapsulates?!—the spirit of Sinepiyu this year. ‘Ano ba ‘yung gimik mo?’ What makes you unique—what makes you you, as a filmmaker or as a person?” Copon added.

This year, the festival adopted standard numerical notation, shifting from Roman numerals (XVI) to Hindu-Arabic (17), which the organizers say is easier to pronounce and more accessible. 

FilmSoc also invited concessionaires during the Sinepiyu week, which was a first for the organization. Although the scale of the event posed challenges, their small population managed to deliver and take on the tasks assigned during the celebration.

Last year’s celebration was done online after coinciding with the transport strike on April 29 to May 3, 2024, which makes the FEU FilmSoc elated to conduct its love for filmmaking onsite within the University after five months of preparation, according to Copon.

Love is ageless

Celebrating the art of filmmaking is also a celebration of the love the people choose. In Sinepiyu 17, the love for society, history, and family tops all others.

FEU FilmSoc President and Director for the Best Narrative Film for All Tamaraw category ‘Lily’ Luke Salazar hopes that his win will inspire the Piyu community to watch and create more films as this has become his way of spotlighting the overlooked stories in society.

“Mahilig talaga ako sa pelikula simula pagkabata (I am really into films since childhood) and I've always been drawn to films that explore themes that are not easy to understand and are topics that are not always talked about in the mainstream. Ginawa namin talaga ‘yung film na ‘to para sa mga ganitong espasyo, katulad ng mga film festival ng Sinepiyu (We really made this film for spaces like the Sinepiyu),” Salazar shared. 

Along with the Best Narrative award, the fourth-year DigCin student-director and his film, produced with the Yellow Bus Pictures bagged Best Performance for Male with Karl Medina’s role as John, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Editing for All Tamaraws category. 

With each win, he dedicated the recognition to his team and fellow indie filmmakers.

“Production team, for every storyteller out there, for independent filmmakers na patuloy na gumagawa ng paraan para magkuwento sa pamamagitan ng sining ng pelikula kahit hindi parating madaling gumawa ng pelikula sa usaping budget o sa usapin ng creative side that comes with it (To my production team and to every storytellers and indie filmmakers who persists in narrating stories using the art of film despite the budget and creative limitations),” Salazar honored.

The graduating student-filmmaker named Abbas Kiarostami’s ‘The Taste of Cherry,’ Richard Linklater’s ‘School of Rock,’ and every Sinepiyu entry, especially Jasper Tan’s ‘Ang Embalsamador, Baliw, at Bangkay’ as his tapsilog—or his favorite, comfort, and recommended films, respectively.

Love is unselfish

Through the All Tamaraw division Second Best Narrative Film ‘Humanay,’ fourth-year DigCin student-director Johna Opinion and JAMBS hope to uplift the national film standards and provide an avenue for local talents to shine for the cause of strengthening the Philippine cinema culture.

“Sa kanila mo talaga makukuha ‘yung motivation kasi naka-i-inspire na you work with people na hindi pa rin sumusuko kahit na ‘yung iba sinasabi na patay na ‘yung Philippine cinema, pero, sila, they still strive to give their best and give their all para, at the end of the day, ma-uplift natin into a better standard ‘yung Philippine cinema in general (You will be motivated as the people who never stop working on films despite discouragements will inspire you to strive and give your best just to uplift the Philippine cinema standard in general),” Opinion said. 

The graduating student-director also emphasized the need for continued support for events like Sinepiyu 17 as it helps highlight and celebrate the passion of different people.

“Suportahan niyo ‘yung mga ganitong klase na event like Sinepiyu, Likhang Mulat, TAM DokyuFest. Doon talaga naha-highlight ‘yung talent—passion and ‘yung filmmaking capabilities ng mga Tamaraw member natin,” she hoped. 

Drawing inspiration from the fruit of their labor in COM1401 Communication Thesis, Opinion also thanked her fellow members for coming up with a great screenplay, which helped them win the Best Screenplay for All Tamaraw category.

When asked, Jerrold Tarog’s ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,’ any Anne Curtis films, and Prime Cruz’s ‘Isa Pa With Feelings’ are the Humanay director’s tapsilog.

Love is truthful

Mapua University’s Adam Dumaguin and KO-LEKSYON envision contributing to society using the art of film by highlighting topics that “matter,” evident with their Sinepiyu Inter-school entry ‘Kita Mo ‘To?’

“Ang inspiration ko lang talaga for continuing to make films is ‘yung feeling ko na may maambag sa society natin. I am a strong believer na ang filmmaking isn’t just about the entertainment but it is about talking about what matters,” Dumaguin stated. 

The Digital Film graduate, who also won Best Screenplay with the same entry in the inaugural FAMAS Short Film Awards last May, was inspired by the infodemic that proliferated during the 2022 National Elections.

“Ang pinaka-inspiration ko was ‘yung mga disinformation na nakita ko sa grandparents ko noong before [2022 National Election] and mas doon talaga nanggaling (My main inspiration is the targeted disinformation with my grandparents),” the Mapuan student-filmmaker recalled. 

‘Kita Mo ‘To?’ won Best Direction, Best Screenplay, and Best Narrative Film for Inter-school category.

Dumaguin dedicated his win to the people who felt despair and lost after the elections, especially after the presidential race between former Philippine Vice President  Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo and incumbent President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. 

“I dedicate my victory today sa lahat ng mga nagluksa noong Halalan 2022. I was part ng mga feeling na nalugmok after the election and feeling ko making this film should be about them and not about me,” Dumaguin said.

Citing his picks, The Mapuan award-winner’s tapsilog is Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners,’ ‘The Office’ series, and Sidney Lumet’s ‘12 Angry Men.’

Love is loud

These student-cinephiles may differ in interests and advocacies, but they all share the same foundation—compassion. 

Going back to this year’s theme, 'Gimik "Isigaw ang Puso"' invites everyone to express their individuality and passion, allotting a spotlight for anecdotes that are often overlooked in favor of mainstream ideas. This also provides an avenue for undiscovered talents that will be wasted if not staged on a grander platform, just like FilmSoc’s Sinepiyu.

Their tireless love for filmmaking and bridging the stories of people, regardless if personal or retelling, persists despite every shortcoming that comes with it. Coming together to celebrate their art truly helps in spotlighting the need for more storytellers and story-listeners. The lack of funding and manpower is no match for the abundance of dedication a filmmaker can scream at the top of their lungs—clearly audible in every “Action!”, “Cut!”, and “Wrap up na!” they shout at every take. 

And that is how cinephiles yell their heart for films.

- With reports from Eunhice Corpuz

(Layout by /FEU Advocate)