BY CLIFFORD JAMES DANDUAN/UM INTERN
STUDENT filmmakers from the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) defied all odds, capturing third place in the Best Student Short Film at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal on Friday, December 27, at the Solaire Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.
“PNB 12-50” was produced by Salom Productions and directed by 19-year-old Ryan Paolo Resuena.
The story was inspired by the “precious lives that were lost” during the devastation of Typhoon Pablo in New Bataan and other parts of Mindanao last December 2012.
“’PNB 12-50’ is how they labeled victims of Bagyong Pablo that were found but never identified. It saddened me na kahit gaano ka-significant ang buhay ng mga tao na nawala dahil sa ‘Bagyong Pablo,’ na reduce lang ilang identity into a number,” Resuena said.
Resuena, a second-year BA Communication and Media Arts student, also shared how their film depicted the complexities of Filipino resiliency during a typhoon.
“Double-edged sword siya. On one hand, makit-an nato ang kusog ug paglaom sa mga Pilipino, pero on the other hand, murag excuse siya usahay para dili ma-address ang root cause sa mga problema (We could see the strong faith of Filipinos but it’s also used as an excuse to avoid addressing the root cause),” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of amplifying the stories in Mindanao.
“Gusto ipakita sa pelikula nga importante nga madungog ang mga istorya sa Mindanao (The film shows the importance of listening to the stories of Mindanao). Dili lang mi supporting narrative sa Pilipinas, we are also part of the bigger picture.”
When asked about how it felt to win at the 2024 MMFF, Resuena described it as a “surreal” experience as they were recognized on a national stage.
“It felt surreal, like a validation not just for our work; but for the stories that come from Mindanao. It felt like being seen—our efforts, our culture, and our experiences finally being recognized on a bigger stage. This win isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a triumph for Mindanaoan voices that have often been overlooked,” he proudly shared.
Resuena believes that their triumph in the recently concluded MMFF is a step forward for local filmmakers to share the untold stories in Mindanao.
“This recognition opens doors not only for us as filmmakers but for all the untold stories of Mindanao that deserve to be shared with the world. It’s more than just a win, it’s a step forward in bringing more diverse voices into the spotlight,” he said.
However, the journey of producing the “PNB 12-50” was far from a walk in the park, as the production team faced financial challenges.
“One of the major challenges was budget gyud. We need the budget para magka proper equipment. We need budget to have access sa right locations and to pay these people that we owe. We need budget to realize the story,” he shared.
He also shared that it is not the lack of talent that hinders them as student filmmakers, but the lack of support that limits and forces them to work with fewer resources.
“We’re constantly forced to work with less—sacrificing quality, missing opportunities, and sometimes even compromising our mental and emotional well-being—just to bring our stories to life. The brilliance of our ideas deserves to be met with the proper resources to make them real,” he emphasized.
With their triumph, the 19-year-old filmmaker and director urged schools and organizations nationwide to recognize and support the humanities and the arts.
“Fund the filmmakers. Fund the storytellers. Fund the dreamers crafting narratives that reflect our culture, challenge our realities, and spark change. Supporting student filmmakers is more than just backing projects, it’s investing in the future of storytelling and the transformative impact it can have on society,” he said.
Apart from “PNB 12-50,” student filmmakers from the Mindanao State University in General Santos City bagged the Special Jury Prize, with their film ‘Inang Wak-Wak’.
This year’s MMFF marked its 50th year of celebrating cinematic brilliance and honoring excellence in the Philippine cinema.
