Posted: October 28, 2021, 1:17 P.M.

The School of Media Studies - Mapúa University proudly announces this year’s CINEMAPÚA finalists and official entries in two categories with the inclusion of a new section for the exhibition of international student films. This season marks the 19th year celebration of CineMapúa in showcasing and appreciating the value of students' visual storytelling through film technology.

Almost a hundred submitted film entries were screened last October 23-25 to select the finalists in each category: Collegiate and High School. A total of 25 selected short films will compete for Cardinal Best Film Awards (Gold, Silver & Bronze) per category; and for Special Cardinal Individual Film Awards per category during the week-long online film festival on November 22-27, 2021 via the YFilms-Yuchengco Museum digital platform. Moreover, there are four selected international student films which will be showcased under the World Short Film Section of CINEMAPÚA 2021. This is a film exhibition section for foreign student filmmakers globally, which will be introduced this year's film festival. This year, an additional award will be given to deserving films per category, the Cultural Heritage Award. This award is a recognition to the film with the goal of depicting and preserving Philippine arts and cultural heritage.

The CINEMAPÚA 2021 finalists are:

COLLEGIATE CATEGORY:

1. “Ang Laswa ni Lola Mame” by: Vincent Joseph  Entuna, University of the Philippines-Diliman
2. “Maupay Nga aga, Puniti Kita” by: Chicken Ligaya, University of San Carlos, Cebu City
3. “Bycatch” by: Jerico Felicilda, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila
4. “Miss Informed” by: Earvic Noay, University of the Philippines Open University
5. “Silang Mga Naligaw Sa Limot” by: Vahn Leinard Pascual, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde-Manila
6. “Blood Stew” by: Aaron Neil Domingo, Far Eastern University-Manila
7. “Manyaok” by: Kate Villanueva, University of the Philippines-Visayas
8. “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Lola Mayumi” by: Shiri Francesca de Leon, Meridian International College-Taguig City
9. “The Congressus” by: Jan Darryl Villafuerte, Mapua University-Makati City
10. “Tugaw sa Uma” by: Raphael Jay Cordova, Mindanao State University-Iligan City
11. “Sina Alexa, Xander at ang Universe” by: Vahn Leinard Pascual, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde-Manila
12. “Lysistrata” by: John Patrick Manio, University of the Philippines-Diliman
13. “Unsaved Changes” by: Andrei Francis Arrocena, Ateneo de Davao University-Davao City
14. “The Transfiguration of Saint Mike” by: Jermaine Tulbo, Meridian International College-Taguig City
15. “The Girl from Nowhere” by: Flory Ann Tacuban, University of the Philippines-Visayas

HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY:

1. “My Dearly Love” by: Joseph Marc Salas, St. Mary's School of Cagayan de Oro
2. “Ahmad & Abdul” by: Muhaliden Cawi, MSU-Malabang Community High School, Lanao del Sur
3. “ILAW” by: Aldwin Jerico Atutubo, FEU High School-Manila
4. “Orpheus” by: Vince Ivan Vesiete, General Santos City National Secondary School of Arts and Trades
5. “Lente” by: Tereon Jay Tulaña, University of Perpetual Help System, Biñan, Laguna Campus
6. “The Girl From Paradeyes” by: Amelia Elizabeth Perez, Catholic Filipino Academy, Quezon City
7. “Dapithapon” by: Ethan John Dela Cruz & Marie James Palisoc, Siena College of Taytay, Rizal
8. “Sa Labas” by: Jadrien Marc Morales, Meridian International College, Taguig City
9. “Babo Kikasoy” by: Nabelah Dimaocom, MSU-Malabang Community High School, Lanao del Sur
10. “The Elusive Star” by: Norbert Francis Baylon, Kabankalan Catholic College, Negros Occidental

WORLD SHORT FILM SECTION: An exhibition of international student short films

1. "Grandma's Tale of the Magical Outenga" by: Rishab Thakur, Whistling Woods International Mumbai, India
2. "My Black Heart" by: Garush Ghazaryan, Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography, Armenia
3. "Split" by: Kang Zheng Shueen, The One Academy, Selangor, Malaysia
4. "Tears of Gold" by: Richie Chooi, Shih Hsin University, Taipei, Taiwan

CINEMAPÚA 2021 OMNIBUS TRAILER:

The winners of CineMapúa 2021 will be receiving a Cardinal Gold Film Award (P10,000 plus Cinemapua certificate) for best film; a Cardinal Silver Film Award (P7,000 plus Cinemapua certificate) for 2nd best film; and a Cardinal Bronze Film Award (P5,000 plus Cinemapua certificate) for 3rd best film, for collegiate category. On the other hand, winners for high school category will receive a Cardinal Gold Film Award (P7,000 plus Cinemapua certificate) for best film; a Cardinal Silver Film Award (P5,000 plus Cinemapua certificate) for 2nd best film; and a Cardinal Bronze Film Award (P3,000 plus Cinemapua certificate) for 3rd best film.

Special Awards will also be given in each category with Cinemapua certificates. The following are the special awards: Cardinal Best Performance of an Actress; Cardinal Best Performance of an Actor; Cardinal Best Director; Cardinal Best Screenplay; Cardinal Best Cinematography; Cardinal Best Film Editing; Cardinal Best Production Design; Cardinal Best in Sound and Music; Cardinal Best Original Sound Track; Cardinal Best Film Teaser; Cardinal Best Film Poster; and Cardinal Audience Choice Award.

Dean Benigno B. Agapito, Jr. of the School of Media Studies, and the Chairman of CINEMAPÚA said that this student film festival empowers students to continue creating quality stories to tell despite the claws of pandemic. “We tell them that stories have no boundaries, and this health crisis needs more visual narratives to deliver for information and knowledge formation among the people. Their visual storytelling could be a powerful medium for human and social development particularly during this time of pandemic,” Agapito added.

The CINEMAPÚA Selection Committee to determine the top finalists from a hundred entries is headed by Dr. David R. Corpuz, Digital Film program head of Mapúa’s School of Media Studies. The committee members are Ms. Celina Mae Medina, and Mr. Duztine Clyde Delos Angeles, both faculty members of Mapúa’s Digital Film program. 

The Awards Night will be held via Facebook live streaming on November 27, 2021, 6:00 in the evening. CineMapúa is an annual event of the School of Media Studies, Mapúa University.