With the theme “Humanizing financial services,” Gawad CineMaybank has tasked students from 27 universities nationwide to produce short films to help promote the arts among the youth.
Although the topic seemed intimidating, the second installment of the competition under the auspices of banking institution Maybank Philippines presented ordinary individuals going through hardships but manage to hurdle the challenges in a value-driven way.
“Those of us who have watched the short films are truly inspired on the mature themes that have evolved into moving stories of hope, courage, change, diversity and inclusion, and patriotism,” Maybank Philippines president and chief executive officer Choong Wai Hong said at the opening of the awarding ceremony on November 17.
As artistic director, award-winning Brillante Mendoza also led the workshops for the students, making each output truly inspirational for the audience to reflect on were shown on the screen.
“I admire Maybank’s commitment to developing a wide audience among Filipino youth—for intelligent Filipino films told by powerful stories of everyday people and circumstances,” Mendoza, who was also the head judge of the competition, said in his speech.
Evidently manifested in the results, the judges have rightfully awarded the short films that make a statement – following the theme of moving forward and being courageous despite numerous life struggles,
Third place went to Wanmantim of Asia Pacific College who made a touching short film called “Sa Pag-Alala.” Centering on Filipino familial relationships, the movie shows a young professional named Yssa who is looking back on the time spent with her grandfather, who taught her many life lessons before forgetfulness took over. Yssa now takes care of her grandfather and does her best to remind the old man of the memories that lapsed from his brain.
Second prize went to “Swelas,” made by Plan B Productions of the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, tackling a story reminiscent of the Marikina shoe industry being taken over by wealthier and newer corporations. Soliman Cruz plays the role of a struggling shoe supplier, whose daughter also has a knack for designing shoes that are more modern.
The father turns down the daughter’s designs as he wanted to retain their original creations. Following a dismissal by a large department store client, Cruz starts to accept newer designs by his daughter, leading to an emotional ending between them.
The winning film, “Dribol” by Himatuod Productions of the Central Philippine University, emphasizes two important parts of Filipino culture—indigenous peoples and basketball.
Shot in an indigenous community and highlights their love for basketball, the team plays in the local league but struggles to gain points because of the shoes they were wearing made them uncomfortable, as those were only borrowed from others in the neighborhood. When they were allowed by the referee to play without shoes, the team managed to get more points and ended happily despite not winning the game.
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