Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a stirring testament to the enduring power of cinema and education, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in partnership with the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) and Mapúa University, rolled out one of the most ambitious initiatives for Filipino educators this year — the FDCP x PACE: Training the Teachers program. Held this July at the state-of-the-art Mapúa University Makati campus, the program gathered over 130 educators from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao under one roof, united by a single goal: to empower those who teach film to inspire the next generation of storytellers.
In an era where digital disruption and content oversaturation challenge the traditional classroom, this collaborative program sought not just to adapt to the changing times but to lead the evolution. Through immersive sessions on film appreciation, screenwriting, production, animation, and global cinema, the FDCP x PACE initiative served as a clarion call: Film education in the Philippines is undergoing a renaissance.
A Golden Opportunity, A Historic Moment
The program opened with a symbolic confluence of leadership and legacy. PACE President Mark Lester Del Mundo Chico, FDCP Technical Consultant Seymour Sanchez, and Mapúa University Board of Trustees member Yvonne Yuchengco delivered the welcome remarks, setting the tone for an event that would redefine how film is taught across the archipelago.
Chico, whose organization is celebrating its 50th founding anniversary, underscored the urgency of this milestone. “What better way to celebrate our golden year than to give our educators gold — golden knowledge, golden experiences, and golden connections,” he said. “Our educators are the bridge between the industry’s past and the filmmakers of the future.”
Reyes Inspires: The Teacher as Nation-Builder
No one could have framed that vision more eloquently than FDCP Chair and CEO Jose Javier Reyes, who opened the educational sessions with a resounding message: “The study of film is not merely about aesthetics or technique — it is about culture, identity, and history.”
In his keynote titled “The Film Teacher and the Study of National Culture and History,” Reyes reminded the audience that every frame of film is a mirror of our collective soul. As the country’s film czar and a respected filmmaker himself, his words struck chords with every teacher present, reaffirming their pivotal role in nation-building through education.
Cinematic Excellence: Honoring the Past, Training for the Future
A highlight of the program was the screening of the iconic “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” the Lino Brocka masterpiece celebrating its 50th anniversary. Written by Clodualdo “Doy” Del Mundo Jr., a former PACE Board of Trustees member, the neo-noir classic was dissected in a masterful analysis led by Dr. Roland Tolentino and Dr. Anne Frances Sangil, both members of Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, with moderation by MPP Chairperson Dr. Shirley Lua. Their insights transcended technical critique, delving into the film’s sociopolitical relevance and historical significance.
Training in the Trenches: Practical Knowledge from Industry Titans
No stone was left unturned in the training's curriculum. Filipino Screenwriters Guild members Dustin Celestino and Giancarlo Abrahan conducted a riveting crash course on story development and scriptwriting, while Khaye Medina and Mica Oliveros delivered insider perspectives on production management and the often overlooked but critical role of producers.
Award-winning documentarians Adjani Arumpac (UP Film Institute) and Kristoffer Brugada (De La Salle University) tackled the art and ethics of documentary filmmaking in a forum moderated by Mapúa’s own She Andes, head of the Digital Film program. Meanwhile, the dynamic realm of animation came alive with insights from Avid Liongoren (“Saving Sally”), Carl Joseph Papa (“Iti Mapukpukaw”), and Eru Petrasanta, with filmmaker and DGPI president Keith Sicat guiding the conversation.
Beyond the Borders: Exploring Global Cinema
True to its commitment to widen perspectives, the program featured a screening of “Anatomy of a Fall,” a Cannes Palme d’Or winner, followed by a discussion with Dr. Patrick Campos and Tito Valiente, moderated by acclaimed critic Jason Tan Liwag. The session was a masterclass in connecting local sensibilities with global cinematic trends — a reminder that Filipino educators and filmmakers must not only tell our stories but also engage with the world’s narratives.
Creativity in Action: From Lenses to Edits
Veteran cinematographer Lee Briones-Meily led educators through a rare creative drawing exercise to explore the visual language of film. Renowned editor Ilsa Malsi, whose credits include “Babae at Baril” and “Rookie,” took participants on a deep dive into editing — illustrating how narrative pacing and emotional resonance are shaped in the cutting room.
Closing the Curtain, Opening New Doors
Dean David Corpuz of Mapúa School of Media Studies delivered heartfelt closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the trust and confidence given to their institution to host such a significant event. “This is not just a training program; it’s a movement — and we are proud to be part of it,” he declared.
The program’s formal partnership was solidified through a memorandum of agreement signed by PACE President Chico, PACE VP for Luzon Reginald Gonzales, and FDCP Chair Jose Javier Reyes — ensuring that this powerful alliance will continue to uplift film education across the country.
A New Chapter for Philippine Cinema Education
As the lights dimmed and the classrooms emptied, what remained was not just knowledge — but conviction. Educators left not only with tools and techniques, but with a renewed sense of mission: to wield film as a force for truth, identity, and transformation.
In a world reshaped by pixels and platforms, this initiative proves that the soul of storytelling still resides in the hearts of teachers — and that the future of Philippine cinema begins in every classroom where passion, purpose, and pedagogy meet.
And this, truly, is the new reel revolution.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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