Where Magic Meets the Page: FDCP and Filipino Screenwriters Guild Ignite a New Generation of Storytellers in Bulacan

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the heart of Malolos, Bulacan — a province steeped in revolutionary legacy and artistic heritage — a different kind of revolution was quietly taking shape. For five transformative days, a new generation of storytellers gathered to breathe life into the unseen, unsaid, and unscripted narratives of the Filipino soul.

The FDCP x FSG Screenwriting Workshop, an intensive program organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Filipino Screenwriters Guild (FSG), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bulacan through its Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO), became a rare sanctuary for creative alchemy — where thoughts, emotions, and truths turned into story beats and screenplay arcs.

With the opening salvo delivered by FDCP Chair and CEO Jose Javier Reyes via video message, the tone was set: “Let’s transform ideas into compelling scripts,” he urged, inspiring participants to push beyond the mundane and tap into something raw, real, and resonant.

From Bulacan to CALABARZON, Davao de Oro to Iloilo, and Metro Manila, twenty passionate individuals were handpicked to embark on this journey — an experience that would test not just their penmanship but the depth of their imagination and the courage of their convictions.

More Than Just a Workshop — A Creative Rebirth

What unfolded over the week was far from a simple screenwriting boot camp. Led by a powerhouse team of mentors — Wanggo Gallaga, Noreen Capili, Paul Sta. Ana, and Jules Katanyag — the workshop blurred the lines between instruction and inspiration. Through lectures, film screenings, group critiques, and soul-baring discussions, the venue turned into a crucible of creation.

Katanyag, both a screenwriter and director, captured the heartbeat of the initiative:

“Creatives are craving connection with other Filipino creatives, and there is a dearth of spaces where this magic could happen. I’m thankful that FDCP and FSG are providing platforms where storytellers could connect to talk about Filipino storytelling and build stories together to rediscover the narratives that make us who we are.”

Each day unfolded like a scene from a well-structured film — rising action in the ideas pitched, character development in every shared story, and turning points in every “aha!” moment.

Voices from the Writers’ Room

Participant Melvin Waje Reyes described it best, calling the workshop “a sprinkle of fairy dust.”

“Meeting new people, sitting next to them, and listening as they share their stories – the ones that echo their personal journeys and the things closest to their hearts – is such a unique and meaningful experience.”

For Jeneliza Recato-Daño, the workshop was more than a creative exercise; it was a reaffirmation of purpose:

“This was not just about writing. It was about writing with meaning, with intent. The mentors gave us their wisdom, and my fellow participants gave me hope.”

And for Jan Darryl Villafuerte, a senior BA Digital Film student from Mapúa University, it was a canon event in his creative life — the kind of chapter that redefines everything:

“To all the mentors, the organizers, and my fellow participants, storytellers, filmmakers, and dreamers – thank you for making this experience a memorable canon event!”

A Story Concludes, But the Journey Begins

The final day of the workshop culminated in a heartfelt ceremony at the Mariano Ponce Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center. Certificates were handed out, but more valuable than parchment were the connections forged, the ideas birthed, and the passion reignited.

A panel discussion with the mentors offered participants a deeper dive into the professional world of storytelling, while the closing remarks from Roella Frias, Executive Assistant from the Office of the Governor of Bulacan, anchored the event within the province’s cultural commitment to nurturing the arts.

And just when the lights were about to dim, a final spark: a special message from Ricky Lee, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts and FSG adviser. In his signature tone of quiet wisdom, he urged the writers to never stop writing — to always find the story, even in the silence.

FDCP and FSG: Architects of Filipino Imagination

In a time when screens are saturated with recycled plots and algorithm-driven content, the FDCP x FSG Screenwriting Workshop is a defiant whisper in the storm — proof that somewhere in Bulacan, and in cities and provinces across the country, voices still rise with originality, bravery, and soul.

Because storytelling is not just an art. It is a calling. And for five days in Malolos, the call was heard — and answered.

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