Stellar Dreams and Regional Voices Soar in Cinema Primera 2025

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In a blaze of cosmic wonder and cinematic brilliance, the Cinema Primera Regional Film Festival 2025 illuminated CALABARZON like a galaxy reborn. What began as a spark of passion in 2018 has now ignited into a blazing constellation of talent, diversity, and regional pride. This year’s theme—“stellar and cosmic”—wasn’t just metaphorical; it was a portal into the boundless imaginations of student filmmakers whose voices are now etched across the stars of Philippine cinema.

A Galaxy Born from Grit and Guts

Cinema Primera began as a daring dream—a vision to empower and elevate student storytellers from the CALABARZON region. What was once a modest platform has evolved into a commanding force of artistic expression and cultural authenticity. Now in its fifth stellar orbit, the festival has become a beacon for budding creatives hungry to tell stories that matter.

From April 21 to 25, 2025, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Molino Campus became the universe’s command center, housing screenings of 48 short films from 18 universities. Schools like MAPUA, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Lyceum of the Philippines University Cavite, and the University of Santo Tomas joined the cinematic constellation. Outside, the Sunken Garden pulsed with life—booths, merchants, and festival-goers sharing in the collective heartbeat of the arts.

Lights, Camera, Cosmos!

The silver screen sparkled with genre-defying creations: Isasakses by Sclera Studios stirred the soul; KIYAW by Pit Crew howled with haunting beauty; ALMIRA! by At The Back Productions redefined direction; Elias: Aswang by NyctoFiles awakened mythic terror; and Blood Price by Gaspire Studios dripped with suspense.

Returning luminaries like Lowell Kip Conales (BAGz), Franz Miaco (Liwas), and Yani Villarosa (Papa Xerox) dazzled once more, joined by a radiant array of new talents. Together, they spun galaxies of grief, triumph, identity, and revolution on screen.

But Cinema Primera isn't merely about spectacle—it's a crucible of meaning. Awards like Puso ng Sining, Boses ng Rehiyon, and Bahaghari recognized films that pierced the cultural veil, uplifted LGBTQ+ narratives, and honored the soul of the region. Standouts included Sa Ilalim Ng Mga Anino, Parisukat, and Norma at Rico, whose authenticity and impact resonated deeply with audiences.

The Night of Stars: Awarding Ceremony at SOMO – A Vista Mall

On April 25, SOMO – A Vista Mall was transformed into a celestial gala for the Closing and Awarding Night, emceed by Don Henley Sunga and Mikaela Yumi Docdocil of UPHSD Molino. The crowd was electrified by performances from Cavite’s own Gem Largo, the hypnotic Myriad Bloom, and the vibrant MMA Konek, the Multimedia Arts Society of UPHSD.

A jury of luminaries—Johnny Paradox, Martin Resplandor Jr., Gelo Vizcarra, and Onix—presided with both discernment and celebration. The grand victor? Boy Wonder by Humantao Films, which seized First Place for its emotionally charged narrative and stunning execution. Kapirasong Barya by Likha Pictures soared into Second Place, and Angat Sa Iba by Uu, Tatlo Lang Talaga Kami Productions clinched Third.

The People's Choice Award was joyously won by Liwas—a beautiful collaboration between Ambon Production and Talaghay Production. ALMIRA! again turned heads, earning Best Direction for its striking vision. Individual brilliance also radiated: Andre Miguel's nuanced performance in Boy Wonder earned him Best Actor, while Yani Villarosa shone like a supernova, securing Best Actress for her riveting turn in Papa Xerox.

Beyond the Screen: A Universe of Artistry

This year’s festival transcended film. The grounds were alive with creativity—booths and merchants brought colors, crafts, and dreams to life. Names like Iwashi Arts & Crafts, Creo Lab, Labuli, Mawie Crochets, and more added vibrancy to the festival landscape. Media partners such as INQUIRER.net, SINEGANG.ph, WhenInManila.com, and Wazzup Pilipinas amplified the reach, while sponsors including The 5th Floor Studios Art Incubation Lab, ARTernative Art Supply, Astrolikha, and the City Government of Imus ensured the stars aligned perfectly.

The Cosmic Legacy Continues

Cinema Primera 2025 didn’t merely showcase student films—it was a symphony of ambition, heritage, identity, and hope. Each short film was a universe in itself, orbiting themes that dared to challenge norms and uplift voices too often silenced.

As the festival’s last credits rolled, one truth echoed through the hearts of all present: the regional filmmaking scene in CALABARZON is not only alive—it’s thriving, evolving, and cosmic.

In every lens that captured truth, every script that beat with sincerity, and every frame that dared to dream, Cinema Primera proved that the future of Philippine cinema isn’t waiting in the wings.

It’s already blazing across the stars.

For more cosmic journeys through art, culture, and regional pride, follow WazzupPilipinas.com—the most credible source of news and stories celebrating the vibrant heart of the Philippines.

Beyond the Ballot: EcoWaste Coalition's Bold Post-Election Clean-Up Challenges Candidates to Own Their Mess

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As the dust settles after the national and local elections, another kind of clutter remains—one not so easily swept away by ballots or political promises.

In a stirring display of civic duty and environmental vigilance, the EcoWaste Coalition took to the streets this morning, leading a post-election clean-up around Flora Ylagan High School along Malakas Street near the corner of V. Luna Avenue. More than just an effort to clear campaign trash, the initiative served as a symbolic call to arms—urging candidates to not just lead by words, but through action and accountability.

Volunteers from EcoWaste, in collaboration with sanitation workers from the Quezon City Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works, worked side by side removing campaign posters, streamers, and other propaganda materials that had turned sidewalks and fences into canvases of political neglect. Their presence painted a stark contrast against the silence of those who once clamored for votes in the same streets now littered with their discarded promises.

“This isn’t just about picking up trash. It is about setting the tone for responsible leadership,” declared Cris Luague, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition. “Candidates should not disappear after election day. The mess they leave behind speaks volumes, and the least they can do is clean it up.”

A Familiar Aftermath, A Forgotten Duty

Despite repeated reminders from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), campaign litter continues to deface communities long after polls close. The May 12 elections were no different. From tarpaulins hanging on lamp posts to posters plastered on walls, the remnants of the electoral battle remain, untouched and ignored by many of the very people who promised “change.”

This, Luague laments, is a pattern that persists—a blatant disregard not only for the law but for the communities and environment these candidates claim to serve.

“Win or lose, candidates must take the lead in post-election clean-ups,” Luague emphasized. “It’s not just about optics—it’s about owning the environmental footprint of their campaigns. This is leadership in its most basic form: being responsible.”

The Weight of Waste Shouldn't Fall on Volunteers Alone

While the EcoWaste Coalition and community volunteers once again rose to the occasion, the group made it clear: the burden of clean-up should not fall on the shoulders of ordinary citizens.

“We’re thankful for the public’s initiative,” Luague acknowledged, “but this responsibility belongs to those who benefited from the campaign. The ones who filled the streets with their faces and slogans should now be the first to take them down.”

A Clear Call for Action

The Coalition isn’t just cleaning—they’re demanding. Their appeal extends beyond candidates to include local government units (LGUs), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and COMELEC itself.

The call? Strict enforcement of post-campaign regulations. COMELEC’s Task Force Baklas 2025 had already laid down the law: All campaign materials should have been removed by 12:00 midnight of May 11, just hours after the campaign period officially ended.

Yet, violations are rampant—and mostly unpunished.

“This cycle of waste and neglect has to end,” the EcoWaste Coalition urged. “If candidates truly want to lead, they must show that they can also clean up after themselves and protect the environment while doing so.”

Toward a Zero Waste Democracy

The group is not stopping here. The EcoWaste Coalition has pledged to monitor post-election waste nationwide and advocate for electoral reforms that enshrine environmental responsibility into the very fabric of campaign practices. These include regulations limiting non-biodegradable materials, mandatory post-campaign clean-up plans, and incentives for eco-friendly campaign strategies.

Because at the heart of it all, this isn’t just a battle against litter—it's a battle for integrity, responsibility, and a livable future.

POST-ELECTION CLEAN-UP: Members of the EcoWaste Coalition conducted a clean-up drive around Flora Ylagan High School in Quezon City a day after the national and local elections to call on candidates to take responsibility for campaign waste and comply with COMELEC’s clean-up directive.

POST-ELECTION CLEAN-UP (Filipino): Nagsagawa ng isang clean-up drive ang EcoWaste Coalition sa paligid ng Flora Ylagan High School sa Quezon City isang araw matapos ang halalan upang hikayatin ang mga kandidato na panagutan ang basurang dulot ng kampanya at sumunod sa kautusan ng COMELEC ukol sa clean-up.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas and a firm advocate for responsible governance and environmental consciousness, I commend the EcoWaste Coalition for not just picking up the trash—but picking up where our leaders often fall short. The time has come for our politicians to realize that real leadership does not end at the ballot box—it begins when the spotlight fades and the clean-up begins.

The Aguilar-Villar Hold on Las Piñas: Why Mark Santos’ Victory Isn’t the Anti-Dynasty Triumph It Seems

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In the 2025 local elections, Mark Anthony Santos’ win in Las Piñas was hailed by many as a revolutionary blow against entrenched political dynasties. But behind the cheers and viral headlines lies a deeper truth: Santos didn’t defeat the Aguilar-Villar dynasty—he rode its internal fractures to power.

Las Piñas, long known as the bastion of the Aguilar-Villar political empire, remains firmly in their grip. Senator Cynthia Villar, once the city’s representative, is a key pillar of the dynasty that has ruled the city for decades. Her daughter, Camille Villar, soared among the top senatorial candidates in Las Piñas, securing strong support from the family’s power base. The city’s current Mayor and Vice Mayor? Both are Aguilars. And the council? Still populated by at least three Aguilar family members.

It is within this dynastic landscape that Santos emerged—not as an outsider breaking the system, but as a candidate who benefitted from the family's rare internal discord.

A House Divided, But Still Standing

What many voters failed to see through the noise of campaign season was a strategic fracture within the Aguilar clan. Multiple Aguilar family members ran for key positions, splitting the vote base that usually consolidated behind a single heir apparent. Instead of presenting a united front, the dynasty fielded competing candidates—an unusual and risky political maneuver that paved the way for a non-family name to slip through the cracks.

Enter Mark Anthony Santos.

Running under the Aguilar banner, Santos was not the rebel many thought he was. His campaign quietly aligned with some of the Aguilars, ensuring he wasn’t challenging the dynasty so much as navigating through its temporary divisions. He didn’t tear down a political machine—he simply outpaced the other cogs.

Political observers suggest that this split was not accidental. It may have been a calculated decision to retain control regardless of outcome. By fielding multiple candidates across different factions of the family, the dynasty ensured that no matter who won, their interests would remain protected. Santos, intentionally or not, became part of that strategy.

The Dynasty Still Rules

The idea that Santos’ win signals a new chapter for Las Piñas politics is premature at best, misleading at worst. The dynasty is still deeply entrenched:

Camille Villar’s popularity is growing—her Senate win reinforced the family's national influence.

Local government remains dominated by Aguilars from top to bottom, including executive and legislative positions.

Policy direction, power consolidation, and influence networks remain unchanged.

Even Santos, whether willingly or due to political necessity, must now navigate a city hall surrounded by Aguilar loyalists. Without structural changes, the same power dynamics continue—just with a new name at the front.

False Hope in a Familiar Game

The bigger issue at play is the illusion of choice. When political dynasties fracture, they don’t lose—they diversify. Voters are presented with the façade of opposition, but behind the scenes, alliances, deals, and legacies continue as usual.

Mark Anthony Santos may be mayor, but Las Piñas is still very much under the political gravity of the Aguilar-Villar dynasty. Until the electorate sees past surface-level narratives and demands deeper systemic reforms—such as an Anti-Political Dynasty Law—true political renewal will remain elusive.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

Santos’ ascent is not a David vs. Goliath tale. It is a Shakespearean subplot—a family divided, a new face elevated, but the throne unchanged.

For Las Piñas residents hoping for real change, the challenge isn’t just voting in a new mayor. It’s understanding the game they’ve been asked to play—and demanding a new one entirely.