“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” a quote by Lao Tzu shared by 24F Founder & President Emeritus Josh Fernandez to a supportive crowd. Last June 22, current student members and alumni from different batches of the org gathered at Matrix Creation Events Venue in Diliman, Quezon City to celebrate and commemorate the historical milestone of 24 Frames as the longest continuous-existing org of CIIT to first hit the decade mark.
Hosted by current 24F officers Kai De Leon and Raphael Brizuela, the event was attended by more than 70 attendees across generations, pushing through the heavy weather in their best cocktail dresses as they made the most of the event’s red carpet and dinner, as well as an assembly of new and exclusive 24F merchandise. A night centered on looking back at the long history and timeline of the org through videos, games, and interviews, the program reminisced ten years of sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears with the theme “Anong Kwentong 24 Frames Mo?” (“What Is Your 24 Frames Story?”).
At the center of the event was a series of heartfelt speeches delivered by former presidents and student leaders of the org, reuniting on stage. Kicking things off was Aelron Cruz, Former 24F President from 2023-2024, sharing his journey on how the organization redeemed its ‘glory days’ as it recovered back from the pandemic. Cruz shared his team’s effort to organize the events “Alamat ng Orange Juice”, “SineSembreak”, and “SineLektura”, as well as to highlight the org’s recognition as a member of Academic Film Society, an adjunct of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. At the end of his speech, he introduced Qianna Sanchez as the next org President, alongside incoming officers Hillary Roque and Jasmin Dapitan, who will hold office as the next Vice President and Secretary, respectively. Sanchez delivered a short speech on her plans for the organization.
Through pre-recorded videos, Former 24F President (2021-2022) Ercel Santiago and Former President (2022-2023) Elijah Garcia both described their best college memories fueled by their passion for filmmaking, expressing their gratitude to their colleagues and networks. Sine Siklab Founder and Former 24F President (2018-2019) Ryven Rabang recalled his creative background, his term in office, and his creation of Sine Siklab. Amiel Kabigting, Head of 24F Multimedia Production and Former 24F President (2016-2017), thanked his peers for helping him establish 24F Multimedia Production, growing from documenting event coverages to securing brand commercials. Kabigting also acknowledged his batchmates who are now excelling in the industry as directors, cinematographers, editors, and creatives. Likewise, Sine Siklab Festival Advisor and Former 24F President (2019-2020) Joshua Roque shared his org beginnings, film festival management, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, reiterating the org as a community of multi-generational filmmakers.
Closing the program, Fernandez took the stage to enlighten the audiences to reimagine that the organization has to be well-sustained during its ups and downs, reminding the future of Philippine cinema will reach new heights despite the challenges that the industry is facing. Daring everyone to see how each and everyone will be in the next ten years, he acknowledged and thanked the attendees, alongside those who supported the inception and evolution of the organization. After gathering everyone for a group photo, the venue transformed into a rave party, courtesy of dished throwback dance tunes by DJ Samuel Fnderio, reliving the CIIT college experience.
24 Frames (24F) is a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) of CIIT College of Arts and Technology, founded on June 14, 2014. With 20 pioneer members led by Fernandez, the org branched out with an events production studio (24F Multimedia Production) and the campus’ official film festival (Sine Siklab). In 2018, the org was awarded as the longest continuous existing organization by CIIT. In its 10th anniversary this year, 24F was instated as an official partner of FDCP’s Academic Film Society.
‘10 YEARS: The Homecoming and Celebration of 24 Frames’ was held last June 22, 2024 by 24F Multimedia Production. See more photos from the event and the full program video here (exclusive to members only).
Elyandre Dagli has worked on many projects. But “Pinakanakapagpapabagabag-damdamin” has a different kind of challenge. Working with 3 people on the production in only three days to create this stunning film, winning Sine Siklab 2020’s Best Cinematography.
The production of “Pinakanakapagpapabagabag-damdamin” has its best and worst parts just like any experience, but all experiences are different. The best part that he loves about being a cinematographer of this film is the need of bringing your deepest passion out along with the people who are working on the same level for it.
Source: Facebook
Elyandre personally enjoys sudden film shootings because that is where he brings out his heart into his work making it seem astonishingly creative. Considering the sudden plans, you wouldn’t even notice that he can do way better than expected.
The reason why he continues to express his creativity is because of a project that he’s deeply proud of. A film called Pamana ni Lola (2019) directed by Regin De Guzman and Bradley Pantajo was his first time to lead as the director of photography while he uses only one camera for the film. Unexpectedly, that film won the MMFF Student Short Film 2019.
Bonus fact, Elyandre’s favorite film is Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus (2018) a film directed by Dwein Baltazar. It is about how four different men fall in love with one woman with all their hypothalamus. He loves everything about it, from the concept, writing, and cinematography, he did not only appreciate their production, but also learned so much from each character on the screen. Since this is specially made here in the Philippines, he loves this film with his entire hypothalamus.
Elyandre’s message to people who continue to dream, he wishes you to never give up on their studies for the kind of art that you wish to pursue. Just like his life saying “Talo ng may puso ang magagaling.” you must pour your heart and soul to gain that creative juice because that is what really matters, loving what you do.
Be updated with Elyandre’s new work on his Facebook Page, DAGLI FILMS.
Blenda Calinaya’s role as “Philomena” in “Mga Kwentong Pambata Tuwing Gabi”, from FEU’s Lumetri Production directed by Edrian Cabudbod, was her 5th acting project since she really started pursuing her passion/dream of becoming an actress just last October 2019. People might think that She is a “late bloomer” in this field, but she has a theater background for 2 years during her college days in PUP Sining-Lahi Poly Repertory about 3 decades ago.
She had her first-time experience and it’s the most memorable thing being a part of the PUP Sining-Lahi Poly Repertory. During her first ever acting project with an outdoor, night scene, she had to travel all the way to Binangonan, Rizal, and Little Baguio Park in Quezon City. It was indeed exciting yet challenging to be bitten by mosquitoes.
” Nagpahid ako ng off lotion at may Vicks VapoRub din ako! ‘Di po ako ganong handa. Pero may part sa arm ko na naisahan o nakagat pa din ako ng lamok tsaka, medyo ngarag ang beauty peg ko tuwing nag shoot kami dito kasi natataon na the day before or the night before is meron akong raket (one is an Indie Film shoot then, one is my acting stint in “Kadenang Ginto”) pero dahil doon, it stretched my “sense of professionalism” to give/deliver my best for the scene takes despite of my lack of sleep. Buti na lang kasi maganda o peaceful naman ang vibe/atmosphere sa shoot, mababait at masayahin lang ang buong team”.
During her childhood in the late 70s, she had her eyes glued to the TV screen, attracted and inspired by the glams and elegance of Carmen Rosales, Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, and Rita Gomez. It fascinates most people to watch “Sine Siete” or “Sine sa Nuebe” movies from Sampaguita Pictures or LVN Pictures, giving everyone a shared emotion and connection towards the audience of the Philippines.
Every time she sees them, she had always dreamed that someday, she’s going to be a star like the actors and actresses on screen. “Napingot ako sa tenga ng Nanay ko kasi ambisyosa”, she said. Even though she has this unstoppable addiction of watching TV through the day, her mother was very supportive of her joining declamation contests.
As she stepped into high school, she became a fan of Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, Dina Bonnevie, and Gina Pareño until college. But lately, her acting role models are Viola Davis and Meryl Streep.
She looks up to them since she isn’t able to attend acting workshops in theater acting schools as it brings artists to talent agencies where they could connect her to a lot of possible TV projects. But that doesn’t stop her from acting, she creates her whole DIY class for herself by the use of YouTube where you could possibly find videos on how to act, how to memorize a script, and learn from actors and actresses that share their experiences, tips, and advice. In addition to that, she watches tons of movies and TV series. She has been a TV addict since her teen years, but this is where she gains skill, she’s a whole “watch and learn” person without having anyone to tell her that phrase.
We all know that the challenges and fears don’t disappear in this world, Blenda didn’t focus much in the past to become the actress that she desired to be, she wished to shift her course that’s acting-related but her auntie had much supported her in the course that she had taken. Instead, she became an office girl.
Another determining factor for hesitating to become an actress is that she is vertically-challenged and not well-endowed. Insecurity entered the room and thought that her dream of becoming an actress was impossible. God pushed all those things away along with lines coming from a K-drama and Bollywood movie. That was her turning point, it gave her enough confidence to move forward despite her limitations.
“Are you happy selling mackerel for the rest of your life? Just be content telling your child one day: “your mother also used to have a dream once.” Dreams are not there to be reminisced but rather, to be pursued or to be fulfilled. Don’t do something that you will be sorry for the rest of your life.” –The King of Dramas
“He doesn’t have great physique, he is not very tall, he is just ordinary, so what makes him the hottest thing today?… The answer is in your question. If he has all these? Then, what makes him different from others?”
“When a normal person becomes big, he becomes big but when a handicapped person becomes big, he becomes a legend.”
– Amitabh Bachchan, Shamitabh
With the same role as an actress in “Philomena”, She got nominated too for “Best Actress” at CMFF2020 (CineMorayta Film Festival) last February 2020. And for her who had just started October 2019, being nominated or to be recognized in such a short span of time is already a blessing to her. She said that “Ang galing ni God mag-offset for all those seemingly lost years and opportunities!”
Keep yourselves tuned in with Blenda Calinaya’s unique Facebook page, she is very much updated with film festivals, and other local films that you might find interesting to watch.
Three sound design students of Sagay National High School have brought “Tubod” The Best Sound Design of Sine Siklab 2020. Tubod is a film directed by John Kent Desemperado. He is also one of the sound designers and editors of the film. The sound design team along with John Kent includes Bea Molo, who is also the cinematographer of the film, and Vincent Apostol, who is an amazing songwriter.
The three are part of their school’s film organization, Anggulo Films, an organization that brings out the creativity, skills, and talent of their students through filmmaking. The three still have their own unique skills even if they all worked together in sound designing. It almost sounds way too impossible to imagine how they created music together during this quarantine that we call the new normal. The main goal of the team was to build a connection between the audience through sounds. They used rock as their music genre to emphasize the film’s plot twist, which is quite unusual but remarkable to hear from local short films. But their main obstacle was budgeting, casting, crew limit, and location scouting, or almost everything that is difficult to face especially during this pandemic. This is a life-changing experience for anyone to step in the first place, getting to personally learn and manage harder situations while trying to work things together all at once and at a distance? That’s tough work for a team. After the success of Anggulo Films in Sine Siklab 2020, John Kent, Bea, and Vincent did not stop what they were doing. They continued to explore more of what filmmaking can do, they were never afraid to unfold the unknown capabilities that they did not know they own. They express themselves through their original pieces instead of treating them as a hindrance in their lives.
John Kent continues to create more films for this year, gaining inspiration from the people he worked with from Anggulo Films and has a strong faith in God. On the other hand, Bea doubted her own skills until her mentor trusted her, now, her great passion pushes her to improve her skills, and she is able to tell herself that she can do things that others can’t. Last but not the least, Vincent writes music to share his perspective in meaningful words that people would feel related to. Altogether, with their excellent dedication, they have managed and created the most extraordinary sound design last Sine Siklab 2020. As they all continue to meet their goals and burn brighter in different ways, they believe that there is always a challenge to every part that we take in our lives, even if filmmaking requires a lot of face-to-face interactions, there will always be a way if you are very passionate about what you are doing. Overall, this reminds us that we shall support our artists in any way possible, most especially in this time of the pandemic.
Regin De Guzman is a media student from Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Media Arts Senior High School. She started to take interest in film when she entered senior high-school. She pursued it because of the influence, the thrill, and the excitement she received from her friend, her co-director, Bradley. Though the start of her journey was rough. Due to a lack of confidence, she did not take any of the opportunities to join different film contests. But then, when she was introduced to a small film-fest by her former teachers in junior high, she started to love competing and producing films because, for the first time, she was able to bring the best film award and best director award home. After that, many of her Facebook friends and family members kept on mentioning her at different film festivals and that is when she finally gained the confidence to keep on trying.
She said that she usually writes and directs films and plays but here in the Sine Siklab 2020 entry, For Cecille “A Letter for a Thousand Lifetime”, she is the production designer and the co-director of Bradley [Director & Writer of the film]. She stated that it was one of her hardest films produced and of course the most challenging one because of the pandemic, which forced them to shoot this film indoors with little to no knowledge about lights and production design. It was all through faith, hard work, dedication, and trust that they finished this film.
Regin proudly holds the Best Student Short Film trophy from the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Sine Siklab 2020 wasn’t her first short film festival. Her sheer determination on voicing out her heart and advocacies in hoping for a changed nation, she has already produced and achieved awards such as;
Best Film & Best Director in Rodriguez First Film Festival;
Best Film and Best Director in CineMandirigma 2018
Best Director in CineMandirigma 2019
Top 8 Finalist in Sine Kabataan 3 that featured in cinemas nationwide with the PPP entry entitled Open;
Top 10 Finalist in C1 Minute Original;
Best Film CineGinhawa 2019;
Best Film 2019 in Metro Manila Film Festival Shorts that featured in cinemas nationwide with the MMFF award-winning Mindanao
Top 3 Finalist in C1 Spoken Word Poetry at PETA Lingap Singing with Words Anonymous
Top 19 Finalist in Video Home Festival [current competition]
She has come so far from where she was before, receiving awards along the way, but the real award for her is the knowledge, passion, and compassion imparted to the audience. She has learned that every film has its own voice and has its own uniqueness. Her favorite reminder to herself in making a film is, your talent won’t betray you and to keep the fire burning.
