It was a sweet victory for John Lesther Alonsagay as he secured the “Best Director” and “Best Film” awards for his film, “L”, at the Cineatenista ‘21: Mga Istorya sa Paglaum, Pagsalig, ug Pagtinabangay, staged by The Ateneo Filmmakers’ Society of the Ateneo de Davao University-Senior High School.
The film “L” revolves around the story of Kokoy, a 5-year old inquisitive boy, who started thinking about how his environment has changed in a snap. People are wearing masks, face shields, and have become distant. As a young kid, he finds it hard to understand the circumstance that this change has brought about.
Alongsagay, a young student film director from Davao, shared with The Film Dream after the Gabi ng Parangal virtual awards night last March 2 that he was surprised to win because he knows for a fact that the other participating films are very competitive.
“Despite the hindrances that we encounter everyday, including academics, life responsibilities, personal life, and the conflicting time with the other members of the production team, we made sure that we compensate for each other,” Alonsagay mentioned.
Along with his team, he is elated that their goal materialized through the story they have created and shared a meaningful lesson that is relevant in today’s society.
“We are so happy because aside from accomplishing our film we have received awards, and that is something to be proud of,” Alonsagay said.
Moreover, what makes this film a lot more interesting is when he mentioned that he dedicates the award to his mother, who has served as his inspiration to write the story.
The night that her mother had to move to an isolated area in their house to do her home quarantine motivated him to conceptualize the story. We could see her through a glass window, but we couldn’t come close to her because of the situation,” he added.
He also wants to share this winning moment to all those people who had to stay away or be distant from their loved ones to ensure safety due to the global pandemic. He is hoping that their film will be a source of hope and inspiration to those greatly affected by these trying times.
On the other hand, the Ateneo Filmmakers’ Society Moderator Neil John Sumalinog junctured that Cineatenista ’21 is by far the most significant event that the club has organized. Amidst the limitations brought about by the pandemic, the club did not compromise its stories and it did not stop the club from reaching out to a community in need. AFS kept on doing the impossible possible during this pandemic.
“The club is grateful for the overwhelming support that the Ateneo community is giving every year. Because of them, the club has gained confidence in sharing its stories with everyone. We thank everyone who has joined us for this cause, to our donors, sponsors, partners, and everyone who has believed in our stories,” Sumalinog ended.
Here is the complete list of winners at the Cineatenista ‘21:
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
HE WHO MADE ME HIS HOME, (Dir. Justalero)
BEST TRAILER
VINCE SACO, THE ART OF HEARTS
BEST POSTER
ERNEST VONN CLAUDE AND HAZEL JANINA CATAQUIZ, L
BEST ORIGINAL THEME SONG
SA PAGBALIK, MUMU
BEST SOUND DESIGN
LAURENCE RUTA, NICOLE KATE LACORTE, AND JULIEN MAE SEDIARIN, MUMU
BEST EDITING
LIZTER ABRAU, AT DAWN
ALYANNAH WISON, PAGMAHAY
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
JIRAH HOPE PALMA, PAGMAHAY
BEST SCREENPLAY
AVERY CLYDE DIMASUHID, PHILIP JOHN WAPANO, AND MIGUEL URQUICO, L
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
JONATHAN FUNE
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
FRANCHEZKA FABIOLA PINERO, AT DAWN
BEST ACTOR
DON MC REY PARONE, SLR
BEST ACTRESS
EISELEY JENA ERES, AT DAWN
BEST DIRECTOR
JOHN LESTER ALONSAGAY, L
CINEATENISTA ’21 BEST FILM
L (Directed by John Lesther Alonsagay, co-directed by Avery Dimasuhid)
2ND BEST FILM
PAGMAHAY (Directed by Jairah Hope Palma)
3RD BEST FILM
MUMU Directed by Jimmy Bernales)
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