Cabaero: ‘F-Stops’

Saturday, February 4, 2012

A COMMON scene during fire incidents is that of victims rushing to save their belongings. One of the first things they bring out is the image of the Señor Sto. Nino.

Most people would take it as a natural reaction to try to save from the blaze their religious images, most especially the Sto. Nino. But Cebu’s photojournalists took this to a higher level to discern the meaning of that act.

The title is “F-Stops” and it is described as a video documentary on fire and faith. It uses actual footage of the coverage of fire incidents by photojournalists of Cebu newspapers.

The video, written and directed by Aldo Nelbert Banaynal, a photographer of The Freeman newspaper, won the Sinulog 2012 Best Video Documentary. The short film was made in partnership with Reynan Villena, also a The Freeman photographer, and Robert Bagares.

Sometime late last year, a series of fire incidents hit parts of Metro Cebu. Houses, buildings and other structures made of concrete or light materials were razed. News photos of the scenes captured fire victims rushing to save their belongings, and common among the things they bring out is the image of the Señor Sto. Niño.

The video documentary took off from those scenes of victims drenched by water from the fire trucks, worried, crying, and cradling the Sto. Niño they saved from their homes.

“It makes us ponder on the significance of the image’s presence during these times of tragedy,” the documentary says.

Photographers under the Lens or the Association of Cebu Photojournalists worked with the Banaynal Brothers Production to come out with the 10-minute video documentary that tackles the meaning of why the image of the Sto. Niño is often among the things fire victims rush to save.

In what appears to be their first venture into video, the documentary used photos of Alex Badayos, Victor Kintanar, Junjie Mendoza, Paul Rosaroso, and Villena. It had the participation of Frank Banaynal, Melandro Mendoza, Ruel Rosello, Albe Victoria Alimurong, the Museo Sugbo, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Cebu Normal University.

Who would have thought that out of those fire scenes there is a story of faith? The documentary asked professors and a priest about the meaning of why fire victims grab their Sto. Niño images to bring to safety. It is a demonstration of faith, they say. There is no scientific explanation but the fire victims’ belief that the Sto. Niño can save them.

The documentary is all about how the Sto. Niño is a “symbol of hope, refuge and strength to guide them in times of great trial.” It ends with the line that says, “Whatever tragedy will come our way, life will go on.”

The “F-Stops” bested 12 other entries for the Sinulog 2012 Video Documentary. It also won the won the Best Story, Best Director, Best in Cinematography and Best Narrator awards.

To view the documentary, go to the Sun.Star website at www.sunstar.com.ph and search for “F-Stops video.” Other winning entries are posted on the website’s Sinulog special as well.

(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)