Margaha Film Festival 2021 winners announced

A FILM about a family's journey to bury their beloved relative swept eight awards, including Best Picture, in the recently concluded Margaha Film Festival, in line with the Arts Month celebration in Sagay City, last week of February.

The film "Ang Pagsalop sang Adlaw" bagged eight out of 18 special and major awards given during the screening and awards night on February 26 at the Sagay City Gymnasium.

"Ang Pagsalop sang Adlaw" or "The Immersion of the Sun" tells about the journey of the Amparo family as they bury Inday, which revealed more secrets that each of the family members hid for the longest time.

The film was produced by Bakhaw Studios and was shot in the upland barangay of Colonia Divina in Sagay City. It was directed by Kent John Desamparado.

Desamparado grabbed the Best Director award, as well as the Best in Cinematography citation.

Aside from the Best Picture award, Bakhaw Studios was also awarded for its production design by Nelson Emnace, Original Song by Brian Ferraro, Covid-19 health protocol compliance.

Amalea Gay Jontongco from the film was also awarded as the Best Supporting Actress, while the whole cast of "Ang Pagsalop sang Adlaw" was given a Special Citation for Ensemble Performance in Acting by the panel of jury of the Margaha Film Festival.

During the awarding ceremony, Desamparado said that he is grateful for the support of his family and the people behind the production of the film.

Meanwhile, Ba'Lay Production's "Paraiso," a mystical film about deforestation in the early 70's, was named 2nd Best Picture, and Panganod Productions' sci-fi movie "Sa Mga Kabati kag Gapamati" was the 3rd Best Picture.

The top three best picture awards were given cash prize of P15,000, P10,000, and P8,000 respectively. Consolation prizes worth P3,000 were also given to seven film productions.

Ba'Lay Production was the last year's Best Picture winner with their film "Paon" which gained attention after it was selected in the exhibition section of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

"Paraiso" also garnered the award for Best in Editing by Charles Hilado, Best Trailer, and Best Actress for Crystal Puying. While Sa Mga Kabati kag Gapamati's Jonathan Limpangog was awarded as the Best Supporting Actor.

The other films in the second run of Sine Margaha were "Pasitib" of PP Studios, "Yuhom" and "Makina" of Duyog Production, "Dalagan" of Lente Film Productions, "Judith" of Anggulo Films, "Save Point" of Majarleka Productions, and "Hunas" of Kumpas Production.

Judith grabbed the awards for Best Screenplay and Nunelucio Alvarado Panublion Award, while Hunas won Best Poster and Best Actor for Alfonso Macam, Jr.

During the awarding, John Argiel Victor and Joane Pitogo were also announced as the Stars of the Night.

Cash prizes were also given to other special awards. P5,000 for Best Director, P3,000 each for Best Screenplay, Nunelucio Panublion Award, Cinematography, and Editing, P2,000 for Best COVID-19 Health Compliance, Actor, Actress, Original Song, and Production Design, P1,500 for Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and Trailer, P1,000 for Best Poster, and P500 plus gift certificates for the Male and Female Stars of the Night.

Prior to their production, the City Government provided a seed money worth P6,000 per production to help them in their shooting.

This year, the panel of jury consists of Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino's Tito Valiente, Directors Teng Mangansakan, Keith Deligero, and Arden Rod Condez, Sine Negrense Festival Director Tanya Lopez, broadcaster and historian Rod Florentino, and writer Kenneth Ian Rivera.

Festival Director Helen Cutillar said that she is happy that the 10 productions have produced quality films despite the challenge of strictly following Covid-19 health protocols during the shoot.

The film festival is also a way to promote arts and culture, as well as to showcase the cultural mapping efforts done in Sagay, raising awareness on the tangible and intangible cultural properties, she added.

She added that she is grateful to the support of the City Government, Office of 2nd District Representative Leo Rafael Cueva, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines to realize the second edition of Sine Margaha. (PR)

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