Digitales 2

I organized a digital film competition called DIGITALES two years ago for our channel PBO (Pinoy Box Office). We wanted to showcase Filipino talents and we thought that the competition will provide a good venue for them. Fortunately a lot of the entries submitted to us were very good. We had all the entries judged and all the finalists were aired on the channel.

Today, we awarded the winners for Digitales 2. Yep, the competition is already on its second year. I was very glad that we had more entries and in my opinion, most of the films that made the final cut were better than last year's. Its a good indication that short-film producers are now growing creatively and we're very proud to be a part of their growth.

Here's our official press release for Digitales 2:

“Ambulancia”, the story of an ambulance driver and his belief that a dying patient can be saved by running over stray animals, receives the top plum in the PBO DIGITALES 2 filmmaking competition. This cutting-edge digital film is helmed by Richard Legaspi. Other winners include “Walang Paraiso” by Ivy Tayag Baldoza which was awarded second prize, and “Shorts” by Seymour Barros for third prize.

Among the finalists in the competition are “ISA” by Ronald Espinosa Batallones, “OFW – Ang Bagong Bayani o Baliw na Bayani” by Noriel M. Jarito, “Kwedaw” by Roswill Hilario and “Hiling” by Patricia Lorraine Rosal. Sitting in the panel of judges are the film industry’s big names: Jay Altarejos (director of Lalake sa Parola, Ang Lihim ni Antonio and Posh), Robert Quebral (director of Sex Drive and Co-Ed Scandal), Gil Tejada (director of Encantadia, Bakekang, Maging Akin Ka Lamang, La Vendetta), Keith Sicat (writer/director of Rigodon), Benedict Mique (writer of Till I Met You, Co-Ed Scandal and Liberated), and Lex Bonife (writer of Lalake sa Parola, Ang Lihim Ni Antonio).

Now on its second year, DIGITALES 2 is an annual digital film competition open to all amateur and professional digital filmmakers to encourage them to hone their skills in filmmaking while providing an opportunity for their work to be aired on television. DIGITALES 2 is a project of PBO, VIVA Productions’ Pinoy movie channel and VIVA Foundation for the Arts, with media sponsor VIVA Prime.

Here are some pics:

Bam!, Ivy, Patricia, Roswill, Brenda Bayhon (AGM Cable TV), Cel Santiago (Viva Creative Research Manager) Richard and Seymour

L-R: Tess Cruz (Viva President), Bam! (PBO Marketing / Advtg Mgr), Patricia, Ivy, Roswill, Seymour, Richard, Ronald and Vincent Del Rosario (Viva COO)

3rd placer Seymour Barros "Shorts", 1st placer Richard Legaspi "Ambulancia" and 2nd placer Ivy Baldoza "Walang Paraiso"

Incidentally, Seymour's wife Eloisa is a batch mate of mine from elementary. We did a little catching up. We're both semi-active during batch events but we never attended these events at the same time. So this is the first time we've actually met.

We're doing another Digitales competition next year and I hope that more short film producers join the contest. I'll try to make the competition more bigger.

Thanks guys and congratulations to all of you for a job well done. I feel so privileged to have met you all!