CALABANGA, CAMARINES SUR - The 1st Calabanga Sining-Sine Festival celebrated the municipality's cultural diversity and ecological beauty and encouraged creativity and innovation in poetry and filmmaking among Calabangueños. The festival promoted local arts and culture and showcased Calabanga as a liveable and lovable place with tangible and intangible cultural heritage. 

Training and workshops were held at Nesting Place Integrated Farm, Bigaas, Calabanga, Camarines Sur last August 17-18, 2024. The two-day event featured various training and workshops for the participants. Calabangueño writers and filmmakers who are 18 years old and above crafted their original poems and turned them into films. The outputs were published and participants received their certificate of publication during the awarding on September 1, 2024. Winners of the best film and poetry were also recognized and presented with their prizes on the same day. 

On the first day, an opening program and orientation were conducted prior to the training proper. Poetry writing training and workshops were facilitated by local writers. Mr. Jerome Hipolito, founder of Parasurat Bikolnon Inc., discussed “Creative Process: Sources and Inspiration in Writing Poetry” while Ms. Eilyn Nidea, founder of the Teatro Ragayano, focused on “Eco-Poetry.” The last speaker was Mr. Edwin Breva, a member of Parasurat Bikolnon Inc., who led the training on “Opportunities for Poetry Writing.” Following the sessions, participants began writing their poetry for the competition.

In the afternoon, the filmmaking training and workshops were held. Mr. Genova (Tito) Valiente, Vice-Chair for the National Executive Committee on Cinema of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), tackled “Film Education and Film Production.” It was followed by the session on “Video Production and Editing,” facilitated by local and independent filmmakers, Mr. Romen Cano, Mr. Lance Fernandez, and Mr. Marlon Pascua. 

After the series of training and workshops, team-building activities were facilitated by the organizers to enhance collaboration, communication, and trust among participants. Day 1 concluded through strengthening interpersonal relationships and fostering a supportive team environment.

On the 2nd day, a filmmaking exercise by teams was conducted. The participants were asked to make a short video featuring the Nesting Place Integrated Farm. After the short exercise, there was a storyboarding workshop. This prepared the participants for filmmaking. 

Pre-production planning and group pitch sessions were held in the afternoon. Poetry writers worked on their crafts. There was also a writing consultation with the speakers, Mr. Jerome Hipolito and Ms. Eilyn Nidea. After the pitch sessions, writers submitted their poems. The last day of training ended with a closing ceremony and sharing of insights from the training and workshops. 

The award ceremony of the 1st Calabanga Sining-Sine Festival, held on September 1, 2024, was a significant event aimed at recognizing the artistic talents of the Calabangueños in poetry and filmmaking. Prior to the ceremony, participants submitted their entries for both poetry and films, which were screened by a panel of judges.

The ceremony began with a film showing the hard work and creativity of the participants. This segment allowed the participants together with their family members and friends to appreciate the diverse storytelling and artistic expressions presented through the films.

After the film showing, all participants were awarded certificates of publication acknowledging their contributions as writers and filmmakers. This recognition not only celebrated their efforts but also encouraged them to continue pursuing their artistic passions.

The event also served as an opportunity to recognize the speakers who provided guidance and expertise. Certificates of appreciation and tokens were presented acknowledging their vital role in supporting the participants.

The ceremony highlighted the book launch that compiled all the outputs from the 1st Calabanga Sining-Sine Festival. The cover artwork, created by Mr. Oriel Mostar Jr., was unveiled, adding a visual representation of the festival's creative spirit.

The most awaited part of the celebration was the awarding of winners for poetry and films. “Plete Papuli” by Grace P. Lucila won as Best Poem. “Gikan” by John Allen C. Boncacas garnered 2nd place, “An Pagbisto sa Pagkawalat” by Moissa Carmel Padin earned 3rd place, “An Saod sa Calabanga” by Mon Joar Imperial got 4th place, and “Sarong Banwaan, Sarong Simbahan” by Ryan E. Gidoc received 5th place. 

In filmmaking, “An Pagbisto sa Pagkawalat” written and filmed by Moissa Carmel Padin won the Best Film Distinction Award. “Hinghing” by Mary Jane Arevalo and filmed by Jan Christian Montañez received the Best Film Editing, Hit of the Festival, and Best Film Merit Awards. While “Gikan” by John Allen C. Boncacas and filmed by Justin Cadague, Nico Tataro III, and Froilan Binondo, “Balugbugan” by Vincent Laurenciano and filmed by Kyla Monique M. Filipino, Elijah Rose Santos, Von Cedrick Alarcon, Mark Kian Diwata, and “Plete Papuli” by Grace P. Lucila and filmed by Jan Christian Montañez got the Best Film Honorable Mention Awards. 

The award ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also fostered a sense of community among artists in Calabanga. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration and cultural expression within the local arts scene.

Read more about our Sining-Sine Fest Program here: https://www.ilabaral.org/programs/youth-development-programs/siningsinefest