IN A COLLABORATIVE stitching of story and craftiness, Filipino filmmakers came together at the San Andres Complex for Sorok Uni’s Short Film Festival last January 27 for a presentation and appraisal of their films.
In this eight Short Film Festival, 53 short films were pitched by the filmmakers, all vying to earn the “Best Picture Award” and a cash prize of Php100,000.
The Foundation
“Sorok Uni,” was a name adopted from the leprosy colony in South Korea, Sorok Island, combined with the witty “you and I” (U n I) from the Uni Group of Companies established by Capt. Jae J. Jang who is the founder of the foundation.
The foundation was founded on May 7, 2002, following Capt. Jang’s frequent visits to leprosy-inflicted Filipinos in the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (formerly Tala Leprosarium) in Caloocan. From these interactions, he was “touched,” stating how “it was like God [told him] ‘You have to help [leprosy patients],’” according to Sorok Uni’s official website.
Now, Sorok Uni, a non-profit charitable organization, placed its efforts to helping People Affected with Leprosy (PAL), Homeless and Displaced Families (HFD), Underprivileged Children, and Disadvantaged Indigenous People of the Philippines.
The Sorok Uni Foundation has generously provided them with relief, rehabilitation, empowerment, and sustainability, and this annual short film festival manifests all four.
Films dedicated to those in “RAC-KAMADAS”
In line with the mission of the Sorok Uni Foundation, the Sorok Short Film Festival (SSFF) was merely one of the many avenues that the foundation endeavored to uplift the lives of those in need. In this event, numerous filmmakers around the country went head-to-head to showcase their skills, passion, and talents in filmmaking.
This initiative saw the Sorok Uni Foundation aiming to enrich the status of Philippine cinema while uplifting those less fortunate–which worked as 2024 saw its 8th SSFF.
Looking into the purpose behind SSFF, Ms. April Rose Castillo, the executive director of the Sorok Uni Foundation, shared how the team “at first wanted to help out the new filmmakers to showcase their talents but at the same time, to raise social awareness. We want people to know what are the social issues here in the Philippines that we have to look into.”
Moreover, she added that the short films were made in hopes of reaching many people and telling the untold stories of the less fortunate.
Last April 3, 2023, marked the beginning of the 8th SSFF, bannering the theme: “BUBONG: PANGARAP, PANIMULA, PAG-USAD,” which aimed at conveying inspirational and uplifting stories of homeless families or individuals through moving pictures. Ms. Castillo stated that this theme was inspired by those in street situations, which she coined as RAC-KAMADA.
“They are the rescued homeless people here in the city of Manila,” she added. The Sorok Uni Foundation provides the RAC-KAMADA with an independent living program – consisting of training, seminars, counseling, and spiritual empowerment. All these efforts are given by the foundation to those in need so that they can have their “new lease” on life.
With SSFF’s 8th installment dedicated to them, the festival saw passionate directors, scriptwriters, actors, and actresses fighting tooth and nail to be the best among the 53 total short film entries centered on the social issues that the RAC-KAMADAS experienced.
Out of the 53 competitors, only one could go home with a staggering amount of Php100,000 in their pockets. Luckily enough, the 2nd and 3rd best films would also not go empty-handed as an astounding prize worth Php50,000 and Php30,000, respectively, awaits the deserving. Aside from cash prizes alone, the SSFF also recognized the competition’s outstanding director, actor, and actress. Moreover, films that were dubbed with the viewers’ choice and a special jury award were also awarded.
With stakes this high, participants brought out their best, as seen by each short film’s production level. Film entries brought their best angles to mirror and brought people to the social issue that the Philippines is extremely experiencing today: homelessness.
The 8th SSFF’s Cream of the Crop
Amidst the fierce competition between the 53 films, only 12 remained. The films Lahin by Lemuel Fangonon (Balangao Films), Tara? Takbo by Diana Galang (Mi Casa Pelikula), Parola by Rafaelle Mina (Blue Bus Productions), Padayon sa Kinabuhi by John Paulo Santos (Reel Motion Films), IMBISIBOL by CARLOS TALANCA (TABANG TA FILMS), Sagana by Hans Santiago (CineMigo Productions), Dalan by by Bel Paquiz (BERSO Production), Open Time by Mark Moneda (Katha Pelikula), Himlay Kapiling Ang Patay by Carlos Aragon (Mega Pelikula), Mico Gabuelo Jr. by Danielle Cusi (Minokawa Production), Benny by Rhance Añonuevo-Cariño (Sixth Sense Entertainment Production), and Perdita by Lance P. Fernandez (Talingkas Film Production) made a mark to the hearts of the audience and judges alike.
Moreover, even outside the 12-finalist quota, Insoy by SICAP Stories & KRISGIDSFILM, won the Viewer’s Choice award, while Himlay Kapiling Ang Patay by Mega Pelikula, showcasing the life of a homeless woman living in a cemetery, won the Special Jury award due to its “masterclass storytelling.”
While all actors gave life to these films, it was Jeremy Mayores, from Tara? Takbo!, who won the Best Actor award. Mayores’ outstanding acting went a long way as such contributed to the winning moment of the film he starred in, Tara? Takbo!, being awarded as the overall Best Film of SSFF’s eighth installation. Open Time, on the other hand, placed 2nd for best film.
Hershey Camille Dela Cruz, who starred in the short film Dalan, won the Best Actress award. Just like Mayores, her “masterclass acting,” contributed to the short film being awarded as the 3rd best film in the competition.
While this festival of creativity was a competition, the foundation’s advocacy still stands in its mission to help those in need. In the making and runway walk of the participating filmmakers and their films, a brighter tomorrow is worth looking forward to, one film at a time.