YOUNG ACHIEVERS. These three high school students are advancing their regional winning entry to the national level while taking a pose in the venue of competition.

Student-filmmakers from Zamboanga del Norte National High School – Turno Campus, of Dipolog City Division namely: Mariel R. Barbaso, Rey Anthony T. Villaverde, and Andre Louis Emmanuel A. Jaboneta went their way to attend the 2023 Montañosa Film Festival in Baguio City last March 28 for the screening of their film, Tingog.

The film had its screen debut at SM City Baguio last March 27, and at the University of Baguio on March 30. Mayor Darel Dexter T. Uy of Dipolog sent-off the team to Baguio showing his gesture of support to Dipolog City’s entry for Cinema Rehiyon, a platform showcasing the best regional films in the country.

Tingog, is a short indie film that won first among eight film entries during the Dipolog City Film Festival held last December 28, 2022. The film was written and directed by Mr. Villaverde and won Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing starred by Mr. Jaboneta, Ms. Barbaso and Justine Lopez.

The film portrays a story of a deaf-mute Raymond (Jaboneta) who aspires to be a journalist – a voice to the suppressed and abused in 2009. According to Director Villaverde, their team did not expect to win first place during the local festival as they were the youngest among all filmmakers. Bagging all major awards was truly unexpected.

Moreover, Villaverde pronounced his inspiration from artists like Jean Godard, Henri Matisse, and Vincent Van Gogh for the cinematography as films are like canvas in motion. The film (Tingog) is a meaningful and inspiring story of inclusiveness for the differently-abled. It touches the heart of the many local indie-film goers for it teaches the value of respect and equality to people with disabilities.

“It is every filmmaker’s dream to join a national film festival. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity,” Villaverde said.