Panan-awan: Reflect, express, and inspire
Regional film undertakings are thriving and flourishing. And what seemed to be a simple initiative of a public high school for the arts is laudable. Such strong determination manifests in their teachers, students, and with the help of other stakeholders, they have reached their eighth anniversary this year with a lofty promise that films will become avenue for reflection and expression, and source of inspiration.
I am greatly honored to share my personal experiences as a theater and film actress. I was invited by Iloilo National High School Media Arts faculty Mr. Joshua Sargado, founder of Panan-awan, and by the Department of Education. Different Special Program in the Arts students from Iloilo Province had the chance to participate in a mini workshop on Acting in Film and Basic Filmmaking that I handled together with Mr. Clanch Dayve Belleza (Cebu) and Prof. Kevin Piamonte (Iloilo). My film “Sanctissima” by director Kenneth Lim Dagatan was one of the featured films in Panan-awan 8, screened at SM Cinema Iloilo. It was very well received by the audience. Watching students' film output awed me that there is indeed bright future for these young filmmakers and storytellers. I am grateful to the entire organizers of the Panan-awan 8.
The Panan-awan is not a festival but a repertoire of films from Iloilo City and beyond, as they widen their horizon by inviting filmmakers and film-enthusiasts from other provinces.
As the first institutional annual film exhibition located in the heart of Iloilo City, it started in the year 2013, caters to Ilonggo film enthusiasts and independent filmmakers from all ages within and outside the Province of Iloilo.
Films are products of deep reflection of significant human experiences. Films reflect the society’s struggles, triumphs and aspirations, including even the distinct nuances, nuances that give the locale’s unique flavor.
The film, as a type of articulation from different perspectives; producer, directors, actors, among others, has a particularly incredible pervasiveness inside the human culture. The convergent nature of the film creates utilization over various channels. At the point when you begin to consider revenues and audience figures from the individuals who expend carefully, by means of TV, repeat view the content they effectively possess and see through the highly illegal but vast black market in films, the figures become really faltering.
A powerful vehicle for culture, education, leisure and propaganda, film has revealed more profound aspects to film’s impact on society. The narrative and representational aspects of film make it a wholly unique form of art. Moreover, the collective experience of film as art renders it a wholly distinct leisure activity.
The Panan-awan is a potent avenue where both the young and the old converge in this annual festival and so allowing a dynamic flow of ideas and rich experiences. The young ones obtain immeasurable wealth of experiences from the older ones while they in turn welcome the infusion of fresh ideas from their younger counterparts. This two-way flow of ideas and experiences will make the undertaking long-lasting.
It is my fervent hope that the present generation will continue the noble aim of the festival. Its sustainability relies on the unending backing from the Department of Education, local government units, local and national film enthusiasts.
As it fulfills its relevant goal, the Panan-awan, indeed, provides a moment when film enthusiasts celebrate art and humanity, a celebration of local ingenuity and artistry at its best.
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