Big screen

As part of the weeklong celebration of the International Eucharistic Congress, the entries for this year's Sinulog Short Film Festival got their first public screening at the AVR of the San Carlos Major Seminary in Mabolo, Cebu City. Thirty- one short films are being shown from January 27 to 29, 2016.

And for this year, since Cebu hosts the IEC, the the Short Film Category adopts the IEC's very own theme: "Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory" (Col 1:27). Like the aims of the international religious gathering, the short film must: first, promote awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Ca-tholic Church. The Eucharist brings us the idea of having Christ in each one of us. Christ lives in us. And so with love and compassion, we live in accordance with His teachings.

We offer to Him everything we do-including all our fears, pains and doubts. Second, help and improve our understanding and our celebration of the liturgy. In the daily liturgy of the church, there is also a need to offer ourselves to Him and for others. Reminding us all that service to humanity is the greatest offering to Him.

Because as we do good deeds to others, we are fulfilling one great task that He wants us to do. Third, draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. As a flock of believers, we relate with a wider spectrum of community, larger than one self. And in so doing we fulfill another task of bringing joy to others altruistically.   

A maximum of eight (8) finalists will be chosen among the qualified entries. Those who have submitted will be required to attend the public screenings of the finalists at 1PM and Announcement of Winners and Grand Awarding at 6PM on February 6, 2016 at the SM City Cinema.

I am grateful and blessed that despite busy schedule, I was able to join in three films. One titled "Lunchbox" which is directed by an award winning filmmaker Remton Siega Zuasola. The film tackles bullying and the important role of the family in raising a child. In this film, I played as the school principal. The second film "Igsuon" where I played as the mother is directed by another award winning actor-director Christian Paolo Lat of the International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT).

This heartwarming film tackles about half brothers and their love for each other. I played a single parent here and despite of their situation, they live with their faith centered on the Lord. My third film is a collaboration of fellow UP professor Januar Yap. Titled "Sa Tuong Kamot" is another story of forgiveness and renewal. One more time I played as a mother, my hardships and my great influence to my son brings him back to the fold of love and compassion.    

Watching the entries this year places one to the importance of family and the religious faith. That despite the many challenges, one has certain support system to return to and lean on. A test of one's true faith through the challenges one faces would at the end brings him back to the fold of his firm faith and family-the very core of one's being.