By Kathlene Joyce C. Ramones

 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines  — The City Government of San Fernando premiered “Pannakaamiris: The San Fernando City, La Union Short Film Festival” on August 31, providing local filmmakers a platform to showcase stories rooted in the city’s culture, heritage, and identity while supporting the growth of its creative sector.

Organized by the Local Economic and Business Development Office-Tourism and Cultural Affairs Division (LEBDO-TCAD) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) La Union, the activity brought together five filmmaking teams that received mentorship and technical support while developing their entries.

Festival Director Vernon Cabading said “Pannakaamiris,” which refers to critical thinking and self-examination, was the the guiding concept of the two-day filmmaking workshop.

“Pannakaamiris is an experience, a catalyst to start something… today, we bring to you five different stories that we hope will show what we go through as a people,” he stated.

Cabading also said representatives from the National Committee on Cinema of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) are expected to visit San Fernando from September 10 to 11 to review the initiative.

The festival coincides with the observance of Philippine Creative Industries Month, and the competing films tackle themes such as family values, community solidarity, and resilience.

Participating filmmakers are vying for awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and the People’s Choice Award.

DTI La Union Acting Provincial Director Victoria Ordoño said the festival promotes local filmmaking and the development of San Fernando’s creative economy.

“This festival is not just a showcase of artistic talent; it is a step toward establishing San Fernando as a hub for creative innovation,” Ordoño said.

The DTI reaffirmed its support for the creative sector under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act and announced the procurement of P15 million worth of Shared Service Facility (SSF) equipment for San Fernando’s creative sector.

City Tourism Officer Mark Aquino said the Shared Service Facility equipment will provide filmmakers, musicians, and visual artists access to production tools as the city bids to become the first UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts in the Philippines.

For audience members like Elisa Fatima Dumaguin, the festival offered more than film viewing as it brought local stories and cultural identity to the screen.

“Support local films. Let us embrace how beautiful and important our culture really is,” Dumaguin stated.

Pannakaamiris provides local filmmakers an avenue to develop their skills, tell stories about San Fernando, and contribute to the city’s creative economy. (CCMT/KJCR, PIA La Union)