THE LIFE-CHANGING stories of Thomasians were featured a series of short films in the “Sampung Sulyap” film festival, which opened last May 6 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium.
Now on its sixth year, the annual event, titled “Sampung Sulyap: Sampung Natatanging Kuwento ng Pagbabago,” featured stories on the lives of 10 Thomasians.
The participating films were produced by local- and university-wide student organizations.
“We want Thomasians to see this project as an opportunity to start creating the change that they want to see in the world,” said Marc Angelo Sanchez, president of Becarios de Santo Tomas, the organization of University scholars that organizes the yearly film fest.
“Gusto naming maipakita sa mga Tomasino na maraming kuwento dito sa University ang tungkol sa iba’t ibang dahilan ng pagbabago,” he added.
In the short-film entry “Simbuyo,” the College of Rehabilitation Science Arts Guild tells the success story of Bogart, a student who is dependent on drugs and alcohol. With the help of his peers, he is able to face his struggles and change for the better.
The life of Chloe Claud depicted in UST Heritage Conservation Society’s “Hilahil” tackles the struggles of those with anxiety and depression.
Fotomasino’s “Tugon” tells a story of John Don Turqueza and how he dealt with his father’s death as he continues his journey to the priesthood.
Touchpoint, last year’s Student Leaders’ Choice awardee, features the story of Luz Pentro who veers from her family’s artistic tradition and chooses to pursue a career in medicine.
The story of Fidel Perez, an ice cream vendor in UST, is brought to life in the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) Student Council’s entry “Fidel.” The short film tells the story of a medical technology graduate who becomes an ice cream vendor in search of a simple life with his childhood sweetheart.
Touchpoint and CFAD Student Council dedicated their films to the late Fernando Torres, the assistant professor who passed away because of heart complications last April 24 following a fun run at SM Mall of Asia.
Arkitrato‘s entry “Undefined” is a film-documentary about Arts Serrano’s contributions to Philippine architecture, particularly how he sought to revive edifices in Escolta, Manila.
In “Bangon,” education graduate Richie Mae Abache finds ways to rise from adversity while away from her family.
Becarios also premiered its own non-competing short firm titled “Hangganan,” a romantic comedy on the challenges faced by two best friends who secretly hold feelings for each other.
The struggles of a student with suicidal tendencies are tackled in the Engineering Student Council’s entry “Paano Bukas?”
“Pimmawil,” an entry by the Thomasian Engineer Film Productions, was not screened during the premiere night but is still part of the short-film festival.
The regular screening schedule will be on May 8 and 10 at Rooms 401 and 403 of the Tan Yan Kee Student Center, May 9 at the Research Complex auditorium and May 11 and 12, at the Medicine Auditorium. The awards night will be on Saturday.
