The winners with the Brods and Sisses at the conclusion of the Quisumbing Escandor Film Festival Awards Night

The Annual Academy Awards is fast approaching but the 1st Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival Awards night held at PhilAm Life Center for Culture and Arts, February 21, 2008 may have taken the thunder away from it at least at the level of health-related films.

It was a night of glamour and prestige, a magnificent showcase of pure Mu talent, aided by the formidable backing of the giants in media, organizations and commercial sponsors. No less than UP President Emerlinda Roman led the long list of University luminaries, while National Artist Napoleon Abueva, designer of the official contest trophy and officials from WHO and DOH graced the momentous event. Filmmakers who participated in the festival came in droves along with their throng of supporters. Some came from as far as Marinduque and Bicol to witness history unfold.

The gates opened at 5 pm as guests steadily filled the seats to the rafters. With Prof Chi-chi Robles, President of P.A.C.E. and professor at the Ateneo as master of ceremonies, the program sailed on smoothly from start to finish. MIB Lord Hermida led the solemn prayer and was followed by the singing of the National anthem and UP Hymn. Dr. Roman gave a riveting opening remarks applauding Mu’s creativity and passion that made QEFF a huge success that it is now. Brod Anthony Cordero’s warm welcome address, with a dash of his quirky humor, calmed nerves and put everything into perspective. A talented group of Ateneo Communications majors prepared a contemporary AVP of the current health situation with PGH as a backdrop. Brod Pipo Bundoc introduced the high caliber judges who generously put in their time to review the entries and cull the most deserving ones of the awards, until it was time to give the first set of special awards.

The Gomez-Lim award, accorded to the first film entry submitted, was given to “Doctors to the Barrios” by St. Scholastica’s College. Best script was won by UPCM’s own, “Magaling”, written and directed by members of Class 2008. “Lowbat” was a runaway winner with two tucked under its belt, that of best cinematography and best editing. A special recognition was given to the giant broadcast stations in the land for their invaluable support by way of providing films and documentaries on health produced for their respective mother stations. ABS-CBN journalist Abner Mercado and a GMA representative accepted a replica of the contest trophy and a plaque of recognition. All took a breather as guest performers from the FEU Theater Guild took the stage and compounded a satirical one-act play of Philippine politics and mass media to the delight of the crowd. The act ran for a good 30 minutes but was enough to leave the audience laughing, thinking and analyzing all at the same time.

Then came the awarding of the top films in each Category. Bagging the Best Short Narrative was “Ambulancia” produced and directed by a group of mass communications majors in Quezon City. The director/scriptwriter received the award. He revealed that he drew inspiration from the death of his cousin who died in Madrid apparently because of aberrations and/or delays in the emergency services there. This holds true to our context. “RX: Agap” won Best Experimental Film for its distinctive work to depict the perils of having an infection, no matter what kind, as it can lead to serious complications if not treated immediately. The Best Documentary was handed to “Kasangkapan” by students of Marinduque which exposed the traditional practices of faith healing in their province. The documentary showed powerful images of actual faith healing rituals and ceremonies and the droves of believers it commands.

While setting the stage for the announcement of the grand prize winner, a tribute to the men for whom the festival was named after was in place. Brod Orlino Talens gave an outstanding speech on the two heroes, Brods Rety Quisumbing and Johnny Escandor. He espoused the idea that fratmen can do something novel, innovative and captivating. “The Mu Sigma Phi Medical Fraternity is a good testament, if not the best, that fratmen can be vehicles of change and primemovers of great things, All for the Glory!”, he said which was received by a thunderous applause from the gallery. At this point the families of Dr. Quisumbing and Dr. Escandor were summoned to the stage for the presentation of portraits of their hero ancestors. The families gave their brief acceptance speeches and were treated to a serenade by UP Medicine Choir’s rendition of “Isang Himig”.

And finally, the moment all have been waiting for. Presenting the award was Brod Bryan Lim, one of the brains of this filmfest, together with UP Pres. Roman and WHO representation Dr. Go. The 1st QEFF Best Film is “Santigwar”, a short narrative entry from the humble City of Iriga, Camarines Sur. It is a story of the traditional healing of the ill (much like Northern Luzon’s “pagtatawas”) with the aid of oil, candles, and herbs. The film was adjudged the best as it exposed the delicate interplay of political, economic, social and cultural forces that molded the outcome of the story. The director accepted the award together with his creative production team. There were all in tears and transparent relief. The director relayed the sacrifices they had to endure while filming and the near-death accident they met in Sto. Domingo, Quezon while on a bus ride to Manila on the eve of the awarding. The top films per category received a Php 50,000 cash prize and a trophy masterfully done by NA Napoleon Abueva while the grand prize winner received Php 100,000 and a trophy. As Pres. Roman was about to descend the stage, Bryan Lim proudly said, “Dr. Roman, this is our gift to the UP Centennial!”

The awards night ended on a high note. Photo-op with the awardees and organizers were done on stage. Cocktails ensued at the Phil-Am life foyer. The event ended at 10pm.

The filmfest may be over but the advocacy lives on. A movie caravan, sponsored by the Ayala Business Club, is all set to spread the films like wildfire to the various areas of the nation. Target audiences are public and private school students and barangay plenaries. The next 12 months will be dedicated to this. Onwards to the 2nd Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for health in 2009-2010!

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