Animation Council awards the winners of the animated flash fiction scriptwriting contest

As part of the active campaign of Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) in producing original Filipino content in animation that’s grounded on the rich cultural heritage of the country, ACPI partnered with the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) in holding the first nationwide animated flash fiction scriptwriting contest.

The competition was open to Filipino citizens of all ages. The entry must be good for a 5-minute story (average of 8 to 10 pages) which can be funded for a possible production in the future. All stories must explore one or a combination of the following ideas: a) celebration of Filipino freedom from colonization, b) recognition of the Filipino’s cultural diversity, c) promotion of the Philippine cultural heritage, its traditions and way of life.

Several entries came mostly from the national capital region while a number of which came from other parts of the country. At first, the board of judges had different choices for their top three scripts but somehow they had common titles that got to the top three. It is from these titles that the judges identify the final set of winners. Judges include award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., multi-Palanca awardee Vicente Garcia Groyon, creative supervisor of ABS-CBN/Star Cinema Artemio Abad, Jr., and the animation director of Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia Robert Quilao.

The grand prize winner goes to the script of Anna Abigail Rioflorido Yap entitled For better, for worse. The story revolves around Myles who is about to get married. She is very superstitious that she follows every Filipino superstition there is that’s written in a book to make sure that she would have the perfect wedding and marriage. But everything seems to be going wrong on the wedding day itself. She is about to find what could have she done or have not done.  Yap received a plaque and a cash prize of PhP 10,000.00.

The second prize winner is awarded to Christoffer Ralph Kenneth G. Abordo for his script Call me Pepe. The story is set in 2075. The EDSA Revolution is revived for the seventh time. Calixto, a blind eight-year-old boy doesn’t understand its importance and why his Kuya Efren partakes in it. A journey towards the past might just be what Calixto needs for him to fully muster its relevance, a journey that will make him understand the country’s present state and will leave him with hope for a better tomorrow. Abordo received a plaque and a cash prize of PhP 7,000.00.

Lastly, Bernadette Villanueva Neri bags the third prize winner for her script Dap-ayan ng Kalinangang Pinoy. “Dap-ayan” is an Igorot term referring to a “meeting” or a “gathering.” It originated from the word “dap-ay,” which is the place where elders meet. In Neri’s story, the concept of “dap-ayan” is still used as “gathering” but instead of elders, children are the ones who meet—children representing not just one community but of various ethno linguistic groups found in the country. Readers will see, through the eyes of an innocent cat, how different cultures contribute in forming the Filipino identity. Neri received a plaque and a cash prize of PhP 5,000.00.

The awarding ceremony was held at the ACPI Secretariat office in Makati last June 15. Incumbent ACPI president Rowena “Weng” Bagadion, former ACPI president Grace Dimaranan, ACPI’s executive director Michael Kho Lim, and UNACOM representative Laurence Dumadag were present to award the winners.

From left to right: ACPI executive director Michael Kho Lim, UNACOM representative Laurence Dumadag, third prize winner Bernadette Villanueva Neri for her script Dap-ayan ng Kalinangang Pinoy, incumbent ACPI president Rowena “Weng” Bagadion, and former ACPI president Grace Dimaranan

From left to right: ACPI executive director Michael Kho Lim, UNACOM representative Laurence Dumadag, second prize winner Christoffer Ralph Kenneth G. Abordo for his script Call me Pepe, incumbent ACPI president Rowena “Weng” Bagadion, and former ACPI president Grace Dimaranan

From left to right: Former ACPI president Grace Dimaranan, incumbent ACPI president Rowena “Weng” Bagadion, third prize winner Bernadette Villanueva Neri, second prize winner Christoffer Ralph Kenneth G. Abordo, UNACOM representative Laurence Dumadag, and ACPI executive director Michael Kho Lim