PPC hosts storywriting workshop in Pangasinan

 

Pangasinan Storywriting Workshop participants and organizers

The creative landscape of Pangasinan got a boost as the Pangasinan Polytechnic College, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, hosted the Pangasinan Storywriting Workshop: Screenwriting for Multimedia Platforms from November 6 to 7 at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen.

Designed as a micro-credential course within the Film and Video Production for Multimedia Platform Series, the workshop was tailored for aspiring storytellers, multimedia arts students, creative professionals, and content creators. It aims to enhance participants’ skills in crafting compelling stories.

Sharing his wealth of industry knowledge was two-time Palanca awardee and Creative Director of GMA Network, filmmaker and screenwriter Aloy Adlawan. Adlawan also armed the attendees with crucial skills in pitching their stories as part of a new initiative to nurture the region’s creative talent.

The event kicked off with a welcome message from Assoc. Prof. Christopher Gozum, PPC Bachelor of Multimedia Arts Program Chair and PPC Film Society adviser. Inspirational messages were delivered by PPC President Dr. Raymundo D. Rovillos and Community Affairs Officer IV Atty. Kandace Lorraine Palagud, who spoke on behalf of Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.

A significant highlight was the Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony between the PPC and the FDCP, led by Dr. Rovillos and FDCP Technical Consultant for Academic Linkages Seymour Sanchez. They were joined by FDCP Project Development Officer Korina Dela Cruz, Atty. Palagud, and Gozum.

The workshop treated attendees, many of whom were PPC multimedia arts students, to a special screening of compelling films that explored themes of struggle, family, and discovery.

The coming-of-age comedy “Blooming!” by Ronnie Ramos tells the story of Nena (Annika Co), a young girl who becomes fascinated by the parts of a flower while working on a school assignment. 

Louchielle Ashley Hael’s short animated film “Signal Pending” brought the participants to the amusing and frantic journey of Max the Bunny who scrambles to submit a thesis project on time.

Cedrick Valenzuela’s “When It Rained Malunggay Leaves,” winner of the Sine Kabataan Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing, made the audience reflect on family, grief, and reconciliation, as the drama follows a daughter, Ariel (Gabby Padilla), visiting her mother, Anita (Tanya Gomez), for Undas.

The classic film “Insiang” by the late National Artist Lino Brocka was also screened, allowing the audience to witness its raw, powerful portrait of urban struggle, betrayal, and resilience. 

Filmmakers Ramos and Valenzuela participated in an engaging talkback session moderated by Sanchez.

Participants also learned about the many opportunities available in the industry. Dela Cruz presented the programs of the FDCP Academic Film Society, while FDCP Project Development Assistant Lemor Sobrevega covered the Student Film Assistance Program and Sine Kabataan. 

Sanchez also shed light on different visual devices in storytelling for films.

The program was organized by Monika Labaupa, Director and Planning Officer III of the PPC Center for Lifelong Learning, with the PPC School of Creativity and Design led by Gozum, PPC Film Society co-adviser Vanessa Millamor Baldueza, and the PPC Film Society, led by president Jannah Grace T. Umali.