With August being Buwan ng Wika, one of its main events in the film industry is the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP). Described as a nationwide celebration of Filipino films put together by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, it was more memorable for Digital Filmmaking student Jocelyn Frago because of her short film Koleksyong Pamalo.
Awarded last August 19 during the PPP’s Gabi ng Pasasalamat at Makati City, Frago bagged the Special Jury Prize at the Sine Kabataan short film competition. Originally a submission to her cinematography class, Koleksyong Pamalo tells the story of a boy who collects all the memories of his mother’s different kinds of “pamalo (an item used for spanking).”
“It was just an essay piece I made way back in high school. Tapos, ginamit ko ‘yong materyal para sa final project ko sa cinematography class namin,” Frago said in an interview with The Benildean.
As the director, Frago played around with the genre of dark comedy to further captivate her audience.
“I present what abuse is like in a young age in a darkly comical and colorful manner where you feel sympathetic and warm at the same time,” she added.
When asked about her insights on the film, she stated that the core of her story came from the well-known experiences of children growing up and how their mothers would discipline them.
“Bahagi na ng childhood natin ‘yong phase na papaluin tayo ng nanay natin,” Frago shared. “Pinaglalaruan tayo ng innocence ng mga bata at kung paanong dumadating sa panahon na ang bata ay hindi na nagiging bata. Gayon ding itinatanong tayo kung dumadating din ba sa punto na ang ina ay hindi na nagiging ina.”
Meanwhile, as a graduating student who is about to enter the real world of the film industry, Frago expressed her gratitude towards the encouragement she received with her award, admitting that she has more to learn in the future.
“Grateful ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin, lalo’t higit sa bumubuo ng PPP at Sine Kabataan. Hindi pa ganoong malinaw, hindi din ganoong malabo ang nakikita ko. Basta kung anong plano Niya. Sa ngayon, marami pang kailangang matutunan,” she said.Fargo bested other short films such as Anonymous Student Vlog by Christian Babista, Bahay-bahayan by Brian Spencer Reyes, and Isang Tula Para Sa Nawawala by Rod Singh. All Sine Kabataan entries were judged by Birdshot director Mikhail Red, Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan actress Angeli Bayan, and producer Bianca Balbuena-Liew.
In addition, all short films were shown along with the PPP full-length film entries from August 15 to 21 in cinemas nationwide.
Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, now on its second year, aims to “promote film cultural heritage” and also brings a new platform for all aspiring filmmakers in the country.
