The University of the Philippines (UP) has issued an open call for entries to the PAG-AALAYwebXHIBITION & FESTIVAL, an online video festival that will showcase stories of everyday Filipino heroes. The festival welcomes entries from all, amateur or professional, Filipino filmmakers, multimedia creators, and artists whose works capture stories of resilience, inner strength, and humanity of Filipinos.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Pag-aalay sa Panahon ng Pandemya”. The Festival will accept video entries that honor, remember, and immortalize Filipinos whose stories of selfless acts amid the COVID-19 pandemic reflect our values of heroism (bayanihan) and selfless offering or oblation (pag-aalay).
“If you or someone you know is that kind of hero, we invite you to share your story, in video format.”
As UP President Danilo L. Concepcion put it, the pandemic is a civilization-shifting event that has affected global political, economic, social and cultural systems. “There is no better time for the university to lead a movement that will reaffirm our common humanity and redefine Filipino heroism, beginning with the short video transcending geographical boundaries through the online networks for cultural dialogue,” he said.
Throughout the Philippines and all over the world, especially during this time of COVID-19, there are everyday heroes whose selfless acts of courage and kindness show what kind of Filipinos we are, said Elena “Neny’ E. Pernia, UP professor and vice president for public affairs. “These heroes whose acts of pag-aalayare inspirations to all as we face difficult challenges brought about by the pandemic. If you or someone you know is that kind of hero, we invite you to share your story, in video format,” she added.
Participants may submit entries to any of the six categories: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, virtual/augmented reality, and music video. Entries can be submitted to the TVUP, the university’s webcast network, via email at television@up.edu.ph starting on 1 July until 15 October 2020. Entries must have a total running time of 30 to 90 seconds, in a video format that can be easily uploaded to different social media platforms.
“Video entries must capture stories of everyday life and experiences that inspire hope and showcase Filipino fortitude.”
“Video entries must capture stories of everyday life and experiences that inspire hope and showcase Filipino fortitude,” said TVUP Director Dr. Grace “Gigi” Javier Alfonso, an internationally-acclaimed multimedia artist and UP professor emeritus for film. “The videos do not need to focus on UP or on the university system, but may feature health care workers, entrepreneurs, provincial life, overseas Filipino workers, local government workers and volunteers, grocery workers, and even families,” she added.
All shortlisted videos will be featured on TVUP and streamed via TVUP’s Facebook page. The winners will be announced during the virtual Video Festival Awards Night on 30 November 2020 (Bonifacio Day). They will receive specially handcrafted “Pag-aalay” trophies by UP artist Dr. Alfonso, along with a modest token.
Participants are reminded to observe all government-ordered health and safety requirements, quarantine regulations, and other community restrictions in the production of their videos.