Sinebata a success

Things have changed and have changed for the better for many children in this country. This is in the context of expression and engagement. Young people are expressing themselves more eloquently and passionately via short films and public service announcements (PSAs).

I saw it last year and witnessed it again this year at the Kabataang Pinoy Media Festival held in Tacloban City presented by Anak TV and Plan Philippines. Using cellular phones, video cameras and whatever that can record and that was available, these kids recorded, filmed, edited and scored some of the most compelling stories I have ever seen.

Last year, I judged and cried many times as I viewed some of the entries. The young Mangyan girl who is bullied by her classmates, pushed out of her chair and forced to sit on the floor only for all of them to realize that she topped the class. My heart wept.

This year had a film about two young boys preparing for the day ahead. One starts by getting into his rubbers shoes, the other into his slippers. Both walk out of their homes, cross each other’s paths, one is going to school, the other to scavenge in a garbage dump site. It’s heart-wrenching.

Original songs, music videos and dances were performed during the awarding ceremony and we were moved by these powerful stories of young people who delivered the message that we know who we are, what we want and we want you to know.

This country would be better off if we consistently listen to the young.

The 2012 Sinebata: Kabataang Pinoy Media Festival screenings and awarding ceremonies were successfully held at Robinsons Tacloban last week. Sinebata is a joint project of AnakTV and Plan Philippines. The contest was open to all Filipino youth living, studying or working in any part of the country. There were two categories: One for those aged nine to 17, while the other from age 18 to 23.

As Plan ambassador, I was invited to the festival and I witnessed the overwhelming success of the media festival. There was a huge number of entries (808 photos and 108 videos) from Ilocos to Davao. After viewing the photo and video entries by the contestants, I realized that today’s generation is clearly more aware of the pressing issues in our society. The entries reflected young people’s hopes and aspirations, their views on various issues that affect them, their families, their schools and their communities. Iba na talagang mag-isip ang mga kabataan ngayon.

There was a media interface with Plan Philippines, celebrity guests and the youth participants as well as a photo exhibit that day. 

This year’s winners for the Premier Awards are: (Photo) Catching Our Future by Jeremai Molina of Ilocos Sur and Sisid Para sa Piso by Katrina May Monsale of Negros Occidental; (PSA) Pasok Na by Premo Bulan Jr. of Western Samar and Entoy-na La Pirmi by Prudencio Cahusay/Aldrin Christian Sape of Northern Samar; (MTV) Tayo-Tayo by Jearic Casin of Western Samar and Melissa by Prince Dane Michael Timbal of Leyte; and (Mini Docu/Short Video Clips) Buhay Lapida by Rijn Aurellus Cruz of Nueva Ecija and Idlip by Loren Jane Rabadam of Quezon City. All the winners received a trophy and cash prizes while all the 48 finalist photos were exhibited at Robinsons Mall in Tacloban from July 25 and 26.

In the Kids’ Choice Award, the winners are (PSA) Tsinelas by Lendy May Decena of Masbate and Pinagkaitan by Merry Sunshine Serrano of Masbate and (MTV) Melissa by Prince Dane Michael Timbal of Leyte. The winners received a citation.

The Special Awards include the following: National Council for Children’s Television B.A.T.A. Award (Batang Angking Talino’y Angat) for (PSA) Pasok Na of Western Samar and (Mini Docu) Buhay Lapida of Nueva Ecija; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Award for (PSA) Huwag Kang Magpapadala sa Droga of Nueva Ecija; and the Department of Education (Regional Director’s Choice) for (PSA) Pasok Na of Western Samar and (Mini Docu) Pukot of Eastern Samar.

The winners of the Columbia’s Pamilyang Pilipino Award (Photo) are Journey of Life (Sorsogon), first place; Biyaya sa Tag-init (Laguna), second place; and Happiness is a Choice (Bulacan), third place.

The Philippine Information Agency Batang Journalist Award went to (PSA) Pasok Na of Western Samar and (Mini Docu) Kapirasong Papel of Northern Samar; while the Department of Social Welfare Child Welfare Award was received by (MTV) Melissa of Leyte and (PSA) Pasok Na of Western Samar. All the special award winners received plaques or certificates and a cash prize from the sponsoring agency.

Mardy Halcon, communications officer of Plan Philippines, enthused, “This year’s entries to Sinebata tackled the realities of the Filipino child. These are sensitive and difficult issues that they managed to present in a creative and compelling way. We salute them for their courage and we hope that these children will continue to produce materials on advocacies and issues close to their heart.” 

Imagine a world where every time we say anything or do something, we think of how our actions will affect our children. Imagine a world where we engage children in meaningful conversations about what they think and feel about things that affect them. This will be a kinder, gentler world. And this is what Sinebata is all about.

Bravo to Mag Cruz Hatol of Anak TV and Plan Philippines.