SineBuano.com

At the risk of outing myself as a GLEE-k(!), I’d like to begin this post with a quote from of one of the characters of the globally popular musical comedy TV series–

The best teachers don’t give you the answers. They just point the way and let you make your own choices – your own mistakes. That way, you get all the glory, and you deserve it.

–Will Schuster, Episode 21: ‘Mattress’, Glee TV series

In this regard, the University of San Jose Recoletos-Cebu are quite fortunate to have teachers and advisers who can be considered among the best, particularly the past and present classes under Sir Albert ‘Abet’ Maxino, the namesake of one of  the, or perhaps the only, longest-running  campus film festival– The Amateur Broadcasting Experimental TV (ABET) Awards, which is now going on its 10th straight year.

In the past, SineBuano with friends in Cebu’s Independent Filmmaking Scene, took part in the ABET Awards to judge the student efforts in filmmaking and video production. We’re always impressed by the quality of production as well as the enthusiasm the students put into their projects. With a little more refinement and direction, the future of Cebu’s cinema could very well be assured.

To this end, SineBuano partners with the USJ-R Masscom student body, the Coordinates, along with their advisors to share information regarding the National Commission of Culture and Arts‘ Film Committee’s CinemaRehiyon, the Alternative Film Festival which exhibits the works of emerging filmmakers from the regions other than the NCR held every February, which is the Philippines’ Culture and Arts Month.

Last August 13, 2010– inside the USJ-R Masscom Studio, the students were treated with two sets of short films which took part in the past two CinemaRehiyon film showings last 2009 and 2010.

Then the screening was followed by Cebuana actor/writer/producer Bambi Beltran who gave a short talk regarding the NCCA’s efforts in promoting a dynamic and nurturing environment for Cinema in the Philippines through its Film Committee and invited  the students to take the chance to be a part of the CinemaRehiyon, which is slated to be held in Davao City in 2011, where those who wish to pursue a career in films can meet their contemporaries and also attract attention.

Ron Heri Tan, Chair of the Sinulog Film Festival, was also there to inspire students to direct their current projects for the coming ABET Awards 2011 to also align for the Sinulog Film Festival where prizes can help sustain future projects.

SineBuano would like to thank Ron Heri Tan and Bambi Beltran for taking the time from their busy schedules for this small, solid event. Thanks also to Ma’m Bambi for some of the photos.

Kudos to the officers (such as Luigi Flores), advisers (like Sir Nestor Ramirez), teachers (Sir Abet Maxino) and the students of the USJ-R Masscom Coordinates for taking this step forward– eager to work together to bring excellence and recognition the Masscom Department of the University of San Jose Recoletos and to Cebu Cinema.