Silakbo Baybay wins best film for second straight year

Another year, another win. 

Silakbo Baybay Film Organization, a student filmmakers’ group from Visayas State University (VSU) Baybay City campus, claimed Best Film in the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) category at the PelikulAgraryo Regional Film Festival 2026 of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). 

Their winning entry, Sa Asa Dapit Nag-Ampo ang Hangin, follows last year's victory with Bunot. The film received five individual awards: Best Director for Jian Khristian Pakig, Best Editing and Best Sound for Troy Bryan Fontanar, Best Production Design for Dayren Gloria, and Best Music for Ely Jay Gofredo.

The idea for Sa Asa Dapit Nag-Ampo ang Hangin came from interviews with agrarian reform beneficiaries of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Baybay City. Through these conversations, the team gathered stories about how land ownership shaped the farmers’ daily lives and supported their families. The filmmakers then drew from these experiences to develop a script that they hoped best portrayed the realities of the farming community.

“The central issue we want to address is the lack of support for our local farmers and the agricultural sector,” Pakig said.

“Farmland is not just a piece of land for our farmers. It is a new hope,” he added.

The film tells the story of brothers Fred and Keith, who return to their family farm a year after their father, Dario, dies. Planning to sell the land, the brothers reconsider their decision after their cousin Hel reveals the sacrifices their father made to secure it and provide a better future for his family.

For Pakig, the story’s emotional impact lies in how the children come to understand their father’s sacrifices. Although they initially fail to see why he worked so hard to secure the land, the audience sees how his efforts were rooted in his love for them.

Bringing the story to the screen was not without challenges. 

Two days before the deadline, the team discovered a technical problem with their footage, forcing them to reshoot the entire film and finish editing within the remaining time.

Despite the setback, the team took home the top award and five individual recognitions. Pakig credited the differing ideas and creative disagreements of the crew for helping develop the story and explore new angles in its scenes.

Silakbo’s previous winning entry, Bunot, told a different story of hardship and hope. It follows Jun, a tenant farmer struggling to make ends meet in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. His circumstances begin to change when he and his brother are selected as agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Both films explore how land can provide families with hope and the opportunity for a better future.

The latest victory, reflected Silakbo president, Alexis Quesada, speaks volumes on the time, effort, and dedication of everyone involved in the production. Quesada underlined the importance of giving farmers and other communities a platform to share their experiences.

“Filmmaking provides an opportunity and platform for representation to people whose stories deserve to be heard,” Quesada said.

Pakig hopes the recognition will draw attention to the challenges faced by regional filmmakers, including limited funding, equipment, and opportunities to showcase their work.

“Regional filmmakers are not absent. We have stories worth telling,” he said.

Silakbo hopes to screen the film in schools and farming communities, sharing Dario’s story and encouraging aspiring filmmakers in Eastern Visayas to tell stories from their own communities.

This article aligns with the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  1: No Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger. 

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