Vice President Leni Robredo wants to inspire people and she’s doing so via Istorya Ng Pag-asa, a short film festival she organized with the Ayala Foundation Inc.
Now on its third year, Istorya Ng Pag-asa promises bigger prizes for participants.
First, second and third placers will earn P100,000, P50,000 and P30,000, respectively.
They will also get to show their films at select Ayala cinemas.
At this year’s launch, Robredo underlined the need to continue with the festival.
She said, “Maganda ang layunin natin eh, ang gusto lang natin ay magbigay inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ‘yung dumadaan sa paghihirap, gusto natin bigyan sila ng pag-asa though the inspiring stories we feature in the festival.
“Pangalawa, doon naman sa, sabihin na natin na, more privileged sector of society, na they come to realize how blessed they are and be thankful.”
Asked if she intends to maintain the project even after she retires from public office, she said, ““Sana! And one of the reasons why may pag-asa itong mag-continue is because of our partnership with Ayala Foundation. Kasi sila, hindi naman political. So, sana, even if I’m not vice president anymore, advocate na lang ako, sana yung project tuluy-tuloy pa rin.”
At this point, Robredo wants to make the festival bigger, better.
“Because the majority of those who joined were students, communication students, film students, gusto naming meron din iba pa, like ‘yung mga advocacy groups. Kasi magandang tool ito to push certain advocacies.”
It is as such, her office is now planning to organize “special editions.”
“Yung unang special edition ang plano naming is to highlight ‘yung mga drug dependents na naging okay. Then there’s the one on mental health. Iyon so far ‘yung dalawang special editions na pinaplano namin.”
“This is why we want more people to join the festival. Kasi, it could shed light on a variety of topics and advocacies and you know, when you learn about these things, it is then we get to help. You discover people, you discover communities na nangangailangan pala ng tulong, and we are able to help through our partners.”
The deadline of submission for entries is March 27, 2020.
The Top Ten entries will be announced April 30, 2020.
The awarding ceremony is on June 12, 2020. (Neil Ramos)
