By NEIL RAMOS
“Dayas,” a short film that focuses on the lives of two Igorot small-scale gold miners, continues to reap rewards.
After collecting a Best Actor win for its lead star Jeyrick “Carrot Man” Sigmaton at the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM), “Dayas” received several recognition anew at the 3rd Dangal ng Lahi Awards 2021: The International Best Indie Actor of the Year award for Jeyrick; the International Best Screenwriter and Director of the Year for film writer and director Jianlin delos Santos; and the International Best Cinematographer and Director of the Year for director of photography Pete Mariano.
“Dayas” is the brainchild of Delos Santos who, apart from directing the effort is also its executive producer.
She said, “It is a tribute to all the victims and the bereaved families of the Ompong Tragedy that saddened the Cordilleran community of Itogon, Benguet.”
Note the story is also inspired by her uncle, Igorot miner Benjamin Galletes.
Ultimately, Delos Santos is hoping that through the film, she will be able to showcase the wealth of Cordilleran culture as with Cordilleran film talents.
She shares the advocacy with the people behind Sine Cordillera and Be Unrivaled Productions.
“Dayas” is her passion project.
She said, “I wanted to give tribute to the small-scale gold miners of Itogon, Benguet and bring to life the beliefs, traditions, rituals, faith, and respect to the ancestors that is part of the Cordilleran way of life.”
“I also want this film to be a showcase for local talents as evident in the cast, the crew, and the soundtrack of this Cordilleran masterpiece,” she added.
