Documentary festival celebrates social truths
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Guided by the theme “Visions for a Shared Humanity,” this year’s TAM DokyuFest featured 19 finalists, which were produced by junior communication students of Far Eastern University. Rather than mere coursework, these served as powerful, empathetic manifestos confronting pressing social and environmental realities
“Balong ng Buhay/Well of Life,” produced by Michaela Kristine Guillen and directed by Erin Graciella Felitro, was awarded the Best Documentary prize. A poignant look at an elderly fisherman fighting for survival amid reclamation projects in Laguna Lake, it also received the Best Director award for Felitro for handling the subject matter with profound humanity.
With this victory, we hope that more people will join the struggle of the fisherfolk of Laguna Lake against [its looming reclamation], because all our lives depend on it. Beyond that, we hope we were able to give justice to the way we portrayed fisherfolk like Ka Ronie. We hope we showed that they are not just ordinary fishermen. They are intelligent, compassionate, and courageous. We dedicate our documentary to the oppressed masses who continue to suffer under the [oppressive system]. One day, we will also attain freedom,” said Felitro in Filipino.
“Pamanang Pamangan/Food as Heritage,” produced by Dustine Josh Lacsina and directed by Johanna Cien Rivera, won First Runner-up along with Best Cinematography for Drew Patal for translating reality into a lingering visual language. The documentary is a sophisticated culinary exploration of Pampanga’s rich food culture, spanning home kitchens to street food.
“Our documentary is a reminder that stories rooted in heritage still have the power to move people today. Being named First Runner-up is not just a win for our team, but for the voices and traditions we chose to honor through ‘Pamanang Pamangan/Food as Heritage’,” a film we poured hearts into,” said Rivera.
The Second Runner-up award was given to “Pihit ng Panahon/The Twist of Time” produced by Maristelle Quiñones and co-directed by Chloe Cantonjos and Tobit Laggui. It tackles the intersecting lives of two clock repairmen who restore both broken timepieces and human connections. Tobit and Elaine Monica Tiambeng also got the Best Editing prize for their seamless integration of archival and contemporary footage, narrative pacing, and emotional cohesion.
“We are deeply grateful for this recognition. We attended the awards night without expecting to win anything, so receiving these awards truly means a lot to us. More than anything, we hope the film was able to convey its message—that while time moves constantly and accurately, it can take on different meanings and experiences for every person, and that even those short-lived moments can leave lasting changes in our lives,” said Laggui. “In many ways, that message also reflected our own journey in making this film. There were times when it felt like time and luck were not on our side, but this experience eventually became something meaningful not only for us as filmmakers, but also for the people who connected with and believed in our work.”
“Sa Pagliit ng Dagat/As the Sea Shrinks,” directed by Shayne Flores and Chelzea Mafae, was awarded the Special Jury Prize for its “courageous quietude,” as the film captures the delicate balance between survival and urban development facing the fishing communities of Little Samar in Navotas.
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Advocacy Award was bestowed on “Isang Tasa ng Pag-asa/A Cup of Hope,” produced and directed by Precious Nikole Tungpalan for Papa Barako Studios for spotlighting grassroots innovation and actionable hope rather than just tragedy.
The most recent TAM DokyuFest also recognized Jarvey Abutan with the Best Sound award for “Ibong Yabi/Day Night’’ for its immersive environmental textures that elevate the daily life of a Mangyan community.
The festival expanded its horizon this year by featuring entries from University of the Philippines-Diliman, Mapua University, and University of San Carlos-Cebu, and University of the Philippines – Mindanao while partnering with FEU’s National Service Training Program. Aligned with various United Nations SDGs, the films explored critical global themes such as Climate Action and No Poverty.
The event also featured a special screening of the documentary “An Elegy to Forgetting” at the AB 202 Theater Room. This was followed by a talkback session with director Kristoffer Brugada, moderated by FEU Department of Communication chair Christina Stella Cruz-Ustaris.
Since its inception in 2022, TAM DokyuFest has served as a vital breeding ground for the next generation of Filipino truth-tellers, proving that every story, no matter how mundane, carries a “beating heart.”
“Documentary filmmaking reminds us of something deeply human, that beyond our differences people still cry the same tears, dream the same dreams, and fight the same invisible battles—[that] is the power of documentaries,” said award-winning documentary filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama who opened the awarding ceremony.
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