Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), De La Salle College of St. Benilde and the Lyceum University of the Philippines competed for the First Convergence Documentary Film-Making Contest of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last March 14, 2014 at the National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The documentary-making competition was launched to showcase the gains and success of the Department’s three core social protection programs namely Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

“The documentary films produced by the students will showcase the Filipino families’ as well as their communities’ indomitable spirit and wage against the war on poverty,” shared by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman.

Adda Namnama (Ilokano term which means “there is hope”) is produced by De La Salle College of St. Benilde.  It revolves around the story of a mother who struggles to overcome her adversities after a life-turning event – the death of her one and only son, Mark Anthony. Despite suffering from epilepsy, Mark Anthony strived to work hard to help his family.

The battle against poverty and deprivation is obviously tough and rough. PUP’s entry, Itik, is a story about a father from Antique who had to work day and night for his ten children.  He worked as a construction worker; a fisherman, a vegetable vendor, farmer, gardener and many more. Itik’s story is a documentary film which will prove how clear goals and hard-work can be the tools for people to not just survive, but live happily.

Bente is a story documented by Lyceum in the province of Quezon. Like all other Filipinos, the couple in the story dreamed of a prosperous life for their children. The only difference is that they fulfill that dream with hard work and perseverance. Bente is just a fraction of their wonderful journey in life. From the meager bente pesos as their weekly budget, it was used as a starting capital for their buy-and-sell business.  Their story will surely move the audience’s hearts and make them appreciate more of life’s blessings.

Judging the competition were renowned personalities Paul Henson of ABS-CBN, film director Adolfo Alix, Jr., and Flordeliz Abanto of DZRH. Entries were judged based on how they documented the story, the film’s relevance to the theme, and the technical treatment of the docu-film produced.

The winners of the 2013 Convergence Documentary Film Competition are:

1st Place: Itik’s Story – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)

2nd Place: Adda Namnama – De La Salle – College of St. Benilde

3rd Place: Bente – Lyceum of the Philippines University

People’s Choice: Adda Namnama – De La Salle – College of St Benilde

Best Editing: Itik’s Story – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Best Storytelling: Adda Namnama – De La Salle – College of St. Benilde