Ang Pahayagan

Congratulations to the first-ever FAB Film Festival Awardees

The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), in partnership with the Bataan Tayo Naman (BTN) Association, successfully concluded the first-ever FAB Film Festival Awards Night, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Bataan’s emerging filmmakers, actors, and production teams. The event served as a fitting finale to the month-long celebration of AFAB’s 16th anniversary, marking 16 years of dedicated service to the people of Bataan.

Held at the AFAB Administration Building, the event marked the culmination of the AFAB’s pioneering effort to spotlight the province’s creative talent and to show that storytelling, like industry and innovation, can thrive within the Freeport community.

Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ma. Lourdes Herrera, who delivered the opening remarks on behalf of AFAB Administrator and CEO Hussein Pangandaman, congratulated the filmmakers for their courage and creativity. She emphasized that the festival reflects AFAB’s broader mission to support all forms of investment, including in imagination, artistry, and human potential.

BTN President Gabriel Jessie Guevarra also shared his gratitude to the filmmakers and volunteers who made the festival possible, underscoring the event as a proof of how collaboration can transform ideas into meaningful works of art.

The awards night recognized excellence across various technical and artistic categories. Major awardees were announced for Special Citation (3rd Place), Jury Prize (2nd Place), and Best Film (1st Place). Film directors, production crew, and casts were also recognized for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound Design, Best Editing, Best Performance (Male and Female), Best Trailer, and Best Poster.

Special recognitions were also given, including the Bataan Tayo Naman (BTN) Award, Gender and Development (GAD) Award, Best FAB Placement Award, and People’s Choice Award.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐀𝐁 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞

BEST FILM (1st Place) – Kwentong Multo directed by Dexter Paul de Jesus

JURY PRIZE (2nd Place) – Resume directed by Michael Angelo Cervantes

SPECIAL CITATION (3rd Place) – Daluyong directed by Erwin Jericho Arceo

People’s Choice Award – Isang Kilo directed by Jeyk Esperanza

Best Poster – As if we never left (Graphic Artists: Aleona Baluyot and Kam Orgasan)

Best Trailer – Maiba Taya (Director and Editor: Emir Canlas)

Best Screenplay – Para sa Paborito kong Putahe (Screenwriter: Franchezca Giddel Udan)

Best Cinematography – Kwentong Multo (Director of Photography and Camera Operator: Dexter Paul de Jesus and Erwin Jericho Arceo)

Best Production Design – Kwentong Multo (Designer and Setman: Drexler Jaramel)

Best Sound Design – Resume (Sound Designers: Shaina Pisigan and Michael Angelo Cervantes)

Best Editing – Kwentong Multo (Director and Editor: Dexter Paul de Jesus)

Best FAB Placement – Kwentong Multo by Dexter Paul de Jesus

BTN Award – Daluyong by Erwin Jericho Arceo

Gender and Development Award – Kwentong Multo by Dexter Paul de Jesus

Best Performance (Male) – Benedict Dela Cruz (Kubli by Billy Oyanib

Best Performance (Female) – Divina Bayadna (Kwentong Multo by Dexter Paul de Jesus)

Best Director – Dexter Paul de Jesus

The awards night opened with a stirring performance of “Tayo Naman” by BTN Pop Artists Mylene Baluyot, Renz Alonzo, and Mark Anthony Cascasan, setting an inspiring tone for the night. Audiences enjoyed reimagined BTN pop hits featured in FFF films, including “Putahe” (Renz Alonzo, Para sa Paborito Kong Putahe) and “Ayos Lang Yan” (Mark Anthony Cascasan, Kubli), alongside live performances of original soundtracks birthed in FFF films such as “Sa’yong Pag-uwi” (Dr. Marla Zuñiga, As If We Never Left), “Wakas” (Patrick Tarroza, Tayo sa Dilim), and “Daluyong” (Lee Angela Zuñiga & Faye Arceo, Daluyong), celebrating the festival’s vibrant fusion of music and storytelling.

Atty. Percival B. Peralta, AFAB’s Office of the Administrator Group Head, closed the evening by expressing appreciation to all participants, partners, and audiences who took part in the historic festival. He noted that the FAB Film Festival is only the beginning of a continuing journey to make Bataan a home for both industry and imagination.

The event concluded with dinner and socials, celebrating the success of the festival and the collective pride of the Bataan film making community.