27 November 2017

Featuring inspiring stories of ordinary Pinoys

OVP, Ayala Foundation launch ‘Istorya ng Pag-asa’ short film fest

The Office of the Vice President has launched a nationwide, all-digital film competition for one of its flagship programs, Istorya ng Pag-asa.

The contest, the OVP’s project with Ayala Foundation, is open to the public—for professional and non-professional Filipino filmmakers, including those based overseas.

Entries, which should not exceed five minutes, must feature true stories of inspiration from ordinary citizens.

The initiative marks the first year of INP, which has been promoting hope and inspiration amid a time of divisiveness, through a travelling photo gallery that features the lives of Filipinos who have overcome adversities.

Vice President Leni Robredo said the short film fest “is designed to bring the program one step forward,” ringing in the start of INP’s second year.

“We have a lot of plans still para dalhin pa [ang INP] sa iba’t ibang medium because what we want is to saturate our environment with good stories,” VP Leni said during the project’s launch at Ayala Museum on Monday morning. “[H]ow beautiful it would be if what we will be talking about are inspiring stories of ordinary people who have touched our lives and inspire us more.”

For his part, Ayala Foundation president Raul Maranan said their ideals are “truly aligned” with the “laudable” project of the OVP. He also underscored the importance of looking into the stories of people “who perform regular roles in extraordinary ways and fashion.”

“Yes, there is so much goodness around us. We have just to remain open and hopeful,” he said. “We just have to focus, believe, become, and belong to a community of doers.”

Submission of entries for the INP Short Film Festival will be from November 27, 2017 to February 25, 2018.

The top 10 entries will be shown at a gala night on June 12, 2018, where three winners—including Best Film and two runners-up—will be announced. The competition’s finalists will also get the chance to win cash prizes and to have their entries screened at cinemas of Ayala Malls.

Mechanics and other details about the contest are available at www.istoryangpagasa.ovp.gov.ph.