By Niña Christelle M. Sumintac, StratCom Correspondent

Continuously making a mark in the local film industry, two faculty members of Mariano Marcos State University emerged victorious in the Tan-ok ni Ilocano Film Festival 2023.  

Mr. Melver Ritz Gomez of the College of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Romel Pascua of the College of Teacher Education received multiple awards under the short narrative and short documentary categories, respectively. 

They received certificates during the half-time intermission of the Tan-ok ni Ilocano: The Festival of Festivals on February 24 at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium. 

Mr. Gomez and his team from the Ylocostar and Pelikula Ilocana hauled the best picture and best director awards for the film Karkarma under the short narrative category. It was also recognized for best cinematography, scoring, screenplay, and editing. The short film narrates the story of Tisang who deals with her past and searches for answers about her karkarma or second soul. Ms. Analiza Ponce, who played the main character, also got the best actress award.

For his part, Dr. Pascua and his team from Lamina Production took home the best director award for the film Aweng, under the short documentary category. It was also awarded with best scoring, cinematography, and documentary. The film shed light on the traditional ways of calling farmers to start their work using tangguyob, a trumpet made up of carabao horn and an old-aged drum produced using cow skin. 

Organized by the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office, the local film festival celebrates the best of Ilocano filmmaking and highlighted the rich Ilocano cultural heritage. Film entries were presented at the Robinsons Movieworld on Feb 11-12 and 18-19.

Recently, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte granted MMSU authority to use various media products produced by PGIN, such as films produced for the annual Tan-Ok ni Ilokano Festival, documentary films, tourism marketing materials, PGIN-produced music, and other materials which are deemed useful for academic activities. (HLY/JVBT/DPT, StratCom)