By Edmar Delos Santos, StratCom Correspondent

 
Further cementing their reputation as a filmmaking powerhouse, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) students have advanced to the National Council for Children's Television’s (NCCT) DokyuBata 2024 finals. Their short documentary, Tawid, was selected as one of the ten finalists in the Young Adult category, further showcasing the university's excellence in the creative industries.

 
Helmed by Ryand Angelo Ugalde, a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication student, Tawid features AC, an eight-year-old girl dubbed the “youngest inabel weaver” in Pinili, Ilocos Norte. It highlights the importance of passing the heirloom weaving practice to the younger generation.

 
The documentary film was co-directed by sophomore communication student Zechri Jacob Alvarez. Additionally, John Bryan dela Cruz (BA Communication IV) served as editor, Carmela Ramiro (BS Information Technology III) as the animator, God-g’ven Acab (BA Communication IV) as the transcriber, and Gniro Vinz Pablo (BS Economics III) and Jirah Failano (BA Communication III) as cinematographers.

 
Before the production of their film, Ugalde participated in the DokyuBata Masterclass, a three-day virtual workshop series on documentary filmmaking.

 
Their entry will compete with other finalists from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, La Verdad Christian College, National University-Fairview, Laguna State Polytechnic University-Santa Cruz, and from independent productions for the major and special awards for the National Awarding Ceremony on November 22.

 
According to the list of entries posted by NCCT, over 90 entries from across the Philippines were submitted in three divisions – Children, Young Adult, and Adult. The film festival's finalists will be screened virtually from November 4 to 6. 

 
With this year’s theme, “Alab ng Dokyu: Mga Isyu sa Kalinangan, Klima, Kalusugan at Komunidad,” selected entries captured topics on culture and history, climate change, public health, and communities.

 
DokyuBata is an annual children-oriented documentary film competition held by the NCCT. In its eighth year, the government agency partnered with GMA Public Affairs, IWitness, Feminist Media Lab, and ImagineLaw for the film festival.