The radiant culture of Western Visayas took center stage during the Cultural Mapping of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental Project (CMPG) first-ever film screening event at the Auditorium of UP Visayas Iloilo City Campus on May 24, 2025. It is one of the several events organized by the project in celebration of National Heritage Month.

The film event, themed “Kasanag sang Kultura: Western Visayas sa Mata sang Kamera,” gathered a lineup of curated video documentaries and short films mainly highlighting stories rooted in the indigenous culture, traditions, and way of life of Western Visayas.

Eleven films were screened during the event: five creative documentary shorts produced by the CMPG and six selected heritage-themed short films made by directors from Western Visayas. CMPG video documentaries included Budbud, Pangasag kag Kabuhi, Sa Tunga sang Adlaw kag Alingasaw, Pagpamati sa Gapamanti, and Pinya: Paghaboe it Uman. Meanwhile, among the selected short films produced outside the project were Hasang by Dir. Daniel De La Cruz, Balhin By Dir. Gian Genoveza, Sinamay nga Palanublion by Dir. Anjo Salmorin, Ang Babayi sa Suba by Dir. Jonathan Jurilla, Mata kang Busay by Dir. Niño Maldecir & Dir. Cypher John Gayorgor, and the FAMAS award-winning short film, Pagtaghoy sa Hangin, by Dir. Kyle Erika Saycon.

Opening remarks were given by UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano, who emphasized the importance of the event in safeguarding the heritage of the region and how video documentaries can transform descriptions into vivid, breathing stories, capturing the spirit of heritage. Camposano was joined by Senator Loren Legarda, the author and principal sponsor of the Cultural Mapping Law, Program Manager Prof. Martin Genodepa, Co-Overall Project Leader Ms. Anna Razel Ramirez, and CMPG Director Prof. Julie Prescott.

“Western Visayas has a rich cultural heritage that calls not only for celebration but also for protection and preservation. One powerful way we can contribute to this effort is by producing video documentaries that can serve as valuable educational tools, raise awareness among younger generations, and inspire a deeper appreciation for our cultural identity,” stated CMPG Video Documentarian Daniel de la Cruz, who served as both the videographer and editor of the creative documentary shorts.

The event was done in collaboration with the project’s partner state universities and colleges, national government agencies, and local government units (LGUs) across the region, with media support from the Daily Guardian and Bombo Radyo Iloilo.

Written by Ma. Therese M. Taghap, UPV CMPG

Photos by Marc Leo Layson and Franz Felicio