Building on a historic season for local storytelling, director Charlene Mead Tupas and the Bacolod filmmaking community mark a significant milestone for Negrense cinema, showcasing local narratives to a wider audience.
Following her victories at the Sine Negrense Film Festival in 2024 and two consecutive Bacolod Filmfest editions in 2024 and 2025, her new short film has been officially selected for this year’s Sinag Maynila Film Festival.
“Tonton,” a poignant narrative focused on a woman managing a roadside eatery while dealing with a monotonous life, is joined by four other Bacolod-produced films in the national competition.
Last year, “Tonton” bested seven other entries to win Best Picture, Best Actress for Maria Victoria Mendoza, Best Cinematography for Giles Gelvoleo, and Best Production Design for Rowena Tupas at the 2025 BFF.
Tupas, an emerging voice celebrated for her heartfelt storytelling and steadfast commitment to socially engaged art, earlier swept the 2024 Sine Negrense with “Aninaw,” a film about three elderly friends reflecting on shared memories and the harmony between heritage and the future.
“Aninaw” captured the Best Film, Best Director for Tupas, Best Cinematography for Rosco Cofreros, Best Actor for Reynaldo Dante Amaguin, Milton Dionzon, and Louis Dormido, and Best Poster for Ruer Torculas.
This set of awards followed the film’s strong debut at the 2024 Bacolod Film Festival, where it had garnered the Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting for the three main actors and Best Cinematography.
Tupas, an alumna of the Maskara Theatre Ensemble, continues to use her platform to explore the “fragility of memory.” She previously explored this theme in “Tsinelas,” the grand winner of the 2020 Nespresso Talents short film competition.
“As I offer this film to the beloved people of Bacolod… we must confront the uncertainties of change with courage and resilience, knowing that therein lies the potential for profound transformation and growth,” Tupas shared in her director’s statement.
In addition to the Sinag Maynila selection, Tupas previously served as an official delegate to the 17th Cinema Rehiyon in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, further amplifying the voices of Bacolod filmmakers and ensuring that Negrense cinema will remain a more empathetic cultural landscape for years to come.
Joining “Tonton” in the Open Category are “Hoy! Pili ka na!” by Banjo Hinolan and “Blind Date” directed by Victor Villanueva and produced by Juan Carlo Miguel. Meanwhile, competing in the Student Category are “Isa Ka Higayon” by Chelsea Tasic and “Tililing: E-Motion Sickness” by Dranreb Cimatu.
Sinag Maynila runs from March 23 to March 29 at Gateway Cineplex, Eastwood Cinemas, Uptown Cinemas, Venice Cineplex, and Lucky Chinatown Cinemas.
