The University of the East College of Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design (UE CFAD) is proud to announce that its student, Angelo Miguel “Ulap” Chua, has won the First Prize in the experimental category at the prestigious 36th Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Alternatibo Film and Video Festival!
This marks another significant achievement for UE CFAD, as it continues to make its mark in this renowned festival, which holds the distinction of being the oldest independent film festival not just in the Philippines but in all of Southeast Asia.
Mr. Chua, a fourth-year student of the UE CFAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) major in Visual Communication program, was honored for his powerful film ‘Rod’, which recounts the 1985 People’s Strike organized by the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) in Escalante, Negros Occidental, against the tyrannic Marcos regime.
His work stood out among the 12 finalists selected from numerous submissions across the country, earning him a trophy crafted by contemporary artist Leeroy New and a cash prize of Php 50,000.
Mr. Chua’s accomplishment is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication, building on his previous success as the UE CFAD 2024 Artist of the Year Awardee and his participation in the prestigious NIPAI 2024 Laboratory and IUGTE Conference in Austria, supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Embassy in Vienna.
In addition to Mr. Chua’s victory, another UE CFAD student, Andrea Leigh Bernardo, also achieved recognition as a finalist in the 36th Gawad CCP Alternatibo’s Experimental category with her film ‘apapatikansimansim’. This poignant film delves into the evolving dynamics between a father and a son, exploring how time and life shape their relationship. Miss Bernardo, who has also served as a cinematographer on various film projects including documentaries on the “Puni” culture of Malolos and the 2024 Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Student Assistance Production Program Grant for the short film ‘Wala ng Bukas’, continues to exemplify the high standard of creativity fostered within UE CFAD.
The consistent success of UE CFAD at the Gawad Alternatibo over the past three years, with multiple finalists and major awards across categories such as experimental and animation, underscores the College’s reputation as a cradle of world-class talent. With its accredited BFA Visual Communication program, recognized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Academic Film Society (AFS), the UE CFAD remains at the forefront of nurturing and showcasing exceptional artistic talent on both national and international stages.
As Gawad Alternatibo continues to celebrate nearly four decades of recognizing the best in narrative, experimental, animation, and documentary films, the UE CFAD’s ongoing achievements solidify its role as a leading institution in the arts, committed to excellence and creativity.
The photos show award-winning Warrior filmmaker Ulap Chua with his Leeroy New-designed 36th Gawad CCP Alternatibo trophy; Mr. Chua with fellow UE CFAD BFA student and 36th Gawad CCP Alternatibo finalist Andrea Leigh Bernardo, representing UE CFAD in the experimental film category with their thought-provoking films; the respective posters for ‘Rod’ and ‘apapatikansimansim’.
Congratulations and kudos, Warrior Filmmakers!
[Solo pic by Giya Studios; report and all other images courtesy of UE CFAD]