NAPAKARAMI ng spectacular hero stories sa Philippine history, mayroon ding simple accounts of heroism na tunay na nakaka-inspire.

Kaya naman ang mga ‘unheard stories of heroism’ ay deserving sa spotlight, at ito nga ang iso-showcase sa  Kidlat Tahimik’s Unsung Sariling Bayani (USB) Short Film Competition.

Pormal na ngang ni-launch ang USB Online Film Festival noong April 27 na pinangunahan ni Chairperson Liza Diño ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) and the Bureau of Learner Support Services-Youth Formation Division of the Department of Education.

“Balik tayo sa simple storytelling. I think we are all, even at a high school age, we are intelligent enough to see a positive value in somebody older or chosen as a hero who can really bring out the best in us,” pahayag ni National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Kidlat Tahimik.

Ang araw ng April 27, 2021 ay naging significant moment sa Philippine history dahil kasabay nito ang 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan as well as the 500th anniversary of the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world.

Ayon pa sa 78 years old na si Kidlat Tahimik, “I think it is very timely, itong 500 years after to let this be a catalyzer. Para sa akin, magandang catalyzer itong pang-udyok para maka-focus tayo on heroism but maybe also on redefining ‘Ano ba talaga ang heroism?’” 

Ang competition ay para sa mga Filipino, tatanggapin ang ano mang shorts of any genre as long as na tinatalakay dito ang kuwento na nagpapakita ng kahit anong uri ng kabayanihan at may habang 5 to 8 minutes, kabilang na ang credits.

Ang USB ay may three categories: Youth Category – Senior High Student (Public School), Youth Category – Senior High Student (Private School), and Adult Category (Aged 18 and above). Ang deadline for the submission of entries ay sa Oct. 11, 2021.

The FDCP Channel will host the USB Online Film Festival from Nov. 11 to 17 at magkakaroon ng streaming ang Awards Ceremony na gaganapin sa Nov. 14.

Bukod sa festival proper, magsasagawa rin ang USB ng FDCP Film School Basic Workshops on Filmmaking at “Storming with Kidlat: Usapang Bayani Forum”.

Finalists will receive cash prizes and free access to all educational events to aid in their filmmaking process. After the competition, USB winners and finalists will get the chance to attend more free training sessions and workshops to be conducted by the FDCP.

“Through the guidance of National Artist and Father of Philippine Independent Cinema Kidlat Tahimik together with other esteemed Filipino filmmakers, I am confident that the USB finalists will take inspiration and motivation from Tatay Kidlat’s ‘bamboo camera filmmaking’ to promote the appreciation for lesser-known local heroes through short films,” pahayag ni Chair Liza Diño.

Ang ‘bamboo camera’ na ang naging simbolo ng mga remarkable local storytelling ni Kidlat Tahimik sa mga nagdaang taon.

“Let the bamboo cameras guide our filmmaking,” sabi ng National Artist na ang buong pangalan ay Eric Oteyza de Guia.

“Sa dami ng mga bagong kuwento, I think yayaman ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas and we, the small filmmakers, can contribute to the archives of our relevant local history,” tugon pa ni Kidlat Tahimik na nakatanggap na ng pangalan mula Cinemalaya, Gawad Urian, Prince Claus Fund, Amiens International Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, at marami pang iba.

For more information and to download the application form, visit www.fdcp.ph/sariling-bayani and for inquiries, contact Mr. Mark John Pamintuan at sarilingbayani.fdcp@gmail.com with the subject heading “Query: USB 2021.” (ROHN ROMULO)