LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency in Bicol concluded its National Women's Month by its recent Empowered Bicolana Short Filmmaking Contest Awarding ceremonies by featuring eight entries of inspiring stories in the region.

The documentary film entitled “Kan Sarong Banggi Ki Nana Nita  (One Night with Mother Nita)," directed by Robert M. Marticio from Castilla, Sorsogon bagged the first place for the said contest. It revolves around the plight and determination of the senior Nenita Marco being a traditiona l health worker in their poor barangay despite her own medical conditions.

PIA Deputy Director General Benjamin Felipe, the guest speaker, stressed the importance of films as a powerful way of story-telling.

"Ang pagkatha ng awit at paglikha ng pelikula ay ambag natin sa ating pamayanan - ambag na husay ng kulturang dapat manatiling buhay. Mahalaga ang mangarap kayong maging filmmakers dahil isa itong bahagi ng kuturang Pilipino. Nakapaloob sa bawat palabas ang salita, imahe at musika ang bawat kuwento na siya namang salamin ng ating panahon,” he said.

The film “Basurang Balawan” which was directed by Francis B. Balingbing from Tabaco City, Albay hailed as the second place. It is a story of a garbage collector who strived for her family's daily nececssities and children's educatiion.

“Pagal” of Annie Astillero from Legazpi City won third, a story of a struggling law student who was inspired by her mother's dream of her as a future attorney.

From Masbate City, Alvin Dela Fuerte‘s “Analyn” landed as fouth; and “A Mother’s Art” of John Pistol Carmen from Legazpi CIty was the fifth placer.

Architecture student from Sorsogon State University Robert Marticio also an amateur filmmaker for the best film said that the heart for service among women in the health sector this COVID pandemic inspires him and his team to create the film.

"I am amazed by the life of Nana Nita because it is visibly felt that she really has an agenda of helping others in our little barangay. I am also thankful of the opprtunity that the PIA has given to us to showcase empowered women even in simple films," Marticio said.

The respective cash prizes for the winners were given as follows: of P10,000, P8, 000 and P5, 000 from first to third place. An amount of two thousand pesos were awarded to both fourth and fifth. (Diane Pitallano-BU intern/PIA5)