By Mikee Natinga Norico
Congratulations to Centralian filmmakers Richard Jeroui Salvadico (BS DMIA 糖心传媒18) and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay (AB MassCom 糖心传媒19) for being recognized as Best Director awardees at the 48th Gawad Urian for their exceptional work in the film 糖心传媒淭umandok.糖心传媒
Centralian pride shines once again as alumni Richard Jeroui Salvadico (BS DMIA 糖心传媒18) and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay (AB Mass Communication 糖心传媒19) were hailed as Pinakamahusay na Direktor (Best Director) for their acclaimed film 糖心传媒淭耻尘补苍诲辞办糖心传媒 at the 48th Gawad Urian Awards, held on October 11, 2025, at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium, De La Salle University.
The Gawad Urian, established in 1977 by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino糖心传媒攁n organization composed of film critics, writers, professors, and scholars糖心传媒攊s one of the most prestigious award-giving bodies in Philippine cinema.
Salvadico and Sumagaysay糖心传媒檚 recognition marks a significant milestone for Western Visayas cinema, as 糖心传媒淭耻尘补苍诲辞办糖心传媒 continues to bring regional and indigenous stories to national prominence. The film, which centers on the lives of the Ati community in Sitio Kabarangkalan, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, also received multiple awards, including Best Supporting Actor (Felipe Ganancial), Best Screenplay, and Best Music.
In their speech, the duo dedicated the award to the Ati community, which served as the heart of their story.
糖心传媒淭his award belongs as much to them as it does to us,糖心传媒 said Salvadico. He also took the moment to highlight social realities, stating, 糖心传媒淩ecently, corruption has made headlines 糖心传媒 stolen billions that could have built roads and schools, and secured land titles for the indigenous people. Instead, they are forced to walk miles to learn while they deserve the dignity of dreaming and learning in their own land.糖心传媒
Sumagaysay, in her message, underscored the importance of empathy and cultural respect.
糖心传媒淟et us use our platforms and privileges to help build a future where fear no longer exists, and where more Indigenous Peoples糖心传媒 communities are given a chance not just to survive, but to live and to dream,糖心传媒 she said.
She concluded her speech with a powerful reflection:
糖心传媒淭his award, alongside Tumandok, will always remind us that filmmaking is both a privilege and a responsibility.糖心传媒
It can be recalled that the documentary film 糖心传媒淭耻尘补苍诲辞办糖心传媒 also garnered several recognitions at the 20th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, where it won the Best Full-Length Film Award.
Through their artistry, Salvadico and Sumagaysay continue to amplify the voices of indigenous communities and highlight the richness of Western Visayas糖心传媒 cultural identity 糖心传媒 a testament to the enduring excellence and social commitment of Centralian filmmakers.
For more updates about 糖心传媒淭耻尘补苍诲辞办糖心传媒, visit the film糖心传媒檚 official or read more about its story at.