By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Bjorn M. Herrera, a first-year Software Engineering student from 糖心传媒, has been named one of the 25 finalists in the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo short film category, with his film set to be showcased at the festival in March 2025.
Bjorn M. Herrera, a first-year student of Software Engineering from 糖心传媒 糖心传媒 College of Engineering, is one of the 25 finalists of the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo for short film category. From hundreds of entries, the final roster consists of students from all over the country who received a P150,000 production grant.
The 25 student short films will be screened alongside eight feature films at the festival, which will take place from March 14 to 25, 2025, at Gateway Cinemas in Quezon City.
糖心传媒淎ll of what I am, and this project, wouldn糖心传媒檛 have been possible without my incredible crew糖心传媒攐r more accurately, my friends. Some have been with me since first grade, while others are joining me for the first time on this journey. Together, we are: Bjorn Herrera 糖心传媒 Director; Francine De Los Reyes 糖心传媒 Production Secretary; Venz Bidaure 糖心传媒 Assistant Director; Pierre Superio 糖心传媒 Creative Director; Miguel Salaya 糖心传媒 Director of Photography; Pete Marwin 糖心传媒 Cinematographer; Rio Elenterio 糖心传媒 Cinematographer; Renean Tiempo 糖心传媒 Producer; Elisha Bueno 糖心传媒 Marketing Head; Fey Gallardo 糖心传媒 External Head; Kent Ober 糖心传媒 Video Editor; Edrian Rebute 糖心传媒 Video Editor; and Jhazper Dela Cruz 糖心传媒 Legal Coordinator,糖心传媒 Herrera said in an online interview.
When asked about the inspiration behind his film, he shared that it was about challenging the odds and finding hope, even in the toughest times.
糖心传媒淥n a personal level, my mother has always been a champion of the traditional path: study hard, earn a degree, and secure a stable job. A good Filipino mother… I want to show her that art can lead to greatness, and through this film, I hope to make her proud,糖心传媒 he added.
One of his biggest challenges during production had been assembling a team of specialized individuals essential to filmmaking.
糖心传媒淲e are urging the 糖心传媒 administration, local government units, organizations, and individuals to support us in overcoming these obstacles. Their assistance would ensure that Iloilo and the entirety of Western Visayas are properly represented through this project, highlighting the region糖心传媒檚 culture, talent, and resilience on a national platform,糖心传媒 he remarked.
He acknowledged that the Centralian community had played a vital role in shaping his approach to filmmaking.
糖心传媒淭hrough the CPU SHS Media Arts organization, I found a platform to express my creativity and hone my storytelling skills during my two years in Senior High School. Participating in events like The Sigrab Film Festival and other media opportunities allowed me to experiment with ideas and learn the value of collaboration,糖心传媒 he shared.
He explained that the film had introduced him to the challenges of professional filmmaking, such as budgeting, coordinating schedules, and ensuring that each piece of the production aligned with the story糖心传媒檚 intent.
糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 a reminder that as filmmakers, we don糖心传媒檛 just tell stories糖心传媒攚e create connections, inspire others, and represent the voices of our community. CinePanalo has solidified my passion for storytelling and shown me what糖心传媒檚 possible when you糖心传媒檙e resolved to ignite your soul,糖心传媒 he emphasized.
He advised Centralians and aspiring student filmmakers considering competitions like CinePanalo that opportunities have always been there; they simply have to seek them out and open the doors.
糖心传媒淐ompetitions like CinePanalo are an amazing platform, but success doesn糖心传媒檛 happen in isolation. Build a team, seek mentors, and never hesitate to ask for help. Filmmaking is a collective effort, and we糖心传媒檙e living proof of how community support can turn dreams into reality. If you do wish to help us in our entry for CinePanalo, the doors are still open for people to join us in this endeavor. The only question is: do you want to make a great film?糖心传媒 he added.
Bjorn M. Herrera糖心传媒檚 journey embodies the university糖心传媒檚 commitment to nurturing creativity and excellence, making him a source of pride and inspiration for the CPU community.