There is approximately 1108 kilometers between Kidapawan and Manila. And Julius Cervancia, a Media Arts teacher from Kidapawan National High School, would cover the long distance, riding the bus and taking the RoRo for more than a day, just to be part of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and watch the featured films.

The long journey for Cervancia is nothing compared to his love for Cinemalaya and his dedication to teach his students about filmmaking and arts education to push him to cross the distance every year.

“Naging panata ko na ang pagpunta sa Cinemalaya,” began Cervancia. “Mula 2016, taon-taon ako lumuluwas para lang maging parte nito.”

The high school teacher’s commitment to Cinemalaya started when his students won at the short film competition of the National Festival of Talents, then held every year by the Department of Education. The short film competition, entitled Sineliksik, involved two students per region, given four hours to shoot and four hours to edit a two-minute film. The Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP’s) Arts Education Department upgraded the mechanics of this competition in order to nurture the next generation of film artists.

CCP’s Arts Ed would recommend the NFOT winning entries for screening in the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in Asia. It is often considered as a breeding ground for student filmmakers, with its finalists mostly consisting of young students from various local and regional schools.

“Dalawang beses kami nag-back-to-back champion kaya dalawang beses ako nakapuntang Cinemalaya with my students,” he added. “Nung third year, sad to say na natalo kami, pero pumunta pa rin ako sa Cinemalaya. Kaya naging panata ko na siya after that year na hindi kami nanalo.”

For Cervancia, his commitment not only serves his own love for film, but his love for his students. As someone hailing from the far regions, he acknowledged the infrequency of artists, directors, and film production teams who would visit them, thus the lack of exposure for his students.

The Cinemalaya Campus, a component of the Cinemalaya Festival, was a vital part of Cervancio’s first two Cinemalaya experiences with his students. This component provides a venue for interaction and dialogue between filmmakers and audience members.

“Ang nagtutulak talaga sa akin na ipagpatuloy ‘to taon-taon ay ‘yung experience na pwede kong i-share sa mga students ko. Kapag bumabalik ako sa Kidapawan, talagang kinukwento ko ‘yung mga napanood ko, kung ano ‘yung nasa industriya. I have students na na-push ko talaga na kumuha ng film sa college kasi nakita nila ‘yung passion ko na every year pumupunta ng Cinemalaya.”

When asked about the film that struck him the most for his first Cinemalaya, Cervancia mentioned ‘Bagahe’ by director Zig Dulay. The social drama film won Best Screenplay at the 13th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

“Dalawang beses kami nagkita dati sa Cinemalaya. Fan talaga ako ni direk Zig,” he enthused. “Tumatak kasi sa akin ‘yung sinabi niya na kahit walang masyadong pera sa pagpepelikula, ‘yung experience, ‘yung saya sa paggawa ng pelikula, dun talaga yumayaman ang tao.”

As a new Cinemalaya season looms, Cervancia looks forward to yet another rewarding experience of being a part of the country’s biggest independent film festival – an experience he will bring home to Kidapawan, to his students.

For its 20th year, Cinemalaya opens on August 2, with a red carpet, opening program and screening of Sheron Dayoc’s Gospel of the Beast. It will run until August 11, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay and other selected Ayala Malls Cinemas.

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages and other social media accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok.