Benilde film “Beep Beep” wins at Gawad Alternatibo, POV

A De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde capstone film project won at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ 36th Gawad Alternatibo Para sa Pelikula at Video and UP Cinema’s Piling Obrang Vidyo XX.

“Beep Beep,” directed by Raya Martinez and Iane Patacsil from a screenplay by Hazel Juniosa, took home honorable mention in the narrative category of CCP’s Gawad Alternatibo this August and bagged the Best Direction Award, Kidlat Tahimik Special Mention, Best Sound Design for Jansen Adarlo, and Best Production Design for Mei Abendan at POV, an annual interschool film festival, last month.

In the fantasy film, which is set in the multiverse, an inconsiderate, middle-aged woman goes through a series of multidimensional trials to make it home and receive an important package.

Fely (Sharon Ceneta) rides a jeep in what is seemingly a mundane day until she meets Caloy (Marcus Timbas), an intergalactic scout with a mission. As Fely’s selfish attitude clashes with Caloy’s mission, her ordinary ride home becomes an extraordinary trip to the multiverse.

Juniosa, Martinez, and Patacsil also got ample support from director of photography Luigi Soriano, assistant directors Clarisse Llaguno and Alfred Garcia, art director Advent Rivera, script continuity Jireh Nalaza, production manager Angenique Lerio, camera operator Krimpsson Trillana, gaffer Vian Naguit, digital imaging technician Joshua Rayo, sound mixer Melanie Faye Tampos, and film scorer Gerimaree Morales, among others.

The thesis film was under the mentorship of creative producer Seymour Sanchez and supervising producer Jose Javier Reyes.

Gawad Alternatibo is the longest film competition in the country and Asia, with a harvest of Filipino films competing in various categories: Narrative, Experimental, Documentation, and Animation. Since 1987, it has presented an array of films showcasing the best in alternative storytelling.

“We stand with Gawad Alternatibo’s mission in highlighting films that address critical social issues and promoting alternative films to mainstream commercial cinema,” Juniosa shared.

“Beep Beep” is available online for free at Cinemata, a streaming platform dedicated to social issue films in the Asia-Pacific region, for a limited time only.