{"id":2062,"date":"2024-01-12T01:26:15","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T01:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cardmri.com\/cardsmebank\/?p=2062"},"modified":"2024-01-22T03:51:15","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T03:51:15","slug":"2062","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardsmebankph.com\/?p=2062","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Stories: Highlights from the 2023 SineMaya Community Film Festival in Philippine Microfinance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted on January 11, 2024<\/p>\n

Written By: Edrian Banania<\/p>\n

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Mie Baring (5th from left), Leodeliza Noynay (4th from left)and their Unit Manager, Bernadeth Nonol (3rd\u00a0from left) from\u00a0CARD SME Bank Salvacion 3P center in Davo del Norte, bagged the Best Film Award for their film \u201cPangandoy\u201d during the Sinemaya Film Fest Araw ng Parangal. The award was presented by CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip (middlemost), together with CARD SME Bank President Cynthia Baldeo (2nd from left), CARD MRI Managing Director Aristeo Dequito (2nd from right) alongside other MFI\u2019s Heads and representatives.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Sinemaya 2023: Community Film Festival recently concluded its second edition at SM City San Pablo in Laguna on December 10, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the Philippine microfinance industry.<\/p>\n

In this\u00a0edition, the festival showcased eight inspiring documentary films created by communities of various microfinance institutions in the Philippines. The films were screened in\u00a0various SM Cinemas, including SM City Manila, SM City Iloilo, and SM City Cagayan de Oro on November 26, 2023.<\/p>\n

The competing entrieswere: Letra<\/em>\u00a0by CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) MSU 2 Center from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Isang libong hakbang para sa pangarap <\/em>by CARD Bank Arawan 16 Center from Tiaong, Quezon; Dahon ng Pag-asa<\/em>\u00a0by CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. Poblacion 13 Center from Cavinti, Laguna; Pangandoy<\/em>\u00a0by CARD SME Bank Salvacion 3P Center from Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Balo<\/em>\u00a0by ASA Philippines Purple Center from Alaminos, Laguna; Pagbangon ng Api<\/em>\u00a0by SEDP-\u00a0Simbag sa Pag-asenso\u00a0K25BG Center from Sorsogon; Bunga ng Pag-sisikap<\/em>\u00a0by People\u2019s Alternative Livelihood Microfinance Foundation of Sorsogon, Inc.\u00a0Padac Center from Sorsogon; and Kami ay babae, hindi babae lang<\/em>\u00a0by\u00a0Negros Women For Tomorrow Foundation, Inc.<\/a>\u00a0Center 117 from Guimaras.<\/p>\n

About SineMaya<\/strong><\/p>\n

SineMaya, organized by CARD MRI Publishing House, aims to share not only the stories of CARD MRI communities but also the broader impact of the microfinance industry on Filipino families and nation-building. Established in 2017, CARD Publishing aligns with the goal of creating inspiring narratives to support\u00a0microfinance institutions\u2019\u00a0mission of poverty eradication. The festival aims to tap into the creativity and artistry of microfinance clients and their families in filmmaking, providing training in scriptwriting and video editing to enhance production quality.<\/p>\n

The theme for this year’s film fest, “Pagbangon at Pag-asa: Kasangga ang MFI sa pagharap sa bagong simula”, inspired participants\u00a0to produce documentaries based on their real-life experiences.<\/p>\n

In selecting the winners, the eight documentary films were deliberated by five judges composed of MiMAP Executive Director Mr. Jun Jay Perez, APPEND President and CEO Dr. Virginia \u2018Jeng\u2019 Juan, Light Tv Radio Executive Director Ms. Annie Bico Cristobal,Film Director and Storyteller Mr. Martin Cabrera, and CDC- UPLB Asst. Professor Mr. John Marvin Embate.<\/p>\n

The winners<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pangandoy<\/em>\u00a0emerged as the Best Film and bagged the Best Director award. Expressing gratitude, the documentary film\u2019s director Mie Baring highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing the talents and skills of microfinance clients beyond their entrepreneurial endeavors. \u201cWe are grateful that clients like us were given the chance to showcase our talents and skills aside from being microentrepreneurs,\u201d said\u00a0Baring.<\/p>\n

The documentary film Balo <\/em>secured the 2nd Best Film and earned awards for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and the Founder\u2019s Excellence Award.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Dahon ng Pag Asa<\/em>\u00a0bagged the 3rd Best Film.<\/p>\n

Recognizing the holistic approach of microfinance institutions in community development, several films received Community Development Awards in categories such as Resiliency, Education, Women Empowerment, and Financial Inclusion. Below is the full list of winners:<\/p>\n