DevComm Students Win 3rd Best Film at DAR’s First PelikulAgraryo Film Fest

Development Communication (DevComm) students from Bukidnon State University (BukSU) clinched the 3rd Best Film award at the inaugural PelikulAgraryo Film Festival, organized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region 10, during the awarding ceremony held on July 31, 2025 in Cagayan de Oro City.

With the theme “Pag-ani sa mga Pangarap: Mga Kwento ng Pag-asa at Tagumpay sa Agraryo (Harvesting Dreams: Stories of Hope and Success in Agrarian Reform),” the festival showcased inspiring stories of DAR beneficiaries across Northern Mindanao.

BukSU DevComm’s entry, “Bisan Malimot Ko” (Even If I Forget), was the only film from Bukidnon.

“It tells the true story of Rita Maticyeng from Kalilangan, Bukidnon—a mother battling brain cancer and memory loss. Despite her condition, she never forgets how DAR provided her family not just land, but a better life and a brighter future,” said Genavev Labora, an incoming senior student who served as the film’s screenwriter.

Maria Efrelij Cuadra, Chairperson of the DevComm Department, emphasized that the project went beyond competition. “This is more than just filmmaking. It’s an opportunity to become an instrument for the Department of Agrarian Reform, to help document and give life to the inspiring success story of one of its beneficiaries.”

“For my students, it has been a powerful hands-on experience, making Nanay Rita’s real-life journey into a film,” Caudra added. “As for the award? That’s simply a bonus. The true reward lies in being able to tell stories that matter.”

According to the students, it was their first time joining a filmmaking competition, which served as an opportunity to apply what they learned in their classes.

“At first, it was really a struggle for us because we were all first-timers,” said Danielle Bersosa, an incoming fourth-year student who served as the film’s editor and cinematographer.

“For several months, we really relied on prayer, and finally, we made it by God’s grace. We are so happy that DAR gave us the opportunity to join this event, allowing us to showcase our passion and the lessons we’ve learned from our department at BukSU. We are truly grateful to God, DAR Bukidnon, BukSU, the Development Communication Faculty, and our team, because we couldn’t have achieved this without their support,” she added.

Other participating schools representing their respective regions included Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, which won 2nd place; and Cagayan de Oro College, which was named 1st place winner. (Danielle L. Bersosa, BukSU IU Intern)