Launching of Sine Bohol: A Home for Bol-anon Filmmakers
Launching of Sine Bohol: A Home for Bol-anon Filmmakers
Launching Sine Bohol 2025 in Tagbilaran City
ABANTE BOHOL! With a desire to empower and bring Bol-anon filmmakers together, the province of Bohol formally launched its very first film festival, Sine Bohol, on September 10, 2025, at Panda Tea Garden Suites, Tagbilaran City.
Maricel Sombrio, Sine Bohol Film Festival Director, during her speech
During a film conference for independent filmmakers in 2019, Boholana Maricel Sombrio was asked a straightforward yet powerful question by famous movie curator Teddy Co: "Maricel, nasaan na ang mga filmmakers from Bohol?” Sombrio couldn't think of a quick response. But something inside of her was sparked by that very question—a realization that would alter the trajectory of her path.
Though she knew Bohol had many exceptional filmmakers, Sombrio acknowledged that what was missing was a true community—a home where these artists could gather, share, and grow together. From that insight, the idea of Sine Bohol was born.
In her speech, she reflected that the festival was “born not only from dreams, but from the deep desire to give voice, visibility, and value to the Boholano creative spirit.” Today, Sombrio serves as the Festival Director of Sine Bohol, carrying forward that vision with the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD) and the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Council and the Provincial Government of Bohol, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Film Selections
From 15 films, six were chosen as official selections:
Official Poster of Official Selection (from Sine Bohol’s Facebook page)
Agta sa Udtong Tutok by Godfrey Edem Petallar
At*y by Gerard Valles Jamora
Dise Siete by Bouena Juliana D. Bernados
Sa Humba Nimo by Allen Joshua Trinidad, Earl Holden Bueno, Amihan Asupan, and Janelle Ruth Samaniego
Threads of Hope by Nataniel Luperte
Usa ka Libo sa Tulo ka Mag-Amigo by Ichael Cenabre
Workshops and Speakers
Renowned 7 Visayan filmmakers shared their expertise during the four-day festival, which culminated in a film critique.
Onnagan Regina
Production Design
Onnagan presented how production designers influence a movie's visual style. She described how a director's idea is turned into reality because of PDs, and she also shared methods used in independent, local, commercial, and Hollywood productions.
Nena Jane Achacoso
Film Directing
Achacoso, a proud Boholana, whose film, entitled Duwa-duwa, was part of Cinemalaya 2022, highlighted the revolutionary spark of short films. She gave pitching advice and explained how her own life experiences influence her narratives.
Odoni Pestoles
Musical Scoring and Sound Design
Pestoles talked about how crucial spotting is to film scoring, emphasizing that musical cues should correspond with valuable narrative moments. Stressing that scoring is "another way of telling a story," he used a 38-second animated movie to get participants involved in a scoring activity.
Mariya Lim
Screenwriting
Filmmakers should regard what they do as a marathon rather than a sprint, Lim advised, and write from their own experiences and understanding. She informed those present that they can still flourish as filmmakers without leaving the region.
Neil Angelo Briones
Cinematography
Briones performed a lighting demonstration and clarified that while technical proficiency and artistic ability are important, communication is critical for all Directors of Photography. If one is motivated to make a story, anyone can become a director, he assured the participants.
Anjunette Clare Bacalso
Film Producing
Bacalso described the many responsibilities of film producers and emphasized the role that female producers play in promoting diversity and sensitivity in the industry.
Hanz Florentino
Film Editing
“Films are born three times: in writing, production, and editing,” Florentino told the participants. He also showed how to handle a slate properly and suggested using speakers when editing rather than headphones, because films are made to be listened to this way.
Film Critiquing and Feedback
On the final day, mentors reviewed the six official selections and gave recommendations.
Winners
Sa Humba Nimo wins Sine Bohol 2025 Best Film
The awarding ceremony took place on September 29 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Tagbilaran City. Out of the six competing films, Sa Humba Nimo by Allen Joshua Trinidad, Earl Holden Bueno, Amihan Asupan, and Janelle Ruth Samaniego was hailed as Sine Bohol 2025 Best Film. The Second Best Film went to Agta sa Udtong Tutok by Godfrey Edem Petallar, while Third Best Film was awarded to Usa ka Libo sa Tulo ka Mag-Amigo by Ichael Cenabre.
Other winners include:
Best Sound Design for Sa Humba Nimo
Best Production Design for At*y
Best Film Editing for Sa Humba Nimo
Best Cinematography for Threads of Hope
Best Screenplay for Agta sa Udtong Tutok
Outstanding Acting Performance (Ensemble) for Dan Sy Lopez, IanDave De La Cruz, Lyndon Goc-ong (Usa ka Libo sa Tulo ka Mag-Amigo)
Best Director for Ichael Cenabre (Usa ka Libo sa Tulo ka Mag-Amigo)
Tarsier Spirit Award for Dise Siete
People Choice Award for Agta sa Udtong Tutok
Acting Workshop
Joel Lamangan Masterclass for Sine Bohol 2025
Parallel to the filmmaking workshop, a two-day acting workshop was also conducted on the 13th and 14th of September, led by Jerrey Aguilar and Marvin Ablao of Kasing Sining. This workshop highlighted the Acting Masterclass by award-winning director Joel Lamangan, which was joined by several aspiring actors from the different municipalities of Bohol.
