'Hindi Pa Nag-aagahan si Tau,' an official entry to Sine Kabataan 9
'Hindi Pa Nag-aagahan si Tau,' an official entry to Sine Kabataan 9
SINEGANG.phpublished this press release by Hindi Pa Nag-aagahanan si Tau. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
Hindi Pa Nag-aagahan si Tau is a short coming-of-age story about Tau, a chubby nine-year-old boy who dreams of fitting in. When he learns that he must fit into his string bean costume for his school’s Nutrition Month performance, Tau embarks on a journey to lose weight. Along the way, he navigates body image, friendship, and belonging, only to discover that the acceptance he longs for comes at the cost of becoming something else.
About the director
John Laurian Pelias, or Janno (b. 2004), is a Filipino writer-director, editor, and documentarian. His films explore meditations of personal memory and conversations about the supernatural as reflections of the collective post-colonial Filipino experience. His debut short documentary about his OFW father, Sa Wakas, Kasama (2024), won Best Documentary at Sinag Maynila 2025. His fantasy coming-of-age thesis film Kung Pa'no Sinunog ang Nanay Ko!, is co-produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and supported by the Bipolaroid Film Fund.
He is currently in pre-production of his next short film, Hindi Pa Nag-aagahan si Tau, a coming-of-age comedy-drama about a young boy’s body image. It is set to premiere at the Sine Kabataan 2026 Film Festival this September.
In his director’s statement, Hindi Pa Nag-aagahan si Tau examines children’s mental health through the lens of body image. how a fat child’s first encounter with society’s body requirements can define his body as wrong. He said: “When I was nine, I was teased because of my weight and made aware that my body was unhealthy and something to be corrected. The irony was that I loved vegetables. My favorite dish was my mother’s Ginisang Kalabasa. But when I became conscious of my body, Mom’s vegetables began to taste different. I remember being excluded from games because no one wanted a “fat loser” on their team. What stayed with me was not the insult but the eagerness to change myself just to belong. The eating patterns I formed at nine never left me. I learned how to make myself thinner and "regular-sized," and for years, I blamed that boy for giving in. Only later did I understand that he was simply trying to fit in a world where belonging is conditional. I wrote this film to return to that boy with compassion and to question how institutions that promote health and wellness can unintentionally scar children whose bodies do not fit the ideal. But more than anything, I hope this film offers gentleness to children who are still finding themselves in a world that is often too quick to judge.”
About the Producer
Kylechandler Bigay is a filmmaker from Laguna, Philippines graduated from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde where he specializes in screenwriting. He has earned recognition early in his career, winning Best Production Design at both the 10th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition for Public Enemy Number One and CineBedista 2023 for Bata, Bata Ka Lang. His film Blooming Love was officially selected for the 10th Cinemandirigma and the Manila Student Film Festival 2025, further establishing his presence in independent filmmaking.
Most recently, his short film Papa Xerox was selected for Pelikultura: The CALABARZON Film Festival 2025 and was named one of Rolling Stone Philippines’ Best Filipino Short Films of 2025. In the same year, he was also chosen as one of the Filipino delegates for Platform BUSAN 2025.
In his producer’s statement: “It is hard to grow up in a world where you always feel watched. Often, we limit who we really are just to satisfy the people looking at us. I saw myself in the character of Tau. I know the feeling of being insecure about your body and constantly checking the mirror. As an only child, I had to navigate these internal battles largely on my own. This shared experience is what drew me to this story.
I’ve known Janno since our first year of college. I have seen him grow from a student who did everything on his own into a courageous and passionate filmmaker. His dedication to stories that hit close to the heart is what made this collaboration so special. I produced this film because I believe that everyone, no matter how imperfect or different, deserves a place to belong. At the end of the day, we share a universal longing: to be accepted by those around us and, ultimately, to learn to love ourselves.
It is this journey toward self-acceptance that defines our story. I believe no one should have to face their reflections alone. This film is a warm embrace for the children we once were and a call to love the people we have become.”
Cast and Crew
Stephen Wardell Dizon as Tau
Meryll Soriano as Myra
Don Cerbito as Klaud
Reid Kian Leoncio as Haji
Christina Simon as Norma
PRODUCTION CREW
Writer and Director: Janno Pelias
Producer: Kylechandler Bigay
Co-producers: Jon Galvez, Leo Liban, Carlos Ortiz, Mikko Quizon, Armi Rae Cacanindin
Executive Producers: CMB Film Services, Inc., Madonna Tarrayo, Mica Oliveros, Ann Geralyn
Pelias, Michael Pelias, Ma. Elaine Bigay, Larry Bigay, Diokko Manuel Dionisio
Line Producer: Dominic Rivera
Associate Producers: Jhai Bayan, Rain Russel
Director of Photography: Kara Moreno, LPS
Production Designer: Mar-ian Ejandra
Editor: Kriztyle Sihiyon
Sound Designer: Mikko Quizon
Assistant Director: Mark Legaspi
Production Manager: Angela Legaspi
Script Consultants: Glenn Barit, Anya Zulueta, and Dwein Ruedas Baltazar, DGPI
Mental Health Coordinator: John De Guzman
Script Continuity Supervisior: Yna Abino
Casting Director: Diokko Manuel Dionisio
Set Production Associate: Yani Villarosa
Camera Operator: Kara Moreno, LPS
1st Assistant Camera: Nesty Operio
2nd Asisstant Camera: Christian Vargas
Gaffer: Jerald Encinas
Key Grip: Christopher Ducot
Camera Technician: Renz Cruz
Head Crew: Bien Gallano
Electrician: Ramil Casim
Dutti Dolly Operator: Mark Tuazon
Lights Crew: Bryan Aguilus, Nonito Rosales, Alvin Barcenas, Edgardo Mamaid, Randy Conde
Digital Imaging Technician: Gia Manguerra
ART DEPARTMENT
Art Director: Allen Pangilinan
Set Dressers: Bianca Lumogdang, Carly Avila, Reutsche Lima
Props Masters: Gavin Ejandra, Joandrea Gumiran
Setman: Englebert Asunio
Costume Designer: Faith Zoe Caraan
Wardrobe: Janna Grace
Hair and Makeup Artist: Dominique Collantes
LIVE SOUND DEPARTMENT
Live Sound Mixer: Enzo Agra
Boom Operator: JM Ignacio
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Location Manager: Juriel Dela Cruz
Production Coordinator: Samy Palaje
Talent Coordinator: Janine Icamen
Production Associates: Maurice Navarro, Gabriel Santos
POST-PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
Associate Editor: Gia Manguerra
Colorist: Timmy Torres
Translator: Kimberly Acosta
Subtitlist: Mir Magtira
