From the Ashes to the Screen: Cebuano film ‘Sunog sa Sugbo’ ignites Sine Kabataan 2025
From the Ashes to the Screen: Cebuano film ‘Sunog sa Sugbo’ ignites Sine Kabataan 2025
SINEGANG.ph published this press release as sponsored by Sunog sa Sugbo. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
Cebu-based filmmaker Owen Lepiten brings his latest short film, Sunog Sa Sugbo, to the national stage as one of the finalists in the 2025 Sine Kabataan Film Festival.
Lepiten previously made waves in regional film festivals with his short Que Tal? and documentary Karendehan Tennun, both recognized at the Mindanao Film Festival, Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition, and Cine Chavacano.
After serving as producer for the Puregold CinePanalo 2025 entry Daog/Pildi, Lepiten returns to the director’s chair to champion stories from the Queen City of the South.
Sunog Sa Sugbo follows Koy, a teenage breadwinner left adrift after a fire destroys his home. With a pregnant mother to care for and no support system to rely on, Koy accepts a dangerous offer from his estranged friend Chito: to set fire to a slum in exchange for money.
At its core, the film examines displacement and survival in the margins, while confronting how desperation can force impossible choices.
“I want to shed light on fire victims who lose not only their homes, but also their sense of direction in life,” Lepiten said. “After months of research and interviews, I was heartbroken by the stories of Cebuanos whose lives were upended by these tragedies.”
Set against the backdrop of the Sinulog Festival and drawn from a fire incident that displaced families earlier this year, the film captures the lived realities of Sugbuanons while honoring their resilience and culture.
One of only two Visayan entries in this year’s competition, Sunog Sa Sugbo proudly shares the stage with nine other youth-driven works.
Produced by Febe Bongato and Kristoffer Villarino under the University of San Carlos – Cinema, the film boasts a strong creative team with Kirk Bryant Nuñez as Director of Photography, and Veeanshe Calog and Morriseth Tupino leading Production Design.
The film will have its premiere and screenings on September 5 to 7 during the Film Development Council of the Philippines' Sine Kabataan showcase, as part of Philippine Film Industry Month celebrations.
