‘Titser, titser!’ Brings Indie Rock, Barkada Spirit, and Mixed Media Grit to Sine Kabataan 9
‘Titser, titser!’ Brings Indie Rock, Barkada Spirit, and Mixed Media Grit to Sine Kabataan 9
SINEGANG.ph published this press release by Titser, titser!. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
An upbeat coming-of-age story about four young musicians, the teacher who inspired them, and one final performance before everything changes.
Premiering on September 18–26 at Red Carpet Cinema 1, Shangri-La Plaza, and Cinematheque Centers in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, and Negros, “Titser, titser!” puts the power of friendship and the love for the arts at center stage. The film blends nostalgia, high school humor, band antics, and mixed media animation as it captures the restless energy of youth while shining a light on the struggles that students and teachers face due to the lack of institutional support.
ABOUT THE FILM
Set at a public high school in Marikina City, “Titser, titser!” follows four Grade 10 Special Program in the Arts students—Lya, Misha, Enteng, and Daniel—who share a deep love for music and an even deeper affection for their teacher, Ma’am Sandy. After getting disqualified from the school’s Battle of the Bands, the four scramble to put together one last show before they all move on to pursue their own aspirations.
Bringing the story to the screen are real-life high school students from Marikina who are experiencing filmmaking for the very first time. Their natural chemistry gives the film an authentic barkada energy that feels playful, messy, and deeply personal.
This dynamic is expanded through mixed media-animated scenes which appear during moments of catharsis and liberation. The paper cut-outs, stickers, and scribbles offer a colorful glimpse into how the kids see themselves, their music, and the endless possibilities ahead of them.
ABOUT THE ADVOCACY
Beyond its upbeat slaps and youthful humor, “Titser, titser!” reflects on a larger question: what happens to young artists when the people meant to support them are struggling too?
While the students pursuing the arts face limited funding, substandard facilities, lack of spaces, and meager opportunities, their teachers also go through a similar cycle. Ma’am Sandy represents educators who are often underpaid, overworked, asked to work beyond official responsibilities, and provided with insufficient benefits.
Through their relationship, the film becomes both a celebration of the teachers who nurture young talent and a call for stronger support for the people keeping the arts alive.
ABOUT THE CREW
“Titser, titser!” is written and directed by Franchesca Grace Pagatpat, a recent UP Diliman graduate whose capstone film “Goodnight, Dad. I love you.” was awarded Best Thesis of her batch. She previously worked as production manager for last year’s Sine Kabataan entry “Coding si Papa” by Michael Pogoy, who has now returned as the producer for this film, alongside UPFI alumnus Mark Russel Castañeda.
“Titser, titser!” also features dynamic cinematography and color by Daryll Anuran, rhythmic editing by Jay Borilla, playful sound design by Miko Peralta, dreamy score by Nicho De Rosales of The Red Strings, and feverish indie-rock music by cheeky things. Together, the team brings warmth, humor, cadence, and vibrant imagination to the story of Lya, Misha, Enteng, and Daniel.
