Dr. Mark Pierre Dimamay (of Influencers International) e-mailed Vanessa Velasco a contest ad by the Discovery Channel (The Nokia and Discovery Channel MobiFilms Contest 2005). She then hurled the contest mechanics to me. It was hard to resist this contest especially when the finalists got to go to Singapore to attend the mobile films workshop and produce their own movies. Plus, the grand prize was a Nokia N90 (salivates uncontrollably and yet with poise).
My problem was that I did not have a camera-phone (never did have my own camera). So, with time running out, I enlisted the help of Fred Tubig and Junior Agustin and rented their camera-phones (a Nokia 6600 and a Sony-Ericsson) for a day. I went mostly to Manila and Quezon City with my Dad as my companion.
Unfortunately, I didn't win. But anyway, you'll still get to see the entries. All these images were shot with low-res camera-phones so pardon the blur and pixilation. I've also included this essay that accompanied my entries:
MobiFilms 2005 Essay
Being the only Christian nation in South East Asia, I’ve chosen a distinctive icon that sets us apart from our neighboring countries and represents our people’s deepest hopes, aspirations and values – religious icons.
Filipinos are deeply religious, whether they are Roman Catholics, Evangelical Christians, Muslims or Animists. The church enhances the Filipinos' native sense of hospitality. Most religious festivals are centered on eating together as manifested in endless fiestas. We are also spirit-oriented as seen in our persistent belief on amulets, talismans and religious idols.
The concept of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion appeals to our psyche since Filipinos are also bayani-oriented (hero-oriented). We are natural followers of strong leaders like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, two of our greatest national heroes.
Our Marian devotion as a people stems from our being family-oriented. It is in the bosom of the family that matriarchal Filipinos find security, stability and a sense of belonging. Out of the 27 religious shrines in the country, 18 are devoted to Mary worship.
Lastly, religious icons are significant to the Filipinos because we are kundiman-oriented which basically talk of sufferings endured. Our people relate well to others who are in either physical or emotional pain. In this modern age, Filipinos still flock to religious shrines like Quiapo church where the faithful kneel, kiss and wipe the feet of the Nazareno to take away or even share their physical or emotional wounds.
But what is the relevance of Filipino spirituality for us and the global village?
Through this project, I hope to feature our country and its religious values -- the cornerstone of our EDSA People Power uprisings. I believe that the solution to our country’s problems is not an abdication of our traditional values of faith, but in using these to fuel our vision of socio-economic progress.
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