The film entitled “Hilway” produced by SABAW productions directed by Zen Alovera, and co-directed by Gems Michael Carmona, showcased the collective stories of the community under the category Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs).

Student-filmmakers of Filamer Christian University, Inc. (FCU) representing Capiz bagged the third Best Film and Culture and Arts award in the Department of Agriculture and Reform (DAR) PelikulAgraryo 2026 at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Cultural Center, October 6.

“This is a very big achievement considering that PelikulAgraryo is a very big project for us especially that we are from the Senior High School department. Having been able to join and participate in the Regional Film Festival of the PelikulAgraryo was truly a privilege,” Carmona said in an interview.

Their film highlighted the documentary of a Cooperation showing all types or abuse being done by its land owner, dedicating the story to the struggles and experiences of Capizeño farmers.

He also described his journey alongside his team, the SABAW productions as very pressuring because not only were they carrying the University’s name, but the entire province of Capiz.

“The significance of this story is that, we got to share the story of our farmers who have been through or suffered abuse, discrimination just because of their status,” the co-director added.

On the other hand, another team from FCU, the Betsu-betsu Productions, also brought home the award for Arts and Culture in the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) Category, which focused on the story of an individual person.

PelikulAgraryo is an annual Film Festival held by DAR-Western Visayas that aims to unite student filmmakers to document the real-life stories and struggles of ARBs and ARBOs.

***(Article by Rysa Alba/The Hillside Echo – Senior)

(Photo by Heicel Jen Payo/The Hillside Echo – Senior)