Diverse stories take center stage as “ISDA, Dalawa, Tatlo,” “Toti Mary” win big at FILMayer 2025

Diverse stories take center stage as “ISDA, Dalawa, Tatlo,” “Toti Mary” win big at FILMayer 2025

Written by Raniel Paquingan • Photos by Ma. Janelle Ugot | 24 May 25

With a record high of 14 entries, this year’s FILMayer showcased a diverse range of storytelling—from a boy’s fear of circumcision, uncovering secrets behind the forest, and a search for stolen shoes to a lesbian’s sudden and mysterious pregnancy, a man throwing up money, and even an “if social media memes and trends were a movie” type of film.

Film productions of graduating communication students were recognized in the awarding ceremony of FILMayer 2025: The 3rd PLM Festival of Movies, with shorts “ISDA, Dalawa, Tatlo” and “Toti Mary” emerging as big winners, May 16. 

Coming-of-age short film “ISDA, Dalawa, Tatlo” by Supot Productions was hailed as the Best Short Film and bagged three other awards: Best Visual Effects (Angel Rose Gonzales, Janna Daine Bondoc, and Raquel Bendo), Gawad Pamana ng Lahi (Cultural Heritage), and Gawad Liwanag ng Kinabukasan (Children). 

The Vine Production’s dark comedy movie “Toti Mary” secured 10 awards, the most in the film festival, including 2nd Best Short Film, Best Actress (Jyra Euneece De Guzman as “Toti Mary”), Best Director (Aspen Ramirez), Best Screenplay (Aspen Ramirez, Guillian Josh Cruz, and Mark Lester Pedrezuela), Best Editing (James Clarence Albano and Marco Diaz), and Best Musical Score (Marco Diaz). 

They also won the Film Excellence Promotion Award, Natatanging Pagpupugay ng Hurado (Special Jury Citation), Gawad Bahaghari (Gender Inclusivity), and Gawad Silaw (LGBTQIA+).

Thriller flick “Misteryo ng Pulay Pulay” of Fourth Wall Studios followed closely with six recognitions: 3rd Best Short Film, Best Supporting Actor (Antonio Adlawan as “Isagani”), Best Cinematography (Matthew Allen Manansala), Best Editing (Matthew Allen Manansala and July Andrei Alfonso), Best Sound Design (Prince Bryan Marquez), and Best Make-up (Rechel Belando and Princess Angela Dadios). 

Malinaw Productions’ tear-jerker short “Unti-un(tinig)” also bagged six awards, including 4th Best Short Film, Best Actor (Kelle Gleo as “Gabriel”), Best Child Performer (Zoey Madison Lim as “Iris”), Best Ensemble, Best Location (Jazmine Robosa), and Gawad Dakilang Tinig (Marginalized Sector). 

“Hoy! Pradah Ko ‘Yan” of Kabibe Productions brought home four awards: Best Supporting Actress (Christina A. Simon as “Mama Lu”), Best Costume Design (Jackylyn Sadje), Best Production Design (Venus Hermosura), and Gawad Lakambini (Women Empowerment). 

Jeepney stories “Pan de Viaje” of Project Alsa and “Good Morning to Wil” of Amoy Araw both finished with three awards. 

“Pan de Viaje” won Best Theme Song (“Patungo” by Paula Beatrice Reyes), the Film Excellence Promotion Award, and Gawad Puno ng Kinabukasan (Family). 

Amoy Araw also bagged Best Theme Song (“Sana Nandito Ka” by Xiannen Oquendo), Best Poster (John Ivan Pasion), and the People’s Choice Award for the morning session of the screening. 

For the afternoon showing, “UTANGINA!” of Lapira Films secured the People’s Choice Award, while “Kahel” of Prismatic Studios completed the list of three winners for the Film Excellence Promotion Award. 

This year’s edition of FILMayer introduced a new set of special awards that represents specific sectors of society, such as women, children, and LGBTQIA+. 

“Ang biyahe ninyo bilang mga filmmaker ay pwedeng huminto, saglit. Ngunit hindi ito magtatapos. Dahil simula pa lang ang daan. Dahil ang pelikula ay sumasailalim sa tunay na buhay, paglabas ng pamantasan, naghihintay ang maliwanag na kinabukasan,” Prof. Ayen Bayani stated. 

Film Writing and Production instructors Prof. Bayani and Prof. David Ramos Jr. supervised the production of the short film entries.

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