MANILA, PHILIPPINES, MAY 27, 2021 — Before proceeding with the production of their respective projects and in line with the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) promotion of health and safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 10 finalists of the Sine Kabataan 4 Short Film Competition underwent the Safe Filming Lab to be oriented on the government’s prescribed safety and health protocols for production shoots amid the pandemic.

The Safe Filming Lab was conducted online on May 21 by the Safe Filming Program of the FDCP with the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC). This is in line with Joint Administrative Order No. 2021-0001 of the Department of Trade and Industry, DOLE, and Department of Health on protecting the safety and welfare of film and audiovisual workers in the workplace amid the pandemic.

The Safe Filming Lab, exclusive to the Sine Kabataan 4 finalists, covered the particulars and prevention of COVID-19, best practices in conducting production activities during the pandemic, and the designation of COVID Protocol Officers for each project to enforce the JAO’s minimum public health standards from pre-production, production, to post-production. 

“You are the future of this industry. Right now, we are integrating the importance of safety in the hopes of creating a culture of safety. But you, as the new generation of filmmakers, the culture of safety will be ingrained within you. And as you think about making your films, you are also thinking about the welfare of the workers and others around you,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño said in her Closing Remarks. 

Diño also reminded the Sine Kabataan finalists about the importance of respect for their work, including their script, production, co-workers, and the desired output of their film projects. “If you have that in mind, and you are respecting every single process that goes through in your filmmaking journey, I assure you, you will come up with a film that you will be really proud of,” she added.

The whole day Safe Filming Lab began with an Introduction and Overview of the FDCP Safe Filming Program by Safe Filming Program Supervisor Nico Cabanela. This was followed by three sessions on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) by distinguished speakers.

DOLE Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco gave a talk on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in the Workplace. She is currently Director IV of the DOLE-BWC. ASec. Cucueco was followed by occupational safety and health professional and author of "READY 101: Guide to Urban Preparedness & Survival” Martin Aguda, Jr., who talked about OSH Awareness for the Audiovisual Industry. The final speaker, the producer of Betsy D. Film Productions Lilibeth “Betsy” Dy-Liacco, presented the Overview on the Best Practices to Safely Conduct Production in a Pandemic. 

Conducted alongside the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), Sine Kabataan is a platform that encourages aspiring young filmmakers to showcase their talents and develop their creativity and originality in storytelling, while touching on current and relevant issues of the youth as perceived through their eyes.

The final selection for its 4th edition announced in April is composed of “Abot Kamay Ang Langit” by Brian Spencer B. Reyes, “Ang Bunga sa Tiyan ni Adam” by Ella Louise B. Salomon, “Jombi” by Angela Francesca V. Andres, “Mga Ulap Tayong Nagiging Ulan” by Demetrio E. Celestino III, “Reconnected” by Judd Bradley Avelino, “Love in the Ungodly Hour” by Bradley Jason Pantajo, “Si Jet at ang Dark Lord ng Dol Gurskul” by Terence Giourdan Gonzalves, “Ang Alamat ng Prinsipe at Mandirigma” by Jacob Mikhail U. Collado, “Ang Balay ni Conrad” by Ardinian Jaq Sanque, and “Jeremy Supot” by James Allen Fajardo.