A graduate of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde film program recently took home first place in the Narrative Category of the 38th Cultural Center of the Philippines Gawad Alternatibo with the theme “Pag-aninag” (Reflecting the Light).
Set in a small town outside Manila in 2017, Diana Galang’s short film “City’s Laundry and Taxes” follows Miko (Louise Abuel), a teenager who assists his mother (Mylene Dizon) at their local laundromat. His ordinary daily routine shatters when he discovers the school ID of a missing classmate tucked inside a police officer’s dirty clothes.
The 15-minute crime drama and coming-of-age narrative forces its young protagonist to navigate the heavy burden of weighing complicity and the terrifying cost of taking action. Beyond its personal story, the film directly addresses the normalization of violence and extrajudicial killings during the previous administration.
Galang emphasized the lingering weight of these themes, noting how years of fear conditioned many citizens to accept impunity as routine, “With the recent events surrounding Duterte’s ICC case and impeachment proceedings, these conversations remain painfully relevant. I hope people who get to watch our film are not only encouraged to never forget, but also to reflect on the kind of society we choose to build moving forward,” the filmmaker explained.
The jury praised both the film’s technical execution and core thematic weight, “Although short in format, the filmmakers expressed this film completely and artistically. The camera movement is precise, every cut seems calculated, and it is accompanied by excellent performances from the actors. But the true star here is the message, and it was conveyed clearly – that at a time when we desire a cleaner nation, there are stains we must choose not to wash.”
Galang got ample support from musical scorer Glenn Barit, sound designers Pepe Manikan and Paulo Dela Cruz, editor Miguel Ramos, production designer Baj San Jose, cinematographer Adam Dumaguin, and actors Abuel, Dizon, and Arabelle Arcega.
Before taking the Best Narrative Film prize at Gawad Alternatibo, the project premiered at the 8th Sine Kabataan and got the People’s Choice award at Pandayang Lino Brocka. It will next compete at the 13th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (NABIFILMEX) in Davao de Oro.
Galang was not the only Benildean filmmaker who made it as a finalist at Gawad Alternatibo. Cyrus Joshua Bon and Yvonne Ruiz showcased “Balai de Moño,” which follows three displaced Filipino mythical creatures who are exiled from their homes. In a desperate bid to get a new lease on life, they join a high-stakes reality competition show where they must successfully scare their way to the top.
“We’re very much inspired by the platform given to us here, and we hope it encourages even more room for diverse narratives across the board and discourse about the recent political climate of the Philippines,” Bon revealed.
In addition, Jerusjacob Velasquez Ariola, Esteven Pacannuayan, and Erin Halcyon presented “Sa’n Elmo: A Musical Short Film,” which revolves around seven-year-old Elmo who believes he was a wish granted from a falling star. However, the illusion is shattered on his birthday when it is accidentally revealed that he is actually adopted.
“Being part of any film festival and having the opportunity to share our film with an audience is already a huge milestone for us. But having our theatrical debut as one of the finalists of the 38th Gawad Alternatibo feels like an even greater achievement. It feels like everything has come full circle,” Ariola shared.
For Galang, whose dream of festival recognition began back in her college years, the victory is both personal and collective. Beyond trophies, her goal is to ensure audiences remember the stains that should never be washed away, as well as the lives that others tried to erase.
Seymour B. Sanchez
Seymour Barros Sanchez is an advocacy filmmaker, communication and film lecturer, freelance writer, creative producer, technical consultant, and a former producer for news and current affairs programs. He served as Bacolod Film Festival director in 2024 and Technical Consultant for Academic Linkages of the Film Development Council of the Philippines from 2022 to 2025. He is a member of the Academic Film Society Advisory Committee of the FDCP, a representative of the Education Sector to the National Committee on Cinema Executive Council, and Secretary of the NCC.
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