Following a triumphant run in the student film circuit, the award-winning musical short film “Kahel” from Far Eastern University continues its journey across the country.
The acclaimed 20-minute film, which was produced by the Kuwerdas production team, is set to screen on September 5 at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center as part of the 6th Hundred Islands Film Festival in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.
Brought to the festival through the Cultural Center of the Philippines Lakbay Sine program, an initiative dedicated to expanding the reach of Philippine cinema to local communities, “Kahel” arrives as a finalist from the 38th CCP Gawad Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or CCP Gawad Alternatibo.
The narrative centers on Elias (Justin Abalos), a standard office worker who leaves behind his 9-to-5 job to chase his musical ambitions in the city. His journey hits an unexpected crossroads when a sudden jeepney breakdown strands him along with his longtime musical hero (Brylle Parzuelo).
For director Garnet Morilla Llames, who also performs as part of the indie-pop duo Justin + Garnet, bringing “Kahel” to new audiences reflects the broader mission behind its creation.
Llames added that their film is about chasing dreams and he dedicated it to the dreamers who keep going no matter how hard it gets, “We in Kuwerdas gave birth to ‘Kahel,’ and as its director, I really hope it goes far beyond what it is now. Like birthing a child, we’ve carried, nurtured, and poured our hearts into it. Now, as filmmakers, we can only set it free and hope it reaches fellow dreamers – those who are tired, losing hope, and need a little fire to dream again.”
Aside from Llames, the other members of Kuwerdas include producer and production manager Joharra Embalzado, line producer Rafael Beltran, cinematographer and editor Regine Mae Manuel, musical director and screenwriter Justin Niccolo Mariano, co-writer and script continuity supervisor Sai Salazar, 2nd assistant director Rayanne Kabigting, production designer Irish Jundaye Macatangay, location manager and camera operator Ritch Matias, sound recordist and boom operator Franz Juanillo.
The film’s Alaminos City showing follows a string of recognitions. “Kahel” swept Sinepiyu XVIII, FEU’s annual student film festival, winning Best Film, Best Direction, Best Editing, and Best Music/Score in the All Tamaraws Division. It was also honored with the Gawad Bathala Best Film at the Tamaraw Media Awards.
HIFF 2026 serves as an ideal backdrop for the project, using film education, regional storytelling, and youth empowerment to celebrate local culture and uplift young storytellers. Audience members at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center can experience this story of creative perseverance as part of the festival’s full day of programming on September 5.
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.
