A student film from Alaminos, Pangasinan has put together a string of victories across both local and international film festivals.
“Under the Table,” co-directed by student filmmakers Branden Josh Domingo and Gian Carlo Ducusin, recently bagged the Best Short Film award at the International Student Film & Screenwriting Festival 2026, presented in association with WILDsound Festival TV.
The project, produced through the Hundred Islands Film Festival (HIFF) FILMLAB, took home Best International LGBTQIA+ Film at the Urbanite Arts and Film Festival in New York, USA last August. The film was also screened at the Duemila30 International Film Festival in Milan, Italy.
On the local front, “Under the Table” dominated the Senior High School Category of the CineMapúa Film Festival, clinching Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Actor for lead actor Christopher “Cj” Cerezo, Jr. It also got the Jury Prize at the Prime Series of the Sinemulat Film Festival in Lipa City, Batangas.
The short film almost swept the 5th HIFF Main Competing Category last year, winning Best Film, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score, and Best Actor for Cerezo.
Set against the backdrop of an uncompromising academic system and hidden political dealings, “Under the Table” weaves a tight narrative combining political thriller elements with a tender coming-of-age story. When a troubled student is paired with his tech-savvy classmate for a make-or-break special project on government transparency, an investigation into local corruption uncovers hidden truths, and an unspoken connection that forms beneath the surface.
The film was made by students from Alaminos City National High School under the Flat Tire Production. Aside from Cerezo, Domingo and Ducusin also worked with actors Vincent Abuan, Joco Jordan Manzano Conte, Marvin Damasco, Belen Lagunday Biazon, and Jonalie Caracas, director of photography and editor Raine Audrei Rebualos, production manager Florence May Catalan, production designers Ruth Lanielle Gaspar, Nicole Ashley Balbalosa, and Sheika Kris Caballar, assistant director Cristian Jade E. Farnacio, camera operator Rouge RJ Cuevas, art director Sheannah Maurhaine Decano, sound designer Dan Mitchell Andrey, musical scorer Cristian Jade Farnacio, composer Karl Draizen, location manager Rome Lehcar Dela Cruz, technical assistants Rince Sydney Garcia, Izer Dhean, and Lorenz Tugade, and production assistants Rome Lechar dela Cruz, Arquin Bautista, Ivee Chen, and Phoenix Pobletin.
The team also got the support of producer Dr. Raquel Rarang-Rivera, executive producers Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste, LGU Alaminos City, City Tourism Office, Alaminos City National High School Special Program for the Arts, and creative consultants and mentors Zig Dulay, Carlo Enciso Catu, Carlo Gallen Obispo, Victor Kaiba Villanueva, Tim Rone Bagnas Villanueva, Joseph Sef Arcegono, Jerome Dulin, Ian Christopher Mauricio Cruz, and Jiwani Aquino.
Domingo, who is now a film student at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, reflected on the motivation behind the project and the surprising reach of their student endeavor, “I chose to write ‘Under the Table’ because I kept asking myself why corruption and dishonesty seem to have become so normalized in our society. But beyond systemic issues, the film touches on the things we keep hidden – unspoken feelings, compromised values, and the gradual emergence of voices that were once silenced. Being true to oneself, to others, and to society is a quiet yet powerful act of courage. My hope is that viewers will feel encouraged to question the status quo and learn to love boldly.”
“When I started writing this, my main goal was simply to tell a story and give voice to those who are silenced. While awards are secondary, seeing everyone’s hard work recognized internationally is deeply fulfilling. This journey was made possible by the unwavering support of the Hundred Islands Film Festival, our mentors, local leaders, and the entire production team who worked through early call times and sleepless nights. Everything we achieve is for our community, for marginalized voices, and for Philippine cinema,” the writer-filmmaker added.
The success of “Under the Table” underscores the role of incubator initiatives like the HIFF FILMLAB. Designed as a community-centered platform (“Isang Komunidad na Namemelikula”), the festival provides hands-on mentorship from seasoned Filipino filmmakers, guiding young visionaries from concept to global screenings.
As “Under the Table” continues its festival run, its achievements highlight the potential of regional youth cinema to tackle complex societal themes with nuance and technical craft.
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.
