Students from the Tarlac State University Department of Communication, who bagged notable awards from the Department of Agrarian Reform’s “PelikulAgraryo 2026” Regional Competition, paid a courtesy visit to University President Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza on November 10, 2026, at the Office of the University President.
The communication students were recognized during the PelikulAgraryo 2026 Regional Film Festival and Awarding Ceremony on October 29, 2026, at the DAR Regional Office III.
The film titled “Sandigan”, directed by Ms. Erin Jade Francisco, competed in the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) category and received six awards: Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Film.
Meanwhile, the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) film entry titled “Ano Ang Pangarap Mo?,” directed by Ms. Kissy Pingol, won Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and second place for Best Film.
Mr. Angelo Magcalas and Ms. Merbelle Rofene were named Best Actor and Actress for their roles as “Orlando” and “Nanay Nelly” in “Sandigan”, while Mr. Adonis Jimenez, who portrayed Pepe in “Ano ang Pangarap Mo?”, was named Best Actor in their respective film categories.
According to Ms. Francisco, Sandigan is a short-film drama about unity, sacrifice, and the resilience of Filipino farmers.
The film highlights the farmers' struggles through the lens of Nanay Nelly Manzano, portrayed as a leader and mother figure within their organization. It also emphasized how farmers stood their ground by supporting one another through hardships they faced – revealing their greatest strength in being firm in what they fight for and standing together.
“The title ‘Sandigan’ symbolizes the people they can lean on and depend on, reminding us that no one has to face life's challenges alone,” Ms. Francisco told the Office of Public Affairs.
The film “Ano ang Pangarap Mo?” showcased the journey of Tatay Adriano, a farmer who has dedicated his life to farming to provide a better future for his six children. It tells how hard work and dedication can make dreams into reality. The film is a reminder that farmers not only till the land and provide food for the nation but also cultivate their children’s dreams and the country’s future.
“We gave extra attention to developing the story, organizing the ideas, and making sure that the message we wanted to convey was clear. More importantly, we wanted to give justice to the stories of our beneficiaries by presenting their experiences, struggles, and sacrifices with sincerity and authenticity. We believed that even with limited time, we could still produce something meaningful as long as we remained committed to telling their stories properly,” Ms. Francisco said.
The regional winners will now advance to the national PelikulAgraryo competition, scheduled for the last week of November or the first week of December this year, where they will represent Central Luzon.
With the theme “Tinig ng Lupang Malaya: Kwento at Aral-Agraryo, Butil na Pamana sa Kabataan,” DAR Central and Regional Film Festival 2026 (DARCRFF 2026) or PelikulAgraryo 2026 is a platform for tertiary-level students across all regions in the Philippines to celebrate their passion for filmmaking and advocate for the promotion of the success stories of ARBs and ARBOs and the projects of the department.
