The Catholics Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (CBCP-ECSC) 3rd National Media Convention (NMC 2017) held in Lahug, Cebu closed on Thursday, August 17, 2017, on a very high note through a Closing Ceremony highlighted by the announcement of the winning one-minute videos in the Cellida Film Festival.
NMC 2017’s Cellida Film Festival featured a pocket film making activity to promote this easy and inexpensive technique that uses mobile phones for evangelization. The top pocket films were: “Emoji” of the Diocese of San Jose Nueva Ecija and “Enforced Disappearances” of the Diocese of Tarlac tied for First Prize. Placing Second and Third were: “Touch Screen” of the Archdiocese of Lingayan-Dagupan and “Pag-Ampo” (Prayer) of the Diocese of Novaliches. The four videos bested 21 other entries submitted for the Festival.
The group that produced “Pag-Ampo” was composed mainly of Social Communications volunteers from the Diocese of Novaliches. These were Glenn Velasco of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe Parish, Maria Mercedes Robles of Nuestra Senora De La Paz Buen Viaje Parish, Julius Bennedick Penafiel of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, and Shirly Benedictos of Holy Cross Parish.
Since the Diocese of Novaliches had a big delegation, the delegates were split into two groups–one headed by SocComm Nova Director Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Nonato Legaspi (Group 4) and the other headed by TV Maria General Manager Rev. Fr. Roy Bellen (Group 5). It was the latter group that submitted the “Pag-Ampo” entry.
The Novaliches Delegation was further recognized when the radio drama scripts of two of its members, Maria Mercedes Robles and Maria Lourdes Nario of Christ The King Parish-Filinvest 2, were chosen by the Organizers to be produced by radio production professionals into ready-to-air plugs.
CBCP-ECSC Head Most Rev. Mylo Hubert Vergara, DD gave the closing remarks thanking the Archdiocese of Cebu for hosting NMC 2017 and all the attendees for their active participation. He then announced that next year’s Convention will be held in Davao City. (~Maria Mercedes Robles)
