TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL TO PREMIERE IN DIFFERENT PROVINCES IN THE PHILIPPINES

TOFARM Film Festival, a competition dedicated to creating awareness on the triumphs and struggles of the farmers and their industry as a whole, is set to tour its six entries to different provinces in the Philippines starting August 24, 2016. This is an effort done to boost understanding and familiarity of the public on the real issues that our kababayans in the agricultural sector are facing, through a medium that we all love and are familiar with, film.

Six stories highlighting different aspects of a farmer’s existence came to life in these beautifully crafted narratives. These include ZIg Dulay’s Paglipay, Paolo Villaluna’s Pauwi Na, Jojo Nadela’s Pilapil, Vic Acedillos Jr.’s Kakampi, Dennis Marasigan’s Free Range and Maricel Cariaga’s Pitong Kabang Palay. Each were carefully and creatively produced to zoom in to different characters with the goal of sharing a message that could help push the rest of the nation to take action in giving support for this sector.
First stop outside Manila is SM Pampanga and SM Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija on August 24 to 30, 2016. This would be followed by a showcase at SM Cebu on September 14-20 and October 12-18 for SM Davao. Everyone is invited to watch to get a glimpse of a farmer’s way of life and get inspired with their perseverance, wit and heart as they work hard to provide feasts and abundance for the rest of the nation.
An awards night was held last July 20, 2016 where the following films and talents were hailed as winners:

• 1st Best Picture - Paglipay

• 2nd Best Picture – Pitong Kabang Palay

• 3rd Best Picture – Free Range

• Best Actress – Cherry Pie Picache, Pauwi Na

• Best Actor – Bembol Roco, Pauwi Na and Gabby Cabalic, Paglipay

• Best Supporting Actor – Micko Laurente, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Supporting Actress – Anna Luna, Paglipay

• Best Sound – Arnel De Vera, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Music – Lorenzo Nielsen, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Production Design – Mao Fadul, Pauwi Na

• Best Editing – Paolo Vilaluna and Ellen Ramos, Pauwi Na

• Best Cinematography – Albert Banzon, Paglipay

• Best Screenplay – Maricel Cariaga, Pitong Kabang Palay

• Best Story – Paolo Vilaluna and Ellen Ramos, Pauwi Na

• People’s Choice Award – Paglipay

• TOFARM Film Festival Professional Responsibility Award – Kakampi

• Ingenuity Award – Pilapil

• Jury Special Award for Outstanding Film – Pauwi Na

• TOFARM Film Festival Special Award for Outstanding Ensemble – Pitong Kabang Palay

TOFARM Film Festival is a project that was born out of passion and dedication to pay tribute to our unsung heroes, the farmers. This is a brain child of Dr. Milagros How, Executive Vice President of Universal Harvester Inc. together with the award winning film director, Maryo J. De Los Reyes. Everyone is given a chance to join the cause by simply purchasing a ticket. For every purchase of one ticket in any participating SM Mall, one farmer is automatically granted a free access to enjoy any of the films. Let us all join the cause and help push for the advocacy by giving recognition to the stories of our kababayans.

For more information about TOFARM Film Festival, visit www.TOFARM.org or check out their facebook site TOFARM Film Festival Philippines. For inquiries you may send an email to info.TOFARM@gmail.com

22 comments

  1. This sounds like an amazing event. I'm sure lots of people will attend. I hope it raises the awareness it aims to do. Pity I am a bit to far away to make it :( http://sydneyfashionhunter.com/

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    1. This will be showing tomorrow here in our province. We're still promoting it and wishing to have more participants.

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  2. This is one endeavor i would love to support. The sincerity of the those who spearhead this festival can be easily felt. Such a great way to support our farmers and also bring awareness re their problems and struggles.

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    1. I just hope a lot will support indie films too. So far, not so good. We noticed a small number of response since the time of promoting it. We hope that the numbers will rise.

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  3. I would love to attend a festival like this! This isn't something very popular among the tourists, but this is a perfect way to get to know local people.

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    1. Yes, it is an indie and people aren't really supporting this type much. We hope to gather more people to like this kind.

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  4. Uy, these films are what I would like to watch. I am not much into local films pero when it is educational or raises social issues, I would love to watch. Farmers, I have seen documentaries, I have seen them, and I have talked to them. They are ... let's say napakahirap ng buhay nila, and dapat mabigyan sila ng mas magandang buhay. Sila naman ang nagpapakahirap eh.

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    1. Yup. My dad used to be a farmer, then and even now. I really wish this will gather more support from locals. If you're just here po, I'll give you passes and this is for tomorrow na.

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  5. They don't have screening in Manila? Sayang naman. I love indie films (I'm a fan of Cinemalaya) and I think some of the films here look promising. And I love that it has a theme, that it focuses on the life and plight of the farmers. I hope to get a chance to see some of these movies.

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    1. You can check ToFarm FB page. I think they have one showing in Megamall for free pero I think it started last July. Not sure though if it is still showing pa.

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  6. I was actually given tickets to watch this films. However, I was busy during that time. I actually find it wonderful that they focus on the stories of our farmers. It makes us appreciate them more. Also, we value more the food that is served in our table and making sure that we don't have leftovers. -Me-An Clemente of http://yogoandcream.com

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    1. Sayang naman, you haven't watch it. I'll try to watch it tomorrow if I have someone with me. I'm near my due date na kasi and I can't walk all alone in the mall. Hopefully, if my hubby can have his day off tomorrow, we can go.

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  7. This is a wonderful project! I hope many would be able to watch these films. These would help increase awareness on the issues on agriculture. I hope these would be shown in schools as well.

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    1. Yes, same thoughts here. I wish I can have a copy of this and show it to my Grade 8 and 9 students. I'm really hoping I can watch this tomorrow.

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  8. Hope I can find time to catch it this week here in Manila. I've always been a fan of indie films, especially so if the films are for a cause. I really hope that many will be enlightened and inspired by the issues on agriculture that these films will show. The Philippines should get back to being the agricultural giant that it is years and years ago.

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    1. True. I hope that something will change for the farmers during the new president's administration. Hoping for the better!

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  9. This is such an endearing thing to hear. A film festival dedicated to the farmer community is unheard of anywhere. I wish they had something like this in India too especially with farmer suicides being such a burning issue.

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    1. That's why I'm all out in supporting this film.

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  10. Ohhh nice! Films with stories that reflect the state of our agriculture would help people know about the lives of our farmers and really raise awareness. Looking forward to watching these films.

    MicaThere's More to Mica

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    1. The Manila premiere I think was finished already. If you can, you can visit later here in Pampanga or within the week to catch the film.

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  11. this is cool what a tribute this will bring to the farmers, didn't know there is such a festival but it's a great idea and I'm sure many will turn up and have fun there too.

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    1. We'll see what is the response of the citizens later.

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