DLSU-D filmmakers reimagine traditional Pinoy games at Sinelayan 2026

The third-year Multimedia Arts students of De La Salle University–Dasmariñas recently held Sinelayan 2026: Mataya-Taya. This year’s film showcase served as a crowdfunding event, challenging student production houses to use traditional Filipino street games, such as Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Langit Lupa, and Luksong Tinik, as creative springboards for mature, contemporary storytelling.

Proceeds from the festival will fund Batch 2027’s upcoming trade show PRISM 12 and support the One La Salle Scholarship Fund.

Two short films led the festival’s roster of accolades. “Winner Takes It All” (Rabbit Hole Productions) brought home Short Film of the Year, Best Actress (Allyana Morcoso), Best Supporting Actress (Regina Salvador), Best Editing, Best Musical Scoring, and Special Award for Animation. The film follows an ambitious older sister whose rigid pursuit of success damages her bond with her younger sibling.

“Bang-Sak” (Lumina Studios) swept the technical and creative categories, winning Director of the Year (RJ Lumampao), Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, Production Logo, and the People’s Choice Award for Set A. Inspired by the Filipino version of hide-and-seek, it follows a newly promoted barangay treasurer trapped in a moral dilemma between integrity and family survival.

“Sina Kla” (Truesight Productions) earned Best Actor for Frederick Versoto. The film explores poverty and grief through a laborer torn between saving his family home or burying his late brother.

“Laglag” (Area C Productions) won Best Supporting Actor (Joseph Lindo) and Best Poster. It follows two lovers whose picture-perfect relationship is tested by a quiet, pivotal choice.

The Best Gender Sensitive Film award went to “Kung Paano Magtago ang Liwanag” (Tara Shot Productions), a poignant drama about a young man who uncovers a hidden side of his grandmother through old letters.

“Harang Taga” (Blk 317 Studios), a high school drama tracking two best friends suspected in a classmate’s death, garnered the People’s Choice Award for Set B.

The films were evaluated by Rhendel De Vera, Glam Hour Creative Director, BSK Studios Director, and Sinelayan 2024 Best Director; Rossanni Recco Sarile, academician, creative writer, filmmaker, and cultural advocate; and Joshua de Vera, independent filmmaker and film marketer.

Coined from the words sine (cinema), laya (freedom), and silayan (glimpse), Sinelayan was conceptualized during the 2022–2023 academic year by faculty members Kathryn K. Salvan and Nick Olayao to give Cavite-based student stories a platform beyond the classroom.

The festival officially debuted in 2024 under the guidance of Graphics and Multimedia Arts Department Chair Ernest John Sanchez. What began as a safe space for students to experiment has rapidly expanded.

“By 2026, the program had outgrown its beginnings,” Salvan shared. “More films. Bigger audiences. Louder applause… That’s when you know: it’s working.”