The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) together with the lead organization of S.A.F.E. (Storytelling, Authoring, Filming, Editing) for Children Project, United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, and implementing partners, Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and City Government of Valenzuela recognized the artistry of children and youth through the CINEMAHUSAY: The 2021 S.A.F.E. for Children Film Fest on May 29, 2021.
CINEMAHUSAY was organized to showcase the S.A.F.E. for Children participatory videos produced by children, including those at risk (CAR) and in conflict with the law (CICL) and youth, and their mentors.
Their videos were part of the S.A.F.E. for Children Project which was designed to train and capacitate youth members, government partners, and stakeholders on the process of creating participatory videos to document prevention of violence against children while strengthening monitoring mechanisms amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through this initiative, 606 youth members and more than 100 government partners and stakeholders were trained and capacitated.
23 official entries were completed and four films received major awards.
Idayu, the participatory video produced by children and youth participants, including CICL, organized by the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) and Regional Sub- Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) Region III bagged half of the awards namely Best Picture, CWC Excellence Award, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Story/Screenplay, and Best Sound/Scoring.
The film Idayu talks about a young man who was tested by his experience during the COVID- 19 Pandemic, and who bravely faced it. Idayu is a Kapampangan word meaning ‘to remove’.
Another film that received numerous recognitions is Paglaum of Magone Home Aftercare Program, Don Bosco Boy’s Home in Cebu.
The film inspires its audience to hope amidst this global pandemic and to put our hope in God.
Paglaum won 1st Runner Up for Best Picture, JJWC Excellence Award, Best Film Editing, and Best Cinematography.
Further, Childhood Memories ni Leo (Patintero) of SOS Children’s Village Calbayog, Inc. won the 2nd Runner Up for Best Picture, and Untitled of Bahay Kalinga ng Valenzuela won the Best Actress award.
“Through the S.A.F.E. for Children project, young residents of these facilities were not only given a new activity to participate in during these uncertain times but also a new skill set that they can take with them and hone when they are reunited with their families and reintegrated to their communities. This is also a step in the fulfillment of the JJWC’s advocacy for the inclusion of children and youth in the development of policies and programs that affect their rights and well-being”, said JJWC Executive Director Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco.CINEMAHUSAY is in line with the 15th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act Anniversary celebration.
