October 16, 17 and 18 of this year saw the budding and discovered the talents of the students as the SATMI Film Festival is fashioned. It is a response to the challenges of the times to create an attractive means to sow the Gospel seeds in the heart of the multitudes in a fast changing reality today. Started as the first year’s class requirement, it surprisingly pushed it luck into becoming a SATMI program. With the initiative of the organizer, Bro. JM, and the approval our Dean of Studies, Sr. Miriam, the Film Festival is formalized. To make it more appealing and as a SATMI’s effort, the second year students contributed to the creativity of the event through their exhibits while the fourth year students conducted seminars on scriptures on the 17th. The endeavor is great and ambitious. Consequently, though, despite its idealism and complexity, it made the students bring out their best in the enterprise. It has now become part of the SATMI history that etched consciousness to the needs of the time, meaning and beauty to the religious education of the institution.
Certainly, all of us learn to stand and walk with a guide. And sometimes, you will need a push to start pondering about a journey. Personally speaking, as we make the film, it feels like a baby learning the balance and the steps, and that, I believe, you will never know how far you can reach if you will not dare to take a step. The SATMI Film Festival is a great opportunity to experience something new in the institution through the trust and belief of all who have pushed it to happen and made us walk the path. It is a meaningful experience.
It makes me grateful recalling what have happened along the way. As we prepare and discuss about the movie, we could not find an assuring direction. Our ideas are scattered. Our concepts are confronted with the realities we encountered and need to address. We relied much on our inner resources and the expenses on our pockets and of course God’s providence. There are moments when we have to decide not to include a certain idea for time and financial constraint. There are a lot of considerations: cast, script, message, finances, time, venue, and devices. Amidst the odds, we continued the endeavor hoping to find a light on the way. God has been good. He provided. It seems so exceptional that things work out after all.
From the experience, I begin to be conscious not just how the story flows, imparts its message and ends but of how movies are created. It was a series of thorough analysis and repetitions in the taping. Tough situations make strong character. What is true with our experience is that the lessons learned mostly come from what we have been through and not what we have reached. I will always carry the inspiration that says, “Life is not about the destination but rather it is about the journey.” I will be forever grateful for the friendship built among the members of the group and the casts, the talents that was discovered, the support and encouragement of Sr. Miriam that we are able to come up with the idea, the tensions between us that made us strong, the guidance of God as we discerned for His message and His revelation in the generosity and kindness of the people we met and supported us along the way. These are the treasures worth keeping.
The seed has been planted. I am hopeful that this beginning will inspire the future of the institution. Time and circumstance is constantly calling for versatility in proclaiming the Gospel. God speaks through various ways.
(Danilo)
No comments:
Post a Comment