LAWAG - The Ilocos Norte Film Festival

19/06/2026

Meet The LAWAG Directors
THE RETURNEES

KIM ANGELA SANTOS is an Ilocano photographer and filmmaker whose work is rooted in storytelling and community narratives.
Now based in Manila, she creates images and films that uncover the stories behind everyday moments and amplify voices often left unheard. After years of focusing on photography, she returns to filmmaking, her first creative love. Her films have been featured and recognized at the Dokyubata, CCP Gawad Alternatibo, and Tan-ok ni Ilocano Film Festival. Through both photography and cinema, she continues to tell stories that matter.

RYAND UGALDE is an Ilocano filmmaker whose roots shape his voice and vision. He first honed his craft as a journalist before finding his language in cinema. His films, often centered on marginalized sectors such as the LGBTQIA+ community, have been featured and awarded in festivals including the NCCT’s Dokyubata, CCP’s Gawad Alternatibo, Sinag Maynila, the Nabunturan Film Exhibition, and the Montañosa Film Festival.

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19/06/2026

Meet The LAWAG Directors
THE DEBUTS

LEIZEL GANTALA is a Grade 12 STEM student from Ilocos Norte. She is passionate about leadership, creativity, and finding meaningful ways to connect with people through both academics and the arts. Outside the classroom, she enjoys participating in projects that allow her to tell stories and express ideas, including student filmmaking. She is especially drawn to stories that capture nostalgia and personal experiences, believing that these moments have the power to connect people, preserve memories, and inspire reflection.

MAURICE KIM CAMILLON is an 18 year old student filmmaker, journalist and robotics enthusiast who blends creativity, storytelling, and innovation to bring ideas to life. Through filmmaking, he explores meaningful stories about family, friendship, and the experiences that shape human connections. Driven by curiosity and passion, Maurice continues to challenge himself through creative projects and competitions, aiming to create works that inspire and connect with others.

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19/06/2026

Meet The LAWAG Directors
THE CROSSOVERS

BENEDICT JAY COLLADO is a storyteller driven by the belief that every voice has a story worth telling, and every story deserves to be pulled out of the shadows. Blending journalism, creativity, and an eye for human experiences, he transforms ordinary moments into narratives that inform, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. His work spans writing, media production, and strategic communication, reflecting a commitment to truth, culture, and community. Through every story he crafts, he seeks not only to document the world as it is, but to imagine what it can become.

JOSEPH "DODONG" ANSINO is an emerging Filipino filmmaker and journalist whose works often explore themes of memory, identity, resilience, and the quiet struggles of ordinary people. His background in journalism has allowed him to witness diverse stories, communities, and perspectives, shaping his sensitivity to real-life experiences and human narratives. Through film, he transforms these observations into character-driven stories that reflect both personal and collective journeys. He is passionate about creating works that give voice to overlooked experiences and foster empathy among audiences. As a young storyteller, he continues to use both journalism and cinema as tools for documenting, understanding, and celebrating the human condition.

CLARK DULDULAO is a filmmaker and dancer from Ilocos Norte and the founder of PASET Creatives. He has loved movies since he was a kid, and that passion became the drive for him to start making films. His background in dance also influences the way he sees movement, rhythm, and emotion in storytelling. He is inspired by Pixar’s emotional storytelling and A24’s bold filmmaking style, often blending realism with a sense of imagination. His works have been featured in several film festivals, including Woobie CineShorts in Metro Manila, Rotary Film Festival Manila, Silaw Film Fest, and Semana Horror Short Film Festival.

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19/06/2026

Meet The LAWAG Directors
THE 4-5-YEAR CLUB

ROMEL A. PASCUA is an educator and storyteller whose work focuses on Ilokano heritage, climate change, and marginalized communities. He teaches campus journalism, English, literature, and professional education courses at Mariano Marcos State University.

JHAYZEN U. PARAÑAL is an independent filmmaker from Batac City and the founder of Cineyloco Production. His work is rooted in the stories, cultures, and everyday lives of communities in Northern Luzon. Working primarily in documentaries, he is drawn to themes of memory, identity, and belonging. His films often focus on people whose stories are rarely told, using an observational approach that allows moments to unfold naturally. Through his work, he hopes to create films that preserve local narratives while connecting with broader human experiences.

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19/06/2026

Meet The LAWAG Directors
THE SIX-YEAR STREAK

MELVER RITZ L. GOMEZ is an Ilokano filmmaker who highlights regional customs and traditions, having trained under National Artist Ricky Lee's scriptwriting workshop. His short film “Karkarma” won Best Film at the 10th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition, was screened at Pelikultura 2023 and the 16th Cinema Rehiyon, and earned a Best Short Film nomination at the 47th Gawad Urian. Gomez’s documentary “Iyallatiw” won Best Director and Best Story Writer at both the International Film Festival in Manhattan and the Reels International Film Festival in India. It also won the Silver Prize at the Viddsee Juree Awards Luzon 2021, was recognized at the CCP's Gawad Alternatibo, and was nominated for Best Documentary at the 46th Gawad Urian. A two-time Gawad Pasado winner, Gomez has been awarded for Best Documentary and Best Film in the Use of Language and Cultural Values.

EDSEL HARRY R. TURDA is a teacher and multidisciplinary artist. A registered Film and Audiovisual Worker with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), he took postgraduate studies in Master of Arts in Theater Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman and Master of Arts in Education major in Physical Education and Sports at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. He also undertook Juris Doctor studies at Mariano Marcos State University – College of Law and completed a Masterclass in Scriptwriting under National Artist Ricky Lee. His works highlight regional and Filipino narratives, bringing local cultures, languages, and lived experiences to the forefront. His films and collaborations have earned recognition in both national and international platforms. Through his work, he continues to champion local stories and cultural advocacy through the arts.

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19/06/2026

18/06/2026

In the light of cinema, every place tells a story.

Catch a lineup of films by Ilocos Norte filmmakers at Robinsons Ilocos Movieworld from June 23–28, screening daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Be part of a celebration of stories made in, inspired by, and connected to Ilocos Norte.

Ticket details and film schedules will be announced tomorrow.

18/06/2026

Gather where stories come to LIGHT.

From June 22 to July 31, 2026, LAWAG, The Ilocos Norte Film Festival brings a season of cinema across the province, featuring films by Ilocos Norte filmmakers alongside beloved Filipino classics.

Watch stories that reflect our culture, creativity, and shared experiences on the big screen!

Check out the full festival schedule and join us in celebrating the filmmakers who continue to shine a light on Ilocano cinema and on Ilocos Norte as a growing destination for film and creativity.

18/06/2026

The spotlight is on Ilocos Norte!

Join us for the Premiere of LAWAG, The Ilocos Norte Film Festival and witness Ilocano cinema from our Ilocos Norte filmmakers.

📍 Ilocandia Cultural Center, Batac City
🗓️ June 22, 2026 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

As the province continues to rise as film destination, see the work of local storytellers whose films reflect the cultural and cinematic landscape of Ilocos Norte.

Reserve your seat by scanning the QR code or visit tickets.ilocosnorte.ph

17/06/2026