MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 2026) – A teenager helping out at his family laundromat discovers a missing classmate’s school ID hidden inside a police officer’s dirty clothes. That tense premise powers “City’s Laundry and Taxes,” a 15-minute crime drama directed by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde alumna Diana Galang, which took home first place in the Narrative Category at the 38th Cultural Center of the Philippines Gawad Alternatibo.
A timely look at impunity and choice
Set in a small town outside Manila in 2017, the short film follows Miko, played by Louise Abuel, who works with his mother, played by Mylene Dizon. When Miko finds the missing student’s ID, he is forced to face a heavy moral choice between staying silent or speaking up.
The film directly addresses the normalization of extrajudicial violence in recent Pinoy history. Galang noted that these themes remain deeply urgent as discussions around former President Duterte’s ICC case and impeachment proceedings continue. She explained that years of fear conditioned many citizens to accept impunity, adding that she hopes the film encourages viewers to reflect on the kind of society they want to build.
The Gawad Alternatibo jury praised the technical precision of the short film, pointing to its calculated cuts, precise camera movement, and stellar performances. The judges remarked that while people long for a cleaner nation, there are stains everyone must choose not to wash away.
Bringing Pinoy talent to the spotlight
Galang was supported by a strong creative team, including musical scorer Glenn Barit, sound designers Pepe Manikan and Paulo Dela Cruz, editor Miguel Ramos, production designer Baj San Jose, and cinematographer Adam Dumaguin, alongside actors Abuel, Dizon, and Arabelle Arcega.
Before winning at Gawad Alternatibo, “City’s Laundry and Taxes” premiered at the 8th Sine Kabataan and won the People’s Choice award at Pandayang Lino Brocka. The film is set to compete next at the 13th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition in Davao de Oro.
More Benildean stories on the big stage
Galang was not the only Benildean filmmaker recognized at the festival. Fellow filmmakers Cyrus Joshua Bon and Yvonne Ruiz showcased “Balai de Moño,” a story following three displaced Pinoy mythical creatures who enter a reality show to win a fresh start.
Meanwhile, Jerusjacob Velasquez Ariola, Esteven Pacannuayan, and Erin Halcyon presented “Sa’n Elmo: A Musical Short Film,” which follows a seven-year-old boy named Elmo who discovers on his birthday that he is adopted.
Both teams expressed gratitude for the platform, highlighting how meaningful it was to share their diverse stories with the Gawad Alternatibo audience.
