SEATTLE, United States (Jun 2026): High school drama and cinephile dreams are apparently universal, as two student films recently brought the chaos of Pinoy campus life to the Pacific Northwest. The capstone projects from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde were featured in the “Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh” block of the Diwa at Pagdiriwang Festival on June 7.
Held at the Seattle Center Armory Loft 2, the screenings offered a humorous yet meaningful look at the high-stakes world of teenage ambition and filmmaking.
Politics and club-saving dreams
The Benildean delegation showcased two distinct stories that captured different facets of academic life. “Philip vs. the School,” directed by Terrence Santiago and produced by HIVE Films, is a 20-minute thesis short that dives into the pressure-cooker environment of student council elections. The story follows Philip, an average student caught in a moral vice: he must either remain loyal to his best friend or expose a scandalous secret that could take down his rival.
The second film, “Guys! Action!”, was directed by Jem Catabijan and produced by Kuhang Kuting Productions. This meta-comedy focuses on a desperate high school multimedia club racing against the clock to win at the Cinemalaya Film Festival. The stakes are high because if they fail, the school administration will shut down their club for good.
Winning on the global stage
The screenings in Seattle, Wash., are the latest in a string of achievements for these young filmmakers. “Philip vs. the School” has been selected for the Kuala Lumpur International Film Academy Awards in 2025. Meanwhile, “Guys! Action!” previously made its way to the San Diego Filipino Film Festival in 2024.
Behind each project is a mentor who helped shape the students’ creative vision. Santiago developed his narrative under Wanggo Gallaga, a veteran in the Benilde Film faculty. Catabijan’s comedy was developed under the guidance of advocacy filmmaker Seymour Sanchez.
The Diwa Filipino Film Festival, held in collaboration with the annual Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, continues its mission to celebrate the “diwa” (spirit) of the Pinoy through independent cinema. Supported by 4Culture and powered by Shunpike, the event also featured regional works like “Manokan Country” by Banjo Hinolan and “Ambag” (Impact) by Mark Giddel Liwanag.
