The gap between the classroom and the film set narrowed significantly at Far Eastern University (FEU) through “COMM•PASS 2026: From Classroom to Cinema” where regular class discussions were transformed into a masterclass on the realities of the film industry at the Institute of Arts and Sciences Theater Room.
The alumni film exhibition served as a dynamic intersection for screenings, panel discussion, and mentorship, connecting current students with their fellow Tamaraws who are making waves in the industry. The event offered a rare, behind-the-curtain look into the creative choices and processes shaping modern Philippine cinema.
It started with a screening of the short film “Bakit Ako Sinusundan ng Buwan/ Why Does the Moon Follow Me?” written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Richard Soriano Legaspi, followed by a talkback session featuring Jemuel Satumba, FEU alumnus and the film’s lead actor, and Kristin Jor, Department of Communication film educator, production manager, and emerging producer.
Moderated by event organizer Stephen Dela Peña, the discussion dove into the thematic depth and operational grit required to execute a gripping narrative, giving students a 360-degree view of life both in front of and behind the camera.
The film follows Lino (Satumba), a man returning to his small town with a red suitcase after years of wrongful imprisonment abroad. Seeking to reclaim his stolen dreams, Lino is met with the harsh reality that life moved on without him, forcing him to realize that he has become the very void he is desperately trying to fill.
The exhibition also celebrated the distinct voices of Bachelor of Arts in Communication alumni from the Digital Cinema track, showcasing three compelling short films.
Josh Van Ulric Campo’s “All the Things Left Unsaid”is a visually imaginative short where a gay son transforms a mundane task—sorting laundry with his mother—into a vibrant, colorful world populated by adorable little fishes.
Euxim Valonzo Garcia’s “Bilanggo ng Kinahinatnan/ Prisoner of Destiny” is a wartime drama centered on a wounded Japanese soldier taken in by an old man, only to discover his new surroundings are deeply peculiar.
Yuan Amandy’s“i am but a small boy”is a poignant tale of a nine-year-old gender-confused boy who uses a terrifying folktale about a tikbalang (“a tall, bony, half-human and half-horse creature from Philippine folklore”) to process and reveal a tragic reality to a friend.
The event also highlighted the next generation of filmmakers with screenings of the student films “Banggay” by LA Oraza and Hannah Bautista and “Kahel/Orange” by Garnet Morilla Llames. “Kahel” recently won Best Film, Best Direction, Best Editing, and Best Music/Score in the All Tamaraws Division of Sinepiyu XVII, and another Best Film accolade at the Tamaraw Media Awards.
The cornerstone of the event was the Industry Talks, which brought established alumni back to their roots to share raw, real-world insights. Moderated by Jor’s fellow film educator Seymour Sanchez, the panel featured screenwriter Crystal Hazel San Miguel (“The Hows of Us,” “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” and “Love You So Bad”) and filmmaker Mikko Baldoza (“Haplos sa Hangin/ Caress in the Wind” and “The Cheating Wife”), who candidly explored their rigorous transition from communication students to industry professionals.
For Jor, the initiative reflects the Department of Communication Digital Cinema track’s commitment to creating meaningful connections between the classroom and the creative industry.
Kristin Jor, Jemuel Satumba, and Chrissy Ustaris
“One of the things we are most looking forward to is our continued collaboration with distinguished alumni, as this truly serves the values of our communication program,” said Jor. “I strongly support clear pathways from the university to the industry because I have seen how empowering they are. This generation craves authenticity, and dialogues and workshops with alumni help students feel equipped and inspired. The capacity building our student organizers have shown throughout these phases proves that COMM•PASS is a powerful tool that ties together the generations of FEU Communication students and graduates.” By anchoring academic theory to professional practice, COMM•PASS proved that the discourse surrounding cinema does not stop when the credits roll. More than a film exhibition, the initiative demonstrated how alumni mentorship, industry engagement, and experiential learning can empower the next generation of FEU creatives to navigate their own artistic journeys with confidence and purpose.
Mikko Baldoza and Crystal Hazel San Miguel share their insights during the Industry Talk moderated by film educator Seymour Sanchez
