29 April 2025, Guam - In celebration of this year’s Filipino Food Month and National Literature Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, Guam, in cooperation with the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), conducted a film screening entitled, “CineKultura sa Konsulado” on 25 and 28 April 2025 at the Consulate premises. The event featured two short films in the Hiligaynon language from NCCA’s Sentro Rizal Film Club, namely, “Azucar” and “Winged Dreams to the Blue Heavens”.
The first feature, “Winged Dreams to the Blue Heavens” is about a coming-of-age film of the prolific Ilonggo writer Magdalena G. Jalandoni. The film provides a brief portrait of Ms. Jalandoni’s youth, from the tender age of six where her dreams of a literary career started to emerge and the challenges she faced while growing up in a male-dominated literary world.
The event was attended by the members and officers of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) headed by its President, Ms. Edna Rebanal, Iloilo International, Iloilo Science and Technology (ISAT) Alumni Association, Negrosanon Association, UP Alumni Association, and Post’s dependents.
In her opening remarks, Consul General Rosario P. Lemque said that through these two films, the Consulate General wishes to showcase the culinary heritage and literary talents of the Hiligaynon people, while also highlighting the growing linguistic and cultural diversity in Philippine cinema, which now includes independent works in regional languages like Hiligaynon beyond the usual Tagalog mainstream. She also expressed her gratitude to the leaders and members of the Filipino Community of Guam for their continued support to the Consulate’s cultural diplomacy activities.
“Azucar,” on the other hand, depicts a romantic story that happens in the smallest sugar mill in the Philippines but produces the sweetest brown sugar. The film provides an insight to the importance of the sugar cane industry in the Negros Island Region and Western Visayas.
The event was attended by the members and officers of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) headed by its President, Ms. Edna Rebanal, Iloilo International, Iloilo Science and Technology (ISAT) Alumni Association, Negrosanon Association, UP Alumni Association, and Post’s dependents.
In her opening remarks, Consul General Rosario P. Lemque said that through these two films, the Consulate General wishes to showcase the culinary heritage and literary talents of the Hiligaynon people, while also highlighting the growing linguistic and cultural diversity in Philippine cinema, which now includes independent works in regional languages like Hiligaynon beyond the usual Tagalog mainstream. She also expressed her gratitude to the leaders and members of the Filipino Community of Guam for their continued support to the Consulate’s cultural diplomacy activities.
Before the screening of “Azucar,” Mr. William Dela Pena, President of ISAT Alumni Association shared his experiences while growing up in his hometown of Iloilo and how he enjoyed their Ilonggo delicacies which highlighted sugar as one of the main ingredients. He also spoke about the vital role that the sugarcane industry played in shaping their cuisine and culture.
The Ilonggo associations graciously contributed their beloved Ilonggo delicacies for the munting salu-salo (small get-together) after the film screening, such as piyaya, bitso-bitso, biko/suman, puto manapla and puto lanson. The Consulate also served pancit molo, turon, kutsinta, and pinasugbo to all the invited guests.
Filipino Food Month’s theme for this year is “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Kasaysayan, Kultura at Pagkatao” which translates to “Honoring the Richness of our History, Culture and Identity.” This year’s commemoration highlights the urgent need to preserve and promote the country’s rich culinary traditions.
The National Literature Month or Buwan ng Panitikang Pilipino is also being celebrated to honor the diverse literary heritage of the Philippines. Under Proclamation No. 968, this annual observance highlights the significance of literature in contributing to the Philippines’ history and culture.
Philippine independent films, such as “Azucar” and “Winged Dreams to the Blue Heavens” help preserve the stories and lived experiences of Filipino regional life, offering deeper insight into the Philippines’ diverse cultural heritage. END
