Two teams of Ateneo de Naga animators romped to victory when Pinagrok and Litrato won second and third prizes respectively in the Animation Category of the recently concluded 29th Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video.

Adapted from the poem of the same title by Bicolano writer, Estelito B. Jacob, Pinagrok tells the story of domestic violence as seen through the eyes of the eldest of four siblings. The misery of the mother is likened by the son to how his mother cooks pinagrok, an old Bicolano dish of whole freshwater fish pounded with a broom and stewed with ginger and vinegar, which is seldom cooked and served nowadays.

Created by Maybelle Escaro (director), Vincent Paul Echano and Francesca Maria Firme, Pinagrok, also won the Best Animated Short Film during last school year’s Ateneo Digital Art an Animation Festival.

Litrato, on the other hand, revolves around a boy with a checklist of things to capture using his own camera and though confronted by numerous hindrances, the boy shows his determination to accomplish his goal. The film was directed by Marc Jon Villanea with the help of Jimmy Seo Jose and Janymph Anjeli Celaje.

The awarding ceremonies was held on August 7 at the Dream Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. DACA Chair Omar Aguilar and some of the creators of the winning animated short films were on hand to receive the awards.

Next stop for the Ateneo animators will be the Film Academy of the Philippines’ Awarding Ceremonies for the Alamat sa Animasyon Competition during the 35th Luna Awards at Resorts World Manila, on 26 August 2017.