BACOLOD, PHILIPPINES — The Bacolod Film Festival made history with Sa Pwesto ni Pistong emerging as the night’s biggest winner, claiming the prestigious awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. The film was also nominated for Best Musical Score, cementing its place as a standout in the festival’s inaugural edition.
Directed by VinJo Entuna, Sa Pwesto ni Pistong is a short period film set during Martial Law, honoring the victims of the Escalante Massacre — an event to be commemorated every September 20. The film pays homage to the victims and survivors of this dark period in Philippine history, highlighting their struggles and the ongoing fight for justice.
Shot in just one day, the film’s barbershop setting serves as a symbolic stage, reflecting the roots of Bacolod cinema in theatre. What makes the film stand out is its technique: each sequence is captured in a single, uninterrupted long take, leaving no room for cuts. This bold choice …