My MA thesis titled “Social Advocacy Cinema: Progressive and Political Filmmaking of Alternative Multimedia Collectives from 2000 to 2019” has been awarded BEST THESIS (MA Media Studies) by the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines Diliman. 

The virtual awarding ceremony was held today, September 26, 2021. 

All the hard work, sleepless nights, and sacrifices paid off! 

This became possible because of the guidance and support of all my professors at UP Film Institute and the UP CMC Graduate Studies Department. Salamat po Dean Arminda Santiago, Prof. Fernando Paragas, Prof. Sari Dalena, Prof. Patrick Campos, Prof. Yason Banal, and everyone.   

My heartfelt gratitude and endless “THANK YOU” to my Thesis Adviser, Prof. Nick Deocampo, who opened doors of opportunities for me. Everything that I have learned from you will forever be treasured. This thesis was a sweet fruit ripened from our Alternative Cinema, Political Economy of Cinema, and Cinema & Nation classes. 

To my thesis critics/readers, Prof. Rolando Tolentino and Prof. Diosa Labiste, who also inspired me to study and engage in media/cinema that is critical, liberative, and transformative. Your feedback, criticism, and recommendations greatly helped me in research and writing.

To these alternative multimedia collectives in the Philippines, salamat po sa pagtitiwala ninyo sa akin na maibahagi ang inyong mga naratibo: Kodao Productions, Tudla Productions, Mayday Multimedia, PinoyMedia Center, Film Weekly, Resbak, Southern Tagalog Exposure, Aninaw Productions, Sine Panayanon, Kilab Multimedia, Breakaway Media, at iba pa. 

Thank you Plaridel Journal for publishing my article based on this thesis, and to the different academic conferences for providing me platforms to share my study. 

Thank you to all my classmates and batchmates; UP CMC Library and UP Main Library; ate Jack, ate SC, Dey, at lahat ng staff na palaging nandyan sa aming mga pangangailangan. 

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, mahal kita. Sa taumbayan na nagpaaral sa akin, para sa inyo ang pagkilalang ito! Asahan mong ang dangal at kahusayan ay aking iaalay sa bayan. Patuloy na magmumulat at maglilingkod! 

To all my students, thank you for allowing me to share this passion with you. 

To my FEU DepCom family, thank you. 

To my parents/family, for eternal love. 

To God Almighty, this victory is all YOURS!

Pagbati sa mga nagsipagtapos ngayong 2021! 

Padayon, Iskolar ng Bayan! 🌻

…

Herwin B. Cabasal, MA