The Urdaneta City University – College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), BA Communication Department brought home three distinctions at the DAR PelikulAgraryo 2026 – Ilocos Region under the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) Category: SECOND BEST FILM, BEST EDITING, and BEST POSTER.
Its entry, “Ti Baro a Namnama,” follows Violeta, Margie, Rosemarie, and other women as they take the risk of building a cooperative amid poverty, discrimination, conflict, and persistent doubts about their capabilities. Its award-winning poster introduces the same women-centered narrative of struggle, collective action, and hope at the heart of the film.
The film also earned nominations for Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Teaser.
Organized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Ilocos Region, PelikulAgraryo 2026 gives tertiary students across Region I a platform to translate the stories of agrarian reform beneficiaries and organizations into short films. This year’s regional screening featured 14 entries—five under the ARBO Category and nine under the ARB Category—from colleges and universities across the region.
The festival carries the theme “Tinig ng Lupang Malaya: Kwento at Aral-Agraryo, Butil na Pamana sa Kabataan,” highlighting the experiences and success stories of agrarian reform beneficiaries through student filmmaking.
The film was produced by a team of BA Communication students, with Jethro Lorenzo serving as Team Leader, Director, Cinematographer, and Editor; Orlando Jay Corpuz III as Producer, Researcher, and Actor; and Almira Bien as Assistant Producer, Researcher, and Actress.
Arianne Faith Caras, Aubrey Mae Jacob, and Jade Adriane Baltazar served as Screenwriters and Actresses, while Joelyn Lanzuela, Marlon Mari, Ryza Grace Juaneza, and Stephanie Cristobal were part of the cast.
The production was guided by Film Adviser Ms. Micah Tarlit, with the supervision of Program Coordinator Ms. Mae S. Calizo and College Dean Dr. Princess Sarah M. Quintana.
This reflects UCU’s continuing support for student creativity, storytelling, and community-centered work under the leadership of Hon. Julio “Rammy” F. Parayno III, Chairman of the UCU Board of Regents and City Mayor of Urdaneta.#
