SAMPALOC, QUEZON | In Sampaloc, film is being treated as more than something to watch.

For Municipal Mayor Nikko Devanadera, the Second Sine Sampaloc Film Festival is a means to build something that can last beyond the closing program, from local employment and production services to a new generation of storytellers.

“The festival is not the end but the medium,” Devanadera explained. The bigger goal is to bring more productions into the municipality while developing local talent and skills in film production.

That vision took shape after the municipality experienced the economic impact of the three-month filming of Magellan in Sampaloc. Houses that were usually unoccupied became transient accommodations for production crews. Local residents found work as film extras. Visual artists contributed to the production design and set work.

For Devanadera, those experiences showed how film can circulate income within a community without requiring Sampaloc to become the country’s next major film location capital. That is not the target. The focus is on creating economic opportunities for Sampaloc residents through film-related services, production work and local talent.

Building a local creative pipeline

Now on its second year, Sine Sampaloc is also taking a different approach to the usual film festival format.

The featured films were brought in through the Cultural Center of the Philippines Lakbay Sine, including Coding Si Papa, while local students are being given space to express themselves through short reel films, interpretative dance and creative floats.

The interpretative dance competition is divided into two categories, with Category A for primary school students and Category B for high school students.

The creative float segment gives another local tradition a cinematic twist, with tricycles transformed into moving works of art. The short film category, presented through reels, is exclusive to students of Sampaloc town.

Mayor Devanadera said he is particularly excited to see the outputs of this year’s animation workshop, which includes students who also joined last year’s program. The intent is to create a talent pipeline.

The municipality is also working with the Department of Trade and Industry to provide production equipment for Sampaloc’s creative community. If local filmmakers can access equipment, locations and production support within the municipality, Sampaloc could become a place where a film is not simply shot, but developed with local participation.

From film locations to film services

Sampaloc has an existing film location service that can respond through an account officer to production inquiries, coordinate with barangays, help scout locations, identify suppliers and arrange transient accommodations. A film location tour also gives visitors a chance to see Sampaloc through the places that can serve as references for future productions.

The municipality’s peace and order situation is another asset. Reported index crimes stood at five in 2024 and three in 2025, according to figures cited by the mayor. Talk about peace of mind while filming, right?

The broader plan is taking shape with support beyond the municipality. Devanadera said more people and organizations have expressed interest in supporting Sine Sampaloc Film Festival, while the Provincial Government of Quezon has also expressed stronger support for next year’s edition through Sir Nesler Almagro, Quezon Province Tourism Officer.

When a film leaves the cinema

That community connection was evident when CCP Lakbay Sine brought the actors of Coding Si Papa to Sampaloc.

Ariel Perino, who played Manny, said he was honored that the film was selected from the CCP’s many productions. He also saw the municipality’s potential as a filming location.

For nine-year-old Zed Xyrus Martin, who played Gelo, the experience was different. It was his first time seeing his film shown in a community setting outside a cinema. His message to young people who dream of entering film production was simple. “Galingan po nila para maabot ang pangarap nila.” He also hopes audiences watch Coding Si Papa for its moral lesson about respecting one’s father. Perino added another message, calling on parents to respect and love their children’s preferred gender expression.

That is the larger promise of Sine Sampaloc. A film festival can screen stories for a few days. A community can use those stories to start conversations, train young people, drive economy and attract production opportunities.

For Sampaloc Quezon, the screen is only the beginning.