Benilde film grads take 3 of 4 top prizes at DTI creatives tilt

Film alumni sweep major screenwriting awards at DTI’s Young Creatives Challenge Season 3 grand finale.

Graduates of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s film program dominated the Screenwriting (Short Film) category at the 3rd Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) Season 3 Grand Finale, securing three of the top four awards.

Hazel Juniosa won the grand prize for “Biyahe,” a drama on Metro Manila’s harsh commute. Set on a chaotic Friday the 13th, it follows Bea, an unemployed woman racing to a crucial job interview amid breakdowns and gridlock. Her journey shifts after meeting Aling May, whose belief in folk wisdom offers unexpected support.

Juniosa, an editor and writer behind the award-winning short “Beep Beep,” said the script reflects lived experiences shared by everyday commuters. “Biyahe is one woman’s crucial pursuit for a job interview. It is my story; it’s the story ng mga taong nakalapit ko sa bus o jeep; it’s your story, too,” she said.

“It’s the story of every Filipino commuter who go through hell just to get from Point A to Point B, battling through the Philippine commute—’yong init, ‘yong siksikan, ‘yong matagal na paghihintay ng bus o jeep—just to earn a living,” she added, noting how systemic gaps in transport further burden workers.

Second place went to recent graduate Janno Pelias for “I Wish We’d Stay a Little in Time’s Fleeting,” a poignant look at grief, memory, and connection. The story centers on Jimboy, a graduating student rushing back to his thesis after his father’s death, and his mother, Glenda, who copes by obsessively cleaning their home. A minor delay forces the two into a rare moment of stillness, confronting grief amid life’s demands. Pelias cited personal loss as inspiration, pointing to how rigid academic and professional expectations often leave little space to mourn.

Alumna Iyan Valenzuela placed fourth with “Dalawang Dapithapon,” a coming-of-age story set in Cavite. It follows Juni, a closeted high school senior in love with her best friend, Alicia. After a classmate outs her, Juni grapples with fear and vulnerability while trying to preserve their bond, offering a sensitive portrayal of the emotional struggles faced by closeted youth.

The national competition, held at the SMX Convention Center Aura, is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through Malikhaing Pinoy. YC2 highlights emerging Filipino creatives across disciplines such as screenwriting, animation, and game development, providing cash prizes, mentorship, and opportunities for production funding to participants aged 18 to 35.

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