TWO films directed by a Mariano Marcos State University instructor bagged several awards in two separate film festivals.

Melver Ritz Gomez won the best documentary film in the 25th Gawad PASADO Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro for his entry ‘Naisangsangayan a Daga or Extraordinary Soil’.

‘Naisangsangayan a Daga’ features the stories of elderly women in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, as they try to continue and preserve the cultural heritage of Ilokano pottery making.

“This film won in the second Tan-ok ni Ilokano Festival of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and had public screenings in various regional film fests,” MMSU said in a statement.

For his ‘Karkarma’ film, Gomez also bagged the Gimadyaman Award for Best Film in the 10th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition.

‘Karkarma’ weaves a captivating narrative on the Ilocano legend of Paoay Lake.

“Recently, this film earned its place in the Next Gen section of Cinemalaya, a festival co-organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines,” the school said.

PASADO is an organization of school master teachers that reviews and appreciates films as documents and materials for teaching different disciplines.

It also recognizes the works of filmmakers, artists, and notable members of the academe who contributed to the promotion of Philippine cinema and innovations in teaching.

Meanwhile, NIFE recognizes new and fresh cinematic works that depict local folks’ culture and uncover local filmmakers’ talents.

It is organized by the municipality of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province, and supported by the National Commission on Culture and Arts and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.