Just a few days after reaping awards at Cinemalaya Cinco, “Dinig Sana Kita” by independent film director Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 received an invitation to the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival 2009. Congratulations Direk Mike!

Update: Congratulations to Mike Sandejas ‘91 on his Best Film (Deaf Category) win at the 2009 Brussels International Independent Film Festival. Watch Dinig Sana Kita on December 15 as part of Upsilon Month 2009!

Independent film director Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 made another appearance at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival this year with the film “Dinig Sana Kita.” Sandejas’ full length feature film entry won three awards at Cinemalaya Cinco 2009 namely the “National Council for Children’s Television Award,” “Audience Choice (Full Length)” and “Best Musical Score.” Sandejas dedicated his Balanghai trophy to deaf people, entreating producers to do more stories about the deaf most of whom, he said, “lead interesting lives.”

“Dinig Sana Kita” (If I Knew What You Said) is a love story between a deaf boy who loves to dance and a rocker girl who abuses her hearing. Crossing paths in a Baguio camp that mixes deaf and hearing kids, the two find that they have a lot in common including a passion for music. The film was also the second most watched film in the festival. In the short film category, “Wat Floor Ma’am” also by Sandejas, was among the ten finalists.

At the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Sandejas’ entry “Tulad ng Dati” won the “Best Film,” “Best Sound” and “Best Editing.” Congratulations Direk Mike!

Rev. Benedick R. dela Cruz ‘05 was ordained a priest of the Congregacao de Sao Carlos (CSC), a Filipino congregation of Old Catholic Clergy, at the Holy Family Parish in Imus, Cavite last July 4. Three other Upsilonians were previously ordained priests of the Roman Catholic Church. Congratulations and best wishes Father Brod!