Balhasanay Film Making Movement

20/02/2026

18/02/2026

Lantaw nga salida sa Balay Kauswagan…

Films. Talkbacks. Feelings you didn’t expect before lunch.

Subong nga adlaw aton na masaksihan ang PHILIPPINE SHORTS PREMIERE sa Balay Kauswagan halin 9AM tubtob 6PM!

LokoMo7ib: SineMargahaSIETE opens with Philippine Shorts premieres — stories arriving from different places, stitched together for one long day of cinema and conversation.

Come early. Stay curious.
The train starts moving today! 🚆🎬

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

18/02/2026

Ngaa may kuring sa schedule!?

ambot ya ay... nagtika lang na kag indi naman na sila maghalin.... 🐈‍⬛

This is the official schedule of Margaha Film Festival 7, designed by five child versions of the gfx designer (baby5555), a pair of scissors, old notebooks, and too much imagination — because cinema, like play, is not meant to be neat **sometimes. unless hambalan ka sang producer mo nga liwaton eh 😭 ###x

From PH Shorts premieres, filmmakers’ night, beach screenings, awardings at the Legendary Siete Train, to SUNN screenings and nightly plaza shows, every block, sticker, cat, and cut-out is a carriage in our LOKOMO7IB.

Malakat na ang tren... dali na kag mag tirin tirin upod sa mga sine!

HIMUTARI MAAYO PARA INDI KA MABAYAAN... chooo chooo 🚂🚂🚂🚂

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

18/02/2026

We are pleased to announce the SineMargahaSIETE: LokoMo7ib Panel of Jurors 🚂

Introducing Kenneth Ian Rivera.

Kenneth Ian Rivera has been a local juror of the Margaha Film Festival since its inception in 2020, lending his insight and care to the growth of community-based cinema in Sagay.

A writer and poet, he is also a quiet observer of the world, finding balance in fishing and stargazing— practices that mirror his reflective approach to storytelling and life. He has been actively involved in the development of local filmmakers, co-organizing workshops, talks, and discussions with artists, students, teachers, and the general public.

Outside the arts, he serves as the Head of the Information Technology Office of the Sagay City Government, bridging governance and creativity through service. He is also a loving husband and a proud father of four boys, grounding his work in family, community, and care.

We are honored to have them as part of this year’s jury panel.

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

18/02/2026

We are pleased to announce the SineMargahaSIETE: LokoMo7ib Panel of Jurors 🚂

Introducing Chai Fonacier.

Chai Fonacier is a Filipino actress, singer-songwriter, and creative whose work bridges independent and international cinema.

She first gained attention for her award-winning roles in local films, including Miss Bulalacao and Patay na si Hesus, where her performances were praised for their depth and authenticity. In Patay na si Hesus, Fonacier delivered a memorable portrayal that contributed to the film’s critical acclaim at the Philippine festival circuit.

Fonacier’s range extends beyond local cinema— she appeared in the Irish-Filipino thriller Nocebo, acting alongside international stars and showcasing Filipino talent on a global stage.

In addition to her screen work, Fonacier is also a musician and artist whose creative life began in performance and songwriting. She is also one of the pioneer artists who started the filmmaking workshops in Sagay City leading to the conception of Margaha Film Festival.

We are honored to have them as part of this year’s jury panel.

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

18/02/2026

We are pleased to announce the SineMargahaSIETE: LokoMo7ib Panel of Jurors 🚂

Introducing Jag Garcia.

Jag Garcia has over 30 years in professional media experience starting off with setting up his own production house in his sophomore year in college.

He has built a career in various media fields including film, television, live events, and corporate filmmaking. He has a Bachelors Degree in Communication Arts, and a candidacy for a Masters degree in Communication - both from De La Salle University, and a Masters in Cross-Disciplinary Art and Design from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

He is currently an Assistant Professor at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde where he was also the Founder and Former Chair of the AB Film Program.

Jag is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, live events host, and avid underwater photographer.

We are honored to have them as part of this year’s jury panel.

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

18/02/2026

We are pleased to announce the SineMargahaSIETE: LokoMo7ib Panel of Jurors 🚂

Introducing Rolando Tolentino.

Rolando B. Tolentino is faculty of University of the Philippines Film Institute and former dean of the UP College of Mass Communication.

He has taught at the Osaka University, National University of Singapore, and University of California, Berkeley. His research interests include Philippine literature, popular culture, cinema and media, interfacing national and transnational issues.

He writes fiction and creative non-fiction, and is a fellow and former director of the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing. He was head of the National Committee on Cinema and Commissioner for the Subcommission on the Arts of the National Committee for Culture and the Arts, and board member of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

He is a member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics Group), Pinoy Media Center (PMC), Center for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) and Philippine Solidarity and Education Tours (PSET).

We are honored to have them as part of this year’s jury panel.

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

18/02/2026

We are pleased to announce the SineMargahaSIETE: LokoMo7ib Panel of Jurors 🚂

Introducing Arden Rod Condez.

Direk Arden is a filmmaker from Pandan, Antique.

His debut feature, John Denver Trending, won Best Film at the 15th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. He also wrote and directed Dandansoy, the 2022 Gawad Urian Best Short Film, and penned Sonny Calvento’s Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, the first Filipino short selected for Sundance.

He produced Calvento’s Primetime Mother, Dayoc’s The Gospel of the Beast, Soriaso’s A Catholic School Girl, and Torato’s Bisan Abo, Wala Bilin. In 2024, he produced two Cinemalaya films: Love Child by Jonathan Jurilla, now on Netflix, and Tumandok by Richard Salvadico and Kat Sumagaysay-Salvadico, which won Best Film.

He is currently developing a project for Netflix.

We are honored to have them as part of this year’s jury panel.

---
From February 19 to 28, 2026, LokoMo7ib rolls across Sagay with film premieres, conversations, and celebrations by the sea.

The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

The festival is also sponsored by Sagay Central, Inc., Moving Bridge Foundation, and The Greedy Pig.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts:

10/02/2026

🙏🙏🙏

IN MEMORIAM

We mourn the passing of Dante Macam, the first recipient of the Margaha Lifetime Achievement Award, who left us on Sunday, February 8.

Tay Dante dedicated his life to storytelling, bringing to the screen characters that reflected the Sagaynon and Negrosanon spirit with honesty, depth, and heart.

Through his many roles, he helped shape how our local stories were seen, felt, and remembered.

Beyond acting, he was a mentor and guide to young filmmakers, actors, and artists, generously sharing his time, wisdom, and faith in community art-making. He remains one of the pillars of filmmaking in Sagay, whose influence will continue to live on through the people he inspired.

His final film, “Guloginhawa,” where he gave his last performance, will premiere at Margaha on February 21 as part of the 2026 Sagaynon Shorts Competition.

Padayon sa imo pagpanglakaton, Tay Dante.

Salamat sa imo pagpalangga kag pagsabat sa tawag sang balod kag taliambong. Ang imo istorya padayon nga maga-ginhawa upod sa amon +

09/02/2026

In Loving Memory of Dante Ysulan Macam.

The Balhasanay Film Movement mourns the passing of our dearest Tatay Dante.

Thank you for the stories you shared, the passion you brought to our community, and the light you gave to Sagay’s film family. Your legacy will always remain part of our journey.

You will be deeply missed, Tay Dante.

Rest in paradise, and thank you for being part of our story. 🙏🙏🙏

📸 Jessie Soberano

04/02/2026

Sagaynon Shorts Competition — Curated Sets

Across three movements of a locomotive—loss, belief, and survival—the Sagaynon Shorts trace a journey through memory, myth, and lived reality, carrying stories shaped by the sea, the land, and the people who move between them.

---
The is proudly presented by the City Government of Sagay and Mayor Leo Rafael Bebo Cueva, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, CASAMA 2nd District of Negros Occidental, and Syano Artlink.

In partnership with State University of Northern Negros and DepEd- Sagay City Division.

Follow us in our Official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts: