The Digital Festive Season is ON for the Short Film "Dayas" as it passed the strict judgement of the juries in the 11th International Film festival Manhattan (IFFM) held annually in New York City. The IFFM offers a quality selection of world-class films which are showcased in theaters in Manhattan New York City, USA. Categories are of different genres like Narrative features, documentaries, student films and short films where "Dayas" is one of the official selections.
"Dayas" a film produced by Be Unrivaled Productions through Direk Jianlin, a proud Igorot Director who has entered the official selections of several International Film Festivals like First-Time Filmmaker Online Sessions in UK and Noble International Film Festival and Awards in India.
Through this platforms, Direk Jianlin and Direk Pete Mariano aims to showcase the beautiful culture of the Cordilleras, its people, belief and tradition.
This narrative short film focuses on the lives of 2 Igorot miners from the mountains of Itogon, Benguet in the Philippines. "Hakob" represent a good looking, pure blooded Igorot from the Municipality of Itogon whose grandmother is a "balitok" (gold) buyer and an In-Ina: a respected mother of the town. In contrast, Bantay of family Bundad was played by Jeyrick "the Carrotman of the Philippines"Sigmaton, father of Sam-sam, whose wife died due to chemical poisoning in the mines.
The short film "Dayas" is an advocacy film that helps local talents and film makers. It also provides education and entertainment during this crisis.
Through this film, our OFWs who are longing for their love ones made an avenue to get rid of homesickness. It made the people behind this film realize the importance of entertainment in the lives of everyone.
Today we are grateful to share to you how far this film has come. We have shown the world how diverse our culture is and how good we are in film making. We share this good news in support to our local directors, talents and producers. We can do more if we support locals. We are resilient individuals. We are proud of our culture because we are Cordilleran.

A film by: Direk Jennylyn "Jianlin" De Los Santos Floresca
Director of Photography: Direk Pete Mariano
Production: Be Unrivaled Productions and Sine Cordillera
Producer: Jennylyn De Los Santos Floresca

Featured Writer: Elmer Diga
Script Editor: Justine Nicole Arenas