Marian Rivera to students: ‘Huwag kayong matakot mangarap’

There was a jamboree in the hearts of my 1,007 students when they personally shared space with award-winning actor Marian Rivera-Dantes for about two hours when the primetime queen recently graced the awarding ceremonies of the 4th St. Vincent College of Cabuyao Film Festival. 

Pandemonium broke loose when, before Marian personally presented the Rachy Cuna-designed trophies to the winners in the acting categories, she took the microphone to warm up the crowd at the school’s events center. 

“Sa mga estudyanteng katulad ninyo, gusto ko lang na huwag kayong matakot mangarap. Alam ko, darating sa point ng buhay ninyo na medyo mag-aalangan kayo, susuko kayo, pero sana hindi mangyari iyon. Dahil hindi naman yan nilagay sa puso ninyo na hindi ninyo kayang abutin,” she said. 

Her words were a balm to the souls of the students, most of whom are economically challenged. These students—taking up Criminology, Education, Business Administration, Psychology, and Information Technology—have found a home at SVCC because its founders Marina Chavez and engineer Simeon Chavez believe that “quality education does not need to be expensive.” 

“There will be times when it really gets hard, you will fall, and you will doubt yourselves. But please remember this: speed is not the measurement of success but your grit to fight for your dreams,” the award-winning actor of Balota and Rewind continued.

Marian was very sure of her words. Optimistic. Encouraging. Her parents separated when she was very young. She was left in the care of her grandmother in Cavite. Her lola taught her never to have rancor against her mother and Spanish father. Her family was broken but she chose to be whole. She put premium in education, finishing a degree in Psychology from De La Salle University in Damarinas, Cavite. 

“Mangarap kayo nang malaki sa mundong ito. ‘Yun ang gusto natin, ang maabot niyo ang lahat ng inyong mga pangarap. Maniwala kayo sa sarili ninyo, at higit sa lahat, huwag na huwag kayong susuko. Alam ninyo kung bakit? Dahil balang araw, kayo rin ang magiging inspirasyon ng iba dahil sa mga pangarap na naabot ninyo,” she continued. 

Marian also served as a judge of the 20 short films in competition at the SVCC Film Festival, an endeavor yours truly organized four years ago to hone and discover talents of my students in Philippine Pop Culture and Art Appreciation. It was a venture fully supported by my “sister” Lt. Col. Jan Chavez-Arceo, a trustee of the school, and other key people of SVCC.

I feel doubly blessed because my loving friends—my best friend and former chair of the Cinema Evaluation Board Christine Dayrit, filmmaker Dante Nico Garcia, UP Fine Arts professor and political cartoonists Jose “Chong” Ardivilla, and singer Poppert Bernadas—support me also in making sure the annual school-based film festival will be a success because they are the mainstay jury. 

“The 20 entries in the SVCC Film Fest were magnificent—thoughtfully conceived and beautifully executed. While some themes felt familiar, they were presented in fresh, imaginative ways that breathed new life into well-trodden ground,” Christine said. 

“What you see here is not just a display of talent, but a testament: that filmmaking belongs to everyone. This space becomes a proving ground where students risk, experiment, and discover what their images can do—how far their imagination can stretch, and how truth can take form on screen,” said Chong.

I also dream for my students to be successful. Their tales of survival were once my story. I endeavor my best to give them unforgettable learning experiences. 

“Sa totoo lang, kanina habang pinapanood ko kayo, natutuwa ako…Yung mga pelikulang ginawa ninyo original ang sounds, yung pag arte niyo. Sabi ko nga kay Bum, ‘Anong ginamit ninyong camera o lighting?’ Alam niyo ang sabi ni Bum? ‘Kung anong meron lang kayo.’ Nakita ninyo kung gaano kayo kaabilidad para gumawa ng isang magandang proyekto. Wow! St. Vincent College of Cabuyao, nakakabilib kayo (I was filled with joy while watching your short films. Everything in each film was original—sound, music, acting. I asked Bum what camera or light equipment you used. He said whatever was available. See how resourceful you are to make good films. SVCC, you rock)!” Marian concluded. 

Winners of the 4th SVCC Film Festival

BEST FILM: Kuwadro
2nd BEST FILM: Estado and Siwalat 
3rd Best Film: Buhay ang Patay

BEST DIRECTOR: 
Dianne Beato (Kuwadro) and Claress Ocampo (Estado)

BEST ACTOR:
John Kelley Tamayo (Label) and Ferdinand Corrales (Buhay ang Patay)

BEST ACTRESS:
Samantha Bacalla (Salamin) 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Wengel Tenido (Label)
Mark Jaylor Lantaca (Buhay ang Patay)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Jessirie Heroda (Kuwadro)

BEST STORY:
Nadine Dela Cruz (Buhay ang Patay)

BEST SCREENPLAY: 
Nadine Dela Cruz (Buhay ang Patay)

BEST EDITING:
Angel Reyes (Salamin) and Kenjie Romero (Estado) 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Ralph Roland Altoveros, Brix Yronne Cunanan, and Alexander Alejaga (Unang Baitang)

BEST SOUND:
Hazel Romero (Siwalat)

BEST THEME SONG:
Aizen Capole (Speak My Name)

BEST MOVIE POSTER:
Mikee Aliwate (Elias)
JM Alarcon (Buhay ang Patay)

GENDER SENSITIVE FILM:
Buhay ang Patay 

PALAWAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD:
Buhay ang Patay

CHITO ARCEO MEMORIAL AWARD:
Kuwadro

CHRISTINE DAYRIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILM 
Kuwadro

BUM D. TENORIO JR. AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILM:
Buhay ang Patay