Lights, Camera, Mapúa: The New Generation of Storytellers

Article by: Shaina Camille F. Macaranas, Anessa Denise M. Grey, Ross Daniel L. Martin, and Mikaella Fhaye Perlado

Graphics by: Marcus D. Agustin and Eumil N. Talabador

Known for its excellence as the Philippines’ premier engineering and technological institution, Mapúa University (MU) has long been a breeding ground for technical innovators. Often associated with hard hats, drafting tables, and circuit boards, the Mapúan community has been consistently branching out into wider horizons, defined by camera lenses, storyboards, and festival spotlights. In recent years, the university’s School of Multimedia and Digital Arts (SoMDA) has continued to elevate the standards for the next generation of storytellers, filmmakers, and multimedia artists. As their work reaches larger audiences, students and alumni have demonstrated excellence by garnering recognition, securing industry opportunities, and establishing their names far beyond the campus walls.

Behind the Scene

Formerly known as the School of Media Studies (SMS), SoMDA thrives on a philosophy of experiential, deeply collaborative learning. Program Chair Normandy Manalaysay emphasizes that the faculty is dedicated to shifting away from rigid, lecture-only formats.

"The way we hone them is that they are not just always confined to lecture types, delivery of the lessons, but also hands-on," Manalaysay explains. "To collaborate, to actually have a real product so that they’ll end up with their own demo reels if you’re film or broadcast, or if you have in multimedia arts... so that they can display all their products and their works once they graduate and show to the world that this is what they do."

Instructors actively embed themselves in student productions to offer real-time professional feedback, acting more as industry supervisors than distant lecturers. Through initiatives like the university's own film festivals, which serve as direct bridges to the professional world, students are pushed to step out of the classroom. While recognition may be the most public measure of success, it ultimately reflects the countless hours and personal sacrifices that came before it. For students and alumni of the university’s SoMDA, recognition in film festivals and industry programs is not the result of overnight success but of years spent refining their craft through training, collaboration, and extensive creative experimentation.

Behind the Spotlight

For many, choosing a college track is a purely practical decision driven by financial stability and immediate career prospects. For Broadcast Media and Multimedia Arts student Shin A. Okajima, it was a choice rooted in pure passion. Initially torn between studying law and pursuing the arts, Okajima chose the latter, believing that creative work would allow him to express his inner identity while giving a voice to vital social issues that matter most.

That passion is already paying off. Okajima was recently selected as an official participant in GMA Public Affairs’ “The Big Idea” Drama Concept Development Workshop, standing out among more than 200 highly competitive entries. He credits much of his rapid growth to the environment around him, noting that Mapúa’s rigorous academic standards are softened by a deeply empathetic community.

"Mahirap ang maging Mapúan, pero magaan sa puso ang pagiging SoMDA," Okajima shares. "Mahirap dahil alam naman nating mataas ang academic standards dito sa Mapúa bilang isang institusyon. Hindi rin naman madaling maging SoMDA student, pero dahil marami sa atin dito, shiftee man, irregular, o bumalik sa pag-aaral, ang mga estudyante ay puno ng passion. At dahil sa passion na iyon, napapalibutan din tayo ng mga gurong kasing-passionate natin."

The journey of self-discovery cultivated within SoMDA continues long after graduation, as exemplified by Elian "Dio" Idioma (AB Digital Film, Batch 2024). Idioma recently clinched the prestigious Best Director award in the Short Film Category at the 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival for his film, “I’m Best Left Inside My Head.”

Though he entered the program with a technical background in sound editing and post-production, Mapúa exposed him to writing, directing, and cinematography, transforming him into a multifaceted filmmaker. Today, he works as a freelance music video director, frequently collaborating with fellow Mapúan creatives. Reflecting on his journey, Idioma emphasizes that while technical skills matter, finding a unique creative voice is what truly sets an artist apart.

"Sir David helped me gain that perspective. Finding your voice is a lifelong process, but your college years are some of the most important for developing it," Idioma recalls to the support he had from SoMDA Dean David R. Corpuz.

He describes his experience in the department as "fun" precisely because it unlocked potential he didn't know he had. "Mapúa exposed me to different aspects of filmmaking and allowed me to explore my creative potential. Because of that, I'm not limited to one role today—I can contribute in multiple areas of production.”

Reflecting on the early stages of their career, the AB Digital Film alumnus recalled how an opportunity that came while they were still a student shaped their approach to the profession, “One of my first professional experiences happened while I was still a student. Our professor, Ma'am Andes, referred a group of us to work on a professional project…That experience reinforced the importance of teamwork, humility, and being open to learning.”

He further added that Mapúa had a huge influence on his film journey, noting that the community built within the university's red and gold halls provides crucial support to the education itself.

“Technically, you don't need a formal education to enter the industry," Idioma reflects. "However, what helps the most is the community. At Mapúa, I was surrounded by fellow filmmakers who shared the same dreams and passion."

Capturing the Community

Behind the glamorous film screenings and festival trophies lies a grueling reality. Broadcast Media Program Chair Normandy Manalaysay, and the faculty openly acknowledge the steep obstacles SoMDA students must navigate. First is the logistical hurdle: creative tools like high-end cameras, drawing tablets, and editing software come at a staggering financial cost. While the university offers gear loans, the intense demand from hundreds of eager students frequently outpaces availability.

Time is another relentless pressure. Crafting a high-quality broadcast or film production requires hundreds of hours of planning, shooting, and meticulous editing. Balancing these massive, time-consuming projects alongside general education courses can quickly become overwhelming under Mapúa’s fast-paced academic quarter system.

Beyond logistics, Mr. Manalaysay notes that personal confidence is a major hurdle for young Gen Z creatives. Stepping outside of comfort zones to pitch ideas, direct an uncooperative crew, or interview strangers requires immense emotional courage. To combat this, the department treats these friction points as vital learning moments, offering tailored mentorship.

He recalls observing this supportive faculty culture firsthand during a shoot: "I'd see her teach class in an actual production. And she would just eavesdrop on what the student director would be saying and all that. She's just guiding them on what to do." This active mentorship ensures that the SoMDA faculty focuses heavily on providing real-world professional experiences while softening the high-stress environment.

From the establishment of the department as the School of Multimedia and Visual Arts to its present-day identity as SoMDA, technology has evolved—and so has the institution's approach to multimedia education. According to the program chair, what distinguishes professionals in multimedia and broadcasting is not the technology they use but the values and discipline they bring to their craft. “Anybody can be a multimedia artist but not everybody can be a professional, you know, a professional multimedia artist with the right skill and attitude. Just the same with broadcast. You, anybody can be a broadcaster with your phone, but not everybody can deliver a professional looking or a disciplined attitude.”

Every successful project that emerges from SoMDA represents far more than artistic talent; it is concrete evidence of resilience, late nights, and creative problem-solving. To the students who choose this unconventional path at a historically technical university, the department offers unwavering allegiance.

As Idioma notes, the learning never truly stops after leaving the classroom: “You can never know everything. Every day brings new lessons, new people, and new perspectives.”

For those willing to embrace that continuous growth, the department promises to stand by them from day one. "a lot of Gen Zs are going for jobs that are, you know, that guarantee your financial stability. So a lot of them go for nursing, for engineering. I can understand that completely" Program Chair Manalaysay says in a final message to prospective creatives. "But then there are those who are called in their heart to do these things. If you are that kind of person, if you are called to this vocation—if you want to say it is a vocation—then you are the few and the proud. You are chosen. And all I can say is: we got you. SoMDA will be your launchpad to where you want to be. And that's what I'm going to tell my students over and over again. Present and future students. We got you."

As the credits continue to roll on one achievement after another, Mapúan community are proving that their stories belong not only inside the university but also on the screens, stages, and festivals where the future of Philippine filmmaking is being written.