'Bidyo Mo, iPatrol Mo' kicks off with films on vote buying, gun ban

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino voters can now watch films depicting election-related issues and topics in "Bidyo Mo, iPatrol Mo," a spin-off feature to ABS-CBN's citizen journalism arm, "Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na."

Dubbed as "Bidyo Mo, iPatrol Mo: The Halalan 2013 Series," the new project features short opinion-documentary films produced by student filmmakers who partnered with ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs with the aim of increasing awareness among voters.

The short films showcase what the youth believe Filipinos should take into consi deration before voting on May 13.

These are published on ABS-CBNnews.com’s Halalan 2013 microsite, under Web Exclusives which also contain videos from "Kampanya Serye," a project which highlights key battles or themes in the upcoming midterm elections.

The microsite also features election-related news, infographics, complete with a list of candidates and party-list groups.

ABS-CBN’s partners have so far produced eight films:

1. Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU): "Zamboanga City Gun Ban 2013"
2. Far Eastern University (FEU) Film Society: "Hangalan 2013"
3. IMAJE - ADZU Animators Guild: "Makina ng Pagbabago"
4. Jesuit Communications (JesCom) - Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM): "A Question for Every Juan"
5. JesCom - Miriam college: "Pagbabago," "Kampanya," and "Balot"
6. University of the Philippines (UP) Cineastes' Studio: "Juan Kabataan"

ADZU's five-minute film features the rampant shooting incidents in Zamboanga despite the implementation of the election gun ban.

FEU Film Society's film "Hangalan 2013," meanwhile, depicts how candidates sugarcoat their promises just to get the votes of their constituents.

IMAJE's five-minute film and JesCom-PLM's seven-minute film both revolve around the importance of exercising the right to vote. The films ended with the question, "Why are you going to vote?"

The three short films produced by JesCom-Miriam College focus on the issue of vote buying, which they called a threat to the integrity of the elections, while UP Cineastes' Studio's film "Juan Kabataan" features what voters should look for in a candidate.