Kakayanin 2024

Six Ateneo ‘24 alumni share a heartfelt exploration of their journey into post-graduation. Amidst facing the chaos of adulthood, they revisit their formative college years through digital spaces leading towards a realization of courage. 

Project Synopsis

Kakayanin (2024) is an introspective collection of stories from the Ateneo de Manila Class of 2024 — the first batch to experience college during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six recent graduates candidly share their challenges with experiencing college during the pandemic. Through intimate sit-down interviews, they share their lives in shifting to onsite learning, entering adulthood, job hunting, and more. As they revisit their formative college experiences, their stories are woven with a digital tapestry of their online activities and footprints. While new challenges have arisen since the batch graduated, Kakayanin is a pleasant reminder that the courage they held onto during their formative years will carry with them for years to come. 

Director’s Statement
by Yv Salazar AB COM 2024

“Kakayanin” means “to persevere.” I often encountered this word from one of my closest friends, who always used it as a mantra when I was at my lowest during the pandemic. I would always repeat this to myself as a sense of comfort then. Now, I catch myself doing the same as I face my biggest fear: letting go of my path in film. 

I graduated knowing I wanted to work in the production industry. I was given many opportunities through my apprenticeship and connections with some of the best filmmakers in the country. However, I made the conscious decision to step back from the immediate hustle of my career due to my declining mental health. While my situation is only temporary, finishing my apprenticeship felt as if I was abandoning the expectations both I and others had for myself. I was and still am confused about what I want for my future. I lost a part of my identity, which I relied heavily on during my time at Ateneo De Manila University. In my uncertainty, I found solace in revisiting digital memorabilia from my college days. Whether on Instagram, Facebook,  Google Takeout, or terabytes of hard drives filled with memories, I found comfort. I remembered how much I enjoyed the process and collaboration of filmmaking during my time at the university. I was assured. I was assured my problem would pass, in some way or another. 

Stigma toward the digital age today advocates that technology will never replace real experiences and feelings; yet, the odd reality is that digital spaces have become a capsule and platform for the memories I made during a distressing time of change. The same goes for the Ateneo de Manila University Batch of 2024. Each of us has challenges to deal with, but like every problem before, they can be overcome. 

That is where Kakayanin (2024) comes in. We aim to provide a gentle reminder that visually shows, “na kinaya natin, kinakaya natin, kakayanin natin.” “Kaya,” is a uniquely Filipino term that grounds us in humility. Though the future is unpredictable, “Kaya” reminds us that there is still beauty in knowing that problems will pass. 

Featuring alumni and found footage from the batch, we showcase our creative dependence on digital spaces. It provides a vivid snapshot of how we built courage and maturity during a time of global strife. While our identities, goals, and fears differ from one another, we are united in the way we face uncertainty. 

Credits 

In partnership with Eugenio Lopez Jr Center for Multimedia Communication 

Executive Producer Aaron Vicencio 
Lead Producer Sita Valenzuela
Director Yv Salazar  
Assistant Director Raffy Cabrera 
Production Manager Rafaela Serafica 
Assistant Production Manager Sage Famatiga  
Production Assistant JR Regala
Director of Photography Rance Dizon 
Gaffer Aidan Olarte
Camera Operator Kenneth Villaret
Equipment Caretaker Mark Malixi
DIT Mark Malixi
Production Designer Samantha De Belen
Art Director Maxine Oliva 
HMUA Rafaela Serafica
Sound Recordist Iana Pineda
Sound Assistant Catherina Santos
BTS Photographer Aidan Olarte
Offline Editors Gab Obrero Matthew Samson 
Online Editor Yv Salazar
Sound Designer Catherina Santos
Scorer  Kirsten Navarro
Colorist Robi Kang

Special thanks to:

•  Jeffrey Lorenzo, Christian Valderama &  Karlo Montenegro of the Department of Communication
•  Aaron Vicencio
•  John Torres
•  Seiga Productions
•  Isabella Lazatin
•  Cyrus Dy-Lim
•  Claudine Belmonte
•  Angelo Rebosa
•  Shariz Ngo
•  Arianne Cosca
•  Coleen Abadicio
•  Raffie Handayan
•  MM Manaligod
•  Dane Justiniano
•  Redd Alli
•  Isabelle Ko
•  and the Kakayanin Interviewees.