Bacolod filmmaker wins 4th Best Director award for ‘Sa Pwesto ni Pistong’

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Bacolod filmmaker Vincent Joseph Entuna continues his notable achievement in Philippine cinema, taking home the Best Director prize for the film “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber’s Chair) in the Philippine Shorts category of Sagay City’s Margaha Film Festival.

This latest victory marks a historic milestone for Entuna, serving as his fourth award of the same nature in a streak that began at the Bacolod Film Festival in 2024, where the short film also won Best Picture and Best Screenplay.

“Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” resonated with both the jury and the audience, praised for its nuanced storytelling, evocative visual language, and its profound exploration of local narratives. The film’s success at Margaha reinforces Entuna’s reputation as a vital voice in contemporary Negrense filmmaking.

Since his breakout win in 2024, Entuna has maintained an unprecedented momentum with his ability to blend authentic cultural themes with sophisticated cinematic techniques.

In a statement, Entuna expressed his appreciation, “Salamat guid Sine Margaha kag mga Sagaynon sa pagbugay sa amon sang oppurtunidad na maisturya namon sina Pistong kag sang mga tawo na pilit ginakalimtan.” (“Thank you very much, Sine Margaha and the people of Sagay, for blessing us with the opportunity to tell the story of Pistong and the people who are being forced into oblivion.”)

The award-winning filmmaker also dedicated this milestone to his “constant collaborators” who were instrumental in bringing the film’s vision to life: director of photography and producer Joshua Fabricante and assistant director Gian Paulo Suarez.

In the film, which has been recognized for its technical and narrative skill, a humble barber navigates a tumultuous era while serving a diverse array of customers including a prominent haciendero and an idealistic nephew.

Entuna also won Best Director for “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” at the Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival and PangaSine Film Festival in 2025.

The Margaha Film Festival is a premier platform for cinematic storytelling in Sagay City, celebrated for its focus on heritage, environment, and the unique coastal identity of the region.

“As Sagay City continues to envision itself as the epicenter of arts and culture in Northern Negros, Margaha stands as one of its cultural pillars, nurturing filmmakers, expanding audiences, and creating a space where local and regional voices are valued and heard,” Festival Director Helen Arguelles-Cutillar stressed.

By honoring filmmakers like Entuna, the festival continues to bridge the gap between local talent and national recognition.

An academic and a storyteller, Entuna is a faculty member at Mapúa University’s School of Multimedia and Digital Arts (SoMDA) and Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila’s Broadcasting Communication Journalism and Multimedia Arts (BCJMMA) program.

A graduate of the UP Film Institute and a current MA Araling Filipino student at De La Salle University Manila, his work continues to explore Negrense history, culture, and social advocacy.