A Victory for Regional Cinema and Resistance Storytelling
Emerging Bacolod filmmaker Vincent Joseph Entuna has once again made waves in the indie film circuit. On October 18, 2025, VinJo earned the Best Director Award at the prestigious Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival in Quezon City for his historical short film Sa Pwesto ni Pistong (The Barber’s Chair).
VinJo’s win is a resounding celebration of regional storytelling—poignant, fearless, and unafraid to confront the shadows of the past.
A Slice of History Told from a Barbershop Chair
Set during the turbulent Martial Law era in the Philippines, Sa Pwesto ni Pistong zooms in on the quiet life of Teopisto, a humble barber, and his nephew Carlos, a restless youth about to leave for Manila.
As the two share conversations inside their small-town barbershop—a place of tradition, silence, and small talk—what unfolds is a story that gradually reveals a society in decline, one where neutrality becomes complicity.
Carlos finds himself swept up in a growing resistance against the regime, while Teopisto is faced with a moral reckoning of his own. His evolution from quiet observer to reluctant participant becomes a metaphor for a nation slowly waking up.
A Bold Directorial Choice: One Camera, One Truth
What sets this film apart? It’s told entirely from a single, locked camera angle.
This bold stylistic decision, praised by critics for its precision and restraint, creates a voyeuristic tension and reflects the chilling stillness of a community trapped in fear and silence. The framing becomes its own form of protest—subtle, unflinching, and deeply affecting.
Honoring the Silenced and Forgotten
In his stirring acceptance speech, VinJo dedicated the award to the “voiceless and forgotten,” paying tribute to the victims of the 1985 Escalante Massacre in Negros Occidental. This tragic event, which the film quietly commemorates, remains a painful chapter in Philippine history.
“This film is for those who were silenced by history,” Entuna said, following his third Best Director award. He stressed the power of cinema, reminding today’s generation that “art has the power to resist” and that storytelling must not only entertain but also “bear witness.”
From Bacolod to the World
This latest accolade is just one of many. Sa Pwesto ni Pistong previously dominated the Bacolod Film Festival 2024, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, with an additional nomination for Best Musical Score.
Earlier in 2025, VinJo also clinched the Best Director title at the Pangasine Film Festival, and his film continues to earn nods—including a Best Picture nomination at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2025 and recognition from the Hundred Islands Film Festival.
The People Behind the Story
Joining VinJo at the Active Vista awards night were producer Benj Ramos and Kristin Bactad-Jor, coordinator of the Bacolod Film Festival 2024. Their presence underscored the spirit of solidarity behind the film’s journey.
About Active Vista: Cinema with a Conscience
Organized by DAKILA, Active Vista is one of the country’s leading platforms for human rights cinema. It champions films that celebrate freedom, justice, and democratic values—making it a fitting stage for VinJo’s powerful narrative.
What’s Next for VinJo Entuna?
With multiple Best Director awards and growing acclaim, VinJo is poised to become a vital voice in Philippine cinema. His commitment to regional narratives and social truth-telling places him at the forefront of a new generation of filmmakers using art as activism.
If Sa Pwesto ni Pistong is any indication, we can expect more bold, thoughtful, and necessary stories to come.
