PASTELL : CBAA’s Ma’idah bags Sineskolar 2025 crown, retells of MSU pastil vendor

Maria Nicole P. Silva

Turning a slice of campus life into a story of family and perseverance, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) clinched the championship at this year’s Sineskolar 2025, formerly the GAD Film Festival, with their short family drama Ma’idah after several years of trying.

Inspired by the real-life story of a pastil vendor inside Mindanao State University–General Santos City (MSU-GSC), the film follows a mother who faced her greatest challenges, including the death of her husband and the growing distance between her and her child during the pandemic.

She returned to the Philippines and worked at a campus food stall to keep an eye on her struggling daughter, a CBAA alumna who later graduated Magna Cum Laude. Despite her child’s academic success, she continues selling pastil while quietly supporting both her family and students in need.

A story of sacrifice and generosity

Christian Miayo, a second-year BS Economics student and director of the film, traced the mother’s journey after her husband’s death, including her resignation from her medical career and her decision to work at the campus food stall. He said her generosity toward students inspired the team to tell her story.

“Sabi niya, ‘If naa siya makita na estudyante nga naga-tunganga sa iyang stall, gina-ingnan niya, “Ngano man ka ga-tunganga diha? Unsay problema nimo, iingon sakoa?”’ Nagka-start sila’g connection, then didto na dayon niya ginatabangan,” Miayo shared, recounting the mother’s story that inspired the team to create the film.

Grounded in family and care

Miayo explained that the film incorporates cultural elements without focusing on any specific aspect and that the story follows a mother who supports her family and students through her work at a campus food stall.

“Basta magbuhat ko ug film, I want something na pag mapanood siya ng audience, naa jud sila matun-an, naay realizations,” Miayo said.

From humble beginnings to championship

“Honestly, I didn’t expect it. Last time, I was only an assistant. This year, I just wanted to create something honest—and now we’re here,” he said, crediting the victory to the collaborative effort of the production team.

Ma’idah also won Best Trailer and Best Original Soundtrack. First runner-up went to CNSM’s For Rent, while COA’s Talutot sa Paulit-ulit na Lirip placed second runner-up.

Message beyond the screen

“We have different struggles in life, kabalo ta unsa ka lisod. No matter how hard, no matter how we suffer in our different struggles, always remember that we have each other to help us. If we can't do it, we have our friends, we have our parents, naa pud atong mama para maminaw,” the director stressed.

Miayo said that in the film, Farrah, the daughter, struggled with her character and at times forgot that her family was there to support her, showing how people can become so caught up in their struggles that they overlook the loved ones around them.

This year’s win also dethroned CNSM, moving CBAA ahead as the first runner-up from last year’s rankings.