By Seymour Sanchez
31 August 2026
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde film educator and advocacy filmmaker Seymour Sanchez recently facilitated a Science Communication Workshop aimed at training the next generation of storytellers to bridge the gap between complex research and public understanding.
Held last August 18 at Palawan State University, the workshop took place as part of the Department of Science and Technology-MIMAROPA Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week. The initiative focused on empowering students and teachers to translate scientific concepts into engaging, accessible narratives using visual media.
PalSU President Dr. Venzon L. Limpiada delivered the welcome remarks to open the event. The workshop featured lectures from resource speakers Sanchez and Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, an entomologist, spider expert, and Professor 12 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Dr. Barrion-Dupo highlighted human-centered science storytelling, explaining the crucial difference between merely presenting academic data and truly engaging an audience through relatable narrative framing.
Meanwhile, Sanchez guided aspiring filmmakers through practical techniques for conveying scientific topics to broader audiences through documentary filmmaking. Taking the stage to share his expertise in visual storytelling, he explored diverse cinematic styles and narrative structures tailored to specific educational and social messages.
Both Sanchez and Dr. Barrion-Dupo serve as members of the Board of Judges for the 10th Indie-Siyensya Film Festival.
Following their interactive sessions, Juan Antonio Tuazon, Supervising Science Research Specialist at the DOST-Science Education Institute, detailed the guidelines for the Indie-Siyensya competition, the Philippines’ premier science filmmaking festival designed to foster a culture of science among youth and filmmakers.
Sanchez brings over two decades of experience spanning film production, journalism, and academia to his educational initiatives. His dedication to film advocacy was recently recognized with his election as Secretary of the National Committee on Cinema under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, representing the Education Sector.
Through interactive workshops like the one at PalSU and his ongoing role with the NCC, Sanchez continues to mentor emerging creators and advocate for impactful science communication through Philippine cinema.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
