Yamaha Motor PH Holds First PG-1 Film Contest

Six filmmakers, two months of production, and one competition. At its core, filmmaking is about storytelling, and motorcycle riding is often filled with a wide range of encounters with interesting people/cultures, and moments of personal reflection. Putting it together, Motorcycle Films allows riders to share their journeys, convey emotions, and explore less traveled roads to connect the experience to the audience.

Those who cannot resist leaving it all behind and answering the call for an open road were tapped by YMPH to be part of the competition. The official filmmakers are as follows: Motorcycle Cinema, Aaron Palabyab, El Clasico Moto, Moto Stories PH, Mel Cortez, and Joshua Chua. They were all challenged to create a short film (3 minutes and 30 seconds) and a movie poster that carried the theme of finding freedom and liberation with PG-1. All the entries must reflect the filmmaker’s take on the message: Leave it All Behind.

The six entries offered different narratives of one’s exploration; there is a bittersweet story about how we lose ourselves in our effort to make it in life, another story invites viewers to reflect on the choices they make in pursuit of happiness and true contentment, another entry even tackles about his heartfelt real-life story and on how he discovers authentic freedom lies not in escape, but in confronting his inner struggles first. Overall, this competition put a spotlight on how Filipino connects their love of filming and the liberating joy of riding a motorcycle.

At the awarding event, it was set to complete the outdoor cinema experience. In the middle of the Bonifacio Global City, there’s the PG-1 Film Awarding, transforming the outdoor park into a complete explorer’s cinema ground. To make the awarding even more special, the new Yamaha Motor Philippines’ president, Mr. Katsuya “Kyle” Iida was introduced in attendance of a hundred invitees (media partners, motovloggers, film directors, photographers, and PG-1 owners).

The new chapter for Yamaha Motor Philippines started at the conclusion of its first-ever film competition. With six film entries, the top four films were named by YMPH together with the judges composed of prolific international TVC/Film directors and commercial photographers:

• Explorers Choice Award: PADABA by Mel Cortez
• Top Film Poster: THE LOST SPARK by Joshua Chua
• Best Cinematography: BREAK FREE by Motorcycle Cinema
• Best Film: PADABA by Mel Cortez

More than a plaque, the best film awardee received a 500,000 cash prize and accessories. For the rest of the filmmakers, win or lose, all of them will have their own PG-1 motorcycle given by the brand.

The film competition captured the essence of freedom only achieved with PG-1. It opened a new route of creative collaborations and endless possibilities of telling one’s exploration with Yamaha.

Have you watched the films yet? Enjoy the PG-1 explorations by clicking the link below!

• Entry 1: Desk to Destination by Moto Stories PH
• Entry 2: Page One by Aaron Palabyab
• Entry 3: Breakfree by Motorcycle Cinema
• Entry 4: What it means to ride by El Clasico Moto
• Entry 5: Padaba by Mel Cortez
• Entry 6: The Lost Spark by Joshua Chua