THE DAILY TRIBUNE proudly congratulates our columnist and PROJECT LARAWAN producer, Pablo Gabriel Malvar, whose acclaimed short documentary The UNESCO Historical Sites of Ilocos was awarded Best Short Documentary at the Papa International Historical Film Festival, held at the historic Esterházy Castle in Hungary.

Directed by Malvar and produced by Victory Liner as part of the Know Your North series, the documentary pays homage to the World Heritage Sites of Ilocos, notably the historic city of Vigan and the baroque churches of Paoay and Sta. Maria — recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding universal value and exceptional cultural significance from the Spanish colonial era.

The film’s creative angle — a Spaniard reflecting on a shared colonial past and rich cultural exchange — offers a unique perspective on how these Philippine sites stand as enduring symbols of artistic and architectural fusion.

Malvar’s win in Hungary follows a series of accolades for the film, including the Gold Award for Best History and Heritage at the 2021 Croatia Tourism Film Festival and the Silver Award at the 2022 International Tourism Film Festival Africa.

As a writer, filmmaker, and cultural advocate, Pablo Gabriel Malvar continues to shine a global light on Philippine heritage. We celebrate this triumph with him and look forward to more stories that uplift our history and identity on the world stage. #DailyTribune #Filmmaker #UNESCO

See Mr. Malvar's PROJECT LARAWAN HERE: