By: Nicole Llanderal
Photo by: Anne Rebagay
On Friday, November 8, 2024, students at Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila were greeted by a hello from one of the Philippines’ most beloved blockbuster filmmakers, Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
Known for the iconic movies such as One More Chance, A Very Special Love, and Hello, Love, Goodbye, Direk Cathy graced the Mabini Hall for NewsWatch Plus True Talks, where she genuinely discussed life, creativity, and the pursuit of happiness. Her conversation with the students was a rare glimpse into the mind of a visionary storyteller who has moved millions.
Host Christine Jacob Sandejas, TV Host and newscaster from CNN Philippines, set the tone for an afternoon filled with heart and excitement. As she got on the stage, she spoke about the depth of true happiness, saying, “Happiness is the heart of everything we strive to do.”
She playfully asked the audience, “Who among you chooses to be happy?” Hands shot up all around the room. ”Who among you chooses love?” This time, the students’ excited “yieee” filled Mabini Hall. “Why not choose both?” She teased, leaving the audience alive. Sponsored by GSM Blue, the event had a little surprise, lucky few students found prizes tucked beneath their seats.
The event took an interactive twist when the host introduced an icebreaker called “Responsibly Drinking” where volunteers had the chance to win a GSM Blue gift pack. With tips like “Know your limit,” “Eat before and while drinking,” and “Stay hydrated,” the game encouraged students to choose wisely when it comes to alcohol. Other tips included avoiding peer pressure, planning a safe ride home, knowing why you’re drinking, and watching for signs of overconsumption. It was a fun and meaningful way to emphasize the importance of safe and mindful drinking.
Inspiring Insights from Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana
Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s journey into the world of film is anything but conventional, and she shared it with honesty and humor at NewsWatch Plus True Talks.
“I touch hearts through films,” Direk Cathy has been in the industry for 32 years, touching millions with her stories. She reflected on her college years, revealing how she started in education but realized “hindi happy heart ko” and switched to media, despite not having the top grades her family expected.
She made her way to UP Diliman, where a last-minute choice led her to film, a field she now calls home. Despite challenges, she believes every setback is a chance to “bangon ka agad”. With an adventurous spirit and a bold, resilient family, Direk Cathy admitted she was always dancing and singing even as a kid.
Her advice for students was clear: “Kung gusto niyo sa industriya, isip-isip kayo… nakakasira ng pagkatao,” as it demands both resilience and self-awareness.
Direk Cathy shared a memorable story from her early days as an intern, where she explored every corner of the industry. The first time she set foot on a film set, she said, “I was home.” But in the editing rooms, she quickly realized while looking around, “Walang kausap, hindi ako pwede dito”. On a TV set, surrounded by glamorous stars like Mikee Cojuangco, she thought, “Parang ang so-sosyal ng tao dito”. After graduation, she got her first call in June for a script continuity job, and her heart knew this was where it belonged.
“Isa sa pinakamahirap na trabaho ang meron kami... kakainin ka talaga,” she said. Direk Cathy’s passion for collaboration and storytelling continues to fuel her happiness, as she believes “a film is never done by just one person, it’s a collaboration of everyone.”
When the host asked Direk Cathy about her journey to finding happiness, her response was grounded in the realities of a tough industry. “Jobs are scarce,” she said, “you’ll grab whatever’s offered to you.” Though she’s humble about her skills, claiming, “I will never tell you I’m a good director, pero masipag ako,” her persistence speaks volumes. She shared that she’s been yelled at, had scripts thrown at her, and endured harsh criticism without shedding a tear, instead using each experience as a lesson. “I make sure hindi na mauulit ‘yon”. Direk Cathy is clear about her style too: “Hindi ako mahilig sa madaldal na pelikula,” preferring simplicity and impact over excessive dialogue.
When it comes to her values and artistic vision, Direk Cathy stays true to herself. “What you see is what you get,” she said, attributing her straightforward approach to her personality. Her work on screen reflects her honest nature where she credits mentors like Direk Chito Roño, Direk Laurenti Dyogi, and Direk Olivia Lamasan for shaping her style. Each experience, she says, has contributed to who she is today.
“Whatever you see on screen, pinayagan ko mangyari”, underscoring her commitment to her own taste and authenticity. With 27 movies under her belt, she knows how to navigate creative clashes like with stories that involve infidelity, which she refuses to romanticize. Instead, she believes in rectifying mistakes in her storytelling, always striving to uphold her values. For Direk Cathy, filmmaking isn’t just work; it’s a reflection of her true self, flaws and all.
Students got the chance to ask Direk Cathy their own questions, and Carlo Gula, a student filmmaker, raised an important one: “How do you measure success?”
Direk Cathy’s answer was as heartfelt as it was insightful. She shared how her first film instructor, the legendary Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, shaped her understanding of success. “Awards, of course, tine-treasure ‘yan,” she said, but quickly added, “True success is the number of hearts you touched.”
Direk Cathy recalled how she’s had films she thought were great, only to face criticism from the reviewers. “Hindi lang naman siya ang nanood sa’yo,” she reminded the students, encouraging them not to be swayed by a single negative review. Sharing a memorable lesson from her mentor, she quoted Direk Marilou: “Cathy, ang pelikula once ipinalabas mo, it’s there”. This taught her to focus on the broader audience and lasting impact of her films rather than any individual critique.
Another student asked Direk Cathy which film she wished had been a blockbuster and she shared My Only U, a film starring Vhong Navarro and Toni Gonzaga. "I love that film," she said, though it didn’t perform as well at the box office compared to others. She also mentioned Another and A Day, and My Perfect You, films she believes told “real stories” that opened her heart and mind. Despite the challenges, she emphasized that success isn't always measured by numbers, and that each film has a special place in her heart.
As for reaching that elusive “blockbuster” formula, Direk Cathy believes that no matter how much you plan, there’s always an element of risk. "If you're given a chance and you jump, it might fail," she said, showing that success in the film industry isn't guaranteed.
Her first film, Bcuz of U, was a leap of faith. "Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko, eto script, eto gagawin". For her, directing is more than just the technicalities of filmmaking; it’s about connecting with the story and the audience. “Hindi ako matalino, pero gumagana ito”, she said, tapping her heart. As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Direk Cathy revealed that she didn’t even like love stories, drama, and comedy, which became her forte in filmmaking.
When asked on how she managed to transform the message of Seven Sundays into something that would connect with the audience, she reflected on a lesson from her mentor, Direk Marilou Diaz-Abaya, who once gave them a simple yet powerful exercise: lay out a magazine and pick an image.
"How powerful an image is," Direk Cathy recalled, stressing how a single shot in a film can speak louder than words. For her, reading a script is an immersive experience. '‘Pag nagbabasa ako ng script, nagta-transform into moving images, edited na rin sa head ko”. Each film is unique, and she knows that every project requires a different approach. Her writers often ask, “Direk, may nakikita ka na?”. This collaborative process allows her to bring the script to life, always thinking in terms of visual storytelling that resonates with viewers.
Love Dayzon asked Direk Cathy how she continues to find her creative spark after so many years in the industry. She reflected on the pressures of directing Amnesia Girl, a film starring John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga, where she was given only a premise to work with.
The stakes were high: “‘Pag hindi kumita sa Pasko, walang hamon ang Star Cinema”, she joked, acknowledging the immense pressure. But for Direk Cathy, directing goes beyond the technicalities; it's about feeling the scene. Yet, in this case, she struggled to connect emotionally with the scene. “Hindi pwede,” she said, “I had to fall in love with the characters.” Eventually, she found inspiration in her own life, seeing her future husband, who was a photographer at the time, and thinking, “Parang pwede ‘to ngayon”. She added that it’s especially difficult to direct when the actors are in a romantic relationship, as it can blur the lines between acting and real feelings. For her, “I don’t direct when I don’t feel a thing.” Directing, for Direk Cathy, is about authenticity, if she doesn’t feel it neither will the audience.
Another student asked Direk Cathy how she inspires future storytellers to stay on their path in the industry. She shared that she’s never worked on projects for money. “Kaya ko maglakad,” she said, emphasizing that success isn't about filling her pockets but about fulfilling her happiness. Her mindset has always been different: “May pera ako, okay, thank you, Lord”. She believes that if you take a job just for the money and it doesn't bring you joy, eventually, you’ll walk away.
“Mas okay pakainin ang puso,” she concluded, highlighting that passion and happiness should always come first in the creative journey.
When asked how she creates genuine chemistry between actors, something that often stands out in her films. She explained that she’s someone who’s been taught to stay grounded, and she can’t stand when things feel too much or fake. “Sobrang ayoko kapag may nagfa-fake, performance,” she said. She shared an example from Hello, Love, Again, where some takes took as long as 10 or 12 tries because she felt the chemistry wasn’t coming across as natural. For Direk Cathy, being real is key, and she can’t work with “jafake people” (fake people).
Eleazar Endaya asked Direk Cathy how she builds a good story, especially with films like Seven Sundays and 4 Sisters and a Wedding, which have multiple characters and complex plots. “It always starts with a good story, script, that’s what needs to develop,” she said. However, she believes in allowing room for inspiration on set. “When I get to the set, script changes because of inspiration that comes along, ‘wag echapwera”. She gave an example from A Very Special Love, where a scene called Sun Dance wasn’t originally in the script. “Hindi talaga ako bookish/by the book”, she admitted, revealing that she’s open to letting the story evolve in unexpected ways as long as it serves the heart of the film.
When asked how she avoids falling into clichés in romantic films, Direk Cathy emphasized that she strives for originality. “Ayoko ng cliché, I don’t repeat scenes,” she said, noting that every story should offer something fresh. She even pointed out “walang kwentong walang first meeting, conflict”. Even in basic love stories, there’s always some form of conflict and resolution. She admitted that moments like receiving a rose might make her swoon, but “baka kinilig ako, pero ‘yung iba ayaw”. For Direk Cathy, love is personal, and so are the stories.
“We fall in love differently, we love differently. Kung gaano karami ang tao sa mundo, ganoon karami ang pwede mong ikuwento,” she said.
As for her dream project, she envisioned something magical like a Magic Temple where children possess powers.
As the event concluded, Direk Cathy shared a lighthearted moment, saying, “Turning 53 this month, babye na ako”. But when asked what we can expect from her next, she confidently spoke about her latest project, Hello, Love, Again, describing it as "busog" with three intertwined stories. She urged everyone to support Filipino films, stressing how easy it is for people to dismiss them as trash or cliché.
"Change from within," she said, emphasizing the importance of improving the industry at its core. She also expressed hope for Filipino films to break into the international scene, inviting filmmakers to keep pushing boundaries.
The host wrapped up the event with a reminder: "Always choose happiness, be true to ourselves.”
From the perspectives of students and professors
Students shared their excitement about having Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana as the featured speaker for News Watch Plus True Talks at Letran. For Janna Mykaela Cruz, a third-year Advertising student, it was thrilling to see such an accomplished filmmaker on the Colegio.
“I felt excited kasi syempre that’s Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana, and sobrang blockbuster nung mga movie[s] niya,” she shared, adding that many other students felt the same way about meeting the blockbuster director.
Angelica Queliope, also a third-year Advertising student, echoed the same enthusiasm. “Excited din po and naglo-look forward sa mga sasabihin niya, and mga inspirational talks,” she said.
When asked about why Direk Cathy’s films, known for exploring love, life, and self-discovery, resonate deeply with students who are navigating their own paths, Janna felt that part of the connection comes from the authenticity Direk Cathy brings to her storytelling.
“Based sa sinabi ni Direk Cathy, na parang mas pinapairal niya yung pagiging genuine niya with all her films,” Janna explained. “I think na gano’n din with other people, na nakakarelate tayo with those things.” This genuine approach allows viewers to see reflections of their own lives and relationships on screen, making her stories all the more impactful.
On the other hand, Angelica found herself especially drawn to the themes of self-discovery in Direk Cathy’s films. "Nakakarelate po, especially as a student na going through life in our 20s," she shared. “Parang nakikita natin yung kung ano yung meaning ng life.”
When asked about the significance of the event for Institute of Communication (ICOMM) students, Janna saw the event as a unique opportunity to learn about the artistry behind Direk Cathy’s films. “As an aspiring student to be in that industry, mag-get namin yung mga advises niya and yung mga sinabi niya on how she deals with the industry personally.” Janna explained that hearing Direk Cathy’s insights firsthand was a source of inspiration, pushing her and other students to pursue their dreams in film.
Angelica found True Talks to be an eye-opener about potential career paths in the media industry. “Lalo na sa aming mga ICOMM na hindi pa sure kung anong path like direk ba or creative ba or production ba,” she said.
Janna also shared how Direk Cathy’s words helped ease her anxieties about choosing a career path. “Siguro ‘yung sinabi ni Direk Cathy na hindi mo kailangan ma-figure out agad kung sa’n ka, kung ano ‘yung gusto mong gawin, kasi sa process na ‘yun mahahanap mo kung sa’n ka masaya.” With advertising offering such a broad range of opportunities, she felt reassured that it was okay not to have everything mapped out just yet. “Hindi ko kailangan madaliin ‘yung sarili ko na hanapin kung ano po ‘yung gusto ko, but hayaan ko po ‘yung puso ko na hanapin kung saan ako sasaya sa career.”
Angelica also found herself inspired by Direk Cathy’s message about believing in one’s work. “Para sa kan’ya, ‘pag wala siyang nakikita parang lumalabas siya,” she said, referring to the director’s emphasis on staying true to one’s vision. “Dapat mahal mo ‘yun or you believe in that work na ‘ah magiging successful ‘to, ah magugustuhan ng iba,’” she explained.
Janna and Angelica are already looking forward to future events that could feature other inspiring industry professionals. Janna expressed her hopes to see a figure from the advertising world take the stage next time. “Since sa ICOMM mas na-f-feature talaga ‘yung mga directors, I feel like people should know more also about advertising,” she explained. For Janna, a speaker from the advertising industry wouldn’t just benefit advertising students; it would be an eye-opener for everyone in ICOMM, giving insight into the field’s unique challenges and opportunities.
Angelica shared similar thoughts, noting how valuable it would be for students still exploring career paths to hear from advertising professionals. “Sana mas lumalapit sila sa industry ng advertising, so parang sa talkshow ng mga advertising professionals din,” she said, believing this would help students determine their level of interest in the industry early on.
Instructor Jonathan Rivera, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) administrative staff, revealed that the inspiration behind hosting True Talks came from an initial idea to make it a project of Media Works. However, due to processing concerns, the event had to be elevated into a more academic program rather than an RSO event. To make it happen, the organizers worked closely with the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) to ensure the event could proceed properly. Aside from Media Works, students from ICOMM also played a key role, assisting with the shooting during the event.
“News Watch Plus ‘yung mismong nagsabi sa’min na si Direk Cathy ‘yung magiging guest speaker and this is not possible kung wala si Angela Gonzales, ‘yung estudyante ng Comm [Communication],” Instr. Rivera added.
On the other hand, Instructor Gewerly Bautista also shared insights into how the idea for the event came to be and the unique significance it held for students. She underscored how the Institute of Communication has built a reputation that attracts prestigious media outlets. She explained how NewsWatch, which had CNN Philippines roots, reached out to host True Talks at Letran because of ICOMM’s growing recognition. The timing was serendipitous, as Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana was also promoting her new film Hello, Love, Again.
With the ICOMM already having earned numerous awards, the goal now is to ensure continuity and growth. “Malaking step ‘to kasi we are in the process of promoting ICOMM again," Instr. Rivera explained.
The event was important not only for the students involved but for the whole Colegio, giving them a chance to experience something valuable. “Okay, ito ‘yung kailangan niyong ma-experience, deserve mo ‘to," he said, emphasizing how essential such opportunities are for the students to grow and thrive in their field.
Organizing the True Talks event came with its own set of challenges and opportunities. “Ano lang ‘yung number of attendees, kailangan ko kainin ‘yung dignidad ko, nagyaya ako nung mga tao do’n sa baba,” Instr. Rivera confessed with a laugh.
On the contrary, Instr. Bautista admitted that they originally wanted the talk on a weekday to ensure all students could attend. Though attendance fell slightly short of previous events, the turnout still included a diverse group of students, from undergraduates to senior high school students, all keen to hear from a major figure in Philippine cinema. Instr. Bautista recalled that the last blockbuster turnout happened in 2018 when director Jerrold Tarog gave a talk about Heneral Luna, reflecting the long-standing impact that such events have had within ICOMM.
For the students, especially those in ICOMM, the event was an important opportunity for inspiration. “Maganda ‘tong step sa kanila para to be inspired more, para ma-motivate sila na ituloy nila sa film ‘yung passion nila kung gusto nila talaga i-take yung path na yon,” Instr. Rivera shared.
Reflecting on the key messages shared, Instr. Bautista also hoped students would internalize Direk Cathy’s advice on finding meaning beyond money in their work. “If you work for money then you’re working for nothing… kasi ako personally, as a person who works in the industry, totoo ‘yung sinabi ni Direk Cathy na kapag hindi ka masaya sa ginagawa mo it’s all nothing,” she shared.
Looking ahead, there are plans for events aimed at connecting students with inspiring industry leaders.
“Abangan,” Instr. Rivera teased.
However, Instr. Bautista expressed excitement for more events like True Talks. She sees these events as more than just opportunities for ICOMM but open doors for the entire Colegio. Instr. Bautista teased a new event on November 21 - Cinema Nights Forum which will feature some of the country’s top directors and producers, like Kiko Meily and Tuviera.
“Gusto namin na magkaroon pa ng mga ganito,” she said, expressing their commitment to enriching students’ experiences through powerful, industry-leading conversations.