MARY Anne Cahrop, a Bachelor of Science in Animation student from iACADEMY under Muni-Moonie Studio, has been named the Visayas’ Inspiring Storyteller at Inspiring Philippines 2026.
She was awarded a ₱50,000 grant for her 2D paperless animated film titled Buhi.
Inspiring Philippines serves as the country’s premier micro-short film grant platform focused on social impact and community empowerment.
As the local leg of the regional Inspiring Asia micro-film festival, the initiative honors Filipino creators whose works highlight resilience, belonging, and thriving across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Buhi follows a pre-colonial Visayan villager navigating the aftermath of deep trauma.
The film portrays her quiet, internal journey toward healing and a renewed appreciation of the word buhi—meaning to be free and alive.
Furthermore, the project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16, emphasizing peace, justice, institutional strength, human dignity, and social awareness.
Monique Fandagani, Program Coordinator for Animation at iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts, noted that Buhi
She credited the institution’s curriculum for equipping students with the technical mastery needed to transform abstract concepts into compelling visual art.
Dean Hamill Buyco of the School of Design and the Arts praised the milestone for showcasing the capacity of Filipino youth to produce culturally anchored narratives with profound social relevance.
“Buhi reflects the kind of storytelling we hope to develop in our students—stories that are rooted in culture, informed by research, and capable of engaging audiences with important social realities,” Buyco stated.
Through its production-driven curriculum and industry exposure, iACADEMY continues to empower student creators to bring meaningful, socially conscious Filipino perspectives to broader international and local platforms.