It may be gratifying to receive international recognitions for our artistic works, but it is ultimately more rewarding when a prestigious Philippine award-giving body acknowledges the sheer amount of talent Filipinos possess when crafting world-class content for the many creative endeavors they get into.
This is the message that trusted leather goods brand McJim Classic Leather wants to convey after its debut short film Pitaka (The Wallet) was hailed last Nov. 14 as the Best Branded Digital Ad at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards. It is the newest category in the CMMA that recognizes the shift in media consumption of the modern Filipino.
Directed by public relations entrepreneur Chris Cahilig, Pitaka is the result of McJim’s groundbreaking and innovative efforts to project the best of Filipino values to the world.
“In producing well-executed and compelling short films like Pitaka, McJim has applied its philosophy of style, quality, and elegance—the same values that have driven it to produce truly world-class leather goods through the years,” says Cahilig.
And now, in the wake of mutiple nominations and awards McJim’s shorts have garnered from prestigious film fests here and abroad, McJim inspires us to look into ourselves first, to proudly claim our strength as Filipinos.
Cahilig affirms this, saying, “I am overwhelmed and thankful that Pitaka has achieved recognition in my own country from no less than the CMMA. This reminds us that it should not take other countries to reward world-class Filipino excellence. We must acknowledge our own strengths and proudly uphold these before the world.”
McJim’s “Pitaka,” produced by Cahilig’s Insight 360 Consultancy Services, Inc., bested six other finalists in the category, namely The Philippine Star’s “Andeng” (IdeasXMachina Advertising, Inc.); Southstar Drug’s “Credo” (Estima, Inc.); SM Supermalls’ “Daddy’s Girl,” “Little Things,” and “Tradition” (DDB Group Phils); and Manulife Philippines’ “Stand Up” (J. Walter Thompson Philippines).
Established by the late Jaime L. Cardinal Sin in 1978, the annual CMMA is one of the country’s most prestigious award-giving bodies for the mass media that honors works, individuals, and institutions that promote Christian values and ideals—something that is very evident in McJim’s Pitaka.
Pitaka’s storyline pays tribute to the heroism of older members of Filipino families, whose good deeds are sometimes taken for granted by the younger ones. It endorses the timeless Filipino values of sacrifice and perseverance as exemplified by the breadwinner “Kuya” played by Karl Medina, who shelved his personal dreams in order to provide for his younger brother (played by Art Artienda). The frivolous younger sibling would eventually express his gratitude and appreciation for his Kuya’s efforts through a heartwarming, unexpected gesture.
Cahilig attributes the success of Pitaka, his debut work as filmmaker, to its raw and honest depiction of a slice of reality in typical Filipino families presented in an extraordinary way. “By touching on a real-life experience, Pitaka’s narrative communicates to the viewer on a deeper personal level and establishes an undeniable emotional connection without the need to sensationalize,” says Cahilig.
To enhance Pitaka’s emotional impact, McJim explored the beauty of the Filipino language and collaborated with Palanca-winning poet and academician Louie Jon Sanchez in coming up with a beautiful poem that serves as the film’s narration (narrated by Neo Domingo). For this, Pitaka likewise won the Best Illustrated Poem category of the 2018 Wales International Film Festival last Oct. 4.
Pitaka was also made possible by screenplay writer and line producer Juan Archimedes Del Mundo, cinematographer Cesca Lee, editor Cyril Bautista, and production manager Max Ganda.
Aside from Pitaka, McJim’s first horror-thriller short film No Strings Attached is also making waves globally, with its recent feat as Best Social Shorts in the Liverpool International Film Festival 2018 in the United Kingdom.
No Strings Attached, which has reaped over 1.5 million views on the McJim Facebook page alone, has been officially selected to participate in seven other international film festivals in the US, Europe, and Australia. Together with the LGBT-themed Bag and the more unconventional Sinturon (The Belt), McJim’s short films have been selected in at close to 50 international film festivals in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Serbia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico, and Italy.
“By collaborating with the best Filipino talents and employing innovative cinematic techniques, McJim tells its stories in a new light, an achievement that is validated by the prestigious awards the brand has so far garnered. But more than the international and local awards, what makes Pitaka and other McJim shorts special is how these inspired and touched the lives of millions of Filipinos who have seen them,” Cahilig affirms.
As of this writing, Pitaka has been viewed over 25 million times in various Facebook platforms.
For generations now, McJim Classic Leather has been the leading and trusted brand for classic leather goods and accessories of superior quality and design.
For more information, visit and like the official McJim Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM/.
