Statistics become more meaningful when they are translated into stories that people can see, understand, and relate to – a perspective demonstrated by Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP), as its student creatives secured two championship titles in the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Central Luzon’s competition for the 37th National Statistics Month (NSM).WUP’s documentary entry, “WUP Tuklas Pilipinas”, earned first place in the 3rd Digital Documentary Festival, while BA in Communication student Rein Ivan
Ross Manuel claimed first place in the Creative Photography contest. Fellow Teatrong Lann para sa Obra Ngayon (TELON) artist Carl Einre Tumibay also secured second place in the photography competition.

Set in the Municipality of Dingalan, Aurora, the documentary explores the value of storytelling by fostering awareness and appreciation of the experiences, discoveries, and realities that shape local communities and the country. Its recognition carries the festival’s theme, “TUKLAS PILIPINAS: Statistics as Beacon

Towards Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Tourism” into a visual narrative that connects information with the people and places behind it.

TELON, WUP’s official theater guild, produced the work in collaboration with the BA in Communication program, College of Arts and Sciences, and the
University’s Cultural Affairs and Sports Development Office (CASDO).

Serving as the documentary’s correspondents were John Owzni M. Austria (BSIT), Aivan Rafael Wy (BSTM), and Matt Emer Calderon (BSN). Austria, who also serves as TELON president, directed the production, while Manuel handled the editing.

Beyond the documentary category, WUP’s creative photography entries also demonstrated the visual storytelling capabilities of the student artists. Manuel’s winning photograph secured the top spot, followed by Tumibay’s second-place finish. Other TELON officers and artists whose photographs qualified for the competition were Austria, Glaiza Munar (BSN), Wy, Vinz Aaron Cabrera (BSHM-CKO), and Calderon.

The awards were conferred on October 28, 2026, at Hotel Graceland in San Fernando, Pampanga, during the Dangal Estadistika 2026, the awarding and closing ceremony of the 37th National Statistics Month in Central Luzon.

Through these achievements, WUP’s student creatives demonstrated how artistic expression can extend beyond entertainment and competition. Documentary filmmaking and photography can serve as platforms for communicating information, highlighting community experiences, and making statistics more accessible and relevant to the public.

The double championship also reflects the university’s continuing efforts to develop creative communicators and artists who use their skills to tell meaningful stories, promote public awareness, and contribute to society.

Article by Emily G. Agumbay (PIO)
Photo Courtesy of BA Communication and TELON