Young filmmaker Kenneth Peterson Leviste, the recipient of the National Inspiring Educator of the Year from the Excellent Filipino Award, expressed his profound gratitude for this unexpected honor during the ceremonies at the Manila Hotel on May 19. He described the recognition as a truly extraordinary moment in his career.

"Nasanay ako sa mga awards on filmmaking, but this is new and fulfilling. I didn't expect this. It's the kind of award na hindi mo mapapanalunan sa competition. This is a highlight that people are seeing what I'm doing. It's an award I would like to share with other educators because I also want them to be an inspiration to their own students," said Kenneth during a Zoom interview recently.

Kenneth, an educator passionate about filmmaking, was asked to choose between teaching and filmmaking. He said: "I'm more of an artist. Yun ang mas gusto kong gawin. Yun talaga ang full-time job ko at part-time lang ang pagtuturo. I come from a family of teachers. Nanay ko is a high school teacher; at tatay ko is supervisor sa Department of Education. I was invited to teach at FEU. Pero hindi ko naman tinanggihan."

(I'm more of an artist. That's what I like to do more. That's really my full-time job and teaching is only part-time. I come from a family of teachers. My mother is a high school teacher, and my father is a supervisor at the Department of Education. I was invited to teach at FEU. I didn't decline.)

Kenneth, 25, has been teaching at FEU for two years. However, his passion for creating movies started during his studies in multimedia arts at the same university.

"College pa lang ako ang naging course ko is multimedia arts. I was one of those students who participated in film festivals like Cinemalaya, Gawad Alternatibo, and so much more.

"Then I've come to realize nag-eenjoy ako gawin yung mga kilig movies. Doon ako na-hire ng iba't ibang companies including FEU na gumawa ng rom-com ads. Doon ako nahasa kasi ito yung nagbigay ng opportunity sa akin," he said.

The Gen Z filmmaker created his award-winning movie "Crushmate" at FEU, which eventually opened doors for him.

"Crushmate' is an independently produced film na ginawa namin sa FEU last year. Short film lang siya sa film subject ko. Then, they encouraged me to make it into a movie. It became a movie, and it was a hit. Nanalo siya ng awards last year. Because of that nagkaroon ako ng digital ad projects. I have a digital series coming up," he said.

Last October, "Crushmate: The Movie" swept awards at the 2023 Gawad Sining Awards. It won the Second-best Film, People's Choice Award, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Actress, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.

Kenneth is a creative entrepreneur who serves as the managing director of Arkos Digital, a multimedia production company. He is a registered film director at the Film Development Council of the Philippines and is also a member of the Multimedia Arts Faculty of FEU Institute of Technology.

Supportive parents are crucial for children's success. The young filmmaker, the eldest of two siblings, thanked his parents for supporting him throughout his chosen career.

"They are supportive in my goals. Nag-aaral pa lang ako for multimedia arts, sinuportahan na nila ako. After graduation, hindi sila nagsabi kung ano ang dapat kong gawin. Hinayaan nila ako kung ano ang gusto kong gawin. They didn't even question me. Andyan lang sila to support and congratulate me sa mga victories ko sa buhay. They are proud of me. They never doubted me. Gagawin ko pa lang naniniwala na sila na magagawa ko yun," Kenneth said.

(They are supportive in my goals. I was just studying for multimedia arts, they already supported me. After graduation, they didn't tell me what I should do. They let me do what I wanted to do. They didn't even question me. They are there to support and congratulate me on my victories. They never doubted me. They made me believe that I can do it.)

Kenneth also offered advice to aspiring filmmakers.

"Hindi lahat pera-pera especially kapag nagsisimula ka pa lang. If we chase money, lalo siyang lumalayo. if you want to be a filmmaker, ne ready na hindi agad ito magpe-pay off. What's important is you do what you love and enjoy your passion and creativity. If you follow that, mas makakakuha ka ng recognition. Saka susunod ang pera.

(Not everything is money, especially when you're just starting out. If we chase money, it gets further and further away. If you want to be a filmmaker, be ready that it won't pay off immediately. What's important is you do what you love and enjoy your passion and creativity. If you follow that, you will get more recognition. Then the money will follow.)

"Wala naman akong kinita sa 'Crushmate' eh. Gumastos pa ako. Abonado pa ako. But those recognitions and awards are priceless things much worth sa gastos ko. If you will not chaste money, it's the money that will chase you. So nagkaroon ako ng commercials, ads and digital series. May pangangailangan din naman ako like bills pero mas fulfilled ako rito kesa sa mga malalaking bayad," said Kenneth.

(I didn't make any money from 'Crushmate'. I spent money on that movie. But the recognition and awards I received are priceless, much more valuable than my expenses. If you don't chase money, it's the money that will chase you. These days, I do commercials, ads, and digital series. I also have bills to pay, but I feel more fulfilled here than with big payments.)

With his focus on reaching mainstream audiences, Kenneth shared his vision of producing films spanning various stars and genres.

"I like yung mala-super hero adaptation like Joaquin Bordado na ginawa ni Carlo J Caparas. I'm a big Marvel fan. Sana makagawa ako ng comic book adaptation just like Darna or Lastikman. Pwede rin action movie tulad ng 'Buybust' ni Erik Matti if given the chance," he said.

(I like the superhero adaptations like Joaquin Bordado, which was made by Carlo J Caparas. I'm a big Marvel fan. I hope to make a comic book adaptation like Darna or Lastikman. It can also be an action movie like Erik Matti's Buybust if given the chance.)

Kenneth hopes to collaborate with stars Nadine Lustre and Kathryn Bernardo. His greatest acting idol is Mon Confiado.

"Galing din naman ako sa mga independent features. Pero pag pinapanood ko sa nanay ko, hindi siya nag-eenjoy. Hindi niya na-appreciate. Pero noong gumawa ako ng isang rom-com na short film tuwang tuwa ang nanay ko. So parang mas okay ako doon. Parang mas maraming nakaka-appreciate pag ganun ang gawa ko. Parang doon ako na-in-love. Gusto ko rin naman ng mga award-winning stories pero mas gusto ko ito kasi kakayanin naman pala," he added.

(I also come from independent features. I watched one with my mother, but she didn't enjoy it or appreciate it. However, when I made a rom-com short film, my mother was very happy. It seems like I'm better there, as my work is more appreciated.)