I recently attended a private event with multi-awarded actor, producer, and director Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon. I picked his brains while enjoying a sumptuous dinner prepared by our host in Bicol. 

I asked him, “In 40 years, you have acted, directed, and produced over 200 projects across all media platforms, from film to television, to live events, to social media…among all these projects, what is your favorite?"

“Hands-down, it’s Bukal (Wellspring), a short film I produced and directed in my media outfit EPYQ Films. It now has over 100 laurels from all over the world; honestly, I lost count. It’s about a wellspring, a body of water God gave so everyone can drink and have life. Still, the irony is that two conflicting factions, the Filipino soldiers and their Muslim brothers, who own the village where the wellspring is located, are fighting and killing over it. The film explores themes of conflict, survival, and eventual reconciliation, set against the backdrop of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. I am a peace advocate, and this will probably be the legacy film I will leave the industry and, hopefully, every Filipino boy and girl. I wrote this after doing some peace advocacy work in Muslim Mindanao. While we were giving away some groceries and food to our Muslim brothers and sisters, a 10-year-old Muslim boy looked at me with much hostility. I told myself, this boy, five years from now, if things do not change around here, this boy will be holding a machine gun and taking people’s lives unless we interfere and change his mindset. So I did what I do best: write, produce, and direct a movie about peace and reconciliation.”

The film Bukal has transcended borders and cultural barriers, amassing over 140 laurels worldwide which include the Los Angeles Film Festival, Cannes World Film Festival, Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival, International Film Festival Manhattan, Madrid Film Awards, ARFF Paris, ARFF Barcelona, Dubai Independent Film Festival, Sacramento World Film Festival, All Asian Independent Film Festival, London Lift-Off Film Festival, Asia South East Short Film Festival, European Cinematography Awards, World Film Carnival -Singapore, ARFF Amsterdam, Filmhaus Berlin, IndieX Filmfest, Tokyo Film Awards, Oakland Awards and many more. 

Eppie's direction ensures that "Bukal"  resonates deeply with audiences, encouraging viewers to reflect on the importance of empathy, understanding, and collaboration. The film’s portrayal of the soldiers and the Muslim community illustrates that reconciliation and peace are possible when people choose to work together, transforming a story of conflict into one of hope and unity. 

I really wish there would be another viewing of this brilliant obra maestra because these films are what we really need right now.