Students reacting to the movies during the screening. Photo by Christian Dale Espartero

Food, popcorn, drinks, and themselves – students flooded the Finster Auditorium last night, Aug. 13, for the evening session of the annual Popcorn Night organized by the Ateneo Film Circle (AFC).

Movies of different genres and languages were screened to the fulfilment and amusement of the audience. A photobooth was also installed at the right side of the auditorium, near the entrance.

As the event officially opened, AFC President Cassmiah Adiong, gave her opening remarks and welcomed everyone to the event.

Prior to the start of the movie screening, a raffle draw was held with prizes ranging from AFC shirts to complementary tickets from Gmall Cinema.

AJ Diaz also serenaded the audience with her rendition of Up Dharma Down’s “Oo” and Therese Marie Villarente and Kurt Fick’s “Bok Love”.

The first film of the night was Gary Winick’s “Letters to Juliet”. The audience sang along to the opening song of the film.

Contrary to the first film’s genre which is romantic comedy (rom-com), the second film was a Japanese classic horror film, “The Ring”.

A student dressed as Valak from the “Conjuring 2” also made a cameo during the screening of the second film, surprising everyone.

Fourth year Accountancy student Eunice Angelica Suelto said the event was fun and enjoyable.

“The films they screened were good. Nakakakilig and funny yung Letters to Juliet pero nung The Ring na, I didn’t watch most of it kasi nakakatakot. Pero, over-all, it was fun,” she said with a laugh.

Mia Adiong explained the movie choices for the night, stating the organization’s annual tradition.

“This year we decided na at random lang ang selection [of movies]. And, since two years ago, tradition na ng AFC during Popcorn Night na ang i-screen na films are one rom-com and one horror film,” she said.

Another set of raffles was also held after the end of the first film and at the end of the program.

Office of the Students’ Affairs (OSA) Director, Theresa Eliab, was also present during the event, along with alumni, Kristine Soria and Neil John Sumalinog, former AFC President and Vice-President, respectively.

Other films were also shown at the university’s Audio Visual Rooms during the morning and afternoon of the same day.

Popcorn Night is an annual film screening event during the Fiesta Celebration organized by the Ateneo Film Circle.