De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

June 08, 2020

Winner of the 2020 Best Film for Science & Education at the London International Film Festival, it was also nominated Best Foreign Language Documentary and Best Director for Foreign Language Documentary. 

The film is an exploration of the various ways of mitigating the catastrophic effects of marine plastic waste as seen from the perspective of different surfing communities in the Philippines. 

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Gabriel Fernandez, the film was part of Benilde’s “ALON!” exhibit by the Center for Campus Art, curated by Ar Gerry Torres. 

GMA Public Affairs - Reporter's Notebook

April 18, 2019

Reporter’s Notebook embarks on a transformative journey to document the lives of Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal). As they navigate the vast ocean expanse and face the daily challenges of their perilous profession, the documentary dives deep into the rich cultural heritage and unwavering resilience of these fishermen. "Batas ng Karagatan" sheds light on the complex interplay of law, politics, and the environment in this critical maritime region.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau 

September 17, 2021

This documentary chronicles the marine scientific research conducted in the Kalayaan Island Group by Filipino scientists and researchers from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute in 2017, 2019 and 2021. It delves into the threats against marine life and the measures needed to address these threats to protect the West Philippine Sea. 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau 

September 13, 2021

This documentary aims to showcase the significance of the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor and the efforts of the national agencies, local government units, non-government organizations and citizens in protecting this important seascape.

 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau 

September 2, 2021

(1) The Philippines has an estimated 26,000 square kilometers of coral reefs and 30% of them are found in the West Philippine Sea. Considering that these are the home of hundreds of thousands of organisms under the ocean, it is essential to protect them from unsustainable fishing and destructive practices. 

(2) Based on connectivity studies, the West Philippine Sea are important source reefs They serve as a temporary habitat for the fishes before they lay their eggs; from the source reef, the current drives these eggs to sink reefs providing a constant distribution of fish in different parts of the country. If we do not prevent the destruction of these reefs, food security will be greatly affected. 

(3)The West Philippine Sea is considered as a “biodiversity hotspot” with an abundance of various organisms. But due to the mounting anthropogenic threats and climate change; coral reefs are slowly getting damaged and the livelihoods reliant on these are also affected. 

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Department of Foreign Affairs 

June 2015

“KALAYAAN” is a three-part documentary series on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). Each episode focuses on a different angle of the issue: economic, historical and legal.  The documentary is part of the nationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign of the DFA to increase the level of public awareness and understanding of the issues relating to the West Philippine Sea.  The documentary is directed by RA Rivera, Jr. and hosted by Lourd de Veyra, together with Jun Sabayton.

GMA Public Affairs (hosted by Atom Araullo)

November 5, 2017

Tinuturing ang Pilipinas bilang center of marine biodiversity sa buong mundo. Ngunit sa likod ng hindi matatawarang yaman ng ating karagatan, samu't saring problema rin ang kinakaharap nito. Samahan si Atom Araullo na sisirin ang mga karagatan sa Pilipinas upang alamin ang kasalukuyang estado nito.  

Zona Mixta

January 15, 2014  

The series shows never-before seen footages under the Coral Triangle’s waters, highlights newly-discovered marine species and showcases the people whose livelihoods are dependent on the region’s rich marine resources. According to Animal Planet, the documentary also “uncovers why the region holds a vital key to the future of the world’s oceans and human sustainability.” 

Venice Atienza 

March 1, 2021 

Twelve-year-old Reyboy lives in Karihatag, an isolated fishing village in the south of the Philippines. Every morning, the men set out to sea. Their daily catch is shared upon their return and the area close to the shore has been turned into an ecological safe haven for fish. In Karihatag, every boy grows up to become a fisher. However, when the first rain falls, Reyboy will leave for the city to study. 

Nadjoua Bansil

July 21, 2012  

In the island of Malitam, five Badjao boys (Harun, Rasul, Manel, Jamil and Wahab) learn the value of mangroves so they plan to save their island from sinking due to harsh weather and other man-made causes. While they lack the money to buy the needed seedlings, they decide to steal them from the sanctuary. Little do they know what they are about to lose. 

E del Mundo

August 5, 2017   

Manong ng Pa-Aling directly translated as Man of Pa-Aling, is the incredible story of man’s natural relationship with the ocean. Amidst physical frailty, and his age, Manong decides what he will do next after retiring from his only known profession, to be a fisher. 

Anthony Hernandez 

September 20, 2019

A heartwarming family movie that presents the struggles of Filipino seafarers as told in the story of the Marisol family. The family is headed by Dennis (Michael De Mesa), a retired seaman who is suffering blindness brought about by an accident at work. 

Joella Cabalu

March 4, 2021 (US release)

Ode to a Seafaring People, directed by Joella Cabalu and featuring spoken word artist Sol Diana poetically reveals the often hidden world of Filipino seafarers and in so doing, celebrates the resiliency of the Filipino community. 

Jessamine Rhae Maranan 

November 2, 2021

'Dimalupig' is a story of a lost love, of dreaming, and of hope. It tells about the persistence of a young boy in chasing after his vision, against the strong currents of his deprived and orphaned youth. And, as he transitions into a self-made man, his indomitable spirit drives him to the attainment of his dream. Dimalupig is an advocacy film that pays tribute to and depicts the heart and soul of the Filipino seafarer. 

Marilou Diaz-Abaya

1999

Fredo (Cesar Montano) is a fisherman who has endured more than his share of hardship in life: his wife and child both perished in a boating accident, and today Fredo approaches each trip to the sea with the angry determination of a man out for revenge. Fredo commands a crew of young people from poor families as he takes his rattletrap ship into the ocean in search of fish that live along the reefs, snaring catch with an illegal netting system. Not all of Fredo's youthful sailors are willing to put up with his abusive arrogance, however, and even his father Dado (Pen Medina) and close friend Botong (Jhong Hilario) have grown weary of Fredo's tirades. Fredo's body is beginning to betray him as well, and as he and his crew damage the sea's reef beds in search of fish, no one is certain how much longer he will be able to continue.