The University of the Philippines Third World Studies Center (UP TWSC), in partnership with the Department of Political Science of the Université de Montréal (UdeM), has been conducting the video documentary project Student for Development since 2011. This project brings together a team composed of UdeM undergraduate students and TWSC interns to produce a video documentary. The documentaries which have been produced by the project since 2011 have been used for teaching by educational institutions and awareness-raising by advocacy and grassroots organizations. Two documentaries about Palawan were produced over the years.
Naglalahong Pamana (Fading Heritage)
Panglima Kenisio Malasan is a traditional leader of a Palaw’an tribe. Through him, the tribe’s tradition is passed on to the next generation—a tradition rooted in the land. But the Panglima wonders how their way of life can endure in the face of relentless encroachment of palm oil plantations. In a poignant dialogue between father and son, the Panglima and his child share fears for the future of their tribe.
Awards won:
- 2016 Active Vista Best Human Rights Short Film. It was also the Best Documentary Film
- Golden Philippine Eagle Festival Director’s Choice at the Singkuwento International Film Festival (SIFF) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the Philippines.
Sa Rio Tuba (In Rio Tuba)
Rio Tuba in Palawan is the site of the one of the biggest nickel open pit mine in the Philippines. It is also home to a once thriving fishing community along the Togpon River. Bobby Siplan, fisherman, and Lagrimas Padilla, fish vendor, are both members of this community. Two lives whose daily struggle to make a living ebb and flow with the changes wrought upon the river by the mining industry. The mine promises a harvest of bounty. Bobby and Lagrimas think otherwise. This is their story.