In this era of fake news and assorted scams, there is a need to document certain events affecting people’s lives.
Thus, a good need for more thought-provoking documentaries on urgent issues.
To be sure, our TV networks are not lacking in good output.
Over at ABS-CBN, you can still watch documentaries on YouTube like Di Ka Pasisiil (Never Shall Be Conquered), a 2017 documentary by Jeff Canoy and Chiara Zambrano. It deals with the realities of months-long urban war between government forces and a terror group in Marawi, Lanao Del Sur.
It won for the Philippines the first Gold Dolphin award for Best Documentary at the 2018 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards and the Gold World Medal for Best Documentary at the 2018 New York TV and Film Festivals.
Over at GMA 7, you have a choice of several award-winning documentaries in i-Witness such as Bitay, Selda Inosente, Buto’t Balat and Ambulansyang de Paa.
Last July 21, GMA 7 gave Atom Araullo’s POGO Land a prime-time slot (3 p.m.) on the eve of the President’s State of the Nation Address.
In this docu, Araullo had a good look into the mysterious world of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and their unlikely shocking victims.
The airing of the documentary is timely indeed as the daily news revealed VIPs (mostly government officials) involved in POGO operations in different parts of the country.
Araullo had the surprise of his journalist’s life when he found out these POGO turfs also doubled as scam farms. And another discovery was that these supposed scammers turned out to be victims of human trafficking themselves.
The docu unearthed tales of torture when recruited scammers failed to meet quotas.
POGO Land revealed that in March this year alone, more than 800 alleged human trafficking victims were rescued by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) from a POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac. It operates right behind the municipal hall of Bamban, Tarlac.
Another highlight of the docu is an interview with a POGO employee whose assignment was to carry out love scams. He escaped by jumping from the second floor of his POGO habitat.
From POGO employee “Nestor,” Araullo got details of how love scams operate. “Nestor” would make the victims fall in love with him and then scam operations followed.
The Araullo special also unearthed more human trafficking victims in Porac, Pampanga.
“Wilson” was found handcuffed to a bedframe, his body riddled with bruises and cigarette burns.
Atom also inspected the vicinity of the abandoned POGO hubs and found traces of the extensive operations of the scam farms.
The Atom Araullo Specials team also coordinated with PAOCC and the police in covering raids on areas where suspected masterminds of POGO operations were reported hiding.
To be sure, the Araullo documentary relied mostly on videos already aired on TV news. But his subsequent analysis towards the end gave it the urgency the subject deserved.
It turned out the airing of POGO Land was just timely.
In the State of the Nation address the following day, President Marcos announced ban on all POGO operations in the country. The announcement elicited euphoric standing ovations.
Subsequent developments proved the Araullo Special right.
Just a week after the airing of the documentary, Immigration officials confirmed that the house in Tuba, Benguet raided by authorities was owned by a close ally of the former president.
As the senate hearing yielded more damaging information on the connection of top government officials in POGO operations, the Araullo Special should follow it ups with an equally interesting sequel entitled POGO Land: All the Former President’s Men.
The good news is that there are good documentaries coming our way.
And So, It Begins by acclaimed filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz earlier premiered at the Sundance Festival is a 115-minute look into Leni Robredo’s presidential campaign in the 2022 national elections. It offers interesting insights into the battle for democracy in an era of Dutertes and Marcoses in power. The teaser said it will try to answer the question: “Mahirap ba talaga mahalin ang Pilipinas?” It will hit Philippine cinemas August 21 which is is Ninoy Aquino Day.
Other equally thought-provoking documentaries are up for screening in the 20th edition of Cinemalaya.
Among them is Bryan Brazil’s Lost Sabungeros which aims to investigate and find answers in the sudden disappearances of over 30 sabungeros who have been abducted in various incidents since 2022.
Produced by GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures, Lost Sabungeros will premiere at the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival on August 8, 5 PM, at Ayala Mall Manila Bay Cinema 2.
Four award-winning i-Witness documentaries will also be screened in Cinemalaya among them Sisid sa Putik by Mav Gonzales and Boat to School of Howie Severino on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinema 2.
Araullo’s Bawat Barya and Kara David’s Ambulasyang de Paa will be screened on Aug. 8, 11 a.m., at the same venue.
A talk-back session follows after each screening to be attended by documentarists David, Araullo, Gonzales and Severino.
Cinemalaya is celebrating its 20th year Aug. 2 to 11 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay as well as Greenbelt, Trinoma, U.P. Town Center, and Market Market.
Like it or not, this is a good year for timely documentaries!