“The land that you simply step on is the same land that you will seek your whole life in order to survive.” These are the words of wisdom Nanay Remigia’s father told her throughout her childhood. The Dumagat tribe, descendents of those who fled the Spanish colonization of the Philippines into the lowlands, has lived on the land that has nurtured them for generations. Remigia, one of the tribe’s elders, continues to keep stock of indigenous seeds as the tribe teaches traditional farming knowledge to the younger generation, encouraging them to keep planting on their ancestral land. Despite the smile and certainty on her face, Remigia has many worries — especially the lack of electricity, and the increasing encroachment of quarrying, eco-tourism, and other industries.. In the face of this adversity, she juggles her role in the tribe and family with wisdom and resilience. Remigia’s resolve remains etched on her face, and her continued fight is a testament to the resilience of the Dumagat, who continue to adapt while protecting their land and culture, working hard to ensure survival for generations to come.
Filmmaker details: Jewel Maranan
Jewel Maranan is a documentary filmmaker and producer based in the Philippines. Her recent films interrogate histories of conflict, displacement, and colonial aftermath: Silent House (2022 / Iran, Philippines, France, Canada), The Silhouettes (2020 / Iran, Philippines), The Future Cries Beneath Our Soil (2018 / Vietnam, Philippines), and In the Claws of a Century Wanting (2017 / Philippines, Germany, Qatar). In addition to her filmmaking, she organized pioneering cinema initiatives in the Philippines, such as the Nation in Visions Film Festival (2019), the Alternative Cinema Initiatives Conference (2019), and the Daang Dokyu Film Festival. She also co-founded the Filipino Documentary Society and created DaangDokyu.ph, an online database and distribution platform for Philippine documentaries.
Her films and initiatives have received support from Sundance Institute, IDFA Bertha Fund, Visions sud est, Asian Network of Documentary, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Purin Pictures, DMZ Docs, Doha Film Institute, Movies That Matter, and Ford Foundation among others.