Active Vista International Human Rights Film Festival
Leni Velasco, Kristine Kintana and Alex PobleteA

ctive Vista was established in 2005 by dakila – Philippine
Collective for Modern Heroism (dakila), an organization building
a movement of heroism towards social transformation.
Dakila is a pioneering non-governmental organization (ngo) in thePhilippines that has been actively working in the forefront of using creativeand innovative forms in human rights education and advocacy work. It is acollective of artists, students, professionals and individuals committed to
advocating social consciousness formation both among their industry peers
and their immediate audiences.
Dakila cultivates one’s innate heroism, organizes communities of “heroes” and creatively fosters social involvement by building one’s capacity tomake change, influencing individuals and groups to be part of the movement for change, and taking on advocacies and social concerns to bringabout strategic actions that make real change.
It was founded by Lourd de Veyra – a multi-awarded writer, journalist,
spoken word artist, and pop culture icon; Noel Cabangon - a musician–activist; Ronnie Lazaro – a veteran actor, Buhawi Meneses – a rock star bassistof popular band Parokya ni Edgar; and Tado Jimenez - the late comedianactivist. Its artist-members come from various fields of arts as filmmakers,
visual artists, musicians, actors, etc. from all over the country.
It is involved in the advocacies for climate justice, human rights, good
governance and the campaigns to end human trafficking and gender discrimination; ensure just and lasting peace; promote road safety; and institute political, cultural and electoral reforms.
Active Vista
Active Vista is a word play on active (dynamic) and vista (viewing), thedynamic way of viewing films. It sounds similar to the Filipino word for
activist (aktibista). Active Vista (AV) brings attention to stories of humanrights struggles to enable the public to help dismantle barricades that hinder

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the pursuit of human rights. It adopted a vision of a society that respects,
upholds and values the dignity, rights and freedom of its people.
It aims to:• Raise awareness on social issues and concerns by providing platforms to effectively inform the public on prevalent social conditions;• Provoke discourses on human conditions to enable the public tounderstand the political, economic, social and cultural causes andimpact of human rights violations and to arrive at shared visions
and solutions to address it;• Foster a culture of human rights by influencing a new generationof advocates through the use of arts, media and popular culture as
weapons to inform, enlighten and empower them;• Empower the public to contribute to the promotion and protectionof human rights by inspiring them to recognize and fulfill their human responsibility to contribute to transformative social change;• Gather individuals and groups to collaborate on human rights education and drive support towards the cause;• Reach out to the broadest audience possible to develop a criticalcitizenry and open new platforms of expression and democratic
participation; and• Popularize the concern for human rights through narratives of human struggles so that the public may be able to empathize with thestruggles and embrace them as their own.
The Active Vista Journey
Active Vista started as the advocacy film festival of dakila. The first editionof the festival was organized in December 2008 to commemorate the 60th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With the theme,“Cinema with a Conscience,” it brought together filmmakers, members of
the civil society, government officials, business people, members of the academe and youth to spark the conversation on the power of cinema not only
to entertain but to educate.
Active Vista bannered the theme, “True revolution begins in the imagination,” in its second edition in 2010 and expanded its program by having
film screenings, three batches of advocacy filmmaking workshops held na-

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tionwide and a film competition that encouraged young and aspiring filmmakers to tackle human rights issues and concerns.
Active Vista in 2012 bravely went to the extreme as it traveled to twenty
cities across the country bringing about more than sixty human rights films
to 22,000 audiences nationwide. Its advocacy filmmaking program trained
fifty-five aspiring filmmakers and gave production grants to ten short films
exploring the human rights issues of the festival theme, “Projecting Truth”.
Active Vista expanded its program in 2015 through the “Bayani Ba ‘To?”(Is This A Hero?) roadshow on history and heroism that presented the phenomenal film, Heneral Luna and engaged the partnerships of forty schools
nationwide, making its mark in the field of audience development and human rights education in the Philippines.
Active Vista transitioned as an institutional program of dakila andtransformed as a center for human rights education in 2016. It presented
the 2nd edition of its “Bayani Ba ‘To?” forum presenting the film, Ang Hapis
at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli (The Agony and the Fury of Hermano Puli)
complemented with the discussion on Heroism X Pag-ibig. It included in the
program a series of Youth Leaders and Educators Forums nationwide.
The 4th edition of Active Vista was launched in February 2016, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the historic edsa People Power
Revolution, the culmination of the series of civil resistance against humanrights abuses during the Martial Rule that led to the restoration of democracy in the Philippines. The festival with the theme, “Truth X Imagination”
opened simultaneously in key regional cities nationwide – Manila, Iloilo,
Cebu, Dumaguete and Davao.
Since 2008, Active Vista has screened one hundred eighty-two films(eighty-five Filipino feature full-length films; sixteen international featurefull-length films; thirty-three Filipino short films; eight international shortfilms; forty Audio-Visual Competition Short Films) that were watched by
111,979 people (2008 - 3,500; 2010 - 28,737; 2012 - 22,500; 2015 - 20,480;
2016 - 36,762) in forty-two key cities and provinces nationwide. It has given
workshops to 149 aspiring filmmakers across the country. It has engaged
the partnership of 446 organizations – twenty embassies and international
non-governmental organizations, twenty government agencies, thirty-two
local governments, eighty-two local ngos, eighty-two schools and universities, one hundred four academic institutions and student groups, sixty-two

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media associations, and forty-four private businesses and companies – into
human rights advocacy promotion.
Human Rights Education
In 2016, Active Vista evolved into a learning institution to address thepressing need for human rights education and to encourage social advocacy involvement in the Philippines. Active Vista facilitates the process of
empowering citizens to become agents of social change. Its mission is toempower the public into contributing to relevant social transformation
through education.
Active Vista believes in the importance of the recognition, understanding and respect for human rights as the integral foundation of a truly progressive society. It utilizes the power of transformative learning both incontent and in pedagogy as a tool to empower citizens and the nation to develop and progress. It incites the value of shaping critical thought, encourages dynamism in views, and fosters spaces for discourse as fundamental
requirements in addressing methods and directions of social transformation
and as steps towards the education of its audiences as citizens. Active Vista
recognizes the strength of creative expression whether in the arts, media or
popular culture as modes of education in shaping public consciousness andaction.
Active Vista implements the following programs:
1. Ibang Klase! Alternative Education Program;
2. Film and Human Rights Program;
3. Art and Advocacy Lab;
4. Human Rights Festival.
Ibang Klase! Alternative Education Program
Active Vista pursues relevant lifelong learning through the pursuit ofknowledge, skills, values, and practices that form critical thinking, progressive ideas and creative innovations. “Ibang Klase!” (Different Class) is thealternative education program of Active Vista that aims to instill publicawareness on their rights and responsibilities as citizens, raise their consciousness on social issues, and foster involvement in social transformation.
The program drives the collaborative effort of educators, artists, media
practitioners, development specialists, cultural workers and human rights

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advocates to contribute to the shaping of an empowered citizenry by conducting trainings, seminars, workshops or forums and providing learningmaterials, creative toolkits, and study guides in educating the public on social issues and concerns in both classroom or alternative classroom setting,in multi-disciplinary subjects and through multiple approaches.
The program consists of the following core components:• Pagpapakatao 101 (How To Be Human) - a course on the basic concepts of human rights and advocacy undertaken within the framework of social change. Participants through the course explore howhuman rights are essential to one’s everyday life, livelihood and lifestyle. It takes the participants into the journey of one’s humanity—
using history, the universal principles of human rights, the Filipino
psychology and culture—as lens;• Bayani Ba ‘To? (Is This a Hero?) - a roadshow forum that sparks
discussions on valuable insights that impart the value of heroism
to students from the lessons of history towards the realization thatthe deeds of heroes are not hackneyed fables but real, breathing
examples of how to live their lives;• May K! (Have the Right!) - offers a variety of educational courses
anchored on the universal principles of rights, freedom, truth, reason, justice, independence and social progress. The courses provide
basic knowledge on social issues, incite discourse and critical analysis, empower individuals to take stands, and develop strategies foraction. Courses include kasaysayan, a crash course on history
designed to elicit critical discourse in examining the nation’s pastand identity as a nation in order to understand present societal issues and explore path to nation-building; kultura ng kabayanihan, a course on reclaiming the concept of the bayani (hero); theFilipino culture of bayanihan (community spirit) and the formationof the bayan (nation); kabataan at kinabukasan, a course on
child rights; kababaihan, a course on women’s rights; kasarian,a course on gender rights; klima at kalikasan, a course on theimpacts of climate change and the environmental degradation tohumanity; and kapayapaan, a course on peacebuilding.
Film and Human Rights Program
Active Vista provides access to a Film Catalogue of a wide array ofsocially relevant films and an opportunity for schools, organizations and44

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communities to screen them. The films are complemented with discussion
guides, which are intended to spark meaningful discourse and provide a human rights lens on the social issues touched by the film. It brings these films
to places where they are not readily available to spread awareness on humanrights concerns, encourage conversations on the issues, and foster participation in nation-building.
Since providing access to socially relevant films is the heart of Active
Vista, it carries out imperative and continuing educational work throughits Film Screenings in schools, communities, public theaters and alternative
spaces to promote audience development in both film and social advocacies.
Screenings are complemented with forums aimed to elicit meaningful discourse, facilitate critical reflection and encourage concrete action.
The Film Education Program of Active Vista cultivates the marriage offilm and advocacy in educating its audiences. It organizes activities geared
toward the development of film’s innate value as an educational mediumthat can be utilized to shape critical thought, influence culture, and foster social consciousness and action. It supports initiatives to help develop
the film industry and its members as relevant allies in social advocacies.
Through its Film Workshops, Active Vista focuses its lenses on real stories
that impact social change in a series of filmmaking workshops and masterclasses that feature story development, film production, mentorship guidance, pitching and social impact planning. Active Vista initiates efforts tostrengthen filmmaking as its ally in projecting truths on human struggles.
It supports filmmakers in endeavors to provide knowledge and skills to effectively churn out their visions and wield them toward inspiring real worldchange. Through its Film Lab, Active Vista endeavors to support film ideas
with clear social impact goals. It helps find ways to mobilize resources tosupport the development, production, promotion and distribution of thesefilms. It actively seeks to screen relevant and compelling socially relevant
films to broader audiences.
Art and Advocacy Lab Program
Active Vista is fueled by creative expression. Creativity allows audiences to understand concepts and conditions on human struggles and enables
them to convey their insights and convictions on the social cause. Active
Vista provides avenues for creative endeavors that shed light, spark discourses, and magnify actions. It conducts trainings, mentorship programs

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and workshops for students, artists, educators, activists and development
practitioners on the use of art, music, design, photography, storytelling,
videos, digital media and other emerging platforms for social advocacies.
It breeds a new generation of advocates whose fresh views and innovative
approaches to human stories will inspire revolutions of the mind and create
movements. It encourages new paradigms and forms of aesthetic expressions in telling stories in the context of advocacy.
The Active Vista Lab consists of three pioneering programs:
Heroes Hub
The Heroes Hub is a Fellowship Program of Youth Advocates for
Human Rights. It takes root on the concept of the katipunan (Assembly)
and aims to impart how the concept of heroism has translated to today’s
youth. The Fellowship Program aims to empower the Filipino Youth to beagents of social change. It offers a transformative learning process throughthe pursuit of knowledge, skills, values, and practices to form the youth’s
critical thinking, progressive ideas, and creative innovations which are fuelto their development as citizens and their participation in nation-building.
It is a continuing learning process wherein the youth are given opportunities to connect, collaborate and create with their fellow youth. It provides
spaces for immersion, discourse, expression and innovation to happen. It isan avenue for developing and nurturing ideas into action.
The Heroes Hub is a series of learning sessions designed to build thecapacity of selected fellows in human rights advocacy work through especially designed courses, skills training and creative workshops to be held fora year. A variety of experts from the field of human rights, arts, and media
guides, trains and mentors youth participants of the program.
Digibak: Digital Activism
Digibak is a portmanteau of “digital” and “tibak” (Filipino slang for activist). Digibak empowers advocates in using digital platforms and technologies for social advocacies. It banners the assertion that human rights are
the same offline and online. The program develops support to digital media
initiatives through a rights-based approach to further social advocacies. It
addresses concerns on the prevailing culture of hate, violence, harassment
and abuse online and the pressing digital human rights issues such as theonline sexual abuse of children, fake news and trolls, online harassment

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and bullying of women, lgbtq+, children, use of cyber libel in the Cyber
Crime Law to silence political dissent and activism, and Cyber Tokhang. The
course provides• an overview of the power of digital media;• a presentation on basic tools on digital media and platforms;• workshops on effective digital media communication;• discussions on digital safety, security and protection; and• training on pro-active digital engagement to counter discrimination, violence and abuse online as well as in promoting advocacy
causes.
MartialLaw.ph
The MartialLaw.PH, a Digital Museum of Martial Law in the Philippines, isa virtual space serving as a living memorial to a pivotal period in Philippine
history and serves as a platform to provoke critical reflection, inclusive
learning, and vigilant remembrance through the multi-faceted lens of artistic expression. Education on the Marcos Era Martial Law, and the concepts
and implications of martial rule are made available to the public throughengaging platforms and in forms designed to spark their interest. The online hub is complemented by on-ground forums, exhibits and performances
aimed at educating the youth on the country’s dark past in the hope that inremembrance and understanding they take active vigilance in upholding thenation’s democracy and freedom.
The Digital Museum of Martial Law in the Philippines was founded on
21 September 2016 by Dakila. MartialLaw.ph’s digital exhibitions are being
propagated, curated, and maintained by Active Vista while actively seeking
individuals and groups who would like to contribute or collaborate in theendeavor.
Human Rights Festival
Active Vista reaches out to the broadest audience possible by continuing to
explore various avenues for citizen engagement in its work. It seeks audiences beyond traditional public spaces and in remote areas through artistic
endeavors and innovative initiatives to develop a critical citizenry and toopen new platforms of expression and democratic participation. The Active
Vista Festival seeks to bring attention to stories of human struggles throughthe arts as it presents a plethora of events to celebrate human rights.

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The 4th and 5th edition of the Active Vista marked its transition froma film festival to a human rights festival, from a program of dakila to alearning center for human rights education. The transition of Active Vista
came at a time when the human rights situation in the Philippines worsened
with the rise in the death toll brought about by the war against drugs under
the new administration. The 4th edition of Active Vista was launched before
the 2016 Presidential Elections and culminated on Human Rights Day 2016.
The 5th edition was held at the height of the attacks on human rights by the
President’s proclamations against human rights defenders. The 5th edition
launched Active Vista as a Human Rights Festival departing from a mere
film festival. The 5th edition of the film festival happened from 22 November– 10 December 2017 and became a celebration of human rights amid attacks
on human rights and dignity.
The 2016 Active Vista International Human Rights Film Festival washeld during the 22-27 February 2016 period and coincided with the 30th anniversary of the historic edsa People Power Revolution. It had the theme:“Truth X Imagination” which calls for using imagination as a weapon against
forgetting truth.
The 2016 Human Rights Film Festival had the following objectives:• To educate a broad range of audiences on the importance of humanrights in nation-building and social progress;• To spark public conversations on global and local human rights issues;• To mainstream human rights education in formal and alternativeclassroom setting; and• To develop a new generation of human rights filmmakers.
According to Dakila Executive Director, Leni Velasco,1
The greatest enemy of history is time. Thirty years ago, theFilipinos through collective action succeeded in getting rid of afascist dictator, marking the end of a dark era known for its grave
abuses and human rights violations. Thirty years ago, that was
the narrative. Is it still the same one told today?
Active Vista sought to remind the public especially the younger generation who may not fully understand yet the importance of the edsa

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Revolution that truth was both in the obvious and the obscure. The problem
was that “people had become afraid of the truth because it was a reflectionof who we were and the society we built,” Velasco explained. She further
explained
But truth, no matter how ugly, no matter how difficult,needs to be seen. Because it is only in acknowledging truth that
we are liberated and are empowered to transform it. Active Vista
hopes to be that undertaking – a platform to exorcise historicalamnesia and usher this new generation into an understanding of
the true essence of edsa. The power of art is its ability to change
perception, to change how people view the world. Active Vista
inspires to do so through cinema, one viewer, at a time.
The Festival also welcomed the solidarity of its international guests,
Anna Har, Festival Director of the Freedom Film Festival in Malaysia, andcelebrated New York-based literary writer, feminist and human rights activist, Ninotchka Rosca. In ending, Velasco said, “Active Vista call on all
Filipinos – young and old, the passionate and the disheartened, the dreamers and the realists, – to make imagination your weapon against forgetting
truth.”
The films of the festival were selected based on the following criteria:
1. Relevant human rights messages;
2. Artistic excellence;
3. Ability to engage audiences; and4. Accessibility of films.
For the Festival Opening, the Festival Committee selected a controversial and risky choice for an opening film - EDSA XXX. This premiered
in 2012 at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival (an annual film festivalorganized by a major television station and film production network in thePhilippines) and was shown at international film festivals like the Rotterdam
International Film Festival. Its filmmaker Khavn dela Cruz is known as anavant-garde filmmaker.
EDSA XXX was chosen primarily because the opening of the 4th edition of the Festival coincided with the 30th anniversary of the edsa People
Power Revolution in the Philippines and the film’s messages dwelled primarily on the theme. EDSA XXX as opening film has the ability to engage

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its audience, though some might find it alienating for the general audience
because of its highly non-stereotype and artistic treatment. A musical aboutaliens does not fit rightly into the ordinary Filipino audience especially in afilm that discusses the edsa revolution.
However, the Festival Committee aimed to make a statement throughthe opening film. It aimed to shake the Filipino audience regarding 1) the key
message of the film: “Nothing Ever Changes in the Ever-changing Republic,”
and 2) the existence of different types of human rights films. The Festival
Committee believed that while the film challenged the audience to thinkbeyond the experimental treatment of the film, it also challenged the humanrights community to expand beyond stereotypes of what a human rights
film should be.
EDSA XXX took the audience forward to 2030, the year of the 44th anniversary of edsa revolution to pose the question, “Have you ever wondered
why nothing changes despite countless presidents?” The answer was givenin the form of an absurdist cross between low-budget science-fiction musical and crazy political satire.
EDSA XXX Director, Khavn, explained2
Cinema is not there to be pleasant. It is there to stir, disturb,
provoke, to punch the status quo instead of one’s time card, tostop the hiding behind sterilized, anesthetized, spineless art andcalling it a fearless struggle for change. Cinema is a rupture anda revolt — a daily, hourly, minutely questioning of what’s rightand wrong, good and bad, beautiful and ugly, until the profane
becomes the sacred. The profane is the sacred.
In 2016, Khavn made headlines by performing a thirteen-hour live piano film scoring. He set the record for the longest film concert as he unveiled
his thirteen-hour autobiographical film Simulacrum Tremendum at the 45th
International Film Festival Rotterdam.
EDSA XXX was screened on 24 February 2016 at Cinema 4 of Shang
Cineplex, Shangri-La Mall, Mandaluyong City. The screening was attended
by prominent human rights defenders like Commission on Human Rights(CHR) Chairperson Chito Gascon, then Secretary Ging Deles of the Officeof the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (opapp), members ofthe different United Nations agencies led by the United Nations Resident
Coordinator in the Philippines (Mr. Ola Almgren), members of the diplo-

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matic community led by the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of theKingdom of the Netherlands (Mr. Jaco Beerends), artists, filmmakers andcelebrities like Jun “Bayaw” Sabayton, Ronnie Lazaro, Lourd de Veyra, andAljur Abrenica, star of the historical epic, Hermano Puli.
For the second screening, Active Vista presented Jun Lana’s Barber’sTales in partnership with the National Youth Commission, represented
in the screening by then Commissioner Dingdong Dantes. In a statement,
Commissioner Dingdong Dantes said3
This generation – our generation should learn from the patriotic sacrifice of each and every Filipino during that era, andembed the lessons of the People Power Revolution with our everyday lives. Because by doing so, we will be able to value, protect and be responsible [for] the democratic rights that we cherish today.
Today, the responsibility of keeping the faith and fire alive isupon us, the responsibility of building our nation from the windsof change the edsa Revolution lent us. We are often charged [as]entitled, convenience-seekers and unconcerned. If only to provethem wrong, today presents to us an occasion to hold on to thepromises of the bright future because of edsa.
Festival Director Leni Velasco further added
Active Vista deems that films like Barber’s Tales are essential viewing especially for the youth of today who only get an
idea of Martial Law through dusty history books and documentaries—and now, more than ever, through social media. Amidst
those who blur, twist, and rewrite history in favor of the oppressors, it is high time the youth are engaged into an enlightening
discussion on the essence of human rights and the dangers of
having them taken away. The freedoms and rights enjoyed today
can only be truly appreciated if there is a full understanding of
how they were fought for. It is through this that history will not
be forgotten in time.
Active Vista screened Pepe Diokno’s Kapatiran, w h i c h provided thefraternity system’s violent initiation process and hazing as the metaphorof violence of Martial Law, in partnership with the United Nations initiative “Re:PubliKo.”4 on 26 February 2016.

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The three international films in the program tackled some of the mostpressing human rights issues in the Philippines - historical revisionism andextra-judicial killings (ejks) through The Missing Picture by Rithy Panh, cyber Martial Law and internet rights through CitizenFour by Laura Poitras,
and lesbian-gay-bi-sexual and transgender (lgbt) and persons with disabilities (pwds) rights issues through Margarita with a Straw by Shonali Boseand Nilesh Maniyar. They were screened on the last day of the festival opening run, 27 February 2016, at the UP Film Center.
The 2016 Film Festival opened in five key regional cities nationwide including Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Dumaguete and Cebu and then travelled to different universities and communities until 10 December 2016, International
Human Rights Day.
Ara Chawdhury’s Miss Bulalacao in Cebu, Pepe Diokno’s Engkwentro
in Iloilo, and Chuck Gutierrez’s Iisa in Davao were all simultaneously shownon 27 February 2016.
Active Vista: Bridging the Narrative of Truth from Imagination to Awakening
Crucial to the transition phase of Active Vista were the consistent screenings and discussions beyond the festival opening. In 2016, after the Festival
Opening in February 2016, Active Vista established partnership with the
University of the Philippines Film Institute through regular screenings ofhuman rights-themed films at its Cine Adarna.
In March 2016, in celebration of women’s month, Active Vista screened
Margarita with A Straw by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar again at theCine Adarna. The film strongly relayed the message of women empowerment with its main character overcoming her physical disabilities andinsecurities in achieving what she wants. The audience was particularly
struck about the outstanding performance of the lead actress and the effective portrayal of the film on issues of lgbt pwd.
In July 2016, Active Vista screened Stranger by the Lake by Alain
Gourdaine, an award-winning and critically acclaimed film, in line with thelgbt pride month. A short open forum was conducted after the screening
with panelists, Ron De Vera and Cha Roque from the lgbt community andKristine Kintana from the film community. The audience was shocked withthe film’s boldness and disturbed by the story. The discussion afterwards
truly helped in processing the issues raised in the film.

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H U M A N R I G H T S E D U C AT I O N I N A S I A - PA C I F I CIn September 2016, Active Vista screened Engkwentro by Pepe
Diokno and The Sheik and I by Caveh Zahedi. In commemoration of thedeclaration of Martial Law, Active Vista screened Engkwentro in threemajor cities – Iloilo, Cebu and Metro Manila as a very timely film as it
dealt with the reality of vigilante and ejks in the country while The Sheikand I strongly tested the extent of freedom of expression especiallywhen faced with religious and cultural perspectives. The audience received the Sheik and I ver y well as it discussed taboo topics on artistic
expression.
Engkwentro drew so much reaction from t h e audience. Somem e m b e r s o f audience who watched the film in Iloilo inquired if
the organizers were critics of President Rodrigo Duterte as the film
clearly portrays the issue on the Davao Death Squads. A few even went
to the extreme and criticized the screening as propaganda against the
government. In Cebu, the post-screening discussion was guided by panelists from the Children’s Legal Bureau of Cebu who were experts on theissue of EJKs and children in conflict with the law in Cebu. In the UP
Film Institute screening, audiences were very silent after the screening.
However, they stayed for the discussion with panelists from representativesof human rights organizations. Many questions were raised on the issue ofejks brought about by the government’s war against drugs.
During the UP Film Institute discussion, I-Defend, a civil society coalition organized to defend human rights and dignity, represented by Budit
Carlos, gave a comprehensive framework on human rights vis-à-vis thestate-sanctioned ejks. Ms. Pilgrim Gayo, Country Director of Terres deHommes expressed how personal the film was for her because she worked
with child victims of the Davao Death Squad during her stint as Executive
Director of Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights in Davao. Mr. Jim Libiran,filmmaker and actor of the film, shared his thoughts on the issue of ejk. One
important thing to note was raised by film critic Noy Lauzon who pointed
out that the audio of the Mayor’s speech in the film were based on actual
audio of a speech delivered or an interview by then Mayor of Davao and
now Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The audio was used in a scene
where a fictional politician was delivering a message regarding his visionof a new society. The scene is a parallelism of the late dictator President
Ferdinand Marcos vision of Bagong Lipunan (New Society) during Martial
Law in the Philippines. The iconic scene is chilling given the present context

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of President Duterte’s positioning on a possible Martial Law rule under his
term.
A special screening of Tigbao was also held at the Holy Angel University
and coincided with their commemoration of Peace Month. Renee
Karunungan of dakila and Jay de Jesus and I-Defend discussed issues onhuman rights especially ejks and Martial Law. The audience were enlightened on the real situation during Martial Law which most Millennials perceived as genuinely a good time in the history of the country. Some educators raised questions on the need to teach Martial Law to today’s generationof youth to counter perceptions that Martial Law is good for the country.
Bunso by Ditsi Carolino and Boys by Mischa Kamp were screened for
the Active Vista run in November 2016. Bunso played a huge role in the enactment of the Juvenile Justice Act in 2006, which was meant to protect children in conflict with the law through programs for their rehabilitation andreintegration to the society. The recent discussions on lowering the age ofcriminal liability for children (from fifteen years old to nine years old) madethe Bunso screening relevant as it showed the lives of three children in prison for committing petty crimes. Unfortunately, the screening of Bunso camea day after the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos that caught thenation in surprise and sparked overnight protest actions and likely affected
the number of people in the audience.
Truth X Imagination towards Truth Awakening: Ushering the Active Vista
Human Rights Festival
After a successful 2016 film festival run, Active Vista celebrated International
Human Rights Day 2016 through the Alab ng Puso (Rage of the Heart)concert in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights of thePhilippines. The concert-festival mobilized musicians, artists, and humanrights advocates to celebrate human rights amid the onslaught of attacks
against human rights and dignity. The concert-festival fueled the convictionof transforming the film festival into an annual festival for human rights
utilizing various art forms. The social-political context of the country has
given birth to a resurgence of socially-relevant art and Active Vista saw thisas an opportunity to complete its transformation.
The new Active Vista was launched on 8 August 2017 through a gathering of partners, networks, and allies that support the human rights cause.

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Representatives of various communities – government, media, film, civil society, academe and youth – were present to celebrate the occasion.
Chairperson Chito Gascon gave a moving speech that expressed the chr’s
support to the Active Vista endeavors. He paraphrased the famous line fromStar Wars Rogue One film to express his point:
It is the time to build an alliance, built on solidarity and values to push back all the wrong things happening today. Planting
the seeds of change and revolution, imparting the values of human rights are important. All Rebellions are built on hope.
Dakila President Lourd de Veyra gave a witty speech which mocked
government pronouncements on the “importance” of human rights
and the controversial allocation of zero budget to chr by the House ofRepresentatives (lower house of the legislature). Actor and dakila founder
Ronnie Lazaro opened the launch. Representatives of long time partners of
Active Vista also gave solidarity messages. Among them were Sam Chittick,
the Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, Atty. Arpee Santiago,
the Executive Director of the Ateneo Human Rights Center and filmmakers
Ria Limjap, Babyruth Gutierrez and Moira Lang. The launch was sponsoredby Active Vista partner in film distribution, T-Rex Entertainment, producerof the historical film Hermano Puli.
The transition of Active Vista into a human rights center of dakila was
a product of a summing up of Active Vista’s work and dakila’s experiencein human rights work in the Philippines since 2008. Active Vista as a biennial film festival from 2008 to 2012 was successful in broadening audiences
but much thought was spent on its sustainability as a program. The hiatus in
2013-2015 provided Active Vista a much needed reflection on its strategies
and tactics to develop the program.
History, Human Rights and Heroism Forums through Cinema
In 2015, as a result of its previous work in screening socially-themed films,
the producers of Heneral Luna approached Active Vista to tap into its large
network of schools and explore the potential of schools into helping themarketing of a historical film to youth audiences. In the recent history ofPhilippine cinema, no historical film has really become a blockbuster. The
result was an eye-opener not only to Active Vista but the film industry as a

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whole. The work done by Active Vista was a game changer. It shaped new
ways in film marketing and distribution in the Philippines.
Active Vista started to work on historical films as early as February 2015as it sealed partnerships with schools all over the country in securing a forum on heroism complemented with a fifteen minute preview of the film.
It tested the waters with a youth forum organized in May 2015 in Metro
Manila which tapped youth leaders as the first batch of audience. Active
Vista started its school tour in June 2015 and the tour lasted till September
2015, a day before Heneral Luna was screened commercially in theaters.
Overall, Active Vista reached around thirty-six schools from as far as
the North (Ilocos Norte) to the South (Davao). It organized around four
special screenings of the film. The audience responded positively to the film
and both educators and students were won over by the discussions that followed the fifteen minute preview of the film. Historians were brought in toprovide the much needed context of the discussions. As a result, the “Bayani
Ba ‘To?” roadshow transformed audiences into advocates of the film andfans of history.
This impetus provided the much needed support when the film was
finally screened in commercial theaters in September 2015. Its first day ofshowing did not fare well, and thus limited screening was made on its second day, a practice that was usual for films that were not doing well in attracting audience to the theaters. What saved the film and helped make it ablockbuster phenomenon was an army of advocates – educators, school administrators, students – who saw the preview of the film and demanded thatit be shown in their local theaters. Those who followed the innovators were
not disappointed with the film product. Thus, word of mouth on the excellence of the film exploded. Social media amplified the buzz on the ground.
What happened was a phenomenon, a historical film that reaped box officesuccess and changed the game of how independent films could be a commercial success.
More important than commercial viability, Heneral Luna created ahunger among audiences for quality, relevant films in the local industry.
It raised the level of how independent films should be marketed to reachbroader audiences. It made producers realize that the taste of audiences are
evolving and forced them to make quality and relevant films. It impacted
on how films were distributed and made the industry aware of how a cartel,
traditional and conservative industry practitioners, have been preventing

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independent films to flourish. It challenged audiences to seek films that did
not conform to traditional films they had been fed in the past. And Active
Vista was in the right place at the right time.
In 2016, coinciding with the resolve of Active Vista to organize the 4thedition of the festival despite challenges in resources, the producer of another historical film approached the organization to help market the film,
Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli, hoping to ride on the success ofHeneral Luna. Active Vista partnered with T-Rex Entertainment to present
the 2nd edition of the “Bayani Ba ‘To Forums” which featured a short previewof the film Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli (The Agony and Fury ofHermano Puli) and sparked a conversation among the youth on the importance of history, human rights and heroism in today’s time.
Much like the strategy explored for Heneral Luna, the Forums held after
the movie screening featured a panel of resource persons – a historian, an
educator, a representative from civil society/media/government, an artist
and a representative of Dakila. Forums in forty-five schools, four Educators
Forums and two Youth Leaders’ Forums were organized. The Forums
reached 21,829 audiences, 1,080 educators and 500 youth leaders.
In the post-screening discussions, audiences mostly reacted on theneed for more historical films. Audiences were ecstatic on the lecturesof historians delivered in pop culture format as it allowed them to understand the film in the context of history and the present human rights
situation. The forums were complemented by distribution of study guide toeducators. Educators appreciated the format as it provided them with
inputs on how to use film in their classes. Most students appreciated the
pop culture format of the discussions and the interesting information that
historians shared. Most people in the audience were very much engaged
in the discussions – questions covered film production, history and human rights issues. Most of those who participated in the Youth Leaders’
Forum and some who attended the school forums joined dakila andsignified their intent to be more involved in socially- relevant endeavors.
Most educators expressed their interest in continuing to organize theforum. Most partner school administrations and departments asked toformalize and schedule regular forums with Active Vista in their schools.
The roadshow forums of Active Vista were deemed as a pioneering effort in audience development especially among the youth. Many audiences
reached by the forums expressed interest in continuing relevant programs

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similar to Active Vista in their specific schools and communities. Many
schools became aware of utilizing films in their social consciousness
programs and academic subjects. The initiative also paved way for local
efforts to hold forums and screenings on human rights issues.
The endeavors with Artikulo Uno (now tba productions) for Heneral
Luna and T-Rex Entertainment for Hermano Puli paved the way for a large
network of educators, another layer of audiences in the Active Vista fold.
The forums held among educators reinforced the previous assessment of
Active Vista on the need for materials and more innovative platforms forhuman rights education in the country.
Supporters
Active Vista has garnered the support of like-minded organizations, institutions and individuals through the years. In its past editions, it has been supported by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the National
Commission of Culture and the Arts, the National Youth Commission, theFilm Development Council of the Philippines, University of the Philippines
Film Institute, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, theAustralian Agency for International Development, the Royal NorwegianEmbassy, the Canadian Embassy, the United Nations Development Program(undp), the Asia Foundation, and Movies that Matter. Active Vista boastsof partnerships with human rights and civil society organizations, schools
and universities nationwide and media institutions. In 2015-2016, it started partnerships with production outfits like tba Productions and T-Rex
Entertainment. Active Vista maintains close partnership with the filmmaking community.
Active Vista Human Rights Festival 2017
Active Vista opened its 5th edition on 22 November 2017 with the theme“Truth Awakening,” as it shed light on versions and visions of truth towards
a tempestuous awakening of a generation that responded to the call of thetimes. The Active Vista Human Rights Festival celebrated the triumph ofhumanity amid the surge of a social storm drowning freedom, tearing human rights and dignity. The Festival reclaimed heroism as it commemorated
heroes who shaped the nation’s history on Bonifacio Day and invoked the

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spirit of Bayanihan (community spirit) as it united in solidarity with theworld in celebrating the International Human Rights Day towards building
a true nation of heroes.
The 5th edition of Active Vista had the following objectives:
1. To raise awareness on human rights issues and concerns by providing knowledge on human rights in accessible, credible and relevant
manner;2. To counter the prevailing culture of hate, violence, false narratives,
fake news and alternative truths by providing platforms for critical
discourse on human rights and democracy;
3. To build the capacity of the public to contribute to the promotion
and protection of human rights through creative avenues for involvement; and4. To organize a broad-based public support by engaging the youth,
educators and artists through the use of arts, media and popular
culture for the human rights cause.
The 2017 Active Vista Human Rights Festival featured human rights film
screenings, art exhibits (“Moving Pictures: Artists for Human Dignity” and“Desaparecidos”), theater play (“Tao Po”), talks and workshops on humanrights, a Youth Empowerment Summit, human rights short film competition, bike ride (Padyak para sa Karapatan), and a concert (Alab ng Puso).
Festival Program 2017
Active Vista featured the best human rights-themed films that brought tothe Filipino audience a world-view on the human rights situation throughmoving images of truths on important global and local issues. The festival presented films that dealt with the following issues: Environment
and Climate Justice; Gender Rights, Equality and Empowerment; Social
Progress with Social Justice; Empowering Vulnerable Sectors; Reclaiming
Spaces of Freedom; Waging Peace; Truth, Justice and Historic Memory; andDemocracy and Good Governance. The festival screened international fulllength films in a commercial theater in Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong
City and local full-length films in the new alternative film space, Cinema
Centenario in Quezon City, all in Metro Manila. It also brought to key
regional cities – Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo and Bacolod, a special screening of Smaller and Smaller Circles in partnership with tba
Productions.

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The Festival opened with the Philippine premiere of the multi-awarded
documentary film, Motherland by Ramona Diaz. Motherland explored theDr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, named as the busiest maternity ward in the world. The screening was a by-invitation event and attended
by representatives of festival partners from the diplomatic community (officials of the Dutch, French and Argentinian embassies), representatives of
the Commission on Human Rights, representatives of other partner organizations (the Asia Foundation, likhaan and many others), artists, filmmakers, educators and staff members of the hospital.
After the screening, an open forum with Director Ramona Diaz, a representative from the hospital and Dr. Junice Melgar from likhaan ensued.
The audience expressed gratitude to Director Diaz for showing the real situation in the hospital especially regarding indigent women.
On 23 November 2017, another screening of Motherland was held inpartnership with Grrrl Gang Manila. The screening was opened to the public with Dumagat women in the audience supported by lilak, an organization for indigenous women’s rights. After the screening, Director Diaz, withRed Tani from Filipino Freethinkers and Rash Caritativo from dakila answered questions from the audience. One of the key issues brought up during the open forum was on how the Reproductive Health Bill (RH bill) could
help improve reproductive health and family planning education in thePhilippines. Red Tani emphasized that RH bill was about having informed
choices. The Dumagat women talked about their experience of being discriminated in hospitals, making them opt to rely on their own methods.
The screening of films continued on 27 November till 10 December
2017. See Table 1 for the list of films shown.
Table 1. Films shown during the 2017 Festival5
Film

Story

Screening Date

Blanka, Kohki Hasei(2015) – Philippines/Japan

A film about a homeless girl looking for amother figure.6

27 November 2017, co-presented by the
Asia Foundation, which launched its own
campaign for children’s safety online, theAlamBaU.ph, during the event

Small Talk, Hui Chen
Huang (2016) - Taiwan

A documentary film of a personal journeyof the filmmaker regarding her mother as
she came into terms with her sexuality
and motherhood.

28 November 2017

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Die Beautiful, Jun
Robles Lana (2016)

A film about a Filipino transgenderwoman who suddenly died and was“presented as a different celebrity oneach night of her wake”7 according to
her wishes.

29 November 2017, part of the“Gayborhood Night: Bongga Ka Die(Beautiful)” event

Batch ’81, Mike De
Leon (1982)

A film of an “unflinching study of thejoys of submission.” It portrays the“sadomasochistic initiation rituals ofa college fraternity [that] become ametaphor for the Philippines of Ferdinand
Marcos.”8

Cine Adarna, UP Diliman, Quezon City, 1
December 2017, co-presented by theFilm Producers Society

Respeto, Treb Monteras(2017)

A film that tackles the “complex issueof human rights violation across twogenerations, musically connected by thevibrant and socially-conscious use oflanguage.”9

Cinema Centenario, 2, 9 - 10 December
2017

On the Job, Erik Matti(2013)

A film about “prison inmates who are
regularly let out of jail to perform dirty
jobs [kill people]. [The film tells] of acorrupt system in the government.”10

Cinema Centenario, 3 December 2017

Last Supper No. 3,
Veronica B. Velasco(2009)

A film that presents a humorous look at
the circuitous path the Philippine legal
system takes to obtain justice.11

Cinema Centenario, 4 December 2017

Jay, director Francis
Xavier Pasion (2008)

A film about a gay TV producer
documenting the family of a gay hatecrime victim, who intruded into theprivate grief of the victim’s family andfound the secret life and love of his
subject.12

Cinema Centenario, 5 December 2017

Bunso, Ditsi Carolino(2003)

A documentary film on three young
prisoners with “horrendous living
conditions [inside the prison] and [who]speak openly about their lives behindbars and back at home, including storiesof poverty, domestic abuse, drug use,petty crime, and abandonment.”13

Cinema Centenario, 6 December 2017

Himpapawid, Raymond
Red (2009)

Inspired by a true news account, this is
the astounding story of a lone derangedhijacker who has struggled to survive inthe chaos of modern Philippine society.14

Cinema Centenario, 7 December 2017

Engkwentro, Pepe
Diokno (2009)

A film about a young gangster who isplotting to flee town to avoid being killedby the city’s crime-fighting death squad,but before he runs away he must dodge
the attack of a rival gang.15

Cinema Centenario, 8 December 2017

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The post-screening open forums raised comments on different issues:• The vulnerability of children to trafficking especially those who
were neglected, abandoned, and those living in the street (Blanka);• The irony of promoting brotherhood through a cycle of violence inhazing rites of fraternities, and the reality that who you know mattered more than what you do (Batch ’81);• A film’s (Respeto) ability to bring to young audience the topic of
Martial Law especially in relation to the current situation;• The state of the judiciary in the country (Last Supper No. 3);• Media sensationalism (Jay) and questions on where to draw the line
in media ethics;• Important role of films in the passage of laws (the Juvenile Justice
Act in 2006 in the case of Bunso) and their continuing relevance tothe current times; and• The general comment on the need to use films to encourage people
to take part in social change.
Short Film Competition
Active Vista feature short films that tell compelling stories of people whose
freedoms and rights are trampled upon and give voice to those who suffer
in silence. It presents aspiring filmmakers whose fresh takes and innovative
approaches to human rights films inspire the revolution of the mind andcreate movements. The Active Vista Award is presented to filmmakers andhuman rights defenders whose creative works pay homage to the protection

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and promotion of human rights. It is a tribute to their excellence in marrying their art and advocacy.
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit films that discuss human rights
issues including violence, justice, tyranny, historical revisionism, right tolife, right to information, lgbt, social acceptance, poverty, right to equal
opportunity, freedom of expression, human dignity, migration, anti-colonialism, education, labor rights, human trafficking and slavery, and the war
on drugs and extra-judicial killings. The call has successfully gathered sixtyfour entries from filmmakers coming from different regions, sectors, andgenders, with genres covering comedy, drama, action, animation, satire andexperimental.
All submitted films become part of the Active Vista International
Human Rights Film Festival’s archive for internal research, or academic purposes and film catalogue. The films can be shown publicly as long as thefilmmakers are informed of the screenings. The short films in the Active
Vista catalogue have study or discussion guides.
Ten finalists were recognized at the Alab ng Puso concert on 9 December
2017 at Times Square, Araneta Center and the trailers of the films were also
shown to the concert audience. The formal awarding was held at Cinema
Centenario on 10 December 2017, with the screening of the ten films. Lourdde Veyra, President of dakila, and filmmaker Sherad Sanchez gave theawards to the winners and shared some inspiring messages.

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Active Vista awarded the Best Film to Si Astri Maka Si Tambulah by
Xeph Suarez for giving a peek on the fate of transwomen in the Muslim
community, the second Best Film to Aliens Ata by Glenn Barit for sharing a poignant tale on different kinds of loss; and the third Best Film to
Retrospektib by Daryll Jameson Apaga for taking the audience into a brave
harrowing, yet comical journey through the nightmares of dictatorship.
Art Exhibit: Moving Pictures: Artists for Human Dignity
Recognizing the universal power of the photographic image as it relates
to truth and accessibility, the series of art exhibitions dubbed as Moving
Pictures has been mounted by Active Vista since 2008 for public awareness,
discussion, and education. The photographic images’ capacity to move a
person to critical thinking and action, as well as their easy translation to
print and digital format (and the ease of transporting them from one location to the other), create Moving Pictures a viable platform for social issues
which affect the society.
The 2017 edition Moving Pictures was in partnership with HUDYATArtists for Human Dignity. HUDYAT which translates to either “signs of thetimes” or “alarm,” cast the note on the 2017 Moving Pictures event. This edition focused on human dignity as the basis for unconditional respect forhuman rights, which must be accorded to all persons despite their age, gender, health standing, economic situation, ethnic or social origins, political or
religious beliefs, or criminal history. See Table 2 for the list and descriptionof photos exhibited:
Table 2. List of photos in Moving Pictures 2017
Photo

Theme and short description#BAbaLIKanTAyongDelubyo, AG Saño

Environment
Photo about the commemoration of the 4th year of the destruction
brought by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. The photo shows how brutal
mother nature could be if global warming would persist as a result of
human activities, primarily, the burning of fossil fuels.

Creativity, Not Conflict, Nikki Luna

Women’s rights
Photo of Rashida, one of the kids at the evacuation center inside
the provincial capitol of Marawi city. Nikki used the programs of#StartARTproject in teaching kids how to take portraits of each other.
The kids from different areas in Marawi were brought together as
bakwits (displaced kids or evacuees). After getting to know each other,
Nikki asked the kids to draw a friend (or make a new one). The projecttaught the kids to learn more about each other’s story, family history,
connecting and realizing they were not alone.

64

H U M A N R I G H T S E D U C AT I O N I N A S I A - PA C I F I COuttake from Signos (2009-2016),
Veejay Villafranca

Climate change
Photo shows children playing around a dredged fishing boat by theshores of Tacloban bay, amid possible trauma and psychologicalstresses caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

Untitled photo, Hannah Reyes Morales

Child rights
Photo of Ann, fifteen years old, with her new-born baby in her homein Manila, where one in five girls is a mother or pregnant. The photois part of the project which follows the lives of girls in Manila who arecoming of age, with a baby in tow.

Police Shadow, Raffy Lerma

Right to life
Photo shows the lifeless body of an alleged drug pusher, Jesus Jonas,
lying on the street after he was killed in a police buy-bust operation at
Barangay Del Monte, Quezon City on 8 October 2016.

Contagious!, Rick Rocamora

Prison rights
This photo shows the detainees in Police Station 9 of the Manila Police
Department. The photo is part of “Bursting on the Seams” documentary
project about conditions in Philippine detention centers.

Conjugal Dictatorship, Luis LiwanagMartial Law
This photo shows deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos sharing amoment of laughter during one of the presidential sorties in late 1984.

Untitled photo, Jes Aznar

Children and armed conflict
Photo about peace shows children inside the stronghold of Kumander
Tata, a local warlord, in Reina Regente in Maguindanao in 2009.

Children Bathing in Murky Estero
Waters, Nana BuxaniChildrenPhoto shows children under a bridge along R10 in Tondo, Manila.

Justice for Kian, Justice for All, Eloisa
Lopez

Killing by the police
Photo of the slain teenager Kian Loyd Delos Santos who was killed
on 16 August 2017 in what police called a “shooting encounter”
near his home in Baesa, Caloocan city. CCTV footage and witnesses,
however, revealed that he was dragged from one alley to another, pasta basketball court, and into a dead-end corner where he was asked to
run with a gun – and when he did, was shot. His death caused national
outrage in the government’s one-year old drug war.

Ama Mi, Xyza Bacani

Migrant workers
Photo shows migrant workers in Hong Kong holding hands while
praying in Saint Joseph church. Religion plays a very crucial role innurturing the enduring spirit of Filipino migrant workers wherever theyare.

“Maruja” Santos, 58 years old, Al“Carmen Dela Rue” Enriquez, 73 years
old, Aton “Maricel Soriano” Libaton, 58
years old, Geloy Concepcion

LGBT
Photo about three of the last remaining Manila Golden Gays. They are
Filipino gay men who perform in drag, and were residing in the Home of
the Golden Gays in Pasay City before it was disbanded. Homeless withno means of support, they go through these hardships of survival with
their human dignity intact.

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Dockworkers, Neil DazaLabor rights
Photo shows dock workers carrying cement bags manually to waiting
trucks in Zamboanga Pier. Dock workers who are constantly exposed tohazardous working conditions usually do not have insurance or healthbenefits and are paid way below the minimum wage.

Pamaas, Efren Ricalde

Indigenous people’s rights
Photo shows Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, a ninety-two-year-old
woman lumad leader presiding over the pamaas – a ritual of theindigenous peoples in Mindanao asking the spirits for justice against
the hardships caused by US imperialism to their communities. The
ritual involved smearing the palms of lumad leaders with blood from achicken slaughtered during the ceremony.

Moving Pictures was first placed during the Active Vista International
Human Rights Festival Opening on 22 November 2017 at the ShangCineplex,
Shangrila Mall. After the film festival opening, the exhibit was moved to the
University of the Philippines, Manila (23 – 25 November 23), University of
Makati (28 November - 2 December 2017), and De LaSalle College of St.
Benilde in Taft, Manila (4 – 8 December 2017). The exhibit was displayed at
the Commission on Human Rights for the rest of the month of December.
DESAPARECIDOS (THE ‘DISAPPEARED’)
Toym Imao“Absence remains an open wound. But despite it, the desaparecidos remain present in our hearts and minds. Despite efforts to eradicate their existence, they will never be forgotten”.
- Artist Toym ImaoToym Imao made forty-three figures to represent those left behindby victims of forced disappearance. Forty-three represents the number ofyears since Martial Law was declared until 2015 - the time when the installation was completed by the artist. Empty and hollow, each figure represents a year since Martial Law was declared. Instead of portraits and picture
frames, the figures hold empty niches, signifying death, the lack of closure,the emptiness, the hollow feeling, and the gut-wrenching pain those left
behind must deal with. The exhibit was displayed at the bgc Arts Centerin Taguig City on 24-26 November 2017 and co-presented by the Hudyat
Artists for Human Dignity and the Juana Change Movement.

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Theater: Tao Po! (Mga Monologo)
Active Vista staged a four-part monologue on human rights and ejks
entitled “Tao Po!” on 26 November 2017 at bgc Arts Center.
Juana Change, the main character in the monologue, focused on her
husband and son, both victims of summary killings, a photographer whosesanity was questioned by the newspaper that employed him, the apparent
double life of a policeman sworn to uphold the law, and a hitman, paid toviolate it, and a young girl paying tribute to ejk victims haphazardly buriedin the notorious Tokhang Wall. Mae Paner played Juana Change, with scriptby Maynard Manansala and direction by Ed Lacson. The play was shownat bgc Arts Center to around three hundred people and was co-presented
with Juana Change Movement, spear and the Temperamental Brats.
Film Talk: How to Watch a Film?
A question of ways rather than a title for instruction. “How to Watch a Film”
offered articulated points on how film can ignite the discourse on humanrights by offering perspectives and contextual talks on the nature and opportunities in filmmaking. Film as a set of moving pictures is innately human as it captures perspectives of reality-immersive and offers familiar yet
not necessarily comfortable ways of seeing life. The effect of watching a filmis always up to how it is digested and read in numbers of ways, but through68

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utilizing the lens of being human, film can always trigger critical thinking,influence culture and ignite social consciousness and action. With speakers
whose experiences are founded on the practice of filmmaking and film criticism, the talk provided an experience for the audience to understand andappreciate film through the lens of humanity.

Speakers included filmmakers Sherad Sanchez, Monster Jimenez, Erik
Matti and film critic Philbert Dy. The talk was co-presented by Pineapple
Lab and Rogue Magazine and was attended by one hundred twenty people
who were selected from hundreds of applications to the open call.
This forum was held on 26 November 2017 in Pineapple Lab, Makati
city.
Youth Forum: Heroes Hub, Youth Empowerment Summit
The first Heroes Hub took place during the celebration of the heroism ofBonifacio, the father of the Philippine Revolution, on 30 November 2017with three-hundred youth leaders joining a conference that 1) discussed
the heroic journey of Filipino heroes who have shaped the nation’s past; 2)
determined the prospects and challenges of the present state of the country; and 3) explored visions and versions of truths in the struggle to build

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a true nation of heroes. The Heroes Hub: Youth Empowerment Summit
ran from 1 pm – 7 pm on 30 November 2017 at Novotel Manila Araneta
Center, Quezon city with speakers including Professor Michael Charleston“Xiao” Chua, Lourd de Veyra, Raffy Lerma, Mich Dulce, BP Valenzuela, Juan
Miguel Severo, Chai Fonacier, and Atty. Pochoy Labog.
Heroes Hub: Youth Empowerment Summit started as an initiative of
Dakila and Active Vista to form a network of youth leaders in Metro Manila
and empower them with discussions and creative platforms to further theiradvocacies.
Specifically, the program aimed to:
1. Pay importance to the role of the youth in shaping discourse on
pressing social issues and in formulating actions towards the common good;
2. Empower the youth towards the realization of the importance ofrecognizing, upholding, and protecting human rights;
3. Serve as a platform for formulating, exchanging, and collaborating
creative ideas, innovations and practical solutions that can address
societal concerns and problems;
4. Redefine the concept of heroism through upholding, protecting,and defending the rights and welfare of others;
5. Amplify the voice of the youth in social issues by engaging them inmovements geared towards nation-building; and6. Inspire the young generation into contributing to efforts geared
towards the promotion of human rights, freedom and democracy.
An online call for participants yielded a total of five hundred forty-fiveapplications. The organizing committee selected two hundred fifty applicants based on the following criteria: 1) understanding of heroism, 2) knowledge on human rights issues and 3) participation/involvement in related initiatives/activities. Fifty slots were reserved for event partners from youth
organizations.
The program started with opening remarks by the Executive Directorof Active Vista, Leni Velasco. She cited the importance of the gathering andinvited the audience to participate and ask questions for the duration of thesummit. Professor Michael Charleston “Xiao” Chua gave a presentation entitled “Hapdi X Kirot: Pains of the Past” that provided the audience with acontext of heroism in history. He also narrated the journey of the Filipino

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heroes, as well as the struggles they faced. Mr. Lourd de Veyra discussed
the struggle of the Filipino nation at present, and how millennials can help
shape and stir discourse and commit to their own acts of heroism.
After setting the context of the past and present, artists/activists using
their creative platforms provided their presentations. This started with Raffy
Lerma’s talk on “Moving Pictures: Witnessing the War on Drugs” where heshared the stories of his nightcrawl as a photographer for Philippine Daily
Inquirer with a beat on the war on drugs. This was followed by Juan MiguelSevero’s talk, “Words that Speak: Marrying Art and Advocacy,” on his experience on using spoken word to pursue his personal advocacies. Fashion
Designer and Feminist Mich Dulce also shared her passion for advocating
women’s rights in her talk, “Fashion and Passion: Advocating for Women’s
Rights.”
Artist/musician BP Valenzuela shared her insights, “Rights and Rhythm:
Let’s Talk About Equality,” on fighting for equality. She also performed hermusic on stage to help inspire millennials on using music as a tool for advocacy. Actress Chai Fonacier’s “Dealing with Diversity: The Truth about
Regionalism” explained how stereotypes among people coming from different regions had divided views and opinions among Filipinos. Lawyer/musician Pochoy Labog’s “Pursuing Justice: Understanding the Rule of Law”
shared his experience as a human rights lawyer and provided basic knowledge on how to uphold, protect, and defend human rights in the context ofthe law. The event ended with a speech from Dakila’s oic Executive Director
Rash Caritativo, who reiterated the importance of living a life of heroism,
and launched the Heroes Hub Fellowship Program that would run on 2018.
The Heroes Hub will continue as a formation program through a seriesof learning sessions designed to build the capacity of selected fellows in human rights advocacy work through especially designed courses, skills training and creative workshops to be held for a year. A variety of experts fromthe field of human rights, arts, and media will guide, train and mentor the
youth participants of the program. The call for the Heroes Hub Fellowship
was announced during the 2017 Youth Summit. The fellowship will start inMarch 2018 and end in December 2018. Only thirty fellows will be selected
for the 2018 Heroes Hub Fellowship Program.

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Alab ng Puso Concert
Active Vista Human Rights Festival organized the 2017 celebration of theInternational Human Rights Day on 10 December 2017. The celebration consisted of a bike ride called “Padyak para sa Karapatan” (Bicycle for Rights),
and art and music festival called “Alab ng Puso” which showcased performances, exhibits and events as platforms for public involvement in the human rights cause. The concert was co-organized with dakila, i-defend
Philippines and the Commission on Human Rights.
The International Human Rights Day celebration supported the startof a year-long campaign by the United Nations to mark the upcoming 70th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The celebration
came at a very delicate time in the Philippines, with a European Union report on worsening of the human rights situation in the Philippines as a result of the government’s war on drugs.
The bike ride consisted of a twelve-hour, three hundred-kilometer ridethat started on 8 November 2017 from Nueva Ecija province to Quezon City.
From Cabanatuan city in Nueva Ecija province, the cyclists passed throughthe provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan and finished at the “Alabng Puso” concert in Araneta Center in Quezon city. The route covered themilitary camp in Nueva Ecija where staunch human rights advocate, the late
Senators Jose “Pepe” Diokno and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino were detained insolitary confinement during Martial Law period on charges of subversion.
The bikers passed the Capas National Shrine (a memorial for the Allied soldiers who died during the World War II) in Tarlac province to pay respect to72

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those soldiers. The bikers proceeded to the newly-installed statue of Senator
Diokno at the Commission on Human Rights grounds. The bike ride wasinspired by the life and work of Senator Diokno who was regarded as the
Father of the Human Rights Movement in the Philippines.
The Alab ng Puso concert featured performances by some of the country’s top artists - Hilera, Sandwich, Bullet Dumas, Noel Cabangon, Bayang
Barrios and Naliyagan Band, Cooky Chua, Gary Granada, Ourselves
the Elves, blkd, Aia de Leon, IV of Spades, Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas, Tanya
Markova, Oh! Flamingo, Flying Ipis, Alfonso Manalastas, Juan MiguelSevero, Louise Meets, Abby Orbeta, and Jun “Bayaw” Sabayton.

Evaluation and Impact Analysis
Curriculum Development
As a result of the Active Vista efforts, more young audiences becameaware of various human rights issues and concerns. The increased levelof awareness is evident through the questions raised during forums andthrough their posts in social media. The most glaring measure of increased
awareness of audiences were on the issues of Martial Law, ejks, enforced
disappearances, torture, lgbt, historical revisionism, women’s rights andchild rights which are also the most pressing issues in Philippine society inthe past two years.
School institutions, realizing the need for alternative platforms forsocial consciousness formation and human rights education, proposed toActive Vista International Human Rights Film Festival

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Active Vista a sustained and deeper partnership. Most of them have formal agreement that makes Active Vista their partner in human rights andmedia education for the next three years at the very least. This strategic
partnership allows educational institutions to plan activities and projects
with Active Vista and formally integrate them into the school calendar andcurriculum. Partnership with educational institutions varies depending on
the department or office of the school institution involved – arts and culture office, college department (mass communication, film, social sciencesand education), office for religious formation, volunteer and advocacy programs, and student affairs office.
Educational institutions found resource materials for classroom use
through the films presented, and enabled them to explore alternative formsof education that can be integrated in their curriculum and cultural andformation programs. Educators, on the other hand, were presented new approaches and relevant content they can use in human rights education. The
pop culture format done through the Active Vista forums increased interest
among educators on using media, art and pop culture in their education
pedagogy.
Human Rights Advocacy
Civil society and human rights organizations have also benefitted from theinnovations and creativity of Active Vista as a platform for social consciousness formation and human rights education. Active Vista allowed caused‐oriented groups to widen their audience and reach. Their involvement in
Active Vista opened up new audiences for their advocacies and gave thema platform to build awareness on their causes. For example, the partnershipwith Filipino Freethinkers on the screening of CitizenFour and The Sheikand I opened discourses on their advocacy for freedom of expression andinternet rights. The partnership with I‐Defend allowed them to broaden
their public and mobilize wider support for the advocacy against ejks.
Active Vista has also influenced government institutions especially theCommission on Human Rights (chr) into developing more innovative andcreative platforms for human rights promotion. The film festival, organizedin partnership with chr, was designed to address negative public perception
on human rights by utilizing arts through a musical concert and influencers
in mainstreaming human rights concerns to the Filipino public. Active Vista

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is working with the Commission on Human Rights on developing materials
utilizing films for their education program. There is also a plan to jointly
organize a conference of educators to discuss how to teach human rights inthe classroom with films as teaching/learning material.
Audience Development
Active Vista through its partnership with the Film Development Councilof the Philippines and Cinema Centenario enabled the promotion of thecinematheques (small movie theaters) and alternative spaces in other cities
in the country as venues for screening films by educational institutions toteach about human rights and social issues.
The Active Vista screenings of international full-length films contributed significantly in exposing the Filipino audiences to a worldview on humanrights and gave them insights on innovations by other countries on methods
that facilitate social transformation. This is especially needed at a time when
the country is bombarded with negative public opinion on the importanceof human rights. The worldview presented enabled Filipino audiences to see
human rights as a global concern, to realize that human rights violations
happen to anyone anywhere, and to empathize with human rights struggles
outside the country. The existence of a human rights film festival is a strong
statement in itself to help inspire the Filipino public towards involvement in
the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.
Film Development
Filmmakers and independent film producers have become more involvedin audience development as a result of the partnership efforts with Active
Vista. The filmmakers and producers now see Active Vista as an effective
tool not only in developing film audiences but also as alternative platform
for film marketing and distribution. The large mass base of the Active Vista
Film Festival helps films reach their target audiences in a manner that mobilizes ground support for independent socially-relevant films.
The most conspicuous evidence of Active Vista’s contribution to thefilm industry is its success in empowering audiences into demanding corporate movie theater owners to screen independent socially-relevant films.
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help mobilize audiences through initiatives aimed to educate audiences ofthe power of cinema and the importance of its social messages.
Active Vista has also become a partner of several filmmakers and film
producers into strategizing relevant content and key messages of their films.
It is currently working with filmmakers and producers to develop a comprehensive human rights film catalogue that shall be made available to schools
and communities. This initiative will help independent film producers in
distributing their films to a broader public and at the same time allow Active
Vista to utilize the films for human rights education.
Community Efforts in Human Rights Education
One of the striking contributions of Active Vista is the strengthening oflinkages among educators, advocates and filmmakers. This is especially evident in the regions where local filmmakers, film communities and festivals
are connected to educational institutions and groups through the Active
Vista. This allowed the filmmakers and film community in the area to tap
into schools to widen their audience reach. At the same time, educators andschools gained access to film materials in their local context that they canuse in teaching. Active Vista paved the way for these linkages to happen
as evident in its regional screening efforts. For example, in Cebu, Active
Vista helped forge partnership among the Binisaya Film Festival, the Motion
Picture Society of Cebu and the Coalition for Better Education. Active Vista
has been working hand-in-hand as well with the film community involvedin the Mindanao Film Festival in Davao, Cine Magis in Cagayan de Oro andCine Kasimanwa in Iloilo.
Solid working relations with the film community allowed Active Vista
to get the members of the film community to sit down and discuss relevant
human rights issues that affect the industry. The strength of Active Vista is
its ability to gather film industry practitioners from groups and circles withdiffering stands or affiliations because it is seen as a neutral entity with ashared advocacy. As an advocacy-based film festival, Active Vista’s interests
lie beyond artistic cliques and business interests. This is especially evident
in Active Vista’s successful attempt in convening personalities in the film
industry in a forum on the state of human rights in the film industry andits partnerships with various independent film producers, film festivals andfilmmakers.

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H U M A N R I G H T S E D U C AT I O N I N A S I A - PA C I F I CActive Vista has also contributed in forging stronger relations withother human rights film festival in Asia through its partnership with theFreedom Film Festival in Malaysia. The ties created strengthened cooperation among Asian countries on utilization of films as avenues for humanrights campaigns and education. Freedom Film Festival Director Anna Har
is a member of the Advisory Council of Active Vista and graced the festival
opening in 2016. Active Vista representatives, on the other hand, attend theFreedom Film Festival. This partnership contributed to the expansion of the
Human Rights Film Network in Asia. This is very beneficial to Southeast
Asia as the countries in the subregion collectively face human rights issues
in the process of integration as one asean (Association of Southeast Asian
Nations).
The 2017 Active Vista film festival bannered the use of documentaryfilms in human rights education. The capacity of documentary films to surface truths in human conditions is a natural ally of the festival in its human rights education work. The film, Motherland, is an excellent exampleof the strong impact documentary films can create among audiences. Active
Vista has supported documentary films such as Sunday Beauty Queen by
Babyruth Villarama, Bunso by Ditsi Carolino, Kano by Monster Jimenez,
Nick and Chai by Wena Sanchez. In May 2017, Active Vista participatedin The Good Pitch Project Southeast Asia which paved way for its active
involvement in the documentary film scene in the country. In December
2017, it co-organized a Master Class of Ramona Diaz with the Dokyupeeps
and the UP Film Institute.
Summary
The most significant contribution of the 4th and 5th editions of the Active
Vista International Human Rights Film Festival is in sparking the national
conversation on human rights issues and concerns at a time when humanrights are threatened and maligned in the country by the state itself. The
value of the voice of Active Vista in the promotion of human rights is in its
attempt to counter negative perception of human rights especially among
the younger generation whose concept and understanding of human rights
need to be addressed.
In summary, the impact of Active Vista 2016 - 2017 can be measured in
two fronts – its impact on Philippine film industry and on the human rights
movement.

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Perhaps, the immense value of Active Vista in the film industry is that it
represents the much needed programs that the film industry needs: 1) audience development; 2) alternative film distribution; 3) marketing platform forindependent cinema; and 4) champion of the film industry on human rights
issues vis‐à‐vis commercialization of films, consequently, art.
On the other front, the significant contributions of Active Vista in thehuman rights movement are the necessary elements that the human rights
movement needs especially at a time when human rights are being attacked:
1) increased public awareness on human rights issues and concerns; 2)
broadening of public support on human rights protection and promotion; 3)
integration of human rights education into educational institutions throughalternative platforms; 4) capacity-building of educators in pedagogical approaches to human rights education; 5) innovations and creativity in education programs of government institutions and human rights organizations; and 6) popularization of human rights through arts, media and social
influencers.
Challenges and Gaps
With the election of the new President and his stance on human rights,
there is an alarming culture and mindset being developed among the youth
brought about by 1) the loud voices of non‐respect and non-recognition ofhuman rights; 2) the chilling effect of the atmosphere of hostility and bullying which silences the public in expressing opinions or dissent to issues; 3)
the culture of violence perpetuated by the state on its stand on extra‐judicial
killings of alleged drug addicts, gender violence (slut shaming, harassment)
and human rights in general.
There is also a widening distancing of young people in the Philippinesfrom the human rights cause. This is evident in the lack of awareness ofMillennials on the perils of Martial Law and dictatorship rule as clearly depicted in social media conversations, in the large youth support for the candidacy of the late dictator’s son as Vice President and of the youth opinion
on clear violations of human rights for the sake of national discipline andprogress.
The social realities in the Philippines present a downtrodden state ofhuman rights and human dignity as Filipinos fall victims to the culture ofviolence perpetuated by the state, a corrupt system of governance, poverty

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and injustice. The state of human rights in the Philippines has two opposing
faces: historic and trailblazing policy developments on the one hand and, on
the other, the long and continuously growing list of victims of human rights
violations from the Marcos era to the present administration of President
Duterte.
The Philippines is a State party to almost all core human rights international instruments and has enacted landmark human rights legislations
that have been the product of years of steadfast lobbying by human rights
defenders and civil society organizations. While the human rights violations
have sharply declined since 2006 before Duterte was elected President, theimproved normative and legal framework has not been able to completely
stop the human rights violations in the country. With the current administration, the past gains of the human rights movement in the country are indanger of being lost again.
Human Rights and the YouthThe Youth Sector forms a large percentage of the voting population in thePhilippines. However, they remain marginalized, with no genuine youth
representation in governance. In the local government, youth elected into
the local government council and youth organizations are often used bytraditional politicians to serve their own self‐interests. Youth participation is limited to token representation and as an afterthought in the political process. While the youth is a major stakeholder in political processes,
their voices are often ignored. The derailed enactment of a Magna Carta ofStudents has deprived students genuine representation in the school governing or tuition fee board, limiting participation of student governments asorganizer of school events like sports festivals or fairs. Student‐Youth haveno voice in drafting school policies or participating in decision-making inmatters that affect them.
In broader society, there is no genuine youth agenda in political platforms and programs. Laws and policies affecting youth are decided by older
people. In media, youth are stereotyped as Millennials who have no concern
for social issues and nation-building. Youth are seen as a large market but itis the traditional institutions, media and corporations who dictate the needsof this market.

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According to a study by the University of the Philippines National
College of Public Administration and Governance, human rights educationin the Philippines is currently at an appreciation level only. Human rights
education may have been integrated into the curriculums but there is lackof emphasis on the need for citizens to assert and protect these rights.16 In
addition, there are only two educational institutions, which have establisheddedicated entities for human rights research and education ‐ the Universityof the Philippines Institute of Human Rights and the Ateneo Human Rights
Center, which are both law school-based institutions.
With the passage of landmark legislations such as the Martial Law
Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 whose
Section 27 mandates human rights education program to be implemented
across all educational levels, there is an opportunity to integrate into theschool curriculum human rights education to pave way for a more sustained
and strategic approach in the formation of young people into responsible
citizens who respect, uphold and promote human rights.
While various stakeholders are working for a more strategic approachto human rights education, the most pressing need is the existence of alternative platforms for human rights education for the youth. More importantly, there is a need to explore more innovative and creative human rights
education platforms and strategies.
Culture and the arts shape society and society shapes culture and thearts. The intertwining relationship is crucial in addressing methods and directions in social transformation especially in the formation of the social
consciousness of the youth. With this, utilizing art, media and popular culture is important in building the capacity of young people to understand human rights as an integral foundation of responsible citizenship and nationbuilding so that they are empowered to participate in democratic spaces andcontribute to social development.
Institutional Efforts
In this context, the challenge for the Active Vista is to sustain and increase
its efforts on human rights education. While 2016-2017 marked the year of
Active Vista’s transformation from being solely a biennial human rights film
festival to becoming a human rights education institution of dakila, thechallenges that emerged during this period require more than that. There is

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now a need to build Active Vista as an alternative center for human rights
education utilizing the arts, media and popular culture. There is now a plan
to make its flagship program, the Active Vista International Human Rights
Festival, a premiere human rights festival in the country that consolidate
efforts of artists and human rights activists in responding to the call of thetimes.
Active Vista aims to become the center of human rights education in
the country both through grassroots and media education. More importantly, Active Vista aims to institutionalize programs on human rights education that effectively reach a broader public to counter attacks on humanrights and shape public perception on the importance of human rights innation-building.
The biggest challenge faced by human rights defenders in the Philippines
is on how to win the battle for the hearts and minds of the people. While
human rights defenders have been persevering hard to defend, protect andpromote human rights at all fronts, the key to defending, upholding and protecting human rights lies in the education of the people on the importanceof human rights in their lives, livelihood and lifestyle. Active Vista aims to be
the facilitator of this learning process for people to understand the criticalvalue of human rights on the road to genuine national development.
Endnotes
1 See Active Vista Film Festival: “Use Imagination As A Weapon Against
Forgetting Truth” - DAKILA, Human Rights Online Philippines, 26 February 2016,
https://hronlineph.com/2016/02/26/press-release-active-vista-film-festival-useimagination-as-a-weapon-against-forgetting-truth-dakila/.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Re:Publiko, a project supported by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), was a week-long knowledge-sharing event that offered 2,500
people, mostly youth sector, the opportunity to learn about the challenges to good
governance, and encouraged them to hold leaders accountable, participate in public discourse, and be more engaged. See UNDP Philippines website: http://www.
ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/about_undp.html.
5 To watch the movie trailers, see Lucia Edna P. de Guzman, “Get Woke!
Active Vista Human Rights Festival”, Business World SparkUp, http://sparkup.ph/fresh-active-vista-human-rights-festival-film-fest-indie/.
6 See Kaori Shoji, “Director Kohki Hasei’s ‘Blanka’ finds thestrength of a young girl on Manila’s mean streets,” Japan Times,

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3
August2017,www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/08/03/films/
director-kohki-haseis-blanka-finds-strength-young-girl-manilas-mean-streets/.
7 Die Beautiful, Tokyo International Film Festival, http://2016.tiff-jp.net/en/
lineup/works.php?id=12.
8 Batch ’81. 1982. Directed by Mike de Leon, The Museum of Modern Art,
www.moma.org/calendar/events/3956.
9 Rome Jorge, “Respeto: Cinemalaya award-winning indie film that’s Martial
Law education for the hiphop generation,” adobomagazine, 14 September 2017,
http://adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/respeto-cinemalaya-award-winningindie-film-thats-martial-law-education-hiphop.
10 On the Job. 2013. Directed by Erik Matti, The Museum of Modern Art, www.
moma.org/calendar/events/3118.
11 Last Supper No. 3, Cinemalaya, www.cinemalaya.org/films/new-breed/
last-supper-no-3.
12 Jay by Francis Xavier Pasion at Cinema Centenario, www.facebook.com/
events/279970155857250/
13 Bunso (The Youngest). 2004. Directed by Ditsi Carolino, The Museum ofModern Art, www.moma.org/calendar/events/3123.
14 Himpapawid by Raymond Red at Cinema Centenario, www.facebook.com/
events/1371268226333135/.
15 Engkwentro (Clash). 2009. Directed by Pepe Diokno, The Museum ofModern Art, www.moma.org/calendar/events/3123.
16 See Maricel T. Fernandez and Alex B. Brillantes, Jr., The State of Human
Rights Education in the Philippines: Issues, Concerns and Directions, Commission
on Human Rights, 2012, www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/The-state-0f-Human-Rights.pdf.