CinemaBravo

Amid today’s challenges of disinformation and division, the short film Alon ng Kabayanihan demonstrates the unifying force of storytelling. Timed with the celebration of National Heroes Day, the film is not just an artistic piece—it stands as a call for national unity and collective defense of the West Philippine Sea.

The project was made possible through a partnership between Hot and Fresh Creative Productions, the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). This collaboration brought together filmmakers, truth advocates, and national defenders with one purpose: to tell a story anchored not on politics, but on courage, shared identity, and the everyday heroism of Filipinos who safeguard our waters.

Producer Chris Esguerra of Hot and Fresh emphasized that sovereignty is not an abstract concept for the people whose lives are tied to the sea. “For us, sovereignty isn’t abstract,” he said. “It’s lived every day by fishermen and maritime frontliners. Our goal was to spotlight their resilience through storytelling that feels authentic and unifying—anchored on Filipino values of bayanihan, dignity, and hope.”

Director Kevin Mayuga said his goal was to make the film feel both poetic and grounded. “We approached it almost like a visual essay,” Mayuga explained. “Instead of giving you a straightforward narrative, we focused on building mood, symbolism, and contrast. It’s not about explaining the issue—it’s about making the audience feel its weight.”

Mayuga added that he wanted viewers to leave with a sense of personal connection to the issue. “I hope they come away asking questions, rethinking what sovereignty means, and feeling moved—not just intellectually, but emotionally,” he said.

The film’s visual language—radar scans, silhouettes of naval vessels, and sweeping maritime landscapes—carries urgency while sidestepping geopolitics. “We wanted to elevate the message beyond finger-pointing,” Esguerra added. “This is about pride in who we are, not about naming an enemy.”

CIRIS Executive Director Michel Andre P. Del Rosario said the film underscores that the West Philippine Sea issue transcends politics. “This is a Filipino issue,” Del Rosario said. “It’s not about any administration. It’s about real Filipino stories and the lives tied to our seas.”

Actor Sid Lucero, who plays a fisherman, said preparing for the role helped him see the issue from a new perspective. “I’m not a fisherman, but I wanted to understand their reality—their day-to-day survival,” he said. “That’s what this project is about: survival and interdependence. Even characters who seem like opposites—like the brothers in this story—reflect how we all rely on each other.”

Actress Ryza Cenon, who portrays a military officer, said immersing herself in her character deepened her appreciation for the sacrifices of frontliners. “Mas lalo kong naintindihan ang sakripisyo nila,” she said. “I drew from real news reports and the emotion behind them. It helped me portray that anger and determination on screen. It’s time we all see what they go through and stand with them.”

Carlo Aquino, who also plays an AFP officer, shared that the experience gave him a profound respect for the courage of real-life defenders. “Being there in the moment with those soldiers on the same ship that is protecting this country made me feel more of their bravery, more of their patriotism and love—not just for their family but for this country,” Aquino said. Drawing from his role as a father, he added, “Na hindi lang laban ito ng mga mahal nating AFP, kundi laban ng bawat Pilipino. Na hindi ito para sa ngayon, kundi para sa hinaharap.”

Esguerra said this blend of research and emotional truth is what gives the film its impact.
“We focused on symbolism anchoring the emotional weight on the human cost and courage of defending what’s ours,” he said. “Research gave us structure, but the real stories gave the film its soul.”

As the country prepares to mark National Heroes Day, Mayuga reflects on why storytelling still matters. “Stories have the power to move people in ways facts alone can’t,” he said. “When done right, they don’t just inform—they stir something deeper. And that’s how change begins.”

“Alon ng Kabayanihan” premieres on August 25, 2025, and will stream on the film’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/alonngkabayanihan