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'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea' in select cinemas beginning August 1

"Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" finally premiered in Manila last July 27 in Rockwell cinemas. After being pulled out from its initial release last March, the documentary had its world premiere at the Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand in June, where it won the Best Festival Category Tides of Change Award. The documentary directed by Baby Ruth Villarama serves a visual feast, giving the audience front row seats to the choppy and immensely rich waters of the West Philippine Sea. The movie shows the story of fishermen Arnel Satam and Osman Pumicpic whose families and livelihood depend on the bounty of the sea but are barred by Chinese vessels from entering the contested waters of Scarborough shoal. It also documents the tireless efforts of the Philippine Navy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coastguard in securing the country's territorial waters, delivering vital aid and supplies to their colleagues in remote island outposts while dodging massive Chinese vessels that continue to harass them. The Philippine premiere was attended by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa, and Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Kira Christianne D. Azucena. The premiere also included a talkback with director Baby Ruth Villarama and the fishermen featured in the film who were able to watch the movie for the first time. In the talkback moderated by journalist Christian Esguerra, he says: 'Of course, no wonder, there were people who were trying to make sure that this film would not be seen in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world because the truth is so powerful.' Baby Ruth Villarama who also directed 'Sunday Beauty Queen' in 2016 shared seeing harassments in the West Philippine Sea motivated them in making "Food Delivery." 'We are storytellers in our humble offering, maybe we can do something. So Chuck and I thought of a common ground to bring people together and bring the issue closer to the gut. Which is why we thought of the food delivery," she said. One of the film's producers, Atty. Howard Calleja, shared what he wants to impart to the film's audience: 'Sana ang takeaway dito is malaman ng tao na hindi lang ito about water, hindi lang ito about lines or territory or nine-dash line na pinag-aawayan abroad. Really, this is the life and soul of our country.' ('I hope the takeaway here is that this is not just about water, or mere lines, or territory, or nine-dash line that is being contested abroad. But this is the life and soul of our country.') Fisherman Osman Pumicpic drew the most applause when he made a plea to the Philippine government to address their plight: 'Lahat ng klaseng isda nandiyan sa Scarborough," he said. "Kaya nga ako'y nananawagan sa ating gobyerno na talagang kumilos na at talagang mag pursigi na. Kasi sa atin naman talaga 'yan eh.' ('There are all kinds of fish in Scarborough. That's why I call on our government to act. Because this is ours.') "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" humanizes the West Philippine Sea conflict between China and the Philippines. It tells the stories of FIlipino fishermen, Philippine Coast Guard, and Navy personnel as they "risk everything to defend their waters and way of life." It is screening in Rockwell Powerplant Cinemas from August 1-8, 2025. — LA, GMA Integrated News