Thesis Hardbound Compressed

UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS
“UNDEFENDED: ON ASIA'S MOST DANGEROUS PLACE

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS”
A Documentary Film by
SineMapa Productions
Presented to
the Faculty of College of Arts and Letters,
University of Makati
In partial fulfillment for the requirements for

the Degree of Bachelor in Multimedia Arts Film Specialization
Alupay, Christian A.
Castillet, Danielle Z.
Dollente, Lee Robert V.
Hinanay, Jacob Aaron D.
Litang, Alyssa Kate
May 2024
UNIVERSITY PERMISSION PAGE
I hereby grant the University of Makati a non-exclusive,
worldwide, royalty-free license to produce, publish, and publicly distribute
copies of this thesis or dissertation in whatever form subject to the provisions of
applicable laws, the provisions of the Intellectual Property Code and the IP
policies of the University, and any contractual obligation, as well as more specific
permission marking the Title Page.
Specifically, I grant the following rights to the University:
a. To upload a copy of the work in the thesis database of the college/ school
/ institute / department and in any other database available on the public
internet;
b. To publish the work in the college/ school / institute / department
journal, both in print and electronic or digital format and online; and
c. To give open access to the above - mentioned work, thus allowing “fair
use” of the work in accordance with the provisions of Intellectual Property
Code of the Philippines (Republic Act. No. 8293), especially for teaching,
scholarly, and research purposes.
Danielle Z. Castillet
College of Arts and Letters
University of Makati
APPROVAL SHEET
The documentary film titled “Undefended: On Asia’s Most Dangerous
Place for Environmental Defenders” is produced and submitted by Christian
Alupay, Danielle Z. Castillet, Lee Robert V. Dollente, Jacob Aaron D. Hinanay,
and Alyssa Kate Litang as partial fulfillment of the subject, Thesis / Capstone 1
& 2. The documentary film underwent and has been examined and approved.
Panel of Examiners
Approved by the Panel of Examiners on Oral Examination
__
This thesis is hereby officially accepted as partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Degree of Bachelor in Multimedia Arts Film Specialization.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Foremost, this thesis documentary would not be possible without the
people, families, and organizations who showed their genuine help and support
in the success of this film, for that, the filmmakers express their deepest
gratitude.
To Prof. Eduard Riparip, our mentor, who showed us nothing but
patience, motivation and proper guidance during the production of this film. We
thank you for making us believe that we have something great to offer to the
world.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to the rest of our peers and
classmates, for building a healthy relationship and environment in this four-year
long journey, our efforts have finally paid off.
Lastly, to God and all divine spirits of the universe, who heard our prayers
and decided to conspire in helping us achieve our dreams. This thesis
documentary is the result of all our hard work and countless rejection.
To all the faceless heroes who spoke up for,

disappeared for and shed blood for
the rights we cherish today
ABSTRACT
This documentary contributes to the discussions of pervasive issues of
violence, intimidation and the culture of impunity experienced by environmental
defenders amid environmental conflicts. In 2018, the Philippines was named the
most dangerous country for environmental defenders, it maintains still, as the
deadliest country in Asia for over a decade. In this documentary, the filmmakers
explore the 1.) dissent of environmental defenders against large-scale operations
that threaten both communities and the environment itself; 2.) ongoing
discussions of community leaders and legal experts on discourses surrounding
activism and state violence; 3.) efforts to provide adequate legal protection that
recognizes the role of land and environmental defenders in the country. Drawing
upon first accounts, and secondary sources, including interviews and archival
footage, this study investigates the stories that were shared in reverse
chronological order, starting from the present day and tracing back to a decade
prior. This methodical approach touches on the systemic patterns of human
rights violation primarily manifested through tactics such as terror-tagging,
harassments, illegal detention, or at worst, killings.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………..1
II. METHODOLOGY
A. PRE-PRODUCTION
● CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH……………..8
● PRE-PRODUCTION…………………………………………...14
● INTERVIEWS AND SUBJECTS……………………………...19
● CINEMATOGRAPHY AND VISUAL STYLE……………….33
B. PRODUCTION
● PRODUCTION EXPERIENCES……………………………...38
● LIST OF PRODUCTION CREW AND ROLES……………...50
● LIST OF EQUIPMENT………………………………………..51
C. POST PRODUCTION
● NARRATIVE STRUCTURE AND STORYTELLING…….…56
● MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN……………………………....88
● VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION……………………...89
● MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION………………………..91
III. IMPACT AND RECEPTION………………………….……………………...93
IV. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………94
V. APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………...96
A. FILM POSTER…………...………………………………………………....97
B. PRODUCTION SCHEDULE…………...…………………………………..98
C. THESIS PROPOSAL…………...………………………………………….100
D. CONSULTATION PAPER…………...…………………………………….102
E. PERMITS AND LETTER…………...…………………………………….108
F. CONSENT AND AGREEMENT…………...…………………..................118
G. REFERENCES…………...…………………………………………….......123
I. INTRODUCTION
The Philippines is well known for its rich and beautiful environment,
filled by its copious natural resources that stretch from its wondrous landscapes
of mountain ranges, pristine beaches to lush forests; securing its name as the
“Pearl of the Orient Seas”, where 7, 641 islands are scattered around the country,
paving a way for its inhabitants to wholly rely on these resources within reach
for living. Millions of Filipinos, especially those who live in rural areas depend
mostly on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for their everyday livelihood, but
the constant emergence of disastrous calamities, ineffective management and the
lack of support from higher authorities pose an inevitable threat that causes a
decline in supply and scarcity on food production. Moreover, the persistent and
continuous operations of rapid urbanization, land conversions, and the still
increasing demands for various projects on transport and power sectors lead to
adverse effects from air, water, and soil pollution.
Since over a century ago, the now infamous Manila Bay has always been a
hotspot of socio-economic conflicts; tracking its history from the 1898 ‘Battle of
Manila Bay’, up to the expanding commercial developments today, to
accommodate the growing population in the capital and to boost the economic
growth by creating business grounds and workplace for many Filipinos; alluding
to land reclamations as an imperative action for future progression.

Consequently, these wide commercializations handed only grave environmental
repercussions, resulting in the bay’s water quality to exacerbate following a
series of reclamation projects. These effects do not solely pertain to the rise of sea
level but a list of catastrophic concerns awaits: the destruction of coastal
ecosystems, food insecurity, destructive flooding, and the amplification of the
constant worsening of climate change. The frequent dredging operations in
Manila Bay have been a primal root of increased tidal currents and bigger waves,
becoming an adversary for fishermen's everyday catch in Cavite Province
(Bautista, 2023).
In January 2019, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte commanded a
rehabilitation plan on the waters of Manila Bay and called it the “The Battle for
Manila Bay”. The plan consists of three phases: water improvement,
rehabilitation and resettlement, education and sustainment; this comprises
specific strategies to find relocations for informal settlers around the coastal area,
making a way for solid waste reduction and providing rehabilitation of old
sewer lines (Ramos, 2023). Thus, the government’s efforts came in fruition in the
current year, revealing that the bay’s water quality has finally begun to improve,
as stated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The
Manila Bay Coordinating Office reports that the fecal coliform level in Manila
Bay has decreased from 126, 000 MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 ml in
2019 to 51, 300 MPN per 100 ml in 2022. Considering that it is indeed a good sign
of improvement, it is still largely below the standard level of 100 MPN per 100
ml. The slow progress is not only the result of the difficulties in treating waters
but the several current government-approved reclamation projects that
immensely harm the bay (Ramos, 2023).
In a recent development, the Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong”
Marcos ordered the suspension of 22 land reclamation projects in Manila Bay, a
decision that came after the concerns raised by the United States (Gomez, 2023).
This suspension allows the government to study, review and scrutinize the
environmental impacts and legal compliance of each project and in order to cease
any environmental damage brought by the land fillings and soil dredgings that
evidently, give rise to the killing of the ecosystem underneath the sea surface.
According to several environmental groups who protest against the projects,
these were products of a system bound for commercial gains and profits aspired
for economic development while imposing injustice over the country’s natural
riches that can provoke irreversible effects in the near future.
An environmental group named Oceana, reestablishes the concern of the
decimation of mangrove forests in Manila Bay that are responsible for the
protection against coastal waves, tidal currents, typhoons and provide habitats,
shelter, breeding sites and food sources to coastal wildlife. Oceana claimed that;
from the year 1890, 54, 000 hectares of mangrove forests occupy the coasts of
Manila bay, down to only 680 hectares in 2016 - a number that makes up 99% of
the total area scraped off. Another issue eyed concerning reclamation is the
permanent effects brought by the quarrying of land through extractions of sand,
rocks, gravels from the mountains of few regions in the country which fuel
erosion, deforestation and deterioration in water quality.
With relevance to the issues regarding the dangers pressed against the
country’s thriving mountains, another significant threat that advocates believe to
have been dismissed for necessary action is the continuous mining operations,
particularly in the region of Cordillera which is home for various indigenous
groups including the well-known Ifugao people. The Cordillera Administrative
Region is distinctly rich in mineral deposits such as gold and copper that can be
found among the wide scale systems of mountain ranges. Thus, this brings into
light the significant efforts of environmental defenders in the Philippines in
persevering the fight to stop the abuse forced upon.
One study by Delina (2020), delves into the historical context and
contemporary struggles of indigenous environmental defenders in the
Philippines. The indigenous people of Cordillera have expressed their plain
resistance against the implementation of large-scale hydroelectric projects that
undergo widespread operations of land conversions. An extensive stretch of
indigenous habitats, lands and territories based on forests are bound to become
sites for mining activities. Hence, indigenous lands in the Philippines are often
labeled as mere “natural resources for exploitation” by the state. As a result, the
balance between the Philippine laws and the established Indigenous Peoples’
Rights Act (IPRA) becomes ineffectual. The conflict between the state and the
affected indigenous groups results in expansive protests as an act of retaliation
which precede several forms of violent attacks with human rights violations such
as intimidation, death threats and, in worst cases, extrajudicial killings.
In the year 2018, the Philippines is regarded as the most dangerous, most
murderous country for environmental defenders around the world, as indicated
by the international non-governmental organization Global Witness (Regencia,
2019). 30 people were killed in the country while defending their land which
accounts to 18 percent of the total 164 environment-related deaths recorded
worldwide. Strikingly, these numbers cover only those included in the Global
Witness’ database of reported assassinations. The industries involved in the
killings include mining, logging, and agribusiness. On top of this, a decade has
passed since the organization recorded these killings, the Philippines is still
number 1 amongst the most dangerous places in Asia for environmental
defenders (Gozum, 2023).
According to a research study by Scheidel et al., (2020), the importance of
having environmental defenders lies within the aim for global sustainability. The
contributions of environmental defenders are also significant in decreasing the
number of environmentally destructive and socially conflictive projects,
defending the environment and livelihoods through the use of preventive
mobilization, protest diversification and litigation. As stated on the contrary,
defenders globally hold a high vulnerability from subjects of criminalization,
physical violence and assassinations.
This project seeks to shed light on the courageous endeavors of the
country’s environmental defenders while facing numerous unlawful attacks for
protecting the natural resources and preventing the eventual cataclysmic impacts
of environmental abuse. It aims to investigate the truth beyond the
environmental defenders’ fight for a cause by highlighting their plight amidst
campaigns; the threats and dangers they face with courage; and the sacrifices
they took while probing through sliver of hope for a change. On the other hand,
the documentarists practice fair journalism by expanding their basis of narrative
on the subject through conscious and thorough studies, exposition and delivery
of the slice of reality.
This project serves as a wake-up call through realizations of inequity,
impunity, and cruelty in the lives of environmental defenders striving for justice.
Moreover, this campaign motivates the people to engage in the pursuit of change
by immersing themselves through the course of reality and finding empirical

based cases of hope as an evidence for a greater opportunity to close the
perpetuating doors of abuse and corruption. Thus, the documentarists are ought
to frame a narrative confined in the moments of revealing experiences that
transcends beliefs towards a stronger and healthier environment.

II. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH
The concept of this documentary explored the truth behind the culture of
impunity, in any forms of violence that include numerous accounts of
harassments, disappearances and, at worst, killings, of environmental defenders
who were often labeled as part of a rebellious cause while fearlessly fighting for
their right to a healthy environment. Nowadays, the relation of these attacks
against environmental defenders becomes a regularity on limiting their
movement in pursuit of their advocacies.
Upon the development of this documentary, it aims to address the critical
situation of environmental defenders, highlighting their cause and dangerous
battle amidst political persecution. In a recent article, Rappler and Kalikasan
People’s Network for Environment released collected data and records stating
that the killings started from 2001 and continued until 2022. Most of the
environmental defenders who were killed are protesters and community
environmental officers. Under Duterte’s administration, it was recorded that at
least 218 environmental defenders were killed from 2016-2022 (Pasion, 2023).
According to a Global Witness’ report titled “Last Line of Defense'' (2021),
beyond killings, many defenders and communities also experience attempts to
silence them with tactics such as death threats, surveillance, sexual violence, or
criminalization. In the Philippines, environmental defenders and indigenous

people’s leaders were most likely to face the subject of “red-tagging” or
terrorist-labeling by the state (Palabay, 2023). The prevalence of this deadly
practice of accusations of former President Duterte on environmental activists
being members of the communist movement, only puts land and environmental
defenders at a greater risk of attack. Without substantial evidence, this violates
their fundamental human rights. This case continues to worsen as environmental
groups grew into fear with the passing of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. At that, the
said law will only justify the series of harassments such as red-tagging,
abduction, and extrajudicial killings many environmental defenders are
experiencing (Patag, 2020).
Another report from Global Witness’ titled “Defending Tomorrow” (2020)
indicates that the government must ensure national policies that protect the
rights of defenders to free assembly and speech, as well as potential recourse to
civil disobedience to safeguard the environmental defenders in the Philippines.
However, although there are laws that safeguards environmental defenders,
many people are not informed enough of the existence of such laws (Casinas,
2021).
From the above discussion, the documentarists delved on this topic to
address another observable gap in this study: the implementation of existing
legal and institutional laws that uphold one’s constitutional right to a healthy
environment. Despite the mandate of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article 2

Section 16, which indicates that the “State shall protect and advance the right of
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology”, the Philippines suffers from
weak implementation of these laws because of financial constraints, poor
prioritization, lack of accountability, corruption, and resistance to change as
stated from the environmental analysis report of World Bank. That being said,
without giving an effective remedy to environmental defenders or their
survivors, the Philippine government is not only condoning impunity by letting
perpetrators go unpunished, but also supports the ongoing environmental abuse
(Valdez, 2022).
As discussed previously, the documentarists distinctly developed this
concept to address the current state and how necessary it is to have adequate
legal protection for environmental defenders, climate activists, land rights
defenders, and human rights defenders. The concept for this documentary serves
as a call to action against injustices and to legally recognize the role of land and
environmental defenders in the country.
The theme of this documentary depicts real-time issues and dissent
concerning environmental rights and its affected community; the importance of
environmental activism; and the risks in this line of action. In addition, the
documentary also touches on the effects of environmental degradation on
marginalized communities.
The research process for primary sources of case studies focused on
in-depth study and gathering of data that comprise the life, works and
contributions of environmental defenders before and following their experience
of attacks, threats and violences. Whereas, case studies as secondary sources
most likely consist of family, relatives, and loved ones that share a deep
sentimentality with the primary source case study. Meanwhile, the research
process for the resource person involved searching for environmental experts,
representatives from government and non-governmental organizations that
focus on environmental concerns.
This documentary intends to delve on the story of six case studies, and
resource persons from the government and non-government organizations. The
inspiration behind this documentary stems from the recent statistics reported by
Global Witness as previously mentioned. Highlighting the continuous attacks
against environmental defenders, placing the Philippines as the deadliest
country in Asia for environmental activists. Additionally, the recent cases of
continuous disappearances with families and non-governmental organizations
seeking for justice exposes the hard reality, wherein they still continue to fight
despite the suffering and violence pressed against them.
One of the solid foundations of a significant and compelling story for this
documentary is the reading from the case of Oposa vs Factoran. As mentioned
earlier, there are existing laws and remedies that provide environmental
protection. The Oposa ruling is one of the cases that led to a landmark decision in
Philippine environmental law, wherein 43 Filipino children, represented by their
parents, stood up on their behalf and on behalf of future generations to stop the
destruction of the fast disappearing rainforests in the country for the protection
of the environment and preservation of natural resources. This case not only
shows that people can hold the government accountable for environmental
destruction, but it also shows how a determination from a few individuals can
lead to a significant change. With the aim of imparting change, the
documentarists delved on this case in hopes of establishing a sense of hope for a
world designed without the need to fight for a better environment.
The inspiration behind this documentary explores way back through what
sparked the injustices leading up to today’s time, which discerns the
interconnectedness of different environmental issues. The historical background
in developing this documentary stems through the bravery of Cordillera’s
environmental defender Macli-ing Dulag. Macli-ing Dulag is an indigenous
leader from Kalinga, respected and remembered as one of the heroes who fought
during the Martial Law. In 1980, Dulag was murdered by the government
military for leading the struggle and opposition to Ferdinand Marcos’ project on
installing a massive dam along the Chico River that would displace 100,000
indigenous people in Cordillera. Despite the loss of Dulag, the opposition
continued to fight for the land that shelters the tribe. As a result of their
resiliency, the government failed to develop the Chico River Dam Project. This
story is what inspired the filmmakers in pursuing this topic, the story of how the
people of Cordillera found their voice in one hero, because that hero refused to
remain silent that day.

III. PRE-PRODUCTION
This project started the pre-production in late August, 2023 and finished in
December, 2023. This concludes the topic proposal for the environmental
defenders story, script outline, pre-interviews and location scouting. The final
scriptwriting for this film started in March, 2024 after the production shoot. The
actual filming for the main interview of case studies and resource persons started
in late January and completed in April, 2024.
The post production phase which includes editing, music scoring, color
grading, sound designing and transcribing is allotted for the whole month of
April, 2024. Composition of music scores and motion graphics began earlier in
April, before the final editing. The deadline for the final cut is in late April, while
the final submission for this documentary film is in May, 2024. For the detailed
timeline, below is the schedule of activities for the whole production;
PRE- PRODUCTION
Topic/Story Proposal
Concept and
Development
Location Scouting
Script Outline
Budgeting
Pre-Interview
PRODUCTION
Shooting
- A-roll and B-roll
- Audio Recording
- Beauty Shots
Reshoot
POST PRODUCTION
Scriptwriting
Editing
Musical Scoring
Color Grading
DISTRIBUTION
(Final Submission)
Table 1. Schedule Timeline of Production
The locations for this documentary varied from different and distant areas
in the country. Among the locations of case studies is at Malolos, Bulacan where
the family of Bazoo De Jesus resides; Lucanin, Bataan where Gloria Capitan was
killed; Quezon City from which most protest actions in relation to environmental
concerns took place. The documentarists conducted the first ocular visit at
Malolos, Bulacan wherein the pre-interview with Bazoo De Jesus’ sister, Idda De
Jesus took place. Most shooting locations for case studies, resource persons, b-roll
shoots and beauty shots come from Bataan, Batangas, and Quezon City.
The budget and expenses for the 10-month production covered the
pre-production, production and post production phase. The total budget for this
film is P40,000.
For the partition of this budget, among the most priority for the
production shoot are rental and purchase of equipment such as lights and drone;
license and registration fees for purchased footage. Food and travel expenses are
allotted for the documentarists and case studies from distant locations
particularly in Navotas, Bataan, Batangas and Bulacan, as mentioned earlier.
Food and beverage are provided for the case studies and resource persons
during the interview. The allotted budget for the food was estimated around
₱100 per meal. Purchase and rentals for necessary equipment such as Lights and
Drone are limited to a budget of ₱10,000. For a clearer budget breakdown, below
is the summary table of the production’s budget expenses:
SPECIFICS COST
PRE-PRODUCTION
Location Scouting Transportation expenses (within Metro ₱528

Manila)
Ocular Visit Transportation Expenses (Malolos, Bulacan) ₱732
TOTAL: ₱1 260
PRODUCTION
Equipment Purchase Lights, Reflector, Camera Bag ₱3 713

Equipment Rental Drone, Drone Operator ₱6 500
Metro Manila Shoot Travel Expenses, Food ₱3 624
Bataan Shoot (6 days) Travel Expenses, Food/Necessity Expenses, ₱12 090

Stay-in rentals
Batangas Shoot Travel Expenses, Food/Necessity Expenses ₱1 934
Bulacan Shoot Travel Expenses, Food/Necessity Expenses ₱1 120
Navotas Shoot Travel Expenses, Food/Necessity Expenses ₱2 741
Cavite Shoot Travel Expenses, Food/Necessity Expenses ₱2 047
Others (Food, token fees for CS) ₱2 168
Transaction fees ₱1 135
TOTAL: ₱37 072
POST-PRODUCTION
Footage License Footage clip, primary sources video, other (purchased

online footages with license fee outside of
budget)
Office/Stationery Supplies Papers, photocopy expenses, book bind ₱1 000
TOTAL: ₱1 000
GRAND TOTAL: ₱39 332
Table 2. Budget Expense of Production
During this production phase, the documentarists encountered several
difficulties in terms of financial planning, wherein the estimated budget for
production must be feasibly met by the production team. Apart from that, the
script outlining and seeking for case studies are accomplished through a
thorough research process. This documentary touches on a sensitive topic that is

currently an ongoing issue in the Philippines. Therefore, comprehensive and
careful research was conducted.

IV. INTERVIEWS AND SUBJECTS
The documentarists aim to highlight six individuals who are described as
environmental defenders. Through in-depth research and pre-interviews, all
prospective case studies share the same struggle concerning the fight for
environmental protection. Therefore, providing this documentary a pattern of
interconnectedness for a compelling story. By delving into the experiences,
challenges and contributions of each case study, along with the authenticity of
the resource persons, this documentary seeks to inspire and serve a broader
conversation about the urgent need for environmental protection as to why these
individuals continue to fight.
A. Case Study 1 and 2: Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro
Jhed Tamano (right) and Jonila Castro (left)

at the protest action for Manila Bay
Both a student leader activist and environmental defender, who were
allegedly abducted and violently coerced into a vehicle, leading to their

disappearance in September 2, 2023 at Orion, Bataan. Shortly before their
abduction, they were working with fishermen in coastal communities opposed to
the ongoing reclamation on Manila Bay. Tamano shared in the pre-interview, that
while they were kept by the military, they were illegally interrogated in different
ways.
JHED: “Nagbabanta lang sila ng mga kung ano-ano... Tapos ‘ayon, sumunod na
araw, nilipat na rin kami sa ibang safe house. Doon na kami pinaghiwalay ni
Jonila. Ayon, nagpatuloy lang ulit ‘yong interrogation pero sa iba't-ibang paraan
ginawa. May paraan ng pang-guilt trip, may paraan ng pagiging mabuti, good
cop, bad cop, ganyan. Doon din tinanggal ‘yung piring namin, tapos... parang
tuloy-tuloy lang siya, tapos… ang ginawa na lang namin, pinakita namin na
nagko-cooperate kami. Tapos, ang binigay namin (na) information ay hindi
naman totoo or buo.”
Two weeks after their abduction, they were released to the public, the 70th
Infantry Battalion of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed
Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) held a press conference in which Tamano and Castro
bravely exposed the fact that they were abducted by the military, received
threats, and were forced to claim a different narrative that they were otherwise
abducted by communist rebels.
JONILA: “Naconvince na namin sila na susurrender na kami. Pinagawa kami ng
written statement sa loob ng safe house na nagsasabi na hindi kami dinukot, tas
sumu-surrender kami…Tapos, doon din namin pinirmahan 'yung written statement na
pinagawa nila sa amin. Tapos, ayon, doon din pumasok ‘yong NTF-ELCAC (National
Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict). Pini-pressure kami na
mag-presscon para i-condemn ‘yong mga… ‘yung mga groups (leftist) na nagsasabing
inabduct kami. Tapos... Parang part din ng propaganda nila na... Masama ‘yung mga...
Leftist groups.”
In spite of the perjury charges filed against them by the Department of
National Defense (DND), both Jhed and Jonila continue to withstand their truth,
all at the same time joining groups and protests to continue their fight against the
reclamation at Manila Bay.
Pre-Interview with Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro via Google Meet
B. Case Study 3: Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus
Bazoo De Jesus during his graduation speech

at University of the Philippines, Baguio
A 27-year old, environmental and indigenous rights activist from
Cordillera, who has been reported missing since April 2023 at Taytay, Rizal. His
case is suspected of enforced disappearances by state security forces, in which
informants narrated that Bazoo and Dexter Capuyan were on board a tricycle
when they were blocked by individuals who introduced themselves as members
of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
(PNP-CIDG), and were forced into separate vehicles. Bazoo’s mother, Mercedita
De Jesus, while working overseas, expressed in the pre-interview that despite the
dismissal of the writ of habeas corpus, she did not stop seeking justice for her son
and raising awareness for future cases similar to Bazoo.
She also added that aside her continuous efforts outside the country, her
daughter, Bazoo’s sister, Idda De Jesus-Tiongco, has joined various groups such
as Desaparecidos and The Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance
(FIND) to aid them on their case.
MERCEDITA: “Bale ang naging representative namin sa Pilipinas nga ay ‘yung
anak kong panganay na si Idda. Siya ang uma-attend sa mga consultation
meetings, siya rin ang uma-attend sa mga imbitasyon kung mayroong pagkilos sa
Maynila at siya rin ‘yung petitioner doon sa kaso.”
Pre-Interview with Mercedita De Jesus via Google Meet
On the pre-interview with Idda De Jesus, when asked what could be the
depth of Bazoo’s reason for immersing himself in activism, she explained that it
may have something to do with how their parents chose to work abroad because
of the difficulty in finding work in the country.
IDDA: “Na-radicalized siya na ganoong situation minsan kasi..parang
napipilitan nalang din maghanap ng ibang opportunities abroad kaysa dito, you
stay with the family has to be a choice. ‘Yon siguro ‘yung isa sa major factor na
naisip niya, na mayroong mali dito sa lipunan at ano ‘yung pwede kong
(pertaining to Bazoo) gawin para maski papaano, ma-improve yung quality of life
dito in my own little way.”
Pre-Interview with Idda De Jesus during the ocular visit
C. Case Study 4: Dexter Capuyan
An old photo of Dexter Capuyan
A 56-year old, environmental and indigenous people rights, activist leader
based in La Trinidad, Benguet. Similar to Bazoo De Jesus, he also went missing

on April 28, 2023 in Taytay Rizal. Dexter’s disappearance is suspected to have
been linked to him being among the individuals named in the list of alleged
leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army
(CPP-NPA), wherein authorities are offering a three million peso bounty for his
arrest. With Dexter and Bazoo detained, both families continue to strive and fight
together for justice for their loved ones.
To shed light on Dexter Capuyan as an indigenous rights leader and
environmental defender, Gabrielle Capuyan, her daughter, expressed during the
pre-interview how she remembered her father’s activism started when he was in
college, and how he used that time to communicate his advocacies for the rights
of indigenous people and the Cordilleran people.
Pre-Interview with Gabrielle Capuyan via Google Meet

D. Case Study 5: Gloria Capitan
Gloria Capitan (left) at the protest action for climate justice
A staunch environmental activist and human rights defender. She was one
of the leaders of the Nuclear/Coal-Free Bataan Movement (NCFBM), a
people-based network of multi-sectoral organizations and environmental
advocates in the province of Bataan. On the first of July 2016, Capitan was
brutally murdered by two gunmen in Lucanin, Bataan, making her the first
environmental activist killed under the Duterte administration. Prior to her
death, she had received threats and faced intimidation because of her stand in
opposing the coal mining and storage project in Bataan. During the sit-down
interview with Mark Capitan, Gloria Capitan’s son, he recalled how his mother
always puts others first and fought for the rights of the people in Bataan. He also
added that Gloria Capitan was offered a huge amount of money to stop her from
opposing companies responsible for the coal plants, however, because of her
hard work for the community and strong belief for social justice, Gloria never
accepted any offers.
E. Case Study 6: Gerardo “Gerry” Valeriano Ortega
Dr. Gerry Ortega, ABS-CBN Foundation
Also known as Doc Gerry, was a known journalist and a dedicated
environmentalist in Palawan. Before he was killed by a lone gunman in 2011, he
was a staunch critic of the corruption and misuse of funds generated from the
Malampaya Natural Gas Project, in which his death was linked to the former
governor of Palawan and his brother. Other than this, he took his heroism and
actively discussed and exposed environmental issues on his radio broadcast,
Ramatak. To shed light on Ortega’s story as an environmentalist, his daughter
Mika Ortega provided an insightful take on how the documentary should frame
the narrative on her father’s story.

MIKA: “Noong pinatay si Doc Gerry Ortega, nag-start ‘yung ‘No to Mining in
Palawan’ which eventually garnered over 10 million signatures at nagkaroon ng
moratorium sa pagmimina sa Palawan…Nagkaroon ng very popular conscious
effort ‘yung mga environmentalist to talk to more people. Up until today we see
na ‘yung mga tao naniniwala sila sa mga komunidad na inaapi ng mga minero.
Mayroong actual effect years later na hindi naaalala ng mga tao na si Doc Gerry
‘yung naging simula noon.”
Ms. Ortega added that instead of perpetuating the narrative about
violence and injustices, the motive of this documentary should seek for a hopeful
narrative with his father’s side of the story. The documentary also involved
interviews with resource persons from different organizations in providing
factual sources to add credibility in the stories presented.
F. Resource Person 1: Jon Bonifacio, Kalikasan People’s Network for the
Environment (Kalikasan PNE)
Sit-in Interview with Jon Bonifacio

Among the resource persons is Jon Bonifacio, National Coordinator of
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, a nationwide campaign sector
that helps communities and organizations in articulating against destructive
projects that concern environmental protection. The organization mainly focuses
on the issue regarding land reclamation, state of local farmers, climate and
energy including the mega dam projects, mining, and well-being of
environmental defenders. During the pre-interview, Bonifacio expressed that the
organization is not new from receiving death threats, red-tagging and raids. He
also added that this continues to happen because of their constant action to
challenge the government’s failed development on environmental concerns.
G. Resource Person 2: Atty. Klarise Fortaleza (Commission on Human
Rights, Philippines)
Sit-in Interview with Atty. Klarise Fortaleza
Other than Jon Bonifacio, the documentary also included representatives
from Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Atty Klarise Fortaleza,

Officer-in-Charge for the Economic Social and Cultural Rights Center to discuss
the legal basis of environmental laws, remedies, and data that shows the number
of cases of human rights violations in the country. She also recommended the
legal recognition of the role of every environmental and human rights defenders.
H. Resource Person 3: Derek Cabe (Nuclear/Coal-Free Bataan Movement)
Sit-in Interview with Derek Cabe
As for the story pursued in Bataan, Derek Cabe, National Coordinator of
the Nuclear/Coal-Free Bataan Movement, highlights the statistical data and the
current cases of ecological and health impacts of the ongoing operation of the San
Miguel Corporation Global Power Plant near the community in Bataan. Other
than that, Cabe is also a close friend of Gloria Capitan wherein the both of them
shared the same experiences in fighting against the coal plants in Bataan.
I. Resource Person 4: Atty. Joseph Literal (Philippine Reclamation
Authority)
Sit-in Interview with Atty. Joseph Literal
Since the documentary also tackles the posed threat of large-scale

projects such as the reclamation in Manila Bay, Atty. Joseph M. Literal,
Assistant General Manager of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA)
is also presented to discuss the overview of the said reclamation projects,
its implications and effects.
J. Resource Person 5: Atty. Antonio Oposa
Atty. Antonio Oposa

In closing the conclusion of the documentary, resource person Atty. Oposa
ends the film in discussing the vitality of the environment, the importance of
environmental defenders and the hope for future generations.
The approach for the listed environmental defenders requires the
documentarists to have an evident balance between sensitivity and respect for
the experiences of their case studies, this includes open conversations to establish
trust and understanding. With all six case studies sharing a collective struggle
and experiences as environmental defenders, in addition to credibility from the
resource persons, this provides a strong sense of establishment for the flow of
this documentary.
V. CINEMATOGRAPHY AND VISUAL STYLE
This documentary intends to portray a dense and explicit depiction of
reality through the lived injustices of environmental defenders in the Philippines.
With the effective use of dark tones in color and lights, the cinematographic style
of the film fronts more on a gloomy palette to reflect on the traumatic and dark
experiences of the subjects that are featured in the film. A common visual style
and treatment of the film falls under the cinematographic influence of some
crime and investigative documentaries with subjects that are interviewed
recalling their experiences about a certain distressing incident.
Cinematographic Pegs: Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (Netflix)
Key lights are mainly faced on the side of the subject’s line of sight,
directly on the angle of the camera, forming a darker yet smooth shade of
shadows on the opposite side to imply a monotone expression on their faces.
Tight shots are also commonly employed to show a more detailed expression
during the interviews.
Cinematographic Pegs: A Thousand Cuts (Frontline)
Full shot interviews are applied to display an open frame for important
detailed gestures exhibited by the subjects while expressing their thoughts and
experiences. Full shots are also embedded to the surrounded set in the
background, especially if shot on the subject’s house; which digs more on their
general appearance and environment as a whole. This shows the audience their
character and relevance to the issue.

Cinematographic Pegs: Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know (Netflix)
Studio shoots are utilized to capture a uniformed approach in interviews
with resource persons involved in the topic. Another purpose of this is to express
dynamic means of lighting a subject in achieving a stronger and stable quality of
light. Black backgrounds are used for securing darker shadows behind and on
the overall space around the interviewees. Finally, studio shoots will provide a
separation between the main subjects of the film from the resource persons
acquired for critical documents.
Cinematographic Pegs: American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing (Netflix)

Generic shots are applied for showing certain scenes that require a
particular depiction or visual in a generic form. This will guide the audience to
imagine for themselves an actual scene that happened in the past.
Cinematographic Pegs: Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (Netflix)
Shots of collected photos and videos of the people involved in the story
are used while soundbites are rolling in the background to have a glance of
mostly the victims of an incident; to have a sense of mystery and ambiguity
within the scene.
Cinematographic Pegs: Reclamation Nation by Atom Araullo (I-Witness)

Drone shots for wider range and view of the landscapes are essential to
show the wide systems of life in the Philippines’ natural riches to gain a greater
realization of the motivations behind the people fighting for it and the stakes
they hold against the potential consequences if not protected.
The chosen camera lenses are crucial in specifying the various dynamic
perspectives of each scene in the film . The 14 - 45mm lens for wide-angle shots
helped see the full frames of environmental landscapes, wide interview shots
and full shots, whereas 85mm lens captures tighter shots, focusing on individual
narratives and emotions. The 55mm lens is for standard level shots used in sit-in
interviews and primary footage taken during the subjects’ actions and day to day
measures.
Few inspirations of cinematographic style and treatment are also referred
to some Filipino documentaries such as “A Thousand Cuts” and ‘Delikado’ that
have brought to the forefront the deeply unsettling reality of unjust killings and
the manipulation of power. The mentioned documentaries have been the
primary influences of this project, emphasizing the underlying themes that
resonate on the societal ills plaguing the present communities.

VI. PRODUCTION
In this chapter, we highlight the intricacies of the film production phase,
discussing insights garnered from the members' shared experiences behind the
lens. The production ranges from the month of November, 2023 to April, 2024,
and within these months, the filmmakers have covered six stories of
environmental defenders from different places in the country.
I. Metro Manila
Our first production started inside Metro Manila at the protest action
during the World Fisheries Day in front of the Department Environment and
Natural Resources at Quezon City. The documentarists then met Sir Jon
Bonifacio, the National Coordinator of Kalikasan’s People’s Network for
Environment (Kalikasan-PNE). From then, with the help of Kalikasan-PNE, all
events in the Metro including mobilizations and actions concerning
environmental issues were covered and documented.
Capturing the pulse of protest movements in Quezon City, where
environmental defenders, mass organizations converge to advocate for their
rights and causes, the production also featured the historic EDSA People Power
Anniversary, documenting the collective memory of a nation and the ongoing
struggle for people’s rights. During this event, Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro,
along with Kalikasan-PNE were invited to speak their advocacies. This event
becomes a crucial part of the documentary as part of the conclusion, adding

sitners and visual materials. Other than that, press conferences, appeals, and
mobilizations that concern the main case study, Jhed and Jonila, were also
documented.
Shooting productions that happened inside Metro Manila were
challenging at the most since the filmmakers always tended to the protest actions
prior to its schedule. Despite that, the experience from travelling from one place
to another while witnessing the collective struggle of the people, is what shaped
the filmmakers in seeing the bigger picture for this documentary.
Jhed and Jonila presscon at Court of Appeals Interview w/ Jon Bonifacio
In contrast, the sit-in interviews were smooth-sailing since it did not
require the filmmakers to travel far. Interviews with Jhed Tamano and Jonila
Castro were set at the office of Kalikasan PNE, while sit-in interviews with
Michaella Ortega and Gabrielle Capuyan took place inside the University of
Makati.
Sit-in interview of Jhed and Jonila Sit-in interview of Gabrielle Capuyan
Apart from having to document our case studies, most offices of our
resource persons were designated around Metro Manila. Therefore, we easily
had the privilege of engaging with esteemed environmental experts, lawyers and
leaders whose expertise and dedication have significantly contributed in
resolving environmental concerns and issues. Our production shoot with the
resource persons were all sit-in interviews inside their offices, making it easy for
the production crew to set up the camera, lights and equipment. The entire
interview experience with distinguished individuals not only provided
invaluable insights but also underscored the pivotal role of professionals in
driving positive change for the environment.

Sit-in interview with Leon Dulce Sit-in interview with Atty. Klarise
II. Malolos, Bulacan
During our production in Bulacan to cover the narrative and the personal
story of Bazoo De-Jesus, shared by her sister Ms. Idda-De Jesus, the filmmakers
had to relocate from the original place of the sit-down interview because of the
outside disturbances that caused the audio to pick up loud sound and noises.
The De-Jesus family have always been welcoming even before the production
started, from which they were very accommodating to our requests. The
interview with Ms. Idda was our first interview for a case study, and our first
time to personally hear the story from Bazoo’s relative. The whole interview was
emotionally heavy since Ms. Idda had to recall the days and experience from
when her brother went missing. The filmmakers had to take breaks in between
sets of questions.
SineMapa crew with Ms. Idda and her son Ms. Idda reviewing old clips of Bazoo
After the interview, it has come to a realization that the act of resiliency is
apparent with the De-Jesus family, though even they are currently facing a great
hurdle in search for a loved one, the continuous effort to face and accept people
such as the filmmakers to tell their story, shows their hope and courage in this
fight.
Aside from the sit-in interview, b-rolls and sitners of Bazoo’s photos and
books were also documented. By exploring Bazoo's childhood home, the
documentary aims to add a deep understanding on Bazoo’s life before the
disappearance.
III. Mariveles, Bataan
Journeying to the province of Bataan, the story that we covered was the
longest production we had. We scheduled a six-day production in Bataan, all day,
travelling around Limay, Balanga, Sisiman and Lucanin.

On the first day, the production crew went to Balanga at the Office of
Nuclear Coal-Free Bataan Movement (NCFBM) and Young Bataenos for
Environmental Advocacy (Young BEAN). Before we started the production in
Bataan we already had contact with Ms. Derek Cabe, the National Coordinator of
NFBM. From then on, the production crew have been welcomed and
accommodated by the organization, connecting and participating in their events.
At their office, we caught them preparing their materials and props for the
Women’s Day Event. As an addition for the visuals, we took the opportunity to
document their usual routine and how they prepare for such an event.
On the second day, we went to Limay and scheduled a meeting with
Jeffrey Reyes, Council Leader from Young BEAN, wherein he introduced and
brought the production crew to the nearby site from where the San Miguel
Corporation (SMC) Global Power Plant is located. He also walked us through the
community, interviewing residents on how the power plant affects their welfare
and livelihood. Apart from the negative impacts of the SMC Power Plant, the
ongoing seabed quarry operated by the same corporation also impacts the local
fishermen around the area. This part of the story examines the enduring impact
of coal plants on local communities and the urgent need for sustainable
development initiatives.
Jeffrey at the nearby site of the SMC Global Power Plant
After documenting the state of the residents in Limay, we directly went to
Lucanin to meet-up with Mark Capitan, Gloria Capitan’s son. Our entire
walkthrough experience with Sir Mark was unexpected since it was not planned
prior to the meeting. We were only expected to have a sit-down interview with
him, however, instead he also brought us to the place where his mother was
killed. Since the lenses we used were 50mm and 24mm, it became difficult to
capture everything. Nevertheless, the production crew still managed to
document an important piece of the documentary. Afterwards, Sir Mark drove us
to the gravesite of his mother. We tried to document his conversation with Ka
Gloria, and made sure every camera was on focus. We took a few establishing
shots of the place, and bid our farewell then.

Sit-in interview of Mark Capitan A visit at the gravesite of Gloria Capitan
The few following days, the production crew took a day-break from
shooting and planned out the next agenda, which is to capture drone shots of the
power plants and other ongoing large-scale operations around Bataan. We went
to Sisiman and Agwawan Beach to capture the GN Power Plant and the ongoing
seabed quarrying operation beside the beach. We also took the time to hike at Mt.
San Miguel to document the whole surrounding of the beach.
Sinemapa documenting b-rolls of Agwawan beach and views from Mt. San Miguel
On our last day in Bataan, we scheduled the sit-in interview with Ms.
Derek. After the interview, we covered their general meeting assembly, led by
Ms. Derek Cabe, wherein the local residents and fishermen from Limay gathered
to discuss environmental issues and concerns with regards to the harmful effects
of the coal plants and the ongoing reclamation nearby the community.
Sit-in interview of Derek Cabe Meeting assembly of people from Limay
IV. Navotas
The production shoot in the coastal community of Navotas is the last
production shoot outside the Metro that was covered and by far, was one of the
most difficult to shoot. The initial plan for this shoot was to add a walkthrough
with Jhed and Jonila at the ongoing reclamation at Navotas. Since prior to that
shoot, Jonila along with Kalikasan-PNE and Pamalakaya-Navotas joined the
reclamation protest in Navotas. The filmmakers, with Jhed and Jonila,
interviewed several affected residents in the community, mostly fishermen. All
interviews were on-the-spot, and one of the interviewees included a wife who
lost his husband due to heart-attack because of the ongoing reclamation. This
interview happened exactly at the wake of his husband.
Interview with a local resident at the Fishport Interview with a local fisherman
The concept for this set-up wherein Jhed and Jonila were the ones
interviewing the residents helps in amplifying the voices of the two. By
immersing in the residents daily lives and struggles, the documentary
underscores the importance of community empowerment and its call for action.
The alleys and street corners to the fish port were steep since it was only
made out of galvanized iron. As a result, it became difficult to cover the
walkthrough of Jhed and Jonila. We were also brought to the ongoing excavation
of “tahungan” farms in Manila Bay. The operation stopped once the workers saw
that they were being documented. One of the fishermen said it was evident that
the workers would instantly inform their boss regarding the incident. The
filmmakers took advantage of this, taking as many b-rolls as possible even while
the boat was still running.

The interviews in Navotas did not differ from what we also did in Bataan.
This experience brought a greater understanding that despite the location apart
from far-flung areas, there is an interconnectedness of the issues with regards to
the effects of large-scale operations. At the end of the day, the communities that
have the right to their land are those who make the most difficult choice to
adjust.
When the walkthrough shoot was finished, we had to stop over to grab a
quick lunch for Jhed and Jonila. Afterwards, we all headed back to Kalikasan
PNE’s Office to shoot the sit-in interview of Jhed and Jonila.
V. Anilao, Batangas
Unlike other locations we went to cover, we also made an effort to travel
to Anilao Batangas to have an interview with Atty. Antonio Oposa, he is well
known for his landmark case “Oposa vs. Factoran”, which imparted a great
influence to the Philippines’ current environmental laws. It was of privilege to
be accepted and welcomed by Atty. Oposa since he told the team that he was
never fond of having interviews, but only made an exception for student
filmmakers.
Prior to the sit-in interview, we were invited to visit Atty. Oposa’s “Garden
by the Sea”, it is a place by the beach, full of plants and flowers. Throughout our
whole production experience in the garden, it greatly helped us in seeing what
environmental defenders keep on fighting for. We were also given the

opportunity to plant a tree in one of its soils. The place was extraordinary in a
way that it reflects Atty. Oposa’s heart and gratitude for the environment.
Sinemapa planting a tree at the “Garden by the Sea”
The sit-in interview with Atty. Oposa was brief since the set of questions
only covers the Oposa case, state of environmental defenders and a quick
message to the future generations. However, the interview was full of profound
insights into local environmental dynamics, which also captures the essence of
collective action in safeguarding natural ecosystems. Afterwards, the filmmakers’
also took the time to cover the beauty of the forests and beaches in Anilao
through drone shots.
Sit-in interview with Atty. Oposa

This documentary requires a collaborative effort that was essential in
bringing forth an impactful piece of work. This production involved a team of
individuals, each contributing their unique skills and expertise to the project. The
following section serves as an introduction to the members wherein each played
a crucial role in bringing this vision to the screen.
LIST OF PRODUCTION CREW ROLES
Alupay, Christian ● Graphic Editor

● Scene Animator
● Boom Operator
● Lights Operator
● Transcriber
Castillet, Danielle ● Head Researcher

● Production Manager
● Video Journalist
● Scene Animator
● Financial Manager
● Transcriber
Dollente, Lee Robert ● Researcher

● Camera Operator
● Boom Operator
● Lights Operator
● Transcriber
Hinanay, Jacob Aaron ● Segment Producer

● Director
● Writer
● Editor
● Video Journalist
● Researcher
● Transcriber
Litang, Alyssa Kate ● Researcher

● Camera Operator
● Lights Operator
● Transcriber
Table 3. List of Production Crew and their Roles

Equipment Qty Model/Description Serial Number
Wireless Comica CVM-WM300A UHF Wireless ●

1
Microphones Microphone V025D020129
Black Magic ●
2 Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k 8068215
Camera
● 8068195
50mm Camera ●
2 Rokinon 50mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens EDP15563
Lens
● EDP15538
35mm Camera ●
2 Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens ECP26557
Lens
● ECP26535
85mm Camera ●
2 Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens CGP27439
Lens
● CGP27460
24mm Camera ●
2 Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens EBP22934
Lens
● ECP20216
●
S67BNJ0R70172
Portable SSD 2 Samsung Portable SSD T5 6
● S67BNJ0R70169
1
Card Reader 1 Lexar CR1 Card Reader
●
24050204901681
●
Cfast Card 2 Sandisk Extreme Pro 64gb 192201300321
● 192403302311
●
Blackmagic Design LP-E6 Battery/BATT 8775002
Micro Battery 4 ● 8686021
LPE6M/CAM
● 8775004
● 8775001
Duo Charger 2 Watson Duo LCD Charger ● N/A
Extension 2 20-Meter Extension Cord ● N/A
Tripod 2 ● N/A
Fuji Camera 1 Fuji xs10 ● 2020DJ10516
LED Bulb 2 300W LED Bulb ● PSLC2D

Softbox Light 1 50 x 70 Rectangular Softbox Light ● N/A
Softbox Light 1 70 cm Softbox Light ● N/A
Light Stand 2 200cm Light Stand ● N/A
Remote 2 Remote Kit ● N/A
Ring Light 1 55W Ring Light ● BD-460
Tripod 1 4 feet Tripod ● N/A
Reflector 1 110cm, 5 in 1 Light Reflector ● N/A
Table 4. List of Equipment

VII. POST PRODUCTION
Guided by the written script for the film, the post-production process
began from gathering all the materials needed; the audio and video files
produced and collected during the production phase. The materials is sorted out
based on the video format, date and time produced, and the corresponding order
as indicated in the structured outline of the script. The process of sorting the files
includes renaming of the footages, folder naming, and excluding the unnecessary
or excess files. This keeps all the materials organized for easier access and
smoother flow of editing.
All the raw footage collected directly from the camera’s SD card are
compiled accordingly for H.264 (mp4) conversion. The purpose of conversion is
to lower the file size while maintaining the quality of the video material which
would aid a faster process of editing and rendering. If raw files were not
converted, it would cause continuous lags and crashes of the editing software. It
is also vital to sync the raw video files to their corresponding raw audio files
from the microphone recorder used for the sit-in interviews and natural sounds
on tape to get the best quality audio while saving time and effort from manually
syncing the materials one by one during the composite editing. After all the files
are readily synced together, the process proceeds on the mp4 conversion prior to
the main composition.

Once everything is synced and sorted, the editing process begins by
critically and creatively trimming the clips according to the established pacing of
the script and the desired direction or flow of the film director. Preferably, this
documentary is built in tension, suspense and intensity, thus, a quick pacing
between the scenes is ideal with the use of intercuts throughout the film. This is
to attribute the flow of the script where the different stories are progressing
simultaneously to impart a more fast-paced approach. The director, segment
producer and the script are the primary guide of the editor during the whole
post-production process. The editor also follows the attributed timecodes per
transcription of each interview as written in the script.
Moreover, the music scoring and sounds play a crucial role in building
the tensity of the story, thus, explicit timing and pacing is also essential. An
adequate amount of 10 different film scores are provided for the editor’s choices
to be experimented on, based on the desired vision of the director to where and
how the scenes should perfectly fit with. The color correcting is always the most
tricky part because all the clips should balance within each other while taking
into consideration the different moods implied upon each part or section.
Consequently, the editor should always review the final results several times
before the rendering process to avoid even the small mistakes overlooked in a
single glance until everything seems to be perfectly placed.

To render the whole project, the editor should export the sequence in h.264
format or mp4 to be more universal in terms of format compatibility. The
rendering process should take longer time to finish, hence, ample time for this
should be allotted. After rendering, the editor should review the full exported file
once more, if it rendered smoothly in full version.
Graph 1: Post-Production Workflow

VIII. NARRATIVE STRUCTURE AND STORYTELLING
The film’s structure delves through the accounts of six different primary
and secondary sources of narratives taken from direct experiences and the
personal views, statements and emotions elicited upon. The documentary
follows a standard 3-act structure of storytelling; progressing all narratives from
selected case studies simultaneously by the use of effective crossing cuts of
scenes and sequences, composed of b-rolls and interviews that are outlined
cohesively. The ideas constructed and portrayed in a visual form are backed up
in the mode of investigative research; with data provided by primary and
secondary sources gathered within the course of production and the phases
preceded. The narrative structure of the film is designed in 5 sections excluding
the title sequence and credit scenes.
The film kicks off with the introduction of the conflicts through protests
and mobilizations, paralleled by the footage of several operations involving
rallies of protesters, activists against state forces, supplemented by impactful
interview soundbites from environmental experts and organizations. The flow
continues in introducing the main case studies of the film through the use of face
cards, highlighting their cause and experiences. The structure in introducing the
case studies start from environmental defenders from the present day to a decade
prior. In Act 1, the film focuses on the shared experience of injustice, wherein the
case studies, recount the incident of their personal experience of harassment
while fighting for their environmental advocacies. The story progresses in Act 2,
wherein, we draw the motivation of their stories. Lastly, in Act 3, the conclusion
draws a hopeful approach
Through narrating their experiences and how it reflects the overarching
plight of environmental defenders in the country. It is followed by a series of
interviews and generic depictions to show the main subjects’ fight for justice for
a long course of time. This is supported by legal experts, discussing the value of
the cases and the overall legal aspects of the issue concerning environmental
abuse and protection by the law.
UNDEFENDED SCRIPT
AUDIO VISUAL
OVER BLACK:
For over a decade, the
Philippines has been the
deadliest country in Asia for
environmental defenders.
- Global Witness.
BLEEDS IN
25;56 - 26;22 SURFACE BAZOO AND
Tulungan niyo po kami. Tulungan niyo DEXTER PRESS CONFERENCE.
po kami. Huwag po kayong bibitaw
—huwag, ‘wag po. Dahil hindi lamang
para kay Haji at kay Dexter, kun’di,
para sa lahat ng mga dinukot, sa lahat
ng mga pinatay, sa lahat ng mga
naghihirap sa kulungan, ito pong
labang ito, ay para sa kanila din.
INTRO/TITLE SEQUENCE
INTENSE BACKGROUND MUSIC
HITS: TITLE CARDS:

PRESENTS
FROM COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
LETTERS
A DOCUMENTARY BY
SINEMAPA PRODUCTIONS
BEGIN MONTAGE.
● Flashes of intense
protests.
● Critical SOTS from various
protests and interviews
● Excerpts from
reports/articles of
abducted and killed
INTENSE BACKGROUND MUSIC environmental defenders.
FADES OUT: ● Flash cuts of pictures of
Desaparecidos
● Ends in one crucial SOT.
END MONTAGE.
TITLE CARD:
THE UNDEFENDED/ON ASIA’S
MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRY
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
DEFENDERS
INSIDE KALIKASAN PNE
OFFICE.
● Montage inside the office.
● Kalikasan PNE preparing

for the protest.
● Jhed and Jonila
discussing directions.
GFX:
On September 2, 2023, Jhed
Tamano (23) and Jonila Castro

(22) were alleged;y abducted by
military forces with only a
slipper and a shoe left behind.
INTENSE MUSIC SLOWLY FADES ● Kalikasan PNE enters the
IN:
van.
JON BONIFACIO/45;23 - 45;28 INSIDE THE VAN.

We're up against a very huge enemy. ● Jon Bonifacio looking at
Hindi lang siya usapin ng mga
kumpanya na parang nagkakaroon his phone.
sila ng project, at yun lang.
JON BONIFACIO/45;29 - 45;35 ● Close shot on megaphone.
Pero usapin rin siya kung paano…
kung gaano ka-involve yung state, LOWER THIRD:
gaano ka-involve yung mga Jon Bonifacio/National
government institutions natin. Coordinator/Kalikasan
People’s Network for the
Environment.
CROWD NOISE (PROTEST) IN THE
BACKGROUND BLEEDS IN: IN FRONT OF DOJ. JON
Defend! Defend! Defend the Defenders! BONIFACIO ON MEGAPHONE
● Establishing shots of the
JON BONIFACIO ON MEGAPHONE DOJ

08;20 - 08-35
Nakita natin nung nakaraang taon, ● Sitners on the protests.
nung Setyembre, sila ay dinakip, sila
ay held incommunicado, nagdanas ng ● Placards of protesters.
iba't-ibang porma ng torture sa kamay
ng militar ayon sa kanilang ● Jon Bonifacio walks
testimonya.
towards the Supreme
09;28 - 09;40
Kaya talagang marapat lang na Court and submits a letter.
samahan natin sila dito sa kanilang
laban para sa hustisya at sa
katotohanan sa kabila ng sunod
sunod na atake at pagsisinungaling ng
estado. Muli mga kasama,

sabay-sabay nating isigaw…
CROWD NOISE (PROTEST) IN THE
BACKGROUND HANGS:
Hands off Jhed! Hands off Jonila!
Defend! Defend! Defend the Defenders!
DRAMATIC MUSIC HITS: INSERT FACE CARD:

September 2
JHED AND JONILA
Anti-Reclamation Activist
Enforced Disappearance
JONILA CASTRO: JHED AND JONILA SIT IN

INTERVIEW.
04;00
Maulan nung araw na yun, tapos
dumugtong siya sa akin dun sa Orion LOWER THIRD:
Bataan. Tapos that night Nagpatila Jonila Castro/Akap Ka Manila
muna kami ng ulan, tapos inabot ng Bay
7pm yung tila ng ulan. Tas saka
palang kami umalis.
Usually naman maraming tao sa

labas, kahit ganoon yung oras, pero INSERT PHOTOS OF STREETS
dahil kakatila lang nung ulan, walang FROM BRGY. LATI WHERE
tao sa labas. JHED AND JONILA WERE
ALLEGEDLY ABDUCTED
Tapos naglalakad na kami nun
papunta dun sa sakayan ng jeep.
Ayun, may…
JHED AND JONILA/SIT IN.
05;11
Tapos ako naramdaman ko na lang,
hindi ko na rin napansin, napasok na
ako sa loob noong sasakayan.
Sumisigaw ako na ng tulong. Hoping
na may makarinig kahit na nakita ko

na walang tao sa paligid.
JHED TAMANO:
05;31 Inipit ko pa yung paa ko dun sa LOWER THIRD:
pinto. Hoping din na baka may Jhed Tamano/
makakita or magkaroon lang ng na
oras.
JONILA CASTRO:
05;41 Tapos nung nasasakayan na…
DRAMATIC MUSIC STOPS OVER BLACK:
DRAMATIC MUSIC HITS SCENE ANIMATION SLOWLY
FADES IN/ZOOMS OUT
Jhed and Jonila sitting beside
JONILA CASTRO: each other, blindfolded,
Tinawag nila ako sa pangalan ko, Jaja, mouths taped, hands tied
tutulungan lang namin kayo. Alam mo
bang hinahanap ka ng mama
mo?Gusto ka nang umuwi?
Tapos, ayun, napiniringan. Tinali yung
kamay.
JHED TAMANO:
Tapos binusalan
JONILA CASTRO:
Binusalan. Nilagyan nila ng tape yung
bibig.
JHED TAMANO: JHED AND JONILA/SIT IN.

07;15
Nung siguro lagpas isang oras, tumigil
yung kotse. Tapos, bumaba yung mga
dumukot sa amin. May mga natira
lang doon sa loob ng kotse.
Ilang minuto pagkatapos, binaba na

nila kami. Una ako ata. Tapos, si
Jonila.
Nakapiring pa rin kami noon. Pero,
pinapasok kami sa isang parang INSERT SCENE ANIMATION
siyang kwarto or bahay. Ganun yung ● Two shadowy men
feeling na. holding Jhed and Jonila
by the shoulder
Kasi may tiles, ganun.
● Jhed and Jonila inside
08;17 the safehouse
Tapos, doon na nagsimula na
kinakausap nila kami. Tinatanong nila ● Close up shot of the tiles
kung ano yung organization na
kinabibilangan namin. ● Five shadowy men
surrounding Jhed and
Jonila
JONILA CASTRO:
08;31
Tapos, sino yung mga kasama namin?
Nasaan sila?
Tapos, pinipilit nalang ilink yung org JHED AND JONILA/SIT IN.
namin na Akap Ka Manila Bay sa
Communist Party of the Philippines.
Lagi nilang sinasabi yun
JHED TAMANO:
08;55
Tapos hanggang sa, dahil nga hindi
kami sumasagot sa kanila, doon na
mas lumala yong interrogation.
Sa part ko, nilabas nila ako sa bahay.
Doon sa bahay na yun. Tapos noong
una, naisip ko talaga na baka INSERT SCENE ANIMATION
papatayin na nila ako. ● Jhed walking out of the
safehouse
09;21 ● One foot slowly steps on

Kasi nararamdaman ko yung yung the grass
damo, ganyan. Tapos, pinaupo nila ● Two shadowy men
ako sa ganto, sa monoblock sa labas. surrounding Jhed
outside
Tapos doon na nila ako,
pinagbabantaan na kung di ako
magsasalita, ano, puputulin nila dila
ko. JHED AND JONILA/SIT IN.
09;37
Iwa-water therapy. Tapos, doon din
pumasok yung banta na, ano.
Pagsasamahin daw kami ni Jonila sa
isang hukay.
MUSIC HITS: OVER BLACK:

There have been at least 14 other
cases of enforced disappearances
in the Philippines since 2022.
- Karapatan
6 days before Jamill “Bazoo” De
Jesus disappeared
INSERT FOOTAGE OF BAZOO’S

IDDA THERESE DE JESUS ADVANCE BIRTHDAY
[16:39 - 16:50] CELEBRATION ON APRIL 22,
Wala kaming idea noong mga panahon 2023.
na yun. That night of April 28.
[21:04 - 21:15]
dahil 27, magkasama pa kami dalawa.
[21:15 - 21:23]
Sabi ko pa sa kanya, ano, ingat ka.
IDDA THERESE DE JESUS SIT
[21:24 - 21:36] IN.
Tapos, sabihan mo na lang ako kung
uuwi ka ba, kung ano pupuntahan

mo, ganun. Oh, sa 30 naman ako LOWER THIRDS:
uuwi, eh. Parang ganyan yung sabi Idda Therese De Jesus/Bazoo’s
niya sa'kin. Tapos, kinunan ko pa Sister.
siya ng picture nung nasa jeep kami.
[24:39 - 24:51] INSERT PICTURE OF BAZOO

Hindi ko alam nung una na INSIDE THE JEEP ON APRIL
27, 2023.
[24:51 - 25:03]
nasa Taytay pala siya.
[00:25 - 00:36]
nakarating ako doon hindi ko
inaasahan, tapos ang dami namin
pinuntahan, may mga nakaharap
akong pulis,
[00:37 - 00:50]
tapos sinabi pa sa akin yung IDDA THERESE DE JESUS SIT
possibility na pwede daw ba kaming IN.
maghanap sa morgue. So, paano ba
yun? Sa utak ko eh. Totoo ba to?
DRAMATIC MUSIC HITS:
INSERT FACE CARD:

April 28, 2023
BAZOO AND DEXTER
Indigenous Rights Activist
Missing
WOMAN ON MICROPHONE FOOTAGE OF PRESSCON
Kagaya ng sinabi ko nandito po tayong
lahat para ipaalam natin sa publiko na
labing dalawang araw na po na
nawawala si Dexter Capuyan att si

Gene Roz Jamill De Jesus
IDDA THERESE DE JESUS SIT
IDDA THERESE DE JESUS IN.
[19:07 - 19:20]
the major reason behind it was that
Manong Dexter is an alleged rebel
leader. So maybe they were after the
bounty
FOOTAGE OF PRESSCON
WOMAN ON MICROPHONE DISCUSSING THE BOUNTY
He has at least 3 million pesos bounty FOR DEXTER CAPUYAN
for his arrest, dead or alive..
INSERT PHOTO OF DEXTER
CAPUYAN
GABRIELLE CAPUYAN:
07:29
As the days went, as the months kept GABRIELLE CAPUYAN SIT IN.
going by, we had to live in this sense of LOWER THIRDS:
ambiguity, the sense of not knowing. Gabrielle Capuyan/Dexter’s
Daughter.
ELI CAPUYAN
Matutulog na lang, iisipin ko pa rin
siya, nakakapagpahinga kaya siya
nang maayos?
FOOTAGE OF PRESSCON, ELI
CAPUYAN
13;30
those who abducted Bazoo and Dad,
they had introduced themselves as
members of CIDG,
GABRIEL CHUWALEY
18;38 CAPUYAN SIT IN.
they had not permitted us to enter the
camp, they had hidden their name
tags, blatantly, they have taken photos FOOTAGE OF PNP-CIDG
of us trying to intimidate us, OUTSIDE CAMP
Of course, that's upsetting on our part,

because it was just us, the family, GABRIEL CHUWALEY
searching for our loved ones. CAPUYAN SIT IN.
INSERT PHOTO OF BAZOO

AND DEXTER
CUT TO BLACK:
INSERT CLIPS:
● Bazoo’s graduation picture
● De Jesus Family picture
IDDA DE JESUS
Before naman kasi, since our parents
were activists in the 80s, ano yun, na, IDDA THERESE DE JESUS SIT
nakikakwento naman nila sa amin na, IN.
during Marcos and Aquino
administrations, active ang mga
students sa mga movements.
Especially when it has something to do
with social issues.
BAZOO DE JESUS INSERT FOOTAGE OF BAZOO
Balikan po natin kung ano ang DE JESUS’ GRADUATION
tungkulin ng bawat isa ito po ay ang SPEECH
paglingkuran ang sambayanan..
IDDA DE JESUS IDDA THERESE DE JESUS SIT

IN.
And umating yung point na nakita nga
niya na, ano, there was something that
would make use of his purpose.At yun
yun yung magsilbi.
INSERT PHOTOS OF
Dahil, yung pag-aalala ko, kaya nga, GABRIELLE CAPUYAN
di ba, ang tawag nung utol sa kapatid. PROTESTING OUTSIDE PNP
Kaputol. Yung other half is HEADQUARTERS
somewhere. So, ako dito, hinahanap

ko yung ano na yun eh. Yung presence
na yun. Iyon yung kukompleto sa akin
GABRIEL CHUWALEY
GABRIELLE CAPUYAN: CAPUYAN SIT IN.
I often think what he's up to, like
what he's doing now. Hmm. I often
think if he's eating or if he's able to INSERT CHILDHOOD PHOTOS
rest well. I think of who would be OF GABRIELLE CAPUYAN
capable of taking a father from their WITH DEXTER CAPUYAN
only child, a son from their elderly
mother, a friend from their loved ones
IDDA THERESE DE JESUS
WATCHING A CLIP OF THEIR
FAMILY REUNION FROM THE
LAPTOP
INSERT FOOTAGE OF THE

FAMILY REUNION
OVERBLACK:
September 19, 2023
17 days after the
disappearance of Jhed Tamano
and Jonila Castro
JONILA CASTRO:
Magandang araw po sa lahat pinili na
po naming magsalita ngayong araw,
katulad nga ng sinabi mahalagang INSERT FOOTAGE OF JHED
malaman natin ang totoong nangyari AND JONILA PRESSCON
ang totoo po eh dinukot kami ng mga
militar, sakay ng van napilitan din
kami na sumurrender dahil
pinagbantaan ang buhay namin, yun OVERBLACK:
po ang totoo The 70IB Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine
National Police-CIDG denied all

allegations enforced
disappearances.
After multiple requests for an

interview, they have not
responded to our messages.
● Jhed and Jonila enter the
jeep
INSIDE THE JEEP
● Jonila looking at her
JON BONIFACIO: phone
[11:29 - 11:39 ● Jhed looking from afar
alam naman natin yung track record
na yung ginagawang red tagging, IN FRONT OF DOJ
terror tagging, or what have you, it can ● Sitners on the protests
lead to reprisals.
[11:39 - 11:44] JON BONIFACIO SIT IN.
It can lead to death, killings, na
well-documented naman yun,
unfortunately. LOWER THIRDS:
Jon Bonifacio/National
Coordinator/Kalikasan
[11:54 - 12:03] People’s Network for the
As in, kung tumutol ka man lang dun Environment.
sa isang proyekto ng government or
isang policy or kung ano man, almost
automatically you're labeled as a
terrorist or a rebel or what have you
ATTY. KLARISE FORTALEZA:

(15:06) We also recommend that the JHED AND JONILA EXITS THE
government, in the implementation of COURT AND FACES THE
their counter-terrorism measures, for MEDIA OUTSIDE.
them to respect the fundamental
freedoms of every individual, ● Jhed and Jonila preparing

especially human rights defenders, for presscon
and for them not to weaponize, as you
mentioned, the Anti-Terror Law, ATTY. KLARISE FORTALEZA
because human rights defenders SIT IN.
actually perform legitimate work, LOWER THIRDS:
which we need to recognize. Atty. Klarise Fortaleza/
Officer-in-Charge, Economic
JONILA CASTRO: Social and Cultural Rights
Wag tayong matakot na labanan ang Center
mga mapanirang proyekto at Commission on Human Rights
anti-mamamayang polisiya. Inaatake
tayo dahil sila ang natatakot sa atin.
Alam nilang sa sama-sama nating JONILA CASTRO ON
pagkilos kaya nating mapigilan ang MICROPHONE
mga proyekto tulad ng reklamasyon ● Sitners of Jhed and Jonila
● Placards of protester
● Jhed and Jonila raising
CROWD NOISE: their placards
Hands off Jonila! Hands off Jhed!
Hands off Jonila! Hands off Jhed!
JON BONIFACIO:
[15:49 - 16:01]
Honestly, these are not the worst
things that can happen.
[16:01 - 16:12]
Kasi, I think may layer of protection
rin the fact that we're here in the city.
[16:49 - 16:57]
Whatever threats we experience here,
[16:58 - 17:05] JON BONIFACIO SIT IN.
as grave as they may sound already, is
nothing compared to what's happening
in other parts of the country. And ● Sitners of Jhed and Jonila
that's just something that we always at the presscon
have to consider.
DRAMATIC BEATING SOUND HITS DRONE SHOT OF MARIVELES

BATAAN
Gfx:
Mariveles, Bataan
JEFFREY REYES
WALKTHROUGH
JEFFREY REYES: ● Drone shot of SMC Global
Sa pag ooperate po ng planta Power Plant
napakabaho, sobrang baho tas ● Sitners of Power Plant
sobrang ingay, napaka-ingay niya.
Yon grabe din yung pollution, yung JEFFREY REYES IN FRONT OF
coal, yung ash, yung mga abo ay SMC GLOBAL POWER PLANT
napupunta sa aming mga community
LOWER THIRDS:
Lalo kapag tuwing amihan, pagka Jeffrey
amihan diretso samin yung mga abo, Reyes/Resident/Council
yung mga ashes kaya yung pagkain Leader, Brgy. Lamao,
namin, yung mga damit namin kapag Mariveles, Bataan
makikita namin sa umaga, puti na
siya. ● Sitners of coal plants
releasing smoke
At nakakatawa lang minsan, kapag
nagcocomplaints tayo sa kanila ay
sinasabi nila sa taong may sakit sa JEFFREY REYES IN FRONT OF
balat dito ay galis aso lang daw SMC GLOBAL POWER PLANT
DEREK CABE:
(3:04)
sa census namin, ang kanyang ● Drone shot of SMC Global
affected area ay halos nasa 50 Power Plant
kilometer radius.
pero kung buong Lamau yan, I
think nasa 20,000 people yung DEREK CABE SIT IN.

nandyan. LOWER THIRDS:
Derek Cabe/ Nuclear/Coal-Free
(2:34) Bataan Movement
nagre-result din ng health problems
like yung upper respiratory diseases
at yung mga skin rashes, among
others.
(2:49) Ito yung mga malalaking
nagiging problema natin dito sa coal
plant na nandito ngayon sa Lamau.
ZENAIDA PELICANO: ZENAIDA PELICANO

Grabe po talaga sa alikabok, tsaka WALKTHROUGH
po yung mga tanim ko pong mga LOWER THIRDS:
gulay, hindi na po ganon kagaganda. Zenaida Pelicano/Resident,
Tsaka po dapat ngayon panahon ng Brgy. Lamao
mangga
, marami ng bulaklak o bunga yung
mangga namin, wala wala pa siyang
bunga ZENAIDA PELICANO
WALKTHROUGH
● Zenaida showing the
Dati yung bunga ng talong namin withered leaves, plants,
mahahaba eggplants
Eto oh tingnan niyo siya, tingnan ● Leaves having ashes that
niyo ang epekto, ganyan ang epekto come from the smoke of
niya pagka pumunta siya sa dahon coal plant
nagdidilaw siya ng husto gaya niyan, ● Sitners of leaves, plants
tingnan niyo oh
Yan kumukulubot siya sa init niya
hindi na siya nagpprocess ng maayos
na bunga, dati malaki ang bunga
niya ngayon tingnan niyo oh nasisira
na siya kaya bulaklak pa lang siya
nasisira na siya ELPIDIO DELA CRUZ SIT IN.
ELPIDIO DELA CRUZ LOWER THIRDS:
Eh noon, wala akong asthma, pero Elpidio Dela

mula nung maitayo ito nagpasingaw Cruz/Mangingisda, Brgy.
sila nang walang pangundangan Lamao
kung magpasingaw sila kahit anong
oras mapahating gabi, madaling
araw, umaga tanghali’t hapon doon AT SMC POWER PLANT NEAR
po ako nagkaroon ng asthma THE SHORELINE
ELPIDIO DELA CRUZ SIT IN.

Isa pa diyan yung seabed quarry na
nangyayari ngayon dito sa loob ng ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF THE
Manila Bay SEABED QUARRY NEAR THE
SHORELINE
Yun pa ang matinding nagpahirap sa
mga mamamayan, mangingisda sa
buong Bataan, kasi ang seabed
quarry po kinakalkal niya ang ilalim
ng karagatan at lumalalim ang
karagatan namin, nawawala ang
buhangin namin, ang isda nahihigop, DRONE SHOT OF SMC GLOBAL
ang isda lumalayo kasi maingay po POWER PLANT AND THE
yan SEABED QUARRY NEAR THE
SHORE
Gfx:
The 600-Megawatt coal plant
operated by San Miguel Global
Consolidated Power is located
less than 500 meters from a
seabed quarrying operation
near the shore.
JIMMY GADOR:
Wala pang coal plant jan, dito na JIMMY GADOR SIT IN.
kami nakatira, eto na-istroke ako
dahil jan, nagsasawa na ako sa LOWER THIRDS:
interview, wala na yan nagagawa sa Jimmy Gador/Resident, Brgy.
amin. Halos buwan buwan may Lamao, Mariveles, Bataan
nagiinterview dito, ganyan pa rin yan.
Atsaka wala yan maitutulong samin,
wala yan maitutulong samin Gfx:

Jimmy Gador has been
suffering from an unknown
lung disease since 2016.
He has been denied of health
support from the local
government due to his
involvement in the groups
opposing the operation of the
coal-fired power plants.
CUT TO BLACK:
IN BRGY. LAMAO GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
● Preparation for the
assembly
● Sitners of residents in the
assembly
● Dr. Rory Perez, joining the
meeting
DR. RORY PEREZ LEADING
THE PRAYER
LOWER THIRDS:
Dr. Rory Perez/Councilor,
Limay, Bataan
DR. RORY PEREZ:
Ang puso namin ay palaging nandirito DR. RORY PEREZ SPEAKING
sa ating barangay, lalong lalo na po IN FRONT OF THE ASSEMBLY
pagdating sa environment, patuloy po
tayong lumalaban jan po sa pagsira ng
kalikasan…
● Projector shows slideshow
of police and the people of
Lamao during construction
of the coal plants

● Sitners of residents in the
assembly watching the
slideshow
DEREK CABE: DEREK CABE DISCUSSING
Noong 2014, kasalukuyang nasa ano THE SLIDESHOWS
tayo, nasa labanan, 2015, yun na,
aktwal na labanan na dito sa LOWER THIRDS:
binabagbag sa gilid natin, binabagbag Derek Cabe/National
na ng coal plant yung ating mga Coordinatior, Nuclear
kabahayan Coal-Free Bataan Movement
Kaya kung unang nakita niyo doon
yung unang mga slides yung ● Sitners of Jeffrey Reyes,
nakabarikada, nakarally tayo doon sa Zenaida Pelicano, Elpidio
harap. Kinoconstruct pa lang non ang Dela Cruz listening to the
planta discussion
DR. RORY PEREZ: DR. RORY PEREZ SPEAKING

Ang sabi ng iba ako raw ay pula, pula IN THE ASSEMBLY
po ba ako hindi naman..ako raw po ay
kalaban ng gobyerno, hindi po. Ako po
ay kaibigan ng aking kababayan, ng
aking kabarangay. At siguro po ang
magsalita tungkol sa katotohanan ay
hindi isang kasalanan hindi rin ito
isang paglaban..
DEREK CABE: DEREK CABE SIT IN.

(23:40)
Hindi ko man gusto na meron mag
sakripisyo ng buhay pero
(18:53)
I mean you're challenging business
interests. (19:13) Somehow with our
campaign, we are hurting their
business. And sadly, dahil
nahe-hurt mo sila, yun, reresbakan

ka.
INSERT FACE CARD:
July 1, 2016
GLORIA CAPITAN
Anti-Coal Activist
Killed
MARK CAPITAN: MARK CAPITAN DRIVING
Yung mother ko ay merong prinsipyo,
na hindi lang pansarili niya kundi MARK CAPITAN SIT. IN
yung kinukuha niya sa pangkalahatan
na siya ay makatulong hindi lang sa LOWER THIRDS:
aming pamilya kundi pati sa ibang tao Mark Capitan/Gloria Capitan’s
Son
● Mark Capitan holding
Gloria Capitan’s picture
MARK CAPITAN
WALKTHROUGH
● Mark Capitan walks inside
the sari-sari store
MARK CAPITAN
Dito nakaupo ang mother ko,
dito…yang butas na yan, ang butas na MARK CAPITAN INSIDE THE
yan jan tumama yung baril, yung bala SARI-SARI STORE
sa islag na yan. Dito siya namatay,
pinasok siya dito eh kasi nakabukas ● Mark Capitan points to the
to. Pinasok siya dito, dito dumaan mark on the ground where
yung riding in tandem. Pagkapasok the bullet hits
dito, inano na siya..
- Dito po dumaan? ● Shows where the riding in
tandem walks through
Oo, dito, umikot siya dito, dito rin
pumasok
- Kumbaga malapitan din..
Oo, sinakal siya eh, kaya yung kamay

niya, nong tinatanggal niya yung
kamay ng riding in tandem, binaril ● Mark Capitan gesturing
yung kamay niya. Sabay baril dito, how Gloria Capitan was
dalawa dito, dalawa, bale may dito killed
noh? Dito isa.
● Mark Capitan points to his
Eto yung ganto niya, butas to eh, neck and right cheek
tinutukan saka dito, sa may batok.
Hindi talaga siya bubuhay non ● Mark Capitan points to his
nape
MARK CAPITAN
Binidding ang nanay ko sa tao na
papatay.
MARK CAPITAN SIT. IN
Malaking pera ang inano nila para
lang mapatay si Ka Gloria
MARK CAPITAN: MARK CAPITAN

Hello mother, may bisita ka WALKTHROUGH
● Mark Capitan driving
● Mark Capitan steps out of
the car
MARK CAPITAN IN THE CEMETERY,

Lagi lang kaming gabayan niya, ang GRAVESITE OF GLORIA
mga apo niya kahit na malayo ang CAPITAN
tatay ko, gabayan niya pa rin.
● Establishing shots of
cemetery
● Shot of Gloria Cpaitan’s
gravesite
● Mark Capitan looking at
Gloria Capitan’s gravesite
SLOWLY FADES TO BLACK:

JHED TAMANO AND JONILA
CASTRO INSIDE THE CAR
● Jhed and Jonila chatting
ESTABLISHING SHOT OF
NAVOTAS FISH PORT
Gfx:
Navotas Port, Manila Bay

CASTRO WALK THROUGH
● Jonila going down the boat
JONILA CASTRO: JONILA CASTRO AND JHED

Yung pagprotekta sa kalikasan in TAMANO ON THE BOAT
general katulad ng Manila Bay, hindi
lang siya pagiging nature lover or ● Jhed and Jonila looking
anything from afar
● Sitners of mussel farms
JHED TAMANO: ● Establishing shots of the
Napakarami niyang epekto sa bay
kabuhayan ng mamamayan, sa
tirahan
—
Tutol ako na mademolish yang SIT IN.
tahungan na yan ● Jhed and Jonila
interviewing
JONILA CASTRO
Kami rin po tay..
—
Maghanap sila ng ibang lugar na hindi

mapeperwisyo yung mga maliliit dito
na namumuhunan
—-
Namamatay na yung iba, kaiisip kung SIT IN.
saan sila kukuha ng pagkain araw
araw
JONILA CASTRO: CASTRO, ON THE BOAT
Kasi ang kwento, nalaman,
pagkadating niya kasi sa tahungan
niya, wala na yung tahungan niya,
nademolish na. ● Sitners of ongoing
Heart attack siguro yun noh? demolition
● Excavation of mussel
farms
JONILA CASTRO: ● Fishermen driving the boat
Kapag nasisira ang kalikasan, kung
saan pinagkukuhanan ng kabuhayan
ng mga mamamayan, para mo na ring
pinapatay yung mga Pilipino
JHED TAMANO:
Napakarami ng naawalan ng
hanapbuhay, ng tirahan, hindi naman
umuunlad yung kanilang kabuhayan.
Babalikan mo lang kung ano yung
batayan ng kaunlaran.
JONILA CASTRO AND
TERRENCE CHATTING
TERRENCE:
Itong video na to nakapost to mismo
sa Youtube ni Congressman Tiangco
JONILA CASTRO:
Proud siya noh?
TERRENCE:
Tas parang sinabi niya ron na
partnership siya with San Miguel
Corporation..
Eh kasi sa notice di nila sinabi kaya
tatanggalin yung tahungan para sa
reclamation. Hindi nila sinabi yon
JONILA CASTRO:
‘Project natin to’, hindi niya sinabi
yon?
TERRENCE:
Oo JHED TAMANO AND JONILA
CASTRO WALKTHROUGH
● Jhed and Jonila pass
through a steep bridge
● Walks through a cramped
up alley
IN THE FUNERAL OF RODRIGO

M. MAANO
● Establishing shots of the
wake
JONILA CASTRO:
Kasama po ba doon si Tatay sa ● Coffin and tarpaulins
pinameeting ni Mayor? Yung
pinatawag
LYDIA SISON:
Oo kasama yan sila, marami yan sila
JONILA CASTRO:
Kaya narinig din po ni tatay yung
sinabi ni Mayor na wala ng magagawa,
madedemolish na yung tahungan? LYDIA SISON SIT IN.
LOWER THIRDS:
Lydia Sison/ Rodrigo’s
Common Law Spouse
LYDIA SISON:
Oo talaga, nadepress yan don. Sana
nga pinaani niya na muna, para
naman makinabang naman kami, eh
wala eh.
TERRENCE: ● Sitners of ongoing

Ano pong panawagan niyo sa demolition
gobyerno, sa LGU po, kay Mayor,
tsaka sa presidente. ● Excavation of mussel
farms
LYDIA SISON:
Tulungan man lang kami para
maipalibing lang namin, kasi wala
talaga kaming pagkukunan.
Asan ako kukuha? Yun lang naman
inaano ko na tulungan kami kasi
walang wala na kaming
puhunan…Ang pamilya ko wala
namang mga hanap buhay, hanap
buhay dagat lang wala na rin naman.
Gfx:
The removal of over 200
mussel farms in Navotas along
the coast of Manila Bay is part

of the reclamation process for
the 650 hectare Navotas
Boulevard Business Park
ATTY. JOSEPH LITERAL SIT

ATTY. JOSEPH LITERAL: IN.
Remember yung paggawa ng
reclamation, we are actually in effect LOWER THIRDS:
cleaning the shilts, the unsuitable Atty. Joseph Literal/ Assistant
materials within the seabed, because General Manager, Philippine
nabago na namin eh hindi na siya Reclamation Authority
burak, hindi na siya basura, mas
attractive yung area ngayon sa isda
kasi nga malinis na yung within the
area
JON BONIFACIO SIT IN.
JON BONIFACIO:
Hindi lang din naman siya usapin ng
advocacy eh, there are a lot of cases sa
mga communities, kabuhayan nila
yung nakataya, buhay nila yung
nakataya kasi kung mawala yung
dagat kung saan sila nangingisda wala
na silang kabuhayan
JONILA CASTRO CHATTING
JONILA CASTRO: WITH THE FISHERMAN
Kung ano yung project…pero ang sabi
daw po gagawa daw po ng tulay
FISHERMAN:
“Pagkakaalam namin pero wala
naman”
JONILA CASTRO:
Kasi di nga naman sinasabi sa inyo
FISHERMAN:
“”Mandaragat lang po kami ma’am”
JON BONIFACIO SIT IN.

JON BONIFACIO:
Only sensible na tutulan nila yung
mga proyektong ito pero when you
enter this society in which proliferated
na talaga yung culture of
red-tagging,ang daming cases of
harassment and human rights
violations against environmental
defenders, talagang may measure of
fear on the part of people. Pero I think
despite that, people are still
fighting.And I think that's the most
remarkable thing in the world.
DR. GERRY ORTEGA: OVERBLACK:

Nung lumabas po ang COA special In 2011, Palawan broadcaster
audit report nung 2003 nalaman po ba Dr. Gerry Ortega worked as a
ninyo? Nalaman niyo lang po ito dahil journalist, advocating for
nakakuha po ako ng kopya. Hindi niyo environmental protection and
na po malalaman kung papaano sustainability
nilulustay ang pera ng lalawigan ng
Palawan, nakakapuyos ng damdamin,
nakakaawa ang mga Palaweno
INSERT PHOTO OF DOC

GERRY ORTEGA
Gfx:
Voice of Doc. Gerry Ortega
MICHAELLA ORTEGA: MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.

I think, the clarity of thought na
pinag-usapan namin, ano bang ibig
sabihin ng justice? What does justice

mean? What does it look like for us? LOWER THIRDS:
And to us, number one, we are able to Michaella Ortega/ Daughter of
capture and convict the masterminds.. Dr. Gerry Ortega
But it doesn't end there. Kasi true
justice means that all of us have
changed so that someone like Doc INSERT FACE CARD:
Jerry Ortega could live and thrive. January 24, 2011
DOC GERRY ORTEGA
the day before he was killed, he was Environmentalist/Journalist
working with late Secretary Gina Lopez Killed
of the DENR.He was working with her
and a lot of local civil society
organizations in Palawan para MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.
makapagbuo nung tinatawag na Save
Palawan movement.
INSERT PHOTOS OF DR.
And then the day after, the last GERRY ORTEGA WITH GINA
LOPEZ
person he was in a call with was Gina
Lopez talking about these are the next
steps, ito na yung mga gagawin natin.
And then the next call that Gina Lopez
got was my mom telling her na he was MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.
shot.
INSERT POSTMORTEM
PHOTOS OF DR. GERRY
ORTEGA
It's been 13 years Masyado nang
matagal, ang dami nang nangyari. one MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.
of the things na pinag-usapan namin
ng mom ko was at the height of the
killings under the previous
administration, tinanong ko siya,
Mom, ano tingin mo mangyayari kung
buhay pa si daddy?
Tapos sabi niya, papatayin siya ulit.

And, what does that tell you? It tells
you that the culture of impunity is INSERT PHOTOS OF DR.
very much alive. GERRY ORTEGA
It tells you na strong voices, brave

voices, they're going to be snuffed out MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.
at some point.
Pero, I always try to go back to yung
sinabi ng tatay ko noong tinanong siya INSERT PHOTOS OF DR.
kung bakit siya nakikipaglaban, GERRY ORTEGA WITH HIS
mag-isa lang siya. CHILDREN
Tapos ang sabi niya, inihahalintulad
ko ang sarili ko sa isang mumunting INSERT GRAPHIC ANIMATION
kandila, sa isang malaking madilim na OF A CANDLELIGHT
silid. Kahit na hindi ko kaya bigyan ng
liwanag ang buong silid, may isang
sulok na kaya akong bigyan ng MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.
liwanag.
And that's worth fighting for.
DR. GERRY ORTEGA: INSERT GRAPHIC ANIMATION
OF A CANDLELIGHT
Ang mga taong mahihirap na
umaasang umasenso, nakalugmok na
sa hirap tinatapakan pa ninyo INSERT PHOTO OF DR. GERRY
NOISE BLEEDS IN: AT THE 38TH EDSA PEOPLE
POWER
CROWD NOISE:
Makibaka wag matakot, wag matakot Gfx:
makibaka 38th EDSA People Power
Uprising
Karapatan ng mamamayan ipaglaban, ● People raising flags
ipaglaban, karapatan ng mamamayan
● Crowd marching
MAN ON STAGE: ● Sitners of crowd
Sa ating lahat sa tatlumput walong
anibersaryo ng EDSA, tuloy ang laban, ● Protesters on stage
tuloy ang laban sa ating pagkakaisang
pagkilos, tayo ay magtatagumpay. ● Shots of Kalikasan PNE
Padayon!
CROWD NOISE:
Sagipin ang kalikasan,
Sagipin ang kalikasan, sigaw ng taong
bayan
Lupang ninuno, depensahan!
Depensahan!
MICHAELLA ORTEGA MICHAELLA ORTEGA SIT IN.

A lot of the rights we cherish, a lot of
the things that are protecting us right
now are things that people spoke up
for, died for, disappeared for, shed
blood for.
CROWD NOISE: JON BONIFACIO MARCHING

Wag matakot! Makibaka!’ AT EDSA
So you’re not going to be silenced?
JON BONIFACIO JON BONIFACIO SIT IN.
No, why would I be? Parang yun nga
kapag namulat ka na, kasalanan na
rin namang pumikit
CROWD NOISE:
Ang tao ang bayan, ngayon ay GABRIELLE CAPUYAN RAISING

lumalaban A PROTEST BANNER AT EDSA
GABRIELLE CAPUYAN GABRIELLE CAPUYAN SIT IN.

know that you’re not alone in this
struggle, that your bravery not only ● Gabrielle marching at
comes from yourself but from the EDSA
masses that you are with, that
continue to fight for and the rights of ● Shot of Surface Dexter
others Capuyan and Bazoo De
Jesus banner raised at
EDSA
CROWD NOISE:
Tumindig magkaisa, makibaka
IDDA DE JESUS TIONGCO IDDA DE JESUS WALKING

this has been going on for so long. And WITH HER SON
as citizens, we have to we have to help
each other in advocating for in
advocating to make the Philippines A
country that will no longer be a threat IDDA DE JESUS SIT IN.
to human rights advocates and
● Aerial shot of SMC Global
Powerplant in Bataan
DEREK CABE ● Jeffrey Reyes looking at
Habang nakikita natin na may the Powerplant
injustice, Responsibility natin to
protect our rights. Responsibility natin DEREK CABE SIT IN.
to defend the environment. Kasi wala
tayong ibang tahanan ito lang.
JHED TAMANO
Lahat ng forms ng attacks na AT 38TH EDSA PEOPLE
ginagawa nila sa amin, lalo lang yun POWER UPRISING
magiging resolved sa amin na

magpatuloy at hindi manahimik kasi ● Jhed and Jonila hugging
ginagawa na sa harap mo yung someone
injustice, hindi ka pa ba lalaban.
● Jhed and Jonila taking a
picture
● Both of them walks on
stage
JONILA CASTRO: ON STAGE, JONILA CASTRO

Ang mahabang listahan ng mga ON MICROPHONE
hinaharass, dinudukot, pilit
pinapasurrender
JHED TAMANO JHED AND JONILA RAISING
Lalong hindi dapat tayo tumigil THEIR FISTS
hanggat hindi nakakamit ang
tagumpay para sa lipunang may tunay
na demokrasya at kalayaan
JHED TAMANO JHED AND JONILA AT THE
Siyempre yung nangyari sa amin, PORT OF NAVOTAS
isang malaking injustice siya. Hindi
lang sa amin kundi para sa
napakarami ng dinukot, pinatay
JONILA CASTRO JHED AND JONILA LOOKING

Its the reality at kailangan natin itong AT THE HORIZON OF MANILA
baguhin BAY
END SCRIPT
IX. MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN
The choices of music and sound design vary in a diverse interpretation of
the dynamic moods or feel in every transition of sectioned structure based on the
written story outline. The director and writer of the film critically distributed
each chosen music bed for each sequence; to capture the right narrative within
portrayals of the subjects’ stories in the film. The documentary primarily has six
case studies to feature with ideally one designated music background for each
subject and its narrative.
An explicit choice of music is employed in specific colors of the film that
resonate in the edgy, dark, and tight style of framing and storytelling. This
approach should magnify the daunting fight in every environmental defenders’
lives, in spite of the harsh treatments they faced in response to their courageous
efforts to defend their land and wavering future. The film’s music also rolls
through a thematic genre of tension, drama and suspense which will in contrast,
be juxtaposed with a hopeful, inspiring, yet still has the intensity of treatment
and composition at the resolution arc of the documentary film.

X. VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION
The post-production phase plays a crucial role in transforming raw
footage taken and collected into compelling visual narratives. An extensive
attention to detail should be applied upon composite editing, musical placements
and visual enhancements to give essence to the documented reality with emotive
story. Another step to consider in elevating storytelling is the strength of graphics
execution with enough based principles of design.
For the graphic styles and animations, it is ideal to set up two font types
that are easy to read, pleases the eye and more importantly, is in line with the
theme of the film. The chosen font types determine the aesthetic for the whole list
of graphic compositions which include the title cards, lower thirds, and graphs
for statistical data. The experimentation with the typefaces itself can vary
through the utilization of colors, style and scale depending on the theme
employed. The documentary will make use of a dark shaded palette of blue,
white and red that evoke a sense of gloom, danger and drama.
The title card animation also indicates a story behind, in harmony with the
film’s motif. The title card transition in from green to white represents the
environmental defenders and transition out from white to red represents the
violence and the resistance to abuse.

The introduction of each story of six case studies is presented through the
use of face cards. The face cards show the picture of the environmental defender,
their name, what they fight for and the violence they experienced. The mood for
the face cards are set to a dark-bluish tone and a grunge effect for the
background. This expresses the gravity of the story of every environmental
defender.
Animatics is also incorporated as part of the re-enactment from when Jhed
and Jonila were allegedly abducted. The graphic animation adds visuals to their
sit-in interview, and also helps the viewer imagine the incident occurred on that
day. The animation style is drawn and sketched in a black canvas, using white
lines for the sketch of the imagery. The black canvas represents the state of mind
of Jhed and Jonila, while the white-colored scribble sketch signifies their
recollection of how they interpreted their experience. This sequence was
purposely animated to also add an artistic element of mixed media.
Selected raw footages are also incorporated with visual effects of glitches
and CRT filters that are commonly found in vintage televisions. To add a certain
level of understanding that the footages being presented are taken way back.
XI. MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
This film is conducted through a 4-step process of marketing and
distribution. Firstly, the copy of the film will be given to the case studies and
resource persons in the purpose of bringing awareness to the mass about the
state of environmental defenders in the country, and to distribute the film on a
wider and accessible platform. With that, the case study or the resource person
are entitled to share the documentary to their family and the public.
Secondly, partnership and collaboration with the environmental
organizations to manage public screening or film showing that targets the
community directly affected by the issues discussed in the documentary. This
empowers the people to start conversations and to take action regarding the
violence and injustices faced by the environmental defenders. Additionally,
partnership with universities, particularly at University of Makati is also
considered. Organizing film screenings and open forums provides a reach for the
younger audience.
Thirdly, succeeding the production of this documentary, the filmmakers
also aim to register the film to CCP Gawad Alternatibo Filmmaking Competition
under the Documentary Category. The said competition is one of the
longest-running independent film competitions in Asia, with thousands of
Filipino filmmakers competing all over the country. The competition offers a free
screening for all the competing short films, which makes it accessible to the
public. This documentary “Undefended: On Asia’s Most Dangerous Place for
Environmental Defenders” seeks for every opportunity to inspire and educate a
wider audience. Therefore, bringing this film inside a theater full of motivated
artists, filmmakers and documentarians not only increases the audience reach but
also serves as the first step to ignite the people. Apart from the CCP Gawad
Alternatibo, the documentarists ought to explore other upcoming film festivals
relevant to the theme of the documentary and also qualifies the production team.
Lastly, other than competitions, the SineMapa Facebook page will be
utilized for a prospective public screening of the documentary. Dissemination on
other social media platforms such as Twitter, Youtube, Tiktok, etc., wherein
netizens and viewers can get involved. This also opens a possibility of extending
help towards the cause of the environmental defenders, along with providing
opportunities for the documentarists to create more films concerning
environmental awareness.
With these marketing strategies, it fully creates an impact and a catalyst to
spark meaningful discussions and to contribute to the advocacy of the
XII. IMPACT AND RECEPTION
Few people expressed their concerns to the extent of the issue; entailing
the risks and insecurities while developing the project. Some say that it might
put the filmmakers in danger in tackling such an issue which involves the act of
red-tagging, unlawful detainments or abductions and cyber threats and abuse.
On the contrary, some reactions include the gravity of the matter being discussed
is rather greatly impactful and influential.
There would be nothing of a greater achievement in procuring the
objective truth on significant realizations of the issue being faced through the
film’s ideal conclusion and resolution. To be able to reach the wider audience and
impart a crucial understanding and developed perceptions in the people’s
awareness would be the project’s fulfillment in the end. As young documentary
filmmakers, it is pivotal to utilize our subjects’ stories with the aim to contribute
in the pursuit of change; and to achieve that goal would be the filmmakers’
utmost accomplishment.
A life-transforming experience that would serve as a founding step
towards future journey in the world of filmmaking. This capstone project is a
testament to the totality of academic and creative learning of student filmmakers
in the multimedia arts discipline. A principal basis to set foot on professional
grounds and a source of monumental influence through the course of career or
profession in time.
XIII. CONCLUSION
Throughout the course of production for this documentary, it is clear that
the main purpose of this documentary is to bring realization on how crucial the
Philippines’ environmental defenders are. During the research process, the data
shows that the lifetime fight for environmental protection and the decades of
abuses, violences and killings has led the country to being the deadliest for its
environmental defenders. The discussion from news articles, research studies
and journals does not differ from the stories that were shared from six
individuals during the production. The case studies all came from different
places, challenging the government to take action, fought and still fighting for
different issues but the same environmental cause. After completing this
documentary, the filmmakers discovered that the culture of impunity is very
much alive in the country, wherein oftentimes, the stories of every environmental
defender as they seek for justice are heard once, never to be heard from again.
It is striking that among the challenges of being a documentary filmmaker
lies in exposing the truth without showing blatant biases on a particular side of
the story. During the development of this documentary, the bias is always
towards the truth, from which the truth has shaped the filmmakers in a way that
they continue to pursue this story despite implications on safety and wellbeing of
the case studies and filmmakers.

As mentioned earlier, the risk and danger of pushing this topic brought
wary and concern. However, upon reading and hearing the stories of Jhed
Tamano, Jonila Castro, Bazoo De Jesus, Dexter Capuyan, Gloria Capitan and Dr.
Gerry Ortega, the filmmakers came to realize that the stories they have read, and
those entrusted to them are only six out of thousands upon thousands of
environmental defenders, named and unnamed, from every generation who
faced violence and injustice from the hands of the oppressors. With this
realization, it encouraged the filmmakers to create this documentary.

XIV. APPENDICES
A. PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
B. THESIS PROPOSAL
C. CONSULTATION PAPER
Consultation Form on October 21, 2023

Consultation Form on October 28, 2023

Consultation Form on February 15, 2024

Consultation Form on March 21, 2024

Consultation Form on April 11, 2024

Consultation Form on May 2, 2024

D. PERMITS AND LETTER
Letter of Intent, Entry Pass for Ms. Michaella Ortega

Letter of Intent, Entry Pass for Ms. Gabrielle Capuyan

Letter of Reservation for one of the facilities at University of Makati



Permit to Bring-In of equipments inside the University of Makati

List of Equipment for Permit to Bring Out

Letter to Resource Person, Jon Bonifacio, National Coordinator, Kalikasan-PNE

Letter to Resource Person, Atty. Klarise E. Fortaleza, Officer-in-Charge, Economic Social and Cultural
Rights Center, CHR
Letter to Resource Person, Atty. Antonio Oposa, Environmental Lawyer

E. CONSENT AND AGREEMENT
Signed Consent and Release Agreement form of Jhed Tamano

Signed Consent and Release Agreement form of Jonila Castro

Signed Consent and Release Agreement form of Idda-De Jesus-Tiongco

Signed Consent and Release Agreement form of Gabrielle Chuwaley Capuyan

Signed Consent and Release Agreement form of Michaella Ortega

F. REFERENCES
1) Bautista, J. (2023) “Adverse impact of Manila Bay dredging, reclamation bared”.
Retrieved from: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1732590/adve
rse-impact-of-manila-bay-dredging-reclamation-bared#ixzz8HLxchcTV
2) Ramos, D. (2023) “Manila Bay: The Environmental Impact of Land
Reclamation”. Retrieved from: https://earth.org/manila-bay/
3) Gomez, J. (2023, August 10). “Philippine president suspends 22 land
reclamation projects in Manila Bay after US airs concerns | AP News. AP
News”. Retrieved from: https://apnews.com/article/philippines-manila
-bay-land-reclamation-us-aff98eebcff8bb9b3d62eb3adea0f002
4) Delina, L. (2020) “Indigenous environmental defenders and the legacy of
Macli-ing Dulag: Anti-dam dissent, assassinations, and protests in the making of
Philippine energyscape”. Retrieved from:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629620300402
5) Regencia, T.(2019) “Philippines ‘deadliest’ country for environmental, land
activists”. Retrieved from: https://www.aljazeera.com/news
/2019/7/30/philippines-deadliest-country-for-environmental-land-activis
ts
6) Gozum, I. (2023, September 13). “A decade later, Philippines still most
dangerous country in Asia for envi defenders”. Retrieved from:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-asia-deadliest-country-lan
d-environmental-defenders-2023/
7) Arnim Scheidel, Daniela Del Bene, Juan Liu, Grettel Navas, Sara
Mingorría, Federico Demaria, Sofía Avila, Brototi Roya, Irmak Ertöra,
Leah Tempera, Joan Martínez-Alier. (2020) “Environmental conflicts and
defenders: A global overview”. https://www.science
direct.com/science/article/pii/S0959378020301424
8) The industries causing the climate crisis and attacks against defenders | Global
Witness. (2021, September 13). Global Witness. Retrieved from:
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/
environmental-activists/last-line-defence/
9) Palabay, C. (2023, November 7). “Tell it to SunStar: The dangerous situation
local environment defenders face. SunStar Publishing Inc”. Retrieved from:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/tell-it-to-sunstar-
the-dangerous-situation-local-environment-defenders-facehttps://www.s
unstar.com.ph/cebu/tell-it-to-sunstar-the-dangerous-situation-local-envir
onment-defenders-face
10) Patag, K. J. (2020, September 18). Groups ask SC to nullify anti-terrorism law
for impeding humanitarian work. Philstar.com. Retrieved from:
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/18/204
3373/groups-ask-sc-nullify-anti-terrorism-law-impeding-humanitarian-w
ork
11) Wachenje, B. (2020, July 29). Defending Tomorrow | Global Witness. Global
Witness. Retrieved from: https://www.globalwitness.org/en
/campaigns/environmental-activists/defending-tomorrow/
12) Casinas, J. A. (2021, May 21). “Expert airs concern over gov’t’s implementation
of environmental laws”. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/21/expert-airs-concern-over-govts-impleme
ntation-of-environmental-laws/
13) Valdez, A. I. A. (2022, September 11). “Defending the Defenders: Upholding
the Right to Effective Remedy of Environmental Defenders in the Philippines”
(Vol. 66). Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net
/publication/363473482_Defending_the_Defenders_Upholding_the_Righ
t_to_Effective_Remedy_of_Environmental_Defenders_in_the_Philippines
14) Buan, L. (2021) “Convicted and with warrant, a free Joel Reyes will run for
Palawan gov”. Retrieved from: Convicted and with warrant, a free Joel
Reyes will run for Palawan gov (rappler.com)
15) Cabico, G. K. (2021, July 26). “Not easy being green: The environment and its
defenders under Duterte”. Philstar.com.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/07/26/2115304/not-easy-bei
ng-green-environment-and-its-defenders-under-duterte
16) Cabico, G. K. (2022, September 29). “Philippines still deadliest country in Asia
for environmentalists” — Global Witness. Philstar.com. Retrieved from:
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/29/2213088/ph
ilippines-still-deadliest-country-asia-environmentalists-global-witness
17) Ewing, J. J.(2010) “Environmental Security in Mindanao: A Case for
Comprehensive Methods”. Retrieved from: https://epublications.bond.
edu.au/theses/44
18) Lopez, R. (2023, October 4). “It’s time to defend the Philippines’ environmental
defenders”. FairPlanet. Retrieved from:
https://www.fairplanet.org/editors-pick/its-time-to-defend-the-philippi
nes-environmental-defenders/
19) Peter Bille Larsen, Philippe Le Billon, Mary Menton, José Aylwin, Jörg
Balsiger, David Boyd, Michel Forst, Fran Lambrick, Claudelice Santos,
Hannah Storey, Susan Wilding. (2020) “Understanding and responding to the
environmental human rights defenders crisis: The case for conservation action”.
Retrieved from: https://conbio.onlinelibrary.
wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/conl.12777
20) Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2014, September 17). “In the Know: Writ of
kalikasan–Proudly Filipino”. Retrieved from:
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/111233/in-the-know-writ-of-kalikasan-
proudly-filipino#ixzz8IaPz473I
21) Umil, . (2022) “69-year-old environmental defender maintains rebellion raps
have no basis”. Retrieved from:
https://www.bulatlat.org/2022/08/17/69-year-old-environmental-defen
der-maintains-rebellion-raps-have-no-basis/?fbclid=IwAR3wlqG-KLSRT
wH9rwn4mxa9l_9qQruGzzaF8xZL79CK93FAGGqrNzoAA1M
22) World Bank. (2009 December). “The Philippines: Country Environmental
Analysis. Sustainable Development Department, East”. Retrieved from:
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/ap
i/core/bitstreams/2cbc77f8-fd7a-5dba-87dd-eb094392b3b5/contzent

Thesis Hardbound Compressed

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Thesis Hardbound Compressed

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thesis Hardbound Compressed

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS

“UNDEFENDED: ON ASIA'S MOST DANGEROUS PLACE

In partial fulfillment for the requirements for

UNIVERSITY PERMISSION PAGE

I hereby grant the University of Makati a non-exclusive,

worldwide, royalty-free license to produce, publish, and publicly distribute

copies of this thesis or dissertation in whatever form subject to the provisions of

permission marking the Title Page.

Specifically, I grant the following rights to the University:

/ institute / department and in any other database available on the public

b. To publish the work in the college/ school / institute / department

use” of the work in accordance with the provisions of Intellectual Property

scholarly, and research purposes.

The documentary film titled “Undefended: On Asia’s Most Dangerous

Place for Environmental Defenders” is produced and submitted by Christian

Alupay, Danielle Z. Castillet, Lee Robert V. Dollente, Jacob Aaron D. Hinanay,

This thesis is hereby officially accepted as partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the Degree of Bachelor in Multimedia Arts Film Specialization.

Foremost, this thesis documentary would not be possible without the

To Prof. Eduard Riparip, our mentor, who showed us nothing but

classmates, for building a healthy relationship and environment in this four-year

long journey, our efforts have finally paid off.

and decided to conspire in helping us achieve our dreams. This thesis

To all the faceless heroes who spoke up for,

This documentary contributes to the discussions of pervasive issues of

violence, intimidation and the culture of impunity experienced by environmental

most dangerous country for environmental defenders, it maintains still, as the

explore the 1.) dissent of environmental defenders against large-scale operations

discussions of community leaders and legal experts on discourses surrounding

prior. This methodical approach touches on the systemic patterns of human

rights violation primarily manifested through tactics such as terror-tagging,

harassments, illegal detention, or at worst, killings.

the constant emergence of disastrous calamities, ineffective management and the

continuous operations of rapid urbanization, land conversions, and the still

adverse effects from air, water, and soil pollution.

Manila Bay’, up to the expanding commercial developments today, to

to land reclamations as an imperative action for future progression.

Consequently, these wide commercializations handed only grave environmental

repercussions, resulting in the bay’s water quality to exacerbate following a

level but a list of catastrophic concerns awaits: the destruction of coastal

ecosystems, food insecurity, destructive flooding, and the amplification of the

constant worsening of climate change. The frequent dredging operations in

becoming an adversary for fishermen's everyday catch in Cavite Province

In January 2019, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte commanded a

Manila Bay”. The plan consists of three phases: water improvement,

rehabilitation and resettlement, education and sustainment; this comprises

as stated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The

but the several current government-approved reclamation projects that

immensely harm the bay (Ramos, 2023).

In a recent development, the Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong”

Marcos ordered the suspension of 22 land reclamation projects in Manila Bay, a

According to several environmental groups who protest against the projects,

riches that can provoke irreversible effects in the near future.

An environmental group named Oceana, reestablishes the concern of the

permanent effects brought by the quarrying of land through extractions of sand,

erosion, deforestation and deterioration in water quality.

country’s thriving mountains, another significant threat that advocates believe to

particularly in the region of Cordillera which is home for various indigenous