This article is written and edited by Raphael Canalita.

It all started when the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom partnered with the Naga City People’s Council on a possible Free Film Screening. The result was an impressive turnout of eager students and citizens, all interested in learning more about empowerment, participation and human rights on the silver screen.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), established in the Philippines since 1986, is actually a German political foundation that promotes the liberal principles of participatory democracy, human rights and rule of law and youth development. They are currently organizing Freedom Mov_E, a flagship film-screening event of FNF Philippines. This initiative provides a platform for Filipino filmmakers to promote their creative work tackling relevant socio-political issues. This also serves as an avenue to discuss the essentials of arts in promoting human rights and liberal values.

With this Free Film Screening, the Naga City People’s Council also celebrated their 26th Foundation Anniversary as an established people’s organization on November 26, 2023. The screening event started with a community mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish, inviting past and current board members, and the current secretariat to celebrate this symbolic event. Then, together with the NCPC, FNF launched their first full length documentary entitled “In The Trenches of the Pink Revolution” produced by FNF Philippines itself and a 2023 Cinemalaya Film Festival entry “Ang Duyan Ng Magiting” that tackles human rights issues.

The documentary film delved into the “People’s Campaign” movement in 2022 that showed an unprecedented surge in volunteerism and creativity within various communities. On the other hand, the second film is a collection of interwoven stories about life and violence in the Philippines, following a college professor, a university chancellor, a social worker, a police chief, two students, two mothers, and a lawyer. During both screening events, FNF was able to invite Ms. Mela Habijan, a graceful and charismatic host from ABS-CBN; Mr. Dustin Celestino, the talented director of “Duyan” whose work has touched hearts from years back; Mr. Joel Saracho, an established and renowned Filipino actor; and Mr. Gian Arre, the visionary behind the “Pink Revolution” documentary.

Several notable guests were able to take part of the event, such as Atty. Leni Robredo, current Chairperson of Angat Buhay; Mr. Bong Rodriguez, the Head of Siklab Lingkod Bikol who also invited his members to watch; Hon. Oying Rosales, councilor of Naga City, and much more. Past and present board members were also able to take part in the live performance by Kilyáb on the first day, who dedicated a special song for “people empowerment” in honor of the work that the NCPC is doing. The band Katarsis also made a special performance on the second day of screening.

Overall, the event was a huge success thanks to the collaboration between our partners from Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Siklab Lingkod Bikol, and the Naga City Arts and Culture Coalition, and of course our dedicated volunteers from Gryphon Fire and Rescue, USI Guides, and individual volunteers from CNHS and NCF. What’s more: watchers from each screening never dipped below the amount of people allotted for snacks! The NCPC thanks each and everyone for supporting our event!

Raphael Canalita is a volunteer of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines Foundation, Inc. Batch 44 assigned to the Naga City People’s Council for his year of service. After graduating BS Psychology in the Ateneo de Manila University, he was deployed to organize the farmers, youth and children of Naga City, and is the artist behind the current branding of NCPC.