Ditsi Carolino's LUPANG HINARANG: an Invitation

I am posting this invite in support for DITSI CAROLINO who is a brilliant film maker. I have personally seen Riles and Bunso and I cannot simply put into words the emotions I had after watching the film. I know that the social conditions and issues that films present are existing but never did i expect that it was way way way worse. The documentaries Ditsi created awakened a new consciousness in me - to help rebuild this nation in the simplest of ways that we can.

My dear friend DRED sums it all up: Suportahan po natin si Ditsi sa kanyang bagong likha upang ibahagi sa atin ang buhay ng mga magsasakang nakikipaglaban para sa lupang tinigmak ng kanilang pawis at pag-aaruga. Ako'y anak din ng isang magsasaka kaya't talos ko ang hirap nilang dinaranas. Nawa'y mag-ukol po tayo ng panahon upang lubos natin maunawaan ang kalagayan ng mga Sumilao at Negros Farmers.

Lupang Hinarang is a film in two parts about a fierce and deadly battle raging between farmers and landowners in the Philippines. The documentary opens with the tribal Sumilao farmers, Ka Rene, Linda and Bajekjek, who, inspired by Gandhi's protest march, journey on foot for two months from their mountain village in Bukidnon to the presidential palace in Manila.

It is a gruelling 1,700 kilometer journey through scorching heat, rains, fatigue, and great uncertainty. After weeks of walking, the farmers reach Manila, rally at the corporate offices of San Miguel, confront the agrarian reform secretary and grapple with anti-riot police before finally meeting the President.

The second part tells the story of the sugarcane workers from Negros. When the landowner's armed guards kill one of the farmers in 2007, Chay Lindy, Chay Gamay, and Chay Biray go on a harrowing 29-day hunger strike with other farmers on the steps of the agrarian reform office in Manila. The hunger strike results in victory for the farmers until the film ends in a shocking climax.

Lupang Hinarang is a timely documentary set against ongoing debates in Congress to extend and reform CARP (CARPer) or to kill it.

Showing Dates:

Premiere: 19 Feb 2009, Thursday, 6:30 PM
Leong Hall Auditorium
Ateneo de Manila University

Others: 19 Feb 2009, 4:30 PM
25 Feb 2009, 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM
Leong Hall Auditorium
Ateneo de Manila University


A minimum 100-peso donation is greatly appreciated.

For tickets and inquiries, call Tine Aguilar of Ateneo OSCI Tel 426-1017 loc 5090

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About Ditsi Carolino:









Ditsi Carolino, started as an NGO worker documenting human rights issues in Mindanao with photographs and slideshows. Since attending a film workshop in 1991, she has been directing documentaries which have screened, and won awards, at festivals around the world. Her focus is on the lives and struggles of ordinary people. Dapit-hapon sa Tambakan (1993) on child scavengers, and Minsan Lang Sila Bata (1996) on child labor, both won the Best Documentary awards at the Gawad CCP and from the Film Academy of the Philippines. Minsan also won a Gold Medal and the Grand Award for Documentary at the New York Festivals in 1999 and the Grand Prix Toutes Category at the Brussels Independent Film Festival in 1998. Riles (2002) was the result of a two-year study grant at the National Film and Television School in England.

Picture and bio courtesy of Encounters.