THE BAGUIO SHOWING OF ALIPATO AT MUOG

November 1, 2024 Opinion

It took a village to show Alipato at Muog in Baguio City. Two universities, a pool of volunteers, and several organizations collaborated to bring to the mountain city the Cinemalaya 2024 Jury Prize-winning film based on the life of Jonas Burgos and the issue of enforced disappearances. “Alipato at Muog” is a politically charged film that
addresses the topic of desaparecidos and the involvement of state forces. Initially rated X by the controversial Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the rating was lowered to R16 after widespread protests,
allowing it to be shown to the public.

Director JL Burgos, brother to Jonas said “We salute the courage of those who watched the documentary. To us, it is a reflection of the historical struggles of Cordillerans for indigenous people’s rights and justice for all.” The film was screened at both the University of the Philippines Baguio Teatro Amianan and the University of the Cordilleras theater on October 26 where an audience was waiting at each venue. Prime organizers were the Women Working for Justice and Peace Network in the Cordillera (JaPNet) and the All UP Academic Employees Union-Baguio (AUPAEU-Baguio) chapter.

Engr. Trelly Marigza, lead convenor of JAPNet said the film pushes us to mainstream human rights, “Isama natin sa ating adbokasiya at pang araw-araw na Gawain…It has to be mainstream in everything that we do na pangalagaan natin ang karapatan ng bawat isa.” The film is a 90-minute documentary about how a family of Jonas dealt with his
enforced disappearance since his abduction in 2007. Jonas was taken at noontime in a crowded mall in Manila. As his family launched their search, a car plate brought them face to face with powerful forces.

Despite insurmountable barriers, anonymous informants have dropped leads and even provided the last known photo of Jonas in captivity. JL, Burgos said “We had two successful screenings of Alipato at Muog in Baguio. We are deeply thankful for the relentless support of organizations who stood by us. We weren’t sure people would watch because of the storm. Still, people showed up. It is just fitting that we screen the documentary in this place, Jonas spent more than a decade of his life here as a student of agriculture.”

Edita, the 80-year-old mother to Jonas and JL, still leads the fight for justice and is presented through testimonials of their lawyer, a reporter, a former Justice Secretary and Human Rights Commission Chair, and witnesses who agreed to appear on condition of anonymity, combined with animation and never-before-seen footage of the family’s
relentless search, the documentary film weaves the stories together to uncover the truths, however painful, about the disappearance of Jonas.

Atty Paolo Salvosa of the University of the Cordilleras said “It’s very tragic to lose a loved one if they die. But the pain is altogether different when they are disappeared and you have no idea what happened. That’s why we are honored to be part of this.” National Artist for Film, Kidllat Tahimik said “Yung pakikipag-kapwa tao ng pamilya ay walang hanggan. Yung ibang tao napapagod. A filmmaker can get tired of their subject matter.

A lawyer can get tired of their case. Pero ang pamilya hanggang next lifetime they will still seek the truth. Ang ganda ng animation. Ako mabilis ako ma bored kapag maraming legalese pero hindi ako nagsawa. Si Edita ay hindi lang mother sa loob ng film. Hindi lang siya mother ng filmmaker. After a while, nagiging mother siya ng cause, mother ng sambayanan. It’s a very strong personal film.” Jonas studied agriculture at the Benguet State University and was able to aid the peasant community through his education.

Organizations who pitched in support are Chanum Foundation, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Baguio – Benguet Chapter, University Student Council of UP Baguio, Cordilleran Youth Center College Editors Guild of the Philippines Youth Act Now against Tyranny – Baguio Benguet Say – ang Arts Collective KALASAG – UC, and Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK). Wilfredo Alangui, president of the All UP Academic Union – Baguio
Chapter said “Ang Muog para sa akin ay si Mrs Burgos kasama ang mga pamilyang naghahanap.  May responsibilidad din tayo na tumulong sa paghahanap sa kanila. Unfortunately, nadadagdagan. Pero huwag tayo bumitaw. Maging tulad tayo ni Mrs Burgos na hindi sumusuko.”