Davao Documentary Transforms Film Festival Success into ₱600,000 Community Support
While most cinematic stories conclude when the final credits appear on screen, for the Davao-produced documentary Sa Likod ng Tsapa, the narrative has evolved into a powerful real-world chapter of community empowerment and social responsibility.
From International Recognition to Local Impact
Fresh from receiving the prestigious Best Mention honors at the Dhaka International Film Festival, this Mindanao-made documentary has achieved something remarkable within the entertainment industry. Rather than celebrating its success through traditional metrics like box office earnings or streaming statistics, the film's creative team has chosen to measure achievement through tangible community transformation.
The documentary's producers, POP Movie House, in collaboration with Police Colonel Hansel Marantan, have channeled the film's proceeds into a substantial ₱600,000 donation directed toward organizations dedicated to protecting vulnerable women and children throughout Davao City.
Strategic Allocation of Film Proceeds
The distribution of these funds demonstrates thoughtful planning for maximum community benefit. Exactly half of the total amount, ₱300,000, has been formally turned over to Talikala Incorporated, an organization with nearly four decades of experience supporting survivors of prostitution, human trafficking, and sexual abuse.
The remaining ₱300,000 has been allocated to the Davao City Police Advisory Council with a specific purpose: to complete the construction and development of an Indigenous Children's Library in Marilog District. This initiative addresses educational access for Indigenous youth while strengthening community-police partnerships.
Cinema with Conscience and Purpose
Produced and directed by journalist-filmmaker Editha Caduaya, Sa Likod ng Tsapa explores the human dimensions behind law enforcement—examining personal sacrifices, ethical challenges, and quiet acts of service that occur behind the badge. Yet from the project's earliest stages, the filmmakers committed to ensuring their work would serve purposes extending far beyond conventional storytelling.
"Films possess the undeniable power to move audiences emotionally," Caduaya explained. "However, we maintain a firm belief that films should also propel communities forward. Awareness alone holds limited value unless it translates into concrete, meaningful action that improves lives."
International Awards Meet Grassroots Action
The international recognition received in Dhaka placed this regional documentary on the global cinematic stage—a significant milestone for Mindanao filmmaking and women-led production initiatives in Davao. However, for the creators themselves, the most meaningful achievement occurred within their own community.
The ceremonial handover of funds to social workers and community leaders represents the documentary's ultimate fulfillment. These resources will directly support:
- Comprehensive counseling and psychosocial services for abuse survivors
- Immediate crisis intervention and legal referral systems
- Establishment and maintenance of safe spaces for women and children
- Grassroots advocacy and prevention education programs
- Educational facilities and resources specifically for Indigenous youth
For Talikala Incorporated, this financial support translates into sustained frontline care for those most in need, enabling the continuation of their nearly forty-year mission.
Completing the Documentary's Mission
For Police Colonel Hansel Marantan, whose life and dedicated service inspired the documentary's creation, this donation represents the completion of the film's fundamental purpose.
"Stories should accomplish more than merely informing people—they should actively help people," Marantan emphasized. "If this project succeeds in protecting even a single child or assists one woman in her recovery journey, then it has achieved genuine, meaningful success that transcends artistic recognition."
A New Paradigm for Regional Filmmaking
As Philippine regional cinema continues gaining international attention and critical acclaim, Sa Likod ng Tsapa presents a compelling model for how independent productions can effectively integrate artistic expression, social advocacy, and community accountability.
Beyond its identity as an award-winning documentary, the project has evolved into an operational partnership between filmmakers, law enforcement professionals, and civil society organizations. This collaboration demonstrates that powerful storytelling can extend beyond screens and festival circuits to generate measurable, real-world change.
Sometimes the most impactful scene in a film's journey isn't captured by cameras—it's the transformative moment when cinematic art gives back to the community that inspired it, creating lasting legacies that improve lives and strengthen social foundations.
