The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has launched a groundbreaking initiative to protect and empower the youth. On November 28, 2025, at SM Lanang, the agency unveiled its first-ever Sine Makabata 2025, a collection of short films designed as powerful tools for information and awareness.
Rhuelo D. Aradanas, the DSWD-Davao Regional Director, emphasized the transformative potential of these films. He stated that when properly utilized, they can serve as crucial warnings, guides, and catalysts for change within families, schools, and barangays.
Spotlight on Advocacy and Real-Life Stories
The event featured several impactful video documentaries. The core of the screening was four advocacy videos that detailed the vital functions of the Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs). These included Angels’ Haven (AH), the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), the Home for Girls and Women (HGW), and the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY).
Attendees also watched other compelling short films. Bell of Joy, from the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO), highlighted how adoption changes the lives of foundlings. The 4Ps film, Ako, 2.0., portrayed the struggles of youth hindered by poverty. Pagsubok told an inspiring story of a former Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL) who is now a registered social worker.
Inspiring Hope and Facilitating Change
The films resonated deeply with the audience. Maria Fe Apawa from the Davao City Police Office's Women and Children Protection Desk praised the screening as highly educational. She noted that the films demonstrate DSWD's services and, more importantly, offer hope that anyone can improve their life's situation.
A powerful testimony came from Ross Ana Tulog, a 36-year-old resident of Pintasan, Davao de Oro, whose life was featured in the film Abaka, Bata. She shared how her child lost the motivation to study due to the lack of a birth certificate. With DSWD's assistance, they secured the document, allowing her child to return to school and pursue his dreams, proving that no child should be held back by a missing piece of paper.
The launch was attended by a diverse group, including representatives from National Government Agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), Civil Society Organizations, the private sector, the Philippine National Police (PNP), students, and 4Ps child beneficiaries. Sine Makabata 2025 stands as a testament to the resilience of children and the power of storytelling to inspire a brighter future.
