Hope After Haiyan (Padayon sa Pag-laum)

I am very thankful to finally be able to share my work for WeDpro Inc.​ I directed this documentary short for their NGO sometime after super storm Haiyan slammed into the Philippines killing thousands. You can check out the documentary here:

Hope After Haiyan (Padayon sa Pag-laum

In this story, there are several heroes – I’ll do my best to mention you all but if I miss anyone, please do let me know and I’ll be sure to amend the note.

First among the heroes I would like to thank is my good friend Diego S. Maranan​. Without his initial recommendation I would never have had the opportunity to work with WeDpro. I also need to thank the WeDpro leadership I worked with, among them Tita Aida F. Santos​ for her patience and support and Tito Rolando F. Santos​ for his guidance and notes.

Turning towards the production, I want to thank my heroic camera operator Marlot Xyrell Chocs Caduyac​. The shoot saw us travel to some of the most remote parts of the Philippines, it was no easy traveling and we put in 9 – 12 hour work days for almost a week. It was exhausting work and almost all our coverage fell upon his shoulders. Not once did he complain that he was hungry, not once did he tell me he was too tired. Instead, he kept at it and produced some truly beautiful shots for the documentary. I hope to work with him again. <3

For the post production of the documentary short I must thank the heroes at Independent Minds Productions​. Among them Sol Galang​, Mulawin Galang​, Pj Martinez​ and Anna Dollero​. Without their support as a team this documentary would never have seen the light of day. I must thank them for their patience with me and for putting great effort into completing the documentary on behalf of WeDpro.

Lastly and most importantly, I would like to thank the heroes of Palo, Leyte, and Culasi, Antique. The men, women and children that survived the horrors of the storm. I have seen destruction before, in the ruins of Kabul back in 2003 but I had never witnessed something as fresh as the ruins of Leyte. Months after the storm had passed, they were still digging bodies out of the marshes as I went out about my work for WeDpro.

It is my sincere hope this documentary helps them in some small way. Thank you one and all for the privilege of directing this documentary. <3