A short film focusing on the West Philippine Sea, “Alon ng Kabayanihan,” premiered on National Heroes Day, on Monday, August 25.
The premiere of the four-minute film, produced by the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS) in partnership with Hot and Fresh Creative Productions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), united celebrities, government officials, civic groups and social media personalities who all expressed support for the West Philippines.
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According to the producers, the film aims to underscore the message that protecting Philippine sovereignty is a collective duty, not just the responsibility of military or government frontliners.
“As a director, my job was to take something many see as distant or political and make it deeply personal,” director Kevin Mayuga said.
“I believe a four-minute film can start a bigger conversation than an hour of debate if it moves people emotionally,” he added.
CIRIS Executive Director Michel Andre Del Rosario said the project is meant to show that “heroism isn’t limited to those on the frontlines.”
“Every Filipino has a role to play—whether by staying informed, challenging disinformation, or simply standing united in defense of what is ours,” he said.
Producer Chris Esguerra highlighted the role of storytelling in raising awareness about complex national issues.
“Visual storytelling has an advantage—it can break through the noise and misinformation with emotion and clarity,” Esguerra said.
“A short film like ‘Alon ng Kabayanihan’ doesn’t try to explain everything. It makes people feel something first,” he added.
Actor Sid Lucero, who plays a fisherman in the film, described the role as his “most favorite of all time.”
“This project made me realize how deeply interconnected we all are. When it comes to protecting what’s ours, no Filipino is ever too far removed from the fight,” he said.
Actress Ryza Cenon, who portrays a military officer, said her role gave her a deeper understanding of the sacrifices of real-life frontliners.
“Saludo ako sa mga nasa West Philippine Sea. Their courage inspires us to be vigilant and to unite as one nation,” she said.
Carlo Aquino, who plays an AFP officer, said the experience allowed him to reflect on the role of ordinary Filipinos in defending the country.
“Being on the same ship with soldiers who protect our country made me feel their bravery and deep love—not just for their families, but for the Philippines,” Aquino said.
“As a father, I see this not just as the AFP’s fight, but every Filipino’s—hindi lang para sa ngayon, kundi para sa kinabukasan,” the actor added.
‘Every Filipino a Bayani’
The event concluded with calls for unity under the campaign slogan, “Every Filipino a Bayani.”
“Talk about this with your friends, classmates, families, colleagues, all your fellow Filipinos,” Mayuga said.
“Regardless of political preferences, you need to talk about this—because this is not a political issue, this is a ‘Filipino’ issue,” the film director added.
Del Rosario echoed the message, urging Filipinos to engage with the campaign and spark the conversation through “Alon ng Kabayanihan.”
“Whether you like it or not, as long as you’re Filipino, you are affected by this. In your own small way, you can contribute to this campaign. So, do something about it, because you can do something about it,” he said.
Among those who attended the premiere and graced the blue carpet were personalities IC Mendoza and Pinoy Big Brother alumna Jyra Agpangan. Also present were PCG Commanding Officer Jomark Angue, Philippine Navy Major Roy Trinidad, Philippine Army Major Bala Tamayo and PCG officers.
Fisherfolk Virgilio, Jeric and Jonathan Bueno, who appear in the film portraying themselves, were also present during the premiere.
The release of “Alon ng Kabayanihan” follows the recent cinema release of another documentary by Baby Ruth Villarama about the West Philippine Sea, “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” earlier this month.
The short film is available for streaming on its official Facebook page.
— Rosette Adel
