In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), has led a film showing event at the SM Mall of Asia, Cinema 8 in Pasay City, on May 22, 2025.
The event, held in partnership with the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW), the Ramsar Regional Center-East Asia (RRC-EA), and the SM Supermalls, carried on the global theme of “Harmony with nature and sustainable development.” It brought together people’s organizations (POs), private partners, filmmakers, YouTube content creators, academe, and youth participants to promote awareness for biodiversity through visual storytelling.
Following a week-long social media campaign leading to the IDBD national celebration, the documentary film [1]Suwag o Suko, directed by Ace Gatdula, was shown, including six (6) wetland-related YouTube video content.
More than a scientific approach of explaining Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) conservation, Suwag o Suko presentsa holistic perspective through the 45-minute narrative that weaves together ecological knowledge, cultural identity, and personal storytelling, shedding light on the story of the Tamaraw, not only as a critically endangered species, but also on its interconnected relationship with the Mangyans, the Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park (MIBNP), and the Rangers, who are also protectors of the Tamaraws.
The film also shed light on the modern-day and preexisting challenges faced by the communities and the Tamaraw that needs to be protected, including the vital role and work of the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP).
The screening was followed by the launching of the wetland videos produced under the YouTube Wetland Content Development in the Philippines between the RRC-EA and SCPW. The project aims to raise awareness on the conservation of wetlands and biodiversity through creative digital storytelling.
“Visual media are the most efficient and effective means of influencing people’s positive perceptions of biodiversity and wetlands,”RRC-EA Executive Director Suh, Seung Oh (as delivered by Joy M. Navarro from BMB) said as he started this project with his colleagues in 2020 in the Republic of Korea.
He added that the development of wetland content is not just to inform, but also to change perceptions on nature, biodiversity, and wetlands.
The [2]YouTube videos use different creative strategies for imparting their experiences in the wetlands (Liguasan Marsh, Ambon-Ambon Falls, Panguil River Ecopark, Negros Occidental
The YouTube videos use different creative strategies for imparting their experiences in the wetlands (Liguasan Marsh, Ambon-Ambon Falls, Panguil River Ecopark, Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Agusan Marsh, and Taal Lake) and promote co-learning with their specific audiences. They mention their insights, concerns, and feats throughout their journeys. These include local biodiversity aspects, present species, wetland conservation strategies, community participation, and ecotourism.
In between breaks of the film showing, a series of interviews with the filmmakers was also conducted.
Among their insights are the challenges they face during their production phases. Weather is a key factor, according to FEATR representative Mary Baligod. From appreciating Lake Mainit’s beauty, the team also learned about the challenges that the local biodiversity is facing firsthand, including insights from the communities, highlighting the call to action in reversing biodiversity loss, especially for sustainable practices to thrive.
To add, director Ace Gatdula mentioned the value of filmmaking, and how this type of content, such as environmental films, can already reach a wider range of audience and be made available or accessible along the other types of content found for public consumption. Among the feats of their film shown in various media is also the salary raise of the Tamaraw rangers. Awareness and addressing issues are emphasized as the positive features of filmmaking and film showing.
“Our job here is to retell the story of the people[…]what matters is what we do after the film showing,” SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) trustee Chito Macapagal said in his message.
Moreover, with the implementation of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) or the biodiversity roadmap, the global ambitions of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) become tangible actions on the ground.
“By embedding nature-based solutions (NbS) and ecosystem-based approaches in our policies and programs, we align our national strategies with global goals, while addressing local realities,” Assistant Secretary for Biodiversity and concurrent BMB Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., said in his Welcome Message (as delivered by BMB Assistant Director Mariglo Rosaida I. Laririt).
Frame by frame, the film showing event catches the scenes of Filipino communities living and thriving in harmony with nature. With films and videos as creative media, more stories are shared to capture and influence viewers’ actions, leading to the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of biodiversity for the present and future generations.
[1] Suwag o Suko puts a spotlight on the plight of the critically endangered tamaraws and their embattled protectors to help build the case for tamaraw conservation by raising awareness through a documentary film. The film was written by Celine Murillo-Reyes, directed by Ace Gatdula, and produced by the DENR-UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative in partnership with the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Program Foundation, Inc., Eco Explorations, and National Museum of the Philippines and sponsored by Canon, Benro, Tamron, Emerald Studio, and Yellow Brick Road.
[2] The six (6) selected Youtube videos shown are the following: 1) Wetland Camping Adventure in Taal Lake Batangas, Philippines; 2) Liguasan Marsh: The Largest & Most Intact Wetland in the Philippines; 3) Thrilling Trek to Ambon-Ambon Falls in Pangil, Laguna; 4) My First Fishing Experience in Bago River, PHILIPPINES; 5) The Mysterious Water World of the Philippines (Agusan Marsh); and 6) Exploring the deepest LAKE in the PHILIPPINES.
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