By Sophie Johnson
Strict lockdowns and rules were imposed on the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 2022 presidential election reunited communities, bringing joy and sparking celebration.
Ramona S Diaz is an award-winning Filipino-American filmmaker who captures this vital era through the lens of a video camera.
Her documentary, And So It Begins, takes viewers through the campaign period — streets flooded with music, dance, and plenty of vibrant colour.
The film, included in this year’s Sundance Film Festival, is the fourth time one of Diaz’s films has been screened at the event.
“It’s another feeling at Sundance, [the audience] needs you to succeed, they’re on your side. That’s what I love about festivals,” he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the then-president imposed strict rules on civilians and ordered the police and military to shoot those who did not comply with the confinement protocol.
As restrictions began to ease, And So It Begins shows how the election campaign has become an example of spectacle; A show that no one wanted to miss.
“That’s how we conduct elections in the Philippines, it’s about singing, dancing and enjoying yourself like you’ve never experienced before,” Diaz said.
Díaz visited many communities during the filming process and discovered commonalities between all of them.
“I think they came here to find out the truth, what’s real and what’s not. . . And that’s not unusual in every community and this preference to do something smart so we don’t feel helpless,” he said.
The pandemic left Diaz with no option yet to do things differently.
“I went painting with a local team and it was an eye-opener,” he said.
“I usually bring a team that doesn’t understand the language, so I translate by radio. . . And this time I didn’t have to. “
She approached filming with an open mind.
“I love filming life unfolding in front of the lens, so I like not knowing how it’s going to end,” he said.
“I feel privileged to be allowed to do this work. “
The creation of the film required a great effort from the entire team, which focused on following the campaign of presidential candidate Leni Robredo.
“Its purpose is to succeed in each and every town and island in the Philippines. There are 7,100 islands in the Philippines, not all of them are inhabited, but you know, you get the idea,” Diaz said.
“We ended up [filming] maybe some of what she did, which was in 40 to 45 cities. . . It was hard to keep up. “
Ms. Robredo presents herself as opposed to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , also known as “Bongbong,” named after her father, who once ruled the Philippines as a dictator.
Díaz’s film shows the wonderful enjoyment of Robredo, who has promised a more transparent government with less dictatorship.
The film shows large crowds of people, all dressed in their iconic pink color, celebrating, performing and networking to rally their favorite candidate.
“780,000 people who show up in a rally, you really that is that takes your breath away, and you start believing that she might win,” Diaz said.
From turning popular song lyrics to elaborate dance costumes, everyone put in the effort for the campaign.
“I think it would be appealing to get a look at the music, the colors and the joy of the campaign,” Diaz said.
“It was like, even if she lost, right, there was a sense of joy, with the form of resistance.”
But despite the waves of pink and the crowd’s super, Bongbong emerged victorious.
“[After] realizing that I needed another 14 million people to be president,” Diaz said.
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