Baby Ruth Villarama’s documentary on West Philippine Sea releases first teaser

Award-winning filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama has unveiled the first teaser for her upcoming documentary on the West Philippine Sea titled “Food Delivery,” an official entry into the 2025 CinePanalo Film Festival.

Released on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the 1-minute trailer opens with cinematic visuals to the maritime areas before it concludes with a clip of a coast guard ship and a fishing boat, showing a man holding the Philippine flag.

The documentary is set to offer a glimpse into the pressing maritime disputes and the lives of those affected by the tensions in the region, shedding light on the struggles of Filipino fishermen and the country’s fight to assert its territorial rights.

“We want the audience to understand that sovereignty is not just a political issue; it’s a deeply personal one for every Filipino,” said Villarama in a statement. “From the fishermen risking their lives to feed their families to the Coast Guard and Navy personnel delivering food to the soldiers on remote outposts, Food Delivery illustrates the shared sacrifice and the collective love we all have to protect our way of life.”

Villarama is known for her documentary “Sunday Beauty Queen,” which won Best Picture at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. 

Aside from “Sunday Beauty Queen,” Villarama has co-produced documentaries that take a socially conscious angle and have been featured in international festivals in Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, among others.

Aside from Villarama’s “Food Delivery,” the film festival’s full-length category line-up include JP Habac’s “Olsen’s Day,” Christian Paolo Lat’s “Journeyman,” Mes de Guzman’s “Sepak Takraw,” Jill Singson Urdaneta’s “Co-Love,” Catsi Catalan’s “Fleeting,” TM Malones’ “Salum,” and Tara Illenberger’s “Tigkiliwi.”

Additionally, 25 student directors will be competing in the student shorts category. 

The 2025 CinePanalo Film Festival will run from March 14–25 at the Gateway Cineplex 18 in Cubao, Quezon City.