TUMANDOK

TUMANDOK
by RICHARD JEROUI SALVADICO & ARLIE SWEET SUMAGAYSAY

88 minutes | Documentary-Fiction | PG

CAST
Jenaica Sangher, Felipe Ganancial

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR – Richard Jeroui Salvadico, Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay
SCREENPLAY – Arden Rod Condez, Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay
CINEMATOGRAPHY/EDITOR – Pabelle Manikan
PRODUCTION DESIGN – Lynne Belle Salvadico
ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Paulo Almaden, The Ati People of Kabarangkalan and Nagpana
SOUND – Lamberto Casas, Jr., Alexis Tomboc
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS – Sheron Dayoc, Sonny Calvento, Arden Rod Condez, Bridget Ng-Ting
LINE PRODUCER – Jo Andrew Torlao
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Mikko Baldoza
PRODUCTION MANAGER – Krizzia Millanes

LOGLINE
The Ati, a Negrito ethnic group in Western Visayas, Philippines, have been steadfast in their fight to reclaim ancestral lands. In a rare opportunity, they take center stage in a film that intimately recounts their tales of struggle.

SYNOPSIS
Despite contentions from historians, legend has it that in ancient times, an Atichieftain traded their land to Bornean datus for a necklace and a wide-brimmed hat made ofgold. The mountains were left to the Atis, while the plains and rivers went to the Malays. Today,even the mountains are under threat, sometimes violently taken from the Atis.Featuring an all-Ati non-professional acting ensemble, speaking in their own language, Inati, thefilm reveals the struggle of these indigenous people to reclaim their land. As one Ati once said,“Tell us where the end of the earth is, and we will go there to live in peace, untouched.”

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE

Based in Iloilo, filmmakers RICHARD JEROUI SALVADICO and ARLIE SWEET SUMAGAYSAY have gained recognition since their debut in 2018. Their short film “Dribol” won multiple awards at Gawad CineMaybank in 2018, followed by their success with “Katungdanan.” In 2019, their “Chok” received the Audience Choice Award at the Sinekabataan Year 3. Their work “Gulut-anon nga Dulut” received accolades at Cinekasimanwa Year 7 and was a finalist at the 2020 Karapatan at Kabataan Film Festival. “Utwas” was a finalist at the 2019 Cinemalaya, and has achieved acclaim at Cinekasimanwa Year 7. In 2022, their short film “Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras” earned the Audience Choice Award at Cinemalaya 18, won the Best Film at Sine Halaga 2, and was recognized by the Society of Filipino Film Critics. They were also finalists for Netflix’s Indiegenius Program in 2023. Salvadico and Sumagaysay will have their full-length directorial debut with Tumandok at the Cinemalaya 20.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Our deep bond with the Ati communities, forged over years of producing advocacy videos, has led us to consider them family. Through heartfelt conversations and their assistance in learning their language, we’ve gained profound insights into their aspirations and challenges. This connection inspired our film, “Tumandok”, supported by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples. It aims to shed light on indigenous peoples’ ongoing struggle to protect their identity and lands. We recognize the emotional toll revisiting painful memories may take on the Atis, and we deeply admire their resilience and bravery. Our film, while focused on Sitio Karabangkalan in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, seeks to support the community in securing their ancestral domain through screening proceeds. “Tumandok” transcends Sitio Karabankalan’s story; it represents the collective narrative of indigenous communities we’ve encountered. As our debut full-length film, we see it not as ours alone, but as a film made by and for the Atis.