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Many of those who watched the recent premiere of the movie Dukot got out of the theater teary-eyed – and enlightened about the atrocious human-rights situation in the Philippines.

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — For student Ashley Cruz, activists being abducted or tortured are mere news items. That was until she saw the film Dukot written by Bonifacio Ilagan and directed by Joel Lamangan. Cruz said she is finally enlightened about the issue after watching the film.

Allen Dizon as Junix, torture victime, desaparecido

Dukot is a courageous full-length movie that tackles the worsening human-rights situation in the Philippines and the abhorrent practice of enforced disappearances. It exposes the culpability of state security forces in the increasing number of enforced disappearances in the country. It also provides a glimpse of how families of victims cope and search for their loved ones.

The film was recently shown at the UP Film Institute as a fund raising project of progressive youth group Anakbayan and the CDP Events & Entertainment Production, and ATD Entertainment Production for the benefit of victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the country.

“It was hard for me then to form an opinion about abducted and tortured activists in the news,” Rachelaine Tubera said. “But through Dukot , I am now well informed of what is really happening.”

Centro Escolar University student Rick Caruncho was impressed with the movie. “The movie is a slap to the government,” he said.

With the dedication activists have, as portrayed in the film, many viewers interviewed by Bulatlat now look at them with admiration. Juan Rodrigo Pineda, a nurse, said he now has a higher regard for activists. He admires how activists are willing to sacrifice even their own lives for the sake of the Filipino people.

“They serve as check and balance to make sure that the government is not betraying its own people,” he said. Pineda added that he was able to relate with Robert Arevalo’s role as Junix’ father since the character had no prejudice against activists. “In fact, he supported his sons despite knowing the possible consequences of joining such movements,” he said.

Pineda said his favorite part in the movie is the scene where a press conference is held by the parents of the abducted activists. The parents are shown asking the government to surface their children. “It only shows that the torture is not only inflicted on the activists who were abducted but also to their families who are searching for them. I could imagine the anguish of the parents who do not know what happened to their children.” Pineda said, admitting that he was teary-eyed during this scene.

Iza Calzado in a scene in Dukot. Many of the viewers during the UP premiere identified with her character

Other viewers also shared which of the characters moved them. Among the crowds’ favorites was, of course, Allen Dizon’s character Junix. Student Rex Nepomuceno admired Junix for standing by his principles even in the face of death.

Iza Calzado’s character, Maricel, also became a favorite, especially among the young women who watched the film. “She portrays a soft and vulnerable character in the beginning. But as the film progresses, I see how she fights until the very end,” journalism student Pam Cabrera said.

Ashley Cruz said she can also relate to Maricel as the character’s weakness never becomes a stumbling block in standing up for her principles.

Real-life student activist Queeny Rublico of Anakbayan said she also sees herself in Maricel. She shared with Bulatlat that there were so many times in her life as an activist that she had to “lie low” for the sake of her family. “It is a constant process of push and pull,” she said, adding that finding a balance and setting her priorities have been a problem ever since. But despite what she is going through, she said, she would never give up any of the two.

Majority of the students that Bulatlat interviewed were very impressed with Felix Roco’s character. “I have a brother who is an activist,” Idoy Villalon said. “I might do exactly what Noel does in the last part of the film.”

Rublico said she fears that someday, her comrades or even she could become a victim of atrocity. But she said Dukot also gave hope as it showed that the day would come when they would be able to reach the aims of their political struggle. (Bulatlat.com)