ALIPATO AT MUOG

ALIPATO AT MUOG
by JL BURGOS

96:00 minutes | Documentary | PG

PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR/CINEMATOGRAPHER/EDITOR – JL Burgos
WRITTEN BY – JL Burgos, Bernardine De Belen
ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE – Bong Ramilo
SOUND – Jedd Dumaguina
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – Ramona Nieva
LINE PRODUCER – Ma. Cecilia, Tronqued Burgos
CAMERA UNIT – Chantal Eco, Jonard Nabus, Gabriel Pancho, Mark Z. Saludes
ANIMATION – Sonny Burgos
POSTER DESIGN – Karl Castro
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS – Grae Dela Cruz, Vynce Genica Ong, Jun Resurreccion

LOGLINE
A filmmaker uncovers the hard truths surrounding the enforced disappearance of his older brother.

SYNOPSIS
The abduction of Jonas Burgos in 2007 was brazen – done at noontime in a crowded mall. As his family launched their search, a car plate brought them face to face with powerful forces. Despite insurmountable barriers, anonymous informants have dropped leads and even provided the last known photo of Jonas in captivity. Edita, the 80-year old mother, and her filmmaker son lead the long and arduous fight for justice. Presented through testimonials of their lawyer, a reporter, a former Justice Secretary and Human Rights Commission Chair, and witnesses who agreed to appear on condition of anonymity, combined with animation and never-before-seen footage of the family’s relentless search, the documentary film weaves the stories together to uncover the truths, however painful, about the brother’s disappearance.

FILMMAKER’S PROFILE

For 25 years, JL BURGOS has worked on short films, experimental videos, public service announcements, web series, and a TV show in various capacities. His body of works focuses on human rights. His filmography includes: full-length documentaries “Portraits of Mosquito Press” (2015) and “Han-Ayan” (2017), full-length film “Oras De Peligro,” stage plays “Tumindig Ka Aking Saksi” and “Salvage Eman,” and “Ano Ang Aming Kasalanan” and “Pagkatapos Nito” music videos. He is the youngest brother of farmer- activist Jonas Burgos who was forcibly taken by state forces. Since his brother’s abduction in 2007, Burgos has been helping spread awareness about enforced disappearance. Burgos is the proponent of Stop The Attacks, a campaign by artists for artists who have been victims of constant red-tagging and state harassment. Burgos is currently the Chairperson of Surian ng Sining, a national cultural institute of artists, writers, and cultural workers.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

An overwhelming feeling came over me when I did not have a glimpse of even the shadow of my brother that night. No text. No phone calls. No brother came home. Jonas was abducted by state forces in 2007 while having lunch in a mall. It was a case of enforced disappearance and it was the start of the family’s nightmare. The government defines Enforced Disappearance in Republic Act 10353 as the act of arresting, detaining, abducting, or otherwise depriving someone of their liberty by state agents or by individuals or groups acting with the approval, backing, or consent of the state. Since the martial law of dictator Marcos Sr, about 1,912 desaparecidos remain missing to date, according to human rights group Karapatan. But how can justice prevail when the crime is committed by the very institution that is mandated to protect its people? Where does one even turn for answers? This is why this documentary is very personal to me. Telling Jonas’s story is telling the story of more than a thousand victims of enforced disappearance. Our nightmare is the nightmare of every family of a desaparecido. There are no illusions that this documentary will stop enforced disappearances. But it is my hope that this film will serve as both a step towards finding Jonas and a stride towards justice for all victims of enforced disappearance.