Dennis Gasgonia

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Food

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<p>Award-winning filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama on Saturday said her team is working to make her documentary, Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, more accessible to the public after its well received screening at Power Plant Mall in Makati.</p><p>Villarama said they plan to hold special screenings for coast guard members and fisherfolk who face constant threats from Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. She also hopes to bring the film to students, especially those in Filipino-Chinese institutions.</p><p>“We believe that they can be our diplomats, our ambassadors in the future because they know the language, and at the same time, they are also Filipinos. So they could be a champion for this,” Villarama said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/7/27/food-delivery-shines-spotlight-on-quiet-heroism-in-west-ph-sea-2254"><strong>&#x27;Food Delivery&#x27; shines spotlight on quiet heroism in West PH Sea </strong></a></div><p> The 2025 documentary shows the struggles of Filipino fisherfolk and maritime frontliners during their resupply missions in contested waters. Villarama said the idea for the documentary started over a meal with producer Chuck Gutierrez, when they discussed how the territorial conflict could one day affect every Filipino’s food supply.</p><p> “Food may be a common ground for people to talk about the West Philippine Sea and I think we have the opportunity here to bring the issue closer to our gut,” Villarama said.</p><p> The film earlier faced roadblocks in its distribution. </p><p>It was pulled from a local film festival and drew controversy when the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland, New Zealand, attempted to block its world premiere at the Doc Edge Festival. </p><p>Villarama said she does not condone efforts to suppress the film but is grateful the controversy drew more attention to it.</p><p>Artists and filmmakers have also voiced their support for the documentary.</p><p> “Talagang nakita mo ‘yung every day life, everyday struggles nila… nakakaiyak. Maganda na mapanood ito lalong lalo na ng mga kabataan bago pa matakpan ang katotohanan at bago tuluyang mawala ang katotohanan,” said actress Cherry Pie Picache. </p><p>“Sobrang mahalaga ‘yung ganitong klaseng pelikula katulad ng Food Delivery. Bukod sa nagbabanggit siya sa katotohanan sa paligid natin, I think it’s such a great example for, not just filmmakers, but for citizens to be brave,” said director Keith Sikat.</p><p> Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who attended the screening, said she would coordinate with her fellow West Philippine Sea bloc members in the Senate to help promote the film.</p><p> “Dapat talaga mapanood ng higit na nakararami sa ating mga kababayan… ito ‘yung pinaka-shining, powerful, unifying instrumento at sandata rin that can call all of us who are fighting for this in different forms,” said Hontiveros.</p><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/7/7/-food-delivery-director-back-in-ph-after-new-zealand-festival-victory-0705"><strong>&#x27;Food Delivery&#x27; director back in PH after New Zealand festival victory</strong></a></div><p> In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s claims over the West Philippine Sea. However, China has refused to recognize the ruling and continues to assert control through the presence of its vessels and harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and maritime patrols.</p><div>  </div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K28JwUtPz2w??si=bSNNZIO5Iesu3K85&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Award-winning filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama on Saturday said her team is working to make her documentary, Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, more accessible to the public after its well received screening at Power Plant Mall in Makati.</p>

Award-winning filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama on Saturday said her team is working to make her documentary, Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, more accessible to the public after its well received screening at Power Plant Mall in Makati.

Lawmaker, artists advocate for more venues to screen ‘Food Delivery’ docu

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Lawmaker, artists advocate for more venues to screen ‘Food Delivery’ docu

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 03, 2025 12:48 AM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

documentary

China

Food Delivery

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film

viewing

Villarama

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