Edward Mico Joseph Agustin

MANILA — Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, director of the documentary "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea," received a warm welcome at NAIA Terminal 3 on Monday evening, fresh off her film's success at New Zealand's prestigious Doc Edge Festival. 

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"Food Delivery" documentary director receives hero's welcome after award-winning run in New Zealand

Bea Cuadra

MANILA — Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, director of the documentary &quot;Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,&quot; received a warm welcome at NAIA Terminal 3 on Monday evening, fresh off her film&#x27;s success at New Zealand&#x27;s prestigious Doc Edge Festival.<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/7/3/pinoy-documentary-food-delivery-wins-in-new-zealand-s-doc-edge-festival-1908">The film won</a> the Tides of Change Award under the Best Festival Category.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/7/4/chinese-consulate-wants-pinoy-documentary-food-delivery-removed-from-nz-screenings-report-2037">Chinese consulate wanted Pinoy documentary &#x27;Food Delivery&#x27; removed from NZ screenings: report</a></div>&quot;Food Delivery,&quot; produced under Voyage Studios, delves into a deeply personal story of the country and its people, specifically addressing the contentious situation in the West Philippine Sea.Upon her arrival, Villarama shared her surprise and gratitude for the unexpected turn of events.She revealed that Doc Edge, which she described as &quot;the biggest documentary film festival in Asia Pacific,&quot; was the first to extend an invitation after the film&#x27;s initial premiere in the Philippines was pulled in March.&quot;Sila yung unang tumawag and they said, you know, send us your film. Sarado na yung aming call for entries, and we will look at it baka pwede.&quot; Villarama recounted, expressing her disbelief at the rapid succession of events.&quot;Nagulat naman po kami kasi ang bilis ng mga pangyayari, kumbaga nagluluksa pa kaming na-pull out nga ang pelikula, pero ito parang biglang may blessing na ibinigay.&quot;Out of 1,500 film submissions, &quot;Food Delivery&quot; was among the 33 documentaries selected for the festival. The film then went on to win in a special award category, further solidifying its impact.Villarama said her motivation for making the film was rooted in a desire to stand with her fellow Filipinos.&quot;I&#x27;m just an independent documentarist filmmaker, pero tumindig lang ako para sa kababayan natin na naagrabyado na ng sitwasyon,&quot; she said.Despite considering herself &quot;the most non-political person,&quot; Villarama felt compelled to act upon witnessing the challenges faced especiallly by Filipino fishermen venturing at the West Philippine Sea.&quot;Food Delivery is a personal story of our country, our people,&quot; she added. &quot;And sa akin, ako &#x27;yung pinaka non-political na tao. Hindi naman ako sana sa mga ganito, pero minsan nakita mo na binu-bully na &#x27;yung mga kababayan mo, so sabi ko tingnan natin kung ano ang maitutulong natin.&quot;Villarama expressed immense gratitude for the courage of those who supported the film and championed artistic freedom.She hopes the New Zealand screening is just the beginning.&quot;Hopefully, other festivals will come in, kumbaga simula pa lang ito ng journey,&quot; she remarked.&quot;The goal is to really share Food Delivery to many festivals, many audiences, not just in the Philippines but all over the world, para malaman kung ano ang nangyayari sa atin.&quot;The director ultimately hopes the film will find its way to Filipino audiences, for whom it was originally made.

MANILA — Filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, director of the documentary "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea," received a warm welcome at NAIA Terminal 3 on Monday evening, fresh off her film's success at New Zealand's prestigious Doc Edge Festival.

'Food Delivery' director back in PH after New Zealand festival victory

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'Food Delivery' director back in PH after New Zealand festival victory

Bea Cuadra

Published July 08, 2025 07:05 AM PHT

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